greybeta | The army man speaks truth

I hung out with the army man, the enigmatic Maph, yesterday. He went out and bought an aqua green Aveo, which he will be paying off during his time in Iraq. I remember him saying he'll be stationed in Taji or something like that.

We did two of our usual traditions. First, we ate at Waffle House, bringing back the good ole times that we'd eat there after working at the movie theater. Then we went swinging at a nearby elementary school, under the stars and half moon. It had only been three years prior that we had been talking about what we wanted to do for college. And now look at us, an army man and a hopeful history professor. A certain part of the conversation was memorable.

Maph: I know what your problem is.
Me: Oh really?
Maph: You have the same problem I do.
Me: And what exactly is that?
Maph: You need a chick.
Me: ...

Usually, I can argue with him about anything. But when the army man speaks truth, he speaks truth.

And here's a little meme that I've seen going around...

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

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember what my new year's resolution was. I'll make a few for next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I know of

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but there was my former roommate's brother...

5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed in the states this year.

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

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 3rd, the day America died.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Uh...surviving another semester.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failure in a class.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Princess Nine, anime with almost infinite replayability.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'm not sure.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Too many, too many.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Textbooks, food, anime

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
New Magic sets

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
One of the random songs my roommate played too much

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? slightly fatter
iii. richer or poorer? poorer

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

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

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my family

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Nope

23. How many one-night stands?
None

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Sportscenter

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
It's not so much as me hating people as people make me bitter

26. What was the best book you read?
The Alehemist by Paulo Coehlo

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
More anime soundtracks

28. What did you want and get?
To discover more about myself, and I became a confident pessimist.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Incredibles

31. What did you do on your birthday?
Hung out with friends

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Doing better in a certain class

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Can't say anything changed

34. What kept you sane?
My friends

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmm, I guess Jon Stewart

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Overreaction on both sides to the results of the election

37. Who did you miss?
The friend that I've known the longest

38. Who were the best new people you met (in person)?
People at Dai Hoi

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
You can be doing too much. Take some time off for yourself.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
War, what is it good for?