Well, here I am in Phoenix. It's weird how conflicted I am about this place and whether I'll ever move back here. In one sense, this really feels like home to me: some of my best friends and memories are here, not to mention family. As I drove around w/ Chad and Susan tonight just about every place we went to had some personal significance to me. It's corny, but I feel so sentimental about this place, as hard as it is to explain to outsiders. Manzanita Hall, Arizona Mills, University Avenue. These were the places and times that shaped me into the person I am now.

But I just can't imagine what I'd actuallly do if I moved back here. Covering the tech market here would seem like such a drag compared to Silicon Valley.I mean, Chad, Susan and I could even think of anything fun to do here tonight.

And despite all of its problems, I really do love California -- its beaches, variety and left-leaning politics. I probably miss Southern California more than I do Arizona now. I guess I could always retire in Arizona.

Maybe I shouldn't write so late at night; everything starts to get a little sappy after 1 a.m.

The 2001 winners are in! I love this annual contest: designers are limited to 5K or less to create the best-looking and most useful web site. The creativity of some of these people is just amazing. It's surprising what a person can do with so little space. And clicking on the homepages of judges and participants is a goldmine in design ideas. Highly recommended.

What the Democrats need is someone like me.

Just for the record, Reeses peanut butter cups kick ass. As does Rubios, which I'll be eating at today for the first time in months. Why can't downtown San Jose have a nice selection of decent fast food?

Don't tell me DEMOCRATS are the ones who'll wind up gutting campaign finance reform.

The White House has finally vocalized what we've long suspected it believes: Wasting gas is the American Way.

It's a scary thing when rolling blackouts don't even make CNN's front page anymore.

Here I am again at my favorite Borders store, here in Santa Cruz. I spent all day at the beach and had an epiphany this afternoon that I'll probably never be able to live farther than an hour's drive from the shore. Even the perilous 30-minute jaunt here is pushing it. (Maybe this is actually my second-favorite Borders. The store in Newport Beach was easier to reach and was just across the street from Virgin Megastore and that corny little mall, Triangle Square.) Maybe I should move to Santa Cruz when my lease is up.

In other news, I'll be back to my old Phoenix stomping grounds next weekend. Clear out space on your Palm Pilots, 'cause Kenny's back in town and ready to party! Ah, who am I kidding? I'll probably wind up seeing "Joe Dirt" in downtown Tempe.

Speaking of Joe Dirt, am I the only one that noticed he stole my life story? The movie sounds a little to much like "Billy Dirt Jeans" to be coincidence...