This morning, we have a bowl of sugar-frosted meme bombs prepared by tuluum, with sourmeme toast on the side, prepared by talonvaki.
- What did you do in 2004 that you’d never done before?
Go to Dickens Faire. Watch my daughter go off to camp in a big yellow bus. - Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn’t keep them. I really wanted to eat better and exercise more, and I didn’t :-(. I’ll try again next year. - Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. Rabbi Sheryl up in Sacramento, in October. - Did anyone close to you die?
Alas, yes. See grandpa_a for the story. - What countries did you visit?
I did no out-of-US travel, unless you consider St. Louis MO out of the US. - What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Better health, specifically, fewer headaches and my arm restored to normal nerve function. - What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 11, 2004. The day my father died. - What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The Cross Domain Solution work that I performed on the CCS-C program. From what I’ve heard, this work has saved the government oodles (that’s a financial term) of money. - What was your biggest failure?
I wasn’t as productive or focused this year as I would have liked to be, although other folks were still amazed at what I got done. I also probably spent more time than I should on LJ, but it has improved my writing skills, and proved a good outlet for relieving stress, so that’s a wash. - Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. In early October, my left arm started a positional tingling, which was diagnosed as an irritated nerve. This has been plagueing me ever since. I’ve also been battling sinus headaches much more this year. Growing old is a bitch, but it is better than the alternative. - What was the best thing you bought?
I think the two new computers for home, which have made working at home much much easier. Other good things bought include our new Leather Sofa from Sofa Factory, which I’ve grown to really like, and various boardgames. - Whose behavior merited celebration?
At times, everyone in my family. Consistenly, however, I’m not sure. - Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
(see above). More specifically, there are times I wish S&F was less F. She’s already less S. - Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage and taxes, followed by other bills. - What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My daughter going off to camp for the first time; getting back into the boardgaming community. - What song will always remind you of 2004?
“So Long Dad“, by Randy Newman, as covered by Harry Nillsson. - Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? mixed.
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter 🙁
iii. richer or poorer? richer, in many, many ways. Salary has gone up, and I’ve also made many new friends, and become closer to my stepmother. - What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise. Spent more time with my dad. Spent more time on the house. - What do you wish you’d done less of?
LJ… no just joking. I’d have to say fighting with S&F. - How will you be spending Christmas?
Note: “spending”, not “observing”. I’ll be down at my stepmothers, helping to sort through my dad’s stuff. - Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My lovely wife, who is a great person to talk to. - Did you fall in love in 2004?
Yes, with the same person I loved in 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, …, 1985. - How many one-night stands?
Only with my wife 🙂 - What was your favorite TV program?
This year? Penn and Teller’s Bullshit, together with some of the stuff on TLC. - Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. It’s very hard to get on my shitlist. - What was the best book you read?
In 2004? Wicked. - What was your greatest musical discovery?
In 2004? A toss between Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and a large number of new showtunes I acquired. - What did you want and get?
A daughter that may finally be growing up. New friends, some of which have truly become a part of the family. New games. - What did you want and not get?
A personal trainer. My dad to live to see my daughter’s bat mitzvah. A conference that was wildly successful and reversed the loss trend. - What was your favorite film of this year?
I can’t answer that completely yet, as we’re planning to see The Incredibles on Christmas Day. Of what I saw, probably Fahrenheit 911. - What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Nothing special. I think we went out to dinner for greek food. I was 44. - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being healtier and more productive at work and home. - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Unchanged from 2003. - What kept you sane?
LJ. Friends. Boardgames. - Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Decline to state. Really. I don’t follow celebrities that much. As for public figures, none of the politicians really impressed me, except perhaps for Wesley Clark, who I didn’t get to learn that much about. - What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, in particular, the difficult balance that exists today between individual-privacy-and-liberty and safety-and-security. - Who did you miss?
My dad. The other Karen. - Who was the best new person you met?
Although we first met her in 2003, we really got to know her in 2004: ellipticcurve, hands down. - Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Even though you may disagree with them, spend time with your loved ones when you can. If you sense something is wrong, speak up. Don’t let the fact that “they’re your parents and can’t do wrong” stop you. They are people too, and can make mistakes as they get older. - Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I’m not sure this sums up the year, but it just popped into my head:Life
Words and Music by Tom Paxton[Cho:]
Life – May yours be long and loving.
Peace – May you enjoy its blessing.
Joy – May it be yours to savour.
Love – May it be yours forever.May the sound of children be your music.
May your blessings be the ones you earn.
May your days be filled with sun.
May you deeply love someone.
May that someone love you in return.[Cho:]
May your only sorrows be the small ones.
May they leave you stronger when they go.
May the love of friends be yours.
May you live with open doors.
May you feel the love within you grow.[Cho:]
May your smallest moment be a full one.
May your life be all that it can be.
May you come to love yourself,
And hold that love above yourself,
And hold that love for all the world to see.[Cho:]
