Excitement

It's not just one of those old cool Nintendo games anymore! What am I
talking about? It's 1:23 AM and of course I'm excited. About everything,
of course! About life, and the people around me -- the world, our God and
everything else you can imagine.

Of course, I'm not jumping up and down or anything like that...that would be
absolutely pointless and the noise may make my parents wake up :) But
anyways, everything that caused last fall's problems are about to be
resolved tomorrow. So of course I've got something to be excited about!!!
Everything seems to be going right for me nowadays -- and still nothing that
*spectacular* but I'm enjoying the simple things -- get the picture? Great!

I don't think I need to do anymore explaining...or somethin' like that. I
mean -- I've written a countless number of e-mails whining about all my
problems and the measures I've taken to resolve them. Well, thankfully you
won't have to hear anymore of it -- for now, at least...you never know when
a new set of problems will arise :) Just kidding, I'll try to be a little
more disciplined with my spending if nothing else! And hopefully I'll have
a lot more motivation to do more things in the future, instead of being in a
huge "rut" for like, the past 3 years. I dunno -- things aren't so bad I
guess. Just that I have the ABILITY to make things BETTER but haven't taken
advantage of all the opportunities that have stood before me. But the past
is history and it's time to look into the future :)

Tomorrow I hope to write a really EPIC story about the past and how it has
affected me to this point. I think everyone here is involved in some
capacity, so be sure to check it out. I promise it will be good -- and just
may bring tears to your eyes :)

So you may want to read it without anyone else looking -- I dunno.
-Chris A. Czaplicki
ZA, ZA and more ZA

Stuff that is Really Annoying

I really don't know who got to read my previous e-mail last night, but I am
sorry to inform y'all that I failed to get my little problem resolved today
(a little miscommunication, that's all)-- but there's always Monday so
things will be good then.

So anyways, I was all prepared to write my massive, epic story which will
have to wait for a couple more days. Oh well, I guess I'll have to write
something else instead. But what??? Is it time for more craziness and
insanity? It sure is!!!

So strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride! And I promise I won't crash into
a wall at 180 mph either...

TODAY'S TOPIC: STUFF THAT IS REALLY ANNOYING
So now I get to sit down and analyze stuff that annoys me a lot. May have
some intersting results here. We shall see:

-Shopping carts with a dysfunctional 4th wheel that never goes straight
-A chair that has a short leg and you're always sitting crooked
-A toilet seat with rubber or leather padding (you might not understand that
one)
-Caffeine free soda
-Really ugly cars that look like Mars Rovers
-Any music by Citizen King
-Blue screens of death, general protection faults and scandisk
-6 lawn chairs in your basement office for no apparent reason
-People who whine and bitch all the time (pessimists)
-Canned air pointed directly at you
-When duct tape "doesn't work"
-When animals attack
-Q104's music mix
-The stupid washing macine being in operation when you're taking a shower
-When your lawnmower runs out of gas
-You prepare yourself a bowl of cereal and -NO MILK-
-You prepare yourself a chicken sandwich and -NO BUNS-
-The conversion from "regular-mouth" to "wide-mouth" tops on Pepsi cans
-Any commercials on TV for Six Flags and how many millions of dollars
they've spent on the park this year
-Driving in rain after leaving the windows down all day during a
thunderstorm
-Anonymous e-mails advertising the underground sale of Viagra
-A car that stalls in the onramp of I-480
-Paying repair costs for that car
-And buying ZA for everyone involved in repairing the car (actually, that's
a GOOD thing)
-Speaking of ZA -- ZA that is either too greasy, or whose cheese is
unequally distributed because of excessive inertia when in transit to the ZA
shack.

I don't feel like writing anymore -- need to get up at 5:30am for werk
tomorrow and it's time for schleep :)

-Chris

Bored

Just droppin' a quick line to everyone here...I'm sorta bored and feel like
typing so therefore I am when I should really be asleep :) Oh well...

