Stephen, Mom, and I had a LOTR festival this weekend. We decided to watch both extended editions yesterday on the surround sound system. Let me tell you, now that was a sweet experience. I had another geek moment during Fellowship in the Council at Rivendell scene. Actually it was just prior to it, but there's actually a hint of the Gondor leitmotif there and I turned excitedly to Stephen at that moment and managed to scare the hell out of my mother. The brother was amused.
For the record, I loved the TTT extended edition. I wish I had had a chance to see it before seeing ROTK just for the Faramir scenes, but it was ok. Today we remedied that.
We went to see ROTK again, and I still can't stop crying. What an amazing movie. I think I've seen history, and it will be a long time before anything will ever surpass what Peter Jackson has brought to the masses. For now I think I'll just mourn the fact that I won't get to see Aragorn or Pippin in any more adventures. Though there is of course the extended edition that has yet to come.

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?
Get my very first apartment and graduate from law school... took the bar exam which wasn't pretty, failed the bar exam... etc...
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually don't remember if I made any resolutions, and I'm not convinced if I want to make any now. Yes, I'm perfectly sober by the way. I think I'd be content passing the bar on the 2nd try and the MPRE on the 3rd. I was close this time too. I'm so pathetic.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Blog people. Heather and Denise. My cousin's wife gives birth next year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandfather, T�a Lupe, Tio Samuel, Yareli, and there were a few others that I
didn't know too well, but the toll was 9 in my family. This year sucked.
5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico. Just came back from there too.
6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
My bloody license to practice law. I'm going to get it too. On the second try.
7.What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory?
May 17th. Graduation day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating. Hell I may not have a license, but I have my doctorate. That's pretty nifty. I'm a doctor of law. Get me drunk and I'll start sounding like one too.
9. What was your biggest failure?
See above, though not writing more has me disappointed too. This must be remedied.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Migraines, migraines, and the official diagnosis of the ugly bastards. Plus, I have high cholesterol even though I eat like a mouse.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tori Amos tickets. I have been dying to see her in concert, and this year it finally came true. What an awesome concert. Money well spent.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Behavior how? Attitude, always Brookie. Katie who keeps smiling. Linda, Ermelinda, Kelly, and Cyn.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
The Dean, a certain Satan, some boys on D and D night, the Board of Law Examiners.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The rent people and electricity. Christmas was a success since almost everyone loved what I got them. Apartment furnishings, and bar stuff.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Buffy/Angel marathons, the Tori Amos, Evanescence, and Lollapalooza concerts minus the Lolla girls. Watching Return of the King on opening night with friends. Joining the Bach Choir.
16. What song will always remind you of 2003?
Missing by Evanescence, Just a Dream by Delerium, All of this Past by Sarah Bettens
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Sadder but learning from it.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Thinner, by maybe 15 to 20 pounds and still losing.
iii. richer or poorer?
Poorer. I actually have to pay for my own lodgings and food now which leaves me with nothing by the end of the month. Ouch.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Write! Maybe study a few more hours a week, but there's really only so much you can do. Eat more chocolate and indulge in my newly discovered love of frappuccino.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Cry. Stress. Could do without the panic attacks. Damn it, they are here by banished.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Freezing my ass off in two very cold houses in Mexico that have no heating systems what so ever. It was hotter outside during the day than it was inside the house! I'm talking 50 degrees!! But other than that we feasted on genuine tamales and ponche de frutas and as it is tradition there, we opened presents on the night of the 24th even though my immediate family did not get their presents until we got home to El Paso. Immediate as in, they received my gifts, but Stephen and I did not receive our birthday or Christmas gifts till the night we drove home. But they were nice gifts. He was a sweety. He gave me Angel Season 1 and Buffy Season 5. Brendan gave me Firefly. I also got the Aliens Quadrilogy, the Two Towers Extended Edition (my precious), Emma, and lots of money and other stuff to spend on myself. MAC here I come.
Other than presents, it was nice to see everyone. Grandmother looked well despite everything that happened, and practically everyone on Christmas Eve managed to get buzzed including me, on the weakest stuff too. Twas pathetic!
21. Did you fall in love in 2003?
They're all taken.
22. How many one night stands?
You jest.
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Buffy, but now Angel since the former has ended with ::gasp:: The OC coming in at a close second. My cousin made me watch the first episode in Mexico. Not just me, my brothers and I, and the damn show has made all three of us its bitch. And my mom just happened to have the other 13 episodes on her laptop. Me loves my Seth Cohen and Ryan Atwood. I shall never diss OC again. What an awesome show. Only problem is that it's on at the same time as Jake 2.0 and Angel. Sacrilage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word.....
26. What was the best book you read?
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I really, really do like Evanescence earlier stuff.
28. What did you want and get?
An apartment, a new scooter, my law degree and obviously I wanted to graduate.
29. What did you want and not get?
My license. My first kiss. My first boyfriend. Pity me and die (the latter two).
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Return of the King, The Last Samurai
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Katie made a lovely dinner and some friends came over where we had a lovely time talking about the law because we just rock that way. Lisa came from Austin, and that really rocked. I think we saw Frequency that morning, which was excellant.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Oh gee, guess.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
I have no fashion sense, but losing weight has helped. I suddenly find myself believing that I'm attractive, which I am, but it helps if you're lighter too.
34. What kept you sane?
I have no clue.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This year, I think it was Viggo Mortessen with Christian Bale coming in a close second.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Still bugs me. Two people have a right to be in a relationship regardless of their orientation. They also have a right to seal their union. No one has a right to prevent that.
37. Who did you miss?
Kelly and Catherine
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Lindsy. He's such a nice guy.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003.
If you think you've gone through the worst life can throw your way, you ain't seen nothing yet.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Um, no. It's a new year. I'm getting drunk and starting a new year.

