Lots and lots of kids at the Elliot Smith show last night. One can't blame them since the price was right: free. The set was, as one might suspect from Smith, mellow--even more so because he was solo: it was just him and his geetar. That, however, seems to be the norm for Smith, which doesn't quite fit his CD, but certainly works for a show. I was thinking while peering over the crowd (poor Kendra who was also along could see nothing but the backs of people's heads), squinting to see Smith, that he would be a much better pick for a smoky bar than the berm in front of the University Student Union. Ah well it was a calming night.

Got home by 2 after some serious jaw flapping and jib jabbering with friends.

I noticed a lot of vacant stares today. Many people just seemed to be in some Fall-induced reverie. Several conversations I had were full of repetition. You know the cycle: "Uh what did you say?" or "Huh?" or "Say again." Now it wasn't that I was mumbling, since I overheard many conversations that were like that. Various folks, as well, were unfazed by a variety of annoyances: angry people, blabbering kids, the insane but free, and cars that came perilously close. I, however, seemed to notice everything that could be or might be annoying--all the way from colleagues who insisted on bothering me despite the fact that I had that "don't bother me" look on my face and an unfortunate teenager who insisted on talking to everyone at the train station. Yes, I am a grump today or was a grump today because I have no particular intention of keeping such a mood in place. The grumpiness undoubtedly relates to an asshole who had exploited a hole in a server I administer. I should have fixed the hole a long time ago, but foolishly thought no one would really bother it. So much for expecting people to behave. But, of course, you know how people are, and so do I. Most are as about as trustworthy as a chimpanzee in the banana house.