Man, 10th grade was rough. It was like that year when everything is super awkward and it's made even moreso by the fact that you're 16 and are trying to define yourself by what you wear and listen to.

When I say "you" I mean of course "I."

I was wearing skater clothes (Airwalks, Volcom Tshirt, Jnco jeans) even though I didn't even skate, and I was listening to Elastica, TMBG, and Veruca Salt. Man I loved this band. Or at least, I really wanted to, and then after forcing myself to listen American Thighs a bunch of times I eventually really did like it. Come to think of it, that's exactly my relationship with Green Day's "Dookie." So after I bought this and listened to it all the time, I would sing the lyrics to myself and go play handball (yes, handball dear reader!) on the tennis wall with my fellow nerdy friends.

Why, 2 years ago on my birthday I even rocked a rousing rendition of their alternative rock classic "Seether":



And I even referenced it in a comic I drew to accompany an interview I did a few years ago for my comics. If you don't want to read the interview (and I don't blame you), here is that strip now: