redfiona99 | Two Yearly Memes

1) Was 2008 a good year for you?

No. I spent large chunks of it miserable at work and or (non-clinical usage) depressed. I hope 2009 will be better.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year?

I am not joking when I say it was a bad year. San Diego was pretty cool though.

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?

Pick any one of the many times my supervisor decided to have a go at me.

4) Where were you when 2008 began?

At my Uncle's.

5) Who were you with?

Just me and my Uncle, watching Jools followed by the Rocky Horror Show and Monty Python's Meaning of Life (which, while it's not as good as Life of Brian, is better than Holy Grail).

6) Where will you be when 2008 ends?

Possibly the same.

7) Who will you be with when 2008 ends?

See previous answer, if not, probably with the family.

8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2008?

Yeah. My temper really has mostly been under control. Now for the exercising bit.

9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2009?

Not really. Try to wake up with my alarm clock more often. Make at least one person a day smile.

10) Did you fall in love in 2008?

Not anymore than I already was.

11) If yes, with who?

12) If yes, do they know?

No. Maybe. Sort of. Damn boy who I can't get a read on.

14) Do you regret it?

Nope. Not really.

15) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008?

Not exactly. I wasn't dating him. There was a large level of confusion and missed signals and I turned him down.

16) Did you make any new friends in 2008?

Baby fencers, mostly, who have all been very cool.

17) Who are your favorite new friends?

I like the baby fencers an equal amount.

18) What was your favorite month of 2008?

Possibly July, it had the trip to Paris, but at the same time, yeah, that didn't go brilliantly smoothly. June was also cool. Except the tooth chipping. Yeah, we'll go with June, a gig, lots of fencing, lots of films, the worst of the year hadn't happened yet.

19) Did you travel outside of the UK in 2008?

Yes, Paris and the US.

20) How many different states did you travel to in 2008?

Hee! For once I can answer this. California (San Diego), Texas (Fort Worth, Dallas) and Illinois (Chicago O'Hare)

21) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008?

No. Thankfully.

22) Did you miss anybody in the past year?

Babs and Katie like you wouldn't believe. Steve and Mez. Nish and Nuf.

23) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008?

New to the world, probably Speed Racer. New to me, probably the Gamers 2, brilliantly funny.

24) What was your favorite song from 2008?

The damn Ashlee Simpson one ("Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)") Ear worm of the lowest order. I've mostly been out of it, but some Flogging Molly songs also make the cut - "Far Away Boys", "Likes of You Again" and "Rebels of the Sacred Heart". Totally going on an album spree. I have also just been informed that Alphabeat only appeared this year so 'Fascination' is in with a huge shout too. I like my pop spangly and electro-ified. Also 'American Boy' by Estelle. Also 'Love Is Noise' by the Verve is just so ... it's very Verve and yet electro-pop and lovely. The only good point about a lot of these very poor 80s jangly indie revival bands is the electro they provide.

25) What was your favorite record from 2008?

See previous statement. Everything I've bought has been old. I finally have my grubby paws on "Moon Safari" by Air though, which makes me happy.

26) How many concerts did you see in 2008?

Only one - Flogging Molly at the Astoria in London. Which has been compulsary purchased by the government so they can build more transport for the 2012 games. The government annoys me sometimes.

27) Did you have a favorite concert in 2008?

Probably not really applicable given, but it was a very good gig.

28) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2008?

Not really. Got stooshed twice in London, but that's about it. I've probably drunk more than I did last year, but in a less bingey manner.

29) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2008?

None.

30) How many people did you sleep with in 2008?

Also none.

31) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?

Many things, I am repressing most of them.

33) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2008?

People tend not to lie to my face. Yveline told a whopper about me to Ruthie, but I managed to sort it out. Mad Belgian!

34) Did you treat somebody badly in 2008?

Possibly, but he got his own hopes up.

35) Did somebody treat you badly in 2008?

No. Except my supervisor, everyone has been exceptionally nice.

