Bud's Last Stand of 2016

Happy New Year.

I never thank the guys who post these questions every week. It is a thankless task, but they do this with grace, humour and vigilance every week. Okay, sometimes the questions are pitched at 15-year-old, but for the very most part they bring a lot of joy to my rather boring weekends.

It's an unpaid and thankless task that they do and I hope BudWeiser and Kwizgiver accept my apologies for being a thoughtless and stroppy cow at times. As somebody who works, studies and does a heap of pro bono and committee work, I know what it is like to get unwarranted criticism when you're only doing your best - so please accept my apologies for my occasional rants.

This meme, which has been on the site for the last five years is my favourite meme of the year, and it's something that I cherish doing at this time. It give a chance to reflect on over the last year. And it gets people thinking about just what life is all about.

So again, thanks to the crew at Sunday Stealing for putting these questions up and allowing us to take stock of the year. And here's to a good year of memes.

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

Got through both grief and heartbreak with my head held high. The grief still comes in waves, but it's manageable. The heart is pretty much mended a year on - and taking the high road has been both releasing and strengthening. He's gone. It's good.

2. Best thing that happened to you was...

Getting dumped. Dodged a bullet there.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friends Georgie and Thom had a little girl. I hope to meet her soon - well before she graduates from university.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nobody close to me died, but I've had a lot of death around me. I have a lot of friends who have lost love ones. It's been an honour to be able to stand next to them and be by their side through the process.

5. What countries did you visit?

Only Indonesia (Bali) and New Zealand this year. Would like to remedy this. Love travelling.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

More laughter and more travel. 2016 was a heavy year. It would be lovely to laugh more and travel more. However, as I'm finishing my Masters this year, I'm not sure how feasible this will be. Well the travel anyway.

7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 14. It was the day that I found out Alan Rickman had died. I know it's daft to mourn a celebrity death, but I felt that one personally. I mourn the films he never made. He came across as such a great man.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I've ended up with one distinction and two high distinctions in my studies. I work hard, but it's nice to see the work pays off.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Losing weight. That didn't happen this year. That changes this year. It has to.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Other than a bout of flu, a couple of lingering colds and the odd strain from the gym, my big injury was Bruce the Bum Bruise. I tripped and bruised the left butt cheek of my arse. It was an epic bruise. There is still a lump in my butt, which is slowly going some eight months on. I really did myself a  number on this one.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I discovered Marc Jacobs make up. My Miss Scarlett lipstick is a favourite. oh year, I bought a new car too. Strange how lipstick trumps a car...

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I'm a huge fan of Justin Trudeau. Like all politicians, he's not perfect, but I like his style. Strangely, I'm also a fan of our state Premier, Dan Andrews. Again, not perfect, but he appears to be getting stuff done.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Where do I start. Aging man-baby, Donald Trump is simply appalling. Most of the Australian Federal Cabinet could go jump of a cliff and there would be no loss.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, tuition and travel.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Strangely, writing a screenplay for school. I started work on a mini-series. It got me a 89% grade from my tutor. I'd love to take this further. Meeting Richard Flanagan was also pretty cool.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

Strangely, it will be Bowie's "A Space Oddity". It makes me remember he won't be making any more music, It's a shame.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

a) About the same
b) A bit fatter
c) About the same - though I'm richer in wisdom.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Laugh, travel, drink gin, exercised (though for a few months it was hard to do much because of that bloody bruise)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eat chips. Moped privately for three months over an arsehole who is thankfully out of my life.

20. How will you spend New Year's Eve?

As it is now New Year's Day, last night I went and saw a film and had a spot of dinner with a friend. The cat and I then listened to the fireworks.

21. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"But since you been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on"   (Kelly Clarkson, Since You've Been Gone)

22. What was your favorite new TV program?

Rather fond of Outlander and UnReal. Both are streamed. Both are great.

23. What was the rudest thing someone did to you in 2016?

I hold the Federal Government accountable for all of the stuff ups they've done as the height of rudeness.

24. What was the best book you read?

Charlotte Ross' "The Natural Way of Things".

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Elle King. She's great.

26. What did you want and get?

A new car. It was a bit of a surprise occurrence near my birthday, bit I still love it. It's also still shiny and red.

27. What did you want and not get?

The happy ever after. But I don't think that exists, so that is fine.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

This is a toss up. I loved La La Land - but "The Hunt for the Wilderpeople" is still choice, bro.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Nothing much. Went to work, then had dumplings at a favourite place with a friend and my parents.

30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Regular trips to Sydney to see a friend. Nuff said there. Doing well at my studies.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

Plain, boring, black.

32. What kept you sane?

Friends, movies, books, writing, exercise - and the odd gin and tonic.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Still have a thing for Richard Roxburgh and Craig McLachlan.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I still cannot get over how Australia treats asylum seekers. It's gone on for too long. The fact that some idiot politicians are debating climate science also gets my goat. I won't talk about America. Sheesh.

35. Who did you miss?

Alan Rickman. David Bowie. My friend Reindert who is hopefully moving to Colorado this year.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

My work brother. he's half my age, Punjabi and we were nearly instant friends. He's good to have about. There is a life force about him.

Finally, to quote T.S. Eliot,

“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

Here's to a good year.