I did this year-end meme in 2004; here is the update.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Break up with someone I loved.

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

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year, oddly enough. My friends had a bunch of kids in previous years and I know at least one couple who's aiming for this year. My boss and a few coworkers had kids this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. Whew.

5. What countries did you visit?
Only the US. In fact, I haven't been abroad since 1997(!). My fear of flying is the main reason.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Abs that aren't buried under a giant beer belly.

7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't remember specific dates well. Seriously. I still can't tell you a single friend's birthday.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally having the strength to end my relationship with my girlfriend, despite it being one of the most emotionally difficult things I've ever had to do.

9. What was your biggest failure?
You know, I can't really look at anything and be like, "Boy, did I fuck that one up." There are plenty of places where there is room for improvement, but nothing glaring.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Ha. Last year's answer was: "Yeah, I had the worst diarrhea ever, but I got some Cipro and that fixed it instantly. Behold: the power of antibiotics." This year it was: "I had even worse diarrhea, but I got some Levaquin and it gradually fixed itself. Behold: the power of immune systems."

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating — if I'd have known this stuff earlier, I wouldn't have eaten so much pasta, bread, rice, and saturated fats in my 20s.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the citizens who were heroes in the aftermath of Katrina.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
All the national and local officials who dropped the ball, or worse, and the media who cost lives with their sensationalist lies.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Savings.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nothing got me that excited.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Over the course of the year: 50 Cent's "Candy Shop" — stuck in my head all the damn time. Right now: "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas. Remember when they were a promising, jazzy, Native Tongues influenced act and not a half-naked white slut and three non-threatening men of color.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
a) happier, b) thinner, c) richer

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

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

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I read in my apartment and ate Chinese food.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
No.

22. How many one-night stands?
None. They all want seconds.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Law & Order: SVU.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

25. What was the best book you read?
Joel Spolsky's The Best Sofware Writing I was great; I like reading books relevant to my industry and really enjoyed the diversity that didn't come at the expense of quality. I hope quality anthologies aren't a one-shot deal; it's really annoying to read a book that should have been an essay and having a range of authors makes it even more refreshing a read.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Operation Ivy; I wish someone would have turned me on to it when it came out 15 years ago. I could have used it. M. Ward's album was great too. Both are way out of my usual genres.

27. What did you want and get?
Independence.

28. What did you want and not get?
Some checks and balances in our government.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Sin City. God, what eye candy. And I'm not just talking about Jessica Alba as a stripper. It was the most visually delicious film I've ever seen.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a party at an Irish pub across the street. Despite torrential rain, and it being out in Virginia (it's a DC thing), a lot of people came by — current job, previous job, Jewish groups around DC, neighbors, random friends and even my agorophobic Unabomberesque college buddy Matt came four-deep. It was very nice to feel appreciated.

31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to take a nice trip out of the country.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Comfortable.

33. What kept you sane?
Cats. Seriously, I don't understand how anyone wouldn't want pets.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Shakira just keeps getting hotter.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Bush administration conducting unconstitutional, extrajudicial wiretaps on citizens is damn close to an impeachable offense.

36. Who did you miss?
My youth. I'm turning 30 next year and, walking by all the teenagers in the mall on my way home each day, I can't help but be envious. At least I'm realizing this before it's too late.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm not gonna play favorites.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Once you've made a decision, don't agonize over it; go through with it.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
None. In fact it gets on my nerves when people quote song lyrics.

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.