soupy says

camel

2006-10-22T08:41:00.000-06:00

IMG_1351
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

Mongolian language lesson: How Timmy from South Park says his name is how the Mongolian word for camel is pronounced.

And yes, I am long over due for a blog update. I do have Internet at site (I check my email at least once a week), but I have been lazy about posting. I have lots to say, and hopefully I will sort through everything soon.

And no, I have not ridden a camel...yet.

PS Due to s...l...o...w Internet in Hovd, I can only upload photos when I'm in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. And that's only once every few months. I had planned on uploading more photos this trip, but I discovered my flickr pro-account expired. I have a friend setting up a ftp server for me which I'll access in Dec when I'm back in the "big" city.

moving on

2006-01-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

new blog

move soon

2006-01-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

Blogger, I'm seeing someone else.

WordPress.

Its features blow yours out of the water, and it is still free.

currently listening to Matt Nathanson, "Somewhere to Hide"

pc filter: dear diary, today, i almost passed out

2006-01-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I went to the doctor (well, doctor's assistant) to get my Peace Corps physical. The nurse had a nephew currently serving in Africa, and she looked over the paperwork and commented how much there was ("a pap smear is required?"). The doctor's assistant that did the actual physical said she had just done one of these a short time ago, and that she knew "how much work it is!"

After the check-up, I was supposed to hang tight until everything was ready for my blood tests. A short time later, the doctor's assistant came in and told me that it would be a bit longer because the nurse was on the phone with the lab to see if they could consolidate some of the test tubes for multiple tests. "They want a lot of blood." When I sat down to get poked, the nurse said, "it's a good thing you've given blood before." And during the test, another nurse came by and saw all the tubes and said, "whoa." However, shortly after the nurse started to take blood, I realized I hadn't eaten since about 11:45 AM, and at that point, it was about 5 PM. Yes, I had given blood before, but the first time I gave, I almost passed out because I hadn't eaten right before. Uh oh. I was doing ok until the very last tube. I was feeling a little light headed, but I knew it was over soon.

The nurse said, "We should get you some orange juice."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

As soon as she said, "We are all done." My head started swim. All of a sudden there were five people around me, and the nurse told me to put my head between my legs. Someone else got an orange juice box. I felt a lot better after sitting there for a minute, but the nurse led me into a room and had me lay down while she got my TB test. I even got peanut butter crackers as I was leaving. I have to go back Friday to get the results of my TB test, and then I get to go in Tuesday for the much loved pap smear.

So, for any potential Peace Corps applicants out there, eat before you go into your doctor's appointment. You are going to give "a lot of blood."

Thanks, Uncle Sam!

currently listening to Brothers Creeggan, "She Married a Cowboy"

2005

2005-12-31T06:58:00.001-07:00

Wow, 2005, what a year.

This time last year I was exactly where I was right now: at my Aunt's house in Allen, TX. If there is one thing I can count on, it is my family's Christmas holiday celebration schedule.

Let me see if I can sum up '05 at 8am in the morning...

Jan: I brought in the New Year with Katy, Elliot, DP and some of Katy's friends from high school. We ate at Bahama Breeze, and then took the party to a Marriott. I found out that the fact that Martha Stewart lost her door decorating contest in prison was common knowledge, and that I shouldn't spend a whole evening drinking Austrian potato vodka. The next day I bought Fast Food Nation and read during the drive home. I started my last semester of my senior year of college.

Feb: I went to classes, I guess. Hey, Feb is a short month.

March: Spring Break '05! My brother was living down in Tempe, AZ, and my parents and I met there and we went to Sedona, AZ. After my parents left, I flew to Las Vegas, NV to spend part of the week with three fabulous friends from high school. I then flew back to AZ to spend the rest of the week with Aaron in Tempe. (I timed it right so I spent my first 21+ St. Patrick's Day in two different states. Boo-ya.) After returning to school, I had my professor look me in the eye and tell me that I should go to Grad School. Talk about a confidence boost, but then I still managed to get caught up in Senioritis, Ah well.

April: I made new friends! I started spending time with the Army boys downstairs, and I got to see a different side of life in San Antonio. Plus, they fed me.

May: I graduated! I drove back to Colorado with my parents, and then got a job as soon as possible.

June: I went back to San Antonio for my very first college friends wedding. I submitted my Peace Corps application.

July: Katy and Elliot came to Colorado. I met them up in Snowmass and spent the Fourth of July with Elliot's family (and Katy). I then met Katy and Elliot up in Boulder to help Elliot look for an apartment. They then got to see the glory of Parker. :p Oh, my birthday was the 25th. I went to work.

Aug: Katy and Elliot come back to Colorado! This time to move Elliot in to his new place. We finally got to eat at the grilled cheese restaurant. It was good. Shay also moves back home, and Aaron and his sister Jen help him get his stuff back home. I think took Aaron and Jen to see CU and CSU for future grad school possibilities (for Jen). I had my Peace Corps interview and recieved a nomination.

Sept: I went to Montana to work for Project Vote Smart for a couple of weeks. Then I quit my job as soon as a got back.

Oct: I did my first big solo road trip. I drove down to Albuqurque, NM to hang out with Beth. I then went to San Antonio to spend time with Granny and to go to Alumni Weekend. I had my same professor as mentioned above tell me that I would be a good fit at University of Washington (he is an alum).

Nov: I went to three days of Matt Nathanson concerts. In a row. The Boulder show was the best. Oh, then flew to Korea, and then I flew to Taipei the day before Thanksgiving.

Dec: Rocked out in Taipei most of Dec. I then flew home the 19th, drove to Dallas on the 20th, and then San Antonio on the 22nd...then Houston on the 25th, back to San Antonio on the 28th, back to Dallas on the 30th, and then I will go back to Denver on the 2nd. Like I said, the usual family schedule.

I anticipate the beginning of 2006 to be less mobile than the end of 2005. As soon as I get back home, I want to get Dr appts done so maybe I can find out where I'm going for the Peace Corps. I'm also looking to take the GRE in March, and I keep going back and forth on taking a college course.

Anyway, Happy New Year!

politics make my head hurt

2005-12-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Bill on Illegal-Immigrant Aid Draws Fire

Churches, social service agencies and immigration groups across the country are rallying against a provision in the recently passed House border-security bill that would make it a federal crime to offer services or assistance to illegal immigrants.

So, if someone came to a soup kitchen, you would have to ask to see their green card?

Oh look, here's another little gem.

The legislation would make it a federal crime to live in the United States illegally, which would turn millions of illegal immigrants into felons, ineligible to win any legal status

The article says that several Congressmen don't think the measure would pass.

One more thing

White House officials have emphasized in recent weeks, however, that Mr. Bush still believes that any immigration legislation should include a guest worker program that would grant millions of undocumented workers the right to work temporarily in this country.

The House bill does not include a guest worker program, but the Senate is expected to consider such a plan early next year. A guest worker plan would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants. If that were to happen, the measure outlawing assistance to illegal immigrants might be removed or end up having little effect.

But advocates for immigration said they were still deeply disheartened that Mr. Bush and members of Congress had not spoken out against the House measure.

traveling alone

2005-12-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

I have started a post about being a solo female traveler, but let's be honest, I'm not sure if I've ever finish it. So, I'll just sum up the message.

You, there, yeah, you, the female that is reading this. Have you ever thought about traveling by yourself (domestic or international)? Well, can you leave the house by yourself without constantly fearing for your life?

You do? Good. Then you have the ability to travel alone!

just say no

2005-12-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

Abstinence Clearing House goes to Taiwan. (pdf)

Thousands of university students heard that only abstinence until marriage provides 100 percent protection against sexually transmitted diseases, unexpected pregnancy, and heartache.

That's right abstinence guarantees that you will not get your heart broken. ever.

the holidays

2005-12-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that it is important to spend time with your family because it reaffirms who you aren't.

Happy Holidays everyone.

back, baby

2005-12-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Man, my body is all sorts of messed up. It's just after 7pm on Monday here in Denver, but it is just after 10am on Tuesday in Taipei. I couldn't sleep nearly as much as I would have liked on the flight from Japan to San Fransico which was frustrating for a few reasons, one being that the best movie that was playing was Kindergarden Cop.

Since I've been home, I've eaten pizza, exchanged gifts with my family and eaten Christmas cookies. My body is ready to crash, but I need to shower, finish unpacking and re-pack for the drive tomorrow.

airport

2005-12-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got the airport to discover that my flight was delayed. Boo. I got rid of the my coins after buying fruit at a coffee shop, ate free samples from the duty free shops and then I wondered around the international terminal until I found a free Internet room. Sweet. I didn't go to bed last night because I want to sleep on the plane. I doozed off on the bus ride to the airport, but I haven't hit the wall yet.

I talked to Mom last night, and she was going to decorate X-mas cookies. Heck yes. I'll be back home just in time for the good stuff.

eating and such

2005-12-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

Since leaving the United States, I have put my "vegetarianism" on hold. I did not see how it would be possible to avoid meat if I had no idea what the hell I was eating. Back home, I try to restrict myself to free-range, vegetarian feed animals. (I do this forvarious reasons.) I'm not militiant about it, and I pretty much forget about it while at my Grandma's. (And plus, if I'm going to lapse, it might as well be for the home-cooked, good stuff.) However, during my six weeks on the road, I have discovered that I have, for the most part, lost my taste for meat. Now, I have had some really amazing, tasty little creatures, but my favorite dishes have been meatless. I would pick tofu over meat. That's right. Tofu over meat.

Forget about veganism though. Bring on eggs and cheese.

currently listening to Josh Kelly, "Small Town Boy"

not bird flu inflicted

2005-12-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still alive and well in Taipei. I leave Monday. I really cannot believe that in just a few days I will be thrust back into a mess of jet lag, culture shock, holidays, and family time. My adventures have been wonderful. I am very thankful that I got to spend so much time with Katy. We are making an effort to avoid the fact that we have no idea when we will see each other after i leave Monday.

indian food

2005-12-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Katy, Katy's friend (from Colorado!), and I enjoyed a delicious lunch of Indian food. While eating, I thought about how much I love Indian food, and how I want to go to India because of the food. Then I thought, "Wait. There are lots of Indians in Britain. I wonder if Indian food is cheap there." So, today, I asked a Brit, Katy's friend Charlie.

He said, "In the US, how much is Mexican food compared to American food?"
"It's about the same."
"Yeah, that's what it is what Indian food is like in England. Sometimes cheaper."

I am moving to England.

southeast asia

2005-12-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

Anybody want to go to Southeast Asia in the spring? Tonight I saw pictures from someone's trip to Cambodia, and those and Valerie's pictures from her trip really make me want to go. Maybe I should wait till I get home before I start thinking of more travel plans. Eh. Whatever.

listy

2005-12-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Oh my, I have let this lapse so long that I will fall back on the old standby: a bullet list!

This country loves its corn.
It is a lot easier to get around someplace when you are almost always in the presence of someone that has spent four years studying the language.
People here are heavier than Koreans.
I knew that I had been in Korea a while because when I came I freaked out when I saw an ad with an Asian woman in a bra.
However, even though it is much warmer, fewer women wear short skirts.
It is cool to watch someone cut noodles.
Taking out the garbage here is the biggest pain in the ass.
Due to how expensive it is to go out, there are "pay a fee for all you can drink" bars.
Taroko gorge is beautiful, but the Lonely Planet's info about it sucks.
There are a lot of tourist places that can really only be enjoyed if you have a vehicle. That's annoying.
Trails and museums shut down randomly. That's annoying.
Mass amounts of scooters on the road are fucking scary.
The museum of Contemporary Art and the Artists Village are cool but way too small.
No more seats on the train? Well, if you really want to leave, for the same ticket price you can stand!
I have eaten shredded ice topped with fruit and peas. And I liked it.
"Pay by the weight" buffets are brillant.
You know when you have been in Taiwan for a while when you think, "I should have gotten bubbles in this tea."

shake shake

2005-11-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

I experienced my first earthquake last night. I thought it was a dream.

gobble

2005-11-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

quickie

2005-11-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

I'm in Taiwan!

Woo.

Daegu

2005-11-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

P1010027.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

i have now been in north korea

2005-11-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

When I decided I was coming to Korea, I knew I wanted to go to the DMZ. Me being me, I called yesterday to make reservations with the USO to go on their tour today. Luckily I am not traveling during the peak tourist season, or I would have had to tour with a different company.

What a surreal experience. First of all, the whole idea of the USO running tours to the DMZ is a pretty weird idea. Think about it. I mean, the gift shop at the Joint Security Area (JSA) is the perfect example. For $15 you can own a piece of barbed wire that used to line the DMZ. Shirts, shot glasses all your typical tourist crap with DMZ stamped on it. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The tour starts at the USO office at 7am. Yes, you need to be there at 7am. Two busses load up and drive to Camp Boniface. On the way, our passports got checked a couple of times (South Koreans can't go on the USO tour, but any other nationality can). At Boniface, we get to sign a waiver that we realize that we could die. Our tour guide (a US Army guy), sums up the Korean War and the state of the DMZ since then in a less than five minute presentation. After a stop at the gift shop, we head to Panmaunjeom. Panmanunjeom is the place where peace talks take place, and the only place you could go in between two countries by stepping over a concrete sidewalk. (However, I would not advise this.) We got taken inside the conference room where talks take place, and by going on the other side of a conference table, you stepped into "Communist Korea." A Republic of Korea guard stood in front of a door that would open on the North Korean side. When we exited the building, a VIP bus holding an ambassador pulled up in front of the conference room. He was getting a tour too. We watched as three North Korean guards came out and peered into the conference room from the outside (not crossing that concrete line, of course) like window shoppers. Our Army tour guide said, "they do that a lot."

