I’m such a lemming. But I like the recap. Kudos - heydomsar.

Place of 2007: My Hammock

A good hammock is not to be derided. Seven years ago my family went to visit friends in Venezuela and I slept in a hammock for most of the three weeks we were there. As a parting gift I was given a soft canvas hammock that I was told was “too hot” for Venezuela. It wasn’t until I moved into my new apartment this summer I had room to buy a hammock stand and string it up on my balcony. I put up citronella torches and hanging baskets of plants. I sat in my hammock until the small hours of the morning listening to the lake and the soothing thrum of traffic on Park St. while reading a book from my collection by torch light. It may not seem at first like the place to be but tell me now that you don’t like the idea of it just a little or wouldn’t enjoy having a place like that to defrag?

Month of 2007: October

Was a month of transitions. I went on my favorite camping trip to date on Brunet Island and discovered that the changes I’d been making during the past month in my health made a measurable difference in my stamina. So maybe I don’t hate hiking as much as I thought I did. The Brunet Island camping crew was just such a fantastic mix of people. I loved sitting out under the night sky watching shooting stars and laughing at nothing and everything until four in the morning. You people were all wonderful – I love you.

Best Day of 2007: Rediscovering my brother

Again in October, I forgot how much I love my brother Arnie when he is introspective. It’s like riding a bike – spending time with him. I was on a high from going camping and feeling so energetic. So I called him to go long boarding with me. He had to finish up a project on his house and so I hauled bricks for him. We cleaned up and long boarded around the lake for an hour and then sat on our boards in front of the Museum of Modern Art and my brother just let everything out. I love being someone he can unequivocally rely on. On the way back we drove past a sign that advertised they were having a karaoke night and we stopped so he could sing Minnie the Moocher. I sung Bjork – Oh So Quiet. It was a day that felt like home.

Best Moment of 2007: Just call me Hellga

Lifting 14 -45lb plates on the leg press at the gym. That translates into 630lbs total. I’ve never felt so in control of my body.

Word of 2007: Omphaloskepsis, Superfluous

Literally it means to contemplate one’s navel. It’s an idiom for complacent self-absorption.

Superfluous – more because Baby Kangaroo tries to use constantly since I introduced it to him. But he has issues with the pronunciation – which is hilarious. I wish I’d recorded him.

Movie of 2007: Look Both Ways

Thank you to Johanna for giving me the gift of a truly fantastic movie obsession. In the end it’s about what has value in life – is it how we die, or when? Or what we do with the time we have.

Song of 2007: Big Girls You Are Beautiful - Mika

It’s so pop-ish and wonderful and makes me feel very zaftig. “Take your skinny girl and multiply her by four – now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more…” (And we do – it’s true.)

Book of 2007: I read a LOT of poetry in 2007 but I’ve discovered/rediscovered Thomas Stearns Elliot so I suppose I have more and Author of 2007 than a Book.

Album of 2007: Wicked – the original Broadway Cast Recording.

It’s a phenomenal musical – the songs have words like hoi polloi and bally-hoo. Tell me how I could not have fallen completely in love? Defy Gravity would be my quote of 2007 if there were a place in this for a quote of 2007. Oh wait I could make that happen. Here.

Quotation of 2007

“Defy Gravity”

“If that’s what you’re into?”

Purchase of 2007 – Gym Membership

Ok so you probably thought I was going to say Guitar Hero III but actually that would have to be on Purchase of 2008. But that might get eclipsed by Rock Band when I finally buy my PS3.

City of 2007: Chicago, IL

I’ve been further away in 2007 but I love Chicago. It has the Shedd Aquarium. It had BJORK!!!!!! Quite frankly it’s my favorite place to day trip. I HEART Chicago.

Food of 2007: Crab Cupcakes

Ok so I’m going through a phase with making cupcakes for EVERYTHING. Are you throwing a party – I’ll provide the cupcakes! Am I throwing a party – more cupcakes. This particular cupcake started it all. Its vanilla pound cake frosted with bright red butter cream. They had black candy eyes and little chocolate sprinkle angry eyebrows. Super-cute and tres delicious.

I made sharks after that but they were a sugar-coma waiting to happen.

Beverage of 2007: Tanqueray Rangpur & Tonic

I believe in sticking to the classics.

Person of 2007 (someone who made a difference for you this year):

Joey aka Baby Kangaroo

Ok so he’s a man whore with a serious addiction to facial augmentation and tanning. But he has depth of character underneath the ho. I’ve known many pretty people in my life and none of them have put themselves on the line for me like he has. So it’s clear there is more to Joey than his naked mermaid tattoo and carefully groomed beard stubble. It’s with his help I’ve begun to understand how strong (mentally/physically) I am.

Spot of 2007 (the best place to go to just be): My Apartment

I suppose this would tie in with the hammock but seriously - I love the little nest I’ve built for myself. If I never travel anywhere exotic it’ll be ok because I have a nice place to roost. I’m so glad I found this place in ‘07

Clothing Item of 2007: Amber

Oddly enough on my San Diego trip this year we visited the Zoo. In the gift shop they had an amazing selection of amber jewelry. I picked up a necklace and a ring. They are my favorite things to wear. I would wear them everyday if I could. In fact I’m wearing them right now!

Random Thing of 2007 (anything you want): Grey’s Anatomy

You all became a bunch of ho’s in ’07 – what’s up with that?

Random Thing of 2008 (prediction): Myself

I might just be who I really am by the end of this year. How cool is that?