It's been pretty gloomy around here lately, hasn't it? Well, I can't promise that I'm completely done with all that yet, but I'm taking steps to deal with it. Really it was one event that dredged up a lot of stuff that I'd been trying to deal with. And I was overly optimistic about my capability to deal with that particular outcome of that particular event in the perfectly emotionally healthy manner I envisioned. Well, I suppose there's something to be said for making the attempt. The person I used to be may not have been able to handle that. Which is why, when I finally build my time machine, that fucker's kneecaps are being shattered with a pipe wrench. Time paradox be damned! Screw killing Hitler! Working out my self-indulgent self-destructive impulses is far more important.

Basically, many of the personal demons I kept imprisoned in mental oubliettes in the dungeon of my mind came rising up, if I may indulge in some baroque imagery. Still, the end of the semester is swiftly approaching, so I have whole new set of things to stress me out. Perhaps I can balance one stress off the other like the Imperial Court balanced the Heike off the Genji. Of course, we all know how that turned out. I, personally, know very well, since I'm writing a paper about it. We're looking at several more thrilling installments of 'Up All Night with Frank,' just like college, only without the candy bars, Mountain Dew, and the school computer lab. At least I won't have to deal with the sickening smell of cooking donuts in the morning that was always there for some reason.

On the plus side, the conclusion to Batman R.I.P comes out soon, although I doubt that Grant Morrison can pull off a fully satisfactory ending. For the record, my guess is that the Black Glove is actually Batman himself or some version of the Devil, although I can't see any way that won't come off as lame. Also, if I can get through finals, there's a new Blue Monday miniseries coming out in December. It's been a long wait, but finally I can once again vicariously live the high school social experience I denied myself.

Well, I just wanted everyone to know that I'm doing okay, at least for time being, and I really appreciate all you've done to help me through these dark times. You're all awesome friends and I don't deserve you. I'm glad you foolishly stick around anyway.

Back to work.

Alan Moore, the British writer of the comic books Watchmen, Swamp Thing, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and From Hell, and perhaps the greatest writer in the industry, talks about his views on religion , including why he worships a sock puppet snake. He manages to work Paris Hilton into the explanation. Warning, some mild Bush bashing for more conservative viewers.