even a u.s. senator. mitt romney wasn t yet a massachusetts governor. sony play station 2 was the rage. microsoft newly released xbox was considered a joke. apple invest something in the ipod. the pharmaceutical company, something called the world s first contraceptive patch. gladiator takes five oscars. weird twist on kids movies named shrek takes the world by storm. britney spears is singing, lady gaga is not yet. michael jackson is still alive. gallon of gas is buck-46. democrat ig favorite for president three years out is hillary clinton. enron was the comedy of tomorrow when the year started. in bankruptcy protection at the time the year ended. the nasdaq was still [ inaudible ] internet stocks themselves imploded. economy was struggling. and the first of george bush s tax cuts were just beginning.