I'm not going to comment on this article too much. I think both sides have committed horrible crimes, but when a guy does this," Basayev claimed responsibility for the 2004 school attack in which gunmen held more than 1,000 hostages for nearly three days in the Russian town of Beslan. The raid ended in gunfire and explosions, killing more 330 people, mostly children," and he can say this, "It's not the children who are responsible," Basayev said. But he added: "Responsibility is with the whole Russian nation... If the war doesn't come to each of them individually, it will never stop in Chechnya," He's got a few morality problems. He's also wrong in thinking that he can end the conflict by making everyone feel its pain. That is not just a ends justify the means problem, it just plain inhuman.
I'm not taking sides, I'd bet there are a few Russian leaders who are just as bad, but I just can't stand it when people target innocent children like this.
пятница, июля 29, 2005
Leo Tolstoy could kick Jane Austen's butt
I have a very strong dislike of Jane Austen. I do not like her books, at all. In fact I find them tortures to read. Having only read "Pride and Prejudice" I admit my opinion may be under informed. But one, I don't care, and two, an author my write many different books but the style personality of those books are always the same, so I feel pretty confident in being able to make this claim. My biggest beef with Austen is how she writes her love relationships. "Pride and Prejudice" is nothing more then one long, exceedingly boring conversation between two very annoying people. Every page in that book that does not involve a conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy is either other people talking about them, or some stupid plot filler used to get the reader to their next conversation. Here let me summarize the whole book for you
Elizabeth: "Oh Mr. Darcy, I hate you, no I love you, no I hate you, no wait I thought I loved you but it turns out I really didn't because so and so said this and that, but wait it turns out they were wrong so I actually do love you."
Mr. Darcy: "duhhhhhhhhh ..... blah blah ... duhhhh, me love too."
The End
I compare this to what I am reading now, "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Now "War and Peace" being a great literary epic, I find it hard to fairly compare these two books. Where I do see a comparison is with the love stories in each. Several characters in "War and Peace" have relationships with each other to various degrees as the story progresses. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed reading these parts. I actually look forward to seeing how each relationship progresses, something I never came close to with "Pride and Prejudice."
To put it simply Tolstoy writes people some much better than Austen. Most of the characters you follow through "War and Peace" you meet in childhood and watch them grow and change. The character development is amazing. Its not just that you understand a character at one point in the novel, you watch them change throughout. You watch them become new people, but at the same time you notice parts of their personality never change. You understand them well enough to know how they will react to various situations them come upon.
I understand that this may seem obvious as to how character development is supposed to work, but take Elizabeth's development in P&P. One could argue that by the end of the novel she experienced a change, that she was a new and better person. To me, she hasn't really changed at all, she is still the same person, but she simply understands herself better than before. It seemed pretty clear from the beginning of that novel that she loved Mr. Darcy, it simply took her the whole book to realize it; so much so that I wanted beat the crap out of them by the end for being so stupid. With W&P its different, you get a sense that as a character develops they reach a better understanding about themselves and then something happens, like they go to war, and they change, they are a different person, once again confused about themselves and needing to develop further. I find it much more realistic and relatable.
Aside from this, I really just can't stand the dialogue in P&P, its annoying and so pointless at times. I read W&P and I think, wow I could see that actually happening, or that reminds me of this person or that person. He also doesn't waste words, what is said is exactly what needed to be said for the reader to understand. Another factor I like is how Tolstoy isn't so inwardly focused on love. In W&P, love is a very important theme, and it is really shown to be the driving factor for his characters. But the book is about life, not love, yet through this you see how important love is in life.
I feel I cannot explain this as well as I would like too, you may just have to read them yourself, but I think I made my point. By the way, if you want a short, but very good, read, pick up "Hadji Murat" by Tolstoy, very good and I think you might see a little about what I am talking about.
Elizabeth: "Oh Mr. Darcy, I hate you, no I love you, no I hate you, no wait I thought I loved you but it turns out I really didn't because so and so said this and that, but wait it turns out they were wrong so I actually do love you."
Mr. Darcy: "duhhhhhhhhh ..... blah blah ... duhhhh, me love too."
The End
I compare this to what I am reading now, "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Now "War and Peace" being a great literary epic, I find it hard to fairly compare these two books. Where I do see a comparison is with the love stories in each. Several characters in "War and Peace" have relationships with each other to various degrees as the story progresses. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed reading these parts. I actually look forward to seeing how each relationship progresses, something I never came close to with "Pride and Prejudice."
To put it simply Tolstoy writes people some much better than Austen. Most of the characters you follow through "War and Peace" you meet in childhood and watch them grow and change. The character development is amazing. Its not just that you understand a character at one point in the novel, you watch them change throughout. You watch them become new people, but at the same time you notice parts of their personality never change. You understand them well enough to know how they will react to various situations them come upon.
I understand that this may seem obvious as to how character development is supposed to work, but take Elizabeth's development in P&P. One could argue that by the end of the novel she experienced a change, that she was a new and better person. To me, she hasn't really changed at all, she is still the same person, but she simply understands herself better than before. It seemed pretty clear from the beginning of that novel that she loved Mr. Darcy, it simply took her the whole book to realize it; so much so that I wanted beat the crap out of them by the end for being so stupid. With W&P its different, you get a sense that as a character develops they reach a better understanding about themselves and then something happens, like they go to war, and they change, they are a different person, once again confused about themselves and needing to develop further. I find it much more realistic and relatable.
Aside from this, I really just can't stand the dialogue in P&P, its annoying and so pointless at times. I read W&P and I think, wow I could see that actually happening, or that reminds me of this person or that person. He also doesn't waste words, what is said is exactly what needed to be said for the reader to understand. Another factor I like is how Tolstoy isn't so inwardly focused on love. In W&P, love is a very important theme, and it is really shown to be the driving factor for his characters. But the book is about life, not love, yet through this you see how important love is in life.
I feel I cannot explain this as well as I would like too, you may just have to read them yourself, but I think I made my point. By the way, if you want a short, but very good, read, pick up "Hadji Murat" by Tolstoy, very good and I think you might see a little about what I am talking about.
Perhaps you've noticed ...
If you're reading this and it is not the your first visit to this blog, than you'll notice the slight change in format. I managed to find the proper code to change in the webpage's template. I have to say that I am much happier with this larger format. I think it makes to blog on the whole more readable. The small text areas for most of this blogger.com templates was annoying me. I didn't like what I thought to be a short post taking about the whole page. Either way, its better now. I just wanted post a quick comment on it.
I also want to say something about the previous post here. I imagine that I may be the only person who finds it funny (like I care, this is my blog!). I do wish I could show you the picture in my head, what I wrote does not really do it justice. Still, you should know to expect more of this kind of humor on here. What kind of humor, well my kind. For reference, I really enjoyed movies like "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" as well as "Batman, The Movie" (you know the one from the 60's). I don't think they are very good movies, but found all of them to be hilarious. I can't really say the same for anyone I know, except one, but that's pretty much how humor works. Nothing is funny to everyone, but everything is funny to someone. I feel I have a very unique sense of humor.
Everyone has a unique sense of humor. This uniqueness comes from the way people make up their sense of humor. There is a huge catalog of what people find funny, senses of humor are made by people picking and choosing various things from that list and combining them into a sense of humor. So two people can look at one thing and both find it funny and then look at another and only one of them will find it funny. That's just they way it works. The real uniqueness comes from those who have made up their sense of humor with things few people choose from the list. With me, I've definitely put a lot of those rarities in my sense of humor, I find it makes the world a bit more interesting. The good thing about this is senses of humor change, you can always add or subtract from it.
