1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
I got hired by my company. That is one thing. Other than that, I was the full time father of two children for an entire year. That is something I have definitely NOT done before. I also sold one house and bought another this summer.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I quit doing resolutions a few years ago. I never keep them and it seemed like a waste of time. So, no, I won't be doing another one for this coming year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, Perk's wife had another daughter. And another coworker of mine--the one that pushes me around on the basketball court--she should have had her first baby by now.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My dad's mom died in October 2003. It wasn't in this last year, but it has been the most significant family death in a while.
5. What countries did you visit?
The one I live in. Some people might think that south Georgia is another country, but I don't really subscribe to that theory.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
The superficial, immediate response . . . an iPod.
A few of my old coworkers back in the office with me again.
A more reasoned response . . . a president I can trust.
7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Obviously nothing, since I can't think . . . oh, wait. Ariel's fourth birthday party was a big affair, that's for sure.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Well, I don't know if its a big achievement, but I did start blogging and helped others do the same. Does that matter? Not really.
I did successfully keep my kids alive and operating. That is an achievement that I can be proud of.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I really tried to think about this and I couldn't think of a big, significant failure. Probably anyone who is reading this can immediately think of at least three or four ways that I failed them personally.
Of course, my current project at work is not complete and won't be in the 2004 calendar year, so that could potentially be a big failure. But while I am in charge of one aspect of it, I am not the only one to take the blame there. Many others cooks might spoil the broth.
(Boy that is really pessimistic . . . I don't really expect the project to fail and I am not going to let it happen, but that is the biggest "project" that is going on in life outside of simply living and keeping the family going . . . I think.)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Various colds and something that currently sounds like a smoker's cough (without the smoking) but I have been healthy this year.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmm. Must be our house. Sure, I haven't technically bought it yet . . . and won't for many years. But it is the most useful thing that I spent money on. Closer to work, much larger than our old one. It's got its problems, but show me a thirty year old house without some, right?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine! Oh, and those of my kids, who were very good and are successfully growing up into cool little girls. My work friends that worked very hard and with dedication during the political season.
Also, the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Presidential candidates. You all probably know where I stand on that. And most political advertiser companies. And George Steinbrenner, Alex Rodriguez.
And, especially that gutter salesman that wouldn't leave us alone and then didn't take no for an answer after four hours--and also to us for letting it go on that long.
14. Where did most of your money go?
EASY . . . Kindercare Learning Center on County Line Road in __________, Ohio.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Also EASY . . . Spiderman 2! It lived up to the hype (that created by Marvel Pictures and that created by me for my friends).
My girls and my super great wife.
Team Foos-Booyah!
Why Won't You Grow?!, Why Won't You Grow?! Omnimedia, and all WWYG?! subsidiary products.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
Probably something from the Garden State soundtrack. Other songs by The Shins or Modest Mouse, or Frou Frou.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Happier . . . I think. I don't remember how I was last year.
b) thinner or fatter?
Again, I don't know for sure, but I would bet fatter . . . if only by a little.
c) richer or poorer?
Thankfully, richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Played more tennis.
Blogger more before I started this site.
Read more good books.
Hung out with family and friends.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about work and other stuff that is not as important.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I just finished a great trip down to Georgia to catch up with my brothers, sister, parents, in-laws, and everyone that is truly important to me. I wish I could do it more often, but I enjoy the special time we have together.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
YES . . . with my blog! (Only kidding . . . or am I?)
No, I didn't fall in love as much as I stayed in love with Tegan and my kids.
22. How many one-night stands?
None.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Alias during the end of last season and Lost at the beginning of this season. So maybe I fell in love with J.J. Abrams this year?
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Possibly Bobby Flay?
Oh and, of course, Jake Gyllenhaal.
25. What was the best book you read?
House of Leaves by Mark J. Danielewski
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Almost any band from the Garden State soundtrack . . . but also Now Its Overhead. So, maybe I am also in love with Spec and Jack Thunder, who pointed me towards all that good music.
27. What did you want and get?
Special Edition DVDs of The Lord of the Rings--one as an outright gift, one as a gift card purchase and the third as a usage of gift cash.
28. What did you want and not get?
An iPod.
And universal acclaim from everyone around me.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmmm.
Garden State was very good.
You know how I feel about Spiderman 2.
I really liked American Splendor also.
I am sure that I am forgetting something and that JT will comment on it quickly.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33 and didn't do anything that I can remember.
Does that mean I drank too much? No . . . I just don't remember.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having Jack Thunder and Old Navy remain with the company would have been pretty satisfying.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Shabby chic . . . I don't know.
How about "Almost J Crew"?
33. What kept you sane?
My wife.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
TOBEY!!!!!
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Bans against same sex marriage and discussion of constitutional amendments about the same.
36. Who did you miss?
My Georgia family.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Golly . . . in 2004? I can't mention my work friends as they will be sad if I don't choose them and most of them I have met prior to this year . . . so, I'll say . . . the best new person I met was Burb?
Wow, is that a cop-out or what?
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
Save your documents every 15 minutes and ALWAYS when you get up from your desk for prolonged periods of time.
Also, when your manager asks you to help out with the FCAT ancillary program . . . run the other way!
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
This song sums up a lot . . . presidential elections, blogging, struggling for new ideas, good music, good friends that the music reminds me of.
So, here you go, in its entirety:
It's A Hit |
by Rilo Kiley |
Any chimp can play human for a day.
Use his opposable thumbs to iron his uniform
and run for office on election day
fancy himself a real decision maker
and deploy more troops than salt shakers.
But it's a jungle when war is made,
and you'll panic and throw your own shit at the enemy.
The camera pulls back to reveal your true identity.
Look, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing.
A smoking gun holding ape.
Any asshole can open up a museum.
Put all of the things he loves on display
so everyone could see them.
The house, a car, a thoughtful wife
ordinary moments in his ordinary life.
But if she breaks a smile, she'll give you away
'cause no one wants to pay to see your happiness.
No one wants to pay to see your day to day
and I'm not buying it either
but I'll try selling it anyway.
Any idiot can play Greek for a day
and join a sorority or write a tragedy
and articulating all that pain
and maybe you'll get paid.
But it's a sin when success complains,
and your writers block- it don't mean shit.
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
Gotta write a hit.
I think this is it.
It's a hit.
And if it's not,
then it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah it's a holiday for hanging
yeah shoo-bop-shoo-bop my baby
Any fool can play executioner for a day,
and say with fingers pointed in both directions
'he went thataway',
It's only a switch or syringe,
aww, exempt from eternal sins.
But you still wear a cross,
and you think you're gonna get in.
Ah, but the pardons never come from up-stairs.
They're always a moment too late,
but it's entertainment
keep the crowd on their toes,
it's justice, we're safe.
It's not a hit, it's a holiday
shoo-bop-shoo-bop my baby
It's a holiday for a hanging, yeah
[repeats]