Classes at school today were not really noteable. In fact the only thing really noteable was the smoke from the California wild fires practically blotting out the sun in Prescott, Arizona. It's kind of strange being able to look directly at the sun that looked orange. The bad part was everyone seemed to be getting headaches, breathing problems and what not from the smoke. Hopefullly California's government will quit whining to Federal government and get off their asses and put the damned fires out. There's no excuse for their irresponsible inaction when the fires were still small.

Well today went pretty well at school. I talked to my advisor and then dropped MA441. The math prof didn't seem to care if I dropped or not, which is all right with me. Too bad she's not teaching the class next semester. Ah well. My AE101 prof was a little late to class but that's okay. Almost no one left since we have our next and last exam Thursday.

So now begins the prepping fir both my AE101 and Dynamics exams this thursday.

Well nothing special to mention today at school. My Physics prof put off the homework that was due today until our next session on Wednesday. I also decided to drop my MA441 class. I hate to do it, but it's better than getting an F tacked on to my GPA. I also know the MA441 prof isn't going to be happy given she was obviously upset at another student dropping the class. So tomorrow I'm off to talk to my advisor, then the prof, and then the admissions office. Fun, fun, fun.

Aside from school...

It's good to see they were actually able to pull off the San Diego/Miami NFL game that was transferred to Sun Devil Stadium here in Arizona due to the California wild fires. They did a good job what with free admission in exchange for donations for the California fire relief. Apparently nearly $500,000 was raised if the announcers were correct.

The funny part of the whole thing is that I think there are more fans to see this game then there have been to see the Arizona Cardinals play. Then again the Cards suck. Allways have since they came to Az and their constant "this year will be better". Az should have held out for an NFL expansion team.

Well, it's Sunday night and another weekend of homework and the usual chores are done. Well, mostly done... I still need to finish off my Physics homework.

Well, I've decided to drop my MA441 class and it looks like I've found a couple of potential apartments as well.

That's all for now.

It's FRIDAY!!!

Too bad I still feel like crap. I felt pretty good earlier today, but now I feel like crap again. I know it's the constant up and down of the drive from Phoenix to Prescott and back along with what I'm guessing is an allergy to the creosote (sp?) getting put into the atmosphere by the controlled burns by the forest service.

Anyway, today was just another typical day at school. Nothing special going on there really. Next week's going to be busy there with Physics and Dynamics homework due on Monday, a quiz and homework on Wednesday for MA441, an AE101 and Dynamics exams on Thursday along with homework for Fluids. I may skip Friday except that there is a quiz in MA441. If I drop MA441 before wednesday, I think I will skip Friday classes to check out apartments. Maybe not. I don't know.

Another day has come and gone. Nothing really of interest to write about. Feel kind of blah, too. I probably make an appointment with the doctor just to be sure nothing's wrong.

Well today was reasonably good. I got a B on my last Physics exam, just missing out on an A by two points due to silly errors and doing one of the problems using a method learned in my fluids class to determine the pressure, instead of the formula the prof wanted us to use. At least the answer was right! Ah well.

My aim for the next exam is to get a 100% since in my last Physics class that covered oscillations I got an 89%.

The rest of classes were the same old-same old, though I was a little ticked off to find out that the Dynamics grader was biased in grading the homework on top of the fact that we were not required to actually work out the calculus needed to solve the problems, just set them up properly. *sigh*

Nothing special to mention about today. It was just a typical day at ERAU. About the only thing of interest was the Fluids prof putting off the homework due date until next class period. I still haven't decided whether to drop MA441. I still have until the end of the month, but I'm still not sure. I hate dropping a class. The only other class I ever dropped I wasn't learning anything.

Well, not much to say today. Still not feeling one hundred percent, but went to classes anyway.

I got my score back for my MA441 class. Let's just say the grade was a lot less desired and leave it at that. I'll probably drop the class by the end of the week. I don't want to but it's a matter of making sure my GPA stays high for scholarships and such.

The Physics exam today went pretty well for me, except one problem I couldn't remember how to solve. The rest of the questions were easy. I figure if I didn't make a lot of silly mistakes like the last exam, I'll get a mid to high B.

And finally, my Dynamics professor was back from his surgery and should be all right for the rest of the semester.

News Round Up

White House Adviser Takes Issue with U.S. General iWon - News It's about time someone in the oval office noticed this man. He may be military but he's using his position to push a christian agenda and tying it to the U.S. military by wearing his uniform. With guys like this it's no wonder moderate muslims wonder if the extremists are correct in saying Americans are nothing but "infidels" and "Crusaders" out to destroy them.

Mother Theresa Beatified - iWon.. It's good to see such a noble woman acknowledged for the good she has done in the world during her lifetime. More Christians (and followers of any religion for that matter) should follow her example in life. There would be a lot less conflict, that's for sure.

I fear though the Pope has abused his power in the Catholic church though by dispensing beatification far too often and at times that call into question the appointments as nothing more than political machinations.

New Chechnya President Inaugurated - iWon. The guy is a complete puppet of Russia, who conveniently "organized" the election in Chechnya. According to all polls this guy was roundly despised and was not going to win a truly open and democratic election. Don't count on peace in Chechnya so long as this guy and the Russians remain in the region. The Chechens don't want the Russians there, period.

Woman Sentenced for Intercepting E-Mail - iWon This incident here is Arizona puts me a bit into a quandry. I am a hard line believer in the right to privacy. I'm also of the opinion that the means the woman used to look at the e-mails was obviously illegal and she got off lightly. I do question the man's own actions though. If he were faithful in the first place, none of this would have ever occured. All in all a screwed up situation.

I was just thinking after reading some of my previous blogs that I seem to complain a lot lately. I don't mean to do so. I just get annoyed with the bias in the news media that is either too liberal or too conservative and always pushing an agenda. Worse to me is when real news stories are ignored of in favor of fluff and pap. I guess people now think entertainment is more important than information, sensationalism over factual reporting, negativity over positive events.

Entertainment, sensationalism, and negativity have it's place, but enough is enough. I'm more concerned on the goings on in the middle east (both good and bad), North Korea, Europe, the Economy, and the goings on of the politicians in Washington than I am in in an overabundance of coverage on some spoiled basketball star's indescretions and possible rape charges, a hypocritical conservative talk show getting his come uppance, the latest and useless gadget some company/person wants me to buy, the media elite's demand that I listen/watch/read what they think I should read, and the weekly movie/show/music/book/author "of the century" and "critically acclaimed" (even though no one has actually read/seen/listened to any of them yet).

That said, I'm going to try to be more positive in my out look. Don't expect me to stop blasting stupidity and idiocy when I see it, but I'll try to be more understanding of the fact that people do stupid things. Pointing it out won't change their stupidity, but maybe it'll make them think before they act the next time.

One of my old favorite sayings:

"Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth."

I'm feeling a bit better today. Still a little tired, but I have things to do. I watched the start of the World Series but got bored and switched channels. I guess I don't really have anything else to say right now.

Gigi Edgly single CD

Looks like Gigi's been keeping busy making music as well as acting. Good to see her expanding out. gigiptp It's a bit expensive but the folks over at Save Farscape campaign forums are looking to band together so they can get some CD singles for bulk rate. I like the sample I've heard. Different from the usual corportate garbage. It reminds me a bit of goa.

And the Grand Coward spews once more

Yep, UBL is spewing is mouth off again. American is evil, we will kill you, jews enslave you, blah, blah, blah. Aljazeera.Net - Full text of UBL message to US

Especially amusing is the line:

Nations are nothing without ethics and morals. If these are gone, the nations are gone

Ahem. Maybe that's part of the reason the Islamic world has been in decline for so many centuries. Too many countries have thrown out ethics and morals out the window, but none so more than the dictatorships of the Arab world.

Typical Mexican (In)justice

And people wonder why I have no use for Mexico in general. Read the article and you'll see why. If you think it's only a rare thing, you don't live in a U.S. border state and see Mexican corruption and "justice" at work first hand. Stuff like this extortion by the Mexican government, military, and police go on all the time with our southern neighbor. Mexican Eviction Notes Scare Expatriates-iWon News

Today sucked. Woke up feeling ill, so stayed home sick and slept most the day. The only good thing was the fact that I didn't have any exams, quizes, or homework due.

Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Examples of Faulty Muslim Thought

The Malaysian PMs recent comments at the Organization of the Islamic Conference highlights the faulty thinking among Islamic countries. Instead of encouraging Muslims to take responsibility for their own actions and political climate, he continually implies the whole world is out to destroy Muslims and Islam. This thinking alone is what keeps the rest of the world viewing Muslims and Islam with suspicion, disregard, and disdain. Excerpts From Malaysian PM's Speech
-iWon News

It's easy to blame others for your own fallacies, miscalculation, and choices. People do it all the time, but that does not mean that it should be an acceptable excuse for the criminal actions of some.

Chinese Space Station?

After the Sacred Vessel launch I'm not really surprised that the Chinese now plan to build a space station. Now my question is, why is the U.S. government so intent on hampering (and in some cases, dismantling) the American space program under the guise of internationalism? Official Says China Plans Space Station
-iWon News

EU Constitution

It's strange really about the Europeans and their EU constitution. What the United States was able to spell out in a single document some 200+ years ago takes the EU thousands of pages with numerous contradictions and, worst of all, attempts to subjugate smaller nations of the EU to the domination of the larger or stronger economic powers of Europe.

Another point that will spell trouble in Europe is the lack of democratic institutions in the EU executive. In the EU constitutions current incarnation the European people do not even get to vote who represents them to the EU. Their government appoint a representative! This in an organization that a number of countries envision ruling all of Europe by passing laws and regulations that supercede the member nations.

This sounds like the path of dictatorship and autocracy that has ruined European countries repeatedly over the centuries.

For the these reasons, I utlimately see the European Union failing by dissolution or another European war being sparked by these inadequacies. EU Leaders Tackle Constitution, Economy
-iWon News

Man, today was long. Well, okay, normal length but it felt longer after running on only three hours of sleep. I swear I nearly fell asleep in Physics and MA441. My AE101 group's meeting seem to go well. Even our oft absent member showed up, though she did whine a little.

Well off to do homework.

The Israeli Government's True Colors

You have got to wonder about a government that claims it wants peace but then has a cow when individuals try to get together and forge a peace where governments fail. Then again this is the Zionist government of the war monger Sharon, not the Israeli people.Israel Angry With Swiss Over Peace Plan
-iWon News

Sacred Vessel 5 update

Well the Chinese did. Sacred Vessel 5 successfully completed its goal of taking a chinese astronaut into space. China's First Astronaut iWon - News

Marriage Protection Act?

Or whatever it was Bush declared this week to be.

You have got to be kidding me! Okay, I knew Bush was part of the extreme right wing in this country (though he did well in the aftermath of September until stumbling at the end of the Iraq conflict) but this is completely nuts.

Why does marriage need to be protected? Who's threatening it?

Gays? Puh-leeze! All Gays want it equal protection and benefits given Heteros under the law. Isn't equality what we strive for in the United States of America?

Single people? Get real. Single people usually end up becoming married, so that takes them off the threat list. Besides, the laws and taxes favor singles over marrieds in this country. If anything there should be a protect singles week from the abuses this favoritism breeds.

Common law couples? How can these people hurt marriage? They live as married couples but just don't have or want the religious overtones. What's wrong with that? Better than being single moms or dads, if you ask me.

Athiests? hardly. They marry too, just not with any religious trappings.

Who then? Aliens from outer space? The Gay Whales? Al Qaeda?(why not, the gov seems to blame everything on those AQ losers) Who?

Basically I put it down to President Bush's religious intolerance and false moral superiority getting in the way of his job (as well as alienating the moderate republicans such as myself). His father made the same mistake of selling out to the right wing religious nutbags in a bad economy and eventually lost the election. Mr. Bush is now following exactly in his father's footsteps at this point.

Sigh.

Long day. An okay day, but long none the less.

About the only thing of interest at school was the spat in my AE101 group between the one member who hasn't shown up whining about how the rest of us were at fault for her inability to attend design meetings. Too bad she chose to ignore the fact that all of us have tried to keep her in the loop and she just doesn't show up. I left when she started whining, but heard from others that she decided to go to the prof about it. I think she should take a serious look at her own behavior first, straighten out her priorities, and make an effort to participate more.

As for my self, I got the expected notice from the records department at school on my poor grades in Dynamics and MA441. The grade I get on the MA441 exam will decide whether I drop the class this semester since I really don't need it at this time. The Dynamics class I'm going to stick to no matter what the grade, even if it means repeating the class next semester. My advisor will be disappointed in my performance in either case, but no more than I am at myself at the moment.

