this week there wasn't a shitty comic to be found. So lets just jump right in.

First of we have a new comic by Garth Ennis put out by indie label Avatar called The Chronicles of Wormwood. After the first reading I have to say HOLY SHIT. The premise for this comic is the anti-christ(our protagonist Danny Wormwood) has returned to earth as has jesus(simply Jay, and he is even black) again. Unfortunately for both Lucifer and God both have turned their backs on their fathers and chosen to choose their own paths. In Wormwoods case he has put off the whole Armageddon thing and instead decided to let humanity choose its own way. He is know a TV executive putting out such great shows as Secret Santa which has baby vultures eating chopped liver off cock. A sure fire winner, and it is, he is doing fairly well for himself. Jay on the other hand has decided that this time around he is not going to suffer and die for our sins, instead he is going to stick around and make sure we don't pervert his ideas of peace and love. In any case the two of them are good drinking buddies. So there is the set up and dear god the whole thing reads so well I mean shit I laughed out loud reading this comic. As with any Ennis comic this one looks like it will a character driven story and our good friend the anti christ even has a cool sidekick who just happens to be a talking rabbit. I know it all sounds a lil weird and just plain crazy but trust me if you like any other Ennis titles you will fucking love this, and if you don't go out there and find some taste.



Next up we have the conclusion to the Annihilation series. This comic had everything I was hoping for as far as the end of this series went. We had the final battle between Nova and Annihilus the Kree finally taking the fight to the annihilation wave and the the Silver Surfer once again the Herald of Galactus. Once again the most impressive part of this comic was the amazing cover art. each one has been an incredible piece of art worth the price of the comic alone.






Daredevil #93
what more can be said really. This series is just fucking amazing. The art is dark and moody just like the main character. The story is so full of emotion and betrayal. Here we have the end of the whole saga of Matt Murdoch being outed as Daredevil. His secret is semi safe once again and he can finally get back to practicing law and kicking ass in his spare time. Of course with DD things are never that easy and in the end have the set up for the next arc. Matt is a married man but he still can't let go of the of the love of his life Karen Page. He finds himself so conflicted and torn. I love it the man is such a fucking tragic character. His life never seems like it is on the up and up and if it ever does bullseye is always waiting in the wings to knock his knees out from under him. I just can't day enough about this series it always leaves me with a weird feeling in my stomach. You want DD to do well but life just keeps shitting on his head, I can sympathize with that.

come back soon oh yeah and FUCK YOU DC

Well my favorite ongoing title was just canceled a week before the new issue was set to come out. The Boys was a new creator owned series written by legend Garth Ennis(Hellbalzer, Preacher, The Punisher to name a few) and penciled by Derrick Robertson of Transmetropolitan fame. They had put out 6 issues of a story that was described as one that was going to out Preacher Preacher. Those of you who have read Preacher will know that is a pretty tall order and for those of you who don't know what I am talking about get off your ass and read that story. It wont change your life or anything but it will put a big shit eating grin on your face. In any case in 6 issues we saw the beginnings of a story that had the potential to do justice to such a bold claim but again in only six issues you cant really say they did. Albeit it was very very graphic as far as the overall content went. I mean shit we had super heroes chain fucking whores who had to use a crazy drug just to keep their wombs from exploding, we had a hamster come out of a dead super heroes ass, we had the newest female member of the Seven(A Justice League parody) having to suck off all the male members if she wanted in. The list goes on. It was a dirty kinda depressing story about how absolute power corrupts absolutely. It really looked like it was going to go somewhere and had just begun to roll when DC pulled the plug. The content was just to much for them to handle and there was no way Ennis and Robertson were going to change their story. So one of the highest selling comics on th Wildstorm label a DC offshoot was canceled. The rights have been given back to Ennis and Robertson so that they can get it published elsewhere, but what a fucking joke on DC's behalf this is. You know when you let Garth Ennis loose on a story about super heroes with the build up of out Preachering Preacher you are going to get some crazy fucking shit. If you know that you are squeamish about content why even bother hiring them in the first place. All it really means is that all us fans now have to wait a while before they can find a new publisher and start putting this out again. Lord knows they are lining up to get this title as it is already an established money maker and all the hype that will come from this. So once again FUCK YOU VERY MUCH DC. You have shown that you are not only classless but are willing to censor work or cut it entirely if it doesn't conform to your narrow view.