I also want to say something about the previous post here. I imagine that I may be the only person who finds it funny (like I care, this is my blog!). I do wish I could show you the picture in my head, what I wrote does not really do it justice. Still, you should know to expect more of this kind of humor on here. What kind of humor, well my kind. For reference, I really enjoyed movies like "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" as well as "Batman, The Movie" (you know the one from the 60's). I don't think they are very good movies, but found all of them to be hilarious. I can't really say the same for anyone I know, except one, but that's pretty much how humor works. Nothing is funny to everyone, but everything is funny to someone. I feel I have a very unique sense of humor.
Everyone has a unique sense of humor. This uniqueness comes from the way people make up their sense of humor. There is a huge catalog of what people find funny, senses of humor are made by people picking and choosing various things from that list and combining them into a sense of humor. So two people can look at one thing and both find it funny and then look at another and only one of them will find it funny. That's just they way it works. The real uniqueness comes from those who have made up their sense of humor with things few people choose from the list. With me, I've definitely put a lot of those rarities in my sense of humor, I find it makes the world a bit more interesting. The good thing about this is senses of humor change, you can always add or subtract from it.
четверг, июля 28, 2005
Russians in Space! *echo*
Today I saw in article on yahoo.com about the Shuttle Discovery docking with the International Space Station (is it weird that I get 99% of my news from Yahoo?). The article mentions how the shuttle crew was greeted with bread and salt by the Russian Cosmonaut and American Astronaut onboard the station.
I quote, "About two hours later, following leak and pressure checks, Discovery's astronauts entered the orbital lab, where they were greeted with hugs and bread and salt‚ a Russian tradition thought to bring good luck when visiting another's home."
With the reputations that Russians have for being superstitious, I'm not at all surprised that they would bring this tradition to space. Unfortunately, they had no microphones to record the meeting, but in my mind it would go something like this
The hatch opens and the shuttle crew enters the ISS ...
The Russian: "Zdrasvyetye! Zdrasvyetye! Moi Druugs, pajzhallista davietye priidyem, priidyem. "
(I'm going to switch into English now) The shuttle crew will be led to sitting room, where the Samovar (tea dispenser) will already be hot.
The Russian: "Will you have some tea? Please, here, just a little. Sugar? Please please help yourself!" Everyone will enjoy their tea and each other company as they swap stories. "Now, let us drink to our health and to our mission!" The vodka is handed out and everyone raises their glasses.
Everyone: "Za zstrovia!"
I don't know, I read this article and this little stories ran through my mind. Translated the first line says "Hello! Hello my friends, please come, come (inside)." Russians are very hospitable, at least the ones I've meet, I just get a kick out of imagining an old Russian couple, living in space and welcoming all their visitors.
I quote, "About two hours later, following leak and pressure checks, Discovery's astronauts entered the orbital lab, where they were greeted with hugs and bread and salt‚ a Russian tradition thought to bring good luck when visiting another's home."
With the reputations that Russians have for being superstitious, I'm not at all surprised that they would bring this tradition to space. Unfortunately, they had no microphones to record the meeting, but in my mind it would go something like this
The hatch opens and the shuttle crew enters the ISS ...
The Russian: "Zdrasvyetye! Zdrasvyetye! Moi Druugs, pajzhallista davietye priidyem, priidyem. "
(I'm going to switch into English now) The shuttle crew will be led to sitting room, where the Samovar (tea dispenser) will already be hot.
The Russian: "Will you have some tea? Please, here, just a little. Sugar? Please please help yourself!" Everyone will enjoy their tea and each other company as they swap stories. "Now, let us drink to our health and to our mission!" The vodka is handed out and everyone raises their glasses.
Everyone: "Za zstrovia!"
I don't know, I read this article and this little stories ran through my mind. Translated the first line says "Hello! Hello my friends, please come, come (inside)." Russians are very hospitable, at least the ones I've meet, I just get a kick out of imagining an old Russian couple, living in space and welcoming all their visitors.
Russian Movies!
With all this talk of what I will miss when I leave for Russia, I wanted to show you guys one thing I will be looking forward too. Thanks to some very good Russian teachers I was introduced to some classic Russian movies.
These are my all time favorites. The main character in the top two DVD covers is a guy called Shurik. In real life this role was the only one this actor ever play but he was very good at it. Shurik is your basic good natured guy, but he's a little naive, and this trait gets him into some pretty funny situations. The three guys you see at the top of the "Operation 'Y'" DVD are the bad guys in the Shurik films, and of course they are quite inept (kinda like the 3 Stooges). "Operation 'Y'" is a bunch of very funny short films, while the kidnapping one is a full length movie. I won't go into a full summary of both these movies due to the length it would take, but the basic plot for 'Y' is just various adventures Shurik meets up with in his daily life. "Kidnapping" is about the 3 baddies, kidnapping the girl for a lecherous Party official who wants to marry her, and of course its Shurik to the rescue. There is actually a very funny scene in which Shurik (who can't hold his liquor) is forced to drink several rounds because people keep toasting various things. (People in the Caucas are known for long, passionate toasts)
These bottom two movies involve many of the same actors, but are not Shurik films. "The Diamond Arm" features a famous Russian movie character, Semon Semonovich, he is a klutz, so much so that a klutz in Russia could be referred to as a Semon Semonovich. He gets wrapped up in a diamond smuggling caper when the bad guys try to smuggle the diamonds in Semon's bandaged arm, hilarity follows. "Gentlemen of Fortune" involves a very nice school teacher hired by the police to infiltrate a gang who just stole a valuable ancient helmet. Why? cause the gang's leader as recently been imprisoned and the teacher just happens to look like him.
These are my all time favorites. The main character in the top two DVD covers is a guy called Shurik. In real life this role was the only one this actor ever play but he was very good at it. Shurik is your basic good natured guy, but he's a little naive, and this trait gets him into some pretty funny situations. The three guys you see at the top of the "Operation 'Y'" DVD are the bad guys in the Shurik films, and of course they are quite inept (kinda like the 3 Stooges). "Operation 'Y'" is a bunch of very funny short films, while the kidnapping one is a full length movie. I won't go into a full summary of both these movies due to the length it would take, but the basic plot for 'Y' is just various adventures Shurik meets up with in his daily life. "Kidnapping" is about the 3 baddies, kidnapping the girl for a lecherous Party official who wants to marry her, and of course its Shurik to the rescue. There is actually a very funny scene in which Shurik (who can't hold his liquor) is forced to drink several rounds because people keep toasting various things. (People in the Caucas are known for long, passionate toasts)
These bottom two movies involve many of the same actors, but are not Shurik films. "The Diamond Arm" features a famous Russian movie character, Semon Semonovich, he is a klutz, so much so that a klutz in Russia could be referred to as a Semon Semonovich. He gets wrapped up in a diamond smuggling caper when the bad guys try to smuggle the diamonds in Semon's bandaged arm, hilarity follows. "Gentlemen of Fortune" involves a very nice school teacher hired by the police to infiltrate a gang who just stole a valuable ancient helmet. Why? cause the gang's leader as recently been imprisoned and the teacher just happens to look like him.
All of these movies are very funny, if you get a chance to rent, buy, or watch, take it!
среда, июля 27, 2005
Inflate my Head!!!
LOCAL STUDENT SELECTED TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY OVERSEAS
I copied this off a press release form that my scholarship people sent me. I would have posted the whole file, but its pdf and not online, so that would have been difficult. But besides inflating my ego with a post about how awesome (and Lucky!) I am to be awarded this scholarship, this release really does give a good background into the NSEP scholarship, more so then I could ever do. Enjoy.
