Saturday, April 23, 2005
Pots and Kettles
It seems moves are being made to try and quell the recent rift in Sino-Japanese relations. PM Koizumi and President Hu met yesterday to talk about the issues. I give props to Koizumi for trying to publicly cool things down by apologizing for past atrocities, but I am very bothered by one element of this story.
The fact is, China is committing atrocities as we speak...or read. There's the whole Falun Gong thing as well as assorted abuse of women, especially in Tibet. Since China has strict control over who can protest about what, it's pretty obvious that they're allowing these anti-Japanese sentiments to run wild so fewer people will question the activities of their own government. Kind of like how Americans hear all about problems in the Middle East whenever someone asks the President about problems here in the U.S.
Bottom line, I hate the idea that Koizumi feels pressure to apologize for sixty-year old shit he couldn't stop and can't take back while Hu isn't saying or doing anything about shit that's happening right now.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
The fact is, China is committing atrocities as we speak...or read. There's the whole Falun Gong thing as well as assorted abuse of women, especially in Tibet. Since China has strict control over who can protest about what, it's pretty obvious that they're allowing these anti-Japanese sentiments to run wild so fewer people will question the activities of their own government. Kind of like how Americans hear all about problems in the Middle East whenever someone asks the President about problems here in the U.S.
Bottom line, I hate the idea that Koizumi feels pressure to apologize for sixty-year old shit he couldn't stop and can't take back while Hu isn't saying or doing anything about shit that's happening right now.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, April 22, 2005
Unforgivable
I know, three posts in one day! Crazy, right? Well, I have something to say and it's not going to wait.
By now you've probably heard about a customer finding a fingertip in her chili at Wendy's. I admit the story gave me the creeps a little bit because I love chili (not Wendy's chili, mind you) and I've been extra wary of fast food ever since reading Fast Food Nation last year.
Now it seems that this whole thing may be a hoax. Not only did the accusing customer suddenly drop her lawsuit last week (citing "emotional distress"), she also has a history of suits like this. Throw in a 2002 Grand Larceny charge and she's busted. Some of you may remember another high-profile case twelve years ago: a rash of tampered Pepsi cans that held syringes, screws, crack vials, etc. The whole thing was a massive hoax perpetrated by con artists and assholes who wanted a quick buck. I've heard that since this "chilifinger" story broke, similar copycat "finds" have broken out around the country.
Stories like this make me furious. This isn't stealing cable or shoplifting, this is defrauding companies of millions of dollars by publicly slandering their product. I equate this with those Enron/Worldcom bastards who stole millions of dollars from ordinary people. Everyone hears about a food tampering case but people rarely, if ever, hear about retractions. To top it off, this appears to be the work of a aspiring career criminal. I honestly believe that people like this should be executed. No, I'm not kidding.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
By now you've probably heard about a customer finding a fingertip in her chili at Wendy's. I admit the story gave me the creeps a little bit because I love chili (not Wendy's chili, mind you) and I've been extra wary of fast food ever since reading Fast Food Nation last year.
Now it seems that this whole thing may be a hoax. Not only did the accusing customer suddenly drop her lawsuit last week (citing "emotional distress"), she also has a history of suits like this. Throw in a 2002 Grand Larceny charge and she's busted. Some of you may remember another high-profile case twelve years ago: a rash of tampered Pepsi cans that held syringes, screws, crack vials, etc. The whole thing was a massive hoax perpetrated by con artists and assholes who wanted a quick buck. I've heard that since this "chilifinger" story broke, similar copycat "finds" have broken out around the country.
Stories like this make me furious. This isn't stealing cable or shoplifting, this is defrauding companies of millions of dollars by publicly slandering their product. I equate this with those Enron/Worldcom bastards who stole millions of dollars from ordinary people. Everyone hears about a food tampering case but people rarely, if ever, hear about retractions. To top it off, this appears to be the work of a aspiring career criminal. I honestly believe that people like this should be executed. No, I'm not kidding.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Begin Spring Cleaning
Even websites need it from time to time. Changed the banner to feature a more springtime-look and updated my Links page which was woefully out of date. In related news, the counter is down until further notice. For the record, it was around 5600-something last time I saw it.
If you know what the image in the new banner is, I'll reward you with a beer or a kiss, whichever you prefer.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
If you know what the image in the new banner is, I'll reward you with a beer or a kiss, whichever you prefer.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
"Been A Long Time, Been a Long Time..."
Time for one last three-day weekend. Apparently Monday is some kind of holiday? Whatever, I want to get this one thing out in the open: I will be getting drunk this weekend. I've spent so many weeks moping and fretting over this Japan-thing that I've been living quite dry. This weekend, it's time to celebrate and get hammered. With any luck, I can avoid throwing up or deleting my blog...again.
