(See also 2005 in Questions, 2004 in Questions.)
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Get taken to lunch by an entertainment attorney to discuss “packaging” me with his producer and filmmaker clients on future $10M+ feature films. Oh, also… join MySpace.
2. Did you keep your 2006 resolutions? Will you make more for 2007?
I usually don’t *do* resolutions, as I use my birthday as MY new year (and pledge to leave some things behind and invite other things in, each new age — at my birthday). But New Year’s Eve 2005 at BBBC‘s, Keith and I actually wrote down a list of things we welcomed into our lives for 2006. Truly, the Power of Intention and the Law of Attraction is strong, as we hit about 90% success on that list. We’ll be doing it again this year (although I think we’ll need to write it up before we head out for the evening’s activities, as we’ll be in a much more festive location to ring in the new year this year (than last).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, Eitan‘s wife is in labor right now, from what I understand. So, the answer was going to be NO (and I guess *technically* it still is NO), but I think we have a 2006 baby coming into the gang shortly.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
A kid who came close to being cast on Mr. Personality (and who I later introduced to a fellow casting director friend of mine — and they dated for a while) died in a bicycle accident in February. CD Phyllis Huffman died. We weren’t close, but she was a mentor of sorts. Lovely, talented actor Victoria Sparks passed away this summer. She had auditioned for me several times (and was a Georgia gal), so that was sad. Still, nothing compared to last year’s losses.
5. What countries did you visit?
I’m a homebody. As usual, just this one.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
I would really, truly love to ALWAYS have that feeling that I’ve flirted with a few times recently: When you can spend and spend and spend and never once feel like you’re looking over your shoulder for the “uh-oh… maxed out the card” moment. REALLY enjoyed the several months this year where there was a LOT of financial freedom. So, it’s not something we *lacked* in 2006, just something we want *way* more of in 2007. That, and the really cool feeling when your clothes don’t fit because you’ve dropped weight for no apparent reason. That’s been cool this year too. Hee!
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
Man! That’s tough! I actually just scanned through my whole calendar for 2006 in an attempt to find THE THING that really will stick with me, and it’s just bizarre how much STUFF I’m going to remember forever. I mean, there were screenings, awards, investor table reads, and many “first time at this level” casting experiences. Plus Keith became a recurring character on “the most watched show on the planet” for 2006. We had blissful spa experiences, major quality time with Quinn, and I met some really amazing people in 2006. I guess, though, if I had to choose, it’d be my birthday that stands out. It was perfect. I sat on a barstool at my favorite place from 5pm to 1am and pretty much everyone I love and know showed up to give me some love. That’s a pretty cool way to ring in a new year. I mean, if you get to choose it, that’s a good marker of time.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting the casting files in order. This is in big part thanks to my Rockstar Intern. We got the headshots organized and built the Casting Wiki (Keith gets thanks for that too). I built the cubbies and am simply thrilled with my current workspace. I know that doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s something that impacts my working life every single day. And an efficient Bonnie is a happy Bonnie. Despite how much I embraced inefficiency this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmm. I think I lost my temper once at someone with whom there will likely be no “fix.” I’d like to say that’s my fault, but honestly, the more time away from it, the more I realize their unwillingness to forgive is the reason we’re not past it all. That’s SO really not a failure, but I just can’t think of anything else.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few sniffles and Santa Ana Winds-induced nosebleeds, plus a Thanksgiving mini-migraine (barely a blip compared to my pre-gluten-free mega-migraines), but that’s it. Oh, and bumps and bruises because I’m clumsy… but, eh, whatareyagonnado?
11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Cousin Faith‘s. She wasn’t sure she was ready to take a career jump that looked like a “weird” choice. She told me that she had asked for guidance and then the phone rang with this radio opportunity. Unsure whether she should take it, she asked for my advice. I told her that since she asked the universe and she was given the answer, she at least should give it a shot and see what comes of it. Well… bless her cross-country move and the launch of her new show! I’m so excited for my cousin and her brave choice to just see what’s out there. Runner-up: My stepdad’s. He’s just a freakin’ rockstar and I’m so proud of his GRACE.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The biggie is someone about whom I won’t blog, because if I do, it’ll be much less surprising when the cops show up and book this person for a felony. Let’s just say you may call yourself a “devout Christian,” but I never saw anywhere that Jesus said, “Steal everything and lie, lie, lie.” Enjoy the handcuffs. Can’t wait to see you on “COPS.” More specifically, certainly W still holds a top spot on that scale. Oh, and again with the vague: also a very small, cowardly friend who hasn’t had the balls to apologize to me in nearly six months. And I totally called it. Just two days after “it” happened, I mentioned that it was going to be one of those things for which I would instantly forgive the person, but for which that person wouldn’t even bother coming around to check in about, months later. I guess I just have to enjoy the fact that, eventually, they all do come around. And I’m still here. Same as always. Way ready to move on.
