What was 2004? It was a year of stolen and disputed elections in Georgia and the Ukraine, the rise and fall of Howard Dean and John Kerry, the first private space flight and the end of the "X-Prize," disaster in Darfur, prisoner abuse in Iraq, expansion of the European Union, the death of Ronald Regan and a month of flags at half mast, the return of Greek Olympics and a very smug presidential victory. In less political but tragic terms, the worst natural disaster in my memory has occurred in Asia as Tsunami death tolls top 135,000 according to CNN.com.

For me, the year started out as a bleak one in the coldest New York winter I have ever experienced. My mother came to visit me for her birthday. We stayed in Manhattan and it was bitterly cold.

Lowel and Johanna

I took a lighting class at Dutchess which was a blast. Some of my friends from Black and White II were taking the class and I met some other cool people. It was so much fun working with those people, including the teacher, Lowel Handler.

(Read more...)

In Short, 2004 was A Great Year and I have high hopes that 2005 will be even better.

iTunes just picked Down Under for me to listen to. I am no longer qualified to be in charge of choosing the music that I listen to, because if I did I would listen to Bloody Tears or Leaving Town over and over again. Anyway, my point is actually that I had a nasty headache after coming home from work today. I ate a Vegemite sandwich and had a nap. I am now feeling much better. I know all you Yanks (as Australians incorrectly refer to all Americans, I apologize on behalf of all Australians; especially to the Southerners in the audience) do not have an appreciation for the stuff, but it does wonders for me when I'm not feeling well.