Well I haven't had computer access this weekend until now, thanks to my brother. t'sa been a pretty slow and lazy weekend anyway so I don't really mind. I've watched a loft of softball what with the Women's NCAA Softball championship going on. I'm pleased the PAC-10 has made such a strong showing and hope UCLA takes it all.
Also glad to see the Rattler's make sucha great comeback in the AFL. They even beat the San Jose Sabercats today. Woohoo!
That's all for now.
Well today was pretty good. I'm still slightly ticked about yesterday's events, but I've easily remedied that situation by banning the individual from the premesis.
Today's test went pretty well. I think I made a few mistakes but not enough to get a really bad grade. I figure I'll get a score in the B range. Then again I could have really screwed it up, but fortunately Bling-bling curves everything if the class average is below is normal average.
I still have one more test tomorrow and need to turn in some homework and then I'm free for a three day weekend.
I am very fucking pissed off right now. My brother's stupid bitch of a girlfriend's mom had the gall to say that because I wasn't married, divorce, or currently dating that made me a lesbian. What the fuck is with that? So what if I don't have a fucking boyfriend right now? There's more to life than just getting laid. What fucking business does she have saying anything? She isn't part of my family and she sure the fuck isn't my friend, so what gives her the fucking right to say anything? Hey she's the dumbass who married a fucking child molester, a fucking child molester who fucked over his own son and daughters. Like she should be talking, the stupid dumb ass bitch!
All I want to do right now is fucking hunt her ass down and beat a fucking clue into her head. Stupid bitch. She sure as hell better never show her face around my apartment again and she sure as hell isn't welcome, especially after all the times I let her use my phone and shit to get her and family's shit together.
She can go to fucking hell and take her fucking loser family with her!
Oh yeah. Summer A midterms are this thursday and friday. I'm not really looking forward to them. Bling-bling is known for making the exams extremely difficult given that they are open book, open notes. I'll just study until my head explodes and hope for the best.
I've noted that I've slacked off on homework the last few days, especially on the most recent assignments. Even tonight, I'm writing this instead of making sure the assignments are done correctly. Just no motivation for the homework I guess. Besides I seem to be doing better than many in the classes, so I can't complain. I'll just have to get myself back into gear after the midterms and Memorial Day weekend.
Not much happening today. I got back one of the quizes I took. It had a 75, but fortunately Bling-bling drops the lowest quiz grade, so I figure that will be this one. Had another quiz today. I think I sucked it up, but we'll see what I get.
Classes otherwise are going.
I'm also feeling a lot better today, other than my nose is still a little stuffed up.
As you can see, Monday's are really boring aren't they?
Not sure if I'll watch the President's speech tonight. Probably not since it's obvious that the political bloodletting season has started early this Presidential election year. Why bother listening to a bunch of adults devolve into spoiled children on national television? Anything they say means nothing, because there's this nice little thing called the political process that involves a few hundred other individuals that make the decision, not some lone guy on top of the hill.
Not much happening, just recovering from cold.
Was disappointed in th Wildcats losing. Oh well. Go Pac-10!
Well I'm still recovering from my cold. I feel fine at times and then I get a sneezing or coughing attack and feel like just going back to sleep.
Watched some of the NCAA Div I Softball tourney. The game between the Crimson Tide and the Bruins was interesting but they pulled off to some sports show after they went into the 9th inning. Very annoying. On a side note: I'm still surprized at the UA Wildcats losing. Well, hopefully they suck it up and win tonight so they can stage a possible comeback tomorrow. If they don't make it I guess I'll just root for the Pac-10 Teams to win the title like they usually do.
I haven't really gotten much homework done for school. Wierd. I look at the problems and just don't seem to get them. I guess I just need some time away from school work today and I'll finish it up tomorrow.
Looks like things are going well for Mr. Browder (Farscape, Memphis Belle, Party of Five). He recently attended Cannes to help promote the latest movie he appears in, a mystery titled "A Killer Within". From what I've seen and read, it looks like a really good flick even though I'm not much into mystery films since I can generally figure out the "who-dunnit" part in ten minutes. Apparently the film keeps you guessing until the very end. So I think I may go see it, once it's released. Besides it's got Ben Browder. (Good looking and this guy can act!)
