I have dusted off an old blog meme for a new year. I sporadically did this when the blog was more active, and I thought it would be a good way to both end the year and start anew. I have several new projects arriving in 2019, so I hope you’ll hang out, keep in touch, follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my newsletter.

And now, a summation of the most recent year in Dave history:

What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?

I have returned to writing short stories, which is something I’ve wanted to do for some time. So, technically something I’ve done before, but it feels new to me. I can’t wait to share them. Soon. Still revising.
I’m also deep into a new SECRET PROJECT. A totally new medium for me. Things are going well and it’s another thing I’ll be sharing after the new year. So much to look forward to. I’m still involved in TV and film, but other media give me a chance to get my creative work out there sooner rather than later. Sometimes it takes years before a TV project reaches an audience (I’m looking at you, Glitch Techs!)

Did you keep your new YEAR’S resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I had the standard resolutions about health, money, less stress, following your bliss, etc. My health has improved, my finances turned out okay. That’ll have to be enough. I’ll call it a win.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not that I know of.

Did anyone close to you die?

No.

What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?

I suppose I’d like to continue improving my health. I wouldn’t mind a little more living space, or even working space, but that’s probably not in the cards for next year.

What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Oddly enough, nothing comes to mind.  Just too much awful stuff happening in the world every day, and most of it comes from the White House.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The SECRET PROJECT for sure. Also, writing a 9,000-world hard SF novelette. It’s nice to know I had it in me.

What was your biggest failure?

I wrote a treatment for a novel and decided not to proceed to draft. I don’t really consider that a failure. It saved me from writing something that just wasn’t ready to be written. Instead, I got to move on to other projects that are turning out very well.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

This year my health improved and I avoided any serious illness. Get your flu shot, people!

Probably the worst thing I did for my health was eat a can of “Sweet and Sassy Dr. Pepper Baked Beans.” Oof.

I just ate a can of Sweet and Sassy Dr. Pepper Baked Beans. They’re even more horrible than they sound. Avenge my death. pic.twitter.com/yRqmCYN9ks — David Anaxagoras (@davidanaxagoras) November 14, 2018

What was the best thing you bought?

I love books, and I love reconnecting with bits of my childhood and appreciating them anew.

This year I recalled one of my favorite books, the ALIEN: MOVIE NOVEL. Mom decided I was too young to see Alien when it first came out. I was not happy about this. Since the movie was forbidden fruit I become obsessed with all things related. The only way I could experience the movie was through the book. Eventually got to see it in re-release a year later (that’s a thing that happened before Netflix).

Re-acquired: Lost book of my childhood, the invaluable ALIEN: MOVIE NOVEL. This is a photobook, i.e. the only way a kid like me could re-experience the movie in the age before streaming, DVD, home video or Blockbuster. pic.twitter.com/m5TeqnrOyo — David Anaxagoras (@davidanaxagoras) October 26, 2018

Here’s a book I never owned but always wished I did. At the time, I couldn’t spare the $25 list price. It went out of print and I always regretted not picking it up. Now we live in the age of eBay and second chances. I enjoy books like this, that offer a new window into a world of science fiction literature.

Anyone need an extraterrestrial identified? pic.twitter.com/sQlHJRF11w — David Anaxagoras (@davidanaxagoras) September 17, 2018

Andromeda Strain was a very early movie experience for me and it left a huge, lasting impression. I am also starting a collection of keys from fictional worlds. This was my first find.  It’s the key that disables the failsafe system (nuclear bomb) in the secret government germ lab.

If anyone needs me to disarm the failsafe system, let me know. pic.twitter.com/P7Omo6Phe9 — David Anaxagoras (@davidanaxagoras) September 11, 2018

So I fell in love with artist Josan Gonzalez and his bright-neon cyberpunk world. Just a great art book to get lost in.

Just received this gorgeous and deliciously intoxicating graphic novel/art book from https://t.co/5mPBRFCpG0. If you want more neon cyberpunk in your life, this is for you. pic.twitter.com/K4CtErBzd1 — David Anaxagoras (@davidanaxagoras) June 7, 2018

Whose behavior merited celebration?

So easy to feel powerless and even hopeless in the face of the racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic policies of the current administration. It’s not academic. Real people are being harmed.
I’m grateful to the organizations that are out there fighting for love, for hope, and for the America we can and should be, an America that is long overdue to arrive, one that lifts up and cares for all its citizens regardless of class or color, and one that is a safe haven for those fleeing war, poverty, crime, and injustice.

Two organizations I have supported this year are RAICES and the ACLU.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Trump and every person who enabled and empowered him through action or inaction.

Where did most of your money go?

Health care.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

SECRET. PROJECT. Also, I looked forward to the game God of War like I used to look forward to movies. And it was far better than most movies I’ve seen this year.

What song will always remind you of 2018?

Apparently, I have stopped listening to current or “popular” music. Probably my most played song this year was “Thank You, My Twilight” by The Pillows.

Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? Happier.
thinner or fatter? Thinner!
richer or poorer? Slightly poorer.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Slowing down and enjoying the moment. All the moments.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Less fretting about the next day, next week, next month, next year.

How will you be spending New Year’s?

Low key. Dinner with the fam. A little reading. That’s how I like it.

What was your favorite TV program?

I find most narrative shows too frustrating to watch. I did enjoy Netflix’s Maniac quite a bit, which surprised me. I also thought Hill House was amazing. I also enjoy Forged in Fire and Battlebots.

What was the best book you read?

Martha Wells’s All Systems Read was fast fun. I really didn’t do enough reading in 2018. I fell out of the reading habit hard a few years ago and it’s been difficult to get back to it on a regular basis. Goal for 2019.

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?

I moved early this year and it took me a while to redeploy my vinyl setup. So I’ve been re-enjoying all my old vintage 80s vinyl.

What was your favorite film of this year?

I haven’t seen every movie that came out in 2018 yet, but overall it wasn’t a great year for movies. Most were terrible. Some were okay. I think growing up in the 80s spoiled me for movies. The bar was set high.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Just being more chill. And, perhaps paradoxically, having a little more discipline and using my time better on social media.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?

Comfort first. Whatever fits.

What kept you sane?

Friends. And food.

What political issue stirred you the most?

All of them.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018

Life is short. I wish I had spent less time working for other people and living their agenda. If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice it would be this: work for yourself. Do your own thing. Blaze your own trail. Don’t expect anyone else to deliver your dreams.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

Roughly translated (I assume). I have no idea if this is correct, but it works.

Even if there is no miracle, it’s enough, you know
Even if today is the last day
Thank you, my twilight
Thank you, my twilight

“Thank You My Twilight”
The Pillows

Thanks for sticking with me for another year.