I think I've asked almost everyone when their spring break is, but of course
I like taking stupid pills, and therefore I forget a lot of times. I really
need to get into the habit of writing things down :) But if you stupendous
young adults have an extra second, write back and let me know when you're
off and if you got any interesting ideas.

Ok -- I really don't have any more crammed up thoughts in my head right now.
That means I better end this e-mail right now before I lower anyone's IQ by
writing silly shit :)

Cy'all L8R
-the ZA meister

Keep them articles coming!

Keep them articles coming! Don't wanna slow down at all after our nice beginning. Brian -- where's your intro??? Bah. Don't sweat it :)

Any good ideas on what to write about? Let all of us know! And we shall discuss.

Allright? Coolness.
-Chris

A new movie: Sunday Night Fever!

Ok...here's my plan: I'm gonna create a feature-length made-for-TV movie
utilizing the lowest production costs possible. In fact, I would doubt if
there would be ANY produciton costs :) The movie title: Sunday Night Fever

It involves the main character whose name will be protected until release
date. Most details will also be hidden except for a few:
-There will be a green sleeping bag
-And a 17" monitor that likes to spark a lot
-And a dog who appears to have a rare form of Mad Cow
-A really big TV that has lots of loud speakers
-2 prison guards in their late-50's
-The big comfy couch
-A pinball machine that no longer works right
-An 8-foot long table, a 6-foot long table and a 4-foot long table. Uses
for this furniture will remain undisclosed
-A 2-liter bottle of Coke
-A crack pipe
-A 6-lb box of broken pretzel rods
-4 large boxes with 20,000+ pieces of miscellaneous cardboard
-8 decks of playing cards with random pictures/quotes
-1 deck of UNO cards
-A jukebox filled with old 45's

Put 'em all together and what do you get? All sorts of fun times as well as
one really big monster! And this time -- this behemoth isn't gonna get
knocked down by a wimpy spear gun!

Ok -- that wasn't too funny...but at least some pretty interesting
combinations can occur, I guess. But really...what else did you expect?
-----------------------------------------------------
Time for just a tad bit of seriousness :)

Another end to another week. This one wasn't bad...I guess it didn't really
capture the magic like last one did, but then again I really didn't expect
it to either. But anyways I worked all 7 days this week at the most amazing
rink in the world. And next Thursday it will seem like I'm gonna get the
biggest paycheck in the world :) Which will definitely help contribute
toward my debt free-ness in 6 days!

I know spring break is coming up for most of you guys, so if you've already
got any fun plans or anything bring 'em up! I'll keep myself occupied in
the interim time here...there's quite a few fun 'n' interesting things to do
around here again (or maybe I just have a little more motivation now).

And of course there's always the pursuit of a good job, which I could really
benefit from right about now, since I'm pretty much working regular hours at
the rink NOW and I could be making much MORE elsewhere working full-time.
I'm still not 100% set on it, but hopefully within the coming months I'll be
able to slowly ease my way into where I want to be. I'm still absolutely
clueless about this summer. One side of me says 'enjoy it while you can'
while another tells me to 'get my head out of my a$$ and get a job' and
there's constant battles like that all the time. I dunno...I'd like to be
able to support myself by working 10 hours a week, and then the rest of the
hours would be optional. However, as long as we live on this earth that
will never happen. I really don't know. There's gonna be a lot of tough
decision making.

Enuff for tonight -- i gotta get up early and head for work Tomorrow again!
Nite -e- nite!

-ZA

Valentines day ZA

Editor's comment: The link is broken. Hope to get something up really soon!

Valentines Day ZA...not to be confused with the Valenties Day Massacre even
though both have some similarities. The Valenties ZA does not explode,
however :) Actually, there IS such a thing as a Valenties ZA -- of course
it's a P.Jay's heart-shaped pizza that is awarded to one lucky recipient at
the rink every February 14th. Sorry, I cannot send pizza over the internet.
That'll be the day :)

I dunno whether or not I'll be sending e-cards or not yet...that's why I'm
sorta wishing everyone a great day full of love and happiness. You can even
have ZA-filled love if you really want. Oooooh! Ok -- romance was never my
strong point...but then again, how would you ever know? :)

Actually, if I was rich enuff I'd be delighted to send all the gals a dozen
roses! But that doesn't work when you're making 85 cents above minimum wage
at an ice rink, now does it? So instead I will draw some nice pretty
flowers and post it up on my web site, how 'bout that? Good enuff? I
thought so. Remember I am a very good artist. Almost as good as Warhol.

