What a year. In 2004, Americans faced the most crucial election of our lifetime, endured months of endless bickering, reflected deeply on the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and, in the end, by the narrowest of margins, declared that Fantasia Barrino would be the nation’s next American Idol.

In another important decision, Merriam-Webster reported that “blog” was the 2004 Word of the Year, leading us to the crucial question of our time: What the heck is a blog? I don’t know, but it sure sounds dirty.

With those key thoughts foremost on our mind, we look back at some of the memorable events of 2004.

Brightening the dreary DeKalb winter in January, we got news that pop goddess Britney Spears experienced the sacred and beautiful bond of holy matrimony – for two days. And speaking of uplifting experiences, Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” became the most TiVo’d event in history. At the end of her Super Bowl halftime performance, co-star Justin Timberlake reached over and tore off part of her top, exposing one of her blogs.

At the Democratic primaries, John Kerry surprisingly rose to the top in Iowa, while Howard Dean rose to the top octave, sounding very much like a man kicked in the blogs.

In Iraq, we had controversy over the “Iraqis Gone Wild” photos and tapes, filmed at that hottest of spring break hotspots, Abu Ghraib Beach. Man, what those crazy liberated Iraqis won’t do for some beads!

Michael Moore dropped a shocking bombshell on America this summer, revealing in his film “Fahrenheit 9/11” that he, in fact, does not support President Bush. Gas prices rose like they’d taken Viagra, Levitra and all those other drugs we keep getting spammed about. Four hurricanes ravaged Florida in a single month. And as long as we’re on the subject of excessive wind, Senator Zell Miller raved like a lunatic at the Republican National Convention in New York. Is that guy a blogger or what? In all seriousness, the RNC gave many of us time to reflect on that most important of American choices – Bush twins or Kerry sisters? And then there’s the independents: the Olsen twins.

In the “oops, I did it again” department, the autumn saw pop goddess Britney Spears once again experience the sacred and beautiful bond of holy matrimony. Locally, infamous Northern Star columnist Nick Arhos hung up his pen. Angry letters to the editor immediately dropped off by 387 percent. And then there were the baseball playoffs; Americans couldn’t believe the Red Sox finally won the blogging World Series.

In the full-circle category, the NFL again shocked us, this time with a Monday Night Football promotion featuring Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and a nude actress, who acted like they were going to go off and blog. And as long as we’re on football, the NCAA finally gave our Huskies their due with a bowl bid (better late than never, guys).

What a year. “Friends” went the way of “Cheers” and “Seinfeld.” Ray Charles, Rodney Dangerfield, Marlon Brando and the Gipper went on to play a hand at that great Texas Hold ’Em table in the sky. And I got the privilege of writing for all of you. Thanks for reading and especially to all of you who took time to write to me.

Have a great break! Enjoy the holidays, and have a happy new blog!

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.