This week our Internet Explorer crapped out on us. After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, we realized we didn't need to chuck our computer over a cliff - we could just use the MSN web browser. And then the sucking began. I guess it's better than nothing, or better than getting a new CPU, or better than trying to locate the Internet Explorer program disk (which is probably in a landfill in Maryville, Missouri, unfortunately), but it's pretty lame. There are very few practical features, and I'm sick of looking at that damn butterfly all the time. Please join me in a rousing rendition of John Vanderslice's "Bill Gates Must Die".

British Sea Power will be at The Bottleneck next week. I have to work. I am not happy about this. However, John Vanderslice will be there on the 8th, and I am taking two days off from work to properly enjoy the show. John and I will rock like there's no upcoming election that will determine the state of the free world.

Speaking of elections, this whole gay marriage thing is really heating up, eh? I've never given California much credit; these are the people who brought you Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Blink 182, but this is rather an important leap into civilized society.

We're finally hooking up with good friends Brian and Steven tonight - for the first time in almost a year. Much celebrating and eating of Italian food will ensue. A good time will be had by all.

Song of the day: "The World In My Eyes" - The Cure (covering Depeche Mode)

Here are some points I've been meaning to make recently:

* Have you heard "Basketball Jones" by Cheech and Chong? Yeah. That's what Jack "Crap Stripes" White sounds like.

* Reservations for dinner on Valentine's Day are always a good idea. I will remember this for future celebrating.

* Being a responsible adult with a house has it's downfalls. Like when you open all the windows to air out the bleach smell after you clean like a banshee, and somehow the wind blows out the pilot light and you have no hot water. No hot water = no showers. Oh, the humanity.

* "Frozen fog" is a new meteorological term. What does that mean? Like if you walk outside you'll be frozen in one position due to the fog enveloping your entire body? I'm not buying it.

* Man, Sepultura kicked some major ass back in the day. You should start listening to them again.

* You see, I have a fetish for bad, bad music. So, in the interest of public disclosure, I have these Mp3's on my computer:

- "Prince Ali" from Aladdin

- "Stigmata Martyr" - Bauhaus

- a lot of Bon Jovi

- "One Night In Bangkok" - Chess

- "Disco Duck" - Rick Dees

- "Gimme That Nut" - Eazy E

- "In the Ghetto" - Elvis Presley

- "The Final Countdown" - Europe

- "Old Man River" - Frank Sinatra

- "Army of Me" - Helmet

- "Big Pimpin' (unplugged, even)" - Jay Z

- "Turbo Lover" - Judas Priest

- "Pass the Dutchie" - Musical Youth

- "She's Like the Wind" - Patrick Swayze (I did not download that, seriously.)

- "Faded" - Soul Decision

- "Orbital B-Bop" - Q-Feel

- "Winds of Change" - The Scorpions

- "Bang a Gong" - T Rex

- "Love Song" - Tesla

- "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue" - Toby Keith

- "If You Could Only See" - Tonic

- "Africa" - Toto

- "Right Now" - Van Halen

- "Too Cold" - Vanilla Ice and Korn

- "Miami" - Will Smith

* It's the fucking weekend. Amen to that.

Song of the day: "Gimme Danger" - The Stooges

Go see "Monster". It's really good.

Song of the day: "Warrior" - Public Image Limited.

Oh hell yes. More recent observations.

* Forecasted winter storms and the panic that ensues have replaced Cold War Fear in the Midwest. Honestly people, it's snow and ice - not something that will destroy life as we know it. (Unless you're a homeless person.)

* So everyone has their panties in a wad over this Super Bowl Janet Jackson breast exposure. Was no one offended by the American flag poncho Kid Rock had on? Let's discuss priorities, shall we?

* I went to my sister's senior night drill team performance last weekend. It was at the half time of a basketball game. Before hand, we walk in and see the Junior ROTC saluting the American flag while saying "Sieg Hiel". Were I not so shocked, I would have enjoyed the parallel between ROTC and the Hitler Youth.

* Here's a fun experiment: Just randomly say "Steve Perry" (Journey) to people of the 70's/80's generation and compile a percentage of how many explode into spontaneous laughter. It will happen more than you think. (Props to Kristy Berry and The Loop for this one.)

* It occurred to me today that when listening to music from my formative years, I don't really get that excited about Pearl Jam. I listened to them with much passion back in the day, but now they seem rather watered down and pedestrian.

* "Tiny Vessels" by Death Cab For Cutie is hands down the saddest song I have ever heard. Just thinking about it, embarrassingly enough, chokes me up. This is rather awkward when I'm in meetings, at gas stations, etc. It's the kind of song that you hope all your ex's hear and then realize you would have written it about them if Ben Gibbard hadn't beat you to it.

* John Kerry is in the lead. Hm.

Song of the day: "Out of the Races..." - The Rapture. God, I love that band. Unnaturally so.