But well, here it is: if you want take a look at
http://www.cyberpalace.cc/valentiesza.jpg

Also be sure to check out the CyberCampus site at http://www.cyberpalace.cc
It's already beginning to take shape and we've got some pretty cool articles
already up!

Until next time,
Love & ZA
-Christopher Alexander Anthony Czaplicki

Cyberfest status

Rest assured, I still plan on having Cyberfests in the near future, hopefully beginning again during spring break. I have 4 (maybe 5) computers available, but I do not want to assume anything at all right now (I think that's what killed us in the summer). But anyways, just wanted to let y'all know that I plan having xtreme computer gaming once again after a temporary abeyance during the fall/winter months. Right now I put a few comps away just to save space for the time being, etc. In the summer I can probably accomodate more comps if you guys want to bring them over here. It will also be good b/c during the summer months my parents are usually out camping, so I won't have any of that bull$hit hanging over my shoulder thankfully :)

Ok -- just wanted to make that statement since a couple of you may be "wondering".
-Chris

Camping FUN

I know this is sorta premature since it is still February and the middle of
winter, but it is never too early to start preparations :) But anyways as
the topic says, this e-mail has to do with visiting my camper during the
summer! It is very fun and there are lots and lots of things to do there.
Countless even. Ask Alex -- he'll even mention the "strobe light" :)

But I wanted everyone to know now (instead of later) that I'll probably be
inviting a lot of my friends up there a few times over the course of the
summer months. The camper can probably comfortably sleep 3 (there's a bed,
couch and ample floor space) and we can always set up a tent for 1 or 2
more. You may be able to schleep in the car but that is not very
comfortable (I know from experience). But I have permission from my parents
to bring a few people up there whenever they are not there, so that can be
very cool.

Of course the site is right on a 60-acre lake, and there are miles of roads
to travel via golf cart, moped or scooter (or a bike if you really want).
And of course there are many amenities and events such as 2 pools,
adult/teen dances (this is where the stroble light comes into play), lots of
games for all ages and of course the Par 3 golf course.

But don't take my word for it -- see for yourself! Visit
http://www.holidaycamplands.com and see all there is to offer! Have a great
day and hope to see y'all out there in the summer!!!

-Chris

Chris Czaplicki's Words of Wisdom

Read, analyze and tell me what you think!

Chris Czaplicki's Words of Wisdom:

"I am NOT a robot"
"I thrive on uncertainty"
"It's a crazy world out there, with all sorts of crazy things happening
everyday...but there's no place I'd rather be...when it's just you and me"
"People in society today are unnaturally robotized into conforming to the
rules of society -- the status quo"
"The top 10 opinions capture 95% of the nation's interest...while it's like
everything else falls by the wayside"
"The entire ways of life and the universe can be explained by Newton's
Second Law of Motion in some way or another. As Aristotle once said, the
universe can be broken down into numbers. An abstract thought, but a very
true one."
"You wanna piss me off? I can get you back a hundred times worse if I want
to!"
"It feels like sometimes I'm coming 'round, then falling down. (And then
something after this)
"The absolute worst kind of life is one that is wholly predictable"
"Computers, phones, television, cars and other technological advances are
great as long as they are kept in their own place and not abused"
"The interstate highway system may be the very worst creation in America
during the 20th century"


Chris Czaplicki's Favorite Quotes:
"The more you know, the less certain you can be"
"All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten"
"There's a fine line between genius and insanity"
"Learning the 'hard way' isn't always exactly the 'best way'"

Keep this Coupon

Ok...Friday it was 63. This morning it's like...barely 20. What's up with
this dude? Why can't mother nature just act normal for once. Either be
warm all the time or be cold. Wait -- I don't like predictability...what am
I complaining about??? :)

Another end to another week...somewhat. At least it was a fairly exciting
one for myself. I'm not gonna go too much into detail, but it was capped
off at the rink by the ever-thrilling event of unraveling a double-roll of
2,000 tickets that say "Keep this Coupon" and separating the roll into two.
Took about an hour-and-a-half but I finally accomplished the goal. Then I
celebrated like a slave that made it to the north :) That was fun.

