I saw this meme on a few blogs and thought I’d take a few minutes to reflect on the last year.

__________

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I worked as a concert photographer. I used my bicycle as my main mode of transportation for a significant portion of the summer. I went to Spain.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t remember what, if any, resolutions I made last year. This year, I’ve resolved to: smile more, complain less, cook more, bike more, shoot more, among others.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?

Spain. Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Ooh, this is tough. 2010 was pretty fantastic. I guess I’d like to see myself do more with my camera and access to a darkroom would be a lovely thing to have.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Man! Every Wednesday throughout the summer, November 11th, the last days at Bedlam, the first time I saw Free Energy, the first time I saw Dawes, WAMplified with HarMar Superstar, Local Natives at the 400 Bar, July 4th, Megafaun and Charlie Parr at the Cedar, Dessa at the Fine Line. There are so many more. I’m stopping here.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Quitting my job, selling all my stuff, going to Barcelona. AND working steadily as a concert photography. I’m so happy that I got to do both those things.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being proactive about new friendships. I think my poor planning and ball dropping cost me a few potentially really good friends.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not that I can recall.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Roundtrip ticket to Barcelona.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Everyone who genuinely and sincerely cheered on a friend. We all need people like that around.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

A few politicians but let’s not get into it, eh?

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food. Drinks. Camera gear. Spain.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Going to Spain, most of the shows that I went to, spending time at the beach. The Lutsen trip. The parties at my old house. Getting rid of all my stuff.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I think I have to say ‘Home’ by ES&TMZ even though I don’t particularly care for the band OR the song.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

–happier or sadder? So much happier. So much. –thinner or fatter? About the same. –richer or poorer? A little bit poorer. Spain, you know.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I’d read more books. I wish I’d arranged more nights in with friends. I wish I’d cleaned and organized my house more often because getting rid of everything was a huge project and would have been much easier were I a tidy person.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I’d spent less time on the internet. I spent so many hours on my laptop when I could have been reading or shooting or stargazing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my step-family, like usual.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Romantically? No. With this city, my friends, and so many bands? Yep, lots of love there.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I don’t feel like I watched a lot of TV but I discovered and enjoyed the first season of Modern Family. Also Glee. (I’m a sucker for singing.)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No. I don’t hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?

Pathetically, I don’t remember. Shoot.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Dawes. Duh. I love those guys.

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to go to Spain. I got to go to Spain!

27. What did you want and not get?

Ha! I have to admit that I fantasized about Mos Def spotting me in the photo pit and taking me on tour with him but it didn’t happen. ;)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I only went to a few movies this year but I can’t remember many of them. Up In The Air, maybe? Or The Kids Are All Right.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

A bunch of us met for pizza and then drinks. I was 24.

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

Man, I don’t know! Last year was so so good! Having a more reliable bike would have been nice, and having the know-how to make what I did have better would have been good too. But seriously, last year was so good.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Pointy toed flats, same as always! Jeans. Cardigans. Dresses and skirts.

32. What kept you sane?

Going to shows. Shooting bands. Getting to see my friends on a regular basis.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gosh. I don’t know. My Rachel McAdams girlcrush is still going strong and I’m sure I’ll always be a Clooney fan.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The It Gets Better campaign.

35. Who did you miss?

A few old friends who I didn’t see at all. A few friends who I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I have a hard time remembering who I met at the end of 2009 and who I met in 2010 but Jay Gabler is definitely one of the best and I definitely met him in 2010. He opened up so many doors for me and I’ll forever be grateful to him for that. Leslie Plesser is also on the top of the list. She’s lovely and amazing and we get along so well. Oh! AND NATALIE GALLAGHER!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Find what you like and make it work.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Oh, I’m HORRIBLE at lyrics! Shoot. Pass.

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 | Barrio | NYE Do-Over with Alexandra, Tara, Whitney, Katie, Jay, and Brenda (and Brian McKnight)

I believe he’s reacting to the ‘leopard print underwear’ part of the story.

You gotta have Champagne at a NYE do-over, right?

You’re about to look at a photo of Brian McKnight. He’s sort of okay-looking, I guess.

