1.1.2002 (00:35:00)

Yay - it's a new year. A few minutes after midnight I stepped outside to experience an eerie quiet. Although fireworks could be heard in the distance, there was no sound other than a slight wind. Half the sky was clear, the other thick cloud. Snow started to trickle leaving a sparse layer of accumilation. Most of the houses on my street showed signs of life, but no parties. Most are about a century in age, only one is inhabited by the original owners (if you count being born there as owning). So many years have past here, with the only change being the residents. What did every new year bring to those here before me? Where are they now? Wow this is a long post. Goodnight.

1.7.2002 (00:24:00)

Today was a strange day. But then again, aren't they all?

After forcing myself out of bed around noon I went to <yack> Wal-Mart to buy a snow thrower. I don't really want to die shoveling this year (see Pacemaker details in previous entries), so I figured it was time to automate the snow removal process. I picked the one twice as big as my driveway, mostly because it had a cool light. It also had to be capable of tossing ice fragments into my neighbors pick-up truck. This should be an interesting winter.

Later in the afternoon I went with my dear ol' dad to visit my grand-mère at the home of the biting gravy. My uncle was playing piano for the nursing home detainees and it was actually very good (his talent buried my cynicism just slightly). Picture 30 80+ year old French-Canadian people together in one room listening to songs from WWII on piano. It was awesome.

Then I had band practice. No funny story about that, except afterwords Jon put his cat in an interesting wrestling maneuver ("Full Nelson"). Damn I haven't laughed like that in a while. The cat is fine.

Oh yeah, for those of you who thought I died or was abducted by aliens again, I'm fine. I've just been really busy and haven't returned many emails. I will. Promise.

1.7.2002 (01:07:00)

Update: I was just going to bed when I heard gusts of wind across my windows. Yes folks - it's SNOWING! Woohoo! A rather nice display too, blizzard-like right now. The morning commute should be exciting.

1.10.2002 (00:52:00)

Today I registered for Spring semester at USM. Taking two classes this time (full-time work makes it hard to take any!). World Philosophy (Zen Buddhism, Tao, etc.) and Algorithms in Programming. I figure the two will flow nicely together. I plan on seeing very little sunlight during the next 5 months.

Didn't get as much snow as I would have liked, but we got a nice white sheet. Hopefully I'll get to use the new snow thrower/cat eater soon. Oh I can't wait.

1.16.2002 (22:40:00)

Started my Algorithms in Programming class today. I love it. The professor is great, and the content is interesting. I also start my Philosophy class tomorrow. Oh this should be a stressful 4 months of overworked agony. My head is killing me and I'm so tired. I need to hurry up and get that clone machine working. Why do I have to persue so many interests? Why can't I be like others who go home after sorting envelopes at work all day and watch Cartoon Network? One day I'll snap, give up on everything and buy a hot dog cart. The most high tech hot dog cart in the world!

1.21.2002 (01:16:00)

In the past 3 hours I have: built two computers, consumed 2 cans of Pepsi, a glass of water, a frozen pizza and a Flintstone vitamin, did some programming homework, discovered a new section of my basement by moving PC parts, and wrote down two new ideas for taking over the world. Now it's nap time.

I'm hearing a disturbing humming noise somewhere in my room, but cannot find it. Sounds electrical. Perhaps it's my imagination.

It's the José Olé man! Gosh I love that commercial.

1.27.2002 (22:46:00)

Eyes... sore - head... aches - body... frail.

Ahh, the symptoms of too much work, lengthy school assignments and an overloaded schedule. It's amazing the number of demands that can be placed on one individual. Then again, I did choose most of this. I'll stop complaining then.

Couldn't sleep again last night. Decided to watch Swordfish around 3am. Was a pretty good movie, although I had low hopes to begin with.

Ok back to homework now. Hopefully I'll get to rest this battered soul sometime over the night.

1.29.2002 (00:35:00)

USM gave me a flippin' parking ticket! Those cheap scum bastards! Sure, the first one is just a warning - but it's still an ignorant deed. I could understand if there were actually parking spaces available (enough to handle that overcrowded cattle farm of a University). But this school has cars parked 3 to a row! USM Police can suck my ass, I'll park on the lawn if I have to.

I've decided! My major shall be Philosophy and my minor shall be Computer Science. I wanted to wait until actually attending one of their Philosophy classes before making that decision, and so far I have been pleased. We'll see if I don't change my mind again.

Ok back to my programming assignment from Hell. Looks like I'll be watching the sun rise again.