THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE

This week's issue of the District (www.thedistrictweekly.com) lists Long Beach's sexiest people. For some unbeknownest reason, I was left off the list. Perhaps there was a rule about people who write for them making the cut. Something about a conflict of interest perhaps? Other than this slip-up, I think the people at the paper are doing a fine job.

Tonight (and tommorrow) I am going to see the Night Marchers, which is John Reis' new band. I heard a few songs on their myspace page, and whaddya know, they rule. Tonight is Alex's, Monday in Eagle Rock. I will spend the final $40 in my account and not give a damn.

I have been going to bed around 9 p.m. the past few nights. Thanks jetlag!

JETLAG SUCKS

Fuck you jetlag. It's Friday morning and I've been up since 7:30 a.m. I laid down for what I thought was going to be a nap at 5:30 p.m. last night, but it easily could have been a full night's rest had I not been woken up for reasons I won't get into. I was confused again when I woke up around 7 p.m. Unsure of where I was, I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or not. This has never happened before. This morning I had a minor case of this, but it appears that my mind is adjusting to the fact that I'm home. This better be gone by Monday. I gots work to do.

I don't return to my part-time job until Feb. 25. 'Nother trip perhaps? I'm thinking Portland. But every time I plan a visit there, something gets in the way. This time around I'll just wake up one morning and go. That way nothing can alter my plans.

I'm going for a walk. It's rare (for me anyway) to be up this early and I really love the a.m., although I'm hardly ever awake for it.

HOME

Glad to be back in sweet home Long Beach. But not gonna lie and say I'm happy about leaving Europe either. It would take volumes of encyclopedias to write about every aspect of the trip. So I won't. Maybe it will come to me over the next few days or maybe the next few years. Either way, I've got stories to tell. Perhaps that's why I had to go -- refuel the ol' noggin with new ideas. Big thanks to Taylor and Chip for letting me tag along. It was an experience I will never forget, even when I'm a lonely Alzheimer's patient shitting myself in some old folks home. I won't be able to remember my middle name, but the words "party machen" will always be at the forefront of my mind.

Jetlag's a motherfucker. I woke up this morning around 9 a.m. and didn't know where I was. Pretty strange considering I was in my bed. Oh bed, how I missed thee. All the sleeping bags and couches in the world could never take your place. I turned over, saw my sky blue wall and the cat tree and was dumbfounded for a few seconds. I'm not what anyone would call a morning person, but this lack of mental stability was a stretch even for me. But now I'm pretty sure I know where I am. I think.

Shaq traded to the Suns. Do I care? Not sure. I was pretty bummed when the Lakers got rid of him, but it's been a few years and now we're back. Yeah, he got one on us in Miami, but in the long run Bynum is where it's at. But I still digs the Big Fella. Any athlete with personality is ok by me. Good luck Shaq. I'll be pullin' for ya, except when you're playing my team. Then we're gonna run your fat ass out the building.