YOU’RE OLDER THAN YOU’VE EVER BEEN, AND NOW YOU’RE EVEN OLDER. Let’s kiss off 2004 with two questionnaires that have been making the rounds of the rounds that I make.

Five favorite blog posts from 2004:

Easter in America

“Oh, How the Ghost of You Clings!”: Notes on Watchmen

Not Exactly Natural (and sequel)–the queer story

…And I Will Sing of the Sun (sublimation)

Okay, you don’t believe in original sin. Fine. But what do you call it?

The evening redness in the West–American stories

ETA: I can count!

Fiction: Best (needs least fixin’ to be great): “Better At It”

Best (greatest disco potential): “Getting Fired”; I also really do think “Kissable Pictures” is going places.

Most underrated: I was kind of surprised nobody commented on “Better At It,” which I think is pretty fabulous. ETA: Um, except for the person who did in fact comment on this story, and had several interesting and helpful things to say. Right. Very sorry…. I forget people I’ve met in person, too….

Most fun to write: “Desire”; “You Will Be Pulled Back” was also fun. If it only had a point….

Hardest to write: “Odysseus’s Scar,” which is still nowhere near acceptable. “Through the Years We All Will Be Together” was also horrible to write.

Most disappointing: “Odysseus’s Scar“–I’m working on it, I swear. But PLEASE don’t read it now. It is NOT ready for its close-up.

Most telling: “Odysseus’s Scar,” obviously. If you have ever wondered what I’m like in real life, just combine all of Cindy Greenberg’s worst qualities with all of Justin Harlowe’s. Oh, and I’m changing the title of this story. And adding another scene. And making the ending not suck. And stuff. Please, just avert your eyes….