This is what happens when the roomie and I start playing with the webcam. Methinks she's convinced into getting one now.
Personally, the best picture is the first one. And I really have no clue why my cam says it's Oct. 19th.

The RIAA subpoeanas are illegal. A court of appeals has ruled that copyright law as it stands does not support the subpoenas, therefore the recording industry has no authority to seek them.
This is indeed a lovely birthday present.

One word: FANTASTIC!

In 3 and 1/2 hours I will be watching ROTK on the big screen. Yes, my lovelies, I am a happy person. Ah, Viggo. How I love thee. You are so much more manly and yummy than most. I shall cry at the end, and stick up my nose, and roll my eyes at the mad girlie girls who think Orlando is better. They obviously have been kicked out of bed one too many times.
Dear sweet Viggo. I shall see thee tonight.

I had this theory. I thought the guys and gals at Google weren't the biggest fans of Dubya. It's possible considering our presidente isn't very good, but I based my theory on the 'miserable failure' entry from earlier. Well apparently the lovely employees at Google are not responsible for that pleasant surprise. It's in fact a google bombing courtesy of some very clever bloggers. Of course there might be some employees helping out as well. You never know.

Went to Wal-mart today, and though I wasn't mobbed by hungry dvd seekers, the aisles did feel slightly smaller and people take their bloody time. You aren't there to chat, you're there to shop and move on. So I can't help it if I had this sudden urge to stand in the middle of the aisle and block everyone in front and behind me. I tend to be rather absent-minded that way.
I finally did get my hands on some Holiday cards, so if you'd like one from me please email me your address.
Oh, and have I mentioned that my birthday is a week from today. On the 19th to be exact, and I have a wishlist. The wishlist serves a dual purpose actually, so if you're feeling generous, forget me not though a card is just as lovely. But really, we all love presents. And I've decided I'm aging down now so I'm heading towards my early twenties again even though it's amusing that my roommates friends think she's older than me when it's vice versa.

The legislature hopes to put a stop to spam with the new CAN-SPAM law, but there's a catch. You have to ask to be removed from the mailing list of the spammer before they can be charged with an offense.
So basically we're letting the spammers know that our email works, so they they can sell it to other spammers, and a new law just went into effect that probably won't work. Brilliant.

::bounce:: I just bought my tickets to the 7 pm showing of ROTK on the 17th. I have been waiting a whole year for this.