There were a couple of more stops (and a couple more gift shops) that let you "see" into North Korea. Then there was a stop at the 3rd infiltration tunnel.

I walked away from the whole experience not really knowing how to process it all. The whole DMZ area seems to be set up by two kids playing war. At Panmanunjeom, on the North side had the building Panmungak. Well, a building bigger than Panmungak was built on the South's side, so the North added a building. Inside the DMZ, the North has "Propaganda Village," an empty city of huge buildings (that occasionally broadcasts recorded speeches). Well, the South has "Freedom Village." Koreans that live their have to be either defectors of the North or descendents of defectors. (Women can marry into the village. Men can't.) It has mostly rice farmers (you can buy bags of DMZ rice), and they live better than most Koreans. The residents get 17 acres and most Koreans get 3. There is a catch. Residents have to live there 244 nights a year, and there is a curfew. Another feature of the propaganda villages is the giant ass flags. North Koreans has a big one, but then the south put up a bigger one. So, the Koreans put up an even bigger one. Of course, the whole peering in the windows thing was like the icing on the cake.

A weird way to end my time here. The South Koreans view the division of their people as a real tragedy. When I went to the War Memorial, the start of the Korean war was called "6.25" but viewing the DMZ the way you do on a tour, the whole mess seems dumb.

Busan

2005-11-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

P1010002.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

i am the biggest nerd ever

2005-11-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

I'm at the hostel watching the Armed Forces Network on TV thinking of research projects.

a thought

2005-11-20T03:37:00.000-07:00

I want to live in a city with a subway system.

hug accomplished

2005-11-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

I was feeling pretty tired last night so I didn't do too much in Suwon. I wandered around for a motel and ended up in the red light district. I turned around and found another grouping of motels. When I checked in I held up a finger to indicate one person, and he put his hands together and said, "For sleeping?" "Yes." Wow. This place was a piece of shit. I didn't even get a room key. There was a posted rate of 25,000W, but that wasn't for the entire night. However, this place did have BBC Worldnews on the teevee, and the Armed Forces Network. That mainly showed bad American TV, but the public service announcements (aimed at the troops of course) where cra-zy.
The next morning, I got bored and took the subway to Pyongtaek. I wasn't in any hurry at that point. After the second stop, the entire train emptyed, and there was some announcement in Korean. I hauled ass out of there, and the train sped away. Um, ok. Then another train going in the same direction pulled up, and everyone got on. Oh, ok.

I ended up catching D as he was getting off the bus, and we wandered around to find some place to eat. Most restaurants are closed on Sundays (I guess), and after many tries, we finally found a place and had dumpling soup. We got some coffee and walked around until 2. D was fighting the beginnings of an illness, and of course he was dead tired. We said goodbye.

I got on a train to Seoul, and when I left the train station, there was a massive protest going on in the street. This army guy next to me (I heard him talking about PT at Pyongtaek) asked if I knew what was going on. He was trying to catch a cab to get to base, but the streets were blocked due to the protest.

"Is the base near the War Memorial?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, you can just take the subway."
"Oh, I don't know how."
"I can take you."

So I did. He has been in Korea since April at some base north of Seoul. He has been in the country SINCE APRIL, and didn't had only ridden the subway once. Now, D's work schedule sucks, but he gets up to Seoul whenever possible. This guy was shocked that I had been here since the 9th, and I knew my way around so well.

It has been interesting couple of days, that's for sure. I can't believe I only have two full days left here. Katy has my first few days in Taiwan booked, and I can't wait.

change of plans

2005-11-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

So, no D tonight.

Instead of getting off of work at 1, he got put on call (can't leave the base). He know has to work tonight from 8pm - 4pm. I am getting on a train at 11:30am to Pyongtaek to see him. It won't be too long of a visit because he has to be at PT at 4am.

Hell, at this point, I'll be happy just to be able to give him a hug. And if that doesn't happen, at least I'll get to see the protest that is going on outside of the train station.

suwon

2005-11-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm posting from the Suwon train station because I want to get my 500W worth on the Internet. I'm meeting D here at 3, but until then I'm going to explore this fortress thingy here in the city.

The past few days in Seoul have been fantastic. I've been hanging out with the Canadian, Rick, and a Japanese woman (living in New Zealand), Saya. We have done lots of site seeing and lots of eating. On the subway last night, I saw a guy with a Lonely Planet staring at the subway map. I asked him if he needed help, and then we ended up arranging to go out for drinks later. While we waited for him to show, we met some more new guests at the hostel, an American and a Malaysian (living in Dallas). Beer was consumed, the other American and I started going off on politics (what else do I talk about when tipsy?). Anyway, another fantastic evening. Rick went to Busan, but I will see him Tuesday night. He and I are on the same flight to Taiwan on Wednesday. I will see Saya one more night before she leaves Monday morning.

Fortress time!

temples outside of gyeongju

2005-11-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

P1010058.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

Gyeongju

2005-11-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

P1010011.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

I've got Seoul

2005-11-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

I had a great first day back in Seoul. Yesterday morning, a Canadian at the hostel asked me what was good to see in Seoul. About 15 minutes later, he and I were out the door heading toward the big temple near city hall. After lunch we went to Yongsan Electronics District because I needed headphones. After a coffee break, we went to the Seoul National Museum. It just opened the last week in October, and I was amazing. I am very rarely in awe of architecture (even more so modern architecture), but these place was amazing. It was, for lack of a better word, huge with marble everywhere. Simply gorgeous. Oh, and there was some pretty amazing stuff inside too. After tourtisting ourselves out, we went for some beer. Then ate. Then drank some more.

Tonight is Vickie's birthday!

My first day in Korea!

2005-11-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

P1010017.JPG
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

back in Seoul

2005-11-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Last night, I decided to come back to Seoul. Vickie doesn't have class on Wednesdays so I thought it would be fun to sight-see with her. However, she couldn't meet up last night because she had plans. I spent the night at Seoul Backpackers. I had heard two rave reviews from fellow guests at the Hanjin Hostel, and I wanted to go someplace to be social. I sat and watched and laughed at Armageddon and Species with a Scotsman (the same one from the hostel in Busan), Spaniard, and a German. Fun times.

