I thought it might be a nice idea to start this blog with the New Year's questionnaire that Jen posted, and fill in the blanks and answer the questions this raises as we go...
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Started our own company, and employed permanent employees. Made plenty of mistakes with this, but learned valuable lessons from each one.
Started our own company, and employed permanent employees. Made plenty of mistakes with this, but learned valuable lessons from each one.
FINALLY got my dad to move back to Cape Town!!!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t do New Year’s resolutions as a rule. What usually happens is that I analyse the last year in my mind, and sort of evaluate where I am, and what I’ve done.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my husband’s cousin died of a heart attack at the age of 48.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just good ol’ South Africa, although I dream frequently about overseas travel (does that count?)
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I have to ditto my sister on this: stability, routine, security, peace, patience, and did I mention stability and routine??? Especially on the financial front.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
29 July 2011 – this was the day I was summarily told by MXit that my contract expired on Sunday, the 31st, and I could pack up my stuff and not come back. This was also the day my husband strangled my boss. (I’ll write about this sometime).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Starting our own company, and making half a million Rand in the first six weeks of business.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Believing that people will keep their promises. The more people I meet, the more I love my cats...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suffered really badly last year with migraines. My husband shattered his foot, and had to have it reconstructed with titanium... it’s a long story and I’ll tell it to you sometime.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought a speedboat, but we haven’t been able to use it yet because it needs work, and we’ve been cash-strapped due to the new business... Being the nerd I am, I’d probably say my iPhone 4S, or my new computer :P
Starting our own company, and making half a million Rand in the first six weeks of business.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Believing that people will keep their promises. The more people I meet, the more I love my cats...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suffered really badly last year with migraines. My husband shattered his foot, and had to have it reconstructed with titanium... it’s a long story and I’ll tell it to you sometime.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought a speedboat, but we haven’t been able to use it yet because it needs work, and we’ve been cash-strapped due to the new business... Being the nerd I am, I’d probably say my iPhone 4S, or my new computer :P
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I’d probably have to choose Damian. He is the most amazing young man. He’s mature, intelligent, with a wicked sense of humour, and he’s been an absolute trooper through this difficult financial period. For a child who is used to being ultra rich, he’s adapted really well. He has also taken his younger “cousin” (Squirrel’s cousin’s child, Xavier) under his wing, and is incredibly protective of him, because Xavier’s parents are currently going through a really really ugly divorce. Xavier knows that whenever he needs to get away from things, he can come to our house, and even though he’s about 5 years younger than Damian, Damian spends good quality time with him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Unfortunately, running your own business puts you in a position to meet a lot of unscrupulous people, people who only get ahead because they lie and cheat. One guy “partnered” with us, and then royally screwed us over. It was touch-and-go as to whether or not Silkstream would even weather the storm, or would have to fold. We call him “he who can not be named”.
I’d probably have to choose Damian. He is the most amazing young man. He’s mature, intelligent, with a wicked sense of humour, and he’s been an absolute trooper through this difficult financial period. For a child who is used to being ultra rich, he’s adapted really well. He has also taken his younger “cousin” (Squirrel’s cousin’s child, Xavier) under his wing, and is incredibly protective of him, because Xavier’s parents are currently going through a really really ugly divorce. Xavier knows that whenever he needs to get away from things, he can come to our house, and even though he’s about 5 years younger than Damian, Damian spends good quality time with him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Unfortunately, running your own business puts you in a position to meet a lot of unscrupulous people, people who only get ahead because they lie and cheat. One guy “partnered” with us, and then royally screwed us over. It was touch-and-go as to whether or not Silkstream would even weather the storm, or would have to fold. We call him “he who can not be named”.
Another is the “boss” that Squirrel strangled. He insisted on pushing forward with criminal
charges against Squirrel. Thank HEAVENS,
the day before the court case, he dropped the charges.
14. Where did most of your money go?
ALL of my money went into the business – and I had a HUGE savings account L They say it will pay off, but I guess I’m impatient...
