OK, so we're back. As you've noticed in the past couple of years if you're a regular fan, December issues of the world famous Mint Rubbing Journal tend to be a little lighter than usual. The situation is understandable: we, here at the association, are busy with holidays, vacations, celebrations, parties and the associated crap, and, honestly, so are you, our dear reader. So in December we spare our creative efforts in order to start the next year with relaxed and fresh minds. And so should you.

All of this is not to say that you should take this issue lightly: there is some stuff in the following pages that might catch your attention. First, we have a full-scale, never-before-seen, ancient wisdom extravaganza: not one, not three, not five, but no less than ten pieces of wisdom for your mint rubbing pleasure. Next, there's as an interesting article on the role of various animals in man's life, and on how some animals were specifically chosen to be used as mint rubbing devices since ancient times.

Naturally we have our regular columns, and we know you've missed them (because we sure did): a fresh batch of recommended sites to keep you going through the boring days at the office in January, when all you can think about is the fact that this year New Year's Eve looked so much like a regular weekend, God damn it; we also have a huge list of new fans (may God bless their kind hearts) - websites and forums that linked to us in the past couple of months, and some messages from our readers.

Next, we should mention the fact that in December we celebrate four years on the World Wide Web - isn't that great? The Romanian Mint Rubbing Association and its online division, mintrubbing.org, were launched in December 2000. As the legend goes, the website was launched as a reaction to that year's elections - what better way to celebrate our beloved leaders and the Romanian people then by rubbing some mint together? Now, in December 2004, after four years, another round of elections, and more or less the same parrots that lead us (or try to get in that position), we feel that some sort of cycle is completed.

Fear not, though. This is just one cycle out of many, because we, here at the association, intend to continue our work and rub our mint for a long time to come. A recent email from one of our readers said: "esti tare tata :). daca eram in locul tau nu tineam site-ul ala atata timp online.". Well, we hear you brother. Four long years without missing one monthly update? Four long years with fresh material each month? It has been hard at times, but always interesting. And this is just the beginning: you can't even imagine what cool stuff, ideas and projects we have in store for 2005.

And speaking of projects, let us direct your attention to some of our most interesting, fascinating, weird, funny or plain stupid articles of the past four years.

If you're a regular fan, then there's nothing new for you in this list. But if you're a new reader, then chances are you're not familiar with these materials; our advice? read them, you'll be glad you did.

So let's get started (all articles consist of pages of past issues of the Mint Rubbing Journal and open in new windows; after reading an article close its window to return to this list).

We're best known for our mint rubbing projects and research, so its only natural that we present several articles on the subject of mint rubbing: escape from routine, efficient mint rubbing at work, the history of mint rubbing, mint rubbing guides, mint rubbing quiz, mint rubbing horoscope, grow your own mint and mint rubbing and the universe.

Next, we're very proud to present some of the coolest projects that were ever published on this site - must not miss materials: the save the robots campaign, 2000 years of computing and internet history and out very own homage to our leaders.

It's not all fun and games here at the association, though. From time to time we also have some serious articles and documents that need to be brought to your attention on fascinating topics such as: globalization, communism, democracy, intelligence, productivity, life in the united states, poverty, life, and our recent elections coverage and 1990-2004 romanian history project.

Next, take a look at our experimental projects - pretty bizarre stuff by any standards, but still cool: experimental: open electronic eyes (I), experimental: open electronic eyes (II), experimental again: open electronic eyes (III), and, on the more insane side of things: our thoughts on the alien invasion and the attack of the giant snails.

Last, but not least, stuff that doesn't really fit into any category, but is still nice: postcards from america, 419 scams, santa claus, the mint plant and its uses, and, of course, our line of business ideas: marriage insurance, pet rentals and the child discipline center.

OK, so enough with past accomplishments, it's time to move on to the next page. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, etc.

May your mint be plentiful in 2005!