2008 Recap

Maximum Lincoln Safari Stops in a Single Day: 4

Number of Weddings Attended: 3 (an all-time annual record)

Phone Calls Logged From National Public Radio: 8

Holiday Occasions in a 24-Hr Period: 6

Total Holiday Occasions: 10 (another record)

Beverage Marking the Close of Christmas Occasion Marathon: Margarita.

Favorite Read (nonfiction): Oil on the Brain by Lisa Margonelli

Favorite Read (fiction): Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

N’s Least Favorite New Concept: The Westermarck Effect. In a nutshell the theory states two people who grew up together from a young age (i.e. before the age of six) are unlikely to share an attraction toward or marry each other. The effect would significantly limit the marital prospects N has met thus far. She vigorously questioned the validity of Westermarck’s findings.

Favorite “Twilight Zone” Moment of the Year: Watching from the driver’s seat as my husband, a police officer, and a bar-room bouncer tried to eject a drunken stranger from my backseat. Lots of shouting, lots of confusion, but, thankfully, no vomiting. McK and I later concluded the drinker mistook my Prius for his cab ride home.

2008 Resolution Realized (for the most part): Bringing a lunch from home. Leftovers spoil in my fridge less often. The lunch from home habit saves time, saves money, saves gas and generally tastes better than various alternatives.

First 2008 Resolution to Get Kicked-to-the-Curb: Being more laid-back. McKibbin noted that if I’ve made this a goal, well, that kind of defeats its purpose.

2008 Award Winning Over-Reaction: We had mice in our house this winter. Any response you can imagine that skims the upper edge of reason should be improved by tears, high-decibel shrieks, visceral fear of rooms occupied by mice, and an obscene proliferation of armed forces against said rodent life forms.

Favorite New Recipe: Kohlrabi and Avocado Salad

Favorite Race of My 2008 Season: The Mud Run

Linguistic Crutch of the Year: The word effort.

Favorite “Green Energy” Proposal: Require all federal buildings in every state to meet Energy Star conservation standards.

Favorite “Green Energy” Active Program: Purchasing hybrid fleet vehicles.

Favorite Alternative Energy Source: Solar Coupled with Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage