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9 . 2 9 . 0 3 Had a fun weekend, celebrated Tristan's birthday at the Vintage, Plaza among other things, watched some football, ate a burrito and a gyro. Also went to a professor's party for the center for south east asian studies. interesting conversations, food and observations. Going to a conference on domestic violence tomorrow, and maybe Wed, depending on how the registration works out with michelle. I'll probably swing by after meeting with the Lt. Gov office tomorrow morning and stick around the whole day. Got a busy week ahead of me, so far so good. but jeez its only monday. At least i have tuesdays and fridays off. but then again I usually have a bunch of meetings to go to as well. Got a call from Chels, she's busy as usual. Some interesting observations at the VA hospital in Omaha, meanwhile I came across a an article about a recent GAO report on the Defense Department's Health Care policies for Post-Gulf War I vets. I'm pretty impressed with my former internship, day by day I've been coming across a lot of good policy reports on many a topics. The latest one is a study that GAO did on illegal image files being traded over P2P networks. That must have been an interesting (sickening) one to work on. Meanwhile I'm working on a proposal for a 855 paper, thinking about what I'll need to report to the taskforce tomorrow morning, and trying to read up on the 881 cost benefit research for Wed. did I mention that this is looking like a busy week? 9 . 2 6 . 0 3 Went to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee last night to see the RCHP. kind of on a whim, I haven't really kept up with them since high school. Seeing them on stage made me realize that they are a bit older, although Flea is still a badass. Queens of the Stone Age opened for them, it was worth seeing them too. Meanwhile, I'm getting into the swing of things with school, research, the daily grind really. Classes are what I was expected, more work done out of class as opposed to in class discussions. Will have to see how group dynamics work out this semester, as it always plays a big role. Came across a very nice Okinawan remake of "No Woman No Cry", wondering what the lyrics translate into. Also found some sites that offer Uchina CDs online. Another something to save up for. 9 . 2 2 . 0 3 Jase and Tanja are in town, I put them up at the Memorial Union. Apparently the rooms are pretty nice, guess we've been putting our guest lecturers in pretty good accomadations all this time afterall. We went to Amy's and then had a bunch of beer at the Union later. Talked about life and politics and what not. Will be trying to meet them for lunch today before they head up to Door County to visit Marty and Glenn. Earlier this weekend I had an enlightening conversation with Yvonne about personality types courtesy of the meyers-brigg tests I took back as an undergraduate. It seems that my personality type is solidified between an ENTP the "visionary", and a ENTJ, the "fieldmarshal". both "NT" types, which implies some mix of rational realist thinking. I found this interesting because a couple years back I was flipping in the N an J values, but I had a strong rating in the E category. Now I'm not as extroverted as I used to be. I actually got stuck into reading up on the personality sorters and spent a good portion of sunday morning reading about psych. thanks Yvonne. I've set my TV alarm clock to C-SPAN, waking up to the Washington Journal. right now theres a lady spewing about how democrats need to be kicked out of office because they are not god-fearing. Always interesting to hear the opinions of Americans in the honest flesh. If anything at all, my time in DC with the GAO was an awakening of political awareness. Its supposed to frost this week sometime. wonder when the first snow of the season will be. 9 . 1 6 . 0 3 Some troubling dreams lately, a subconscious attempt. uncertainty and unknowns abound, deamons and blueberries galore. A darker side of reality surfaces, with intentions that are not so noble however understandable. A fight club moment really, for lack of a better comparision. maybe its just the ghosts are speaking to me again. Will be interviewing for the Lafollette nomination later this week, kind of curious how the whole process will play out in the end. Lately it seems like my path is heading towards returning to DC. It wouldn't be a bad thing at all if the wind takes me there. I've revamped my links page with some new media and news sites that I've started reading this summer. Also found an interesting look at the so called liberal media. Meanwhile, the presidential campaigns are picking up. Jase and Tanja are also coming in for a visit this weekend. will be good to see what they've been up to. Taking this internet policy law class brought to mind my last time in SF. Lately thinking about purchasing an ipod, there are some nifty deals and perks with being a student still it seems. Meanwhile the bible thumpers are on state street again, gaining the ever loyal audience of freshman on their way to class. Every year they come out, bible in hand, ready to spew out their rhetoric in terms that don't quite reach the masses in ways that they would otherwise hope to. Later on I ran into Ayako on library mall today, ended up having coffee with her and learning a bit about Japanese foreign policy in southeast asia. Always interesting to hear different perspectives of the world. 