Yep, I feeling much better. Still occasionally hacking my lungs out and the rare bout of sneezing, but feeling much more energetic. Classes were pretty much the same old, same old. Bling-bling is obviously feeling much better as he started throwing out questions to the class again.
I think I sort of screwed up a quiz we had today, but I expect I'll still get a 75. Doesn't matter really since he drops the lowest quiz score. I'll just make sure to ace the next two quizes.
I'm looking forward to next weeks exams and plan on studying like crazy to be sure an get A's or at least mid range B's on them.
Well, I'm off for now. Got 'Scape fic to read.
I was browsing around the web and came across the news story about a Russian Colonel who in 1983 decided that a alarm at his early warning station that indicated an American Minuteman missile launch was false and was now being honored for doing the right thing by deciding the alarm was in error. In other words he did his job. But The Association of World Citizens gave him an award and are trying to raise money to supplement his meager retirement pension.
Intrigued I went to the The Association of World Citizens site to see what they were all about. Turns out that they are just another group among many that want to (in essence) blame the United States (and it's allies) for all that is wrong in the world. They do have some good ideas, but their extreme leftist view negates and positive effects they could have.
They tend to skewe facts in typical leftist and socialist fashion to favor their agenda, whatever it may be. For exmaple they trot out the already disproven North "stealing" from the blame the "South" and "Rich" getting richer off the "Poor" with the claims of 20% of the worlds population use 80% of the resources and have 80% of the wealth. What the leave off is that these "20%-ers" also produce 80% goods and services. Therefore they are giving and getting in equal manner, it's not going to waste.
It's kind of like the scientific law: 'Energy/matter can not be created or destroyed.
Of course they had all the usual garbage about Nuclear weapons, population control, polution, etc, without any substantial answers and solutions on how to achieve their goals. Their dependence on the U.N. doing anything is also woefully misplaced, even with their calls for the democraticization of the U.N. It isn't going to happen. Too many beurecrats at the U.N. are firmly entrenched in the positions and making a load of money of bribes, kickbacks, and other back room (and illegal) dealings. Oil for Food? Need I say more?
Never once is there anything about taking on the dictatorships of the world, the terrorists, the would be dictators, the slavers, or even the complacent world population. No, it's mostly about blaming the United States, Russia, and other vaguely referred "powers" (read: Europeans)for anything and everything.
So another pathetic group arises to point out blame instead of do anything worthwhile. Sadly, they have some true people of peace on their list that I doubt have really read what this group wants in the fine print.
I didn't feel to bad today, but I'm still dragging pretty hard what with sneezing, coughing, phlegm, mucus, and all the fun that a runny nose brings.
Classes went as expected. I think Bling-Bling may have mostly dropped his asking questions to the class as he does his lecture, probably because he knows a lot of people don't like it especially on a subject that they are learning right at that moment.
I do have a quiz tomorrow, but I'm not too worried about it. I'll be going to study for it after I finish blogging tonight.
Which means now, I guess.
Quote of the day:
"I'm a social moderate, I think we should kill all extremists."
-- unnamed ERAU student
Well I'm still fighting off this light cold, but classes are going on as usual. I continue to get perfect scores on homework so far and we're actually forming or project groups now. Of course it helps some that the group I'm in have all the same classes, so working together is easy since we already do that when doing homework and studying.
Off to finish tomorrow's homework.
Well day 8 went okay. I was sick as a dog for most of the day but went to classes anyway. Things went as expected, no real surprises. I am considering a internship for Summer 2005 but I don't have to decide that until October. For now, I'm just focusing on the Summer classes and upcoming Fall classes.
OK, I know a lot of religious types can't stand the legallization of gay marriage in Massachusetts but I honestly don't get why? I mean are the gay couples preventing heteros from marrying? Is the population in such a decline that we need to force heteros to marry?
Sorry, I don't get it. I live by the live and let live crede of life. Gays don't bother me. None have certainly asked to marry me. So what gives?