Just finished my first mid term and I think things went well. That and I got the opportunity to call Rousseau's ideas nonsense on stilts. HA take that Rousseau.

Well a productive day. I found a new hang out on Sundays to get my homework done, my work place(well I call it that but I haven't actually worked there in months). It is closed on Sundays so it is quite, there is lots of food to keep me happy, and enough caffeinated beverages to keep me motivated. It was great, just what I needed. I managed get all my reading done and even a little review. So I feel set and ready for my midterm tomorrow. After studying I decided to go visit my old buddies the ducks up at beacon hill park. So with some crusts of bread off I went. It was pretty relaxing in the sun with all the ducks around me but at the same time a feeling of melancholy stole over me. What can I say it just isn't the same when you do it alone. So leaving with a heavy heart I went down to the comic shop to bemoan the loss of my favorite ongoing monthly title The Boys. It is always fun going into Legends be it Gareth or Loyd working I always wind up hanging out and talking for good while. Basically just shooting the shit. Then it was off to 360 skate shop to finally get myself some much needed bolts for my deck. I figure with the good weather we have been having and well all the new alone time I have been having I figure what better what to keep my mind busy then to abuse my body on the concrete again. So thats just what I did. I got home set it all up borrowed my roommates Ipod and off I went. It felt good to on the wheels again.

well I am at home doing some much needed studying for a midterm I have on Monday and my ex girlfriend is out at a party. Man do I feel low right now. I know it shouldn't bother me. I mean we are friends now and we still at least have that. But what can I say it does. This little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me she is in the arms of some other guy right now, even though that probably isn't even true. Why is it bothering me so much, why can't I just let go. It was a good run and I have memories I wouldn't trade for the world. We are still friends so I guess I couldn't ask for anymore more in a break up. Ahh it feel like little maggots eating away at my insides. You can't see them but you just can't ignore them either. Eating away slowly little by little taking all the pieces of you away. It isn't as if I have been just sitting around mopping either. I mean I have been going out and have been having fun with people that I didn't feel I could while I was in a relationship. I just hope she doesn't feel as weird about this as I do because it isn't a good feeling. I guess with time it will fade it just sucks right now.

made a sacrifice of paradise on the alter of my ego
threw to the fire the one beautiful thing in my life
and watched it turn to ashes in front of my face
I could have stopped I could have listened
but my so called pride seemed more important

so now I wake from dreams of me and you
to find myself alone in this big bed again
makes me want to go back to sleep
where I can still see your black dress
fall against your white neck
the feel of your breath against my chest
as we hold each other through the night

well I guess this is growing up
learning that all good things come to an end
and what it is like to only care for you as a friend
that there is more to life then just love
I just hope that as I grow the pain will fade
because right now getting caught in a thresher
would feel better then this

ashes ashes we all fall down

Ok another Wednesday another batch of new comics. I think from now on I am going to make it a regular feature to review the comics that I buy. So with no further ado. This weeks batch consists of Wolverine #50 which brings us a new writer and artist to the title. Criminal #4 the ongoing noir heist story brought to us by Brubaker. The Return, a civil war tie ion which brings back on old Marvel favorite. Moonknight #7 which is his first civil war tie in. X-Factor #15 a title that has yet to have a bad issue. Punisher War Journal #3 still dealing with civil war. Hellblazer #228 wrapping up the whole empathy engine story arc. Lastly the first issue in the Silent War.

