Thanks to @ferkixlll who tagged me with this questionnaire originated by @weedfarmer (unfortunately, he misspelled me, so I never saw the tag until now). Aren't you guys getting tired of questionnaires? For better or worse, here goes (it's a little late, so just let's make it a Lunar New Year questionnaire):
1. Who's traveling in 2022? No long-range plans have been made yet. As I'm turning 60 later this year, I had hoped to plan a dream trip to one of my bucket list destinations (Mèxico), but that is probably not going to happen. Covid is one reason, another is a house my wife has inherited and where we'll have to spend a good amount of time cleaning it out, doing repairs and stuff. So I guess we may do a couple of short trips, most likely staying within Germany.
2. Something you're looking forward to in the new year? Materialistically, I'm looking forward to my life insurance money coming in later this year - it feels strange that a payout is now coming for which I've set aside money these past >30 years. I'm already strongly invested in the stock market (should I post about that sometime?) and look forward to look into investing those $$$ (or €€€)
3. Any new projects for 2022. My project had been to really design and outfit my "home office" in such a way that it isn't just a jumble of stuff and may even be conducive for some real writing and getting caught up on reading. Could still happen, but is a bit on the back burner (see #1)
4. 3 things you want to see in 2022? One, I really hope we'll see the end of "hard" Covid (I suspect some vestige of it will remain with us). Two, I really hope Trump will be indicted, his last appearances and statements make me afraid for (and of) the U.S. should he ever come near to power again. Three, and a case of something I don't want to see is I'm hoping we'll be spared any major conflict, Ukraine and Taiwan being likely candidates for problem situations.
5. Who's ready to do something you don't normally do. Drawing a blank here. Normal is my middle name, I'm afraid.
6. Anyone looking for new love in 2022? Happily married here, so I'm skipping this question except to say there's always a corner of my heart free for my fave SGs.
7. Your new years resolutions? Who, perfect me? Seriously, I have ongoing resolutions all the time. Currently, my major resolution is to whittle down that extra Covid poundage. I may even take up jogging!
8. Goals for the new year? Trite as it sounds, trying to be a better person, friend, husband, colleague, you name it. I've looked into Stoicism as a philosophy, and since I tend to overthink and overworry, I want to work on those things. Also hope to make progress on the two languages I'm "sort of" learning, Italian and Turkish.
9. Something new you want to try or experience in 2022. Isn't this one similar to #5? Because I'm similarly unable to say.
10. Everyone needs to do something good in 2022, your plans. Keep on doing what I have been doing - I'm a constant an meanwhile fairly substantial microlender on Kiva, I support a number of antifascist initiatives in Germany because I'm truly afraid of the spectre of neofascism, I support Sea Watch, the outfit saving refugees at risk in the Mediterranean, I keep donating to good causes whenever they pop up, especially when it comes to people fleeing war, oppression or lack of opportunity. I'll keep donating blood on a regular, once every 8 weeks basis. With my birthday coming up, I'm starting to look at public service stuff I could be focusing on post-retirement (even if that's a good 6 years off), and have been thinking about hospice work as a possible calling. Well it's not a whole lot, but I try to do good.
Thanks for your patience.
