New Year. New Meme.

Jane and the Mad Hatter both tagged me for the 2008 questions meme. I'm waiting for data to process as I rest from cleaning up and packing the car to head south again tomorrow, so answering questions seems about my speed this afternoon.

1. Will you be looking for a new job?
It is highly likely that I will. I hear back about the faculty position early in 2008 and will return to the job boards in earnest after that.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I will always and forever be looking for a relationship, I think. But am I actively dating and searching? No. Do I plan to? Not really.

3. New house?
I hope so. I don't know that I could happily tolerate an apartment again.

4. What will you do differently in 08?
I've long thought I should spend more time at the office. But I am productive at home. But should I take an industry or faculty job, more face time will be required. So perhaps I'll try a 4 days/week on campus plan.

5. New Years resolution?
I don't really do them in an official way.

6. What will you not be doing in 08?
I honestly have no idea what to say here. Kicking puppies? I'll never do that.

7. Any trips planned?
Of course. I'll return to my graduate campus in February for a seminar and visit. I want to make trips to see Carrie and M, though I haven't selected dates yet. Why? Would anyone like to invite me to visit?

8. Wedding plans?
Please. No.

9. Major thing on your calendar?
Everything is quite loose coming up here. I'm waiting to hear on journal articles and job prospects so I'm constantly at the ready for something big, but could see myself being happy if life stays quiet for the next couple months. (But not too long. Something needs to happen soon or I shall grow despondent.)

10. What can’t you wait for?
Good gracious, I suck at this meme. I don't know. I can't wait to know where I'll end up. I like to have clearer visions of my future than I currently can see.

11. What would you like to see happen differently?
I would like to have something exciting and happy to post for one of these questions if this meme is completed next December.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?
It depends on this next job step, I think. Could be very little, could be a tremendous amount, I suppose.

13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
I gave blood. Two times. Despite my abject fear of needles and hatred of blood.

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
Honestly? Probably not. I'm evil when I'm stressed and this year looks to be moderately painful in that regard. I could try. Fine - I will try.

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
No. I like gray pants and I will always like gray pants. I also love pajamas and can't see that changing when I'm around the house.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?
No. I like drinking but will continue to do so occasionally. Daiquiris are delicious. Riesling is delightful. Perhaps I will grow to like red wines more in 2008.

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
My family is good. But I suppose we might be better after I move closer. The shorter distance will enable more frequent visits and closer contact. So, sure.

18. Will you do charity work?
I'd like to. I dropped the ball at my current location, but I'd like to get more involved again.

19. Will you go to bars?
It's not likely. I don't like bars or clubs - I get quite awkward and uncomfortable.

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
If said unknown person is not in my way, then yes. Of course. If they or their car or cart or stuff is hindering my forward progress, I'll probably let them know it.

21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
I seem to grow continuously more pessimistic. I remember being profoundly depressed in 2006 and don't anticipate doing that again. 2007 was the year of Mom being sick and I pray we don't repeat that. I suppose I don't want to expect it to be good and be disappointed. I'll just wait and see. But you'll know through my updates how things are going. I do hope it's wonderful.

22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
I'd have to re-read my blog entries. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it very well might be.

23. Do you plan on having a child?
No. The plan is to wait until my mid-30s and adopt. Unless a man comes along and loves me dearly, of course.

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
I very much hope so. I know some amazing, wonderful, loving, brilliant, delightful people.

25. Major lifestyle changes?
I'm considering cutting soda and sweets for a couple months in an attempt to slim down. The very thought makes me twitchy though so it's still in the consideration phase.

26. Will you be moving?
Definitely. I don't know when, but it will happen in 2008.

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?
Seriously? I don't know. I tend to make the same mistakes over and over.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
I will be home. Alone. Likely doing the same data processing I'm doing right now in the background. Perhaps I'll watch DVDs since New Years television fails to please me.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
This meme wants me to cry, doesn't it? No. I don't know that I've ever had someone to kiss at midnight. Thinking, thinking, thinking. Nope. Never. How heartbreaking is that?

30. One wish for 08?
I always wish for love. When throwing coins in fountains or wishing on stars, my thought is always for love. Though I'm always thinking of the romantic sense, the wishes have been granted by friends and family and colleagues and even people I meet through writing online. So more of that would be lovely. And I'm always wishing many good things for all of you.

If you decide to answer these questions and haven't already, please leave a comment and I'll update the post to do after-the-fact tags.