Wolverine #50
Thank god that we have a new writer and artist. The last creative team that was doing this title was well below par. Here though we have some of the most intense art I have seen in a Wolverine comic well ever. Everything is so crisp Sabertooth has never looked meaner. There are many blood splatters in this issue and they all look good. This is something that can make or break the art in a comic for me and here it comes off looking like you might get some on your hands just turning the pages. As for the writing it was a well paced story and it looks like we are finally going to get the whole story as far as Sabertooth and Wolverine goes. The banter between the two old rivals was fiitng and none of it seemed out of character especially the scene where Wolverine barges in on Sabertooth drinking beer and watching the spice channel. This one gets 5 rereads out of 5 for the ending alone.

Criminal #4
I love noir. I cant get enough of these types of stories. From the flawed and twisted main characters to the dirty and conniving well not bad guys but badder guys. This story just keeps giving and giving. Each issue seems to go so fast a fast pace and enough plot twists to keep your grandmother in knots. If anyone liked Casablanca or the Maltese Falcon read this fucking comic. Dark and dirty just the way I like it

The Return
Well I have to say I found this comic not only boring but kinda stupid. It is a civil war tie and as the title foreshadows we have the return of an old Marvel character everyone thought dead, Captain Marvel. Well I say blah the issue features Captain Marvel brought back to life through a time warp caused by the heroes trying to access the negative zone. So it is not like he was miraculously brought back to life he just time warped so that he didn't die from cancer but is still going to. Whoopie cant wait till that happens. Anyway he is the overlord of the negative zone prison and it looks like he is going to have fight all the anti reg heroes that are trying to bust up and out of there. I gotta say I cant really stand the pro reg side so anybody siding with them gets the stink eye from me to begin with but a long dead hero here to save the day, weak. The other half of the issue was showing the Sentry and why he decided to join the pro reg side. Again don't like the pro reg side and I already didn't like the Sentry, I mean come on "The power of a thousand exploding suns." LAME! so yeah this comic was a bust don't waste your money and if you are reading civil war don't worry this one isn't needed to understand what is going on.


Moonkight #7
Well I have been enjoying this comic mostly for the art and in this issue we aren't let down. The scene where Moonkight is beating a baddy to a pulp with a piece of scrape wood as spidy looks on in horror is amazing. Right down to the blood covering the wood and dripping off. This issue though didn't do much as far as the story goes. It was a civil war tie in so I guess thats why. I just felt let down though it was mostly just Moonkight wandering around trying to get people to fix things for him. This story really needs to pick up because with the artist soon to be changing I need a reason to keep buying it.

X-Factor #15
I love this comic. I was never a big X-Factor fan but the new team and the dynamic between them is great. This comic revolves all around the deep characterization of everyone. Each issue so far has been great and moved the characters along at a good pace but at the same time letting them express themselves enough to make them all believable. The art in this comic is not something that I focus on as it seems like every week we have a new artist so as long as it doesn't suck and the writing maintains this high level I will keep enjoying it.

The Hereld of the Apocolypse

what else can you say?

I have to say I am really enjoying reading Machiavelli. I would describe him as one of the first existential political philosophers. Here is a passage I read today to illustrate my point.

"But since my intention is to say something that will prove of practical use to the inquirer, I have thought it proper to represent things as they are in a real truth, rather then as they are imagined. Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done moves towards self-destruction rather then self-preservation."

So rare is it to find a passage like this in philosophy that when I read it had to stop and read it again. This is the kind of thinking that made me want to get into philosophy in the first place. It is easy to create false worlds and systems of living that will give the results that one wishes to see, but it is far harder to take the world as it is and offer suggestions about how to deal with it. Which is precisely what Machiavelli is trying to do. Much the same as Sarte and other existential philosophers were attempting. One must live in this world so why not deal with issues that are focused on this world.

I really love how that whole passage could be seen as a not so subtle dig at Plato and his fantastic other world creations. It is all well and good to lay out how a republic out to be created and the types of people that ought to be created to live in it but what use is that to us who do not live in that fantasy. It is far better to stick to being-in-the-world.

