2004: Seemed like 365 days, didn't it? 1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? Flew coast-to-coast and back in just over 24 hours. 2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never make new year's resolutions. Since I am Mr. Instant Gratification, I always think, why wait until the new year? 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No. 4. Did anyone close to you die? No. 5. What countries did you visit? I wish I'd left the country... alas, I didn't even make it to Mexico. 6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? A relationship with a mentally balanced woman. 7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 19. That was the night I partied with Duran Duran in a penthouse suite at the Chateau Marmont, and I remember standing up there on the balcony, overlooking the Sunset Strip and the entire city of Los Angeles, thinking about how people all over the country -- all over the world, even -- would've killed to be where I was that night, and I just kind of fell into it by accident. 8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Ending a relationship when I knew I should, rather than dragging it out simply because I was scared of being alone again. 9. What was your biggest failure? Not losing all the weight that I wanted to lose -- I've really slacked off in the last month or so. 10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No injury, but I've been way sick the past couple of months. 11. What was the best thing you bought? Mmmm... TiVo. 12. Whose behavior merited celebration? An old friend who removed herself from my social circle a couple of years ago because her boyfriend was jealous of her being around other men. I was really pissed at her for allowing herself to be directed like that, but this year, I called her, and it was great to be able to see her and hang out with her again. 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 51% of the popular vote. 14. Where did most of your money go? DVDs, I suppose. Rent. 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My friends, my toys. 16. What song will always remind you of 2004? "I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light" by Brand New. 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? Happier, I suppose. ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner. iii. richer or poorer? Richer. Though not by much. 18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Traveling. Dating. Exercising. Keeping myself in check. 19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Eating junk food. Battling The Plague™. 20. How will you be spending Christmas? Movies and Chinese food. I've been doing that for like 20 years. 22. Did you fall in love in 2004? Umm... maybe? It's kind of a long, drawn-out explanation -- one I'd prefer not to get into here. (And for those of you who are thinking about Psychochick I dated earlier this year -- no, it wasn't her.) 23. How many one-night stands? None. 24. What was your favorite TV program? Scrubs, The Daily Show, Aqua Teen Hungerforce, Family Guy, Futurama. 25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Oh yeah. 26. What was the best book you read? Al Franken's Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. 27. What was your greatest musical discovery? This year? Head Automatica, The Dresden Dolls, Breaking Benjamin. 28. What did you want and get? Love and affection from friends. My own apartment. 29. What did you want and not get? A new car. A much deserved pay raise. A woman. 30. What was your favorite film of this year? Napoleon Dynamite, Garden State and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. 31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? On my birthday? I was 28 and worked all day, then went out to dinner and to see Sideways with an old friend. 32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Probably a woman. Or that well-deserved raise. 33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? While I can't remember the last time I didn't wear jeans (oh wait... it was when I went to temple for Yom Kippur in September), I discovered that -- despite the L.A. stereotype -- I do look good in black and have started wearing it often. 34. What kept you sane? Music. 35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Okay... well, I still have a crush on Liz Vassey. She was Captain Liberty on Fox's live action version of The Tick. Look, she lives here in Los Angeles, does anyone know how I can get in touch with her? 36. What political issue stirred you the most? The goddamn election and our president. 37. Who did you miss? My friends in Boston. 38. Who was the best new person you met? Umm... I met a lot of cool new people. 39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004: My parents mean well, even if they do stuff that drives me up a freakin' wall. 40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: These days are great, there's work to do Would you like to work with me? I'd love to work you These days are great, and so are you I think it's something positive and negative too... -- Alien Ant Farm, "These Days"