36) How much money did you spend in 2008?

Not too much. My savings are coming along nicely, although my plan for Mum's present may dent them somewhat. Russia here we come.

37) What was your proudest moment of 2008?

Um. Like I say, it's been a bad year. Three possibilities from fencing though, getting 9 on OO at the Nottingham. Taking someone to time in my DE at the Merseyside. Getting 7 on TH at the Leicester.

38) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?

Far too many.

39) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?

See up page. Probably gagged myself for large chunks of the year.

40) What are your plans for 2009?

Get more results for my PhD work. Get most of the writing up done before this meme comes round again.

This year's fic round up

Stories I wrote this year:

Wrestling:
Hard Ball In A Soft Court - Stacy Kiebler-smut. - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/516608.html
Cover Versions - Orton/OFC smut - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/507779.html
A Real Green Time - Orton/RVD smut - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/451614.html

Miscellaneous

Waiting (part 2 of 3) - Seaquest DSV slash fic - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/496097.html
He Who Fights Too Long Against Dragons - Reign of Fire fic for the LGBT fic fest. - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/476175.html
Strange Loyalty - Rome gen fic, set post-series - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/468982.html

Doctor Who and Torchwood

Athletic Performance - Owen Harper/Mark Lynch smut-let for Joanne's Porn Battle - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/488828.html
The Scientist's Song - Gen fic, episode tag for Planet of the Ood. - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/476175.html
A Battalion of Worries - Torchwood-based 'Five Things' fic, jossed by the glory that was season 2. - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/451614.html#cutid1

Harry Potter

Contrary to Popular Opinion - Gen fic featuring Remus Lupin, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger, severely Jossed by HBP. - http://redfiona99.livejournal.com/488319.html

Only 10 fics. Poor showing, it must be said. I had hoped to have more finished, but such is life. Not a lot of wrestling fics because I haven't had enough contact with the source material.

My favorite story this year: It's a toss-up between He Who Fights Too Long Against Dragons, because I enjoyed fleshing out there world and I want to write more in that 'verse, and Battalion of Worries, because I really enjoyed writing it. I'm reasonably happy with all of them though, which makes a change.

My best story this year: Going off the feedback I got for it, Cover Versions. Thank you all very much again.

Story most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion: Scientist's Song. Not one word of feedback, possibly my fault for writing gen fic in what has become a more 'shippy-fandom, particularly with 9 and 10. Also, it's backstory for a one episode character who has all of five lines. I can see why it's been ignored but ... it rankles.

Most fun story: Strange Loyalty. Pullo being useful to Octavian, and Octavian still having him visit, however many years later. I miss Rome.

Most sexy story: Probably, for the overall, A Real Green Time. The tickling and the laughter, and it's written, to my mind, with the equivalent of gauzy lead actress lighting.

Story with single sexiest moment: Probably Cover Versions. The bit where Randy just can't stop himself, going against all his own plans.

Hardest story to write: He Who Fights Too Long Against Dragons - I was so worried about getting the right feeling to go with the purpose of the challenge, and getting the characterisation and the voices right and oh, everything. I'm so very grateful for Missy's reassurance during the process.

"Holy crap, that's *wrong*, even for you" story: Handball in a Soft Court - Personally, I have no problem with fisting, but I shall admit it's a little bit of an extreme kink. Hence why I wrote it, if I couldn't do it for a kink-fic challenge, when could I.

Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: He Who Fights etc - well, not so much shifted it, but definitely expanded it. I have oodles of backstory that I want to write.

Biggest disappointment: Part 2 of Waiting, I'm not sure it covered everything I wanted to, but at least it set up part 3 nicely.

Biggest surprise: People read Cover Versions despite there being an OC. I was worried that that would put people off.

Most unintentionally telling story: None of them really. Battalion of Worries having Jack end up with Tosh last of all may have something to do with me having been a Jack/Tosh 'shipper before the wonder that was season 2.