This was actually the quote of the day over in the right margin. I thought it was quite appropriate for a student of international relation.
"There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than an agreement." E. B. White
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
It was all a hoax - I'm not surprised
Lurid details part of Karr's hoax - Crime & Punishment - MSNBC.com
I never actually blogged about the arrest or the confession (although I did comment on it over at Poliblog), but I never really believed it was true. When I first heard that someone was going to be arrested I didn't believe it was the real killer and then as the details surfaced I doubted it even more. I agree that it is possible that he has been in contact with the real killer, but I don't think it is an absolute given that he has. However, if he is fantasizing about this type of behavior, something should be done about him. I'm glad to hear that he still faces charges and is not just being released to go on his merry way.
I never actually blogged about the arrest or the confession (although I did comment on it over at Poliblog), but I never really believed it was true. When I first heard that someone was going to be arrested I didn't believe it was the real killer and then as the details surfaced I doubted it even more. I agree that it is possible that he has been in contact with the real killer, but I don't think it is an absolute given that he has. However, if he is fantasizing about this type of behavior, something should be done about him. I'm glad to hear that he still faces charges and is not just being released to go on his merry way.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Just for Fun
I haven't done a meme here at Irrational Woman in quite some time, so just for fun I thought I'd try one. It's a reincarnation meme and here it goes.
NOTE: You don't have to really believe in reincarnation to participate, it's just for fun remember.
1. If you could be reincarnated as any other animal, what would it be?
2. What other person or animal do you think you were in a previous life?
3. If in your next life you could be reincarnated as a human being, but you could not be born in the United States (or to US parents living or traveling abroad) where would you choose?
My answers:
1. Either a bird of some kind (not sure which, but I think I'd love to fly with my own wings) or some kind of deep sea creature that lives farther down than we can explore as human beings).
2. I was probably once royalty (because I hold my pinky out naturally when I drink from a glass and I have only male children) and I was certainly once a cat (because I'm way too feline not to have been). Maybe I was an ancient Egyptian cat!
3. I think maybe Switzerland. They have the alps (I love mountains), they have an interesting political system, and they are just so darn neutral who can resist.
Please, join in and have fun. You can answer here if you like, or link to your own blog and spread the fun.
NOTE: You don't have to really believe in reincarnation to participate, it's just for fun remember.
1. If you could be reincarnated as any other animal, what would it be?
2. What other person or animal do you think you were in a previous life?
3. If in your next life you could be reincarnated as a human being, but you could not be born in the United States (or to US parents living or traveling abroad) where would you choose?
My answers:
1. Either a bird of some kind (not sure which, but I think I'd love to fly with my own wings) or some kind of deep sea creature that lives farther down than we can explore as human beings).
2. I was probably once royalty (because I hold my pinky out naturally when I drink from a glass and I have only male children) and I was certainly once a cat (because I'm way too feline not to have been). Maybe I was an ancient Egyptian cat!
3. I think maybe Switzerland. They have the alps (I love mountains), they have an interesting political system, and they are just so darn neutral who can resist.
Please, join in and have fun. You can answer here if you like, or link to your own blog and spread the fun.
Monday, August 21, 2006
MSN TV - 2006 Emmy Awards
MSN TV - 2006 Emmy Awards
I just couldn't resist linking to this one. It's a funny article and it nominates William Shatner in the "Best Performance by a Hairpiece" category. It also mentions Chris Noth, I didn't even realize he wore a hairpiece. I guess I'm just behind on pop culture. No big surprise there.
I just couldn't resist linking to this one. It's a funny article and it nominates William Shatner in the "Best Performance by a Hairpiece" category. It also mentions Chris Noth, I didn't even realize he wore a hairpiece. I guess I'm just behind on pop culture. No big surprise there.
The first of the last
Today is my first day of my last semester as a graduate student at Troy University. As this day has grown near I have spent quite a lot of time thinking about my hope and expectations going into graduate school. Unfortunately, the whole exercise has been quite depressing.
When I first decided to attend graduate school I was full energy and excitement at the prospect of being in the classroom again, discussing interesting topics with my professors and my peers. Instead, I found myself in classrooms largely filled with undergraduate students who had little or nothing to say. Due to the size of the department at Troy, the classes available to me were also quite limited, therefore my actual interests were seldom allowed to have any impact on the courses I took.
I had also hoped to make friends and get involved with campus activities. I did join a couple of clubs, but neither group was particularly active, try as I might to encourage them. I did meet several interesting people during my time at Troy, but never really had much of an opportunity to really get to know them. As a mother of three boys and wife of a tenured professor, I found I had little in common with either my fellow graduate students or undergraduate peers. I really tended to have more in common with my professors than my peers, but it tends to be difficult to build a true friendship with someone who is technically, academically your superior. There is always a need for a certain amount of distance for ethical reasons, I suppose.
In addition, my academic peers are at a different point in their lives than I am. They are all headed off to great and new adventures, still having dreams and believing they can come true. I suppose I still have dreams, but can hardly believe they will come true anymore. Unlike my peers, I shant be going away to Paraguay, or even Washington, DC, for some great new job or internship. When my degree is firmly in hand, I will still be firmly in Troy.
I do have some positive experiences from graduate school experience, however. I have made some good acquaintances and, as my husband puts it, I've come out of my shell some. I have learned some interesting things about the world around me and the unfortunate way in which it works. The experience of taking a class this summer was helpful in making me realize what is important and what isn't and in realizing that, no matter what my academic status, I'm still an adult and human being. (I'm sure Dr. Taylor didn't realize that's what I was getting out of the course, and yet somehow I did.)
