Nerdery

So last night was an interesting night for me. (Get your heads out of the gutters.) I went to a lecture held at the grad school I attend to see Colin S. Gray speak. I don't know if you know who Professor Gray is, so I provide this link here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_S._Gray ) to Wikipedia, the source of all knowledge. The paragraph there doesn't really do him justice, the man is a poli sci legend.


That dude up there. He is British, which made the lecture all the better.


The lecture was on morals and ethics in the context of war and warfare. Basically, the idea, as I understand it, is that morals and ethics are situational. It's like saying, "I am an American, I don't believe in torture. I would never torture someone." But then you have exceptions to that rule. "I would never torture someone...unless they had the information I needed to save millions of American lives." Once you throw in a situation, it becomes difficult to uphold your morals and the ethics. He did not mean that people shouldn't try, because war is an "ugly ugly business". It is a means to an ends and it uses violence to get to that end. It is very hard to apply ethics and morals to nuclear weapons, which was a large part of the lecture. It was interesting. There were cookies afterwards.

The reason I know this guy is because I have read some of his work on strategic culture. Dudes, I am all about strategic culture. I believe it is also referred to as "strategic studies" but I may be outside my mind. Anyway, the man is some sort of genius that spouts out acres of knowledge for strategic culture, grand strategy, nuclear stuff....Amazon has many of his books for cheaps. I suggest it, if you're into that sort of thing.

I also got to talk to one of my first professors, Dr. Kartchner. (His name is difficult for me to spell sometimes.) I have this idea for a thesis, stemming from one of the books I have to read right now for a totally different class. But, his class (Strategic Culture) rocked my world and I want to do culture studies for the rest of my life. So, as I was reading this one book for a different class (Nuclear Logics, pictured to the right) I happened upon a sentence which gave me the idea for my thesis. The writer asked why the Middle East and East Asia had such different nuclear paths. The Middle East has a bunch of little buggers with the desire to acquire the nuclear bomb and East Asia (with the exception of North Korea) has gone without. (They have considered, but never actually had the bomb.) The writer asked the reader, why is this so? I'm pretty sure she/he/it also gave an answer, but I wasn't paying attention, because I was busy saying to myself, "Self, I bet it's cultural." And then I pooped my pants. (Not really.)

So, for a thesis, I was thinking, how wonderful, I can do a strategic culture analysis on two cultures (one in the middle east, one in east Asia) and compare them, hopefully with the idea that I can find cultural reasons why one group has chosen to go nuclear and why another abstains.


I'm really excited about it. Nerd out.

Shit MacGregor!

Recently read some books by a woman named Sarah Mason. Her publications are based in England, so I got to read with a British accent. That was super fun. I like it when writers give people crazy family, and the mother in this particular story was hilarious. She said "shit macgregor!" often, which was sure to make me giggle. I'm not sure if that has to do with how random the phrase is or if I am like a 4 year old who is easily amused by poo words. What is it that is so funny about poo words? Poop.

I'm looking for some good not-serious books to read. I did the ones there by Sarah Mason; I usually read fantasy or something. I also like to read Nora Roberts because I don't have to think real hard. I just get to enjoy the story. So I'm looking for some new stuff to get into. I need light and funny stories. I am having to do a lot of reading for my master's courses right now and they're, shall we say, oppressive. Excellent for learning, crap for feeling good about life. So, if you know of anything good, light, and funny, send it my way.
Like this, for example: www.readvessel.com

I've almost been married for a year. Saturday is the big day. Looking back, I don't think it was as hard as people make marriage out to be. Yeah, there are some challenges, and he irritates me from time to time, but so do most people. I just live with him. I remember someone talking to me about how marriage can be hard, maybe it was my mom, but they said something about how the other person squeezes the toothpaste can be an issue. I've no idea why that stuck with me. I looked at the toothpaste tube today and found myself thinking, "Why can't he just squeeze this from the bottom? Toothpaste is being wasted here." Thankfully, I don't think the toothpaste issue will lead me to divorce my husband.

