Listening to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” today. What a beautiful, amazing album. And amazingly still appropriate for what’s going on in 2003, almost 2004.

War is not the answer/For only love can conquer hate…

Kind of introspective today. I guess that happens at the end of the year though – new beginnings and all. In the immortal words of Jerry Garcia, what a long, strange trip it’s been. Thanks to deb-e-ne-ne and ginger and a bunch of other people for this little year-in-review.

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?

Took the LSAT. Went to a concert by myself. Ate oysters. Got arrested.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My only resolution last year was to have fun, and I had LOTS of fun, so that works. Next year I want to start working out again and figure out what the hell to do with my life. We shall see on the second one.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My former coworker did, December 2. And a bunch digsters too – BG, and crowjoy & mander, and PB&J, but I haven’t met them even though I feel as though I know them well.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nope. No funerals this year for me.

5. What countries did you visit?

California & Massachusetts. I think they’re foreign considering I live in Nebraska…

6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?

Lots of money. Some good luck for a change.

7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 26, got my DUI that day or November 14, the day I was laid off.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Quitting smoking in October.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not doing as well as I should have on the LSAT.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing serious. Hangovers.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Two pair of sandals in particular – the red Aerosoles and the blue Franco Sartos. They are both sexy as hell and I love, love, love both pairs. Also the computer.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Naomi’s. She has become a very close friend and I absolutely adore her.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Zach’s. Anyone who reads regularly will know why.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Car payments/insurance. Bars and World M@rket. Attorney fees/fines for DUI.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Josh’s wedding. Seeing Erika in September. Traveling in general, I guess.

16. What song will always remind you of 2003?

”I Feel Like” by Kaskade

“Hey Ya” by Outkast

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

i. happier or sadder? Happier. Much.

ii. thinner or fatter? I feel fatter, but people tell me I look thin...probably about the same.

iii. richer or poorer? Eh. I don’t even know.

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

Paid off debts.

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

Going to the bar or sitting in the kitchen bitching about things with Zach.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Spent it with my parents. Whee. Then went out with friends that night.

22. Did you fall in love in 2003?

Yes. Hee hee hee.

23. How many one night stands?

Two. That’s kind of sad considering I was single most of the year. Then again, maybe it’s good I wasn’t just hopping in bed with everyone I met…

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

Sex and the City, always. Then Six Feet Under.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a strong word.

26. What was the best book you read?

High Fidelity, by Nick Hornby. I can’t believe I waited that long to read it.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The artists at Quannum records.

28. What did you want and get?

A new computer. A boy who thinks I’m fabulous.

29. What did you want and not get?

A winning lottery ticket. Manolo blahniks.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

I didn’t see a whole lot of movies this year that I should have seen.

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

I got wasted with my friends. I'm 24, what else do you do?

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

Being out of debt. Winning the lottery. Having had the balls to ask curt out sooner.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?

Jcrew meets 70’s Izod. It’s been a strange year, fashion-wise.

34. What kept you sane?

My friends, off- and on-line, especially Breana, Michelle, and Jeremy for keeping me from going postal at my old job when it was horrible.

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

David Bowie and Sean Connery have my loyalty always and forever.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Bush’s stupid f&*king tax cut and the war in Iraq.

37. Who did you miss?

My peeps in other states – Erika, Anne, Josh, Melissa…

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Hm, I didn’t meet that many new people this year… I’m just glad I’ve grown closer to the ones I met last year.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003.

You (I) can’t control everything, no matter how much you (I) want to.

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

God, there is no way I could pick just one. This year has been such a rollercoaster.

Happy new year, everyone! I wish you all a wonderful and safe evening ushering in 2004. And as Mitch would say, “Happy 2005!!!!!”