Dawn's Digression.

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?
I had a wedding ceremony, organized a reception, shopped for a wedding dress, and everything that goes with that.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No, I didn’t keep them and I won’t be making any for 2004. Well, okay, I might. But they will be simple and easy.

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

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes. My grandmother.

5. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
Oh, my. As crappy of a year as I’ve had, I didn’t lack much. Of course, I’d always like more money. Perhaps a postive attitude would be nice.

6. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 1 – Granny died
April 20 - engaged
September 27 – got married
October 25 – reception
You’d think moving into the house would be on that list, but I can’t remember the date.

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This was a low achievement year for me. 2002 was so much better. I was proud of myself for deciding to attend a four year. And I did organize a wedding and reception. Unless you’ve done that, you have no idea what it’s like.

8. What was your biggest failure?
My withdrawal from several interpersonal relationships and my failure to instigate new ones.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just that ongoing tooth pain that never seems to go away.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
Can I say the house even though Michele actually bought it? Otherwise, I just don’t know. The digital camera I can’t even use at the moment?

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hard choice. I can’t narrow it down because I have been incredibly fortunate in this arena despite my withdrawal from several friends. So many.

Patti & Helen for being incredibly helpful and supportive during the wedding/reception and organizing our shower. They were with us every step.

Jennifer for the above and for listening to me EVERY SINGLE DAY and offering endless advice and affirmations.

Melody for listening to me on several Saturday nights when I was drunk and needed to vent and for Fair Maiden time.

Rachel for being Rachel.

Kimber for addressing invites for a function she didn’t even attend.

Mom for being a part of our wedding, shower, reception. For her thoughtful gifts, her trip to Vermont, and just for being the mommy I needed her to be. For being the daughter her mother needed her to be.

My dad and Alex for accepting what I thought they wouldn’t. Alex for hugging me when I cried when I told him and Dad for conversing with me at length regarding my lifestyle.

Mom, Laura, George, LuAnn, Darla, and Jo for spending the last days with Granny.

Jennifer, Rachel, and Robert for attending Granny’s funeral.

Michele for her support when Granny died.

Laura, Jerry, George, Diane, Dave, Helga, Alex, Dad, Michelle, Eric, and Mom for coming to the reception and staying with me until the end, after my friends had left.

Michele’s family for coming to the reception even though they didn’t want to.



I can’t do anymore of this! It’s making me cry.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Tonya.
Mine.

13. Where did most of your money go?
Um, duh. House-Reception-Wedding.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The reception, the house, the marriage. And ironically all that crap being over. Well, you know, except for the marriage. ;)

15. What song will always remind you of 2003?
Oh my gosh. You’re not going to believe this, but I don’t have one. I guess I would say Bawitdaba or I Will Love You. Those were our first and last reception songs.


16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter (Damn, this question is not going well.)
iii. richer or poorer? I’m doing better on a daily basis, but I’m more in debt.

17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Laughing and female bonding.

18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Drinking, crying, being angry.

19. How did you spend Christmas?
With the inlaws.

20. How many one-night stands?
As if!

21. What was your favorite TV program?
Six Feet Under, hands down.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Aw, come on. Hate? No. I’m very disappointed in a couple of people.

23. What was the best book you read?
I’m not sure. I can tell you the books I didn’t like, though.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Country music. Sadly, no new artists for me this year.

25. What did you want and get?
A wife and a house.

26. What did you want and not get?
A new job, a new car, a new computer. Just little things.

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hours

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 29. Michele and I went to Houston’s where they couldn’t make my favorite after dinner drink and didn’t have White Zin. I hated it. My parents took me to Saltgrass.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think a better attitude on my part. If I had stayed on the diet bandwagon.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
Woo, doggy. There have been some changes here. This year brought matching lipstick and jewelry for outfits, and actual girl clothing in many cases.

31. What kept you sane?
Having to plan the reception and wedding kept me going. I had things I simply had to do. This was also what made me crazy. Having friends to unload on was a great source of comfort for me.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I guess I have to admit I’ve started to like Jennifer Aniston. She seems genuinely nice.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
I’ve been bad this year. Not much. Just gay marriage, I suppose, and I’ve done nothing but maybe send a couple of emails.

34. Who did you miss?
Granny, Tonya, Ruby, Shelley

35. Who was the best new person you met?
I met new people? I think I was too self involved this year to bother.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003.
In the end it is family who will be there.
Let people know how you feel about them because it CAN be too late.
When someone asks if you are truly happy, tell them, don’t skirt the issue.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
all of my days have been misspent
stuffing out the sofa and the antenna's bent
inside my heart's bustin' out at the seams
i work for the impossible american dream
...
the world comes in just to take things away
they eat it all up and then they sleep into day
i try not to care i would lose my mind
running 'round the same thing time after time
...
now once upon a time i was nobody's fool
two jobs and showing up for school
i guess it comes apart so little by little
you don't know your there till your stuck in the middle
…
and all i want is nothing to do

Cold Beer and Remot Control, words and music by emily saliers

You expected anything else?