Can I steal this?

Too late!

[What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?]
Nothing particularly unique I can remember off the top of my head, I’m afraid. This wasn’t exactly a trailblazing year for firsts.

[Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?]
I don’t do that shit.

[Did anyone close to you give birth?]
Yes! My auntie. Baby cousins are excellent, even if they live in another state, and cause your paternal instincts to start itching uncontrollably when they visit.

[Did anyone close to you die?]
A few relatively distant family members, but nobody I knew very well. I suppose you could count my cat Charlie.

[What countries did you visit?]
Zip.

[What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?]
My own accomodation would be nice.

[What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?]
23/3/03. The day Australia thrashed India in the final to regain the cricket World Cup after going through the tournament undefeated. Awesome awesome awesome. There are certainly others, but that’s the first that came to mind.

[What was your biggest achievement of the year?]
I quit smoking. Although it was pretty easy going cold turkey in retrospect, so I’m not exactly sure how great an achievement it really was.

[What was your biggest failure?]
Not making a big enough dent in my degree due to procrastinations and distractions.

[Did you suffer illness or injury?]
Some minor football-related injuries, a chipped lateral metatarsal and strained cruciates from bad tackles and some mild muscle strains, but nothing serious. I haven’t been sick all year, but that’s nothing unusual for me.

[What was the best thing you bought?]
This notebook.

[Whose behavior merited celebration?]
The ALP caucus for taking a chance and promoting Mark “Howard-Killer” Latham as Opposition Leader.

[Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?]
Certain world “leaders” who shall remain anonymous.

[Where did most of your money go?]
Petrol and uni fees. =/ A minor clothing splurge in the past two months tips the scales I suppose.

[What did you get really, really, really excited about?]
Seeing old friends again. Right now I’m terribly excited about my favourite day of the year; New Year’s.

[What song will always remind you of 2003?]
Ooh, “Fair Judgment” by Opeth. Yum. I liked “Sail To The Moon” on HTTT as well.

[Compared to this time last year, are you:]
happier or sadder - Definitely happier.
Older or wiser - Much wiser.
Thinner or fatter? - Thinner. See that “quitting smoking” point.
Richer or poorer? - Slightly richer.

[What do you wish you'd done more of?]
Studied and concentrated on my goals.

[What do you wish you'd done less of?]
Procrastinating. Drinking to some extent. (I say this while semi-tipsy)

[How will you be spending Christmas?]
I spent Christmas either in an air-conditioned room at a relatives’ place or swimming (generally escaping the heat December 25 normally brings).

[Did you fall in love in 2003?]
Technically, no. I would refer to it more as a “cautious rekindling” of something, but I’m still awaiting results from the lab. Check back with me later.

[How many one-night stands?]
Please. That would be awfully un-gentlemanly of me.

[What was your favorite TV program?]
I don’t watch much tv, but it would be the fourth season of The Sopranos. Or Conan. Either way.

[Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?]
Nuh. Well, let’s just say that I’ll be more careful in my dealings with one or two people who don’t know how to keep their mouths shut.

[What was the best book you read?]
The Brothers Karamazov. I read it 3 times in 5 months, so that’s saying something.

[What was your greatest musical discovery?]
Opeth definitely. I can’t believe that 12 months ago I had no idea who they were.

[What did you want and get?]
A sense of perspective on reality.

[What did you want and not get?]
I constantly want many things I can’t have, so the list is too long to specify.

[What was your favorite film of this year?]
Although they weren’t made in 2003, I only saw them this year; it’s a tie between Amores Perros and Sexy Beast. Go and see them both. Now. God, although the term is logically meaningless, thy name is Edo Kingsley.

[What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?]
21. Got drunk. Got laid. It was pretty good.

[What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?]
A wealthy, senile old dowager accidentally leaving me 50 billion dollars in her will.

[How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?]
My what??

[What kept you sane?]
My proclivity for optimism and the belief in my own ability to handle difficulties in a careful and rational manner. And my cd collection.

[Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?]
If the question precludes people I knew about before January 1, 2003 such as Claire Danes, Jessica Alba, Audrey Tautou, Cate Blanchett, et al, then that would leave Scarlett Johansson, who isn’t half-cute by any stretch of the imagination.

[What political issue stirred you the most?]
My knowledge of international politics has increased ten-fold since this time last year, so take your pick.

[Who did you miss?]
Charlie. :’(

[Who was the best new person you met?]
Haven’t met anyone simultaneously new AND memorable. Not exactly a social butterfly, me.

[Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:]
It is of the utmost importance that you genuinely be yourself in every situation, because in the end that’s the best and worst you can ever be. Sounds corny, but it happens to be true.

[Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:]
No.