This will have to last through Monday...

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before? Contributed $$$ to a political campaign.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Don't generally make specific resolutions other than to be true to myself. I am resolving to quit (or more likely, drastically cut down on) drinking. It's been 17 days...

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Not that I recall, though Frandie announced they're expecting early next year! :-)

4. Did anyone close to you die? No. Knock wood.

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003? A clear head.

7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 26th, my last night running the reading series at Bar 13, formerly known as a little bit louder.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting back on my feet, financially and psychologically, after a tough 2002.

9. What was your biggest failure? Don't believe I failed at anything this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing serious. Knock wood.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Can't say until after Christmas but it's probably the coolest gift I've ever gotten someone.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? This is rather abstract so I'll say, on a global level, every single person that spoke out against Bush's war on Iraq.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Going with the previous answer, everyone that attempted to demean, disparage or dissaude those that spoke out.

14. Where did most of your money go? Most recently, Christmas presents... :-)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? When we moved to our apartment in the Bronx in June.

16. What song will always remind you of 2003? Hey Ya, Outkast. And Where is the Love?, Black Eyed Peas.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you better off: Much, much, much, much, much, much, much better off. :-)

i. happier or sadder? Not even close. Definitely happier.

ii. thinner or fatter? Slightly thinner.

iii. richer or poorer? Richer. Of course, that's relative.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Writing.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Wasting time with the slam scene after I realized I was done with it.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Quietly, with family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2003? Back in love, actually. :-)

22. How many one-night stands? Having two kids, every time is like a one-night stand!

23. What was your favorite TV program? Smallville.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate's a rather harsh word. Disappointed is closer to it.

25. What was the best book you read? Jessica Rydill's Children of the Shaman.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Maroon 5's Harder to Breathe.

27. What did you want and get? A fresh start.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Though I haven't seen it yet, I have no doubt that it will be Return of the King.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 34 and spent a week in a cabin in the Poconos with family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To be honest, I don't think it could have been any better.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003? Old Navy.

32. What kept you sane? Remembering 2002.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? What the hell does "fancy" mean in that context? I was particularly impressed with Dennis Kucinich.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The Democratic primaries and all the issues surrounding it.

35. Who did you miss? My mother, actually. Kind of got used to being around her again.

36. Who was the best new person you met? As a group, the entire Acentos camp.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003: Follow your heart, no matter the short-term cost, and you will be happy with where you end up.

Happy holidays!