This is another reason why a lot of people criticize Machiavelli for being fickle and hypocritical with his philosophy, but that is because that is how the world is. It is always changing and is never the exact same as it used to be. This is why he will say one thing and then go on to say the exact opposite a few passages later. One has to deal with the world as it is before you not as you would have it be. Hence the lack of true answers in Machiavelli and instead just suggestions and questions, which are far more valuable then simple answers.

Anyway props to Machiavelli for being as far as I can tell the first existential political philosopher.

I believe we are in a time of flux and change. The foundations of our beliefs, the very things that tell us how the world is, are collapsing. It is a time of corruption and destruction. Because of this our foundational ideas are up for grabs. The status quo is something that no one can agree on and therefore new ideas are needed. The problem with this is that new ideas are often seen as strange and unusable until they are actually put into practice. That and the fact that coming up with new ideas is very very hard. I think this is one of the reasons I am so frustrated and angry a lot of the time. I can see that destruction is in order which is the easy part, and I also know that new ideas are called for, and I want to be one of the people that comes up with some of these new ideas. As I said though truly new ways of thinking and viewing the world are hard to come up with and then put into practice. Anyway this is just something that I have been brooding on for awhile and needed to see set down.

what can I say I don't really dig on tarot but I always love the look of the death card.

well back to class again after a bout of sickness. BAHH I say. not much new to say today except it was new comic day!!! It was small haul this week only three new ones but hey at least they where free. Ah yes I love my local comic shop sooooo much. So this week I picked up Ghost Rider #7, Sandman Mystery Theater, and what I think is the last Fantastic Four Civil War tie in. I am really starting to look forward to Civil War being done because a lot of the titles I am picking up that tie in aren't that good. Fantastic Four is a prime example. I don't like them at all. The characters all kinda suck and the stories are, well, weak. I will be glad to stop buying them. FUCK THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Thank god the other two this week were amazing. I can't say enough about Sandman. I am really enjoying this comic and the art is definitely not your standard fair but it really gives the feel of grittiness I imagine Afghanistan to posses. That and the story is just sucking me in like a good dream if you will excuse the pun. What can I say I am a sap for anti heroes. Now Ghostrider what a classic anti hero. With this new series we get the old Ghostrider back and he is pitted against the ultimate evil the Devil. So motorbikes, flaming skeletons, and Satan, HELLS YEAH. Oh yeah and for the last two issues we have had a guest artist that used to draw on one of my fav comics Hellblazer. It has been a nice treat. So two out of three ain't bad.

picking myself up off the floor
it is so hard especially alone
but I have to stand on my own two feet
because I have been dragging on yours
for far to long

put my heart back in my chest
and look towards the future
put one foot in front of the other
and keep climbing out of the hole
that I've dug myself into

I am sorry

well this about all I am listening to right now so I thought I would share it. That and I can't be fucked writing much of anything at the moment so this is all you are going to get.

Alkaline Trio

BLOODIED UP
You don't say much of anything
When questioned of your whereabouts
And I just can't see through the evidence
It's evident
It's right in front of me in black and white and red
And I don't believe in much of anything
I'm glad I have people I call friends
If it was up to me I'd never have to miss you
It's for the better in the bitter end
I guess you'd know the best
You have every right to be
This appalled with me
Join the club

I signed up a long time ago and I know how you feel
And when you decked me
You left me knocked out on the floor
I came to bloodied up, but you weren't around
I picked my teeth off the ground like they'd been there before


Goodbye Forever
Take your wings outside, you can't fly in here
Besides, a purple sky is better soaring for you my angel
You're angel, you little devil
As for me I'll stay inside
I'll be just fine and I'll watch from the window.

Cannot categorize the nature of this sickness
a miracle that you're alive
Stuck to the roof of my mouth with a staple.
Remember last april when we saw u.s. maple?
Somehow the singer showed the fireside exactly how i feel.

And we say goodbye, and go underground
Or up towards the sky, up in smoke, burnt down to size.
At least we're still friends.
At least we're still alive.

