Trapper Keeper

I started winter quarter this eve. Taking a program about the media and the Middle East. I walked into class knowing very little, and left knowing a little more. Steve wisely noted that that's why I'm going back to school in the first place. I'm relatively intimidated by the subject. When I spoke with the faculty about it last quarter, there was a look of confusion when I expressed my apprehension. I went on to explain that for me, the Middle East is like wine - there are just too many nuances, years, names, notes to track. How could I ever really understand? As the words were coming out of my mouth I floated out of my body and looked down on the conversation in horror. Did I just parallel the Middle East to learning about wine? What kind of ignorant, awful, naive and yuppielike American am I? And I don't even LIKE wine!

So, yeah.

Otherwise (can you tell I'm having a hard time recovering from that gaffe, even now?)...

I never did a year-end list. I don't typically do year-end lists. This year, however, is different. I loved a good many things this year, and want to spread the good word.

Top Ten _____ of 2004, in no particular order:
Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides
My new iPod
Discovering the beauty of long-term love
My reunion with bicycling
My return to college
Traveling to Brazil with my best friend
Feeling excitement about cohabitation
The Storm winning the championship
Learning about media policy, media criticism
The new Seattle public library

Please, feel free to post your lists, too. I'm curious. Of course, that assumes that there is a "you" there. Are you there?