3 weeks… I really should have updated before now, so this will be a long update.. Although, I have had a sinus infection I have been getting over. I went to another web design training class on Photoshop and I am probably going to redo this domain. The background is currently too dark to use. So it will require another complete rewrite and I need to come up with a logo and symbols.

I also have started playing Dues Ex. That game met all my expectations from the reviews. It is a lot like Metal Gear Solid for the PS1 except a lot more depth. Although I really don't like the story line and it is getting repetitive I do not know if I will play it though to the end. I also bought Grim Fandango and Fall Out. I know these are old games but the laptop I use over here only has an integrated graphics card so I am quite limited on my choices graphically. Plus my ISP Keysurf is still horrible so I can't play online games. I have finally decided to upgrade my Asus in Stockton rather then building a whole new computer. This will cost 50% less and have almost the same speed. I purchased an Ati 9800 Pro 128 for it a couple of days ago. The hardest part is going to be finding a decently priced 512MB PC133 low density stick of ram since they don't seem to make low density ram anymore. I am confident I will have a very good gaming machine together when I get back.

Unfortunately, I found out my dissertation topic has already been done before, under the name “Rent Seeking”. However, I still plan to focus my dissertation on this I just won't have to define it now. My classes only have one meeting left each so I am beginning to write as soon as I get my 25,000 words done I can leave this frigid rock. I also had no class this week because of a strike by the professors. They make far less here then they do in America .

I finally made the move to MP3 and have ripped all my CD's it is cool to have a juke box with 26 hours of music on my computer.

One big thing I did was spent 20 pounds and put together a 3 gallon aquarium in my dorm. I added a picture of the tank, and Bender & Fry to the pictures section. Aquariums are something I like because fish require very little attention but are interesting to watch. This aquarium was a challenge because I'm not using any electricity for a filter, heater, or oxygen. My reason for not using electricity is I am already running a power strip for my computer gear, clock, and phone so I know I'm already pushing my power use. In addition not using electricity makes the whole thing cheaper. It also could be seen as a green aquarium project. More importantly though when I have a career going I planned to start breeding live bearers like I did when I was a kid which I enjoyed doing. The last time I had an aquarium I was 17. So this time I have gone and read up on it so I know how to handle the water chemistry. Hopefully, with this experience and understanding I'll do better with tropical live bearers eventually.

I went and saw “Osama” at the local Indy theater here. If you want to see a moving movie about the situation for women in repressive Islamic regimes see this movie.

I bought the Matrix Reloaded DVD. After seeing the movie again and watching the philosophy over and over, I take back my previous criticism about the philosophy. It does make sense. Choice could be nothing more then an illusion and people are really out of control and all we really do in life is look for rationalization for our choices. I don't buy this line of reasoning but it is recognized view.

Although, I still don't buy the reaction of the machines. One, my best understanding of “Smith's” murderous hatred for Neo is that Neo made him a rogue program. Meaning he has to be deleted or hide in the Matrix as an exile program. However, in the first movie he was mad at Morpheus because he was stuck in the Matrix as an agent. I haven't seen the last movie “Revolutions” but it appears from the trailer Smith is trying to gain control or destroy the entire Matrix. Bottom line, Smith's actions indicate emotional motivation which is something the series has tried to define as a difference between humans and machines. I look forward to seeing the movie in the hope they plug this gap.

The other problem I have with the machines behavior was the fight scene on top of the trailer with an Agent and Morpheus. There were several chances for the agent to kill the “Keymaker” when Morpheus had fallen off the trailer. Machines are programmed and have objectives, for that agent killing the “Keymaker” was the goal Morpheus was in the way so, logically the agent would have risked killing the “KeyMaker” even at the cost of being shot when ignoring Morpheus.

I also purchased “Clone Wars” on DVD. One of the deleted scenes is hugely important and puts a whole spin on the movie. It is one where Senator Padme gives her position on the creation of a republic army. I also look forward to the last movie.

In the news I was pleased to see what Mayor Gavin Newsome in San Francisco is doing by granting gay marriages . I am also pleased to see that congress is smart enough to realize that amendments to the constitution should not be made on a homophobic whim . I agree with this article on 12 reasons on why gay marriage should not be banned. I also found these 10 myths about marriage .

Since Greenspan has decided to be a dumbass for Bush I thought I would take this opportunity to give my own social security fix. First, benefit age should be raised to 69 years old. When Social Security was created life expectancy was right around 65 years, it has moved up, and so should the benefit age. Next, payroll cap mentioned in this article should I agree with their solution. Lastly, 401k and other tax free savings contributions limits should be raised to allow citizens to better prepare for retirement. Paul Krugman's book the The Great Unraveling has some great material on the impending Social Security crisis and the stupidity of the Bush plan.

Before moving into Bush's own stupidity I could not believe this nugget of ignorance. Bush's education secretary called the national teachers Union the NEA a “Terrorist Organization” . Holy Crap, that is so ignorant I can hardly begin to fathom how he even began to think that was acceptable. Even if it was an off the cuff remark, makes you wonder what the administration says about Atheists, Progressives, and the ACLU outside the public eye…

Speaking of Bush stupidity… His new budget indicates that his administration is considering incorporating fast food workers into “Manufacturing” employment figures . I guess this shouldn't be surprised, if you can't find the evidence you want fudge it . This article argues that perhaps Bush had to invade Iraq because sanctions were ending and the US never accepts losing dominance in any market. Doonesbury is also offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can prove Bush was not AWOL , as of this moment still no winners...

Music ~ Vanilla Sky sound track