A Survey For '04

Because I don't have time enough to write a proper update about my week in Colorado, I've decided to attend to another post I've been meaning to write: a survey courtesy of Devin Stambler on the year two double-ought four. Enjoy, and goodnight.

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1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Had a stint as a camp counselor. Acted in a film. Went to E3. Was commissioned as a photographer. Played Texas Hold 'Em. Went skiing. Made party punch. Consumed an entire bag of Chesse Puffs, on multiple occasions.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions?
I don't make new year's resolutions. If I think I should change something about myself, I change it immediately rather than wait for January 1. Carpe diem, my friends. Carpe diem.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My good high school friend Vanessa Oduca gave birth to master Kadence Ngueyn and my sister-in-law gave birth to wonderful Justin McConnell, my nephew.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just a weekend trip to Rosarito, Mexico this year around. Alas, my trip to South America - Peru, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela - just didn't pan out as planned.

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Better money management skills.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 21st, the day I realized why fate made me a Campus Cruiser trainer.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realizing my goal of uniting with my father's side of the family.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not learning to play the guitar.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. I've been very healthy all year long.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A plane ticket to Florida last January for my cousin Iain's wedding/the McConnell-family reunion.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
One of my best high school friends, Michael Lum, got married in May to the radiant Ashley.

13. Whose behavior appalled and depressed you?
One of my best high school friends, Michael Lum, flew all the way to Hawaii to get married to the radiant Ashley and didn't tell any of his good friends about it in advance.

14. Where did most of your money go?
I wish I knew. Nothing tangible, that's for sure.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My very first skiing trip. So awesome!

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
The Killers - Somebody Told Me. Runner up: Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get Retarded.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Last year: just saw USC win a National Championship live from row M of the Rose Bowl.
This year: just returned from the second-best vacation of my entire life.
I'm always happy, so it's a tie.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel. Work out. Read for pleasure.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spend time being unproductive in general.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Enjoying the company of my family and working on a model car.

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
The answer to this question deserves more than just a couple of lines, so I'll save it for another day.

23. How many one-night stands?
10,640. Seriously folks, you'll never get this out of me.

24. What was your favorite TV program this year?
HBO takes the cake with Six Feet Under and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

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

26. What was the best book you read?
Culture of Fear, by Barry Glassner.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ben Gibbard in Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. The Killers are a close second with Keane coming in third.

28. What did you want and get?
A promotion at work, a executive board position in the Trojan Knights, and my traffic citation excused.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I've got a few, in the order that I saw them: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Saved!, The Incredibles, Finding Neverland, and Closer.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Served the most incredible party punch to 65 friends and strangers and danced for a solid three hours on my 22nd birthday celebration.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My life is immeasurably satisfying. But, I guess a car would've been nice.

34. What kept you sane?
My father. I can always count on him to be there for me.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Natalie Portman. Two new films this year, lucky me!

37. Who did you miss?
All of the people I became fast friends with this summer during camp.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hands down, Emily Estelle. I also value the friendships of the people I met this summer; you know who you are.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Oh man, there are so many, but I think the best is to take chances, because otherwise you'll never really know what might have been.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"In this world we're just beginning, to understand the miracle of living."
- Belinda Carlisle in Heaven is a Place on Earth

Also, Devin, if you know what happened to questions 21, 29, 33, and 36, please let me know. I'd like to answer them as well. Thanks.