PHIDONG.COM . 5.0

I think Sam said it best in his journal:

Although I like to think that everyday is a chance for new beginnings, an opportunity to create and change... the New Year stands as a symbol for improvement and refinement.

Sometimes I wonder I take advantage of all of the opportunities given to me. Honestly, I think I've fallen into a lull and have been taking every new day for granted. At the beginning of last week, I decided it was time that imports@uci got a new beginning. I promptly took the website down and put up the splash page you are likely to encounter when you click on the link. I worked on it for a good two days before Christmas came around. Christmas for me was good. Good because I got to get my mind off of things and good because I got what I wanted. Well, to be completely honest, I already had everything I could ever want/need before gifts were ever exchanged, so Christmas was good, but the ending of this year as good to me as well.

This week has been a week of growth and rebirth. My sleep schedule is all fucked up. I've been waking up at 6PM and going to sleep at 11AM. I've been pretty unproductive as well, but who can blame me when it rains this much? This week more or less summarizes this year, 2004, up for me. I mean.. it seems like I've really taken the time for granted. "Everyday is a chance for a new beginning", yet I haven't even made the effort to start anew.

So let it begin. A couple days ago I decided to continue work on the site when I found my computer wouldn't let me connect to FTP at all. Impulsively , I decided to reformat the thing. A fresh start for a new year... or something like that.

There is one thing that the new year does give us. Its not about making resolutions, but its a marker of time for us to look upon and reflect upon our year. To see what we accomplished and failed at. Where we grew or if we grew up at all.

So I bring to you, my readers, the best of 2004 .

The most memorable moment of 2004
Wow. Compared to last year, things seem to be completely lackluster. Its been a dull year, but one of the moments that definitely stand out to me is the fact that I met a lot of good people and made a lot of connections. I got close to some of the people I consider to be my good friends this year and while it can't exactly be summed up in a single refined moment, I feel like it should be mentioned.
Runner up: Meeting my true love. Sorry you had to be second

The greatest purchase of 2004
Its crazy. Last year I listed my Canon Digital Rebel as the greatest purchase of 2003. In almost pattern-like fashion, this year the greatest purchase I probably made was the upgrade from my Rebel to the 20D. After only a year of owning the Rebel, it was time to let it go. I sold it at a 400 dollar loss and bought my new baby and I haven't looked back ever since.

2004 was a year of growth for me. I learned a lot about photography and myself. The Rebel guided me through most of the year, but the 20D kind of shadowed the path of my life, ending the year on a strong note. It was a purchase that I probably will never forget.
Runners up : I want to say my iPod, but I got that for free.

Best movie of 2004
I didn't nearly watch as many movies this year as I did last year. Fearing getting owned by the MPAA (just kidding), I watched most of my movies in the theatres. The best movie of 2004 though.. this will be tough. I'm going to have to say Man on Fire . It wasn't as much about the movie being superb as who I watched it with.
Runners up : Shrek 2, Garden State, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Ocean's Eleven, Fight Club (I just watched them this year, ok? )

Biggest Accomplishment of 2004
Wow. I really think it has to go to my developments in photography. I started off 2004 really as a n00b and grew to where I am today. Some people won't believe that I've only been into photography since last September, but its true. I think getting to a level where I am content with my own work to a point where I don't have to show people is a big accomplishment for me. I wish I could look on this year and say the same thing I said last year (accomplishments in school) because I really nose-dived, but I'm still somewhat proud about poetry, being able to change someone's mind about who I am and where I am headed.
Runner up : Launching the newest version of phidong.com

Best SONG of 2004
You know what? It has to be this. This has to be against the rules , it isn't a new song, but then again last year I talked about classical music, which isn't exactly new either. Binary Star - Honest Expression takes the title.
Runner Up : Last Emporer - Secret Wars

Random stuff:
Best Drink - Pepsi (two years in a row! )
Suckiest Thing - School. I need to focus..

Thats this year summed up. I look forward to next year. Let this moment be the moment we use as a reference for growth and improvement but don't forget that everyday is an opportunity to change who you are. Happy new year guys. arty: