02/18/2002:
I’ve had a cold all weekend and I made the mistake of going to work today. Man, it sucked. I felt like shit, but I was stuck. I’m planning to take tomorrow off, so I can stay home and recoup.

02/07/2002:
I took the day off today and just goofed around at home. I feel a little guilty about it, ‘cause there were subbing jobs available, but I blew ‘em off. I will be going to work tomorrow though.
Last Saturday, Somer and I went to see Janeane Garofalo perform stand-up comedy at the Paramount Theater. We both enjoyed it a lot. She did some jokes about exercising that cracked me up. She did some political jokes that got me thinking about my own beliefs, because it was clear that she did not have any kind of clearly defined political ideology and neither do I, and this embarrasses me, because I think that the political and social pragmatism of most Americans is slowly destroying this country and maybe even the world. In America we do everything half-assed, so it’s never done right, but it’s so hard to work out a detailed ideology that I would feel comfortable. Politically I’m still full of contradictions and I don’t expect to figure it out soon, if ever.

01/30/2002:
Different day...different school...yet another evacuation, but this time I was ready, so it went smoothly.

01/29/2002:
I experienced my first fire drill evacuation at work today. It was freaky. At first the other teachers in my hall told me to stay in the room, then there was an announcement to evacuate, but teachers in the hall were still telling me to keep the students in the classroom. Finally I marched the students outside without incident. Maybe ten minutes later I march ‘em back into the classroom. A few minutes later there’s an announcement berating the students for not leaving the building in a quick and orderly manner. The announcer then went on to say that if potential September 11 victims had behaved like the students, then there would have been a lot more casualties. That really pissed me off. Then a hall monitor came by the room and bitched at the students some more. From what I saw, all the confusion and disorder was caused by teachers (myself included), not by the students and to lay some stupid guilt trip on these kids was really uncalled for and insensitive—especially the September 11 remark. Teachers and administrator should be setting an example for the students, so they should have taken responsibility for their disorganization, instead of passing the blame onto the kids.

01/25/2002:
Somer and I went to see In the Bedroom. What a waste! There were so many things I liked about this movie, such as the cinematography, editing and the story, but the direction was so uneven. Some dialogue was so good, and then the next thing you know a bunch of garbage started spewing out of the actors’ mouths. Also the performances were uneven, but I’m guessing this was due to the director’s inability to distinguish between convincing acting and crappy overacting. I’m also reading a mediocre manga called Eagle: the Making of an Asian-American President. I guess it’s hard to make good art.
Oh yeah, check out the new Talby and Quetalby songs at mp3.com.

01/08/2002:
Is Static X a real band? I’m having trouble believing they’re not a joke band making fun of all the rap/rock/industrial bands. They make me think of KISS without a sense of humor or, more appropriately, Slipknot without a sense of humor. I’m getting old, ‘cause I keep thinking to myself, “These kids today!”
The Talby Quetalby album is starting to come together. I’ve made the demo master, so as soon as Michael, Andy and I determine the final track order and I make the final master, then it will be ready for mass production (if your idea of mass production is 80 CD’s). I’ve also been working on the cover, and I’m happy with the results so far. I’m starting to get pretty comfortable with PhotoShop.
Somer thought I said something really funny today, so I’ll share it. She was watching Elimidate on television, so I was sort of watching it, too, while I worked out. At one point, the guys had to say what kind of drink they would be and why. I said, “I’d be a glass of water, ‘cause I’m boring and tasteless.” [insert Somer’s laughter here]
Oh yeah, you might want to checkout the updated bio page, if you’re desperate for a way to kill some time (or see me in a jacket and tie).

01/01/2002:
Happy New Year!