My obsession with Japanese pop music continues. I squealed out loud when I heard my favorite band is putting out a new CD. I'm very excited about this. I might have just boughtitonebaybutdon'ttellMatt.

Grad classes start back for me tonight. I am trying to figure out how I can feed myself before 9:30 p.m. when I get home. There is not that much time between me leaving work and arriving at school, it would be tough to slide eating in there. Crackers. I'm going to have to start bringing crackers to sustain myself. I already bring lunch to work...I am going to need a larger lunch box.
But anyway, school today. It's either going to rock, or suck. I'll get back to you on that.
Cheers.

My Life is Not Boring

Whoa, February! That is the last time I posted! Whoa!

I guess I've been busy. Either that or I haven't felt like writing. I would pin it on the not writing part. I blame that part of my brain. Shame on you, writing brain widget, shame. (I'm not sure if widget may used in this context. This is my blog, I'll do what I want. Dammit.)

So, I am going to be busy soon. Grad school starts back up for me in the next week. I have never seen so many reading assignments in my life. I've already started reading, but I haven't been as hard core about it as I had originally hoped. I am just thankful that the first book I picked up to read wasn't amazingly boring, so I have been able to get some stuff done.

I started piddling with my book again. AGAIN. I think I have a good start this time. If I could just find my notes, I would remember what I'm writing to get to and could probably fill in the rest pretty well. It's hard to get motivated to write that too. I can act it out so well in my head, but when it comes to putting it on paper, (or in the computer, whatever) I seem to lose all steam. That's fine though, I'm totally pimping Tominda's work anyway. (http://www.readvessel.com/) She's really good, I think. (http://www.readvessel.com/) I can't wait to have her book in my hands. Heck, I'll take two and FRAME one of them. (http://www.readvessel.com/) Pimppimppimp.

Started being more serious about weight loss. I joined myfitnesspal.com, where I am able to track my calories (that's weird to get used to, by the way) and how many calories I burn when I exercise (I'm actually running, it's some sort of Christmas miracle). I recommend it, actually. It's only my first week using the site and I feel a little better about myself. (I am aware that I am not fat, but I am pushing my luck and would like to be more healthy and lose a few pounds. Then buy new clothes.) The idea is to enter in how much you weigh, how much you want to weigh, and how often you plan to work out. The program then calculates how many calories you should take in and how many you should burn. It makes it super easy to plan your day. If you know you are going to eat out and are worried about the calories, plan to eat less at lunch. You can see it, so it's neat. (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/) if you want. (http://www.readvessel.com/)

One of my roommates from college moved to Chicago last year to finish up her graduate degree. She asked me maybe two days ago if I wanted to do an Iron Man Sprint (triathlon) with her next summer. Dudes, I hate running. I love to swim and I like bike rides. I'm seriously considering this crap. She showed me a website that will help you get a schedule for training, but I don't know how I could do this with school coming up. I would also have to find another pool, the one at my apartment building will close in Sept. But that would be sorta neat, right? I could actually say, "I did a triathlon." I would have to get a bike. And start running. (ohgawd, the running.)
At least I would be in shape. I also found a Jazzercise class that I think I want to get into. I need fitness! And happy people! And dancing around!

I think I'm getting a social life too. Crazy, I know. I go to happy hours with people Matt works with, I'm thinking about getting DC United half-season tickets (soccer), I get to hang out with my friend J*rock. Maybe I would make more friends at the Jazzercise thing. Or maybe they are all old.

http://www.readvessel.com/
Pimp.

I think I need a kick scooter to get from school to the metro on Wed. and Thurs. Ridiculous, right? I kinda like the idea. (Of course you do, you nut.)

I am super glad Diet Coke doesn't have calories or anything. That would be devastating.

I think I'll start making a list of things I have done, for those moments when I feel like I haven't done anything. Also, if you love lists and have goals, I highly recommend: http://www.43things.com/ I'm there, of course.

Till next time!