And the guys who were with him were REALLY sort of okay-looking. :)

Thanks to MN Live and their awesome 4sq/calendar app, I’ve been able to pull together a partial list of the shows I went to this year. I’ve got a full list on my hard drive with another hundred or so shows but it’ll take me a while to format it. So for now, here’s a few (120+) shows I saw this year:

(favorites are underlined)

Fri Jan 22, 2010 — Dessa with Jeremy Messersmith, Cecil Otter, Aby Wolf Fine Line Music Cafe

Fri Jan 29, 2010 — 89.3 the Current’s Fifth Birthday Party with Solid Gold, P.O.S, Mason Jennings, Lookbook, Twilight Hours First Avenue Mainroom

Sun Jan 31, 2010 — Jay Farrar with Benjamin Gibbard Varsity Theater

Thu Feb 4, 2010 — Wishbook with James Diers (of Love Cars & Halloween, Alaska) 331 Club

Fri Feb 5, 2010 — Chris Koza with Laarks, Flight 7th Street Entry

Sat Feb 6, 2010 — Gimme Shelter with Solid Gold, Mark Mallman, Zoo Animal, Peter Wolf Crier, Jimmy2times, Mike 2600 First Avenue Mainroom

Mon Feb 8, 2010 – The Roe Family Singers 331 Club

Tue Feb 9, 2010 — Grant & Maggie (Lookbook) with To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie, DJ Skullbuste Kitty Cat Klub

Thu Feb 11, 2010 — Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps with Black Blondie, Roma Di Luna Turf Club

Sat Feb 13, 2010 — Sims with Toki Wright, Danami Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Wed Feb 17, 2010 — Sondre Lerche with JBM Varsity Theater

Thu Feb 18, 2010 – Dre Day with Trama, Carnage, Felipe (Los Nativos), Dj’s Jimmy 2 Times and King Otto, the Twin Cities Chronic Mothership Band Triple Rock Social Club

Sat Feb 20, 2010 — Retribution Gospel Choir with Andrew Broder Triple Rock Social Club

Tue Feb 23, 2010 — Omaur Bliss with Haziq Ali (Atlanta), Kai Swivel & Dug Mcabee Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Wed Feb 24, 2010 — Brianna Lane with John Swardson Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Fri Feb 26, 2010 — Electric Fetus Benefit with Cloud Cult, Roma Di Luna, Jeremy Messersmith, Trailer Trash, Unknown Prophets, Peter Wolf Crier, Total Babe, Caroline Smith and The Goodnight Sleeps, Ruby Isle First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Feb 27, 2010 — Alpha Consumer with Hildur Victoria Hexagon Bar

Sun Feb 28, 2010 – Martin Devaney with Walker Fields Brad Senne, Luke Redfield, Minor Kingdom Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Wed Mar 3, 2010 — Red Daughters with Bedroom Magic, Prairie Sons Turf Club

Thu Mar 4, 2010 — Claps with Kitten Forever, Anders Ponders, Brute Heart Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Fri Mar 5, 2010 — The Avett Brothers, The Low Anthem First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Mar 6, 2010 — Are You Local? The 2010 SXSW Send-Off with Lookbook, The Pines, Peter Wolf Crier, Jeremy Messersmith, Romantica, City on the Make First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Mar 6, 2010 — Are You Local? SXSW Send-Off with Joey Ryan & the Inks, Bight Club, Hunting Club 7th Street Entry

Sat Mar 6, 2010 — Cokewolf with Computers, Eye of the Great Protector Kitty Cat Klub

Wed Mar 10, 2010 — The Goondas with Hastings 3000 501 Club

Thu Mar 11, 2010 — Patches And Gretchen with Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets, Liminal Phase, Dan Israel Varsity Theater

Sat Mar 13, 2010 — Ernest Rhodes with One Be Lo, Wide Eyes, Gahed Indie, DJ’s Last Word & oWrecks Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Mon Mar 15, 2010 — Ted Leo and the Pharmacists with Title Tracks, The Dynamiters First Avenue Mainroom

Wed Mar 17, 2010 — Ike Reilly Assassination Turf Club

Thu Mar 18, 2010 — The Big Pink with A Place to Bury Strangers First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Mar 20, 2010 — Susstones Presents: BNLX EP Release with BNLX, The Red Pens, Mercurial Rage, Blue Sky Blackout Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Mon Mar 22, 2010 — Vampire Weekend with Abe Vigoda First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Mar 25, 2010 — The Alpha Centauri with Bella Koshka, Me and My Arrow 7th Street Entry

Sat Mar 27, 2010 — Gospel Gossip with Wussy, Zoo Animal, Maudlin Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Sun Mar 28, 2010 — Hildur Victoria with Caroline Smith & The Goodnight Sleeps, Total Babe Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Wed Mar 31, 2010 — The Goondas 501 Club

Thu Apr 1, 2010 — Sharp Teeth with Minor Kingdom, The Chord and the Fawn Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Fri Apr 2, 2010 — Spoon with Deerhunter, Micachu & the Shapes First Avenue Mainroom

Tue Apr 6, 2010 — Miike Snow with Delorean Varsity Theater

Thu Apr 8, 2010 — Julian Casablancas with Funeral Party First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Apr 8, 2010 — The Fall of Troy with Envy on the Coast, Twin Atlantic Triple Rock Social Club