Congress established the National Security Education Program in the aftermath of the Cold War to address the national security education needs of the United States. NSEP provides outstanding and highly motivated U.S. students with the necessary resources and encouragement to study abroad to acquire language skills and experience in countries critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for a commitment to seek work in the federal government. NSEP Boren Scholars achieve high levels of language proficiency, are drawn from a wide range of academic fields, and represent our future government leaders.
NSEP granted scholarships to 130 undergraduate students for academic year 2005-06. NSEP Boren Scholars will study 24 different languages, including the most popular languages Arabic, Mandarin, and Russian, in 31 different countries. Nearly 70% of all NSEP Boren Scholars will study abroad for a full academic year. Interest in NSEP has remained strong in recent years, as students have responded to world events by seeking to learn more about other languages and cultures. NSEP received 733 applications for undergraduate scholarships in 2005. “The National Security Education Program,” according to Robert Slater, director of the NSEP program, “represents an essential component of a comprehensive national security strategy to address serious and long-time deficiencies in critical language expertise.”
Since 1994, more than 2,000 students have received NSEP Boren Scholarships. Program alumni are working throughout the federal government and contributing to the critical missions of, among others, the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community. In addition to undergraduate scholarships, NSEP also awards fellowships to graduate students, and supports the National Flagship Language Initiative, a partnership between the federal government and higher education to produce university graduates with a superior level of proficiency in languages critical to U.S. national security. The Institute of International Education (IIE), the nation’s largest nonprofit educational and cultural exchange agency, serves as the administrative agency for the NSEP David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships.
Hypocrisy
Before I go into this post I think I should admit that I am a hypocrite. There I said it. I don't mean to be, but sometimes I'll take a step back from something I'm doing, saying, or thinking and just say man that's a bit hypocritical. Sorry I can't help it (actually I think everyone is hypocritical at one time or another), and to make matters worse I really hate hypocrisy, I find it very annoying. I simply hold myself (like to many people today) to another standard than the one I use to judge other people, again I apologize and I'm working to correct myself.
Regardless, I don't mind at all pointing out when someone else is being hypocritical, which I shall do right now. Read this article I pulled from lifenews.com, it talks about congressional hearings on the morning after pill and whether the government should be able to force pro-life and moral pharmacists to fill prescriptions for the morning after pill, which can be abortificient if you were wondering. Of course the abortion advocates are doing everything they can to make sure the government does force innocent people to assist in the destruction of little babies.
Let me explain the hypocrisy I find in the pro-choice position here. As some of you may know, a common argument used by the pro-choice side is that the government should act as doctors. Meaning our elected officials should have no say in whether a "medical procedure" should be legal, only doctors should decide this. The fault in this argument being that fact that the "procedure" kills a human child, which as a right to its life according our constitution.
My point is, here we are in this situation were the government is again interfering with a healthcare professional's decision or opinion and the pro-choicers are hailing the action. I find this hypocritical, although not surprising mind you. It seems to me if the government should stay out of the doctors office that same mentality should apply here.
In reality, I think the whole argument is stupid, the government has been regulating the health industry from the beginning of this country, but I don't mind pointing out more problems with another of the pro-choicers arguments, and there are so many :).
Regardless, I don't mind at all pointing out when someone else is being hypocritical, which I shall do right now. Read this article I pulled from lifenews.com, it talks about congressional hearings on the morning after pill and whether the government should be able to force pro-life and moral pharmacists to fill prescriptions for the morning after pill, which can be abortificient if you were wondering. Of course the abortion advocates are doing everything they can to make sure the government does force innocent people to assist in the destruction of little babies.
Let me explain the hypocrisy I find in the pro-choice position here. As some of you may know, a common argument used by the pro-choice side is that the government should act as doctors. Meaning our elected officials should have no say in whether a "medical procedure" should be legal, only doctors should decide this. The fault in this argument being that fact that the "procedure" kills a human child, which as a right to its life according our constitution.
My point is, here we are in this situation were the government is again interfering with a healthcare professional's decision or opinion and the pro-choicers are hailing the action. I find this hypocritical, although not surprising mind you. It seems to me if the government should stay out of the doctors office that same mentality should apply here.
In reality, I think the whole argument is stupid, the government has been regulating the health industry from the beginning of this country, but I don't mind pointing out more problems with another of the pro-choicers arguments, and there are so many :).
вторник, июля 26, 2005
Movies
As the summer movie series comes to a close and we begin to wait for the next batch in late fall, I am reminded of the many things I will miss when I finally leave for Russia. The spark for this little thought was the 4th Harry Potter movie, set to come out this November. As I eagerly watched the first trailer for the movie, it slowly dawned on me that I will have to wait a whole year to see that movie (Harry Potter fan that I am, I found this disappointing). I then looked at a few other movies I had been anticipating and realized that I will also have to wait for those. (I hear that most foreign films in Russia are dubbed, which is unfortunate when a foreign film is in your native tongue, trust me its not the same)
Now, don't think I am complaining here. In the long run I could care less about what movies I see or don't see. What struck me was being away from America, from Maryland and UMD, from my home for a year and finding that I'm going to miss a lot of things I really look forward to (and some things I take for granted.
Here a few that come to mind:
*Football season, NFL and college - I've watched every Redskin's game and been to every Maryland game I could
*Hockey season - stupid strike means it will be 2 years of no hockey for me, I'll miss my Capitals
*Baseball playoffs - I really think the Orioles have a shot this year (more so than the past 10!) Ya I know 6 game losing streak, so what 60+ games left, they can recover
*Maryland College Basketball - been to all those games too
* Halloween - I don't think they celebrate this in Russia, but even if they do it can't be the same
*The UMD Students for Life prolife club - I helped start this group 2 years ago, the school year will feel weird without it
*Fencing - I've been fencing for 3 years, I love, but I'll have to give it up for Russia (at least for the first semester
*English speaking Priests - I know several and I love the conversations we have, I just hope my Russian gets good enough fast enough
*The Internet - In Russia, I'll be held to internet cafes, although I hear the keyboards are English
*The Simpsons - oh man I am going to miss the Simpsons
*American TV - There are a couple of other shows I'll miss as well
Ok that's enough, I could probably go on, but that's enough for now. Perhaps tomorrow I will do a list of what I am looking forward too, or have I already done that? Whatever. But don't feel like I don't want to go, you should realize that because I am willing to give all this up that I really want to go. (Besides the Catholic Church is pretty much the same where ever you go!)
Now, don't think I am complaining here. In the long run I could care less about what movies I see or don't see. What struck me was being away from America, from Maryland and UMD, from my home for a year and finding that I'm going to miss a lot of things I really look forward to (and some things I take for granted.
Here a few that come to mind:
*Football season, NFL and college - I've watched every Redskin's game and been to every Maryland game I could
*Hockey season - stupid strike means it will be 2 years of no hockey for me, I'll miss my Capitals
*Baseball playoffs - I really think the Orioles have a shot this year (more so than the past 10!) Ya I know 6 game losing streak, so what 60+ games left, they can recover
*Maryland College Basketball - been to all those games too
* Halloween - I don't think they celebrate this in Russia, but even if they do it can't be the same
*The UMD Students for Life prolife club - I helped start this group 2 years ago, the school year will feel weird without it
*Fencing - I've been fencing for 3 years, I love, but I'll have to give it up for Russia (at least for the first semester
*English speaking Priests - I know several and I love the conversations we have, I just hope my Russian gets good enough fast enough
*The Internet - In Russia, I'll be held to internet cafes, although I hear the keyboards are English
*The Simpsons - oh man I am going to miss the Simpsons
*American TV - There are a couple of other shows I'll miss as well
Ok that's enough, I could probably go on, but that's enough for now. Perhaps tomorrow I will do a list of what I am looking forward too, or have I already done that? Whatever. But don't feel like I don't want to go, you should realize that because I am willing to give all this up that I really want to go. (Besides the Catholic Church is pretty much the same where ever you go!)
