man, i love being home. not only for the comfort of home, but when i'm home, i get to see my very best friends. i've realized that your oldest friends tend to be your most loyal friends, the people that just make you feel so happy, secure in everything, such that you can say anything....crazy (in the words of jessica simpson), discuss anything, be terribly candid, or morbidly funny - even though you don't see them most of the year. there's no pretense, no jealousy, no competition, no insecurity, no hesitation, no holding back. but an openess and understanding of what constitutes a bond of friendship. they never forget. talk anything out with you. i really, sordidly, terribly miss their company throughout the year. and nothing can beat the utter security and love of family. i think this is what will impress on my mind most resonantly for 2004. here's to new friends becoming old ones in 2004.