I won't miss being a graduate student and I have no intention of doing it again. I'll be glad to have a graduate degree and hope that it will do me some good in the future. The experience is not over yet, however. So I need to go and get ready to face the day, to begin the first of the last. Wish me luck!
When I first decided to attend graduate school I was full energy and excitement at the prospect of being in the classroom again, discussing interesting topics with my professors and my peers. Instead, I found myself in classrooms largely filled with undergraduate students who had little or nothing to say. Due to the size of the department at Troy, the classes available to me were also quite limited, therefore my actual interests were seldom allowed to have any impact on the courses I took.
I had also hoped to make friends and get involved with campus activities. I did join a couple of clubs, but neither group was particularly active, try as I might to encourage them. I did meet several interesting people during my time at Troy, but never really had much of an opportunity to really get to know them. As a mother of three boys and wife of a tenured professor, I found I had little in common with either my fellow graduate students or undergraduate peers. I really tended to have more in common with my professors than my peers, but it tends to be difficult to build a true friendship with someone who is technically, academically your superior. There is always a need for a certain amount of distance for ethical reasons, I suppose.
In addition, my academic peers are at a different point in their lives than I am. They are all headed off to great and new adventures, still having dreams and believing they can come true. I suppose I still have dreams, but can hardly believe they will come true anymore. Unlike my peers, I shant be going away to Paraguay, or even Washington, DC, for some great new job or internship. When my degree is firmly in hand, I will still be firmly in Troy.
I do have some positive experiences from graduate school experience, however. I have made some good acquaintances and, as my husband puts it, I've come out of my shell some. I have learned some interesting things about the world around me and the unfortunate way in which it works. The experience of taking a class this summer was helpful in making me realize what is important and what isn't and in realizing that, no matter what my academic status, I'm still an adult and human being. (I'm sure Dr. Taylor didn't realize that's what I was getting out of the course, and yet somehow I did.)
I won't miss being a graduate student and I have no intention of doing it again. I'll be glad to have a graduate degree and hope that it will do me some good in the future. The experience is not over yet, however. So I need to go and get ready to face the day, to begin the first of the last. Wish me luck!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
More trip pictures, this time from Lookout Mountain
We took just a quick drive up Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. We did not go all the way up to Rock City so we did not get to see the full seven (I think) state view. We did stop for about 45 minutes at the park that is up on the mountain. That is were we took these pictures. It is still a really nice view. Hopefully we will get a chance to go back some time when we have time to see all of Chattanooga.
Martin and Stephen enjoying the view.
A Civil War monument placed on the mountain. (The Battle Above the Clouds was fought here.) We were told that is is the only Civil War monument to depict a Confederate soldier and a Union soldier shaking hands.
A better view of the hand shake.
Martin and Stephen enjoying the view.
A Civil War monument placed on the mountain. (The Battle Above the Clouds was fought here.) We were told that is is the only Civil War monument to depict a Confederate soldier and a Union soldier shaking hands.
A better view of the hand shake.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
More Pictures from Gettysburg
If you've ever been to Gettysburg National Military Park, you know that there are monuments placed every 500 feet or less. Here are a few that we took pictures of.
The Alabama Monument with Middle and Youngest son in front
The Louisiana Monument, which I found to be just a little strange.
This is the only Confederate Monument currently allowed to be placed on Cemetery Ridge (the Union Controlled side). It marks the spot where General Armistead fell and is considered the highwater mark of the Confederate Advance against the Union. (Youngest son poses beside the monument)
The Alabama Monument with Middle and Youngest son in front
The Louisiana Monument, which I found to be just a little strange.
This is the only Confederate Monument currently allowed to be placed on Cemetery Ridge (the Union Controlled side). It marks the spot where General Armistead fell and is considered the highwater mark of the Confederate Advance against the Union. (Youngest son poses beside the monument)
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Breast implants save Israeli from rocket - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com
Breast implants save Israeli from rocket - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com
And to think, the insurance companies won't pay for that kind of surgery because it's not medically necessary. You think this will change their minds? Me neither.
And to think, the insurance companies won't pay for that kind of surgery because it's not medically necessary. You think this will change their minds? Me neither.
Some Pictures
When we took our semi-annual pilgrimage to New Jersey this year we took a couple of side trips. First, we took a detour over to Gettysburg, PA, to see the battlefield (we never made it to the cemetary because a storm came up), and on the way home we drove up Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. It turned into a mini-Civil War history lesson for the kids. Here are some of the pics from Gettysburg for those interested.
A View of Cemetery Ridge from Seminary Ridge (The domed building in the distance is the Pennsylvania Monument)
A View of Seminary Ridge from the top of the Pennsylvania Monument (on Cemetery Ridge)
The Pennsylvania Monument
Monday, August 14, 2006
Yeah, I'm still here
If anyone out there is wondering, yeah, I'm still here. It's been quite a while since I posted anything though. Didn't realize it had been that long. Anyway, I've been enjoying my time off this summer and have tried to spend as little time as possible at the computer. Instead of blogging I've been spending my extra time reading and quilting, and I did a little bit of traveling too. Maybe I'll even post a few pictures soon. I'm sure as school gets back into full swing, I'll find myself on the computer more and subsequently blogging more (probably to avoid writing papers). It's going to be a busy semester, so we'll see how it goes. Cheers!
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