I didn't sleep very well last night. So I wound up listening to Rage Against the Machine's album "The Battle of Los Angeles" on my discman. I listened to it about four times. It is a really good record.

This single disc helped to shape some of my more revolutionary politcal opinons. It first came out when I was 15. Without of this CD I probably wouldn't be into politics as much as I am today (though I'm sure that's not 100% true because my father is very political).

These dudes were such radical activists  (radical as in kind of out there crazy not radical cool. Although I think both kinds of radical are good and fit RATM) that the 15 year old me just ate it up. And now that I understand the stuff they were writing about I still eat it up.

About a year after they released this album they announced they would release one last album then split up. I was kind of bummed.

Now I was thinking how great it would have been if they were hadn't split up and were still together today with all the shit that has gone down since 9/11/01. I mean all the stuff the guys were raging against is now here. We've got an unjust and murderous war raged by a president and congress who have stripped the people of America of their basic rights. These dudes would definitly had plenty of shit to be angry about.

They are making a short reunion this year doing about five shows total as few in the L.A. area, one in New York and then they'll be doing some protest event and music festivals. I would love to get tickets ot their New York show but they are going to be a bitch to get.

Anyways, welding class last night was the best yet. My uncle Ray was cool enough to come into class and help me out. He knows me and knows my learning style so he really was able to help me out. He showed me ways to relax and get comfortable, he gave me tips and showed me the best ways to do a good weld. And it worked! My welds went for looking like halfway decent crap to looking decent to really god.

He says he will try to come to the lab as often as he can to teach me to weld. How cool is that! This means I will get much more 1-0n-1 attention and will be really bringing my grades to superstar levels and make me a superstar welder.

 This is very cool and I am very greatful.

Thanks,

Mark