2003: A Look Back

On the whole 2003 wasn’t a bad year for me.

Despite some troublesome job-related news in December, I was gainfully employed, able to address and even eliminate some long-term debts and save more for a retirement. I can say I enjoy a good reputation at work among both co-workers and clients and while I’m not always challenged by it, feel I have been able to grow the position through innovation and creativity.

I am particularly pleased about my health this year. A doctor’s exam back in April caused me to address a weight problem. For a guy who is under 6 feet, (I won’t say how far under), I was up to 200 lbs and that was eye-opening. I joined a gym in May and to my own surprise have actually enjoyed the experience. I’ve lost weight, gained strength and flexibility and feel great.

Speaking of things athletic, the hands down sports highlight of the year was watching my alma mater, Syracuse University, win the 2003 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship. All those years of watching some other school win finally came to an end. MY ALMA MATER is the National Champion! And I have all the hats, t-shirts and other merchandise to prove it.

I went back to school this year, for a work-related continuing education class. I did things I never did in all the years from K-12 and four years of college: I paid attention, did my homework on time, read the assigned chapters and worked for a high grade. And it paid off in an A. Geez, if I’d done this earlier in life, I might have made something of myself.

I got out and saw a lot of live stage entertainment this year and that fact alone was a pleasant accomplishment. I plan to continue the trend and in fact have tickets to a play January 2. Some of the more memorable shows I saw were Booty Candy, an Off-Off Broadway production by playwright/director Robert O’Hara that was cutting edge funny; Take Me Out, the Tony Award-winning play about a gay baseball player that with its nude shower scenes, was happily enjoyed from sixth row center; The Play What I Wrote, a British import that while not critically acclaimed, was just plain silly and fun. I saw it the week Bush sent troops into Iraq and it was the perfect stress reliever. Fucking A at The Public Theater, was easily the best show I saw this year. Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks created an intelligent and provocative fable that starred S. Epatha Merkerson and Mos Def. Finally, the Garth Fagan Dance company performed 11 shows in November and were simply a delight to watch. I was so impressed I sent them a check.

I did some voiceover work earlier in the year, but that was the only job. After 16 years, my acting career now seems to be officially over, and I’m ok with that. To do it the way I would like would require me to go back to full-time status, and that is too financially uncertain at this point in my life. I do however keep my union cards current, so if anyone ever asks and I can fit it in, I’m ready.

In 2003 I took to the streets to protest that stupid fucking unnecessary war Bush got us into. It was gratifying to see so many of my fellow New Yorkers publicly objecting to this nonsense that has created more of a terrorist threat than alleviated it. As the city most affected by 9/11 we were not fooled by his motives. I suspect many of us will take to the streets in 2004 when the GOP holds their convention here. I know I’ll be there.

I didn’t travel as much as I would have liked this year. My late summer vacation was spent here in the city. Part of me just doesn’t like all the airline security hassles, another part just had no place I wanted to go.

Back in my hometown this year marked the passing of some neighbors. One of my childhood friends lost his father, and our next door neighbor passesd just a few weeks ago. That news is met with some sadness, as they were both part of that whole village it takes to raise a child. A further reminder of how time flies.

Oh, did I mention I started a blog?

In a few days I’ll share my 2004 To Do list. Happy New Year!