I normally don't do these survey/quiz things, but this one was worthwhile, so taking a cue from Bunni, here's some reflection on the year that was.
part one:
1.What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
I started a blog for one and despite a few lapses kept it going. Though I must admit I’m still not certain what it is. But that’s ok. I did at least one thing that I cannot reveal for fear of incriminating the guilty. I taught two classes I’d never taught before and learned a great deal from both. Like what? Well the subject matter (the history of Islam in America and the history of philosophy respectively), but also about teaching, about our culture, about perception and about the fragility of human communication. Or something like that.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t remember what resolution(s) I may have made last year to be honest. Likely one of them, perhaps two, involved the bench press and I achieved one. But you wouldn’t know it to look at me now. Or, more importantly, you wouldn't know it to observe me bench pressing.
As for this year I have a few resolutions. One is financial: I will get out of credit card debt this year. It is all the more imperative because I now have student loan debts, but frankly those are not as insidious. I have already gained ground on this front and must continue to be diligent. There are a few other lesser, that is to say less defined though ultimately just as important, resolutions but I’m keepin em to myself for now.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I guess it depends on how you define close but there seemed to be a lot of death. Though it hit my friends and family harder than it hit me, I nonetheless found myself reflecting on it quite a bit this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
None and the realization that I have not been out of the country in more than three years is a rash on my groin that must be cured as soon as possible.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
A clear vocational sense of mission. There are a few other things I can think of but I’ll leave it at that.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There’s not any one date in particular that sticks in my mind, but there were a few days in late May that I will remember very fondly; a good time with a good friend.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I don’t know and jesus that sticks in my craw. Sadly it may have been the aforementioned bench press. The literal minded answer would be “me” as I got up close to 190 lbs at one point, which is the most I’ve ever weighed, but I’m not sure that was an achievement. Actually I think it is everything I learned teaching the philosophy class.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Oy. I’d like to sign a book contract before starting in on this. Though I don’t know that there was one spectacular failure so much as an accumulation of small failings.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
This is easy: Ibanez artcore hollowbody electric guitar. It has reinvigorated my playing and composing; playing a guitar strung right-handed is now second nature.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
This is a hard one. My buddy big country. Still sober.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I can think of a few. Ashcroft is a perennial candidate, though special mention should go to Rumsfeld after Abu Ghraib. Though frankly neither one of them is as appalling or depressing as Islamic fanatics who seem to take delight in decapitation.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Citibank. Really. Fleet, Bank of America and Sallie Mae all got their fair shares too. Which means Amazon got less than in past years. If I added up all my bar tabs I’d see that the Earl got some too, though not as much as they used to.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Not as much as I would have liked. Attractive women are still near the top of the list. Quality time with friends and my trip with br’er Bunni were exciting.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
There is no single song that will indelibly remind me of 2004. Some song highlights of the year (some of these are old, nearly a century old in one case, but were new to me):
Tom Waits: Hoist that rag/Make it rain
Bert Williams: The Phrenologist Coon/Where was Moses when the light went out?
Probot: Silent Spring (with Kurt Brecht/D.R.I.)/ Shake your blood (with Lemmy/Motörhead )
The Carter Family: Hello Stranger
Sister Clara Hudmon: Stand by Me
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? I don’t know. Objectively, probably sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? A little heavier and a good bit weaker.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer.
