Whew. Back from CT and a trip back into time- the first time I’ve been back up to the old Dugan high-school era homestead in about 3 years- that was a trip through time. Some random thoughts about the journey:

• Mahopac has not changed.
• The area in a 60-mile radius around New York City is still the Land of Classic Rock. I heard “Hysteria” by Def Leppard twice in 2 days on the radio. Basically the choices for radio up there are one of three: classic rock, sports talk, or latin dance music.
• County Adjustment Bureau is still as ugly as it was when I went to college, times two. We drove up and peeked in the driveway: there are lots of tractor trailers parked in there, but I took it as a good omen that a Scout 80 was parked over in the driveway.
• Ridgefield is still as rich as I remember it.
• The leaves driving back through New Jersey on Sunday were absolutely incredible.

Today I’m going to hit the Home Depot and order the carpeting I’ve been waiting for for 2 months. They’re having a special, with installation, where the padding is free. I took measurements last night and got all the relevant info I need. I also need to get the stain today and begin on the woodwork; once I get my paycheck I’m also going to pick up the wood for the stairs and get those installed. Luckily the side shelves, which were cupped slightly after I installed them, sanded down smooth and look clean. So after the underside caps are stained, I’ll install them and finish off the side walls. I also am going to measure the junction box at the store, cut down a piece of sanded plywood, and mount it on the wall in the closet. Then we can start the wiring…

Salon is no longer listing its main news stories for free- they’re putting them under the Premium service, so if you want to see good reporting by them, you have to shell out $30 or so. Now, I’ve been reading Salon for about the past four years. I love the magazine and have always supported it, talked it up, and browsed/read it daily. But in this economy, when I have to rationalize and justify a $15 bottle of wine, $20 worth of paint, or full gas tank in the Scout, I don’t have $30 to offer. Too bad. I suppose I’ll be looking at them a lot less now.

I read today that the guitarist from Limp Bizkit is leaving the band. While I wipe away a tear from my eye, I sit and meditate on this thought: What makes Fred Durst so important that his views on the tragedy in NYC are quoted in the paper? How did he and the pretty-boy guy from the Goo Goo Dolls get so famous and talented that they were allowed into the recording studio to do a cover of ‘Wish You Were Here‘ in memoriam? Now, don’t get me wrong, it was a cool idea (and a great song) but, man, was that bad. Those two dudes can’t sing.

Perhaps the guitarist just go so damn sick of Fred’s whiny voice that he couldn’t stay in the band? That’s my personal opinion.