P.S. - http://www.readvessel.com/

OLYMPUS!

Rather, the Olympics, the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. I am obsessed with them right now. I found myself actually chanting "USA!" while Apolo Ohno was racing. I have been watching the pair skaters on the edge of my seat. I have come to terms with the fact that the Americans will not be standing on the podium so I am rooting for the Chinese team Shen/Zhao. I watched the men's Alpine skiing today. Boy, that made me anxious. Have you seen how they hurl themselves down that mountain? Breathtakingly scary. Seriously. Watched some of the snowboarding stuff too, that was pretty neat. So really, the point of my rambling paragraph is to convey to you how much I love the Olympics.

In fact, as I type this, I'm watching the pair skating competition, I really want to see who gets to stand on the podium. I would like to share with you a phenomena that happens when you watch the Olympics. Suddenly, you are a judge of a sport that you hardly ever see. Ask my friends Elizabeth and Jaclyn, I have made comments such as, "I think their program is a little flat." "This music is pretty lame, don't you think?", "That costume is ridiculous."

I have never had any sort of experience in pairs figure skating. But when I watch the Olympics, I know what is best. I was pissed the other night when one of the Russian men absolutely bit it. And then, somehow, placed higher than one of the American teams. I was talking to the TV like the judges would hear my protests. The announcers didn't seem to find this abnormal, but I was outraged.

That's the funny thing about the Olympics. The nationalist pride that rises out of no where is surprising. And fun, I think. After having spent months watching the debate over health care and other important issues, you get to the point where you're sick of the United States. But the Olympics can quickly foster your nationalist pride back. I like cheering for American athletes and hearing the national anthem when one of them wins the gold. I have a lot of fun with the games and I miss them when their gone.

This is not to say that I only cheer for my fellow country men. If I can't spot an American, I pick another country to cheer for. It's fun. It's a "we are the world" sort of feeling. I like how the Olympics seem to be about a peaceful competition. That sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Peaceful competition. I'll tell you how I hear it in my head.

American competitor: "HA! We're gonna kick your @$$! Oh, let's shake on it."

British competitor: "Bullocks! I'm going to win you ninny! Hugs, good job. "

Something like that.

It's also been really fun to watch my husband freak out about the pairs skating. He keeps flinching when he sees their blades get close to one another. Like when they do their spinning thing, he freaks. It's hilarious.

Anyway. I love the Olympics.

P.S. - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief was a really bad movie. Avoid.

Not What I'm Supposed to Be Doing

I should be tracking down people through fantastic web-stalking techniques (www.whitepages.com/) for a petition that was sent in about mining. I am from West Virginia. If you don't know anything about WV, then I shall enlighten you.

1. We do lots of coal mining. It is one of our main sources of income. Mountain top removal is one of the techniques.
2. We are called the Mountain State. (Irony, maybe?)
3. We are completely walled in on all sides by the Appalachian Mts. I tell you, nothing comes in and hardly anything leaves. (Except me.)
4. We don't worry about anything. (Except the end of mining, which for many, means Armageddon.)
5. Damn, we like Mountaineer Football.
6. The population is largely older people who don't like change.
7. BRAIN DRAIN.
8. We are one of the poorest states in the nation.

For the record, I would like to state that I love WV. It is a good place full of friendly people who, for the most part, work hard to make ends meet. Citizens of WV sorta fill a stereotype of un-informed people with lots of opinions. Mostly, the opinion that things should not change. Somewhere, I know there is another generation screaming to be heard, but they are being drowned out by the rest of WV, that is, the older generation.

I know I sound unfair, but I'm one of the younger generation that wants that change. Heck, I voted for Obama. Working in the Congressman's office, I deal with a lot of constituent letters. Right now, we have two main issues. Health care and coal.

