March 31, 2004
Eternal Sunshine of the Liberated Mind
Well I did it. I finally gave notice at my work that I will be leaving for grad school in Santa Barbara at the end of April. They were sad, especially a couple of my supervisors...the room got all heavy and silent when I dropped the bomb. But they're all impressed and happy for me and they wished me all kinds of good things. All of a sudden everything feels really *real*. This is actually happening, I'm leaving, moving on to better things and a new life. I feel as though I'm on the threshold of something entirely new and exciting...and BIG. The past few weeks have been a real emotional roller coaster for me, but now I've reached a point where I'm just really...HAPPY. I still have a lot to work towards but I'm at a good spot in my life and I feel good about all the decisions I've made recently.
...of course, I could change my mind once I actually get involved in government.
On that note, here's a tidbit for your enjoyment:
New Element Discovered
A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest chemical element yet known to science. The new element has been tentatively named "Governmentium". Governmentium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 11 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.
These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert.
However, it can be detected as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would normally take less than a second.
GOVERNMENTIUM has a normal half-life of four years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.
In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to speculate that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass." You will know it when you see it.
When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium - an element which radiates just as much energy since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.
March 18, 2004
Attention Movie Buffs!
OK, who is the biggest movie buff???
You think you are a movie buff? Try this! It's really hard!!
Look at the pics in the excel file and try to determine what movie they are from.
Type in the blank next to the number and it will tell you true or false.
Let me know how many you get!
March 05, 2004
March 01, 2004
The Long-Awaited Primaries
Well they're finally here. After endless campaigning and media hoop-la, the primaries are just a day away. I've been watching the candidates and weighing my decision carefully for months now, but finally as the shoe drops I find myself at a loss. I feel discouraged and my little political efficacy meter is running a tad low.
In the first place, ever since the 2000 presidential election I've lost all confidence in the popular vote. It just doesn't matter. No matter how people justify the electoral college, guarding against tyranny of the masses bullshit...I can't get past this feeling that people just don't go out and vote, and even when they do their vote doesn't count (not to mention that some people's votes don't even get counted!).
Furthermore, even should I regain some level of confidence in the system, I still am having trouble picking out a palatable candidate. Should I vote for the ones I like or should I vote for the ones who I think will have the strongest following in defeating Bush? (Although the ones I like seem to be shooting themselves in the foot and bauching up their campaigns, so it looks like my decision there is made for me.) Should I vote for the ones who I think have a strong domestic program, even though I don't see them as being capable of making a stand in the international forum? Even Clinton, who I thought was an excellent president in getting our country where it needed to be domestically (aside from his personal screw-ups), was complete crap in foreign affairs. Our country is in the gutter royally both domestically and internationally. I want a candidate who shows promise in fixing both (Though pretty much anyone is better than Bush at this point...with the possible exception of Buchanan--and I say possible because at least he's upfront and honest about being a fascist freak.). How do I settle and put up support for someone in whom I have absolutely no confidence?
It makes me almost not want to vote. I've always argued that if you don't vote you don't deserve to complain about what you get. But how can you vote for something you don't really want anyway? How is that voicing your opinion?
**These views are solely the views of the author and are not intended to offend, persuade, cajole or otherwise piss off potential readers. And if they do piss you off, well bugger off. Arguments are certainly welcome but please keep the bashing to a minimum. Cheers!