Well, I just found out that someone put 36 cents in my paypal account. Why I keep getting these small amounts of change, I dunno. But one assumption I've made is that they want more than a Saturday Night Blog. They want a Friday bonus. Well, for 36 cents, let's see if I can make your money's worth:

First, I would like to get off my chest that the possible war we might be going into sucks. I am totally, totally against war. Everybody involved in this picture in one way or another is far from innocent. Now, just because I'm against it, doesn't mean it will not happen. For it is "written" that there will be days of war and suffering. And it's how one survives through it all that matters that counts. Hopefully the closest we will ever get to feeling those effects is 9/11.

Second, because of my being against the war, people feel I am not patriotic enough. Let's get it straight. I am patriotic. Not 100% patriotic, in fact, not even 90%. But I am patriotic. Despite all the good in the US, how can I overlook the US involvement in this battle? How can I overlook the fact they enabled this war on both ends just so they can get their hands on the oil? How can I overlook the fact that this Al-Quieda/Taliban power (if that is the enemy, by the way) was a bi-product of US involvement? And even overlooking that aspect, how does one like me be patriotic and feel great about a nation who a century ago enslaved my ancestors?? Oh no, I am not anti-American, and deep down, I have forgiven those transgressions as God has forgiven me of mine, but they are still there. I may side with my country, but back Bush up, that will take a while.

Also, this Belafonte/Powell issue is really getting out of hand. In a time where black people should really stick together (despite its irrelevance to the situation), we discuss Powell's so called "Yes, Master" approach to Bush's tactics. Granted, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But seriously, how bad does it look when one brother criticizes another brother using our dark past as an analogy? It just doesn't look right, at all. I will give credit though, Powell did dismiss the guy as cool as humanly possible...

Third, thank God they found the sniper, who turns out to be...
Black?? A father/son duo???
All I ask is that God help them get through the ordeal they put themselves in. Of course, one must consider what they went through that led them to these assassinations, so to speak. I pray for all involved, hoping that this truly is, the last of everything.
But I have to say, what if they think they found the sniper? What if it was just some rouse to appease the people that the situation was under control? What if it's a, dare I say, conspiracy? You know what, let me move on. And just be thankful it's over.

Speaking of which, I wonder what's up in Moscow. I heard that some 200-500 people from all over the world are being held against their will as a terrorist force held an Opera Hall hostage. Where was the Russian police? Did they ever find out the solution? So little questions, so little time.


Fourth, my two months of job searching has been put on a temporary halt, as I found employment at Crate and Barrel. I start Saturday in Stock/Receiving. Yay!! OK, OK. Why "temporary halt?" Because it's only a seasonal position, slated to end 1/5/03, if I live to see that day. Who knows? If they like me, they might keep me. But that's a long stretch. So until that time, my search is in fact, on halt. Damn, it feels good to have money once again!!

Another interesting thing happened, I stopped at Modell's where I used to work. And almost nothing has changed. OK, maybe some people I know got fired. But hey, it was as if I never left! That is a good feeling. I even bought some boots from them, too. Perhaps I gotta go to Mo's once again!

Let's see, what else is new...
Ah. I'm down to one midterm which is next Monday. The Genius of Modern Theater. Featuring plays like "The Wild Duck", "Spring Awakening", "Ghosts", and others. What differentiates this midterm from usual English midterms is that the stuff is based on what the teacher says in class; usually we would have to memorize some names and themes and stuff, but she left a lot in the open, so it is anybody's guess. I should study some more, but I gotta work...

Being the "middle man" in relationships to be sucks as well. I mean, I'm sick and tired of me liking A, A liking B, A telling me that A likes B, and me talking to B to see if he likes A, which after several conversations, would lead to the relationship between A and B. Imagine, the girl likes the guy. Through the buddy, the girl meets me, the middle man. The middle man likes the girl, and the girl finds out that the middle man knows the guy. The buddy is not cool with the girl the way the middle man became cool with her (for obvious reasons.) So the girl then admits she has a crush on the guy, which ticked me off slow-ly. Then later, she decides to ask the guy out, through the middle man (which is me!) What she finds out is that the guy is so cool and that the girl and the guy have one thing in common: the buddy annoys them. A lot. It led up to today, where they all go to the movies after two hours of unexpected planning. I (the middle man), having done my job in setting the stage, do not partake in the festivities (personal responsibilities, work the very next day, conflicts of interest... you choose your pick), awaiting the results next Tuesday.

Damn, I hate being the middle man.
And this is not the first time this happened either. For the sake of friendships, I will not belt out the people I've had this problem with. But I will say that they'll never know it was a problem. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that they knew all along, and probably have just used me to get what they wanted. But they'll never know that I know they knew.

Interesting that I speak of it, because I'm in another situation, one of those "do favors for the girl you like" situations. I never admitted to myself I like this particular woman in question. But I guess my attraction to her has always been there. In any case, we talk, and talk, and I've noticed she's very smart. But sassy. I didn't like that sassy vibe she keeps rubbing on me everyday. I've ignored it for a time, but now, it's become an annoyance. This situation escalated to Thursday, where I noticed it was getting nowhere, and fast. No sooner did I realize that there was no chance of a relationship happening, I found myself asking "What the hell am I doing?" and became determined to stop being a suck-up to her. The kliq says the feelings will pass when I see her on Monday; that all will be back to normal, and I'll still be attracted to her. But, there are certain things I can tell. And a dead end is one of them.

Did I say I was against the war? I did? Okay...
I finally got the new Rupee CD, which is off the charts. But every time I get what I originally want, something new always comes up, like Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Special Edition DVD; Spiderman DVD, new remix dancehall CD's, to name a few. Good thing I'm working again. Wait, didn't I say I had to pay bills? Aye, yae yae!!

I continue to learn Photoshop, and all it's cool plugin extras. As I explore my options, I find that Photoshop may be the only stop I need to make for all my graphics needs. At least this is one area Microsoft has yet to dominate in.

Right now, I am the combination of used, confused, vexed, depressed, wired and tired. I've been through too much already. And the semester barely got two months off the ground. Even the Rochester Jabroni's doing better. I mean, what's left to say? Out of my four classes this semester, only one teacher amuses me, and she's Russian. I can't really think of much to say...

... hopefully Saturday will be much better.

And that's my 36 cents. If you felt at anytime you were robbed 12 cents, then I can only promise that tomorrow might get better.