I see people demanding a constitutional amendment declaring marriage as between one man and one woman. Well, what about muslims? The Koran allows for multiple wives so long as the man treats and maintains each wife in equal fashion. What about Mormons? I know many don't like their practices, but some do follow the practice of taking multiple wives and most local governments turn a blind eye away from it so long as all the spouses are of legal age.
Sorry, but the Framers of the Constitution new what they were doing and wrote the Constitution the way it is for a specific reason: to prevent abusive powers for the governments and to provide a balance between the majority and minority to prevent tyranny and oppression of those who differ with the power holders.
Well it's a little early to tell, but it looks like the U.S. was right along as far as the presence of WMD being in Iraq what with todays little surprise of sarin being traced in an IED in Iraq. Fortunately, no one was killed by the Sarin as it was in small doses.
To me it just proves the U.S. was right about Iraq's WMD programs and that the weapons are still there (or across the border in not-so friendly Syria). Nevermind the mustard gas found last month by U.S. troops. I suppose the rest of the world just can't stand the idea that the U.S. was correct about the presence of these weapons and will instead continue to concentrate on all the bd things and ignore the good work that has been done.
Does that mean the U.S. should have invaded? Yes, but only because Iraq had violated numerous UN mandates which called for military force to make Saddam's Iraq comply and continually attacked forces enforcing the no-fly zones protecting the Kurds and Shias and provided assistance to paramilitaries, terrorists, and other global undesirables.
Well, I've encountered my first problems with Neveron. Those interested in following my travails with Neveron should read The Neveron K4 Group blog.
Colonel Robert Morgan (1918-2004), the commander of the first bomber to reach 25 missions in World War II, the B-17 "Memphis Belle", has died late Saturday night due to complications from a fall. The crew of the Memphis Belle completed its 25th bombing mission during World War II on May 17, 1943. It was a historic number as it was the first heavy bomber in the European theater to last 25 missions, the magic number to be sent home.
The book "The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle" and film "Memphis Belle" (an admittedly a highly fictionalized account of the crews 25th mission) cover much of the story of the Memphis Belle.
Well I went ahead and did it. I created a Neveron empire called K4 Group. So far Neveron is okay, if a bit confusing at times. The guys there really do need to work on the interface some, but over all it seems to run pretty well.
I haven't really done much today. Just the usual weekender for college student I guess (minus the bar scene): homework, tv, music, etc. Looks like I'll actually be ahead on school work by the end of tomorrow, too.
I finally received the student loan check, which is good. I was starting to wonder about it what wit rent and utilities coming due.
You know what I just don't really have much to say right now. I'll just go off and surf the web.
Today went pretty well. Just another quiz and turning in homework. I found out I earned an 89 on the yesterday's quiz, which is pretty good, and I continue to dust the homework. I guess I'm just a little ticked still at last semester's grades and so I am making sure there is no doubt about what I will or will not get.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I'm going to go ahead and start playing Neveron. I think I'll just make it a practive empire since a bunch of people from ERAU are planning on getting together and sort of starting up/renewing the Classic Battletech/Neveron gamers group that used to exist on campus.
I may even start a new blog on Neveron if it doesn't turn out to be somewhat lame.
I must say that I rather like the new templates available for bloggers here at blogger.com. I chose a new one that fit what I thought was the best feel of the blog and the website I run the blog from.
I don't know why I haven't mentioned this site before, but it's the place to go to get information on Scaper events and conventions.
Farscape Regional Operations
Scape, scape, scape.
The weekend is almost here. Yay. Classes went well again today. Had a quiz, which I think I did okay on, but not great. Fortunately, I'm still raking in the A's and Bs on assignments so things should be going all right.
Not much else to say at the moment, I guess.
Let's see. World news:
Zarqawi killed Berg. No big surprise there. Zarqawi is a nutbag terrorist and just reaffirmed it with his latest act of cowardice. When he's dead and gone, no one is going to care about him except the perverts who follow him in the first place. As to Berg's parent's blaming the Bush admin fortheir son's death, they are wrong. A bunch of pathetic terrorists led by an even more pitiful excuse for a life are responsible. Not Bush. And I am not a Bush fan.
Opposition Wins India Vote Not really that surprising to those who watch the goings on in that region of the world. I don't think it will change much in the way regional affairs.