Thu Apr 8, 2010 — Bitch with Black Blondie, the State of Triple Rock Social Club

Sun Apr 11, 2010 — Owen Pallett with Snowblink Varsity Theater

Mon Apr 12, 2010 — Gregory Alan Isakov with Luke Redfield Varsity Theater

Mon Apr 12, 2010 — Jazz Implosion in the Clown Lounge with Fat Kid Wednesdays Turf Club

Fri Apr 16, 2010 — Voltage: Fashion Amplified with Ruby Isle, Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps, Red Pens First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Apr 17, 2010 — Dr. Dog with Sean Bones Fine Line Music Cafe

Mon Apr 19, 2010 –The Roe Family Singers 331 Club

Mon Apr 19, 2010 — Solid Gold with Marijuana Death Squad 7th Street Entry

Tue Apr 20, 2010 — The Antlers with Phantogram Varsity Theater

Thu Apr 22, 2010 — The Running Scared with Reigning Knives, Naked and Shameless, The Goondas Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Fri Apr 23, 2010 — the Pines with Ben Weaver Cedar Cultural Center

Fri Apr 23, 2010 — Rebel, Rebel – Rock for Pussy VII A Tribute to David Bowie with Little Man, Death to our Enemies First Avenue Mainroom

Sun Apr 25, 2010 — Gogol Bordello with Devotchka, Jesse Malin & the St. Mark’s Social First Avenue Mainroom

Tue Apr 27, 2010 — The Besnard Lakes with Hollerado, The Small Cities 7th Street Entry

Thu May 6, 2010 — “Quiet, Please” With Low with Low Varsity Theater

Fri May 7, 2010 — Carrie Rodriguez with Romantica Varsity Theater

Mon May 10, 2010 —  Frightened Rabbit with Maps & Atlases, Our Brother The Native Varsity Theater

Fri May 14, 2010 — Gayngs: The Last Prom on Earth with Gayngs – early show First Avenue Mainroom

Fri May 14, 2010 — Gayngs: The Last Prom on Earth with Gayngs First Avenue Mainroom

Mon May 17, 2010 — Local Natives with Suckers 400 Bar

Fri May 21, 2010 — Peter Wolf Crier with Kill the Vultures Turf Club

Sat May 22, 2010 — City Pages BOTC Bash with Dessa, No Bird Sing Varsity Theater

Sun May 23, 2010 — The Tallest Man on Earth with Nathaniel Rateliff Varsity Theater

Tue May 25, 2010 — Mumford & Sons with The Middle East Varsity Theater

Wed Jun 2, 2010 — The Burring Hotels with Romania, Bo Monroe Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Thu Jun 3, 2010 – The Usual Suspects with Know Breaks, LumenUs Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Sat Jun 5, 2010 — She & Him with The Chapin Sisters First Avenue Mainroom

Sun Jun 6, 2010 – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros with Dawes First Avenue Mainroom

Mon Jun 7, 2010 — George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic First Avenue Mainroom

Wed Jun 9, 2010 — Matt Pond PA with Wintersleep, Minor Kingdom 7th Street Entry

Fri Jun 11, 2010 — The New Pornographers with My Gold Mask First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Jun 12, 2010 — Chastity Brown with Roma di Luna, No Bird Sing Cedar Cultural Center

Sat Jun 19, 2010 — Rock the Garden with MGMT, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, OK Go, Retribution Gospel Choir Rock the Garden

Sat Jun 19, 2010 — Birds of Virginia Nick & Eddie Restaurant and Bar

Sun Jun 20, 2010 — Stone Arch Festival – City Pages Stage with Ten Centuries, Mayda, Ben Woolman, Fort Wilson Riot, John Swardson, Dan Israel, Shawn Gibbons Stone Arch Festival – City Pages Stage

Mon Jun 21, 2010 — The Jayhawks with Romantica First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Jun 24, 2010 — Mates of State with Free Energy 400 Bar

Thu Jul 1, 2010 — Blue Sky Blackout with St.Villain, Dirty Curls 501 Club

Fri Jul 2, 2010 — Taste of MN – City Pages Big Music Tent with James Hunter, Dawes, Retribution Gospel Choir, Justin Townes Earle, Earl Greyhound, Jeff Ray & the Stakes Taste of MN – City Pages Big Music Tent

Sat Jul 3, 2010 — Hold Steady After Party with Poor Lemuel, 4onthefloor, The Debut, The Sextons Nomad World Pub

Fri Jul 9, 2010 — Basilica Block Party – with Kristoff Krane, Dada Trash Collage Basilica Block Party

Sat Jul 17, 2010 — WAMplified! with Solid Gold, Lookbook Weisman Art Museum

Thu Jul 22, 2010 — Luke Redfield with The Mad Ripple, Martin Devaney, Adam Svec Kitty Cat Klub

Thu Jul 22, 2010 — Big White House with Paul Pirner, Big White House, Walker Fields 501 Club