I hate Memes
Mike I hate you, but I'll do it anyway.
Well 10 years ago I was 11 and in 5th or 6th grade, I can't remember. Gees that was '95, hmm ya 5th grade seems about right. This was about the time that My friends and I discovered Green Day, my most favorite band ever (even though their dirty liberals I still like them). The summer of 1995 was my second to last year in Germantown, Maryland, where I used to live. I believe I played a lot of Novelty Flying Disc Golf. Oh and I had just graduated from elementary school. Ya graduated, I had a ceremony and everything, used a microphone for the first time and it scared me, sounds like a graduation to me.
Hmm ... 5 years ago was 2000, that was high school for me. I never really like the class of 2000, so pretentious, "Ooo look at us, we graduated with the millennium," whatever. What was I doing, end of sophomore year. Well I had just finished my second year of pole vaulting with a career high of 10 feet 6 inches. I think my memory is only good for about 3 years. Ah! I got my first job that summer, working at the golf course. I was a cart boy, I mean a cart maintenance engineer. That was a good summer, cause I still cut lawns so I had more money then I knew what to do with, ya that never happened again. I can't be sure but that might be the year I stopped playing with action figures, or maybe that was freshman year, I don't remember, I just know that was a sad day for me.
1 year ago I had just finished my first year of Russian at UMD. It was also the summer I decided to study abroad. Lets see, I started working at Circuit City (boy that was a REAL thrill) By the way stop shoplifting people, its you shoplifters fault I had to watch 8000 videos on shoplifting. Oh right, last summer my friend Kenn and myself filmed the penultimate (I don't know what that word means and am to lazy to look it up, but it sounds cool) episode of our Batman series, modeled after the 60's version of course. By the way I really am trying to get that thing edited, its not my fault! Ya last summer was a good one, almost got arrested in my Batman costume :).
Yesterday I um ... I, oh right, yesterday I spent much of the day edited the original version of Empire Strikes Back and preparing it for DVD. If Lucas won't put them on DVD, I will! Unfortunately I did have to cut 23 seconds off the end of the credits, stupid DVD was too small! Then I had a nice dinner with my parents and the neighbors and topped off the evening by playing a bit of Halo 2 online with my brother. I also went to Mass, duh!
I forgot how I was planning on ending this stupid thing, but I refuse to tag anyone, besides everyone I know has already been tagged, thank you once again you MIKE!
(By the way does sarcasm transfer to text?)
Well 10 years ago I was 11 and in 5th or 6th grade, I can't remember. Gees that was '95, hmm ya 5th grade seems about right. This was about the time that My friends and I discovered Green Day, my most favorite band ever (even though their dirty liberals I still like them). The summer of 1995 was my second to last year in Germantown, Maryland, where I used to live. I believe I played a lot of Novelty Flying Disc Golf. Oh and I had just graduated from elementary school. Ya graduated, I had a ceremony and everything, used a microphone for the first time and it scared me, sounds like a graduation to me.
Hmm ... 5 years ago was 2000, that was high school for me. I never really like the class of 2000, so pretentious, "Ooo look at us, we graduated with the millennium," whatever. What was I doing, end of sophomore year. Well I had just finished my second year of pole vaulting with a career high of 10 feet 6 inches. I think my memory is only good for about 3 years. Ah! I got my first job that summer, working at the golf course. I was a cart boy, I mean a cart maintenance engineer. That was a good summer, cause I still cut lawns so I had more money then I knew what to do with, ya that never happened again. I can't be sure but that might be the year I stopped playing with action figures, or maybe that was freshman year, I don't remember, I just know that was a sad day for me.
1 year ago I had just finished my first year of Russian at UMD. It was also the summer I decided to study abroad. Lets see, I started working at Circuit City (boy that was a REAL thrill) By the way stop shoplifting people, its you shoplifters fault I had to watch 8000 videos on shoplifting. Oh right, last summer my friend Kenn and myself filmed the penultimate (I don't know what that word means and am to lazy to look it up, but it sounds cool) episode of our Batman series, modeled after the 60's version of course. By the way I really am trying to get that thing edited, its not my fault! Ya last summer was a good one, almost got arrested in my Batman costume :).
Yesterday I um ... I, oh right, yesterday I spent much of the day edited the original version of Empire Strikes Back and preparing it for DVD. If Lucas won't put them on DVD, I will! Unfortunately I did have to cut 23 seconds off the end of the credits, stupid DVD was too small! Then I had a nice dinner with my parents and the neighbors and topped off the evening by playing a bit of Halo 2 online with my brother. I also went to Mass, duh!
I forgot how I was planning on ending this stupid thing, but I refuse to tag anyone, besides everyone I know has already been tagged, thank you once again you MIKE!
(By the way does sarcasm transfer to text?)
понедельник, июля 25, 2005
Howard Dean is annoying
Looking over my various news sources today, I came across an article at lifenews.com about democrats making efforts to reach out to pro-lifers (perhaps realizing that they can't win an election without us?). What caught my attention was a quote by party prez Howard Dean. Since I first learned of Howard Dean from the Dean for Pres group at UMD (who later changed their name to Anyone but Bush when Dean lost, boo hoo), I have found him annoying. First off, he used to be a Planned Parenthood board member (blach!). Second he, like the rest of the democratic candidates, tried to pass himself off as Christian during the election (ya making fun of the religious right is all fun and games until you suddenly need us for something).
But the past aside, Dean managed to annoying me once again today by saying this, "The Republicans have painted us as a pro-abortion party. I don't know anybody in America who is pro-abortion." source, lifenews.
Um right, ok first, the Republicans haven't done anything, the pro-abortion view of the Democratic party is its own fault. Second, your an idiot. I can't believe he thinks he is only "pro-choice" not "pro-abortion". I hate that argument, its completely illogical and stupid! Yes you are pro-abortion, don't try and save your tiny consciences by pretending its a "necessary evil". I really hate it when pro-choicers think they are about to shock and amaze my ignorant fetus loving views by telling me this shocking revelation that they are in fact not pro-abortion, as I had stupidly thought, but are anti-abortion ... oh wait that's what you call us, ok I meant pro-I don't really like abortion and would never have one, but I think its a necessary evil blah blah blah. Yes apparently everyone in America thinks that abortion is a horrible procedure that no one in their right mind would ever want to go through, BUT! of course sometimes it is in fact necessary, women are just forced to have one (what forced you say? I thought it was their "choice").
This is perhaps the stupidest logic I have ever heard. You know what, I'm not really a big fan of heart surgery. Its life endangering, painful, hard, and all around not fun. Yet, I would consider myself to be pro-heart surgery, and yes I would have heart surgery myself (gasp!). But Joey wait, that analogy is false, heart surgery is necessary to save someone's life. I agree, it is necessary to save someone's "health".
Ok I don't need to go off on a rant, let me wrap this up. The point is if you think abortion is so necessary, even if you think its evil, guess what, you're pro-abortion. Stop rationalizing your morals and deal with the fact that you support something even you think is wrong.
But the past aside, Dean managed to annoying me once again today by saying this, "The Republicans have painted us as a pro-abortion party. I don't know anybody in America who is pro-abortion." source, lifenews.
Um right, ok first, the Republicans haven't done anything, the pro-abortion view of the Democratic party is its own fault. Second, your an idiot. I can't believe he thinks he is only "pro-choice" not "pro-abortion". I hate that argument, its completely illogical and stupid! Yes you are pro-abortion, don't try and save your tiny consciences by pretending its a "necessary evil". I really hate it when pro-choicers think they are about to shock and amaze my ignorant fetus loving views by telling me this shocking revelation that they are in fact not pro-abortion, as I had stupidly thought, but are anti-abortion ... oh wait that's what you call us, ok I meant pro-I don't really like abortion and would never have one, but I think its a necessary evil blah blah blah. Yes apparently everyone in America thinks that abortion is a horrible procedure that no one in their right mind would ever want to go through, BUT! of course sometimes it is in fact necessary, women are just forced to have one (what forced you say? I thought it was their "choice").