And oh yeah...I finally got to see Geoff -- what a long time it's been since
Mr. Reeder has made an appearance at the ZA Shack!!! How absolutely
awe-inspiring!

It's 3:30 am and I'm sorta tired b/c I've been up since 5 in the morning
yesterday and I've been pretty busy all day. I am not baked but my head is
repeatedly falling down into my lap. I don't know why, I guess I just lose
consciousness like that every so often. Thankfully, a few cans of Pepsi can
save the day and allow me to finish up here!

Well, I can't take this anymore. Dazing at the computer screen is not
healthy. Especially when you can actually see the stream of radioactive
electrons bounce from your forehead to the back of the CRT. Ok...bye for
now and I hope to hear from y'all soon!

-Chris

Debt Free!

Who cares about the blustery wind and the on-and-off rain showers we've been
experiencing...today is the most totally awesome day in 3 months -- and
rightfully so because the weather is sooooo warm I can actually do schtuff
with less layers of clothing than I have for a very, very long time.

Oh -- now it's official: 15 days and counting until I am once again
DEBT-FREE...things are gonna change, and I cannot wait!

Until then, I'm really not gonna say too much more about it, but I may
express my excitement by doing a few weird, crazy, unexpected things to
certain people. These specific acts and persons involved will not be
revealed to the public. Sorry, some things just have to be done that way!

I suppose I had to let out a little bit of value-added excitement because
I'm like, in a totally great mood today (and have been for almost the past 2
weeks -- especially since Tuesday) and so I'm really optimistic that things
are gonna get even better!

Now bear in mind I'll be the same wild 'n' craaazy kid I've always
been...I'm not looking at any rash personality changes per se...but I may
act a little differently in some instances, I really don't know yet. Who
knows? Who cares? Until then, we will only wait and wonder.

-Chris

Sloppy Seconds?

Shouldn't I have said...schloppy seconds? Call 1-800-ZA-ROCKS and cast your
vote today!

Anyways, i'm sitting here all freaked about my CD-burner because the reader
keeps making spinning up and slowing down and I'm really afraid I'm going to
experience the 18th case of 'buffer underrun' today. This is quite
stressing.

Hey, guess what? It's supposed to get up to like, 53 degrees up here in
Cleveland tomorrow! Woohoo!!! Here comes the sun! Tomorrow is gonna be
such a great, great day for me and everyone else (i hope). It's payday, I
work in the morning and will be going out w/friends at night, and of course
it's gonna be warm so I'm gonna be in the greatest mood EVER. Well, maybe
not 'ever' but at least we're seeing signs of spring. The worst is over.
Just another few short weeks until the leaves on trees start appearing, the
birds start chirping and new squirrel young emerge for Stink to hunt down!
I always said that Spring was my favorite season!

We don't have to wait as much time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the
'Birth of ZA' 2 decades...who would've thunk it? I'm old...I'm reaaaly
getting ooooooold! I remember distinctly when I just turned 10! Wow have I
changed...in certain ways. In other ways I haven't.

So in closing I wish everyone a happy February -- hope everyone does well
with their studies -- and of course make sure that my fellow friends are
well-stocked with ZA and Pepsi!

Later ppl!
-Chris

I AM STILL CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

I've been doing a little more thinking during the past 2-3 minutes, and have
come up with a few weird and interesting thoughts. Deep thoughts...not ones
that wither away after the day goes by. I mean...REALLY memorable things
that I remember from when was only a little boy. NO -- I AM STILL
Christopher Robin. Just a little taller, that's all.