Today, Seoul!

uh, Daegu!

2005-11-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

I wanted to go to Jeju island. This morning, I got up and went to the ferry terminal. "Tickets for Jeju on sale at 2."

I wandered around. I didn't do too much. I took the subway to the Busan Art Museum. I tried to buy a ticket, but "free today." Well, in most of the rooms there were rags laying about and people cleaning pictures. Hm. I checked my guide book, and it said the muesum is closed on Mondays. Ok, I guess that is why it is free.

I went back to the ferry terminal. I waited at the desk to buy Jeju tickets, but no one showed. I went and called Dylan, but after about 10-15min his voice turned into a busy signal. I tried calling back, but I kept getting a recorded Koren voice.

I noticed that there was someone at the desk for Jeju tickets. I went back and waited behind this elderly couple. I asked to get a ticket. "All full." What? Well, shit. The Jeju ferry only goes once a day, and I have no hope of finding a place in Busan because of APEC. Also, I was ready to leave.

I went to Busan station, and I looked at different cities between Busan and Seoul. I volunteer APEC Interperter came up to me and asked where I was going.

"I don't know yet."
"How spontaneous."

I asked where Dondaegu was because I could not find it in my guidebook. He told me that it was in Daegu. It means east of Daegu. Oh. I then found the station on the map of Daegu. In my guidebook I had marked Daegu as a possible place of interest. 6,400W later, I had a ticket to Daegu. Michelle, the interperter, asked me if I wanted some tea before I left. Sure. I got to go into the worker's lounge and drink green tea. Michelle's dad was in the army so he lived all over Korea. His family then moved to Brazil for 20, and then he moved back to Korea in 1988. Crazy! Well, Michelle almost made me miss my train because the clock on his phone was slow. He took me all the way to my seat on the train.

An hour and a half later, I was at Dondaegu. I got off the train and walked toward activity and went into the second motel I saw. 20,000W later, I had a room. I decided to take the subway to downtown. Downtown is hopping for 8pm a Monday night. All the clothing stores are open and vendors line the streets.

I still haven't decided if I am going to stay in Daegu one or two days, and if I do decide on only one day, I do not know if I am going back to Seoul or another stop along the way.

How spontaneous.

best day ever

2005-11-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Wow. Busan, you are an amazing city.

Today, I went to this park, and I was on the way to the Marine Museum. However, I heard this drum noises, so I followed their sound. The sounds lead me to some type of folk dance performance in the park. I sit down, take some pictures, and clap when it is done. A young woman approaches me and asks if I liked it. The usual introductions of where I'm visiting, how long I am staying are exchanged. I ask, "Is there anything in Busan you recommend I see?" The woman, July says, "We have great beaches. I teach a folk dance class this afternoon. I can take you." Ok. Then, her friend, Maya, comes up, and July asks if I have eaten. Nope, sure haven't. We got out to eat. July goes to her class. Maya takes me to the Busan tower where there are some cultural events for APEC. There is a mask dance at 3. Cool. Well, at one point in the dance, the guy in the mask pulls this kid from the audience and tells him to bring up some foreingers. Me and this APEC delegate from the US get pulled up on stage. We are asked to dance. So we dance. Then I got a necklace with a mask on it. Part way through the next event, an Incan band, Maya gets a call from July. We meet her and do some walking on the beach. We eat dinner. I get reconginzed from the mask dance by some other whiteys. Then we see the Busan bridge lights at nine. I'm tired. I'm going to Jeju tomorrow.

busan

2005-11-12T04:29:00.000-07:00

Dammit.

I am tired of wandering around trying to find the damn hostel. I've done this in Gyeongju and in Busan.

Anyway, I got here. It's late. I am tired. I don't think I'm doing anything tonight. I am going to check out the 1,000W store near the hostel/apartment tomorrow. I was going to stay in Busan three nights, but this place is full on Monday. So, I will move on to a different city. Why not?

A drunk man on the Busan subway offered me a piece of gum.

more Gyeongju

2005-11-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

It rained all day today. Boo. I did hang out with two women: a Norweigan and a Japanese. I think I'm going to Busan tomorrow.

Exciting entry, huh?

Edit: Here is a photo of me and Vickie's Korean teacher. (After the teacher did Soju Bombs).

Gyeongju!

2005-11-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

No pictures...I'm on the motel's computer.

Today, I left Seoul and headed to Gyeongju. I'm staying the night at the Hanjin Jang Hostel. Mr. Kwon got me set up in a room, maps, recommendations on sight seeing, and a resaurant recommendation. I wandered around the city a little. There are many street markets (mostly food), and the city is littered with anicent tombs. The tombs are big mounds, like random hills, everyone. At night the ones by the park and the trees are lit up by flood lights. When I got back, Mr. Kwon asked me if I had eaten, I replied no, and he said, "He is going to eat. You can go together." "He" turned out to be a PHD student from Singapore that is here for a conference. Mr. Kwon called the restuarant to tell them we were coming. After coming back, I got to chat with Mr. Kwon and two women, one from Japan and the other from Norway. Tomorrow, I will do some real sight seeing.

legislating hate

2005-11-08T23:18:00.000-07:00

Fuck.

Voters tied the knot Tuesday with a constitutional amendment cementing marriage in Texas as being solely between a man and a woman and barring communities from legalizing same-sex unions.

And to think I had hope. There were "Keep Families First" and "Defend, Don't Amend the Texas Constitution signs in SA."

And yes, I'm in Korea eating a green tea ice cream popsiclle blogging about this, but I knew it was being voted on, and I had to check.

Narita Airport, Japan

2005-11-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

moving sidewalks
Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

Pictures from Narita International Airport.

seoul!

2005-11-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in my friend Vickie's apartment near Yonsei University in Seoul, South, Korea!. My plane left Denver at 8:34 am on Nov. 7th. I got to Seoul at 8:30pm on Nov 8th. In between, I had layovers in San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan. Vickie picked me up from the airport has given me a tutorial on Korean words, culture etc. She is an excellent guide. She sure has made things easier.

I'm trying to come up with some profound first impressions of Seoul, but I think I'm experiencing overload from the last 24 hours. It seems like an hour ago I was sitting in DIA.

Oh, I can think of something...while Vickie and I sat waiting for the bus at the airport. A man from the bus ticket counter with a Dixie-type cup half full and handed it to Vickie, "Coppee." He asked if I wanted some and went and got some more from the counter. It was good. It almost tasted like a gas station cappuccino.

Edit: Ok, I thought of something else. In the airport bathrooms, in the toilet stall, there was this button attached to a speaker. Curious, I pressed it. It played a recorded noise of a toilet flushing. It took me a minute, but I figured out that it was there so you could cover up "toilet noises." Vickie calls it an "etiquette bell."

guess what?

2005-11-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

I'm getting on a plane to Seoul, South Korea in less than five hours.

what great timing

2005-11-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

Heightened Risk of Demonstrations during APEC Summit

American citizens living in or traveling to the Republic of Korea should pay special attention to the high likelihood of protests and civil demonstrations in the Busan area during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, November 12 - 19, 2005. Korean police advised the Embassy that they expect 30,000 to 50,000 protesters to gather in downtown Busan and in the vicinity of the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center. Demonstrations may also occur without notice in other parts of Korea, including Gyeongju and other cities hosting APEC-related events. We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are, therefore, urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

That's interesting because I was planning on visiting Gyeongju and Busan between the dates of Nov 11th - 17th.

Crap.

"American citizens should also be aware that hotel rooms will be practically unavailable in Busan and the surrounding area for the week of the summit and, in most cases, the two weeks preceding it.

I wonder if there will be rooms outside the city.

Edit: I emailed a hostel, and they have rooms still. Sweet.

where's the prince charming magical dance studio?

2005-11-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Yay ultra-gendered children's toys teaching ultra-materialism!

"You want to feel like a princess every moment of every day," Ms. Beech said, "even if you're riding a bike or kicking a soccer ball." It is even possible, as one mother at the Disney store confessed, to go to the bathroom the Cinderella way. "There's Drizella and there's Anastasia," her recently toilet-trained daughter remarks when she flushes.

And to think, just this morning, I cursed out loud upon seeing "Bella Cinderella Magical Princess Dance Studio " advertised on TV.

An instructional DVD by prima ballerina Bella and her friends helps get your little sovereign’s dance steps up to snuff for the big event. Steps are easy to follow with the accompanying Cinderella dance mat, which has footprints to show maidens where to put their feet during each waltz or ballet. Bella teaches her young protégés 10 enchanting dances and 8 songs in all and even touches on how to behave like a princess.

It is DDR for 4 year olds (girls).

PS: I'm all better. My sickness must have been a 24 hour bug.

currently Josh Joplin Group, "Here I am"

go away germs

2005-11-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Uh oh. I think I have a fever.

Thrus - Sat: see Matt Nathanson in Denver, Boulder, and Ft. Collins.
Monday: Leave for Korea.

Hopefully this bug won't stick around long.

kids say the darnest things

2005-10-26T19:50:00.000-06:00

from the latest issue of Wired

My 5-year-old picked up the September issue (13.09), looked at the photo of Jon Stewart on the cover, laughed, and said: "The president has a remote in his mouth!"

Roger Connor
Poughkeepsie, New York

always low prices

2005-10-26T16:39:00.000-06:00

See, Wal-mart isn't that bad.
Oh wait.
Never mind.

why i hate the suburbs, reason 324902432

2005-10-25T13:04:00.000-06:00

Exurbanites Occupy an Unsettled Place in Va. Politics

"We had conflict," said Jamie Lechner, referring to her old Germantown neighborhood. "And we wanted to move away from that. . . . That's why we're here -- to be sheltered."
---
"Yeah, but there aren't really troubles in the schools," said Craft, pointing out that they are too new. "Traffic and golf scores, those are the two big topics."

"There was the timing of the gate," Perilla said, "community issues like that. But if it doesn't affect you personally, you don't have to think about it, unfortunately."

"You don't have to leave here," said her neighbor, laughing. "That's the key. You don't have to leave -- it's almost scary."
---
"It sounds awful," Perilla said, "but it was turning into a more working-class neighborhood. More pickups -- not that there's anything wrong with that. . . . There were problems we didn't want to deal with -- at least on a personal level."
---
"At a certain point, you want your kids to grow up in Mayberry," Jamie Lechner said. "And this is as close to Mayberry as we can get."
---
In his book, "Democracy in Suburbia," University of Chicago political science professor Eric Oliver asserts that, in general, the absence of conflict in suburban areas tends to go hand in hand with diminished participation -- not necessarily in elections, but in other parts of civic life, such as volunteering. "It turns citizens into consumers, basically," he said in an interview. ". . . They disconnect and disassociate themselves from the greater community in which they reside."
---
"As exurbs become more powerful, more populated, more legislatively represented, there is the danger that the hidden concerns of the central cities and older suburbs will be ignored," he said. "We do tend to leave our problems behind, always searching for that new frontier that doesn't have any. Of course, there is no such thing."

alumni weekend

2005-10-24T20:51:00.000-06:00

This about sums it up.

Originally uploaded by mmgoodsoup.

more good news

2005-10-22T11:54:00.000-06:00

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday unanimously struck down a state law that punished underage sex more severely if it involved homosexual acts, saying "moral disapproval" of such conduct is not enough to justify the different treatment.

The case involved an 18-year-old man, Matthew R. Limon, who was found guilty in 2000 of performing a sex act on a 14-year-old boy and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Had one of them been a girl, state law would have dictated a maximum sentence of 15 months.

The high court ordered that Limon be resentenced as if the law treated illegal gay sex and illegal straight sex the same. He has already served more than five years.

Damn.

currently Modest Mouse, "Float On"

It is very important that time is allowed for Mr. Brown to eat dinner

2005-10-21T10:39:00.000-06:00

And I had to explain to some releatives why outrage should be directed at the federal government.

Mr. Bahamonde stayed near the Superdome, where he had been told that a FEMA medical team, as well as 360,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15 water trucks, were being sent ahead of the storm.

None of that turned out to be true. Five water trucks and 40,000 meals were in place. The medical team did not arrive until Aug. 30, the day after the hurricane hit.

And that's just the tip of the iceburg.

i'm giddy

2005-10-19T15:29:00.000-06:00

An arrest warrant issued for Tom Delay

"To any sheriff or peace officer of the state of Texas, greetings, you are hereby commanded to arrest Thomas Dale DeLay and keep him safely so that you have him before the 331st Judicial District Court of Travis County."

burning down the house

2005-10-18T23:35:00.000-06:00

My liberal heart has started to swell.

pants

2005-10-14T18:54:00.000-06:00

Ladies! Help!

As for many women, Shopping for pants frustrates me. However, once I do find pants that fit, I love and wear them until they physically wear out. (Unless of course, I happen to lose weight, and I must discard them before their time. Bittersweet. Oh, chocolate brown pants I bought on sale from The Limited! I miss you!) Always, my pants "wear out" by developing holes in the crotch region. (Unless of course, I happen to gain weight, and the pants split open. This only happened once.) Now, holes in jeans can seem trendy and hip. Except for holes in the crotch. Is this just an inevitability due to actually having thighs? Or are there some amazing non-crotch hole pants out there?

not surprising

2005-10-13T13:20:00.000-06:00

The Revealer uncovers shitty journalism in relation to Miers' faith.