14. Where did most of your money go?
ALL of my money went into the business – and I had a HUGE savings account L They say it will pay off, but I guess I’m impatient...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited
about?
Um. Wow. Last year so much happened, I don’t think I’ve even processed a fraction of it. I didn’t have time to get excited or depressed about anything, to be honest.
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Mmm. Probably Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. Love that song.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Depends on the day.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner, thank heavens.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, definitely, financially. I think I’m in a much better place, though.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Talked, I guess. When I’m under any kind of stress, I pull into myself, and push others away.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stress and worry. 2011 was probably the biggest year of our lives so far.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas 2011 felt really sad to me, because we didn’t even have money for presents L Instead, I gave everyone IOUs, and I’d put a lot of thought into the gifts I WOULD have gotten them if I could have....
Um. Wow. Last year so much happened, I don’t think I’ve even processed a fraction of it. I didn’t have time to get excited or depressed about anything, to be honest.
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Mmm. Probably Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. Love that song.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Depends on the day.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner, thank heavens.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, definitely, financially. I think I’m in a much better place, though.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Talked, I guess. When I’m under any kind of stress, I pull into myself, and push others away.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stress and worry. 2011 was probably the biggest year of our lives so far.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas 2011 felt really sad to me, because we didn’t even have money for presents L Instead, I gave everyone IOUs, and I’d put a lot of thought into the gifts I WOULD have gotten them if I could have....
21. Where did you begin the year; and where did you end
it?
Began it at home, with my family, in the Jacuzzi.
Began it at home, with my family, in the Jacuzzi.
Ended it working. I
think Squirrel and I took 2 minutes at midnight during the work. And we didn’t even get paid for it. He who can not be named said he refuses to
pay us L
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I’m still in love, with my husband, my family and my city.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Wow, so many... I love (not necessarily in this order): Rookie Blue, House M.D., Bones, The Mentalist, Everwood, The Good Wife, White Collar, Lost Girl, Terra Nova, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother... I’ll stop now ;-)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Oh yes. Big time yes. And I do NOT hate easily.
26. What was the best book you read?
Mmm. For those of you who know me, you’ll know I’m a voracious bookworm, and go through about 7 books every 2 or 3 weeks, so it’s an absolutely impossible question to answer. Although, one of the best books I’ve EVER read was Shadow Man, by Cody MacFadyen, and then the books that followed that.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele. Love her style – so laid back.
28. What did you want and get?
Honestly? Last year was SO not about me... But I did get the new iPhone with Siri.
29. What did you want and not get?
I’ve pretty much got everything I want, except for financial security at this stage.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I don’t really watch movies.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38, but it was just after the drama of MXit, so it was a pretty uneventful birthday.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having the Captain of the Cyber Crimes unit keep his appointment with me, and shut down MXit for fraud.
I’m still in love, with my husband, my family and my city.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Wow, so many... I love (not necessarily in this order): Rookie Blue, House M.D., Bones, The Mentalist, Everwood, The Good Wife, White Collar, Lost Girl, Terra Nova, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother... I’ll stop now ;-)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Oh yes. Big time yes. And I do NOT hate easily.
26. What was the best book you read?
Mmm. For those of you who know me, you’ll know I’m a voracious bookworm, and go through about 7 books every 2 or 3 weeks, so it’s an absolutely impossible question to answer. Although, one of the best books I’ve EVER read was Shadow Man, by Cody MacFadyen, and then the books that followed that.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele. Love her style – so laid back.
28. What did you want and get?
Honestly? Last year was SO not about me... But I did get the new iPhone with Siri.
29. What did you want and not get?
I’ve pretty much got everything I want, except for financial security at this stage.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I don’t really watch movies.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38, but it was just after the drama of MXit, so it was a pretty uneventful birthday.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having the Captain of the Cyber Crimes unit keep his appointment with me, and shut down MXit for fraud.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept
in 2011?
