The Year in Review -- 2004
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Live with two guys that aren't related to me. And cook on a somewhat regular basis.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I again don't remember what my New Years' resolutions were, but mine for this year will be to lose some weight because it'll improve my grade in dance, and to quit smoking while drunk.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope
5. What places did you visit?
Munich and Trinidad over the summer, LA for part of the summer and over Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks. I had hoped to go to London, but that didn't happen. Now I'm hoping to go over Spring Break, but if people keep being apathetic on both ends, the whole idea might go bust.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
The ability to commit -- to things, people, majors, etc.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Election day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Composing. Actually practicing with some regularity. Feeling like a bonafide musician for the first time in my life, rather than just a kid who likes singing.
Also -- looking, feeling and sounding older, more grown-up. Feeling very emotionally healthy.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Smoking while drunk. Still being LOUD.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Making out with people at parties is not a problem, but I need to learn to time it all better, so that when I inevitably get sick after kissing new people, I don't have any performances coming up.
I also need to get my wisdom teeth out, since they've been aching on and off since June.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A big green couch for Bloodshaw Manor. A large Hello-Kitty's-bag-worth of alcohol in the Frankfurt airport (which I then took on the plane, clinking and clanking the whole way).
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The voice majors, for becoming such a family. Our Secret Santa party this Monday, we had sangria and cheese, and it was the first time I ever got pleasantly buzzed and really enjoyed myself without being too stupid -- although, even sober I'm fairly silly, so that was all amplified.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
S'n'S drrrrrramaaaa (well, since the end of the summer). I still believe there are a lot of interesting people in that group, but as a whole, the politics are too damn much.
14. Where did most of your money go?
On a ticket that I never used.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing my first year of college. Germany. Living off campus and throwing parties.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
selections from "Dies Irae"
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER. I think it has to do with living with two people who enjoy life. Last year was rough.
ii. thinner or fatter? I don't really know. I think I wear more flattering clothes this year.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer? Not much; I've taken on two jobs, but I only work about 10 hours total a week.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Stayed outdoors, especially in Germany. Spent time with important people before it was too late. Washed my clothes and cleaned my room!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Talking, being too loud, saying too much.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas is at my mom's parents' house this year. Everyone's coming over, it'll be like old times except that my cousin's parents are separated. Oh, life.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
Same way I do every year -- celebrating my birthday. This year, it may be with my high school friends, recording more Spatata greatness.
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Almost. Maybe. No. I can't fall in love -- I'm too busy talking too much and being scared to commit.
23. How many one-night stands?
Oof. Well, three. But one was two weeks long. And one was a threesome.
[Edit: Wait, does one-night stand imply sex? Because that changes my answer. Eh. "I may be down, but I'm not flat as all that."]
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Drawn Together! Also watching the Steelers not suck.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Certainly not. I don't think anyone could do anything to me that I wouldn't forgive eventually.
26. What was the best book you read?
Man. I really didn't read enough this year. Tuesdays with Morrie, maybe? The Five People You Meet in Heaven? Both by the same author, both contrived, both made me cry.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Understanding and genuinely beginning to like "modern" (ie. turn-of-the-20th century) music -- and even beginning to compose in said style. Thanks, Counterpoint! I'm now tackling tone-row theory.
28. What did you want and get?
I said I wanted ass last year, and I got it. Boy. At least I've been safe.
29. What did you want and not get?
To stay with Matt for longer than I did.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Because everything reminds me of you and I can't stand it, I want you wiped from my mind. I'm impulsive.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
New Year's Eve, buddy. I'll be 19 and probably recording music.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Quick, cheap transportation from Pittsburgh to London.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
80's dancer chick. Cut-up t-shirts and short skirts with tights. All I need are some leg warmers, and I'm set. In general, I'm looking older -- rarely the glasses, more attention to hair and make-up usually, and the shower is always free when I'm getting ready for class.
34. What kept you sane?
Keeping a schedule that I could stick to. Relying on myself instead of outsourcing.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Who cares? I didn't really like anyone.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, which has gotten me more politically active than I've ever been before. And it changed my perception of people I had previously considered upstanding people.
37. Who did you miss?
Matt, for a while. Now I really only miss him when I talk to him on the phone, which is not often. Also, my sister. I miss my sister.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Various members of Scotch'n'Soda were simultenously the best and worst new people I've met this year. Some of them are so utterly talented.
Unfortunately, I haven't made any new close friends this year. I wish I had. Although, I do feel a lot closer to many voice majors, particularly Eve and Sarah.
38.b. Side question...who would you like to get to know better?