Lybia Ends Trade With Iran, Syria A step in the right direction for Lybia. Almost makes me think Qaddafi really wants peaceful coexistence. Almost. The terrorist supporter has a long way to go in my book to prove he's changed.
Today was pretty good as far as classes went. It seems Hitman has decided to call on me at least once every class period since I'm the only girl in the class, but it doesn't bother me since he's been unable to stump me on a question yet.
I also met another Battletech player at the school today. He was talking about Neveron (a Battletech inspired online game involving empires and armies and what not) and we quickly got to talking about Battletech and some of the games we've played. It was good to finaly talk to a BT player who seemed to know what he was talking about. We may even set up a game to play, since a number of other students seemed interested in what we we're talking about.
Not much happening today aside from my brother being sick from a cold and his girlfriend starting to really piss me off with her hanging around whining about not having a job and getting kicked out of were she is staying because her mom wants to sell the place. Hello? Get a damned job already, and keep it for more than a day for once! Idiot. I have no tolerance for moochers like that.
Anyway, classes continue without too much difficulty. I'm starting to wish I had taken 3 classes this session instead of just two, but it's probably for the best. Get some A's to jack up the old GPA and all that. Besides it's pretty cool having the same prof for all my classes. You get to know them pretty well, so it makes it easier when doing assignments and exams.
Music of the Hour: "Are You Feelin' This"
Just another day here at ERAU Prescott, AZ, of classes, studying, classes, grocery shopping, studying, more studying, and even more...well you get the idea. Actually it's not a bad thing, reallly. Half the day is classes and studying, the rest my own time for my own activities, like writing inane blogs like this. ;-).
I did see the Hitman (aka Bling-Bling) after classes today. He seemed surprised at running into each other but can't blame him. Not many students go grocery shopping right after class. Heh.
Yep, the Arizona Rattlers won another AFL game today in fine fashion against the San Jose Saber Cats. Yay!!
I just love how the "Over The Hill" gang (aka Bonner, Cooper, and the Rattler gang) have been fighting so hard to save what started to look like a horrible season. Now they have a good shot at another run for the Arena Bowl if they can keep the good work up!
I'm pulling for ya guys!
Go Rattlers!
Normally, I like to keep things light here, but I felt the need to write this down.
While I completely abhor the terrorist tactics used by the Chechen guerrillas, I can't say that I am surprised by today's events. While Chechen terrorist tactics are ill conceived and damaging to their cause in the eyes of many in the world, it must be remembered that it was the Russians (and their Soviet era leadership) that initiated much of the bloodshed in the region out of an overexaggerated self importance, arrogance, greed, racism, sectarianism, and avarice. The hatred that exists between Chechnya and Russia did not always exist, It came about as a direct result of Soviet imperialism, an imperialism that has remanifested itself in Russian politics.
A brief history of the Russian-Chechen conflict:
1922 Chechnya was made a autonomous region in the USSR, along with several other regions such as Ingushetia and Abkhazia (now known as other hotspots of anti-Russian sentiment and growing terrorism).
1944 Stalin tries to expel Chechens and Ingush from their homeland in order to "russify" the region. This set the pattern of repression of minorities that would become the standard for the USSR for decades to come.
1991-1992 Chechnya peacefully votes for independence from Russia. The Russian government mildly objects but did nothing.
1994 Russia invades Chechnya based on allegations of criminal activity and terrorism, evidence of which Russia to this day has refused to present to the world citing "security".
1996 After a bloody war with numerous atrocities and desertions in the Russian ranks, Russia and Chechnya sign peace agreement in effect acknowledging Chechen sovereignty. By July Russia reinvades Chechnya.
1998 Russia declares victory even as more reports surface of Russian military war crimes, razing of villages and towns, looting, desertion, and numerous other criminal acts on the part of Russian service men.
2000, 2001, 2003: Russia announces defeat of Chechens and appoints new leaders, some who leave, are killed, or otherwise resign their positions over Russian military activities.
July 11, 2003 Chechen "Black Widow" female suicide bombers seize a Moscow Theater. Hundreds are killed when the Russians use a known illegal chemical weapon to retake the Theater.
