ON THE 2008 BRAMMIES - ME

BIGGEST SURPRISE - Someone actually marries my brother

Sure, I knew they were engaged, but they actually went through with it. Last June, under a sweltering almost-summer sun, my brother got hitched. Amazingly, we were not showered with dung from flying pigs.

FOOD I WISH I WOULD HAVE TRIED LONG AGO - Pizza Rolls

I lead a sheltered culinary life. And my last experience with pizza rolls did not work out well, resulting in a burned mouth and probably a messy lap. So when I tried oven-cooked pizza rolls in September, I was prepared for them to be terrible. To my surprise, they were delicious, and quickly became my Sunday night food of choice.

Honorable Mentions - Meatballs, Diet Root Beer

BLESSING IN DISGUISE - The job search

I interviewed at four different schools for residence life jobs, and not one of them worked out. Sure, it's disheartening to be told "you wouldn't fit in here," but that lead to me staying here, making great friends, and getting mentioned in a song in concert. So take that, other schools!

BEST BONANZA - Alan Sousa's Comedy Bonanza

We worked awfully hard on this production. Minimal costumes, minimal sets, maximum laughs. And while it didn't go perfectly, the whole thing was an exercise in hilarity, as we developed some ridiculous stuff together.

LEAST PLEASING DEVELOPMENT - My first sick day

Fifteen years in the workforce, and I had never missed a day due to illness (excluding, of course, on doctor's orders when I had my stupid back surgery). But last April I just felt awful, and I had like 21 sick days to use...so I took the first sick day of my life. I felt like a wimp psychologically, but felt so much better physically, the trade-off was worth it. Since then, I've also taken a sick afternoon for "zoo therapy." It's a slippery slope, which is why this gets the LPD Brammy.

MOST PLEASING DEVELOPMENT - I lose thirty pounds

In May, I weighed in at a brisk 195. When I weighed myself this morning, it was a svelte 162.9. I've maintained about the same weight since September, and I've made it through the dreaded Thanksgiving-to-Christmas corridor I was so worried about. I feel better about myself, I can fit into 33 waist jeans again, I need to use a belt...all kinds of good things came out of this.

BEST PURCHASE - Playstation 3

Combining Buzz Trivia and Metal Gear Solid 4 would have been fine, but add in Blu-Ray functionality, and I am one happy camper.

BEST PREDICTION FOR 2009 - Continued awesomeness!