The new faces of Scotch'n'Soda, the ones who are still having fun without being exclusionary -- the ones who will be the movers and shakers next year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Not only do I not *have* to be in a relationship to feel happy, I don't *want* to be in a relationship. Also, random hook-ups may be good up front, but on the whole they make you feel empty. It's too bad.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"and the talking leads to touching/and the touching leads to sex/and then there is no mystery left"
Live with two guys that aren't related to me. And cook on a somewhat regular basis.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I again don't remember what my New Years' resolutions were, but mine for this year will be to lose some weight because it'll improve my grade in dance, and to quit smoking while drunk.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope
5. What places did you visit?
Munich and Trinidad over the summer, LA for part of the summer and over Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks. I had hoped to go to London, but that didn't happen. Now I'm hoping to go over Spring Break, but if people keep being apathetic on both ends, the whole idea might go bust.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
The ability to commit -- to things, people, majors, etc.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Election day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Composing. Actually practicing with some regularity. Feeling like a bonafide musician for the first time in my life, rather than just a kid who likes singing.
Also -- looking, feeling and sounding older, more grown-up. Feeling very emotionally healthy.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Smoking while drunk. Still being LOUD.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Making out with people at parties is not a problem, but I need to learn to time it all better, so that when I inevitably get sick after kissing new people, I don't have any performances coming up.
I also need to get my wisdom teeth out, since they've been aching on and off since June.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A big green couch for Bloodshaw Manor. A large Hello-Kitty's-bag-worth of alcohol in the Frankfurt airport (which I then took on the plane, clinking and clanking the whole way).
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The voice majors, for becoming such a family. Our Secret Santa party this Monday, we had sangria and cheese, and it was the first time I ever got pleasantly buzzed and really enjoyed myself without being too stupid -- although, even sober I'm fairly silly, so that was all amplified.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
S'n'S drrrrrramaaaa (well, since the end of the summer). I still believe there are a lot of interesting people in that group, but as a whole, the politics are too damn much.
14. Where did most of your money go?
On a ticket that I never used.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing my first year of college. Germany. Living off campus and throwing parties.
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
selections from "Dies Irae"
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER. I think it has to do with living with two people who enjoy life. Last year was rough.
ii. thinner or fatter? I don't really know. I think I wear more flattering clothes this year.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer? Not much; I've taken on two jobs, but I only work about 10 hours total a week.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Stayed outdoors, especially in Germany. Spent time with important people before it was too late. Washed my clothes and cleaned my room!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Talking, being too loud, saying too much.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas is at my mom's parents' house this year. Everyone's coming over, it'll be like old times except that my cousin's parents are separated. Oh, life.
21. How will you be spending New Year's?
Same way I do every year -- celebrating my birthday. This year, it may be with my high school friends, recording more Spatata greatness.
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Almost. Maybe. No. I can't fall in love -- I'm too busy talking too much and being scared to commit.
23. How many one-night stands?
Oof. Well, three. But one was two weeks long. And one was a threesome.
[Edit: Wait, does one-night stand imply sex? Because that changes my answer. Eh. "I may be down, but I'm not flat as all that."]
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Drawn Together! Also watching the Steelers not suck.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Certainly not. I don't think anyone could do anything to me that I wouldn't forgive eventually.
26. What was the best book you read?
Man. I really didn't read enough this year. Tuesdays with Morrie, maybe? The Five People You Meet in Heaven? Both by the same author, both contrived, both made me cry.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Understanding and genuinely beginning to like "modern" (ie. turn-of-the-20th century) music -- and even beginning to compose in said style. Thanks, Counterpoint! I'm now tackling tone-row theory.
28. What did you want and get?
I said I wanted ass last year, and I got it. Boy. At least I've been safe.
29. What did you want and not get?
To stay with Matt for longer than I did.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Because everything reminds me of you and I can't stand it, I want you wiped from my mind. I'm impulsive.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
New Year's Eve, buddy. I'll be 19 and probably recording music.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Quick, cheap transportation from Pittsburgh to London.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
80's dancer chick. Cut-up t-shirts and short skirts with tights. All I need are some leg warmers, and I'm set. In general, I'm looking older -- rarely the glasses, more attention to hair and make-up usually, and the shower is always free when I'm getting ready for class.
34. What kept you sane?
Keeping a schedule that I could stick to. Relying on myself instead of outsourcing.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Who cares? I didn't really like anyone.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, which has gotten me more politically active than I've ever been before. And it changed my perception of people I had previously considered upstanding people.
37. Who did you miss?
Matt, for a while. Now I really only miss him when I talk to him on the phone, which is not often. Also, my sister. I miss my sister.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Various members of Scotch'n'Soda were simultenously the best and worst new people I've met this year. Some of them are so utterly talented.
Unfortunately, I haven't made any new close friends this year. I wish I had. Although, I do feel a lot closer to many voice majors, particularly Eve and Sarah.
38.b. Side question...who would you like to get to know better?
The new faces of Scotch'n'Soda, the ones who are still having fun without being exclusionary -- the ones who will be the movers and shakers next year.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Not only do I not *have* to be in a relationship to feel happy, I don't *want* to be in a relationship. Also, random hook-ups may be good up front, but on the whole they make you feel empty. It's too bad.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"and the talking leads to touching/and the touching leads to sex/and then there is no mystery left"