13. Where did most of your money go?
I think we paid to print the second edition of “Self-Management for Actors” in 2005, so that would leave our anniversary trip with Quinn to the La Costa Spa and LegoLand (two days of LegoLand, baby). We really overdid it, but it was SO worth it. Quinn is only here once a year and we wanted to have an amazing time. We did. I seriously can’t wait to go back. I think I had about six straight hours of spa treatments bookended by room service, champagne, and hottub fun with the boys.
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The midterm election results. Rockstar cool.
15. What song will always remind you of 2006?
“Here It Goes Again” by OK, GO. I mean, really. Those treadmills are SO 2006!
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Always happier. Daily.
b) thinner or fatter?
Actually thinner, according to my clothes. Yay!
c) richer or poorer?
Suddenly poorer, but that’s not indicative of the whole year, just this month, suddenly. Damn taxes and reckless spending!
17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise. I probably exercised manically 250 days of the year. The problem is, all of those days took place before October, which means I feel like a slug now. Of course, I’ve dropped weight since I *stopped* exercising (weird), but my point is that I really enjoyed the daily walks, Pilates, overnight trips to the pool at the gym, etc., and kind of had to back-burner all of that when my career got way too busy to fit it all in. Eh, quality problem, I s’pose.
18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
OCD rituals. I actually have a lot of them in check, but the few I still have were really raging this year (but I know why, so I have a shot at putting them in check next year).
19. How will you be spending Christmas?
Same as every year since the tradition began in 2001: Orphans’ Christmas with our friends. We may not see each other much throughout the year, but we are always together on Christmas, which is really dang cool.
20. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I fall in love every minute of every day.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” followed closely by “Saved.” Man, if last year was the year of the sitcom, this was the year of the episodic drama. Rockstar good stuff.
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I hate no one. Life’s too short for that nonsense.
23. What was the best book you read?
Okay, this will make me seem like a total narcissist (and maybe I am), but “Self-Management for Actors” (2nd edition) rocks my socks and seriously makes me think I could resume my pursuit of acting and DO SOMETHING, since the advice in it is so good. Now, that said, please know that I enjoy MOST some of the contributions by others — not just my writing (but I do love my writing. I mean, if I can’t love it, how can I expect anyone else to?!? Actors should feel the same way about their acting, dammit)!
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
OK, GO for sure. And not just because of the video.
25. What did you want and get?
More time with Quinn, a Roomba, a raise, a deeper sense of trust with the person who lied to me most last year.
26. What did you want and not get?
The kick-ass house on 16th Street (that’s okay… we’ll have it within the decade), a film I cast qualifying for an Oscar, less clutter in my house.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
28. What did you do on your birthday? How old were you?
See number 7, above. 36.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More than one thing: world peace, infinite money, a permanent weight of 150.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Same as always: jeans, black cami tank top, duster.
31. What kept you sane?
My sense of humor.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack Obama. C’mon, 2008! Let’s do this thang!
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Does it count as a political issue if it’s a political person hitting on high school kids who are looking to learn about the government, volunteering their time as pages? If that counts as political, then that’s gonna be my biggie. I’m embarrassed and infuriated about Mark Foley and people on both sides of the aisle who kept the scandal quiet for far too long.
34. Who did you miss?
My mom, as always. Also Quinn. Seems the more time you spend with someone, the more you miss him when he’s gone.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Jessica Bendinger. Definitely. Kiki Longpost comes in second. For reals.
36. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2006?
Stuff is just STUFF. It can all go away and nothing else matters. It’s the people, it’s the love, it’s the sense of centeredness. That’s all that counts.
37. What song lyrics sum up your year?
The times that we were close were far and few between
In the darkness at the dances in the school canteen
Did she close her eyes as I did and we held each other tight
And, “La la la la la la la la la,” means, “I love you.”
She danced with me and I still hold that memory soft and sweet
And I stare up at her window as I walk down her street
But I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh
And she never came to the phone, she was always in the bath
In the end, it took me a dictionary to find out the meaning of “unrequited”
While she was giving herself for free at a party to which I was never invited.