I’ve been slowly but surely losing weight (and I do mean slowly), but I’ve always dressed for comfort more than anything else. Thank heavens with my job, jeans and takkies do the trick, unless I’m meeting clients with my Silkstream Director “hat” on.
34. What kept you sane?
My family and friends.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Duchess Kate – she is so gorgeous, elegant and poised.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The uprisings in the Muslim worlds, Tunisia, Egypt made me proud to be living now, and I was incredibly upset at the way Gaddafi was lynch-mob murdered. He did not deserve that, and for the US to get involved and claim credit for it was so wrong, there are no words.
37. Who did you miss?
I miss members of my family that I don’t see or talk to much...
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I’m going to pass on this, because I can’t remember who I met last year...
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Go with the flow. Yes, I’ve heard it my whole life, but I never understood it, until last year. If I’m too inflexible, I will snap. I need to learn to bend more.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: (I just want to add, this is my LIFE song)
I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little better
Even on the darkest day
I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little further
Right until the feelings change
So, is this how it goes?
Think you've come this far with nothing to show
That ain't so, no
You don't see where you are
And if you don't look back you know you'll never know
Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining
[chorus]
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Maybe not today, maybe not today
Some day soon you'll be all right
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Don't turn the other way, turn the other way
Feels like luck is on your side
(Just wanna live)
No worries, no worries
(Don't wanna die)
No worries, no worries
(Fight through the lows)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(And take all the highs)
We all need somebody
(Yeah we can sink)
No worries, no worries
(Or can you swim)
No worries, no worries
(Or walk on out)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(Or jump right in)
We all need somebody
So, baby keep drifting on
Your endeavours ain't just selfless wasted time
Seek and find, yeah yeah
You're not that far from what you've hoped and wished for all along
Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining
[chorus]
I just know your life's gonna change
Say it for me, say it for me
We all need somebody
I’ve been slowly but surely losing weight (and I do mean slowly), but I’ve always dressed for comfort more than anything else. Thank heavens with my job, jeans and takkies do the trick, unless I’m meeting clients with my Silkstream Director “hat” on.
34. What kept you sane?
My family and friends.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Duchess Kate – she is so gorgeous, elegant and poised.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The uprisings in the Muslim worlds, Tunisia, Egypt made me proud to be living now, and I was incredibly upset at the way Gaddafi was lynch-mob murdered. He did not deserve that, and for the US to get involved and claim credit for it was so wrong, there are no words.
37. Who did you miss?
I miss members of my family that I don’t see or talk to much...
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I’m going to pass on this, because I can’t remember who I met last year...
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Go with the flow. Yes, I’ve heard it my whole life, but I never understood it, until last year. If I’m too inflexible, I will snap. I need to learn to bend more.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: (I just want to add, this is my LIFE song)
I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little better
Even on the darkest day
I just know your life's gonna change
Gonna get a little further
Right until the feelings change
So, is this how it goes?
Think you've come this far with nothing to show
That ain't so, no
You don't see where you are
And if you don't look back you know you'll never know
Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining
[chorus]
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Maybe not today, maybe not today
Some day soon you'll be all right
(I just know your life's gonna change)
Don't turn the other way, turn the other way
Feels like luck is on your side
(Just wanna live)
No worries, no worries
(Don't wanna die)
No worries, no worries
(Fight through the lows)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(And take all the highs)
We all need somebody
(Yeah we can sink)
No worries, no worries
(Or can you swim)
No worries, no worries
(Or walk on out)
Say it for me, say it for me,
(Or jump right in)
We all need somebody
So, baby keep drifting on
Your endeavours ain't just selfless wasted time
Seek and find, yeah yeah
You're not that far from what you've hoped and wished for all along
Cause you think that you've been living, just treading water
And waiting in the wings for the show to begin
But I always see you searching
As you try that bit harder
Getting closer, oh yeah, to the life you're imagining
[chorus]
I just know your life's gonna change
Say it for me, say it for me
We all need somebody
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