Normally, I'd agree, but I think there's two things behind it. The first is that he believes "core only" is balanced. The second, it feels like a jab at me. Before we started yesterday I specifically told him exactly what I wanted to do, "I want to play with fear effects." I told him exactly what I wanted from the two books I requested, he even said ok to the two books I requested. Hell, he thought one of my ideas was cool. Then when he walks through the door he completely changes his mind? Sorry, I get annoyed when people do that to me. If he was up front about it, that'd be a different story.
Also, I totally agree on the Fighter, Bard, and Monk thing. That's why I didn't pick them. They'd only be good for a couple of levels then drop off. My very first D&D game was a core only game where I was a monk. I felt useless real fast.
You're right on the Red Wizard though, I might not get it, but I'll talk to him about it.
I'm at 9 HP right now, I rolled yet another 1 when I did my hp last night.