The holidays were a smashing success, if I do say so myself. I saw all but a few of the friends and family that I intended to see, and the weather was perfectly pleasant for Minnesota in December. It's strange to be away from my new home (Raleigh) and be surrounded by such familiar things. I returned here to find I had already forgotten street names, tv and radio stations, and which freeways run where. I was invited to join this year's self portrait project with Stu and Ben, a challenge I whole heartedly accepted. Coast to coast self appreciation, that's what I like to see.