Hey everyone. Sorry it's been so long. Here's my newest column, again, unedited:

Suffice it to say, school is all but officially over as far as I’m concerned. Sure, there are still a few papers and tests to wrap up, but I mean, whatever. I’m sure all that stuff will just work itself out.
So since school has more or less become a secondary concern over the course of the last few days, I’ve decided I should probably start thinking about real, grown-up stuff. You know, stuff like what I’m going to do with my life and income taxes. The important stuff.
But with that said, all I’ve really been able to think about is what kind of dog I’m going to buy next year when I have a place of my own.
I really do think I’m obsessed. I’ve been checking out all the coolest breeds, renting copies of the old Westminster shows, frequenting all the Internet dog sites …
I’m taking this stuff seriously, people.
So the other day, I took my first big step and actually went to the humane society over in Hamilton. I mean, I wasn’t really planning on picking up a pup or anything. I just wanted to see what was out there. Evaluate my options, if you will.
When I got there, I was immediately introduced to a really nice guy named Jim who showed me around the place and let me play with a few of the animals. Folks, I think I was in canine heaven.
But then something went terribly, terribly wrong.
See, Jim proceeded to bring out this beagle for me to see. Now, I’m not even going to lie; I’ve never really been a big fan of the beagle. They just seem like the biggest dorks of the canine universe. I’m sorry, that’s just the way I feel.
But anyway, being as this is a free country and all, I told Jim how much I’ve always hated beagles and I just couldn’t see myself getting one.
This is where Jim got super pissed.
He immediately took on this really hostile attitude and started telling me how great beagles were. He said that this was neither the time nor the place to be telling people how I felt about the beagle. He said my actions were inappropriate. He said I was wrong and should shut up.
Then he called me a dog hater. And he booed me.
Well, you had better believe I was pretty upset by the whole situation. I fled that miserable pound posthaste and proceeded to rack my brain the entire drive home to try and make some sense of Jim’s little tirade.
I’m not a dog hater at all! My whole world revolves around man’s best friend! I’m just don’t happen to be a fan of the beagle, that’s all.
But then it hit me.
Had I learned nothing from Michael Moore’s speech at last weekend’s Oscars? Had I somehow forgotten that in our America you’re just not allowed to speak passionately about your beliefs?
Apparently I had.
So that’s why this article is dedicated to my buddy Jim. I’m really sorry, Jim. It was 100 percent my fault for thinking it would be acceptable to express my opinion about beagles in public.
My bad.
- posted by alec @ Wednesday, March 26, 2003

 
I had a nice night last night up above Copy Nation and around town. That apartment up there is amazing. You just get to sit up there and yell at pepole and have a general crazy time. I have some wonderful pictures as well. I love my camera. I have a fair documentary of my life. I think I'll try and burn it all onto a dvd later this year and have a whole Alec's life Vol. 1 party in its honor. Talk to you all later.
- posted by alec @ Saturday, March 01, 2003