See my face in the town that's flashing by
See me standing in the station in the rain
See me running there beside the car
I left it all behind me and I traveled far
It took me a long time to get back on the train

--Trey Anastasio


Stick a fork in me, ladies and gentleschmucks. I am d-u-n DONE. Six months up. Six months down.

And six months to go.

My initial reactions are as follows: "Christ, that was a lot of work crammed into one quarter" and "Wait, why am I not drunk yet?"

We will now take a brief intermission. Please feel free to leave your seats, stretch - refreshments will be served in the lobby.

When the presentation begins again, we will commence in our nation's capital with Dickie starring as beltway correspondent for the Santa Barbara News-press. 'Should be interesting.

As for the next week or so, I have NOTHING TO DO.

[laughing like a giddy schoolgirl.]

Editor's note: (Dickie uses that "schoolgirl" simile way too much, doesn't he? We're worried.)

This is awesome, and for my stint in Chi-town, this is unprecedented. Finally, I have a week to burn just doing...whatever the hell I feel in this city. No bags to pack, no planes to catch, no alarms to rush me out the door.

It's Friday. You ain't got no job, you ain't got shit ta do...I'm gonna git you high!"

Now that I think of it, Thursday is both St. Paddy's Day and the start of the NCAA tourney. Somebody pinch me. No, really - I'm serious. Let's hope I don't wind up in the hospital.

Waitaminute, what the hell am I doing typing? I've been typing for three days straight. Enough is enough, people. I'm off to check out "Red Scare" at Second City, tonight.

In the meantime, it's Miller time.

Giddyup.