Hello folks! I'm back once again. I figured I should post another article before this month of December 2004 ends. Today is the 24^th, Christmas eve. For those of you across the world who celebrate Christmas, merry Christmas to you already.

I can't believe this year is about to end and a new one to begin! 2005 is looming around the corner bringing with it new adventures, new joys, new sorrows and new goals.....that is, if I ever set any. Which reminds me, I should make good on my new years resolutions from the beginning of this year before it ends. Now the question is, what will be my new resolutions? Hmmmm......I'm thinking one should be to get a new job in my field rather than being miserable at the job i'm at now. Or, go hunting for my dream girl and future wife....but of course, I doubt Demi Moore will marry me. I don't think she would accept one of those lollipop rings. Oh well. But to be serious, I feel 2005 is my year. I may be....wait, I will be accomplishing things that will get me closer to my dreams. I just feel it! And then, I can finally get me one of those mail-order brides! Wahoo!! I just hope there's atleast a 90 day return policy.

Since this year is about to end, I've been contemplating all the exciting and strange things that's happend this year. Of course, it was splattered with ups and downs as you would expect of every year. One memorable event was my vacation trip to Laughlin, Nevada and New York City. That was the best vacation I've had in ages. Especially New York for the fact that it was my first time being there and seeing all the eye candy and experiencing all the hustle and bustle New York is known for. Unfortunately I did spend much more than I wanted and pretty much even sold the shirt off my back to get back home, but it's okay because I've got plenty more of those shirts. And then there was the 4^th of July party where people were getting alittle too tipsy and rambunctious. That's the party where I had a religious argument with two Christians. They were teaming up on my because I was a "non-believer". In the end, I said a few things that really had them confused about their own religion..hehehehe! But hey, I wasn't God bashing for those of you who might be thinking so. And ahhh, how can I forget my online friends Cheryl, Lois and Aimee....my three angels. I met them online when I was in a Yahoo Chat room and chanced upon them. I'm not one to go into chat rooms but I was searching around that day looking for a fellow Javascript programmer. Other than that, I don't go into those chat rooms since I'm far too busy with other more important things. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I met Aimee there and soon afterwards, introduced me to her two friends, Cheryl and Lois. Later, Aimee moved to another town with a new job so I hardly get to speak with her anymore. However, Cheryl and Lois are still around. I think it's safe to say that Cheryl and I hit it off quite well........I mean, as friends that is. It's as if she's someone I've known for years as a close friend. We're able to share thoughts, ideas, gripes, complaints, teasing and most importantly, laughter. That is one person that I really admire and respect. Now if that's not the attributes of a friendship, then I don't know what a friend is. Ode to you Cheryl!

Then of course, how I can mention all of the good things the year had brought without mentioning the bad? One thing that comes to mind was the short period of my financial woes. After moving into my new house earlier this year, I had a hard time getting back on my feet paying endless bills. I over-spent on house hold goodies when I should've been more tight with my money. But you know, getting a new house is one of those rare moments so I wanted to make it something special. And wow, it got to the point where I thought I wouldn't be able to cover some of my bills. But safe to say, I managed to hurdle that low point of the year and slowly get back on my feet. Another depressing point of this quickly dissapating year was this job interview that I had got turned down on. It was one of those jobs that would've been considered a dream by some. I could've been a webmaster for this one company here in town that would've had me traveling around the world half a dozen times a year. It also came with 3 paid vacations and a 401k. And I was so sure I had that job since the inteviewer said that he would call me that night with his decision. I doubt he would of called to tell me I didn't get the position. But, he never did call since he needed someone right away and had hired someone that day. I had told him I would need atleast a weeks notice to give my current boss heads up before taking that job........but, apparently he couldn't wait. Oh well, such is life I suppose. Lastly, the hardest part of this year, was talking to my dad for just a short period over the phone after no contact with him for over 8 long years. And you know, it didn't turn out as I was hoping. I thought maybe we could have patched things up, get to know each other again and talk to each other as a father and son would. But it didn't happen..........and that one little phone call served to sever the final strand of the rope that held the already broken bridge. I remember the last words he said before I put the phone back on it's cradle......"There is nothing I can do for you". That was in reference to our relationship. There was nothing that I was asking from him, nothing at all except an anwer to a burning question that haunted me for 8 depressing years...."what happened between us"....was all I wanted to know. But I couldn't even get that. Instead, a lecture on how God loves me. But I said to him, "Why do you have to bring God into this? I just want it to be between you and me, father and son". Finally, I told him that I was sorry for calling and that was it. I hung up the phone with a knot in my stomach and a growing pain in my soul. I had thought maybe 8 years was too long to keep a broken bridge. But then I saw that 8 years was just the beginning. So in the end, I suppose if there's one truth I've learned this year, it's that somewhere along the way, I became fatherless. My dad had died 8 years ago with no chance of fixing that shattered bridge.

Even with all the downs this year had brought, I still managed to survive. With all the ups, it brought that much more joy to my life. I'm glad to say that it was still worth living and remembering. With so much this past year had brought, I am for sure looking forward to this new coming year. And I don't doubt for a second that it will bring another experience where I can say that I am truly thankful for this life I live.