soupy says

Sure, there are those trying to profit from disaster, but it makes me glad to see the housing section of the New Orleans Craigslist full of people opening their homes to the homeless. Sadly, those that will need this the most will be the least likely to be able to take advantage.

In a not completely unrelated note, when did ABC News start using "google earth" for their satellite views?

currently Tom Waits, "Day After Tomorrow"

Fox pundit's mistake terrorizes family.

In what Fox News officials concede was a mistake, John Loftus, a former U.S. prosecutor, gave out the address Aug. 7, saying it was the home of a Middle Eastern man, Iyad K. Hilal, who was the leader of a terrorist group with ties to those responsible for the July 7 bombings in London.

Hilal, whom Loftus identified by name during the broadcast, moved out of the house about three years ago. But the consequences were immediate for the Voricks...

A driver yelled a profanity at the family and called them terrorists as they barbecued on their patio Aug. 14. Some drivers have stopped and photographed the house, Randy Vorick said.

Last weekend, someone spray-painted "Terrist" on their home. Police, who have regularly patrolled their house since the day after the broadcast, now station a squad car across the street...

The Voricks said they had made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Fox News and Loftus by telephone and e-mail. They want a public apology and correction.

Both have issued apologies — Fox in a one-line statement to the Los Angeles Times and Loftus in an e-mail to the family — after being contacted by the newspaper. The Voricks say they have yet to see or hear a correction.

More info on John Loftus.

Not being in school is weird.

currently listening to Matt Nathanson, "Fall to Pieces"

Hi. I am reporting from a room in Baymont Inn in Coralville, Iowa. All rooms have free wireless. Pretty neat. While driving, I noticed that some Iowa rest stops have free wireless Internet too.
It appears that there is a "ted puntam's Limewire" playlist shared on this network. The only song on this playlist is Shihad, "My Mind Sedate." (It isn't very good.)

We had a hard time finding a place to stop because it just so happened that we decided to stop near the Amana Colonies. Or so we were told by the Best Western receptionist in Williamsburg. When we actually got there, we discovered that the Holiday Inn there had a indoor waterpark. There was also a woodshow going on this weekend. Luckily hotels opened up right outside of Iowa City. We ate at a Mexican restaurant not far from the hotel called "Cancun: Authentic Mexican Restuarant." Now, if you want people to believe that you have authentic Mexican food, you should not name it after Cancun. Their guacamole tasted like crap.

I've taken one picture so far:

currently matchbox twenty, "mad season"

On Saturday, the family (plus dog) and I pack up and head to Harbert, MI to visit Grandma for about a week. Boy oh boy, I sure can't wait for that drive along oh so exciting I-80.

I've been officially nominated for the Peace Corps for over a week. Laziness has preventing me from posting.

I've been nominated to leave July 2006 for Community Development in the Pacific Islands.

Yeah, I'm excited. So, what's next? I need to get medical clearance. PC will send me a packet with forms for vision, dental, general physical checklists and such. Then I send it all back to PC, and they will look it over and give the ok. (This takes some time.) Then, after PC declares me healthy and legally clear (the FBI does a background check), I receive my Invitation. The Invitation is the official acceptance. The Invitation has my official assignment, specific country and leave date. Oh yeah, did I mention there is a 30-50% chance my placement could change? Why? Because all my information gets transferred from my local recruiter to my placement officer in DC. This person looks over my application, interview responses, medical information and decides if my nomination is the best for me. Then, my placement officer calls up the host country and asks if they want me. If they say yes, then, and only then, will I get my official Invitation. On my nomination letter, it says, "Please contact the placement officer if an invitation has not been issued to you by this date: May 21, 2006."

I had my interview on Tuesday August 2nd. I got stuck in traffic and as I parked, I saw my light rail train leave. Great. I called my recruiter and told her what happened and informed her that I would be late. Here I was, breaking interview faux pas, numero uno. I got off the light rail train at a little after 10. Luckily, the office was just across the street. Then I realized that I had forgotten to double check the office number. Nice job. I walked into the office building and saw a man in a uniform at a desk. I wasn't told about a man at a desk! I'm still not sure why I didn't just go and ask him if the Peace Corps offices were in the building. I guess it was just part of my frustration at myself. So, I called my recruiter again, "I'm in front of 1999 Broadway and I can't find you." Ah yes, my life is a comedy of errors. Now armed with the office/floor number, I get in the elevator. When I get in the office, the secretary tells me to sign in and throws in, "it's 10:10 now." Thanks. Luckily, my recruiter pops out of her office then and is very nice about everything. She says about 1 in 10 applicants gets lost. Nice.

The interview itself was pretty informal as interviews go. I felt comfortable with my answers and in some cases it seemed more like a friendly chat than an interview. The questions ranged from "Why do you want to do the Peace Corps versus all of the other volunteer programs?" to "Are you in a relationship?" to "How do you think you'll be able to deal with the living conditions?" to "Do you mind being in a society that abstains from alcohol?"

After the interview, my recruiter brought out a list of assignments that matched my requests (and of course, that she deemed me qualified). On my application, I had requested Community Developement in Eastern Europe or Asia. There were no Asia assignments leaving anytime soon. However, there were a few NGO opportunities in Eastern Europe. I wasn't totally qualified for the NGO assignment, but she was going to try and get me approved via DC. We went through all of the assignments and talked about which ones sounded good etc. After the NGO assignments, the Pacific Islands community development was my next choice.

By Friday I hadn't heard back about my nomination so I gave my recruiter a call. She said that I couldn't do the NGO assignments, but it wasn't a big deal because I could always work with a NGO for my secondary assignment. We went over some of the assignments again, and as soon as she read the description for the Pacific Islands opportunity, I said, "Yes. That is it. It is the one I get excited about." She said she would nominate me first thing Monday morning.

So that brings me back to the present. Last week, after getting home from work, I saw that my dad had printed off a map of the Pacific Islands with all the country descriptions from the official Peace Corps website.

currently listening to Beatles, "With a Little Help from my Friends"

Shopping at Wal-Mart could kill you.

In a related note, I should get started on the horror movie script involving the low prices smiley.

This is just fucking ridiculous.

currently finishing off this box of Wheat Thins

Chaco sandals = SEX.

currently drinking iced mint green tea

Jeebus.

My mother and I were watching the last 15 minutes of "Grey's Anatomy," when an "ABC Special Report" graphic flashed on the screen. Then Charlie Gibson started by saying what tragic news he had to report. Peter Jennings had passed away. Now, this is sad, but I was expecting an assignation report or something. Sorry to see you go Peter, but I'm glad to hear the world is still in one piece.

currently Eric Clapton, "Layla"

Reason 56094 not to send your children to school in Texas.

currently listening to Steely Dan, "Black Friday"