I've spent this evening at home, as opposed to work as in the two weeks past. I've spent it somewhat celebrating my raise through my promotion and its appearance for the first time in my paycheck. It's been spread on a previously scheduled haircut (which was well-needed), two packs of guitar strings, a case of Newcastle and a whirlwind shopping spree at the wholesaler, Costco. Groceries, frozen pizza, Claritin-D, random ingredients for chili, soup and a bunch of other things I'm looking forward to cooking as the weather cools.

One of the things I'd salvaged from my boxes of books when I'd last visited them were some guitar repair manuals. Mind you, they're not broken but the books have all of the factory specs on setting up various guitars. For the past nine months, I've been having to make adjustments by my wonky ears and memory...a poor combination if there ever was one. So my Les Paul Standard once again purrs like Duane Eddy or Marc Ribot, where ever your preferences lie.

I've also spent the evening watching Amistad. It's the second time I've seen the film though the first where my knowledge of surrounding events at that time and in others allow for a more intense viewing. The passt several days i had been reading the stories of Hob Gadling in the Sandman Comic Series. At one point, the disturbing portrait of the slave trade was relayed, especially poignant by Gadling's guilt through carried over hundreds of years. This and the fact the fact that I live four blocks from where all of this took place and where the memorial stands marking it.

I'll be trying my best to visit each of your journals to the best of my ability over the next couple of days... I'm working a good deal and expect to be spread somewhat thin. I don't know, perhaps we should just wait and see. I have to give a quick shout-out to Cutriver for he paid me one his his kind space and it nearly made me spit out my coffee. I'm a bad friend and have yet to tell him this.