He sat there ticking his pencil. Up and down so the eraser would hit the table. No one around him heard it but he did and that was all that mattered. He was staring up at the clock. Ten minutes. He was going to be free, all he had to was sit there. The class was ending and the teacher was talking. Something about the homework. Homework was never on his mind,. He could see the sunshine. He could feel the grass under his feet. He wanted to be out there. His knees were aching and the walls looked as though they were melting. Why was the teacher still talking? Why can't we just go. We understand what to do. It will take me about five minutes before class tomorrow. Why is everyone else so stupid in the class? All he had to do was sit there.

He decided not to look at the clock and just wait and maybe if he closed his eyes then the next time he opened them he would be free. Free to yelp and run. Free to get home, shed his nice clothes and head to the woods. Mike will be waiting for him. I need to get to Mike, he thought, he can't hold them back for too long without me. Even if the teacher let them out right now he would still have to take the bus, but that was something that can't be changed. Mr. Johnson could shut up, and open the door. He closed his eyes. He tried to count the seconds but all he could hear was the tall bald man's voice. Yeah, yeah I understand, page thirty seven the even numbers. He thought. The odds' answers were in the back. How did Math become his last class of the day? Why did this happen? There he was everyday. His previous class was right across the hall, so he had nine minutes to stare at room 207 and wait for or will it to blow up. He thought if he looked at the numbers long enough the room would pop and everyone would be spared math class.

It never happened. The bell was about to ring and he slipped in the door, everyday. Often enough so that Mr. Johnson had asked him a few times what he would do out there before the bell rang. He never answered, he just slipped into his seat and did the homework, due in approximately seven minutes. At the beginning of the semester he calculated how long Mr. Johnson took to take roll. It averaged between three and a half minutes to sometimes even ten minutes.

Two twenty-nine. By god it worked. The tick has less that 20 seconds to tock. He saw Melissa gathering her things. He wasn't the only one to sweat and dread this class. He had already put his book in his bag. His jacket was on. His pencil was the only thing he had to put away. Now his foot was tapping. Three, Two, One..Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing.

I have been looking

at the numbers and where people are from who view my page. It gives me great satisfaction to know that this little blog has reached all over the world. I mean, Europe, China, India, the U.K. and even Canada. I never would have thought this, but you can see how the internet makes everything closer. I like to think that this little blog isn't so little anymore. Enough about that.

It is safe to say that the New years Hex has been broken. For those of you who know then you understand for those of you who don't let me explain a little. New Year's Eve 2009 was going to be a romp through the city ending on Twin Peaks at midnight to see the fireworks. That didn't happen. I'm going to leave out most of the details, because I don't really want to get into all of it. It ended up with cops at my friends house after he had thrown up. My other friend and I on couches not being able to move and finally a trip to the hospital for my friend. It was a strange mix of nerves and misunderstandings. I was in bed for three days, sleeping and watching football. My friend was/is fine, the whole trip to the hospital was unnecessary. So that's the hex, and we three felt it for many months.

Let's jump to now. I no longer view 2010 as a disappointment. I have embraced life as a twenty-something and now am very happy with my life. I have plans for the future and I see light at the end of the tunnel. In two weeks I will be home for a little while to see most of my family, then Denver to see my sister, then off to New York to see my friend. I am also going to be taking care of some paper work.

Today, the weather is supposed to be 104. Soon, I will be going to the doctor so they can tell me that my wrist will be fine and I don't have to wear a thing that makes me look like a fifty year old who has carpal tunnel. Then, maybe a movie of a book I finished yesterday and then to a Monday night open bar party. So, life is good. Things really couldn't get any better, unless, the Lakers and the Yankees dissolve. On the creative side of things I have started making music with the help of a tiny keyboard, a mic and some software. I hope that you can agree with me that your life is great, the sun shines for you and rainbows, although magical, are also understandable.

Dustin

Writers are collectors of words. We just haven't figured out how to organize them yet.

Strange

things happened to me today in the random occurrences sections of my day. I was in the Apple store and saw Adrien Grenier. Texted some friends and my sister about it then moved on. Tried to see a French film but I was at the wrong theater. Saw Im Still Here instead. Then I went and bought a watch. I was looking for shoes and ran into my friend Dave at Shiek downtown. Hoped on a bus, went home. Then when I was heading back to the pizza place to get my ravioli, I saw the guy who sold me the watch maybe two hours before. I rarely see people out or getting together or, you know, work. I guess this might count. I did see a student where I always see one student or another, on Powell and O'Farrell. Four in one day. Strange.

No promises on the rest of six drinks, but sooner than later.

Dusitn

Fondue

Today was fun. I wore suspenders and people really didn't know what to think. That's okay. My class is great. The sun shone, then let his brother, fog come in and have a turn. I went to North Beach to have some cider and fondue. I like cheese, but it doesn't like me. In less than a month I will be in the skies seeing clouds, stars and small people while I travel to see people whom I haven't seen in a long time. Things. Are. Happening.

Dustin

Twenty Something

Last week a few friends and I decided that we were going to live like actual twenty somethings. I have been cooped up in my room for so long, the weather might have something to do with that, that I haven't been living. I have been somewhat happy, but now I want to get out there and mix it up a little. So, the past two weeks I have been out, and usually that means drinking. I have gained some weight, lost some sleep. I have bruises that I don't remember getting. And, I have been in a perpetual state of drunkenness and hungover. I think it might be affecting my memory. (Thursday night, after the gin, I don't remember anything.) I feel good about this. The connections I have are becoming deeper, and my smile is wider. So, no matter how old you are, I encourage you to live a few weeks like a twenty something. It is refreshing, a little painful at times, but all in all, worth it.

Dustin

It's about time

I got on an airplane or two, maybe three. I am planning on flying to see some of you. I am shooting for the end of September. Let me know what your plans are so I don't show up while you are in the middle of something. This will be the last hurrah before I move to Korea.