Health care: I get a lot of letters that mostly say no to healthcare. I understand this, I wonder myself if it will help or if it will hinder. I'm willing to try it, I think, but I'm also not using my health care at the moment. (Thank the Lord I'm healthy at this point in my life.) But lots of people have just heard rumors and are going off those as if they are truth. Such as: Death panels for the elderly, everyone will HAVE to have the gov.'s plan and Obama is the devil. Cool, neh?
These letters also complain a lot about all the illegal aliens that we have in the country and how the new health care plan will provide health care for them at the cost of legal tax-payers. (It does not, I've looked at it.)
I will post more on the health care plan as I research it. Which I am going to, as I have now blogged about it.

COAL: It's hard to be from WV and not know someone who is/was a miner. My best friend's dad, who is like a father to me, is a coal miner. I don't want anyone to loose their jobs. I would, however, like to find an alternate energy source and shift coal miners into those positions. Perhaps they feel that they are not able to learn new things and that causes people to freak out.
So, here is the current situation in the WV: The Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing several permits for mines across the state. I don't know if this is true or if this is a fabrication by newspapers, but it appears that the EPA is taking their good sweet time reviewing these permits. Miners, understandably, are upset about this. They are protesting. They are calling for the resignation of Congressman Rahall because he says the EPA is just doing it's job. They are crying out in anger that coal is what keeps WV afloat. Coal will always be a part of WV! etc., etc.
Yanno, until we run out.
Therefore, I have had many many many letters/newspaper articles about coal. I hate it when some journalists write things like "...the EPA claims that it has no covert plans to destroy coal mining." Well, the populace most assuredly thinks so now! Do you get what I mean? It's just stirring up trouble!

This is not to say that I believe that people shouldn't pay attention and question everything and express their concerns. This is our freedom, this is our right.

However, some people don't seem to have checked into anything and are just screaming. It's rather annoying. Perhaps I'm just tired of reading about it. You must be too.

Some other sites with info/views to Coal Issues:
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo - Coal Tattoo Blog
http://www.register-herald.com/archivesearch/local_story_297194021.html
http://www.register-herald.com/archivesearch/local_story_288225509.html
http://www.register-herald.com/archivesearch/local_story_286220456.html

Fascinating. Thoughts?

Fruit Flies!

I have about a billion fruit flies in my home and I have no idea where they are coming from. Little buggers are always trying for the eyes! Blast it!

In other news, I have received no word back from any of the places I have applied too, but I'm not ready to give up yet! Alright, I'm a little ready to give up, but I won't! Surely something will come around soon. Once I get a job, I'm going to get a puppy and join a gym. Matt will not be able to stop the puppy thing. I'm going to the pound and I'm going to bring it home and go, "Oh, look what I found!"
I should not blog of these things, he will know my evil plans. But I want a puppy.

It was fantastic rain/mist today and I worked outside the ENTIRE time. Except for the 20 minutes where I strayed inside to see if I could help with the decorating that is happening in there. Yes, the Garden Center I work for is already getting their stuff out for Christmas. Holy crap, I don't even know what I'm going to be for Halloween.

I don't think I'm going to dress up, actually. Matt's dad is coming down for the weekend and I thought it would be fun to pass out candy. Maybe we can watch a scary movie and I can then cry myself to sleep every night. (I can't do horror movies. I wind up waking up in the middle of the night in some sort of cardiac clench.) Ha, like the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". Oh, I was messed up after that. Overactive imagination.

I made cake yesterday. It was awesome.

I'm trying to convince myself that running is a fun activity again and get back into moving faster than I usually do. I hate running outside though. Luckily, my good friend Liz, who I just realized lives in the same area I do, HAHA, lives in a place that has a treadmill. We are going to run. Be all athletic and such. Right.

Other than that, I just need to get my stuff together for grad school. Hopefully, I'll be closer to my goals after that, whatever they happen to be. :) Fingers crossed for a job to pop up! I shall continue the hunt!

Tea Update

I am currently sipping on the Green Jasmine Tea.

Diagnosis: Alright. Definitely better with honey, as all things are, but good, overall.

I think we could mark this tea as a success. I will drink it. I still like my orange one a bit better though...