Hard to really pick the most important things from the year, but I’m gonna give it a go. In some ways, this was a very good year. Note, that I’m not going to put this in context of news, etc, unelss the news really had an impact on me. This is in context of my life. You want news years in review? Pick up any magazine and their unoriginal recaps of the same stuff…
January
January was a big month for me. Halfway through the month I made a rushed trip to the hospital, and after that trip I was told I had to lose weight. Taking the doctor’s advice as seriously as a major disease diagnosis, I decided to do just that. It was January 19th, I was 351 lbs, and I got my ultimate wake up call. I didn’t need any more convincing than that.
February
Not much went on here, really. But then again, nothing much really happens in February anyway. With my weight loss program in full swing by mid month, I had a plan, a procedure, and a way to do it, and I was sticking to it.
March
I bought my Macintosh computer (which I later returned because I needed a PC for work), the Mets smacked the crap out of the Yankees a few times, and John Kerry really starts to emerge as the Presidential candidate of choice. The Madrid bombings happen, and immediately the party running the show in Spain loses power. The new regime decides to withdraw entirely from Iraq. Having lived through 9/11 happening 15 miles from my door, I can’t think of anything more upsetting than pulling back into a shell after a terrorist attack, but that’s the way it was. Oh, and I also ponder quitting blogging altogether; something that happened many times throughout the year.
April
Not much personal news in April. It was all news. Nothing to see here… Move along…
One thing though… On the tenth of April, Stageleft and I started #mixedwingnuts on IRC, a place where we all hang out every day and shoot the shit (you really should join in guys, it’s a hell of a lot of fun). Slobokan, Chelle, Vinny, Lisa, Stageleft, and Mick become fixtures and the chairs under their asses get dented from being sat in so much. Supergeek joins in later and becomes a regular in his own right.
May
Trip to Vegas for work; had a great time; got flirted with by a really cute cocktail waitress at the lounge in Aladdin (where I will definitely go next week as I go to Vegas for the CES show; hopefully Debbie will still be there!). Other than that, not a whole lot going on. Noticing a pattern here? 
June
Ronald Reagan died. Growing up, he was the kind of person I idolized. Strong, patriotic, and interesting. I also hit the 53 pound mark on my weight loss regimen, putting me under the 300 mark for the first time in what felt like forever.
July
This is where the year really got interesting. On July 29th, I purchased my first bike in about 10 years. My Schwinn. I put over a hundred miles on that bike (not that month). I remember starting my first ride out, riding one mile, and turning around and coming home. Why? Because I was frigging dying, that’s why. I thought I was going to pass out. Oh, and I watched some of the DNC with my in-laws (all rabid Democrats); an effort which gets me a medal.
August
The regular ride becomes a staple, and I decide, much to the chagrin of my family, that I will be participating in the October MS Ride. From back in July, when I was doing a mile and thought I would die, to doing 10+ miles on a regular basis, I start prepping hard. My dad buys a bike and says he’ll ride with me. Sounds good to me! My wife and I also took a trip to Atlantic City that month, and had a great time. Nothing to do, no place to do it, and one of the best vacations ever. Our vacation coincided with the RNC at the end of the month; the last chance we would have for such a vacation before she went back to work. Plans to visit Stageleft and Balbulican in Canada were diverted because we just wouldn’t be able to spend any quality time up there. (Although I may go up there alone next Summer).
September
Big month. The anniversary of 9/11 in the context of the elections. But the big news for me was, again, personal. I did my first 22 mile ride in preparation for the MS Ride. I was quite proud of myself at that point. I also did that ride at almost 12 mph. To put that in context, my first ride was 1 mile and it took me half an hour. At the end of the month, I make a shocking decision to anyone who knows me. I sold my Dell laptop, which was brand new at the time. Did I take the money and upgrade? No. I took the money and spent almost all of it on a new bike. A $900 bike. I almost fainted buying it, but I knew it was a good choice. To this day, I don’t regret it, and I really don’t miss my laptop. Wife and I celebrate our third wedding anniversary.
October
No story even touches the big one from this month as far as my personal life goes. After training and training, the morning of 10/17 comes. I do the MS ride, 30 miles, in a hair over 2 hours. In doing so, I raised (with all of your help) almost $3,000 on my bike. In the real world, the one I live in, we call that amazing. The ride was dedicated to Vickie and Mog, two of my regular readers who are afflicted with MS, and one of my relatives who is also similarly afflicted. Even though my goal was $5,000, I can’t even begin to call this anything but an astounding success.
November
The elections. Man was I glad they were over in one day, and the best man definitely won. Relief sets in, and I start getting those thank yous from the RNC. Cards, calendars, pins, and so on. Guess they appreciated the donations. John Kerry was the ultimate class act in conceding the election and not turning it into a protracted court battle. Both candidates received more votes than any candidates in electoral history.
December
Not much to say about December. A relatively quiet month. I know lots of news happened, but as I said, I’m putting this in the context of my personal life. Christmas and Chanukah were awesome as always. I’ve come to expect nothing less.
So on December 31, 2004, I leave this year behind with the following stat:
Haven’t posted one of these in awhile either…
Starting:
Jan 19, 2004
351 lbs
BMI of 47
Current:
December 31, 2004
276 lbs
BMI of 37
Total Loss for the Year: 75 pounds
Goal Loss: 136 pounds
Oh yes, it has indeed been a very good year for me personally. Hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. Happy New Year, and see you next year!