Before I fill you in on where I've been, I'll try to get you up to speed. Here are the classes I took during the Fall semester:

1. Religion in America
2. American Literature
3. British Literature
4. Twentieth Century World History
5. Chemistry I

I made As. It was one of the best semesters I've had in a long time, even with all the papers. It felt so great to take things other than computer related classes. I'm more suited to history, sociology, and the like. I enjoy it more, anyway.

I'm now at Pfeiffer University, majoring in history. My current classes are:

1. Civilizations of Africa & the Middle East
2. European History (since 1492)
3. United States History (since 1865)
4. Foundations of Education
5. Field Experience I
6. Chemistry II

I like Pfeiffer a lot so far; it's old and small. The professors are nice and I'm enjoying the subjects.

In April of 2003, I made a plan for my education. I decided to finish my associate's degree, continue for a while at Stanly to knock out some of my general education requirements, and then head to Pfeiffer. All of that has been accomplished. I now have a new plan.

In summary, my plan is as follows: I will finish my bachelor's degree, teach for a while as I work on my master's, and eventually go for my doctorate. I would feel unfulfilled, or as if I let myself down if I didn't obtain at least a master's degree. I know I can; the only thing that would stop me is the same almighty agonist: money. This will also require time—many years. Hopefully though, a few years from now I'll be writing an entry similar to this, reflecting on another plan that worked out.

On to the silly reason for my absence.

If you know me, or have read enough of my blather, then my position on society is established. I decided over the summer to impose a fissure. This was to be a personal split; a mental, social break. I simply wanted to part ways with everything and everyone as much as possible. I excluded my family, Lindsey, and her wonderful family from my personal provisos. I won't go into detail because it's important only to my interests.

What did my wacky plan accomplish? It allowed for great introspection. Half a year of self-examination gave me emotional and mental strength, confidence, a better vocabulary, a greater understanding of my intense emotions, an escape. I'm afraid it didn't help my grammar, though.

During this time I traveled a great deal as well. Over the past six months I've driven several thousand miles, most of it in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Danville, Lynchburg, Yorktown, and Greenville are three of the places I've spent any significant time. I love to travel.

I've taken hundreds of pictures. Many are of the area in which I live, which I plan to organize and award their own fancy html page. Whenever I get the money, I plan to buy a big, fancy new camera that will actually take a picture once a press the button in less than 4 seconds (eternity).

Since my last posting I've also met Leo Kottke at one of his spectacular shows; spent loads of time with Lindsey, including both birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; bought a cellphone and a new car, in which I've driven 20,000 miles since July 22. My old Honda finished shy of 300,000.

Am I going to Hell for this?

The Levant was home to Tom Friedman, an American born Jew, during most of the 1980s. This book details his time there and also provides an overview of the people and culture of the region. Particularly, his focus remains on religious aspects and the intense conflicts resulting from the differences thereof. I knew little of the realities of the Middle East before this; I closed the book with some clarity. I now know what happened, which in turn led me to understand what is happening. Shiites, Sunnis, Druse, Maronites, the Palestinians (with the PLO and Arafat), the Syrians, the Israelis all have new, accurate associations and definitions in my mind. News reports referencing Shiites in Beirut or West Bank Palestinians will no longer be puzzles if you read this, which I recommend to anyone desiring information about the Middle East.