Last night was another AGA meeting and, as usual, we got fucked. We meet in a penthouse in one of the large dormitory towers here at UAlbany. It's a big room with almost-comfortable furniture, a pool table, and a big-screen TV. Most of the time, the room is locked which makes no sense to me. When a student group (like us) signs up for the room, an RA is supposed to be there to unlock the door and "supervise" us. More often than not, our meetings are disrupted by an aberration in this procedure. You may recall that last week's meeting was cut short, well, this week's meeting was delayed because the RA who was supposed to show up didn't. Rumor has it they were taking a test or something but that doesn't change the fact that nearly every week, something goes wrong and we get fucked.
On the bright side, I ended up hanging out with Mikhail and Co. again. Actually, I should just say their names, Belinda and Victor. Like last week, we hung out in Mikhail's room and played a few games and ate some food. Speaking of which, Mikhail said he read last week's post and felt it was unfair that I mentioned him beating me at his games but I didn't mention my ability to beat him at Capcom Fighting Evolution. I didn't mention it for two reasons: First, I don't like to boast about that kind of thing unless I'm making a larger point. Secondly, I feel that both Mikhail and I play with restricted abilities because the game is very hard to control with the standard PS2 controller. If I had a job, I'd buy a real joystick to play with. Then we'd see who the better fighter is.
It's real quiet around here as most people have left for the weekend. This should allow me to do all my laundry in peace before getting drunk and playing my music too loudly. Let me know if you want in. BYOB as I only have enough to plaster myself.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Last night was another AGA meeting and, as usual, we got fucked. We meet in a penthouse in one of the large dormitory towers here at UAlbany. It's a big room with almost-comfortable furniture, a pool table, and a big-screen TV. Most of the time, the room is locked which makes no sense to me. When a student group (like us) signs up for the room, an RA is supposed to be there to unlock the door and "supervise" us. More often than not, our meetings are disrupted by an aberration in this procedure. You may recall that last week's meeting was cut short, well, this week's meeting was delayed because the RA who was supposed to show up didn't. Rumor has it they were taking a test or something but that doesn't change the fact that nearly every week, something goes wrong and we get fucked.
On the bright side, I ended up hanging out with Mikhail and Co. again. Actually, I should just say their names, Belinda and Victor. Like last week, we hung out in Mikhail's room and played a few games and ate some food. Speaking of which, Mikhail said he read last week's post and felt it was unfair that I mentioned him beating me at his games but I didn't mention my ability to beat him at Capcom Fighting Evolution. I didn't mention it for two reasons: First, I don't like to boast about that kind of thing unless I'm making a larger point. Secondly, I feel that both Mikhail and I play with restricted abilities because the game is very hard to control with the standard PS2 controller. If I had a job, I'd buy a real joystick to play with. Then we'd see who the better fighter is.
It's real quiet around here as most people have left for the weekend. This should allow me to do all my laundry in peace before getting drunk and playing my music too loudly. Let me know if you want in. BYOB as I only have enough to plaster myself.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
w00t! 420!
You know that means...it's Hitler's birthday! Seriously though, light 'em if you got 'em. I hate to say it, but I could really use one right about now. I had to see this play tonight for Acting class. It's called Arcadia and it was mind-numbingly dull. I don't know what I wanted back more; eight bucks or three hours of my life. Just for kicks, it was also excruciatingly hot inside the theater.
Speaking of heat, the weather is really odd right now. It's been very warm and sunny the last few days, but this evening it suddenly dropped 20+ degrees and started raining. I'm so ready to blow this "capital region" and go back to the city of my birth. I need stable weather conditions and good food.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Speaking of heat, the weather is really odd right now. It's been very warm and sunny the last few days, but this evening it suddenly dropped 20+ degrees and started raining. I'm so ready to blow this "capital region" and go back to the city of my birth. I need stable weather conditions and good food.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Thank You, Dr. Zoidberg
"Jesus helps those who help themselves!"
- Doctor Zoidberg, Futurama episode #46, "A Tale of Two Santas."
Anyone who's cared to listen to me in the past month or so knows that one thing above all others has been weighing on my mind: Am I going to study abroad in Japan or not? When other students received positive word earlier this month and I received nothing, I got concerned. When I asked what was going on down at the Study Abroad office and I was told "We have no idea", I went into full panic mode. When two weeks went by without any updates, I fucking freaked out. So tonight I stopped freaking out and did something about it. On Kazu's advice, I called Kansai Gaidai and politely asked them what the deal was.
They said "YES."
I'm in. It's over. I'm going to Japan. I would say all my worries are behind me but, well, I've got a lot to worry about lately. Let's just say that my biggest worry is behind me.