He said he'd done perhaps 100 interviews since the announcement of Miers' nomination, with reporters who were clearly looking for an angle on the church's fundamentalism. Why hadn't they noticed the raging lunacy of the Gospel Broadcasting Association?

currently Liz Phair, "Whip-Smart"

best obituary ever

2005-10-13T09:02:00.000-06:00

In lieu of flowers, please send acerbic letters to Republicans.

on the road

2005-10-08T06:26:00.000-06:00

Reporting from Ft. Stockton, Texas.

My last few days in Albuquerque kept me busy. On Friday I did not leave until 11am, and since I was driving on four hours of sleep, I decided to crash for the night in Ft. Stockton. I worried about getting sleepy in BFE Texas (which is really all that lies ahead until close to SA) and erred on the side of caution.

Last night I got a little taste of Midland, TX's ABC station's 10 o'clock news where the high school football games coves seem more like college. The sports reporter knew who had just come back from injury, and he actually called the highlights instead of a montage. However, the highlight for me was the coverage for "Beads and More." Why? Its jingle: "Beads and More! Beads! Beads! Beads!"

At the hotel I'm staying at, I am treated to a free copy of the Odessa American. Now, for those that aren't quite familiar with Texas, Midland is where Bush Jr. found God. Yesterday the editorial page featured the title: "Missing the base with his real base: THE POINT - President Bush seems tone deaf to concerns of limited government advocates." Today, this associated press article graces the front page: "Doubts about Bush up, poll finds: Optimism about country's future fading." Times, they are a changing.

land of enchantment

2005-10-05T09:25:00.000-06:00

I didn't quite luck out with the timing of this trip. Usually Beth's weekdays are free and clear. Work takes place mostly on weekends. However, Beth's parents' visit happens to fall on this upcoming weekend, and Beth needed to request time off. She thought this time off request was pretty much taken care of until she went into work on Monday. She was presented with a list of people that weren't working this weekend and was told, "Find somebody to trade shifts with you." Many phone calls later, Beth got the weekend clear of work but ended up with 12 hour shifts both Wednesday and Thursday. Yes, the working world blows. I am bummed that my time with Beth got cut, but I do have a city to explore and am not worried about having to keep myself occupied.

Yesterday Beth took me to Old Town to soak up the touristy culture. On the way, Beth got turned around, and we ended up exploring a neighorbood, and I got to experience my first Speed Table.
She had a salsa class at the end of the day and insisted that I came along. I wanted to but hesitated due to my lack of cordination and sense of rhythm. Before we left she taught me the line dance that is done at the beginning of every class and basic salsa. Still a little nervous we walk to the class only to disvoer that it was cancelled for the day. Oh well. I got the tour of the UNM campus instead and got to stand in the Center of the Universe.

currently Sondre Leche, "Modern Nature"

hello from abq

2005-10-04T09:21:00.000-06:00

I arrived in Albuquerque at approximately 8:30pm last night. Yesterday's drive offered me a preview of what the 2nd leg of the journey will look like: a whole lot of nothingness. There doesn't seem to be much of anything in New Mexico except in the middle.

After arrival, Beth promptly took me to the infamous Frontier for a dinner of a quantities vegetarian burrito and two equally gigantic tortillas. Oh, you better believe I cleaned my plate. Since it is across the street from UNM, we ate among many studying students, but a fair number of locals represented as well. I arrived in the dark last night and haven't really gotten a feel for the city. As soon as Beth gets off of work, I will get the tour.

currently Joni Mitchell, "Paved Paradise"

moving on

2005-10-02T18:15:00.000-06:00

I am no longer employed. I canvassed my last day on Friday.

The reason for my sudden resignation ultimately stems from the want to live with the spirit of "no day but today." Or maybe I'm just looking for excuses to leave Parker.

I leave tomorrow to visit my wonderful friend Beth in Albuquerque, NM. By shear luck, the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival overlaps my visit. After New Mexico, I am off to San Antonio, Texas. In late October, I will be attending my university's Alumni Weekend. I decided to extend my visit to try and do some good. My intentions might be entirely misguided, but I'm staying with Granny during my visit so at least I will get some family time and have a free place to stay.

I will be back in CO before Halloween because I am leaving for Korea and Taiwan on November 7th. Oh, but before that, I have three Matt Nathanson shows to attend.

See, living at home post-college isn't all that bad. You can save up money, and then blow it all traveling!

currently Talking Heads, "Burning Down the House"

facebook freaks me out

2005-09-29T11:28:00.000-06:00

In the past two days have received two messages from two individuals that randomly decided to look me up via facebook. Now these two individuals are not complete strangers but friends from when I lived in Austin, Texas. I moved from Austin, Texas in 1995. I'm headed down to San Antonio in October and made plans to meet up with one of these long lost contacts.

currently Simon & Garfunkel, "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover"

living at home

2005-09-25T00:45:00.000-06:00

I've been uploading photos from last year to my flickr account. I realized that I haven't been doing as much "personel upkeep" since I've been back home. Actually, this change took place sometime over the summer. I'm not sure what happened, but I know I feel better when I don't just roll out of bed, look in the mirror and say "whatever."

currently Sleater-Kinney, "Far Away"

we support our troops?

2005-09-22T12:31:00.000-06:00

The Moral-Hazard Myth may affect the military's health care.
Details:

Service members would be offered cash if they are willing to accept reduced health care benefits for their families. “The less comprehensive plan would encourage individuals to be more cost-conscious when purchasing health care products by including deductibles, co-payments and a maximum annual out-of-pocket expenditure limit"

The moral-hazard argument makes sense, however, only if we consume health care in the same way that we consume other consumer goods, and to economists like Nyman this assumption is plainly absurd. We go to the doctor grudgingly, only because we’re sick. “Moral hazard is overblown,” the Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt says. “You always hear that the demand for health care is unlimited. This is just not true. People who are very well insured, who are very rich, do you see them check into the hospital because it’s free? Do people really like to go to the doctor? Do they check into the hospital instead of playing golf?”...the more that people were asked to chip in for their health care the less care they used. The problem was that they cut back equally on both frivolous care and useful care.

currently Dispatch, "The General"

some things never change

2005-09-21T11:23:00.000-06:00

And yet again, I wonder how I turned out the way I did: My mother stopped working when I was born, and right now (if I even do have children), it is not what I want.

On the other hand, maybe it is not all that curious, my mother spoke of resentment at her few feasible career options, and in some ways she almost felt forced into teaching. In an English class at the University of Houston, a professor told her friend that A Streetcar Named Desire was not an appropriate play for a lady to do a report on for an assignment. Perhaps she would have felt more motivated to return to teaching if she didn't feel that it was increasingly more frustrating.