This is perhaps the stupidest logic I have ever heard. You know what, I'm not really a big fan of heart surgery. Its life endangering, painful, hard, and all around not fun. Yet, I would consider myself to be pro-heart surgery, and yes I would have heart surgery myself (gasp!). But Joey wait, that analogy is false, heart surgery is necessary to save someone's life. I agree, it is necessary to save someone's "health".
Ok I don't need to go off on a rant, let me wrap this up. The point is if you think abortion is so necessary, even if you think its evil, guess what, you're pro-abortion. Stop rationalizing your morals and deal with the fact that you support something even you think is wrong.
воскресенье, июля 24, 2005
Congratulations, your eyes are viewing the first picture I've posted on this blog. I hope this to be the first of many, many of my own talking. As we speak I am looking into purchasing a nice digital camera to take to Russia and record as much as I can for one country travelers stuck back here the US. This particular picture is one of Vladimir (pronounced Vla'*de*'mir). It looks pretty cool, pretty beautiful. You can even see at least two beautiful churches, two of many in Vladimir. Don't be surprised by the lack of snow, it only snows from November to April.
пятница, июля 22, 2005
MineSweeper
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just beaten minesweeper on the 99 mine setting. I completed it in 873 seconds, which merited my place on the leader above the computer time of 999. I have so many people to thanks for this honor oh ... um ok I'd like to thank God, my parents, my bro Alex, my trainer Mickey, the Academy, and of course Booz Allen for hiring me for the summer and hardly giving me any work so I could spend most of my time practicing, I couldn't have done it with out you!
Oh I have to tell you, looking at this huge minefield all uncovered and full of colorful numbers and red flags, I even got a 6, its truly beautiful. Of course this accomplishment just blows away me other high scores for the 10, 43 sec., and 40, 391 sec, difficulties.
You may want to cry, that's ok, let the tears come, its alright, those are tears of joy. Thank you very much to all my fans and supporters out there, I wish I could name them all. Good Luck with your future minesweeping. *cue award music*
Oh I have to tell you, looking at this huge minefield all uncovered and full of colorful numbers and red flags, I even got a 6, its truly beautiful. Of course this accomplishment just blows away me other high scores for the 10, 43 sec., and 40, 391 sec, difficulties.
You may want to cry, that's ok, let the tears come, its alright, those are tears of joy. Thank you very much to all my fans and supporters out there, I wish I could name them all. Good Luck with your future minesweeping. *cue award music*
Psalm 139 in Russian
For your attempted reading pleasure (hey its a half Russian blog I had to do this)
1(138-1) ^^Начальнику хора. Псалом Давида.^^ Господи! Ты испытал меня и знаешь.
2(138-2) Ты знаешь, когда я сажусь и когда встаю; Ты разумеешь помышления мои издали.
3(138-3) Иду ли я, отдыхаю ли--Ты окружаешь меня, и все пути мои известны Тебе.
4(138-4) Еще нет слова на языке моем, --Ты, Господи, уже знаешь его совершенно.
5(138-5) Сзади и спереди Ты объемлешь меня, и полагаешь на мне руку Твою.
6(138-6) Дивно для меня ведение [Твое], --высоко, не могу постигнуть его!
7(138-7) Куда пойду от Духа Твоего, и от лица Твоего куда убегу?
8(138-8) Взойду ли на небо--Ты там; сойду ли в преисподнюю--и там Ты.
9(138-9) Возьму ли крылья зари и переселюсь на край моря, --
10(138-10) и там рука Твоя поведет меня, и удержит меня десница Твоя.
11(138-11) Скажу ли: 'может быть, тьма скроет меня, и свет вокруг меня [сделается] ночью';
12(138-12) но и тьма не затмит от Тебя, и ночь светла, как день: как тьма, так и свет.
13(138-13) Ибо Ты устроил внутренности мои и соткал меня во чреве матери моей.
14(138-14) Славлю Тебя, потому что я дивно устроен. Дивны дела Твои, и душа моя вполне сознает это.
15(138-15) Не сокрыты были от Тебя кости мои, когда я созидаем был в тайне, образуем был во глубине утробы.
16(138-16) Зародыш мой видели очи Твои; в Твоей книге записаны все дни, для меня назначенные, когда ни одного из них еще не было.
17(138-17) Как возвышенны для меня помышления Твои, Боже, и как велико число их!
18(138-18) Стану ли исчислять их, но они многочисленнее песка; когда я пробуждаюсь, я все еще с Тобою.
19(138-19) О, если бы Ты, Боже, поразил нечестивого! Удалитесь от меня, кровожадные!
20(138-20) Они говорят против Тебя нечестиво; суетное замышляют враги Твои.
21(138-21) Мне ли не возненавидеть ненавидящих Тебя, Господи, и не возгнушаться восстающими на Тебя?
22(138-22) Полною ненавистью ненавижу их: враги они мне.
23(138-23) Испытай меня, Боже, и узнай сердце мое; испытай меня и узнай помышления мои;
24(138-24) и зри, не на опасном ли я пути, и направь меня на путь вечный.
1(138-1) ^^Начальнику хора. Псалом Давида.^^ Господи! Ты испытал меня и знаешь.
2(138-2) Ты знаешь, когда я сажусь и когда встаю; Ты разумеешь помышления мои издали.
3(138-3) Иду ли я, отдыхаю ли--Ты окружаешь меня, и все пути мои известны Тебе.
4(138-4) Еще нет слова на языке моем, --Ты, Господи, уже знаешь его совершенно.
5(138-5) Сзади и спереди Ты объемлешь меня, и полагаешь на мне руку Твою.
6(138-6) Дивно для меня ведение [Твое], --высоко, не могу постигнуть его!
7(138-7) Куда пойду от Духа Твоего, и от лица Твоего куда убегу?
8(138-8) Взойду ли на небо--Ты там; сойду ли в преисподнюю--и там Ты.
9(138-9) Возьму ли крылья зари и переселюсь на край моря, --
10(138-10) и там рука Твоя поведет меня, и удержит меня десница Твоя.
11(138-11) Скажу ли: 'может быть, тьма скроет меня, и свет вокруг меня [сделается] ночью';
12(138-12) но и тьма не затмит от Тебя, и ночь светла, как день: как тьма, так и свет.
13(138-13) Ибо Ты устроил внутренности мои и соткал меня во чреве матери моей.
14(138-14) Славлю Тебя, потому что я дивно устроен. Дивны дела Твои, и душа моя вполне сознает это.
15(138-15) Не сокрыты были от Тебя кости мои, когда я созидаем был в тайне, образуем был во глубине утробы.
16(138-16) Зародыш мой видели очи Твои; в Твоей книге записаны все дни, для меня назначенные, когда ни одного из них еще не было.
17(138-17) Как возвышенны для меня помышления Твои, Боже, и как велико число их!
18(138-18) Стану ли исчислять их, но они многочисленнее песка; когда я пробуждаюсь, я все еще с Тобою.
19(138-19) О, если бы Ты, Боже, поразил нечестивого! Удалитесь от меня, кровожадные!
20(138-20) Они говорят против Тебя нечестиво; суетное замышляют враги Твои.
21(138-21) Мне ли не возненавидеть ненавидящих Тебя, Господи, и не возгнушаться восстающими на Тебя?
22(138-22) Полною ненавистью ненавижу их: враги они мне.
23(138-23) Испытай меня, Боже, и узнай сердце мое; испытай меня и узнай помышления мои;
24(138-24) и зри, не на опасном ли я пути, и направь меня на путь вечный.
Continued Musings on Psalm 139
I want to post the rest of my favorite Psalm for you guys, and point out some of the reasons I like it some much.
4Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
(I just think that is cool, and rather interesting to think about, the omniscient of God)
5You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
(Good to God is always by my side)
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
(Also good to know that there is know I can go that God won't be with me)
13For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
(Got to love the pro-life lines)
Wonderful are Your works,
(Wonderful Works is a kind of inside joke for me, it involves Batman and some homemade movies)
15My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
(Again, God knows you, more than we can possible imagine)
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
(This is a pretty awesome prayer in it of itself, definitely one of my favorite lines in this psalm)
So there are some pretty good reasons to love this particular psalm, if not the whole book in general, hmm there seems to be a lot of favorites, oh well its all good! Man the ideas keep coming, but I think I'll only bore you with one more post on this subject
4Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
(I just think that is cool, and rather interesting to think about, the omniscient of God)
5You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
(Good to God is always by my side)
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
(Also good to know that there is know I can go that God won't be with me)
13For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
(Got to love the pro-life lines)
Wonderful are Your works,
(Wonderful Works is a kind of inside joke for me, it involves Batman and some homemade movies)
15My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
(Again, God knows you, more than we can possible imagine)
23Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
(This is a pretty awesome prayer in it of itself, definitely one of my favorite lines in this psalm)
So there are some pretty good reasons to love this particular psalm, if not the whole book in general, hmm there seems to be a lot of favorites, oh well its all good! Man the ideas keep coming, but I think I'll only bore you with one more post on this subject
Psalm 139
Last night I was preparing to say evening prayer in the Little Office of the Virgin Mary (Ya Scapular wearers!) when I received a pleasant surprise. The first two psalm readings of the Wednesday night evening prayer just happen to be Psalm 139, the best Psalm ever, and a personally favorite (and I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that it was Jesus's favorite too). I really do love this psalm and I always get excited when it shows up in evening prayer, its in the regular Christian Prayer but I can't recall the week or day of the top off my head, and I'm at work minus one prayer book so oh well. It starts off
"Oh Lord you have searched me
and you know me."
I couldn't have said it better myself (for obvious reasons, um I'm not God duh!). This one statement can make you realize a lot, especially in the context of prayer. You have searched me and you know me! In other words, God knows you better than yourself, he knows what will truly make you happy and what will bring you closer to him, and he's pretty anxious to let you know too, if you listen. But that is the hard thing to do, isn't it? I don't mean simply turning off your eyes and ears, its a bit tougher to turn down the distractions in your head. Memories of the day swirling around, worries of tomorrow, things you did or didn't get a chance to, random thoughts (those are annoying), distracting thoughts. It all clouds up what God is trying to say to you. I think this is one of the reasons God gave us the Our Father. Its easy to kneel down and belt out a spontaneous prayer to God, and there's nothing wrong with that. Its good to say a quick prayer during the day when your thankful for something or need some help, but when you really sit down for some serious thought and prayer to God, those spontaneous prayers never really let you get focused. God gave us a way to pray to him through the Our Father, for anyone who goes to Mass frequently those words are ingrained into your head. Its really quite amazing how much easier it is to focus on God when you say that prayer and really listen to it as you prayer, after that I don't think those spontaneous prayers are so spontaneous anymore.
Well, I guess that works for me, I can't guarantee it for you but it never hurts to try (now if I could only take my own advice!).
"Oh Lord you have searched me
and you know me."
I couldn't have said it better myself (for obvious reasons, um I'm not God duh!). This one statement can make you realize a lot, especially in the context of prayer. You have searched me and you know me! In other words, God knows you better than yourself, he knows what will truly make you happy and what will bring you closer to him, and he's pretty anxious to let you know too, if you listen. But that is the hard thing to do, isn't it? I don't mean simply turning off your eyes and ears, its a bit tougher to turn down the distractions in your head. Memories of the day swirling around, worries of tomorrow, things you did or didn't get a chance to, random thoughts (those are annoying), distracting thoughts. It all clouds up what God is trying to say to you. I think this is one of the reasons God gave us the Our Father. Its easy to kneel down and belt out a spontaneous prayer to God, and there's nothing wrong with that. Its good to say a quick prayer during the day when your thankful for something or need some help, but when you really sit down for some serious thought and prayer to God, those spontaneous prayers never really let you get focused. God gave us a way to pray to him through the Our Father, for anyone who goes to Mass frequently those words are ingrained into your head. Its really quite amazing how much easier it is to focus on God when you say that prayer and really listen to it as you prayer, after that I don't think those spontaneous prayers are so spontaneous anymore.
Well, I guess that works for me, I can't guarantee it for you but it never hurts to try (now if I could only take my own advice!).
четверг, июля 21, 2005
Red Rover Red Rover game of death come over
Some of my friends may be aware of the severe hatred of this game. I hate it, it is the worst game ever. Kids should not be aloud to play this game and everyone who asks me to play should be punished horribly.
Why do I hate this game so much? Emotional trauma you say? Well ya maybe well should can just shut up! Oh ya the game is so fun, little kids form chains out of themselves and then try to break them buy hurling themselves at themselves. REAL fun, oh and it sounds very safe too. Ya you're right it is fun. Actually it gets even more fun when two stupid little girls decide to let go of each other as you are sprinting towards them at full speed preparing to ram them, and the fun continues as you trip over the sidewalk and cut up both your legs so you run home crying, bleeding all over. Fun ... I can still see those girls smiling as they send me to my doom.
luckily I survived, but people are walking the edge every day! A friend and neighbor of mine recently went to the hospital after a "friendly" game of Red Rover. She ending up injuring her back after she collided with another girl, who broke her wrist mind you. Still don't believe this game is deadly. Well the nurse at the emergency room send they get a lot of Red Rover injuries. Yes, it seems that hurling ourselves at each other is in fact dangerous, glad we could clear that up.
I know that I will never play that game again, nor will I let my kids play. If you would, I'll bet you've never been injured playing Red Rover. Actually I've found that the only people who actually share my view of this evil game are the ones who have been in my position.
Why do I hate this game so much? Emotional trauma you say? Well ya maybe well should can just shut up! Oh ya the game is so fun, little kids form chains out of themselves and then try to break them buy hurling themselves at themselves. REAL fun, oh and it sounds very safe too. Ya you're right it is fun. Actually it gets even more fun when two stupid little girls decide to let go of each other as you are sprinting towards them at full speed preparing to ram them, and the fun continues as you trip over the sidewalk and cut up both your legs so you run home crying, bleeding all over. Fun ... I can still see those girls smiling as they send me to my doom.
luckily I survived, but people are walking the edge every day! A friend and neighbor of mine recently went to the hospital after a "friendly" game of Red Rover. She ending up injuring her back after she collided with another girl, who broke her wrist mind you. Still don't believe this game is deadly. Well the nurse at the emergency room send they get a lot of Red Rover injuries. Yes, it seems that hurling ourselves at each other is in fact dangerous, glad we could clear that up.
I know that I will never play that game again, nor will I let my kids play. If you would, I'll bet you've never been injured playing Red Rover. Actually I've found that the only people who actually share my view of this evil game are the ones who have been in my position.