Take your wings outside,
No use for them in here.
Bad luck to open inside, work like umbrellas, like a broken mirror.
It's getting clearer
The end is closer than ever before and you'll want nothing more
Then your head hits the floor, and you're lost in the darkness.

And we say goodbye and go underground
Or up towards the sky,
Up in smoke, burnt down to size
At least we're still friends
At least we're still alive

And we say goodbye and go underground
Or up towards the sky,
Up in smoke, burnt down to size
At least we're still friends
At least we're still alive

This Is Getting Over You
Today I woke up,
Younger than I've been in years
Not concerned with what's outside
And peers, I don't have any
No one is my equal because I'm the king of rain
Controlling with my moodswings,
Throw a thunderstorm your way, way
Drowning girls is a game I play

Today I woke up,
More awake than I have felt in years
Not concerned with anything, no tears
Well I'm done with that shit
No one is your equal because you're the queen of pain
Controlling with my mood temps,
Staring at my shoes while running away, way

Drowning myself is a game I play
Drown myself away
Drown myself away, away
Goodbye

This is getting over you
This is getting over you
This is getting over you
This is getting over you

This is getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
This is getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
Getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
This is getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
This is getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
Getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
This is getting over you
(I'm not tired of getting over you)
This is getting over you.

MY STANDARD BREAK FROM LIFE
I've got a regular problem
So my standard break from life is in order
I'm having trouble making sentences
I'm older but I don't feel any smarter
You see I don't know what I said to you
And now you're pissed at you know who
And I guess I deserve it
I wish I could waste my time without wasting all your time
I try to leave a good impression

But it's hard when my obsession's in a wine glass
And when you're only 23
It's not attractive to complain about your sore back
Yes I can bitch until my eyes are blue
And you're in bed with someone new
And I guess you deserve him

Wish I could waste my time without wasting all your time
You say I'm fixable
A classic case, lack of will
I say I don't wanna try
I'd rather stay here all night

I've got a motivation problem
So my standard break from life is getting longer
Spent over 30 hours in this bed
In two days, I guess I could've phoned her
But now that I'm awake
I'd rather take a drink
And walk down to the lake
And beg the sky for lightning bolts
I can't waste my time without wasting all your time
You say it's fixable
A classic case, lack of will
I say I don't wanna try
I'd rather sit here all

FUCK

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

And thats all I have to say about that right now

IT IS A FUCKING TRAP AND I KNEW IT!

once the dentist has you in that chair they can do anything. It turns out I have really good bone strucutre and my teeth are doing pretty good, but they want to send me down to the other office to have some crazy full head x-rays just to make sure my wisdoms aren't going to be a problem. This is what I mean I just wanted to go for a check up and a cleaning, which I got, but of course they need you to keep coming back so they can make money. So now I have two more dentist appointments booked. AHHHH and I hate the dentist.

Well I fucking knew it. It snowed last night which is great. I love snow and the feel that a blanket of the white stuff gives. Kinda like a big blank canvas just waiting for meaning to be etched into it. Which is something I defiantly need. Of course this is Victoria though, and so the buses have gone all wonky and getting anywhere takes a while. So due to my dentist appointment and classes I am unable to go downtown and get my new comics today. Ah well you win some you lose some right. Anyway just killing a few minutes before I go to the dentist so if there are any spelling mistakes it is because my hand is shaking.

walking downtown and everything reminds me of her
on the corner looking up at a window
this is where she used to live
nights spent in that cramped apartment
on the bed couch keeping warm
the ghost that lived there and the creepy landlord
The run down mansion of a house the photo hut
where I first learned her name
and the bus where I first saw her face
every where I go I see her face and hear her voice
the sidewalks and the buildings all hold memories
that they throw at me no matter how much I protest
yeah and there is nothing I can do because
everything reminds me of her