Enuff mish-mosh. In this E-ZA I look back 10 years and take a little mental
snapshot of myself back then, and now. Then I have done a virtual
compare/contrast on the right side of my cerebrum, and have felt the
strength and courage to put it into words with the left side of my cerebrum.
Happy now? Allright -- Let's get started!!!

Things that ZA did at 10 that he DOESN'T do NOW:
-Sorry, I no longer like the Washington Redskins (Super Bowl XXVI Champs)
-And I don't religiously watch the Simpsons and tape every episode
-I am no longer the 5th Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
-I don't make tents in my basement and create little "flip-books" inside
them
-Neither do I have ninja-star fights with my older cousin Jenny
-Whoops! I don't wear glasses anymore! Thank God!
-I don't feel left out because I'm the only kid in the class without a copy
of Super Mario Bros. 3
-I no longer feel that playing Oregon Trail on the Apple IIe is the one
thing I think is most exciting in life.
-Sorry. I don't make tape recordings of 'talk shows' and schtuff.
-And I don't watch Wizard of Oz, Charlottes Web and TMNT the Movie twice per
week.
-I no longer waste 3/4 of my life in the summertime down in 'nowhereville'
out in Marblehead. Yeah, going to Cedar Point almost every day *was* fun
but I'd much rather be doing what "normal kids" did.
-I no longer get my $2/wk allowance. BOO!
-No more fights for me...I learned early on I guess - no more hostility to
anyone!
-I don't spend my free time writing out binary numbers from 1 to 1024
-I dont' spend my free time building 6-story cardhouses :)
-I don't spend my free time watching The Weather Channel
-I don't wake up to a bowl of Frosted Flakes and Mr. Wizard on Nickelodeon
-I don't spend my afternoons watching a smorgesboard of 'You can't do that
on television', 'Hey Dude', 'Salute your shorts', 'Wild and crazy kids' (and
i mean craaaazy)
-I don't spend my evenings watching 'Rescue 911', 'Unsolved Mysteries', and
'COPS'
-I no longer believe that I will be the next All-Star NFL Quarterback
-I no longer have friends that were very bad influences to me
-I no longer have a crush on Jessica Margocs (or do I? - just kidding)
-I no longer play polkas and old victorian waltzes on the organ
-I don't have 15 Bart Simpson shirts anymore. Oh no how sad :(
-I had absolutely no interest in any popular music (ever since Kyrie came
out when I was 4, until 'The Sign' was released when I was 12)
-I no longer cause trouble during Friday Night Open Skate (well, yeah -- but
I'm on the other side of the spectrum now)
-I'm not exactly the biggest daredevil or 'show-off' as I used to be
-I'm definitely not nearly as perverted as I was when I was 10 (sounds
weird, but true)
-I am no longer a discipline problem in the classroom
-I no longer want everything
-I don't run around funeral homes creating mischief w/Ryan Kelber anymore
-I don't play school as "Mr. Garbel" in my attic classroom
-I didn't have the bulging Herculean muscles I have now :)
-And I didn't eat nearly as much ZA as I do now!

What qualities to I still SHARE from when I was 10? Let's see here
-I still feel left out because I never got a Super NES
-The best movie ever made was Yellow Submarine
-And I still like the Beatles, even though Genesis has surpassed them as my
favorite band
-The best book I ever read was the Voyage of Doctor Dolittle
-I am still very musically talented, and have always had that 'creative,
artistic' side
-I still LOVE computers, even though they are no longer the Apple IIe's :)
-I still got that intelligent, creative mind that's not afraid to do, write
or say anything at all
-I still hang out at the rink -- Good God what happened to me?
-I still have all my little creations all stashed up and archived somewhere
in the attic...so I can just pull 'em out when necessary (i.e. ZaFest)
-I still got that little "mischevious" side of myself...you've seen it if
you have ever attended a ZaFest!
-ZA is still tops on the food chain (if that makes any sense to you)
-I still enjoy writing really weird 'short stories' and stuff...I guess you
never met 'Helabob' - You will in the next ZaFest!
-I truly feel I'm just as intelligent as I was at 10 -- yeah, the schooling
did help - BUT I feel that I could've studied the same subjects and been
just as successful as if I would have taken them 10 years ago
-I still want everyone to like me -- just I go about different ways of doing
it!
-I'm still probably one of the shyest people around strangers, but once I
get to know ppl I'm totally different
-I still have a dog named Stink (even though it's a different dog)
-I still have a very good friend who lives across the street from me --
Thanks Bernie for being there all these years!!! I know you've had to put
up with a lot of my shinanigans!!! I know if anyone could attest to this
list it would be him :)

