2008 insights

On my regular visit to Pyjammy, I came across the habit of answering an end-of-year-questionnaire. I find it rather tempting to fill in my responses. However, I fear to publish too personal stories - esp. mentioning thirds' ones - and will be reading my text several times before going online. With 38 items the list is too long in my eyes, I will simply ignore some sort of boring ones. Have fun reading and be warned: You will not be able to avoid thinking about your own 2008.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I did by first ever bike race. Even more exciting, it was the Alpine race "DreiLaenderGiro", crossing Stelvio Pass at 2,757 meters above sea level.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions any more, I just have aspirations.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
None, and no signs to become grandpa.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Uwe. Do I need to say more.

5. What countries did you visit?
In order of visits: Spain (Gran Canaria), Spain (Mallorca), Netherlands, England, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Iceland, Ireland, USA, Canada. As you see I am retired.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Reach the top of a really high mountain (> 5,000m).

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
31/05/2008: Day of Stockholm Marathon - my funniest race ever.
22/06/2008: Alpine Bike Race DreiLaenderGiro, 168K, 3,500 height meters.
13/07/2008: Uwe died at Zugspitzlauf.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Successfully and regularly helping J with her school homework.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Let Uwe run to his death.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Arthritic knee, very high cholesterol level. But there was much more to suffer.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The most exciting thing is my new mountain bike. It is still unused due to the cold weather.

(12. Whose behavior merited celebration?)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There is a row of persons leaping into my mind. They all won't be surprised to be recalled in this way - but I'd rather not name them.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Travelling - as you guessed.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
J's first ever mark "2" in maths.

(16. What song will always remind you of 2008?)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? changes even more frequently
b) thinner or fatter? + 2 kilos
c) richer or poorer? lost 30% of all the money I saved during my life, but had a number of worthy experiencies

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Long-distance walking, high level trekking.

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

(20. How did you spend Christmas?)

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Me? I won't tell you anyway.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
In German TV? You're joking.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
There is at least one I above mentioned in no 13.

24. What was the best book you read?
The Cholesterol Myths, by Uffe Ravnskov

(25. What was your greatest musical discovery?)

26. What did you want and get?
Really not for the public!

27. What did you want and not get?
Better: What did I get and not want: My first ever penalty points (for driving too fast).

(28. What was your favorite film of this year?)

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Do I have to say?! I got 55! But I don't remember how I did.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Come on, let me save my dreams. Writing down would let me face that is impossible.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Desperately trying to occure younger.

32. What kept you sane?
Moving and laughing! Perhaps crying, too?

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Obama is too far away to fancy and I reckon he can't meet all desires. -
I would like to mention biker Jan Ullrich who has my sympathy as he was not able to defend himself properly. He has made the same faults as everybody else did. It is an error to think of the best sports performer to be the most perfect personality inevitably.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hundreds of billion Euros spent to save crashed banks but no money to renovate schools and buy books for the local library.

35. Who did you miss?
Whenever I race nearby I miss fellow runner Uwe.

(36. Who was the best new person you met?)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
You can't avoid deep valleys between high mountains.

(38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.)

Thanks for reading right to the end.