Only a few hours ago did fireworks light up the sky to celebrate the
beginning of a new year, yet now the night is still save for stray
firecrackers belatedly punctuating the calm. The rush of well-wishing
messages has abated. People have gone to sleep nursing hangovers and
dreams. Around the world the celebration starts again, but for here
and now it is over. Life returns to normal. I will have to remember to
write 2004 instead of 2003, but aside from that, not much has changed.
It is a day just like any other day.