2003 in review

Matt Stratton | Dec 20, 2003 min read

(courtesy of

**1. What did you do in 2003 that you’d never done before?

**

Got a manicure.

**2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

**

I don’t think I had any resolutions in 2003; this year I think I have a couple. One of which might be to quit smoking, but I make no promises!

**3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

**

My friends Jason and Kristi had a beautiful baby girl, Emma Renee, on Dec 13!

**4. Did anyone close to you die?

**

Thankfully, not this year.

**5. What countries did you visit?

**

No international travel for me this year. Unless Vegas counts. Which it doesn’t.

**6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?

**

Completed versions of Dancing With Gaia, Inventing: Stephen, and Inventing: Music.

**7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

**

Feb 1. The date of the Columbia disaster.

**8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

**

Finally getting around to getting my MCSA. This was not a banner year, I suppose.

**9. What was your biggest failure?

**

Bad financial decisions.

**10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

**

Just the Sonic Death Flu for a week in December. But nothing big.

**11. What was the best thing you bought?

**

My Powerbook, “Carson”.

**12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

**

Partytom. He was there for me a LOT this year, just being a good friend. Rock on.

**13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

**

Someone who will remain nameless. Sorry guys.

**14. Where did most of your money go?

**

Bills, unfortunately. When you’re out of work for ten months, the debt racks up.

**15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

**

The popularity of Straight Eye

**16. What song will always remind you of 2003?

**

Euro Trash Girl

**17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

**

_i. happier or sadder?

_

Happier. This time last year I was out of work and depressed.

_ii. thinner or fatter?

_

About the same, actually.

_iii. richer or poorer?

_

Richer. See the “out of work” thing above.

**18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

**

Planning.

**19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

**

Reckless spending.

**20. How will you be spending Christmas?

**

Movies and Chinese food. Jew in the HOUSE!

**21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

**

Probably Tracy. Or Backstreet.

**22. Did you fall in love in 2003?

**

Nope.

**23. How many one-night stands?

**

Four.

**24. What was your favorite TV program?

**

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

**25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

**

There’s one person who really disappointed me, but s/he will remain nameless.

**26. What was the best book you read?

**

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

**27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

**

Not really a “discovery”, but I’ve listened to a lot more Johnny Cash this year.

**28. What did you want and get?

**

To shoot a film using that cool new Panasonic camera.

**29. Did you move in 2003?

**

Several times :)

**30. What was your favorite film of this year?

**

Lost in Translation

**31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

**

Had a Vegas-themed party. I turned 29.

**32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

**

Seeing naked.

**33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?

**

Metrosexual.

**34. What kept you sane?

**

Tivo.

**35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

**

Liz Phair. As usual.

**36. What political issue stirred you the most?

**

Clearly, our invasion of Iraq. Especially the reactions. I think that was the most political conversations I’ve had in a while.

**37. Who did you miss?

**

Tracy…at least for the beginning of the yeary.

**38. Who was the best new person you met?

**

**39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003

**

No matter what, it’ll come back to haunt you.

**40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

**

“Spent all my money…in a Mexican whorehouse, across the street from a Catholic church…”