Ladies, choosing to stay home with the kids is fine, but "this is a decision that males don't have to make?" That's Bullshit.

currently Ben Folds, "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces"

life and such

2005-09-19T00:11:00.000-06:00

I'm doing a pretty great job avoiding fully incoprorating myself in the post-grad "real world."

More details at a later date.

currently Guster, "Nothing but Flowers"

travel filter: passport

2005-09-02T18:42:00.000-06:00

I got my passport today. $67 went to the Department of State. $45 went the Postmaster. $112 total. Do other countries charge this much to be able to leave their shores? After Jan 1, 2008, I don't see how the price of this document won't affect travel to the U.S. and Mexico. I mean, there already is some requirment of wealth to travel overseas (you have to be able to afford a plane ticket, for one thing). But, for those that living along the in the Rio Grande Valley (for example), $112 is mega bucks (hell, for me it is pay for a day and half of work).

currently The Beastie Boys, "Railroad Blues"

come together

2005-08-30T22:22:00.000-06:00

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"

the lost art of fact checking

2005-08-29T09:48:00.000-06:00

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.

back in colorado

2005-08-28T00:19:00.000-06:00

Not being in school is weird.

currently listening to Matt Nathanson, "Fall to Pieces"

the hawkeye state

2005-08-20T22:12:00.000-06:00

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"

other events

2005-08-19T02:14:00.000-06:00

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.

peace corps: nomination

2005-08-16T11:17:00.000-06:00

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"

how much do low prices really cost?

2005-08-14T19:13:00.000-06:00

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.

oh sweet propaganda

2005-08-10T23:26:00.000-06:00

This is just fucking ridiculous.

currently finishing off this box of Wheat Thins

consumerism

2005-08-08T23:31:00.000-06:00

Chaco sandals = SEX.

currently drinking iced mint green tea

ABC Special Report

2005-08-07T22:24:00.000-06:00

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"

it's like a whole 'nother planet

2005-08-01T11:14:00.000-06:00

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

currently listening to Steely Dan, "Black Friday"

the ring came off my pudding can

2005-07-31T13:26:00.000-06:00

Except in this case, the ring came off my Diet Coke with Vanilla can. Yes, upon attempting to open my Phenylalanine filled beverage, the ring snapped before it completely punctured the lid. Alas! Frontally I discovered that a slight hole had been punched open before the breakage. The liquid comes out in small sips, but I am still able to enjoy it. However, sipping the drink this way quickly triggered a memory. In elementary school (5 grade ish) my friends and I would purposely only slightly open cans of soda and drink precisely this way. Why would we do this? Because we decided it was cool, for no other reason than because we said so. We decided that folding our pizza slices in half was cool as well.

I had completely forgotten this, but as soon as I started to drink my soda, today, at 22, it came rushing back. Memory is a weird thing, and thanks to intro psychology I know it is unreliable. It is truly fascinating how the kinesic activity made me remember, but I guess it could have never happened.

Man, fuck critical thinking. I'm just going to drink my soda.

currently trying to suck the last bit of my soda from a very small hole

pc filter

2005-07-29T23:16:00.000-06:00

My interview for the Peace Corps is Tuesday at 10am.

currently thirsty

that's my rep!

2005-07-28T12:10:00.000-06:00

I really hate being represented in the U.S. Congress by Tom Tancredo, "Major League Asshole":

Tancredo: Well, what if you said something like, "If this happens in the United States and we determine that it is the result of extremist, fundamentalist Muslims." You could take out their holy sites.

Campbell: You're talking about bombing Mecca?

Tancredo: Yeah.

But Tancredo's spokesmen does want to clear the air:

"He said he was sorry if anybody was offended," Adams said. "He never meant it to be an insult."

Adams added later, "He has not issued an apology or a retraction."

Asked to explain why Tancredo saying he was sorry was not an apology, Adams said Tancredo meant to express regret at how his remarks were received, not the remarks themselves.

Remember, Tancredo for President.

currently eating an Amy's Burrito

run Rove, run

2005-07-20T10:24:00.000-06:00

Confused about the allegations against Karl Rove?

"The Daily Show" has really summed it up the best:
Best Leak Ever and Rove, Actually

perfect time of day

2005-07-18T23:15:00.000-06:00

Long time no update so I will summarize in a fun list format:

Accomplished:

Commuted two days to work from a hotel in Boulder because friends were staying there

Helped find a friend an apartment in Boulder for one of those friends

Received my first information packet on investing from an EdwardJones Representative

Started to read a book my dad bought for me

Bought the sixth Harry Potter book at 12:01 am on Saturday (and started to read it)

Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Finally went to the cool coffee shop near work, St. Mark's

Got convinced to attend the Gavin DeGraw / Howie Day concert

Recognized by someone I went to high school with at said concert

Recognized by someone I went to high school with while working

Got told my an old lady "Pro-choice means just that, a woman should have a choice!"

Trained my very first "observer" at work

currently smelling my smelly feet

friday five

2005-07-08T23:31:00.000-06:00

1. What is the best thing about the city in which you live? What is the worst?

Best thing: That I am less than an hour drive away from Denver.
Worst thing: The fact that I actually live here.

2. Describe an idea or invention of yours that you would like to see turned into reality.

In elementary school and middle school, I played various instruments for band and/or orchestra. While lugging these instruments from my house to the bus stop (and vice versa), I often wished that Star Trek transporters existed. And if that kind of technology existed, it should definitely be used for that purpose.

3. If you could strike one word from the English language, which word would you choose and why?

No idea, but I wish the word "fugal" wasn't associated with something so gross. It's a fun word to say. Go ahead - say it out loud.

4. If the world had a front porch, what would you do on it?

Sing and play guitar. Because if I have the power to create a front porch for the world, I have the power to make myself musically talented.

5. Did you think that being an adult would be cool?

Yep. And I don't have a lot of experience in this department yet, but I still think it has potential. I have never been able to jump on the boat with people waxing nostalgic about elementary school days. I don't need to head back to those days of low self-esteem. Go back to middle school? Fuck no. And I'd choose college over high school, for sure.

currently eating tapioca pudding

tommy can you hear me?

2005-07-08T10:43:00.000-06:00

Delusions of Grandeur: President Tom Tancredo

It appears that my trusty US House Rep introducing himself to the Iowa Christian Collation on Pat Buchanan's family dime. Tommy has been a busy boy in his four terms in House. He seems to believe that focusing on one issue is the way to go. He founded Team America PAC. (Sadly, this is the Team America without puppets.)