OK -- good enough for me so far...any thoughts? Write Back!!!
-Chris

Pancakes IS Ready!

Yeah, it's true that I'm usually in this little permanent 'dream state', and
go on totally off-the-wall rants about everything...I dunno. When I write
those totally confusing e-mails I just let my thoughts flow like molasses on
flapjacks. Pancakes IS Ready!!! Just kidding :) I guess when I look back
and read all the e-mails that I send (which I do pretty often) I wonder
myself how I could possibly write such weird and outlandish things.
Actually, it's not that tough for me to figure it out -- I just have to have
the right mindset and everything and I can talk about any topic under the
sun. Even appleness, if you remember Fr. Tony's class.

Well, right now I'm really not in that mindset. Actually, I'm currently in
a "return-to-reality" mode...doesn't mean that I've lost any of my creative
expressiveness, it's just that my attitude is a little different than when
I'm usually writing. It's fairly difficult to describe really...I can't say
for sure what turns my attitudes "on" or "off". If I only knew...because
I've been in this lethargic, partially petrified state for a very LONG time
now. It's not that I want to feel this way (i.e. "lazy") but I have
absolutely no motivation to do anything except for work and going out
w/friends. Which isn't terrible -- I mean -- I'm not depressed or
anything...it's just that "NOTHING HAPPENS" outside of what I want at the
time. The worst part is that there are so many things I really WANT to do
(mostly regarding work, education, etc.) that never gets done due to my lack
of attention? or motivation or somethin' like that. OK - maybe I'll stop
ranting about this issue now...many of you guys know what it's like I'm
sure, but I'm just giving it from my point of view...

Back to my "Reality" schpiel...it's just that right now I'm looking at
things with a "clear head" for the first time in months. I'm finally
resolving a lot of problems that I caused in the second half of last year
(refer to SIMPLIFICATION) and I'm almost ready to "Start Over". But not
yet...I'm not 100% totally comfortable with moving on, since there are a
couple 'finishing touches' I need to make before I make any big
announcements. Nevertheless, I can ALMOST truly say I am happy with the way
my life is going once again...or at least I'm happy with the way things are
headed. Needless to say, I'll write everyone a nice, blissful e-mail once
everything is officially resolved. I cannot project how long this will
take, but chances are they'll take place within the next month-and-a-half.
When everyone returns from school during spring break I'll be sure to throw
a big ZA FEST to celebrate the occasion!!!

Ooh -- maybe I'll now give my final 6 month review of 2000 so everyone knows
what actually happened:

July, 2000 - I had fun...lots and lots and lots of fun. Went to Cedar Point
w/friends, a concert, etc. Parents were camping almost every day so I had
the house entirely to myself most of the time. Then I had this doctor's
appt. where I took this breathing test and I did absolutely miserable on it.
They almost put me in the hospital for it. I felt absolutely horrible, but
took steps to improve things -- which I am very proud of now (1 thing
repaired)

