(check-in) so, jeremy, how's 2004 going?

So far, 2004 has been going substantially better than 2003 did. Which is not to say anything about anyone I may have had more interaction with in 2003 than I have had so far in 2004. There are various sources for this improvement, none of which will be specified in this check-in post. I know that many regular JFW readers would shudder if it ever started to smack of a gratitude journal.