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In this timeline, we’ve assembled the history of the Iraq War to create a resource we hope will help resolve open questions of the Bush era. What did our leaders know and when did they know it? And, perhaps just as important, what red flags did we miss,
Archive for August, 2006
From Wondermark
This strip is funny but I actually agree with it. I think they really want to inconvenience the western countries rather than kill people. That lives further than just mindless violence. The mere thought causes a paranoia that reigns supreme and squashes all logic and rationality.. They are winning, and we are letting them get the better of us. They play, we lose. We need to change the trend.
It’s been a whirlwind ride after my visa got approved. With barely a day to recoup from the abating tension, I took off from Lagos to come to PSU to start a new phase of life. I hadn’t given it much thought before, but while flying it hit me. Five years. Five friggin’ years. I hadn’t been able to mentally prepare myself of studying, and independent research at that level. I was way too worried about actually getting the keys to the country, rather than the experience once I got in. I guess I was taking it one day at a time, trying not to think too far in the future. What I had a slight inkling of, was the extent of bridging I needed to get in phase with the standard of the doctoral program. I also figured that the dedication required for research at Penn State was above and beyond what I was accustomed to.
After landing at Penn State, I was off to a slightly shaky start while unable to find help to move into temporary housing. I spent about an hour to get into my room with two big suitcases, a strolley (wheeled cabin bag), and my laptop bag. Oh, why temporary housing, you ask? That’s because I was unable to secure housing off campus before getting here. Apparently, I was severely out of the loop when it came to utilizing the Indian graduate student service on Yahoo! I didn’t know that it even existed, nor did I know to expect it to exist. Anyway, I found out about it during orientation from a couple of Indians who were here for Masters program.
Which brings me to the next topic, that is, the amount of Indians on campus. It is ridiculous. Practically every brown person at orientation is Indian, or nearly statistically accurate to be termed Indian anyway. I’d say 90% of the Indians are here for a Masters program, 7% for a PhD, and 3% for under grad. Most of us are in the sciences too, with the predominant concentration on Engineering. That’s not surprising since Penn State is a top 10 Engineering school for Materials, Industrial, and Electrical. Something I’ve noticed amongst several Indians is that first they segregate themselves from the non-Indian crowd, and then into male-female halves. This is mild stereotyping, and there are a few exceptions. That being said, I met several Indians, and casually introduced myself.
Since I’ve been in the US before, most of the orientation was a review from Coe. But I did use that time to get a few critical things such as employment documentation, and health stuff done. I also found a bunch of new friends, undergrads and grads alike, who seem like a fun group. I am yet to form a solid group of grad friends, but I seem to be gelling with an undergrad group in particular which is very varied in ethnicity. It includes a couple of progressive Arab girls, a couple of Indians (including myself), a couple of Japanese, and a French exchange student. We are really cosmopolitan and bring different things to the group, if I do say so myself.. We have had several programming to bring people together, and I met most of them during some of these activity such as International Film showing where I made the 3 Peruvian PhD friends.
I do have housing after a depressing few days of hearing NOs about availability. I was lucky enough to get it, and it seems like a nice place which is really affordable. Nittany Gardens is right by Walmart which is excellent because it should be easy to get groceries. I also have met with my graduate advisor/research mentor Dr. Pantano and found out what he expects me to do in terms of classes and research. I met the rest of his group, and got an office on my own along with keys to the building.
I suppose that’s about what’s been going on for the past week in a nutshell. I am going to Washington DC, and I will be seeing Jessi during the afternoon. Then Jenn is picking me up, and I will spend a couple of days over the weekend with her. I haven’t seen her for so long. I am excited to finally get to see her again.
After falling the dogs the first time, I managed to get past them to the land that they so dearly protect. They watch the gates for those who wish to transition permanently. They define the fine line between two pieces of earth. They form the people who pounce on those in the liminal zone. I was caught unawares once, and so vowed never to let that happen again. Some say that, being polite not matter how much they taunt you is the optimal route. I soon found, that they are indeed right. However, besides being logical which for some odd reason, that they seem to be devoid of that training, they want to see passion. Passion in the voice saying that you will cross over after the job is done. Learn the tricks of the trade, and then return to reap the rewards, and keep the brain from draining. They have no concept of family values and ties. They are sorely looking for the answers to their riddles that conform with their individualistic values, and selfish gains.
From what I learnt in religious studies, liminality is a zone to be reckoned with. They function outside the barriers of society, and are not governed by any rules in that zone. According to myths, all the people in the transition zone are feared for their unnatural powers. Somehow, in my case, there seems to be only one group with all the power, the Dog. It barks, snarls, and keep snipping even with soothing talk. Sometimes it sounds like harpies on the prowl for innocent blood and wayward souls. But you must feel some sympathy for the Dog, since it’s perpetual job is to filter through or turn away souls. It’s are like a gigantic purifier with certain parameters to block such as those who attempt to deceive, and those whose futures are clouded with uncertainty. My suggestion for greater efficiency would be to have one head working at any particular time so that the other two can rest. A rotation cycle is the best means to stay on the game without being overly temperamental, and keeps from crushing dreams.
Final word: They need a more efficient routines, and better customer service. I’d say that the liminal zone has the worst customer service in all the worlds, and for now is getting away with it.
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U.S. authorities are advising women not to wear gel bras on airplanes as information developed in the foiled London plot points to an expanding role for women in smuggling explosives on to an aircraft.
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“..I laughed aloud at this Huffington Post “How Right-Wingers See the New York Times” page, where you hover your mouse over the stories in the electronic edition of the NYT to get an idea of how the article will be spun by the Bushie astroturfers, talk-ra
I was out taking macros of flowers in our garden. This was one (red hibiscus) that I felt could serve better editted. So, I used Picasa2’s filtered black and white to create this effect. I intend to take a sharper, colored shot in the future.
I like the darkness and induced shadows. The grainyness amplifies the mystery and intrigue. Would this effect be Lomo? I am uncertain about what technical term can be used here.
Of course, you may have a different opinion of this image. So, let me know what you think.
Okay, the jury’s in. This is quite possibly the lowest scoring picture that I have put up so far.
Score Me! : 27.5/50
Critical Masses: 49.5/100
Score Me! in Detail: 47/100
I still like this image and the effect. It might not be very focussed but that makes the old film effect more evident.
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Freeware program FlashMute lets you mute or lower the volume of any sounds originating from you browser.
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“Pretty soon we’ll have to fly naked!” The mass media rapidly embraced the UK terror storyline fed to them. The BBC, CNN, CBC Newsworld and other all-news broadcasters covered scarcely anything but the narrowly averted catastrophe throughout the day. Funn
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Washington’s interests in Israel’s war
This is the darkest church I’ve ever been inside. The gothic style made the church a must-see at Verona, Italy. It’s in the downtown area.
I wanted to capture the play on lights and shadows.
I wish I knew about HDR at that time so that I could have captured more details.
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“Because the plot involved taking liquid explosives aboard planes in carry-ons, passengers at all U.S. and British airports, and those boarding U.S.-bound flights at other international airports, are banned from taking any liquids onto planes.”
