list 43 things that made 2008 a good year

8. I rode my bike about 30 miles a week all summer. I completely fell in love with riding this year and can’t wait to get on the bike again come snowmelt.

9. I got rid of my cable and the internet. In December, I turned my TV off (though watched my parents’ while I was home, go figure). It felt great to disconnect from technology like that. Maybe 2009 will be the year that I get to check off the goal of “live without tv for an entire year”?

10. I turned 22 and celebrated by going to the State Fair and a phenomenal concert on Harriet Island featuring Atmosphere with some friends. Much better than celebrating 21 by moving and hanging out with my parents and grandparents.

11. I moved. It’s so great to be out of that crappy apartment.

12. I touched Flavor Flav. A friend and I got up close during their set at Pitchfork and he reached out to the audience and I reached up and touched his elbow. My hand has yet to erupt in blisters, so I think I’m okay.

13. I finally checked off the goal of kissing in a library, one of the first goals I ever put on 43T. Even better, it was the first kiss with my now boyfriend.

14. Burt’s Bees lip balm entered my life. It is amazing.

15. My kid brother graduated from high school and went to college. I’m really proud of him.

1. My grades were good this year—two quarters on the dean’s list and the third was really close.

2. My improv team had a great year—40+ shows, getting to be in a feature film and taking third in the Midwest College Improv Festival.

3. The White Sox ended up having a pretty great season. The regular season wasn’t the best, but they won the AL Central, and I’m always pleased with that.

4. The Hold Steady put out a new album. Even better, it’s a really good album. Hell, it’s a great album.

5. And super doubly better, I got to see THS twice this year: once at Pitchfork Music Festival and once with Drive-By Truckers at the Riviera.

6. And infinitely more amazingly, I met the boy who became my boyfriend at the latter of those two shows. And that’s been the greatest part of this year is finding someone so great.

7. Barack Obama. Enough said. (Also, a White Sox fan in the White House!)