10 for the 2000s: 2003

1. War in Iraq: I remember telling our students that this would be a war like we've never seen before with the significant amount of TV coverage it would receive. It was seemingly quick, but is really still going to this day.
2. SARS: The big disease scare. It was H1N1 before there was H1N1. I remember we had to change our plans for SEMP Toronto because of the whole thing. Overreaction by us... but perception is often reality.
   
3. Movies: Top 5 were Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Finding Nemo, Matrix Reloaded, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and Bruce Almighty. I really enjoyed 4 out of those 5. One made me cry multiple times. You can guess which ones.
   
4. Space Shuttle Columbia: Came apart on reentry, killing 7 crew members. It got a lot of news coverage, but from my memory, much less that the Challenger explosion in '85. More of a commentary on the lack of focus on the Space Program from '85-'03.
   
5. Top-Thrill Dragster: Worlds tallest Roller Coaster opened at Cedar Point. And I mean ridiculously tallest.
   
6. Martha Stewart in Pinstripes? She did some insider trading. Crazy.
   
7. The Governator: The California Governor recall got crazy. Gary Coleman was even running. Fortunately, all was returned to calm when Arnold Schwarzenegger won?!?!
   
8. Hussein Captured: They found him in a hole in the ground, then we were subjected to multiple camera shots of him in his whitey tighties while soldiers put their hands in his mout
   
9. Hey Ya! Outkast song. Janelle and I loved the sound of it. It also had the legendary poetic line... "Shake it like a polaroid picture."
   
10. Steve Bartman: I can't comment on this. I'll let a picture tell the story.