August, 2000 - Even though I was still in absolutely terrible shape, I still
had a lot of fun with everyone -- I think that's when I went to the camper
w/Alex...anyways, things were all good until I learned that my internship
downtown would be ending at the conclusion of the month. That sucked, but
at the same time, I was sorta glad it was over. It was really beginning to
drag...A LOT. And I felt so absolutely worn down that I really didn't put
much effort or cared about my job too much. I DID upgrade my server to
Windows 2000 Advanced Server. That was fun. I also sold Alex, Brian and
Jerry their computers to take away to school. That was fun, and I had a lot
more room in my basement :) I went to this computer sale and bought another
$1000 in parts...which was sorta cool, but looking back it was an extra
$1000 that I really should've saved. But oh well. My job at the rink was
also in jeopardy. One of my checks that I made out to pay for Jessica (the
girl that I hit w/snowball) bounced, and so the parents were totally irate
and called the city law director on me. Boo. But after several meetings
with the recreation commissioner I was able to get everything resolved and
got my job back. (2 things repaired)

September 2000 - Ok - most of my friends were off to school, still had Eddie
and Chris around...but that's about it. I was sorta sucked, and it was one
of my motivations for writing the "End of an Era" bit...even though I have
finally come to realize that even though things have changed, they will
always be the same and my friends and I will still enjoy the things we used
to (3 things repaired) Eddie and I took a trip to Toledo University to sell
one of Nally's friends a computer. That was cool, but other than that not
much happened. Tri-Hi started...the rink started up again...and things
changed a lot for me from the previous month. Oh yeah, I also joined a fall
softball team, which was a lot of fun, too. Kept me occupied for most of
the autumn months, which was totally cool :) I got my laptop for $700,
which I really love, and I spent probably close to $1200 on tuition and
books. Oh yeah -- I almost moved out, too...and I would've if I didn't have
to be 21 to get an apartment where I wanted to go. Probably better that I
didn't go.

October 2000 - Not too much happened. I worked at the rink, Alex and I took
a roadtrip to Toledo...and I went to visit Eddie and Christina at OSU with
Lisa. Softball continued, and so did Tri-Hi. In a sense, I can almost say
that October went fairly well...but I had this monstrocity of bills that
were piling up on me. In short, I dug a hole for myself. And I continued
to dig deeper, and deeper and deeper until I hit rock bottom. Well...these
bills are now finally almost all paid off thankfully, due to my frugal
spending and new scope on things. (4 things repaired)

November 2000 - Pretty much just a huge blur -- or blah -- or just plain "i
never had anything to do so all I did was sit around all day and think about
things without really doing anything at all" The one big shining moment was
during Thanksgiving break when everyone came home from school and we all
went out together. Well, since then I've changed things...even my attitude
a little bit and found new things to do (actually, some old things, like
magic) so during the past month I've really never been too bored at all with
life. (5 things repaired)

December 2000 - Can be expressed with one word - COMPLICATION. Yeah...I was
gonna take a trip down to Florida with my bro, and ended up declining
because of the huge mess I had created. Actually, I had absolutely no
cash -- I totally hated Tri-Hi -- there was absolutely nothing to do or
nowhere to go -- and I was causing an immense amount of problems for myself
that totally kept me from doing anything that I wanted at all. Well...most
of these problems worked themselves out one way or another since then, and I
realize that SIMPLIFICATION was the correct resopnse to this entire
situation (6 things repaired) Christmas break came at the totally right
time. Friends were back, we had things to do -- everyone was happy and
excited about everything, ya know? I was still a little confused about
things, and my parents were still pretty angry at me for doing all the
little small stupid things I have been describing. Christmas, itself was
pretty good BUT the time between then and New Years was absolutely terrible
because my parents were sick and totally fed up with all my shinanigans.
Since then, I think things have impoved greatly and we're all back to
normalcy (7 things repaired)

Yeah, there were probably some things I left out either intentionally or
unintentionally, but I'm just trying to give a broad scope of what happened
that I've been bitching and whining about for awhile now...or somethin' like
that. I really don't regret anything I did AT ALL, since I have learned
quite a bit from the mistakes and the good things I did. So really, the
year 2000 was really good...or at least a lot of good things came out of it
in the end. And a lot of the muck that came from it is dragging on over
into January and probably February, but that's OK because soon it will be
time to "Start Over" again. Yay. I'm incredibly excited!

-Chris