Japan, bitches! I'm going!
P.S. I am in the process of changing web hosts. You may experience some anomalies when trying to access the site or send me e-mail. Do not kill yourself in dispair, just try again later.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
- Doctor Zoidberg, Futurama episode #46, "A Tale of Two Santas."
Anyone who's cared to listen to me in the past month or so knows that one thing above all others has been weighing on my mind: Am I going to study abroad in Japan or not? When other students received positive word earlier this month and I received nothing, I got concerned. When I asked what was going on down at the Study Abroad office and I was told "We have no idea", I went into full panic mode. When two weeks went by without any updates, I fucking freaked out. So tonight I stopped freaking out and did something about it. On Kazu's advice, I called Kansai Gaidai and politely asked them what the deal was.
They said "YES."
I'm in. It's over. I'm going to Japan. I would say all my worries are behind me but, well, I've got a lot to worry about lately. Let's just say that my biggest worry is behind me.
Japan, bitches! I'm going!
P.S. I am in the process of changing web hosts. You may experience some anomalies when trying to access the site or send me e-mail. Do not kill yourself in dispair, just try again later.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Believe it or Not...
I went outside today. I know, I know, I totally didn't have to but I did. Today is Fountain Day, an annual event here at UAlbany where they turn on the fountain for the first time this year (it is dormant during the bitter winter months). I debated going vs. not going because I've got so much unpleasantness on my mind lately but Kazu suggested I go outside so I could "get flesh." He probably meant "fresh."
The weather was quite nice today, very sunny and clear but not really hot at all. It took forever to navigate the poorly staffed and organized "registration" process on campus. Everyone was supposed to pre-register online and print out a ticket to bring to the registration table. Of course, many people didn't do this and held up the lines as a result. Further complicating matters was that no one (expect for me, the sucker) actually waited in line, people were hopping under ropes to catch up with their friends. And just for kicks, some moron split up the lines into oddly uneven groups. Which one of these is not like the others: A-C, D-I, J-L, M-O, P-R, S-U, V-Z? Which line do you think was the longest (by three times as much)? And which one do you know I was stuck in for twenty minutes?
Eventually I was admitted, registered and handed a pillow. We had a gigantic pillow fight which technically only lasted a few minutes but after it "ended" a lot of people kept swinging. I only took one to the head; most of the time we were just throwing the pillows at each other which doesn't really hurt at all. When it was all over there were actually giant pillow piles which some revelers took a rest in. Everyone slowly migrated into the fountain area. The fountain had been filled with water during the week although the actual sprays were not on yet. Lots of people were scrambling, dancing, humping, etc. in the water. Not being a fan of water (or Meningitis, I opted to quietly observe the horseplay rather than cast myself in. I took some pictures with Kazu's camera, so I'll upload them soon.
Much was made over this year's "fun and safe" Fountain Day, in contrast to past Fountain Days where drinking was heavy and it seems someone, somewhere got hurt. I hate to put it like this but I would have had a lot more "fun" if I had drank a few beers ahead of time. What's up with me craving booze lately? Am I in that foul a mood that I need liquor to regulate my mood?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
The weather was quite nice today, very sunny and clear but not really hot at all. It took forever to navigate the poorly staffed and organized "registration" process on campus. Everyone was supposed to pre-register online and print out a ticket to bring to the registration table. Of course, many people didn't do this and held up the lines as a result. Further complicating matters was that no one (expect for me, the sucker) actually waited in line, people were hopping under ropes to catch up with their friends. And just for kicks, some moron split up the lines into oddly uneven groups. Which one of these is not like the others: A-C, D-I, J-L, M-O, P-R, S-U, V-Z? Which line do you think was the longest (by three times as much)? And which one do you know I was stuck in for twenty minutes?
Eventually I was admitted, registered and handed a pillow. We had a gigantic pillow fight which technically only lasted a few minutes but after it "ended" a lot of people kept swinging. I only took one to the head; most of the time we were just throwing the pillows at each other which doesn't really hurt at all. When it was all over there were actually giant pillow piles which some revelers took a rest in. Everyone slowly migrated into the fountain area. The fountain had been filled with water during the week although the actual sprays were not on yet. Lots of people were scrambling, dancing, humping, etc. in the water. Not being a fan of water (or Meningitis, I opted to quietly observe the horseplay rather than cast myself in. I took some pictures with Kazu's camera, so I'll upload them soon.
Much was made over this year's "fun and safe" Fountain Day, in contrast to past Fountain Days where drinking was heavy and it seems someone, somewhere got hurt. I hate to put it like this but I would have had a lot more "fun" if I had drank a few beers ahead of time. What's up with me craving booze lately? Am I in that foul a mood that I need liquor to regulate my mood?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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