The fact that the latest Russian puppet was assassinated is nothing new. The Russian government called him a President, and yet still claim Chechnya is part of Russia? How can that be? President's run countries, not states or republics or territories. This simply shows the duplicity of the Putin government in trying to continue their justification to occupy Chechen lands by force.
From the invasion of Afghanistan and supporting dictatorial regimes it is these excesses by Russia that has made the entire region a hot bed for terrorist, nationalists, Islamic extremists, and other criminal elements. And who suffers? Not Russia, despite claims to contrary. No, it is the Kazakhs, the Tajiks, the Ingush, the Chechen, the Abkhazs, the Georgians, and all countries in the surrounding region that pay for the Russian government's mistakes.
Sadly, Putin has learned nothing and so who else is added to the list of sufferers: Russia's sons and daughters sent to fight a war that has no meaning for Russians but means freedom and independence to Chechens.
Damn. Over a year and I still miss Farscape. Sure Skiffy caved in and there's a mini-series set to be shown later this year, but bloody hell. Farscape was such a fine science fiction show, especially in this day and age of boring unReality Television.
*sigh*
Just a few more months.
Just some sites I ran across while wandering the web, delaying my return to homework.
Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird
Pabaah!
The Great Satan Quarterlyinteresting stuff, weird, that's all I'll say. okay how about "jihad football"?
Imam Ali Foundation I guess even Islamic fundamentalists like al-Sistani need websites to get followers. Too bad the rest of the Iraqi Shia community hates his Iranian backed ass for what he's been doing in Najaf and elsewhere while tarnishing the name of a great Islamic tradition.
A strange as United North America sounds aparently there are some who advocate the United States and Canada mering into one nation. even though I've met many Canadians who didn't like their government I don't see a merger likely to happen.
Would it be a good thing? Sure. I think it would be good for both countries. The people on both sides of the border are virtually indistringuishable from one another culturally, societally, politically, etc. I just don't think ultranationalists on both sides would ever let it happen without some heavy restrictions that would in effect make a merger pointless. Then again I could be wrong. Maybe NAFTA is the first step in such a merger?
I also added a new blog a ran across that I found interesting that focuses on a part of the world that is far too often ignored even in this day and age of terrorism. Take a look. You might get a different perspective on Africa.
That about sums up things today, aside from getting annoyed at some of the assigned homework from school. It's easy enough to do, but somewhat boring to me. Still, must stay the course and all that if I want to get some A's. TV news seemed pretty much the same old same old.
The news did get me thinking about how biased the reports are in favor of one political view over an other. It's a bias not only in the regular broadcast networks but on the cable ones as well. it's very annoying. I don't want to be told what to think. Just present me the facts (all of the facts) and I'll make my own decision. Don't editorialize, don't give me your opinion. I don't care about a bunch of teleprompter jockey's opinions and I certainly don't want their social agenda.
Hmm. A rant against the corporate media has begun, I see. Sorry, I didn't intend that to happen. But think about it.
When was an honest report given with all the facts without any interjections of opinion or sensationalism by a news reporter? Add to this why most of the really important news in the world is ignored in favor of an insignificant (though disgusting) number of soldiers committing crimes, attempts to present Iraq as Vietnam, and the alleged hatred the rest of the world has for the United States. In a decade no one is going to care about those criminal soldiers (who with a little justice will hopefully still be serving jail time for the crimes), Iraq will be just another country doing it's own thing (assuming the United Nations, Iranians, Turks, Islamists, and other terrorist wanna-be's leave them in peace), and thousands will still be lining up to enter the United States with the hopes and drams of becoming citizens.
Second day of classes went well. Just some notes and the prof's love of calling on people to make the class more interactive. (He spent some time at an education workshop that suggested this.) A couple of friends and I have already formed a research group for our projects since we're all in the same classes together.
Only bummer is that they haven't disbursed the student loan funds yet, but that always seems to get delayed every semester, soit's nothing new there.
Well, I made the mistake today of browsing through AOL's forums out of interest in seeing what other AOL members were discussing regarding Iraq, the Abu Ghraib prison abuse, world politics, economics, etc., and came to a simple conclusion. The vast majority of posters are ignorant, self-centered, and racist. In a number of cases they are all three.
