Edward Underscore of Obsidian Wings (under political blogs) started a thread Stan LS Memorial Top 10 Lists for 2004: Open Thread that asks a general question:
Yes, it’s that time of year again, when everyone gets to pretend they write for David Letterman and offer their Top Ten lists on their favorite topics. Rather than limit it to movies or events, however, I’m opening up the concept to anything that strikes your fancy. What were your favorite “things” about the past year?
The question is hard to impossible to answer– I know I’ll remember a dozen things once I finish my list, and half of them will be competing for #2. Despite that, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so here goes:
- Turned 31 without any ruckus. After last year’s problems, that was a huge relief.
- Wes’s loan of Mere Christianity. It knocked my thinking for a loop (admittedly already reeling due to other life changes), and reminded me that I respect spirituality. It (living mindfully) is hard work, harder than I was able to sustain.
- Last year’s New Year’s Eve party at Chris and Holly’s: It was incredibly cool. I was surrounded by good friends and family, all eagerly playing games together– it was a perfect way to ring in the new year.
- Buckling down and writing a personal, then going out and pursuing other people. I finally admitted that I wasn’t enjoying the bar/ club scene and that I value education too much to really spend my time taking classes to hunt for dates.
- Plotting and concealing a surprise party for Jennifer; the crew was small, but the evening was wonderful. The plotting was great fun, thanks in large part to my co-conspirator. Thanks Traci.
- Trying out some Indie RPGs; My Life with Master may not have turned out brilliantly, but it set up Dogs in the Vineyard. DitV was really cool in play, despite some poor adaptation to the new mode (particularly by me…) Will’s Wheel game almost falls in this category.
- A whole category of things that sum up to three letters ending in an x. (And a world of fun along the way.)
- Getting to play in Strife and Pride. Dad did a great job in creating a world that was vivid and consistent, that catered to the various characters, but still managed to have a plotted backbone. (He managed it in D&D, kept an eye the spotlight… it worked much better than I’d have bet.)
- For having multiple groups of friends that I can game with. I love knowing so many people who enjoy doing such fun things together. The state of Nevada is getting more impressive all the time, and who would have guessed that New York was due for conquest?
- Would anyone who knows me not guess that #1 this year was meeting Jennifer? I’ve known her for only months, but she’s managed to bowl over friends and family, master a closet full of games, got me out of several unseen ruts I’d drifted into, and has been a woman whose peer I’ll never meet. When I summarize 2004 from here on out, it will be the Year of Jennifer.