I bid 2003 a hearty Fuck Off just as I'd wished to: surrounded by people I love. It wasn't a grand affair, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and that was all I wanted. I think 2003 suffered from its magically-delicious start; there was nowhere to go but down, and go it did. One nice thing about a year that sucks so thoroughly, though, is that it's easier to pick out the highlights. Amidst the grief and despair, there was a surprisingly delightful trip to Puerto Rico, and a delightful surprise birthday party. Two men said two of the best things anyone's ever said to me. I met some wonderful new people. I learned to better value my time and myself, which made for a quieter year, but the time I spent with others was richer for it. But most of all, I survived, I endured, which sometimes seemed like a bloody miracle, but then I guess I always do.

New Year's Day, I awoke quietly content, and made a list of to-do items for the year. I hesitate to call them "resolutions", because how many people actually keep their New Year's Resolutions? Exactly.

Tallulah's To-Dos for 2004:

• Launch 3 - possibly 4 - new websites.
• Redesign tallulahville.com using no tables.
• Hone web design/programming skills - in particular, master CSS positioning/layout.
• Work on novels.
• Work on songs.
• Sing in public/in front of people.
• Eat more produce.
• Go to dentist. (I'm ashamed to admit, it's been years).
• Floss daily.
• Cook more. (I actually don't mind cooking as much as I say I do, and I don't suck at it, either, it's just a drag to do it only for myself, so...)
• Play hostess more often.
• Get new (bigger) dining set to help facilitate home entertaining.
• Get new eyeglasses.
• Dress better.
• Buy a VCR for the living room. DONE
• Buy/build bed frame. DONE
• Drink lots of tea.
• Rebuild my old PC.
• Repair/redo sofa slipcover (with help from Mom...pretty please???).
• Paint board for desk.
• Resuscitate plants.
• Clear out old crap from my home/life, and better organize the crap I keep.
• Get back down to just the one chin.
• Read more, especially fiction and books about writing.
• Find a way to stop hating my job.
• Be happy.

A long list, perhaps, but all of these things can be pretty easily accomplished. Wish me luck, eh?