Team America's mission is to identify, recruit and help elect to public office individual Patriots who agree with the principle of defending our borders and protecting America's jobs.

Actually, go ahead and run Tommy. It would mean you would finally stop you from pushing your agenda in Congress because the people in my district seem to simply vote along party lines. I have faith that you would lose, dear Tommy, because I have faith that the nation would not look past the crazy people that support you.

currently needing to get ready for work

america!

2005-07-07T10:02:00.000-06:00

Thank God for three day weekends.

I drove up to Snowmass this weekend to take advantage of an invitation to allow me to stay at a friend's family's cabin. I drove up Saturday and stayed until Tuesday morning (I had a four hour commute to work that morning). It was wonderful to actually spend time with friends. Since moving back to Colorado, all social interactions have been confined to staff night at work and to phone / instant messenger conversations with people out of state.

Just being there brought down my stress level to a negative number. We made chocolate fondue two nights in a row, spent some time in a hot tub, went hiking, saw some Amish at Independence Pass, watched fireworks in Aspen, and played some mean games of crochet. Oh, I also had an oat bran banana waffle with real maple syrup and got to play with a hyperactive cocker spaniel.

I suppose this might be unneeded advice, but unless you make a six-figure plus income, and don't mind blowing it, don't waste your time walking around Aspen. Go hiking or something instead.

currently drinking coffee

bumper sticker shock

2005-06-29T11:52:00.000-06:00

Ah, political bumper stickers. Living in Texas during the 2004 Presidental election, I thought I had seen all the pro-adminstration stickers there were to be seen. I was wrong. Yesterday as I was driving to work, I saw a sticker that said, "My heroes have always been cowboys." As I approached it, I saw that it featured a picture of President George W. Bush. As we all know, we should be glad to have a cowboy as president.

currently annoyed at the Denver Post and Associated Press.

the scariest article I've read in a while

2005-06-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

In a fantastic piece for the New Yorker, Hanna Rosin provides an in-depth look at Patrick Henry College. I don't know how I can elobroate...so I think I'll provide some quotes:

Three times a year, the White House chooses a hundred students for a three-month internship. Patrick Henry, with only three hundred students, has taken between one and five of the spots in each of the past five years—roughly the same as Georgetown.

“Come on, we know politicians lie,” he began. “Come on, we know politicians lie,” he began. “This is a bit sensitive. How about our beloved George W. Bush? Does he deceive us with what he says in public? Does he lie?” The students, who had been fully engaged on the subject of Machiavelli and Waco, were silent. Bush has been President since they were teen-agers, and the school newspaper’s editorials never deviate from the White House position. Finally, one student said, “No, I don’t think so.”

The school has to make room for a student like Farahn Morgan, a ballerina who is trying out to be a Rockette and likes to provoke her roommates by saying she’s going to Victoria’s Secret (“People, everyone wears a bra!”), and for a junior like Ben Adams, who sent out a nine-page e-mail to the entire student body before the spring formal reminding the girls to dress modestly. “Lust is sin,” it said. “It is sin for you to tempt us. It is . . . unloving. Unsisterly. Un-Christlike.”

Girls talk about not “stumbling” a guy, the equivalent of tempting him, and resident advisers keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t wear shirts that show any bra. If they do, they’ll get a friendly e-mail—“I think I saw you in dress code violation,” followed by a smiley emoticon. (Not everyone takes the strictures well: one woman I spoke to would sometimes cry in the stairwell after being criticized by other girls for dressing inappropriately; she is transferring.) Smoking, drinking, and “public displays of affection in any campus building” are forbidden. Matthew du Mée, who was an R.A., told me that if he saw a boy and girl sitting too close for too long he would pull the boy aside and tell him to stop, because “the guy is supposed to be the leader in the relationship.”

A faction of homeschooling parents lobbied Farris not to admit girls to the college, but he told me that he considered that an “extreme” position. “All women, moms included, benefit from a great education,” he said. Men and women compete openly. When all the best papers in a constitutional-law class that Farris taught were turned in by girls—and not for the first time—Farris yelled at the boys to grow up.

She would have serious discussions about children and insurance before the first kiss. Then, at some point, the boys realized “how much I really loved politics and wanted to be a part of it,” and the prospect of her commitment to a career became a problem.

leave my child alone

2005-06-27T09:23:00.000-06:00

Army recruiters are getting even more desparte. And it's not like things were bad before. Now, however, there is an interesting movement aimed at parents of high school students to prevent their child's private information from being released to army recruiters. (Made possible by the No Child Left Behind Act)

currently needing to clean my room.

foodgasm

2005-06-26T20:55:00.000-06:00

I just bought Espo's Mango Sorbetto from King Soopers. Three ingredients are listed: water, mango, sugar. Holy hell, so good. You can find amazing products when you buy local.

currently listening to my father whistle along to kelly clarkson, "behind these hazel eyes"

submitted

2005-06-23T11:40:00.000-06:00

I just submitted my Peace Corps application online.

it can start with one

2005-06-22T23:58:00.000-06:00

At my last door of the night, the man told me, "I can't give any money, but how else can I help?"

If there were more people like him, the world would be a better place.

currently watching "30 days" on fx

Sandals with a Christian message

2005-06-22T01:03:00.000-06:00

Walk your faith--evangelize with every step you take.

President Bush should

2005-06-21T11:05:00.000-06:00

hail a genuine Pakistani hero and spotlight the goals of ordinary Pakistanis - not fighter aircraft but simple justice.

currently listening to gratitude, "drive away"

What's Their Real Problem With Gay Marriage? (It's the Gay Part)

2005-06-19T21:32:00.000-06:00

I realized I was hearing about the same encounter from both sides. What was expressed as love was received as something close to hate. That's a hard gap to bridge.

currently listening to sarah harmer, "basement apartment" on KCVU

batman begins

2005-06-19T16:35:00.000-06:00

I think a good movie adaptation of a comic book character should make you want to read the comic. Batman Begins accomplishes just that. I learned from an interview with Frank Miller that the new movie is loosely based on his Batman: Year One. Perhaps I shall check it out.

Christopher Nolan has successfully brought Batman back after being lost in Joel Schumacher's homoerotic fantasy. Although, the fact that Batman is gay is nothing new.

currently listening to jesse collin young - "before you came" on KCVU

is it really that surprising?

2005-06-19T14:22:00.000-06:00

Secrets don't make friends, but friends make secrets.

an attempt at a new beginning

2005-06-19T00:14:00.000-06:00

Right now I feel that I have a scattered identity around the 'net. This blog is an attempt to bring everything together and provide a place for interested folks to find updates about myself. Only time will tell if this experiment ends in success.

currently listening to KGNU