Last updated 6/18/09



Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Wasting Time

Adding this website to my links bar: Sporcle.com.
My friend Patrick brought it to my attention, and while most of the, uh...puzzles? Activities? I'm not sure what to call them...Anyway, while most of them are geared more towards relieving boredom, several have scholarly value, if you use them as study tools. Patrick can now name all the countries of the world. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Mental Yawn

Trying to get my act back together and make some posts, but a lot of interesting news combined with my general lack of motivation recently has made it difficult to pin down anything to write about.

Yesterday I bought plane tickets for my trip home in August. I tell you now, those twelve days will see much Mexican food. It'll be good to see family and friends and pick up some supplies.

I guess the most newsworthy of recent events, in my mind, is the Notre Dame commencement address by President Obama and the delivery of the honorary law degree. I am completely disgusted with the whole thing, yet I can't stop reading about it. Train-wreck syndrome, I suppose. Obama and Fr. Jenkin's talk of "dialogue" is empty rhetoric. If you haven't read their speeches, I would consider it worthwhile to do so. Fr. Z gives some excellent critique at his website

Here's a nice motivational poster-style graphic from Curt Jester that nicely displays Notre Dame's commitment to "dialogue." 


It's hard for me and others to understand why so many people, especially on the left, are so enthralled by what Obama says. When most politicians speak (especially conservatives), they are, of course, liars and thieves - undeserving of our trust. But when Obama opens his mouth, honey flows from his silver tongue, and all that is forgotten. Why is it that none of his followers seem to notice that his words only mask his actions? It's all a political game. He is a brilliant player, and he has gotten away with much so far. It remains to be seen how long he will enchant the majority of Catholics...

Here is an interesting analogy. I do love Lord of the Rings. Obama as Saruman? Doesn't seem that far-fetched to me.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Pig Flu II

This is going to be a long week...
I walk in the door, and a bunch of teachers ask me if I'm ok. Of course - I'm a foreigner, so I must be more prone to swine flu, or something. I dunno, maybe it's because I fly home to America on weekends.

Pig Flu

Well, now that swine flu has spread to Japan, and more specifically the Kobe/Osaka region, many schools have inevitably closed. My schools have canceled classes for the week, although, surprise surprise, we teachers must still go in. I guess I shouldn't be bitter, as I'm being paid for it, right?
I suppose authorities are worried because no one has antibodies for this thing and thus many people could get sick, but I wish the clamor over it would drop a level...it's not any more severe than normal, seasonal flu.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I live

It's been a while since my last post, but I've been busy. Last week was Golden Week over here - several holidays that fall in a row, making for a meaty holiday - and my friend Jeff visited. Perhaps more on that another time. 

For now, just wanted to let you know my status and add another link to the sidebar, to the Creative Minority Report, a witty and well-written Catholic blog I've been reading lately.