i apologize to those of you whose lives have been thrown into utter disarray by my absence. i assure you: i have been writing. just not here. i've actually had to write four essays for school: two, of a "creative" nature, are viewable here; the other are not (one is about moll flanders and becky sharp; the other is about the films of don siegel). so, if you want to read about glasses and youthful solipsism, go right ahead; if you want to learn more about the links between hot dogs and family, you're equally free to do so.