Haven’t updated in a while because I was hoping my next update would include the pictures at the Manson concert. I think I found a place that can digatize them that I will take the film to tuesday. The trip there was painless. I got in line at 4:25pm and the doors were supposed to open at 6:30pm. They ended up opening at 7:25pm! For the record Clear Channel security is pathetic. They had about 6 security people to control 5,000 people. It was a crazy riot rush to get inside. Once inside things were calm. I was very disappointed in the merchandise I was going to but a few Xmas gifts there but they had nothing that had “London 2003” on it. Most of it was stuff you buy on the website for less, so what is the point? So as usual I kept the ticket as my souvenir. (I kept my parking validation from Universal Studies and ticket to Disney land as my souvenirs. I did get in with the first 1,000 people and ended up about 20’ from the stage! The first act “Peaches” was not my kind of music so I did not find it impressive.
Manson’s entrance was not that spectacular, he was lowered onto the stage on a stone throne. The sound was also not that good in my opinion. However, Manson himself was ever the showman. He preformed his songs with his full intensity and sounded just like he does on TV or on CD. He also has a cool personality. I enjoyed the show; I just think I set my expectations too high. The other fans also did a lot to detract from the show.
On the way back to Brighton I had a half hour to kill before getting on the train and I was starving since I had not eaten or drunk anything since 3pm and it was 12:30pm. So I noticed a BurgerKing. First, there was no line, there was job a mob fighting to get to the counter. Then when I get up to the counter, they were out of every drink except orange soda and Whoppers. That would never happen in America. They were even out of Ketchup and containers for the chips.
Classes are going fine. I just have one more seminar left for each class. I take my unviewed exams the first week of January so that is what I will be doing besides working for the next month.
I had another meeting with one of my professors to discuss the second paper I turned in. I got much better feedback from him. He said, I did an excellent job of covering the material. However, he could tell I was slacking and not performing at the level he knew I could. I did not think he noticed me enough to be able to tell my minimum effort while good is far from my best. I think I might try and get him to be my dissertation advisor. He also lectured me on having to causal a writing style. Not sure about this I try and write for clarity and bluntness, this is not a make or break issue yet so I’ll wait and see.
I had more first evaluation at work. I made it through probation just fine. My boss thinks I’m a hard worker and is pleased with my performance. Maybe I can get a good letter of recommendation from him before I leave.
I got 5 new cd’s. “Vegas” by the crystal method, it is a pretty good album I look forward to getting more of their stuff. “Broken” by Nine Inch Nails, the remix “Fixed” was better in my opinion. “Psalm 69”, Ministry, I am going to need to listen to this more to make a decision. “NIHIL”, KMFDM, Very cool, I will be buying more of their stuff. “Transform.”, Powerman 5000, I loved their last album; I was not impressed with this one, I will try and give it another listen but I am not optimistic. I am still waiting to get my Chemical Brothers CD, I was looking forward to that one the most. I’m hoping to get the ‘Thirteenth step” and ‘By the Way” for xmas.
Something weird is also going on with one of my credit cards. My NextCard which is a closed account because the company went bankrupt, suddenly shows me with a zero balance and will not let me make a payment. They do not have customer service since they do not deal in new accounts. What to do?
I tried the new Seti Program, "BOINC". I do not like it. It only gives credit to the first computer done, so that pretty much eliminates the point of anyone doing it other then supercomputers.
I have to comment on the upcoming expected announcement that Bush is expected to make that the US plans to establish a permanent lunar space station. ARGH! Bad idea! The moon has no resources. Hell it has just been recently discovered with Radar mapping that it does not even contain water in the form of ice. So it would be exactly the same as the International space station (Which has not been completed to the best of my knowledge) except further away and more expensive. Let us not forget the admission by NASA and many others after the recent Shuttle disaster that going into space is not what has lead to discvoery, it has been through creating the technology to allow manned space flight. The rest of the benefits of space exploration have been through unmanned missions. So starting a lunar base, would not help scientifically nor would it be selfsufficent. The only reason why the US wants to do it is because we have an inferiority complex now that China has sent a man into space and plans to visit the moon by 2020. Since we have mostly finished the Space Station we should complete it and support it. Beyond that NASA should be focused on upgrading hubble and more unmanned missions throughout the solar system. Or if Bush is serious about exploration, how about commisioning an unmanned INTERSTELLAR craft.
I also recieved my notice as a California Resident of my right to claim damages against Microsoft for any Microsoft Software I purchased between 1995-2001. At first I was excited, then I thought about it. Sure I paid around $100 for Microsoft software during that time frame. However, I believe I got my money out of it and then some. Plus, when I considered how many people pirated copies. I figure Microsoft owes me nothing, I paid for their software that provided me a service. The software I purchased was at a fair price. I was not scammed, sure they have a monopoly but that makes things run smoother when they don't have to be cross compatiable. Being an ex-mac user I know the pain of cross compatibility issues. So if you get a packet too, consider if you felt ripped off and if you ever stole any of their software, then you can't morally steal more from them. Though I don't think Microsoft is blameless, read my paper on Software Piracy for further details.
Interpol trying to arrest Charles Taylor is a BAD idea. The only reason he left Liberia without a fight is because he was granted asylum. If we break our promises of asylum we will find ourselves in many more tough situations where we have to invade to end a civil war. Which is obviously desirable then a peaceful resolution, even if you are denied vengence.
I strongly oppose putting Regan on the Dime. The man ran up a 5 trillion dollar deficit and supported the contras illegally! As opposed to FDR who pulled the country out the depresssion, won WW2 and laid down the social saftey net the republicans tear down a little at a time every year. If regan is put on any currency it should be the $1,000 bill, since the people that actually use them are the only ones who benefited from his Presidency.
Well just like everyone knew would happen the WTO ruled US steel tariffs were illegal no shocking surprise there. The stupid thing is Bush is now saying they are not lowering them because the EU threatened to retaliate by putting Tariffs on all states who support Bush. Instead, Bush is saying Steel doesn't need them anymore. Wouldn't it have been smarter to admit they have to do it because of "damn, dirty, forigners", because now when steel is beaten to death in the next few years people like me are going to remember what they said and rmeind them of yet another mistake.
Phew! That was a long update. Goodbye from tomorrow land.
Music The Crystal Method ~ Vegas
NEWS
Pentagon Internal Memo Rummy not confident of progress of War. Bush to announce Lunar station! Interpol attempting to extradite Taylor. Houses finally passes Anti-Spam legislation!