The apartment hunt goes on. At this point I'm tempted to take whatever scum bag place I can get for a few months until the semester is over before finding a real place over the winter break. We'll see what happens but I plan to be moved into my new place by the end of the month.

Well another standard day at school aside from having a substitute prof for the week in Dynamics. That's fine with me since the prof is question is far better than the usual one. Physics was boring, nothing new learned there. MA441 was interesting but I would have also liked to have our exam scores.

My AE101 group actually met today, though it was only myself and two others. The other two didn't show up. I suppose they forgot. Despite their absence we got pretty far and looks like for once we'll actually be done before the latest round of the project is due this thursday.

On the homefront, my aunt called up out of the blue to invite us all to Thanksgiving dinner at her place. I'm not sure whether I should go or not. I mean, I don't hear a word from her is years (and the last time we spoke left me with less than loving thoughts of her) and all of sudden she's playing peacemaker. It doesn't make sense really.

I'll probably go but I'm not taking any crap from her or anyone else in the family.

Well the week is over and a new one beginning.

In the world:

*Swarzenegger becomes the Governor-elect of California.
*Terrorists attack Israel again
*Israel attacks Palestinians in retaliation
*Israel attacks Syria for no reason (claiming retaliation here as well)
*The Dems continue to attack each other
*The French show their hypocrisy by denying religious freedom to Muslim school girls while claiming they support all freedom
*Palestine remains occupied
*Terrorists still threaten
*The Roman Catholic Church's continued arrogance and ignorance on nearly every issue in existence.

In other words, the same old-same old. Makes you realize it's amazing the human race ever got out of the stone age.

Then again, I think my brother is right most of the time: Man learned to walk because after he fell out of the trees, he was too stupid to figure out how to climb back up.

Even Rocket Scientist can be stupid

As an aerospace engineering student (who wants to specialize is astronautics) I can't help but find this article completely hilarious.

Paint Brush May Aid in Repair of Shuttle-iWon News

Just goes to show that there needs to be a major rethink by the high IQ boys and the administration over at NASA on just how they are operating.

Sacred Vessel 5

Well it looks like the Chinese are going to be sending a human into space sometime between this Wednesday and Friday. Normally I would laud the advancement of space flight in the world, but in this case I cannot.

China's hostile intent toward its democratic neighbors, it's brutal repression of political opposition, free press, and religious freedom, horrific human rights abuses, the illegal occupation of Tibet, the constant threats against Taiwan, and selling weapons and weapons technology to known terrorist states make it impossible for me to welcome them to the elite club of space faring nations. Acknowledge their accomplishment, yes. Welcome it, never. Not until they change their ways into a democratic country that respects international law, recognizes the sovereignty of Tibet and Taiwan, and ends its brutal repression of its own people.

About the only thing I can hope for is the launch will scare the crap out of our lazy politicians, prompting them to return America to space pre-eminence by providing greater funding to NASA and encouraging private corporations to advance their space programs.

Chechya

Interesting tidbit in light of the modern Russian invasion, opression, and "democritization" of the Chechen people.

Grozny (the Chechen capital) means "the terrible" and was founded in 1818 as a fortress when Russian forces were first trying to subdue Chechnya.

Leo Tolstoy, who was a soldier near Grozny in the 1850s, wrote of a land where nervous Russian soldiers battled fierce warlords, where men were seized and thrown into pits. The same happens in Chechnya 2003 - just put the Russian soldiers on armored cars instead of horseback and give the warlords shoulder-fired missiles in place of single-shot rifles.--From Chechnya Offerd Road to Normalcy-iWon News

The Russians are fools to think they can control the Chechen people. These people have never been controlled and likely never will be controlled by foreigners until the last Chechen is dead. Besides, I can't help but wonder why the Russians feel so threatened by a small group of people who want nothing more than to be left alone to rule themselves?

Iran's Radicals...

Somehow I'm not really surprised that the radical ayatolla's reactions to an Iranian woman getting the Nobel prize as noted in Iran Hard-Liners Condemn Nobel Committee-iWon News. I almost feel sorry for such men who have so low self esteem that they are afraid of a woman campaigning to protect women and children from abuse. Then again, the Iranian ayatolla's are a bunch of sanctimonious cowards who use thugs and criminals to enforce their false brand of Shia Islam in Iran and continually ignore the teachings of the holy Quran itself.