среда, июля 20, 2005
Time Flies
Today I was thinking about how I have just about a month left in the good ol' USA. Its pretty shocking to think where I will be in a month (and how long I will be there). I thinks its hard to explain what this is like, feeling intense excitement and intense nervousness at the same time. At times I can't wait to go and times when I wonder what the heck I'm doing going to a foreign country, especially one a bit xenophobic, and staying with people who I don't know and don't speak english. Oh ya I'm a Russian major, but its not like I'm at the top of my class. Seriously, everyone I meet asks me to say something in Russian, two years is not enough to feel very confident in the language. Oh sure I can speak it when I'm given enough time and I don't feel pressured, but 2 years people.
Well, now that I'm done venting, I really am excited about going. The food, the churches, the weather, the people it all screams adventure (I love Russian food). I might even get a chance to take the trans siberian railway, which is awesome. A ten day trip both ways, and I get to travel through North Korea, how many people can say that?
The one thing that really worries me is how to pack. I mean what do you pack to go to Russia for a year. I don't even know if I should bring my laptop, Americans have a stereotype of being very rich and although everyone has a computer in America, its not the same in Russia. Still, clothes, electronics, music, etc. it takes a lot of thought to get it right. I don't really have the option of coming home. But I think the real problem is my tendency to procrastinate, I should probably fix that ... maybe tomorrow.
Well, now that I'm done venting, I really am excited about going. The food, the churches, the weather, the people it all screams adventure (I love Russian food). I might even get a chance to take the trans siberian railway, which is awesome. A ten day trip both ways, and I get to travel through North Korea, how many people can say that?
The one thing that really worries me is how to pack. I mean what do you pack to go to Russia for a year. I don't even know if I should bring my laptop, Americans have a stereotype of being very rich and although everyone has a computer in America, its not the same in Russia. Still, clothes, electronics, music, etc. it takes a lot of thought to get it right. I don't really have the option of coming home. But I think the real problem is my tendency to procrastinate, I should probably fix that ... maybe tomorrow.
понедельник, июля 18, 2005
Break in the Line
Up until this weekend I had actually managed to post everyday. I was pretty proud of myself, but that streak is now over, oh well. At least I had a good reason. This past weekend from Sat. to Sun. I was hiking down the Appellation Trail with some fellow Knights of Columbus. The four of us did a total of about 9 miles in the two days, 6 Sat. and 3 Sun., and although it took two days our total time actually spent hiking was about 5 hours. It was very fun and not too bad I think for my first hiking adventure.
It was quite the adventure. We drove up to Gathland Park, which is in western Maryland near the West Virginia border, and hiked all the way down to Harpers Ferry. The first day we hiked from about 5 pm till dark and mostly through the mountains. Now I had never been hiking before (in the sense that hiking was the point of the trip) and I can't really say I had the best of equipment. I did however manage to attach my sleeping bag to the strips of my backpack using some D clips in a very ingenious way, although the use of the clips was suggested by my mother. Alan, our Grand Knight, and Paul actually had real hiking packs. My put together pack was not all that bad, at least it worked better than Chris's, he brought one of those single shoulder backpacks and it looked a bit painful by that end. I also wore my big ol' timberland steel toe waterproof workboots, again not ideal for hiking, but once we hit some mud I had no fear walking through it, so no regrets there.
About half way through our first day we passed a hikers rest station, it was pretty full. Still we almost camped there until I asked what poison ivy looked like. After Alan pointed out several examples, all in the area we were to camp, I opted to keep going and thankfully everyone else agreed. Poison ivy is not a good friend of mine. We got some rather vague directions to the next camping site and headed off. Another mile or 2 and we reached the end of the mountain, but before we began the very curvy decent, we took a moment to admire a spectacular view of the Potomac. I was beautiful, at least until we spotted the place we parked the car, I got tried just looking at how far away it was. Oh well, come down the mountain was fun and once we hit the bottom, moving got a lot easier and flatter. It was weird though that part of the trail lead right through someone's yard.
Eventually we made it to the point we thought the campground should be. After taking a .5 mile wrong turn we came upon a beach type shore next to the Potomac. We found some fire pits, so we new people had at least started a fire here, but do to the threat of rain and the very real possibility of the ground flooding, we decided to keep looking. Good thing too, we did find the real campground and it did rain a lot that night. We got to this slightly hidden camp ground as it was getting really too dark to see. But we grabbed our flash lights and made camp! With the tent up we used most the water we had left too boil for some cup o noodles, Alan then grilled a few hot dogs and tossed the them into the spicy noodle mixture. The food was great, almost as great as being able to sit down. After dinner I climbed into the tent to prepare for bed and then had to get out again, cause everyone else felt like standing outside and eating gummy bears, I wasn't to be left alone. Well we finished that, hung the food, and went inside, about that time it started to rain, not bead timing, we didn't even get wet.
I think the best part of the trip was the fours of us attempting to sing a hymn for evening and night prayer, at least we kinda got the Salve Regina at the end. With that we went to sleep, which was a bit difficult, but I actually woke up refreshed surprisingly.
I should mention the bears that attacked us that night as well. By my estimate I killed at least 20 and counted about 40, but I was pretty sure there were more. It was pretty cool the way it went down. I woke up to some rustle and went outside to find a huge bear army attempted to steal our food and then eat us. I was like no way and charged to bears. I ripped out my 12 gauge and shot many of them, but I soon had to reload, the bears saw an opportunity. They rushed me, but they were no match I was going wild taking out bears left and right, and then I saw him, the great bear leader and I knew this was the end, it was him or me. I shove a cartridge into my gun and charged. I got him in the gut then broke the gun over his head, he laughed and came at me. I knew he was tough, but I was better. I grabbed his arms and broke them both then tore my teeth into his neck, he went down, the bears were stunned. I let them take there dead and I went back to sleep.
Anyways the next morning we ate some poptarts, packed up, and left (not wanted to stick around in case the raccoon army showed up. We finished up our hiking by going about 3 miles in and hour and a half. The trail was flat so it was pretty easy. We ended up in Harpers Ferry and drove home.
All in all the trip was fun, but way too many spiders, seriously, I saw like 100 daddy long legs, they were everywhere, not to mention all the other spiders. That was the worst part, I could do without all the spiders. I was happy to finally take a shower when I got home, but I made it to 12 noon Mass, which was a nice surprise, thought I would have to go at 6 pm. Right now my shoulders are still sore.
It was quite the adventure. We drove up to Gathland Park, which is in western Maryland near the West Virginia border, and hiked all the way down to Harpers Ferry. The first day we hiked from about 5 pm till dark and mostly through the mountains. Now I had never been hiking before (in the sense that hiking was the point of the trip) and I can't really say I had the best of equipment. I did however manage to attach my sleeping bag to the strips of my backpack using some D clips in a very ingenious way, although the use of the clips was suggested by my mother. Alan, our Grand Knight, and Paul actually had real hiking packs. My put together pack was not all that bad, at least it worked better than Chris's, he brought one of those single shoulder backpacks and it looked a bit painful by that end. I also wore my big ol' timberland steel toe waterproof workboots, again not ideal for hiking, but once we hit some mud I had no fear walking through it, so no regrets there.
About half way through our first day we passed a hikers rest station, it was pretty full. Still we almost camped there until I asked what poison ivy looked like. After Alan pointed out several examples, all in the area we were to camp, I opted to keep going and thankfully everyone else agreed. Poison ivy is not a good friend of mine. We got some rather vague directions to the next camping site and headed off. Another mile or 2 and we reached the end of the mountain, but before we began the very curvy decent, we took a moment to admire a spectacular view of the Potomac. I was beautiful, at least until we spotted the place we parked the car, I got tried just looking at how far away it was. Oh well, come down the mountain was fun and once we hit the bottom, moving got a lot easier and flatter. It was weird though that part of the trail lead right through someone's yard.
