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1 . 2 9 . 0 4 Amid all the primary excitement, there are a couple things to be noted about Dean. Like how more of the important issues have come to light in the debates, and how in general there is more of a populist aura coming this year. Another is that as of today, despite losing (meaning not winning) in both Iowa and New Hampshire, somehow Dean has the most delegates. 113 to Kerry's 94 to be exact. I wonder why the media isn't reporting more on this fact. Understandably momentum is very imporant in the primaries, but one thing for sure is that the nomination is anything but certain as of now. Some of the opinion columns have written that the War hasn't been on the forefront of voter's minds as opposed to the economy, or healthcare. I wonder why not that many people have realized that the war is a huge drain on resources and the country. In the long-run especially. 500+ Americans are dead, thousands wounded. We may not care as much about today what goes on thousands of miles away, but It'll come back to haunt us big time. Then again, maybe its just because of the candidates fielded with the exception of Kuchinich, I can't see myself whole-heartedly supporting. More after the SC debates. 1 . 2 7 . 0 4 Almost the end of Jan, and the first primaries and caucuses of the election year 2004 are underway. In a couple hours the NH results will start coming in, and the Democratic nomination race will be a little more concrete. This year Wisconsin has an early primary, i'm curious to see how unclear the race will be around then, and how Wisconsin will play a role in choosing the Democratic front runner is. Tristan got back into town last night, had some interesting stories about his trip to Vietnam. Quite a contrast to the snowy tundra of Wisco. One thing is certain, this next semester is going to be pretty busy indeed. Meanwhile I'm narrowing down my job options, will be making a decision hopefully by the end of the week. I sat in on an informational session with a CBO representative, sister agency to the GAO. I am amazed at how many different agencies and jobs go into the federal government. Finalizing my schedule, I'm taking 890, Federal Tax and Budget with Witte, 871 Public Program Evaluation, and 819, working on Econometrics with SAS. Talking to Vivek last night at Dunn Bros, I might be taking an Arbitration class in the Law school. will have to see about that one. 1 . 2 2 . 0 4 Back in the Mad City for a final semester (seriously this time) and its fucking cold. Seriously. had to bust out the parka and the scarf, layering flannels and a polarfleece vest. Might break out the Khombu boots too. Its so cold that the snow on the ground looks more like sawdust. it doesn't melt, just rolls around. Its at this temperature you begin to plan your entire day out based on how many degrees below zero the wind chill is expected to be. I'm seriously debating on whether or not to go to the Lafollette party tonight since its supposed to 25 below. Good to be alive. I've been playing with this ipod. Pretty crazy stuff. so far I've been pretty impressed with the technology and capabilities on it. I put just about every song file and mp3 I could get my hands on and I still have about 8 gigs free space left over. They also have this new ACC format that seems to jive better with the Ipod software, and is smaller. Maybe I'll the next computer I'll buy will be a mac instead of a Vaio. Meanwhile I think I need a new mouse. I just about ran this old compaq piece of shit to the ground. not bad for close to 7 years. The Iowa caucus turned out to be a defeat for Dean, Its looking like this race for the Democratic nomination is in for a twist. Part of me wasn't surprised, I've come to the conclusion that the Media hates Dean, they really bash on him no matter what he says or does. Just about every news network has jumped on his now famous yell after placing 3rd in Iowa. Take for example the mainstream media's decision to air the late night talkshow hosts making fun of Dean. Conan & co are right to make fun, but why do the news networks choose to air them making fun of Dean over and over and over again? Plus, a lot of Dems seem to think that Dean isn't electable because he doesn't look good on the media. Lets all forget about issues and platforms for a minute, these things have nothing to do with choosing our countries leaders, right? This is a scary thought, that the American people are willing to let our democracy be decided by the mainstream media? Meanwhile C-SPAN showed him speaking in NH, looking pretty presidential, or at the very least normal minus the make-up laden pundits making comments. in fact, the most that Washington Journal anchors do is read newspaper headlines, and cut off callers after they've made their point. If you ask me, I'll trust C-SPAN's coverage anyday over MSNBC, FOX, or CNN. Regardless of who the nomination is, the Dems do owe Dean a lot of credit for putting the fire under the Donkey's ass. Kerry, Edwards, and Clark wouldn't have been able to take a stronger stance against Bush had it not been for Dean shooting his mouth off earlier. They were too busy worrying about criticizing the policies that they apparently have been against all along. A lot of otherwise voters would be watching American Idol and other crappy reality TV shows right about now. For me personally, I'll have trouble supporting any candidate who voted for the war, or the Patriot Act. Come november 2004, It may be 2000 de ja vu for me all over again. 1 . 1 7 . 0 4 Well, I finished my apps, mailed them out after fighting some pretty bad town traffic at Makiki Post Office yesterday afternoon. I might be mistaken, but the guy that helped me send the envelopes out via certified mail was the same guy that helped me with applications about 2 years ago. Stopped by to see Barry, he had an interesting interpretation on the dreams that I had back in november. Everything seems to check out ok, there hasn't been all too much anxiety in my dreams as of late. Life either. It might sound weird, but a part of me is not worried one bit about Law schools. Or even a job for the matter. Need to dive into the water for kumu fish again. but when the time comes. 1 . 1 1 . 0 4 About a week left of vacation, been keeping busy. Went to Comp USA today to get a monitor for the old Dell, along with some blank CD-R disks. I failed to convince pop to buy a router for the cable modem, so that Aaron can use the internet in his room. Maybe that'll be a project for summertime, or whenever I come back home for a break. It seems like my folks don't buy anything technological unless I'm home for vacation or something. Got my grades for the semester, I did a lot better than I had expected. Will be taking less classes again next semester, lets see if I can close out my Wisconsin experience on a high note. It'll be a test of balancing everything, as usual. Trying to figure out my finances, taxes and what not for the next couple of years. If loan interest rates hold, I should be in decent shape. I suppose it'll depend on where I end up living in DC, and how frugal of a lifestyle I'll be maintaining. It'll all work out in the end, I'm sure. 1 . 7 . 0 4 This winter break is going by a bit too fast, not enjoying the warm weather quite how I had originally planned, but thats life I suppose. These applications have been keeping me busy, as well as trying to clean up around the house. It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff you can accumulate in a couple years. I think there is something to be said about a pack-rat mentality that local people have, one that has had influence over my own behavior as well. Us locals keep everything, especially reusables such as paper bags, plastic bags from Longs, and lots of cardboard boxes. I think it comes from back in the days when there was plenty of dock strikes, and ample supply of consumer goods was not assured on a regular basis. Plus I think back then we realized that we live on a frickin island. Back then people realized that you don't need a military-inspired Humvee to go to your work downtown, especially when gas prices are the most expensive in the country. Or everything else for the matter. I've been trying not to buy things that I can get on the mainland for half price. So far its helped me save quite a bit of my stipend for the month. |