Month: June 2003

In the interest of learning more about the Total (Terrorism) Information Awareness (TIA) program, I decided to take a look at their web site. Once I have more to say, you can guarantee I’ll be back on here with it. Nonetheless, I did find one aspect amusing. Despite the recent rebranding from Total to Terrorism, the logo still has the Total in it. Definitely a truer representation, which is why I will continue to use the old branding scheme.

Here’s a copy of the logo, in the event that DARPA updates it.

I’m crossing my fingers today doesn’t turn out to be the last day of NW’s $628 roundtrip from EWR to HKG for the week of Labor Day. But I won’t know until tomorrow.

I receive a more than a fair share of grief from my family over my travel habits (the latest being why I would want to go to a place like Costa Rica, where infrastructure we take for granted isn’t as developed). My reasons, though, are relatively simple, even if not everyone can understand them. The challenge of travel, of placing myself outside my comfort zone, and finding out how I perform in new situations, provides a kind of thrill I can’t explain. The two weeks I spent in Japan have left an impression on me I can’t describe, suffice to say I can vividly recall scenes from that trip even with my eyes open as I sit here typing. I simply love being in new places and having new experiences.

The other reason is that, like it or not, we’re a global-interconnected world, and there’s really no restreating from that. At least, not without a level of cost that most people, if given the choice, wouldn’t pay. Periodically, cries against overseas manufacturing arise, as an example, but nobody would want to pay the prices it would cost to build those items back home. Nor would they want to take the hit to productivity and the lower living standards that would result. Not that I plan to move in to a full-blown economic analysis, but my point is that since we now live in a global world, where information and people can move from one place to another faster than any time in human history, we should engage, rather than shy away from our fellow citizens. It’s fair to say the past few years have (finally) shown clearly to many Americans that what happens in other countries really can have a direct impact on what happens here. So, if I have to face the consequences of other groups’ choices more than ever before, I should certainly know as much as possible about them. And if in the midst of my travels, I can serve to change a few minds, all the better.

The Singapore MRT’s new Northeast Line, according to one site, is supposed to be opening in 5 days! (The Strait Times confirms this, but won’t let you access their archives for free). Sounds like a good reason to take a trip to me!

Honestly, the SMRT was one of the cleanest, most efficient transportation systems I’ve used. Then again, in a city that issues a fine for chewing gum, maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise?

Of course! I’d forgtten about the Nihonmachi Street Fair, which takes place one weekend in August in San Francisco’s Japantown. I was going to go out July 19th for the Home Winemaker’s Classic, but I think the credit crunch will be too severe. Especially if I also end up booking a week to Hong Kong for September.

Ah, I feel so relieved, having shorter hair again. Today was a haircut day. And somehow, that was about the most exciting aspect of the day. Go figure.

There’s an “Artbots” show July 12th and 13th in NYC that appears curious. Perhaps it will be necessary to check it out further. Anyone interested in that or visiting the NJ Renfest this coming weekend, just lemme know. 🙂 Though they’re having it at a location I’ve never been to, so it, too, should be interesting.

Well, hopefully the next couple weekends will have more excitement than this one!

No, I’m not training for a wife-carrying festibal. However, for all my recently engaged friends, here’s an activity to look forward to.

The past two days I have been in Systems Life Cycle (SLC) training. Merck has decided to release a new SLC in order to create a more standardized approach to Information Technology within the company, and this has led our organization to send us to a two day training session on the topic. Sparing the details of the training, I actually have found myself becoming rather unexcited at the actual task of coding software and far more interested in the pieces of the process between the concept phase of a project and the design phase. The actual task of construction, as well as the effort that is involved in the post-contruction life of a project, don’t interest me in the least. In short, and as I’ve always suspected, I’m far less interested in technology than I am in applying technology to solve problems. Of course, this makes sense, as it’s often that aspect that has led me to do any sort of technological work. Nearly all my enjoyment derives from the success at having a problem solved or simplified. In short, I need to find a way to transition myself more toward this aspect of a project. That, or get a job traveling.

There is a fantastic editorial on CNN, buried under the Law section, regarding the “missing” Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.

Although I had not given it much though, Bush made very explicit charges regarding WMDs in Iraq. On multiple occassions, he leveled charges about Iraq seeminly overflowing with chemical and biological weapons, yet to date, not a trace of any unauthorized weapons programs have been found. The long and short of it is that it appears that Bush has lied, led the nation to a war it otherwise would not have been fought, and jeopordized the lives of our soldiers. Even the alleged Iraq-Al Qaeda link is appearing false.

Many people were livid, decrying Clinton for his “scandalous” behavior, regarding the Monica Lewinsky affair. Where are those people now, when it appears that this President has lied repeatedly to the entire world, to the point where American lives were lost over his folly?

Last night, I watched the movie A Walk to Remember. This was perhaps not the best idea after listening to Harry Chapin, whose guitar strummings and melancholy stories tend to bring a tear to my idea. Watching the movie, I was overwhelmed by the story. In fact, today it’s STILL on my mind. I’ve been feeling out of it all day. The summary on IMDB isn’t terrible, so I’ll let that speak to the plot.

I didn’t post anything regarding the news, because there’s not really anything to post so far as I saw… Israeli-Palestinian conflict, WMD where art thee, and basically the same stories that have been playing for a week now. Oh, and SARS is a long way toward contained, too.

Time for me to take care of the ants living under my porch…

Friday evening was my sis’s birthday-cake, so home was on the radar screen. After a soulful rendition of Happy Birthday, much ice cream cake was consumed. And there was much rejoicing.

Saturday I spent visiting friends. We had a great time hanging out, going bowling, and watching a movie. In fact, it was probably one of the most simply “fun” days I’ve had in awhile. Sometimes, things can be fun yet take work, whereas Saturday was fun without the work. And, there was much rejoicing.

Sunday was my cousin’s graduation party, which was an afternoon filled for the most part with my uncle’s relatives (not of my family lineage). Another fun evening, as I love seeing my aunt and my cousins, most of whom are quite fun to hang out with. My sis’s boyfriend had the pleasure of meeting them, though I can’t recall if they had met before. In fact, I will have to ask her next time I see her. In any event, it’s likely now that, if I head to San Francisco for Labor Day weekend, my family will be coming along. For those who know my mother, the thought of her on a plane is mind-boggling. So this could really turn out to be quite an event.

Best Message on a Roadside Message Board: Hey Mother Nature, It’s June (on Route 15 near Jefferson).

Most Offensive Message on a Roadside Message Board: If you can’t stand behind our troops, stand in front of them (on Main Street in Manville).

Congratulations to my sister, who passed her driver’s test this morning on her first attempt! And Happy 17th Birthday, too!

Note to self: Drinking during lunch and working in the afternoon are not a good mix.