9 . 1 2 . 0 3 2nd anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, a bit more of a somber tone. Although in speaking to one individual I found it significant that the majority of Americans do not have any personal connection to any of the victims. This is besides the fact trauma effects that the burning buildings burn a hole in anybody with a normal level of humanity. But honestly looking at our foriegn policy decisions and our disregard for personal freedoms makes me wonder. I just finished reading Al Franken's Book, which is someplace on the NY Times bestseller list. It was very insightful, kind of a muckracking tone with satire against the loud voice of mainstream media. Which is, surprise surprise, NOT as liberal as we have been yelled at to believe. One of the topics in the book has to do with the religious right, or for the matter the ignorant right, or ignorant religious, whatever. It brought to mind some very good examples of how religious intolerance is causing more problems in the world today. Intolerance for people who are different really. I came across a site called rickshaw rally that ironically proved some points. I do give them credit for trying to understand why the program is offensive to some Asian Americans. however maybe they need something visual example. 9 . 8 . 0 3 Just finished a PMI pre-screening app, we'll have to see how far it gets me. Kind of a rush job, but not as choppy as I thought it would be. not bad for last minute (again). Thinking maybe I'm back in business in academics. My last paper that I turned in for academic credit was actually something that I was somewhat proud of. took a bit of extra time, but hey. Listened to the president's speech this past sunday evening, same old rhetoric with the same old vaugeness in policy. I did notice a more somber tone this time around however. much has changed since May 1st, 2003. Meanwhile Iraq is starting to sound more and more like this generation's Vietnam. If the death toll climbs I wonder if things will begin to heat up back at home. Taking an internet law course crosslisted with the graduate school, had an interesting discussion so far about the makings and philosphies of the internet. Touched on some misadventures of the recording industry's attempts at curbing online mp3 trading. The question is where and when do standard laws apply to those in cyberspace? should it be a given in any time, any circumstance? or just when the powers to be have a legal standing or vested interest? My Cost Benefit class is looking good, my group will be looking at Wisconsin's welfare program, namely the W-2 program. it will be difficult, but will prove to be valuable experience. Its looking like I'll be taking 819 again in the spring, it will be my last Lafollette class of my degree. 9 . 4 . 0 3 Back in Madison and hit the ground running. almost finalized my schedule for the semester and am going to my first work meeting today in about an hour. I'll be working with Dresang and Eric with the Lt Governor's office on the status of women in Wisconsin. Might be meeting with her office tomorrow afternoon on the section on education. Hung out with Tristan and Khamphian for most of the day yesterday, went to a gathering for the SEAS program and got to learn some Vietnamese. well not really, but I tried. Also met some interesting people there, very gifted language people and international students. Had a very interesting conversation with a Japanese student currently studing in Indonesia, I asked her about the distinctions in physical differences between Okinawans and Japanese. Had a bit of an adventure tracking down the two packages I sent to myself from DC. Apparently surface mail from DC to Madison was a lot quicker than I had already expected. since I forgot to put my mail on vacation hold here, I recieved 4 notices that the mail would be returned to sender. as it turned out I was sitting at my computer wondering what I was going to do when the mailman called from downstairs. Cost-Benefit Analysis is looking like a challenging but beneficial course. I'll be working on a project dealing with Wisconsin's welfare program, namely the W-2 program. Don't know much about the system, but after spending a summer with GAO learning about Aviation, I'm looking forward to it. |