Yesssssssss........

New Long-Ass Quiz! Thank God, because if I were to start posting all the things in my head right now, I'd pass out. Real quick, though:

Good Things:
Universal/IOA with Billy, Sarah, and Surprise Guest Eric (since he was working, I hadn't expected him to park with us, so hurray!!)
Phone calls from LuLu
Backdoors and onesies (umm...that's park lingo, not anything filthy)
The badass BMX/skater stunt show at IOA - THOSE were some sweet jumps. Voelker rocks my face.
Jason - just...Jason

Song for the Day: "Don't Call", Jimmy Eat World

Okay, now when I said long-ass quiz, I mean it - thanks to LuLu.

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?

A solo lead-ish role in a show (or four or five). Get engaged.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I kinda did - I tried to keep much better track of birthdays and anniversaries - I still need a lot of work, but I did better than usual...

2005 -- "No More Drama" - Tripped already. Pick myself up, brush off, try again.

3. What celebrity did you want to slap or otherwise hurt?

Ugh - besides Paris Hilton, because she doesn't even count anymore - whoever cast Nicole Kidman in The Producers.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

J's grandfather - close to him, therefore close to me.

5. What countries did you visit?

Sigh. Not applicable.

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?

Self-control. Self-awareness. Selflessness.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The New York trip with J, and December 24-25, for less than festive reasons.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting back into theatre, making personal connections.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Oh Lord. I still can't seem to come right out and say it. My biggest failure was letting us both down.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Eh, other than some crud here and there, nothing all that major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The Prius!!! And I guess if you can count the dog as a purchase, then Little Bit. (Hey, there was an adoption fee.)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I can't think of an answer to this. I like Lu's families of our troops answer, but I don't want to bogart it. I do think our troops deserve more celebration than anyone...

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Mine.

14. Where did most of your money go?

That's the frustrating thing - I'm not entirely sure.

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

Getting on stage.

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?

The Last Five Years, Ours "Here Is The Light"

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

I. Happier or Sadder? I don't know. I feel a little numb right now. I think I'll be happier.

ii. Richer or Poorer? Hmmm...I make more money than I did this time last year, but things are about to get really tight.

iii. Thinner or Fatter? Thinner but less muscular because I haven't been going to the gym. More training. So, I have less weight but possibly more mass. Still 22 pounds lighter than a year and a half ago.

18. What do you really consider your biggest social triumph?

God, getting out of the house. Meeting people. Expanding the phone book in my cell.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Thinking about myself.

20. How will you be spending the holidays?

Spent it with my family. Wish I could say that with more joy.

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?

I don't think so.

23. How many one-night stands?

Not applicable.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Desperate Housewives, Alias, Smallville, Angel (I miss it!), The Practice (Boston Legal), Sex and the City, Scrubs

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

I'm not really a "hate" person.

26. What was the best book you read?

Hate to say it, but it really had to be The DaVinci Code.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Last Five Years. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Frou Frou.

28. What did you want and get?

I wanted to try getting back into theatre. Check.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Does anyone have to ask? Garden State. But I think I'll put Napoleon Dynamite and In America in close second and third.

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

Turned 25. At a very sweet suite at the Ritz. And an amazing dinner at bluezoo. And a massage. One of the best nights ever - won't forget that. Add May 28 to the memorable days of 2004 list.

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

Thinking before I spoke or acted.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?

"Screw it, I'm not wasting my good shoes at work."

34. What kept you sane?

Having friends around me.

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

Dane Cook - so hot, so funny....or Johnny Depp. Sorry, but it's true. And for three hours in New York, Hugh Jackman - good Lord yummy yummy.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election. Definitely definitely the election.

37. Who did you miss?

My mom being nearby, my best friend Jessi (when I lost a place to stay down there, I kind of lost the ability to hang as much with her), and everyone I saw like once or twice this year but didn't get to spend much quality time with. And I can tell you right now who I'll miss next year, but I'll wait for that quiz, I guess.

38. Who were the 5 best new people in your life?

Are you kidding? EVERYONE in my life is new! Eric, Billy, Sarah, Travis, Kyle, Brandon, Shawn, Elizabeth, Ashley, Stephanie (I'll probably put her at the top of the list, actually), Jenny V., Glen, Larry (I'll put him there at the top too), Kevin, Kevin, John, Bill and Tracy, Britteny, Nick...everyone's fantastic...

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:

For God's Sake, Think About Someone Other Than Yourself! (To be implemented in 2005...)

40. What were your favorite places to eat in 2004?

Il Pescatore, Thai Cuisine, Sweetbriar. My favourite place, though, is at home - all about the takeout.

41. What was your favorite retail store this year?

Ohhh, the new MAC store at Millenia moved into first place very recently. But Neiman Marcus ranked first before that. And Whole Foods, if that counts as retail.

42. Did you steal anything in 2004?

Kinda - I have a wig cap from IOA that was stolen for me, but I didn't give it back either. And I have jewelry and props from several shows, but those were all stolen with permission.

43. What was the saddest moment of the past year?

Do we even need to ask that question? Come on.

44. What's the most random memory you can think of right now, this second, about 2004?

That moment where Cathy was sitting on the edge of the stage crying, that moment right before she told us Grease was cancelled. I wish I could have felt her pain more at that moment rather than just shutting down.

45. What was your favorite TV channel this year?

Hmmmm.....I almost said the WB because I love Smallville, but they cancelled Angel, so screw them. Comedy Central's a perennial favourite, but I think I have to hand it to ABC for Desperate Housewives, Alias, and Boston Legal. (Lot of TV questions in this quiz...)

46. What was the most gratifying moment of 2004?

Any number of "Would you be interested in the part of...?" phone calls. Or the surprise promotion/super-duper step increase at work.

47. What one news story (that did not affect you directly) really hit home for you this year?

The recent tsunami - I'm still absorbing that. Part of me wants to fly to Thailand and help...

48. What do you think the best MUSICAL of 2004 was?"

Avenue Q. God I LOVED that show. We enjoyed the hell out of it. But the play Mrs. Farnsworth ruled all over the world too. I think seeing Sigourney Weaver and John Lithgow playing to an audience of 75, two of which were us, with Candice Bergen sitting behind us and Rue McClannahan two rows down was definitely a highlight.

49. What one moment scared you more than any other this year?

The moment I realized I had to change my entire life and how completely different and terrifying it was going to be ... the horrible pit-of-the-stomach feeling that accompanies any revelation that is going to change lives.

50. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"...there's beauty in the breakdown"