What was the worst thing that happened to you in 2009? The best?
I was going to say I've no idea.
And then regarding the best thing, I was going to say I'm drunk enough to admit it...
But actually I've decided I'm not.
2009 was a good year - as good as 2008. The best of two so far in my life. and no, not because of the thing I'm not drunk enough to say about... but generally.
It might not be in the holiday spirit, but we want to know anyway: What's the best present you received this year?
My 9 year old niece gave me a present this year - and made me promise not to open it. All I knew was it was something she'd bought from the local school fair.
In the meantime, we'd forgotten to buy crackers for our Christmas meal (just the two of us) and were wishing we hadn't.
When we opened the present, it was a Christmas decoration to put on our tree and one solitary cracker. So that was the best thing I received this year.
White lights or colored lights? Blinking or non-blinking? Bonus points if you show us a photo of the lights you used to decorate for the holidays.
I'd just settle for ones that work. I've actually settled for ones that don't though.
What's your favorite holiday memory?
As in the Christmas holidays? For me, three years ago when I finally took the decision not to spend another Christmas with my parents. I chose because they look after two of my nieces - the two born to my crazy oldest sister who I don't wish to ever see again. It's the one day a year we're guaranteed to see her otherwise. Neither of my other sisters goes now for the same reason. It's also lovely to be freed of sitting around doing bugger all after the delightful frenzy of opening presents - often descending into watching the Eastenders schmaltzy Christmas special, not even playing board games. Literally doing nothing but break for huge amounts of food during the day.
Now we measure our christmases not by much - by eating, opening presents, and watching things on TV (including Dr Who!) but we do so on our own terms. Eating filet mignon this year with what's to be a lovely gravy and lots of other things. Enjoying eachother's company and not feeling forced to spend a day doing bugger all on someone else's terms whilst with someone we've got no interest in seeing being there.
My mum takes it surprisingly well. And I do go down very often throughout the year other than this.
Favourite holiday-holiday memory...: Probably anything concerning Cape Town. Walking on 'our' beach (possibly the night the sea was all churned up and stormy and when the baby seal found itself parked on the shore (it lived)). or climbing Table Mountain. or walking around Cape Point (not the time we were harassed by baboons!).
Say what you like, but I'm not picking the canal boat holiday with my mother in law.
What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?
A hunky man. This will only work if I don't get my way to get a real one that drops needles on him.
What's your guilty television pleasure?
I've just got Freeview, so at the moment it's watching Beauty and the Geek on a Saturday morning. Also Judge Judy. and Sally Jesse Raphael... and more Friends and Scrubs than any normal person can take.
Thankfully, I still have 4OD - channel 4 repeats on the internet - and I am loving Cast Offs at the moment. What a fab series.
What's the first exhibit you visit at the zoo?
You, ya big monkey!
Handmade cards to e-cards, caroling to MP3s… How has technology changed your holiday traditions?
Sponsored by LifeScoop: Bringing You Tips for a Connected Lifestyle.It hasn't.
Are you prepared in case of a natural disaster? What do your plan and preparations include?
I have an ice pack in the freezer in case there's a volcano. or I'll just run whatever it is under cold water, I reckon.
I also have my Cave Plans ongoing - including who's in and who's out. Plus the tent that Big Boy won't let me get rid of (we haven't camped since 2005) 'just in case there's a nuclear holocaust' and we need to escape the city for the woods.
What's the worst vacation you've ever taken?
A holiday's a holiday. Even I'm not one to complain about a holiday.