Sat Jul 24, 2010 — Sam Keenan with Hot Ashes, Sam Keenan, B.C. Squints & the Poor Boys, Zoo Animal Nick & Eddie Restaurant and Bar

Sun Jul 25, 2010 — The Swell Season with Joe Pug First Avenue Mainroom

Fri Jul 30, 2010 — Fort Wilson Riot with Zoo Animal, Phantom Tails Kitty Cat Klub

Sat Jul 31, 2010 — Lucero and Jason Isbell Minnesota Zoo Ampitheater

Sat Jul 31, 2010 — JESSIE and DUSTY CRUSH THE TURF CLUB with The Dynamiters, The Blind Shake Turf Club

Thu Aug 5, 2010 — Phantom Tails with BNLX, WaxxMaxx 501 Club

Sat Aug 7, 2010 — Chromeo with Holy Ghost! First Avenue Mainroom

Tue Aug 17, 2010 — Future Presidents of the United States of America with Honey Sit Down Turf Club

Wed Aug 25, 2010 – Alicia Steele with Big Zach w/ Alicia Steele, Mayda, Illuminous 3, DJ SnugglesSauce Spirits & Soundbar

Tue Aug 31, 2010 – 4 Nights in Loring: Fargo with Marijuana Deathsquads Loring Park

Sun Sep 5, 2010 – Monday Off! End of Summer Party with Lookbook, Communist Daughter, Mark Wheat, DJ Esp Woody McBride, Kevin King, 000000000001 First Avenue Mainroom

Fri Sep 10, 2010 – Marina and the Diamonds with Young the Giant Triple Rock Social Club

Sun Sep 12, 2010 – Ludacris with Block Xchange First Avenue Mainroom

Wed Sep 15, 2010 – Liminal Phase with Saltee, Kicks & Spurs, DNL Sauce Spirits & Soundbar

Thu Sep 16, 2010 – Best Coast with Male Bonding Triple Rock Social Club

Thu Sep 16, 2010 – Hardcore Crayons with Kitty Rhombus, Chickadee Mountain Martyrs, With a Gun for a Face Nomad World Pub

Fri Sep 17, 2010 — Titus Andronicus with Free Energy, Dragons Power Up! Triple Rock Social Club

Wed Sep 22, 2010 – Matt & Kim with So So Glos, Birthday Suits First Avenue Mainroom

Sun Sep 26, 2010 – Those Darlins with Turbo Fruits, Henry Wagons 7th Street Entry

Mon Sep 27, 2010 – Caribou with Emeralds First Avenue Mainroom

Mon Sep 27, 2010 – Sea Wolf with Sera Cahoone, Patrick Park Turf Club

Fri Oct 1, 2010 — Local Natives with The Love Language, The Union Line First Avenue Mainroom

Sun Oct 3, 2010 – Eels with Jesca Hoop First Avenue Mainroom

Mon Oct 4, 2010 – Broken Social Scene with The Sea and Cake First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Oct 7, 2010 – Mallman Marathon 3 (Day 1) with Mark Mallman Turf Club

Thu Oct 7, 2010 – Ra Ra Riot Varsity Theater

Fri Oct 8, 2010 – Mallman Marathon 3 (Day 2) with Mark Mallman Turf Club

Fri Oct 8, 2010 – Ryan Paul & The Ardent with Liminal Phase, Jeremy Ylvisaker 331 Club

Fri Oct 8, 2010 – Pogmatone Nick & Eddie Restaurant and Bar

Mon Oct 11, 2010 — Insane Clown Posse with Ax Murder Boyz, Open Minded Productions First Avenue Mainroom

Sat Oct 16, 2010 — Sufjan Stevens with The Beggars Orpheum Theatre

Tue Oct 19, 2010 — Social Distortion with Lucero, Frank Turner First Avenue Mainroom

Tue Oct 19, 2010 – DJ Franki Chan First Avenue Mainroom

Wed Oct 20, 2010 — Black Prairie with I Was In Vancouver, Canasta 400 Bar

Mon Oct 25, 2010 – Sleigh Bells with Pictureplane Triple Rock Social Club

Wed Oct 27, 2010 – Badnrad’s Werebabe Monster Bash! with Badnrad, Retrospecs, Tecon, Jax 7th Street Entry

Wed Oct 27, 2010 – Stars with Buffalo Moon First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Oct 28, 2010 – The Dandy Warhols with Blue Giant Fine Line Music Cafe

Fri Oct 29, 2010 — Mumford & Sons with Cadillac Sky, King Charles First Avenue Mainroom

Tue Nov 9, 2010 – A Celebration of the Life of Mikey “Eyedea” Larsen First Avenue Mainroom

Thu Nov 11, 2010 — Dawes with Peter Wolf Crier, The Moondoggies First Avenue Mainroom

All 501 Club, all the time:

by Erik Hess