Life is never as simple as it seems.
I'm one of those people who's always unsure of themselves. Whatever situation I'm in, I'm usually testing myself to see if I can respond in some predefined universally perfect manner to some stimulus. I know for the most part that this is ridiculous, that one's actions should always be something natural and sound based on the reasoning at the time and your own instinct. But I still do it, though more covertly.
Why? Why do these things have to be? Why can't I trust myself?
Life is never as simple as it seems.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Worms of death
Have you ever read a Nicolas D. Kristof column? Usually (at least for me), it's pretty depressing stuff: genocide, hunger, suffering. And the one I last read, 'Torture By Worms' is right up there.
But however much other people's pain makes you cringe, or however much it doesn't, you cannot escape the fact that what he writes isn't some stuff out of a Stephen King novel. Sadly, it does actually happen to be reality.
Well, that particular column describes what must be one of the most horrible things I can imagine. Guinea worms, parasites that find their way inside you, before finding their way out again, are probably something you wouldn't want to find within a hundred miles of you. In fact, the sight of this torturous affliction moved Jimmy Carter to tears according to Kristof.
Even more sadly, something which I use and sometimes ignore on a daily or hourly basis, clean water, is what one needs to have in order to avoid the disease (the worm is spread in contaminated water according to Wikipedia).
I just like to say that I don't think anyone should have to go through that. Ever.
But however much other people's pain makes you cringe, or however much it doesn't, you cannot escape the fact that what he writes isn't some stuff out of a Stephen King novel. Sadly, it does actually happen to be reality.
Well, that particular column describes what must be one of the most horrible things I can imagine. Guinea worms, parasites that find their way inside you, before finding their way out again, are probably something you wouldn't want to find within a hundred miles of you. In fact, the sight of this torturous affliction moved Jimmy Carter to tears according to Kristof.
Even more sadly, something which I use and sometimes ignore on a daily or hourly basis, clean water, is what one needs to have in order to avoid the disease (the worm is spread in contaminated water according to Wikipedia).
I just like to say that I don't think anyone should have to go through that. Ever.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
War!...again?
In recent days, it appears that the US and Iran are edging ever closer to war. At least, that's what it said in the New York Times. Or at least what I thought it said. Or at least, something of the sort was mentioned. Whatever.
Well, here's a pot shot - I say they won't. Not inside of 6 months from today. Why?
How on earth can this administration wage one more war? It is pretty rare for an elected government to wage two wars at the same time and not be ousted in elections (and no, I don't think they count as the same war on terror). A third would be tough even for someone with 85% ratings, let alone for a President who has less than 50%.
And fighting a war against a country as large as Iran and as influential in the region is probably not a good idea. The only way that someone could justify it, as was mentioned somewhere in the Times, is if the White House says that the Iranians are already fighting against them in Iraq, so it wouldn't be much of a difference. Boy, if America falls for that, I don't think an apology from 50% of Americans would suffice, as was the case in 2004.
Anyways, jumping on this anti-War band wagon feels good. But then again, why should I care about what happens? I see people dying on TV, US mothers wanting sons back, but that's it. You don't have to listen to what I say, but I guess I'd like to say it.
Well, here's a pot shot - I say they won't. Not inside of 6 months from today. Why?
How on earth can this administration wage one more war? It is pretty rare for an elected government to wage two wars at the same time and not be ousted in elections (and no, I don't think they count as the same war on terror). A third would be tough even for someone with 85% ratings, let alone for a President who has less than 50%.
And fighting a war against a country as large as Iran and as influential in the region is probably not a good idea. The only way that someone could justify it, as was mentioned somewhere in the Times, is if the White House says that the Iranians are already fighting against them in Iraq, so it wouldn't be much of a difference. Boy, if America falls for that, I don't think an apology from 50% of Americans would suffice, as was the case in 2004.
Anyways, jumping on this anti-War band wagon feels good. But then again, why should I care about what happens? I see people dying on TV, US mothers wanting sons back, but that's it. You don't have to listen to what I say, but I guess I'd like to say it.
Obituary
17 month old, tragic circumstances
It is with great sorrow that I must inform the general public of the demise of my hard disk. At 74GB, or 80GB as he proudly displayed on himself, his melodious hum was a true joy to his user, the occasional whir not withstanding.
He was my rock, the base of a complex system, the accumulator of all my carefully compiled packets of information. I took care to avoid tampering in his affairs, his delicate nature was always of great concern. Whatever others might say, I believe he never, never managed to hold more than 25 gigs of data.
In his last few days, it was felt that he needed to undergo major surgery, adding one more primary partition to his virtually untouched self. He sought freedom from the complexities and burden of Microsoft and detoxify himself with Ubuntu, a Linux based remedy. Unfortunately, complications arose after the operation, performed by an inexperienced surgeon, ending in tragedy.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, silicon to sand. Amen.
It is with great sorrow that I must inform the general public of the demise of my hard disk. At 74GB, or 80GB as he proudly displayed on himself, his melodious hum was a true joy to his user, the occasional whir not withstanding.
He was my rock, the base of a complex system, the accumulator of all my carefully compiled packets of information. I took care to avoid tampering in his affairs, his delicate nature was always of great concern. Whatever others might say, I believe he never, never managed to hold more than 25 gigs of data.
In his last few days, it was felt that he needed to undergo major surgery, adding one more primary partition to his virtually untouched self. He sought freedom from the complexities and burden of Microsoft and detoxify himself with Ubuntu, a Linux based remedy. Unfortunately, complications arose after the operation, performed by an inexperienced surgeon, ending in tragedy.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, silicon to sand. Amen.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Guess who's back?
Hey folks, I'm ... still ... breathing.
I've had a few things to sort out, but here we go. The dark days of winter are soon to be gone as our sun rises ever higher in the blue sky.
Meanwhile, enjoy a few classic pictures of snow I took. Apologies for the lack of people.
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