Well nothing really happening today. I did some school work, watched some college football games (ASU did good) and some of the baseball post season games. Other than that, I just lounged about.

Even the news was the same old boring thing riddled with stupidity and hipocrisy and opinion.

Today's word...

Ceilidh (pronounced key-li) - a Scotts-Irish social gathering involving music, dancing, and story telling.

Whew! Been busy the past few days, but the weekend is here and it's time to rest. At little.

My Fluid Mechanics exam didn't go all that well. I passed, but the grade sucks. I think I did better on my MA441 Exam today. Not sure it's enough to finish the semester, but I should know for sure Monday when we get the exams back. I don't want to drop MA441 but I don't want a low grade screwing up my GPA, either. I'll just have to wait and see.

It looks like my Mom's finally got a buyer for her old 1990 Olds Silhouette (sp?) so she seems relatively happy about that.

Well today went pretty well I guess for my Fluid Mechanics exam. I don't think I got an A, but I think I did reasonably well. I'll just have to wait and see what grade I receive.

Math on the other hand is not making a lick of sense to me. I tried doing the homework but none of the answers I got matched the answers. Fuck it. Even with the lack of time to study the book sucks and the teacher isn't much better so it's not really surprising I've got a sucky grade right now.

Anyway, looks like Swarzenegger has been elected the new governor of California and Davis is out despite the last minute (and quite pathetic, in my opinion) smear campaign against Swarzenegger. Well, looks like Californian's have chosen.

Aaarrrggghhh!!!

That about sums up today for me. I forgot about my Physics homework that was due today, the quiz in my MA441 class, and the MA441 exam that is this Friday. This on top of two Dynamics homeworks due (one on Wednesday, one on Friday), studying for tomorrow's Fluid Mechanics exam, and looking for an apartment.

Gah!

Prescott Air Fair 2003

Just got back from the Prescott Air Fair today. I had a great time despite my mom deciding to inviote herself along. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that she wanted to come. What I did mind was her complaining she was bored fifteen minutes after we started looking around. We also picked up my brother's friend, Marco to go to the show.

Anyway, I had a good time checking out the changes in the B-17 Bomber "Sentimental Journey" since the last time I saw it some seven years ago along with an vintage DC-3, a P-51 Mustang from the Red Tail Project (that's the Tuskegee Airmen). Marco actually got help push the P-51 onto the runway. Funny thing is I now have a red neck too! Ha! Got to love sunburn. Let's see, there was some Blackhawk helicopters, a Spitfire under renovation, an old plane that I think was Russian but had Chinese markings. I never did figure out what plane it was.

So I have lots of pics to go get developed and can post on the web. Until they get back, I'm off to capture pics from my brother's vid recording.

Ah, friday.

End of the week and the beginning of the weekend. An added bonus is the arrival of the last of the FinAid for school.

I'm really looking forward to going to the Fly-in in Prescott tomorrow. I haven't been to an airshow in five or six years. Even then it was just the Luke AFB open house. I haven't been to a real airshow in probably ten years.

Ah, thursday and another day of AE101 and Fluids lectures at ERAU. I'm looking forward to this week ending, especially with the Fly In at Prescott Airport and ERAU's Octoberwest celebrations. An added bonus is that I'm supposed to get the last of my FinAid tomorrow as well.

I also got some new rave music from DJ Grim. Awesome and unusual sound. Better than that pop garbage that comes out.

Well today was a little different at school. Two of my profs (Dynamics and MA441) had substitutes to cover for them. Funny thing is, I liked the subs way of teaching much better than my regular profs. Okay, one of them had practically indecipherable writing, but his explanations and examples made a lot more sense to me than the usual profs examples. Physics was a little boring but at least we should have our exams back Friday, so I can see how I did.

Getting back to Phoenix took 3 hours due to a nasty accident between Prescott and Prescott Valley that I suspect ended in one or more fatalities.

I see the stupid moment of the day goes to Rush Limbaugh for his comments about a black quarterback. Sure I have no doubts about the race card being played in all sports as far as which person plays what position, but I think skill is more of a deciding factor overall. But I can't say Limbaugh is alone in comments like these. What about Baker's (a black) comments about Latinos not too long ago? Racism...it's not just for white fascists anymore.

Word of the day (a new one for me in this case):

Pulchritudinous - possessing physical beauty.