Well fuck. I have a cold. It seems like every year when I get back from xmas holidays I manage to get sick. So I spent the day on the couch drinking orange juice and dayquil trying to do some ethics homework. BAHH. All I can say is I am glad tomorrow is Wednesday. NEW COMICS!! Of course with every good thing in my life there is an equal shitty thing to take its place, as seems to be the case of late. The shitty thing for tomorrow is the DENTIST. I hate the dentist in fact I would go so far as to say I have a fear of the dentist. Kinda hard to admit that but what can I say my heart rate soars just being in the office. Anyway hopefully I will have no disastrous news to report tomorrow.

well I have a disease and I know the cure
but its impossible to obtain
so instead I fight the symptoms in never ending battle
fill my insides with liquid numbness
till I see two of you staring back at me
and when I wake I am alone
with more pain then the day before
and I cant wait till the night
to feel the darkness closing in
where I feel most at home

people tell us lies all day
but we believe and never question
death surrounds us
as crows have a feast
yet no one offers a hand
choose not see or get involved
the path of apathy leading everyone
to a silent death that has no meaning
until humans are able to confront
the reality they see with the words they are told
we will waste away digging our own shallow graves
as some one smarter then me has said
between the idea and the reality falls the shadow

watching the show
which means you are there with me
eyes closed rolling to the music
I open them up and look to my right
its you in your stunning green shirt
but then my mind focuses
and what I want is replaced by what is
it isn't you but it is your shirt
and that makes me feel more hollow
there is so much more for us
but we're not talking
and all I am left with
are these false illusions
pieces of you but never the real thing

Well it is amazing what changing the environment you live in can do. I had a shitty couch and a shitty kitchen and my room needed an overhaul. Well I now have two new couches a clean(oh god it is such a difference, and between my roommates girlfriend and I we can make sure cam keep it that way) Kitchen and now have two separate closets with bookshelves and hangers for clothes. Oh yeah and a new tv. But jesus to just be comfortable again is amazing. I actually feel like I can have friends over now and not feel embarrassed. So I did. I had an old friend I used to work with come over and hang out play a few video games listen to some music and just basically hang out. Now I am just finishing off a snack and then it is a comic and off to bed.

A fitting end to a busy weekend.

waves of sound washing over me
the rise and fall like the tide
building to a crescendo
every nerve in my body firing
lost in the soundscape

like a river always moving forward
sometimes in a great rush
like rapids whipping up a frenzy
and other times barely moving an inch
like a pond on a hot summer day
vast like the ocean
and yet tiny like a puddle
wearing everything down
never letting an obstacle bar its way
does water ever move backwards

Snowboarding

the feel of the wind blowing across my face
whipping my jacket around me like a cape
breathing deep the cold air clearing my head
eyes on alert looking for trouble
knees bent ready to spring
the feel of total freedom as I carve down the mountain
the world laid out below my feet
never want to stop
here nothing else matters it is just me and the steeps
a zen like state
an empty mind
just being

it hurts so much
to be apart so long
I know the things that were killing us slowly
and all I can say is I have learned and am learning
will that be enough
do I still hold a place in you heart
I'll give you everything I have
leave my cold bloody heart on the table
you can either take it on your hands
make it beat once more
or crush it and let the blood spill to the floor

So I am in class as I write this waiting for the teacher to show up, so we'll see how this goes.
I am really glad to be back in school. I love the atmosphere here. That and I can already tell at least a few of my class will be ripe with opportunities to go for the jugular and smack out some knees. Haha I am in this class for sure, bonus. hmmmmmmm ok gotta pay attention but remember to think about authority for a while.

well back in Victoria, and I have to say it feels good. I enjoyed my time back in Canmore but it just isn't where I belong anymore. I am going to miss the feeling of the mountains looking down on me though. There is just something majestic about having those towering behemoths keeping a silent vigil over you. Anyway back to the grindstone tomorrow, and I already have homework. Ah well at least I am going to have a big sack of new comics to read. Oh and if a certain somebody is reading this your phonogram will be in the box. Well hope everybody had a great holidays and is ready for the start of what I think will be a very different year.