Most disturbing was the instant jump to racism whenever someone had a differing opinion or didn't like something. Especially annoying were the racists (in particular a group of Latino and black racial supremacists) blaming everyone else for their problems and boasting about how "wonderful" the world will be when "they" are "in charge". Pathetic.
People just need to grow up and out of the old world mentality of judging people by the race, gender, or religion. It's stupid and does not accomplish anything but perpetuating violence and hated. Let it go already. Embrace the future.
Well, day one of the new semester has come and gone. Classes went well, but then there wasn't any homework officially assigned yet. That didn't stop some of us from getting a jump on it though. Seven week class sessions can be a killer if you get behind in the work. Of course, having the same Prof for all your classes makes things a little easier to deal with. I think he was surprised that a couple of us have already started the homework and already came to him with questions on it. Ha!
It was nice to meet up with friends and associates again, chatting about last semester, grades, teachers we disliked/liked, Cinco de Mayo parties, etc. All in all a typical first day back at classes.
OK. Not really. It's just the day before summer session classes start at ERAU. I've already got the syllabus for both classes and have finished the homework for one. Crazy, huh? Yep. But I want there to be no possible way to get anything less than a B for either class. Period.
I'm still a little ticked about some of the grades I received last semester. I was certain they'd be higher and well....Let's not go there. It just gets me aggravated.
Been watching the news lately and can't help but wonder at some things.
The Abu Ghraib Prison Thing. What the hell were these soldiers thinking? I mean come off it. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior! I hope each and everyone of those responsible are dishonorably discharged and spend prison time for their actions and not just get some half-assed judicial separation from the service. These people are a disgrace to the uniform, America, and the human race.
Fahrenheit 911 AKA whinny Leftist White Boy Whines Again.
Sorry, but I have had it with Moore. Once upon a time his presentations had useful and meaningful purpose. Now all he is doing is pushing his extreme leftist garbage and spewing about his free speech rights whenever someone disagrees with him, but has no problems with trampling on the rights of those who disagree with him. Hypocrite!
Who's his target now? Disney. Simply because they have opted not to distribute his latest politically motivated drivel and hate mongering. So what is his first reaction? Bitch and whine about how his free speech rights are being trampled. Guess what, dude? Disney is a company. They're all about the greenbacks! Disney isn't stupid enough to be associated with something that they feel will hurt their marketability. It's capitalism, idiot.
Maybe Moore should do a self documentary: "Dude, Where's My Brain?"
It's sad. I used to actually respect this guy.
Strange. In a couple of weeks I'll have been attending Embry-Riddle (Prescott) for a full year now. Two years more to go to graduation. Whee!
Seriously, it's been a strange year. Love the school, classes, and people. Sometimes hate the same school, classes and people. Overall I'd say things went amazingly well. I'm extremely glad that I chose the school over Arizona State, UofA, CalTech, and Texas A&M. Nothing against those schools (save lame ASU) but I found ERAU to be better suited to my educational and career goals.
Heck, I'm even recruiting/mentoring a kid here in Prescott who wants to go to ERAU some day. I guess that means I'm completely hooked by ERAU, with all its inherent combination of flaws and perfection that make the school so interesting to attend.
My best friend is starting up his own webhosting/computer support company. Looks like a pretty good deal for small websites not expecting a wole lot of traffic. It's not bad for $5 a month for the low end package from what I can see. The bandwidth might be a little low, but I expect that'll improve as he and his partners get more customers and can afford more equipment to
improve the bandwidth.
Anyway, check 'em out at Blacksheep Web Design.
Mozilla 1.6 Wow, I'm rather impressed with Mozilla once I ditched the old school Netscape look and added on a few nifty plug-ins and such to the browser. It'll take some time to fully figure out everything like the Chatzilla thing and what not, but it looks good so far.
Yep after so many months of nothing I am back to blogging (and websurfing at that) once more.
So much happening, so much having happened. I won't bore anyone with the details but suffice to say, I was virtually net free for far too long. Now I need to catch up on my web page, my writing, blogging, etc.
So if anyone out there is still reading this thing, you can expect more soon (-ish).
Karolyn Gray's stream of consciousness on the web...ok maybe not.
