On weekends, when I have the chance, I return to Downey. My parents live here. Some friends aren't quite sure where it is. I tell them it's where the 105 and 605 freeways meet. That's usually enough for a local to figure out the location.

The car I drove for ten years overheated to death. Something in the engine had literally disintegrated and oil was constantly leaking into the radiator. I scrambled to find a used car and was fortunate enough to find a great one in several days time. A disaster, somewhat averted. It was a headache not unlike the turbulent month previous.

2004 was an uphill-downhill-uphill tour. Towards New Year's Eve I decided that the year had been one of the worst I ever went through. It was supposed to get better. However, because of my many errs and ways, things didn't turn out right. Crap happens, as one might say.

I've evolved more in another year's time. Just not the way I expected to. I hope that the next year brings better days.