I started Weight Watchers, and a blog called Mr. Ointy. I visited the Buffy set and met my boyfriend, James Marsters. I got a bird named Buttercup. I gave a Valentine's Day poetry reading. I discovered a sexy bike trail (and made a pornographic latte).

I got a haircut that made me look like a mushroom, from which my head HAS NEVER FULLY RECOVERED. And see pictures at the bottom of this page for more mushroom-related hilarity. We have the first meeting of the Books and Pie Club, the best club ever. (Sorry other people with clubs, but this is true.) I fought with Columbine over poetry. I wrote about kissing.

I got a digital camera from Bruce and went to Disneyland, found a gray hair, and had the best meal ever. I publicly imploded. Buffy ended and in honor of this, I... took a lot of pictures of myself? I graduated! Wendy and Colleen (and later in the month, Tim) came to visit. Pirates cursed my car. I went on a spontaneous picnic and white water rafting. I got my nose pierced and my teeth operated on and grew a little too fond of nitrous oxide.

I went to Holland and London, saw a live sex show), and posed with cheese. I got a fancy job involving a hamster in a ball. I went to Journalcon. I saw the greatest concert. I made a Thanksgiving Photo Essayª.

Along the way, I worked way too much. (But I got a trip to Tahoeout of it.) Also, I wrote a few good entries about losing weight, one of which one me a Diarist Award.

Thus, my year.

Oh, I also wanted to tell you about my annual tarot reading. I know the cards are open to interpretation, but the first reading I laid out for myself was eerie as all hell, because it was completely accurate... for 2003.

It said I would struggle financially all year, and then get some money at the end of the year. It said that my love life would be a struggle that would leave both people dead (I hope metaphorically). It said that I would be creatively blocked. That healthwise, I would achieve an important goal. Every single card was exactly what my year had been.

I looked at the cards and thought, well, either the cards are showing me last year, or 2004 is going to be exactly the same as 2003. Was I focusing on the wrong year? Did the cards want to show me something? Is it all total crap? Who knows.

When I re-did the reading, it seemed a lot more plausible. I was focusing on the things I want out of this coming year: some kind of creative renewal, a life direction, more self-respect, maybe a fun romantic fling, a new place to live. For posterity, I will tell you what the cards predict.

According to the tarot, I will find true love this year. This was possibly the strongest card in the reading, the Lover's card appearing in the house of partnership. Interestingly, a psychic last year told me the same thing (although she said I would meet the person in 2003, so to be completely accurate, this would have to be someone I already know). I also got Grail 2 for my "state of mind" which indicates friendship and possibly love. Happy interactions with people, anyway.

Also, in the house of creativity was Grail 6, which is THE card of creative renewal. I was happy to see that card; if correct, this means that I will become creatively unblocked and fruitful this year.

The "bad" news of the year indicates that I will continue to struggle to find my place in life or chosen career. Sword 10 isn't a good card, but it does indicate some sort of culmination, after a time of difficulty. So maybe there's a happy ending, but nothing is being handed to me on a platter this year.

The health card was the "stick to it" card, indicating that I will need perseverance, which is certainly true! More accurate than "your wish comes true" which was in this position in the first reading.

The money card was Spear King. I always find it tricky when people cards turn up in a reading. I don't know how to interpret this. The spear suit is the creative suit, so does this mean money from creative ventures? Is this some type of mentor? Is this me? Is this my love guy, and he's going to have money? No idea. Ask me again next year, and maybe I'll know.

Favorable influence was the Death card, which indicates renewal, and the "death of the old" in the most positive sense.

My overall card for the year (in addition to Guinevere in the first house, indicating health, harmony, love and creative growth) was Grail Maiden. Again this is a person card, but I think this represents me for the year. She is warm, giving, affectionate, and intuitive. When this card comes up for people, I always tell them to pay attention to their dreams.

Anyway, like I said, I wrote this down mostly for posterity. We'll see if any of it comes true this year.