"I want to again be holding hands with you underwater..."

The 'rents have yet again come through with some awesome gifts. My dad got me the first four Beatle's albums on CD. I didn't put them on my list, but I am so glad that he thought of getting them because they (obviously) rock; so mad props to Dad, for being cool and going out on the limb and coming through with an awesome gift. Mom gave me one of John Frusciante's newest, Inside of Emptiness. I must say that the CD is probably the rawest I have heard from Frusciante in the past 5 years. A harder feeling resonates from many of the songs with the introduction of edgier electric riffs brought into the mix again. Notable tracks include Inside A Break, Look On, Scratches, A Firm Kick, and I'm Around. Interior Two is an interesting song in that it seems to have a 50's rock feel to it, not surprising considering Frusciante loves d00-wop music. Look On offers the best demonstration of Frusciante's guitar talent with a lengthy solo intertwined in the middle of the song. All in all, I highly recommend the album.

My break has been fairly enjoyable thus far. Now that I'm back in the Region I've been able to start running on a regular basis again. I ran about 12 miles today, which is the first time I've done so in about 2 months. Hopefully I'll be able to kick my ass back into really good shape by the time I return back home for track season. Our team's first meet is in less than a month and I'd like to run well enough that to be allowed to run at IU the following week. That's all for now. ~ Rich