Back Then 2003

Ah, 2003. A fine year. I studied in Scotland AND I got to know Rob. Arguably two of the more influential events in my adult life, no? Yes. Today’s post from the vault is like a double cop-out, as it’s a ‘best-of’ summary I did of 2003 early in the following year. Mmm, twice-recycled material. Both photos were taken on the estate in Dalkeith, where I stayed when I was in Scotland.

January
I followed the same path that Little Old Man had taken us on a couple days ago, but it was better this time. Instead of having to complain about mud and wasting time trying not to die, I was able to stop and look around.
February
Also, the majority of my roommates are big sissies. “Ohhhhhhhh my goodness,” they said when I last tried to charge my MP3 player, “It’s getting warm. . . . now it’s warm. Oh noooo. Warm. It’s warm. It’s not room temperature. It’s slightly above that — yes, I’d say it’s warm. The entire room is going to burn down. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. We’re all going to die in our sleep.” Like they’ve never used electricity before. . . . Now, if I’ve learned nothing else from my father, I’ve learned that it is worthwhile — nay, essential to take risks with electricity.
March
Speaking of crazy, how about this weather we’re having in Scotland? What? You’re not in Scotland? Well, it’s crazy, let me tell you. Sunshine and baby lambs all over the place. Maybe lambs aren’t really an element of weather, but they certainly make the day seem nicer.
April
Maybe I’ll make a ton of money before I graduate (you know, during that period in which magic becomes the new physics and all) and I’ll be able to afford a one-year creative writing masters program. Maybe. You never know.
May
The city of La Crosse’s motto is “We Have No Jobs. No Jobs for You!”
June
So, as you can see, I have now talked about walking home, my lunch, and going to work. This is what I will be doing this afternoon. If you are considering having an afternoon of your own, I hope I have given you some good ideas about what you could do on the afternoon that you will be having. Okay. Thank you. [Jessie, did we take Public Speaking together that summer?]

July
I assumed that by “Do you need your [bike] tire pumped up?” they meant, “Want us to kidnap you so you can never see anybody you love ever again?” I had to think quickly. I mean, I didn’t want to be kidnapped, but I REALLY didn’t want to have to walk home. So I said yes.
August
Today, I settled down to read a book I had started a long time ago, and what did I see crawling around inside the front cover? A BOOKLICE!! Er, a book. . . louse.
September
I’ve been busy trying to plan out my life. I know, I know, it sounds really easy, but it’s shaping up to be a bit of a challenge.
October
“Wot’s all this, then?” I ask myself. A fat free, cholesterol free, high protein, completely vegan snack? Why, that must be horrible! So I buy it.
November
I enjoy reading about how so-and-so went into the studio today to lay down a track. That’s crazy. I should start talking about how I went into Microsoft Word today to lay down some words.
December
If I ever run a calendar company, I’ll put out one called “Curly-Haired Men of Rock,” and it’ll feature Brian May and Roger Daltrey and Robert Plant. I can think of two people who would buy that calendar, and only one of them is me.