Creative DC's Best of 2007

Like the amp in Spinal Tap, this list goes to 11.

1. Candidates answering questions from voters, not just journalists (refreshing for the quality of many of the questions, and for the fact that candidates were held more accountable than usual for answering questions directly).

2. Marching in my first anti-war protest.

3. Getting involved with the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL), which by the way helped find homes for 1,100 dogs this year (150% increase over 2006)...such a great organization. (Fun fact: WARL was founded in 1914, when it mostly took care of horses).

4. Food, glorious food: Eating the best meal of my life at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA. Various sushi orgasms dinners. Coconut donuts at Heller's Bakery in Mount Pleasant. Juice from Green (at MINT).

5. Travel: Playing with Cosmo in the snow in Central Park. Playing house in New York. Wine country hedonism. Overnight in Chincoteague: ocean, sunset over a corn field, all-you-can-eat shrimp.

6. Artistic works from years past that I discovered in '07: I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (thank you, Netflix). Upright Citizens Brigade on Comedy Central. Regina Spektor's "Begin to Hope."

7. Yoga with Jordan.

8. Michelle moved to town.

9. Improv high points: Performing with The Shower at the Del Close Improv Marathon. Building the new JINX. Seeing NoGoodnicks at IO Chicago.

10. SNL digital shorts, especially this one.

11. Someone telling me they started taking improv classes because of this blog.

I know I've been spotty about writing for the past couple of months. One of my new year's resolutions is to begin posting more regularly again. I'm typically cynical about resolutions - I prefer to set intentions - but this is a specific goal that I want to commit to. This renewed commitment is mostly due to #11 above, and other feedback I've gotten lately that reminds me why I started Creative DC: to help inspire even one person in this city; to help activate their creativity.

What are your resolutions, or intentions, as you head into '08? What creative projects or life changes is it time to move off the back burner? Carve out some time for yourself to reflect on these questions, even if it's only 10 minutes. Brainstorm. You may be surprised by what comes to you.

I'd also love to hear YOUR "best of 2007" lists. What art/event/person/idea captured your attention or made a big impact on you in the past year?

Wishing you a 2008 that goes to 11*.

*I realize this constitutes one too many references to this for one post. But I couldn't resist.