Eventually we made it to the point we thought the campground should be. After taking a .5 mile wrong turn we came upon a beach type shore next to the Potomac. We found some fire pits, so we new people had at least started a fire here, but do to the threat of rain and the very real possibility of the ground flooding, we decided to keep looking. Good thing too, we did find the real campground and it did rain a lot that night. We got to this slightly hidden camp ground as it was getting really too dark to see. But we grabbed our flash lights and made camp! With the tent up we used most the water we had left too boil for some cup o noodles, Alan then grilled a few hot dogs and tossed the them into the spicy noodle mixture. The food was great, almost as great as being able to sit down. After dinner I climbed into the tent to prepare for bed and then had to get out again, cause everyone else felt like standing outside and eating gummy bears, I wasn't to be left alone. Well we finished that, hung the food, and went inside, about that time it started to rain, not bead timing, we didn't even get wet.
I think the best part of the trip was the fours of us attempting to sing a hymn for evening and night prayer, at least we kinda got the Salve Regina at the end. With that we went to sleep, which was a bit difficult, but I actually woke up refreshed surprisingly.
I should mention the bears that attacked us that night as well. By my estimate I killed at least 20 and counted about 40, but I was pretty sure there were more. It was pretty cool the way it went down. I woke up to some rustle and went outside to find a huge bear army attempted to steal our food and then eat us. I was like no way and charged to bears. I ripped out my 12 gauge and shot many of them, but I soon had to reload, the bears saw an opportunity. They rushed me, but they were no match I was going wild taking out bears left and right, and then I saw him, the great bear leader and I knew this was the end, it was him or me. I shove a cartridge into my gun and charged. I got him in the gut then broke the gun over his head, he laughed and came at me. I knew he was tough, but I was better. I grabbed his arms and broke them both then tore my teeth into his neck, he went down, the bears were stunned. I let them take there dead and I went back to sleep.
Anyways the next morning we ate some poptarts, packed up, and left (not wanted to stick around in case the raccoon army showed up. We finished up our hiking by going about 3 miles in and hour and a half. The trail was flat so it was pretty easy. We ended up in Harpers Ferry and drove home.
All in all the trip was fun, but way too many spiders, seriously, I saw like 100 daddy long legs, they were everywhere, not to mention all the other spiders. That was the worst part, I could do without all the spiders. I was happy to finally take a shower when I got home, but I made it to 12 noon Mass, which was a nice surprise, thought I would have to go at 6 pm. Right now my shoulders are still sore.
суббота, июля 16, 2005
Discrimination strikes again
I found a rather interesting story on the news today, check it out. It seems that there is a Christian adoption agency that refuses to let Catholic parents adopt from them. They say that Catholics don't agree with their "statement of faith." The article also says that a Catholic priest was asked to look over the statement by one of the Catholic couples and found no reason that it would disagree with the Church. This basically means that the adoption agency says the Catholic Church doesn't agree with their statement, which if it were true, you'd think that a priest would also say the two are in disagreement. I would like to paste that statement here, but unfortunately the agency's website won't load, one too many people overloading their server maybe? Wonder why? The address is www.bethany.org
The part that hits home the most is that fact that this particular adoption agency receives part of the funds that the "choose life" license plates generate. Of course some of this license plates are purchased by Catholics. So if the Catholics of Mississippi wish to by a pro-life license plate they must also give money to an adoption agency that discriminates against them. Funny right.
Well, I feel this is a perfect example of one of the few discriminations still accepted in America. Its pretty sad if you ask me, and I wish I could say it was new to me or something I had never seen before, unfortunately not.
The part that hits home the most is that fact that this particular adoption agency receives part of the funds that the "choose life" license plates generate. Of course some of this license plates are purchased by Catholics. So if the Catholics of Mississippi wish to by a pro-life license plate they must also give money to an adoption agency that discriminates against them. Funny right.
Well, I feel this is a perfect example of one of the few discriminations still accepted in America. Its pretty sad if you ask me, and I wish I could say it was new to me or something I had never seen before, unfortunately not.
пятница, июля 15, 2005
Russian Rock
I don't claim to know that much about Russian music, at least not modern music, well ok actually I don't know much about Russian music at all. But that's all besides the point cause I have looked into some music. During my first year as a Russian Language major my professor had us do a lot of work on the internet. One of the sites we looked at was rbcmp3.com, which is a Russian music and video site. Trust me this is a great site, they let you watch Russian videos and shows and listen to Russian music for free, its great. Not only that but it has all kinds of Russian music and tons of it. I really like it, but I can imagine some of you have some problems not being able to read Cyrillic. Actually the sites not that hard to navigate.
The reason I bring this up is that a I've put some time into searching this site and have found a very good Russian punk band (Ya punk is my kind of music). They're called Naive (NAUB in Cyrillic) I don't really understand most of the words, but I like the way it sounds. I guess the only problem is since I don't know the words I don't really know if they are good and moral or just liberals. But until I find out I don't really care, sometimes ignorance is nice. Anyways, if want to listen to him go here, I like the first song the best, plus you can have some fun looking around the site for Russian music and videos you might like.
The reason I bring this up is that a I've put some time into searching this site and have found a very good Russian punk band (Ya punk is my kind of music). They're called Naive (NAUB in Cyrillic) I don't really understand most of the words, but I like the way it sounds. I guess the only problem is since I don't know the words I don't really know if they are good and moral or just liberals. But until I find out I don't really care, sometimes ignorance is nice. Anyways, if want to listen to him go here, I like the first song the best, plus you can have some fun looking around the site for Russian music and videos you might like.
четверг, июля 14, 2005
How many in a lifetime?
Did you ever hear that statistic that on average we eat about 7 spiders in our lifetime while we sleep? Did you believe it? I sure didn't. I figured that maybe a few people were eating like 100 or something and throwing of the average. Why is this relevant? Let me tell you a little story.
Last night I was reading before I went to sleep. I was in my bed, the light was on, and I was sitting up with my back to the wall. I had a very nice large pillow supporting my back and a good book in my hand, at least what I hope to be one. It was the "Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis as I now recall, and a good book I'm sure it will be. But that was the scene as it unfolded. SUDDENLY! At first it was just the corner of my eye, but that quickly changed as a huge black spider ran across my bed from head to foot. My eyes widened and then filled with rage as I watched the spider run. The book became heavy in my hand and I knew what I must do, but quickly I had to act. My mind not calm if the deed was not done. Down I came with the book, the spider a foot from the edge of my bed, my bed, that in which I lay every night, that in which feelings of warmth and safety find home. The violation would not go unpunished. Down and down again, until death was assured. My book now stained and the corpse lay rotting. To the trash the spider went and there it will remain. The trial over my heart continued to pound. Thoughts of what if ran through my brain. Where did it come from? Was it really on my bed? Are there more? What if I had gone to sleep a minute earlier? Quite close it would have been to my head to my face had I laid down earlier. Quite true it was that I almost had done just that. I hate spiders.
Good story right? Ya well it really did freak me out. Oh man if I had gone to sleep, ahh! Spiders are not allowed in my personal space and that's as personal as they get! Aww it really freaked me out.
Last night I was reading before I went to sleep. I was in my bed, the light was on, and I was sitting up with my back to the wall. I had a very nice large pillow supporting my back and a good book in my hand, at least what I hope to be one. It was the "Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis as I now recall, and a good book I'm sure it will be. But that was the scene as it unfolded. SUDDENLY! At first it was just the corner of my eye, but that quickly changed as a huge black spider ran across my bed from head to foot. My eyes widened and then filled with rage as I watched the spider run. The book became heavy in my hand and I knew what I must do, but quickly I had to act. My mind not calm if the deed was not done. Down I came with the book, the spider a foot from the edge of my bed, my bed, that in which I lay every night, that in which feelings of warmth and safety find home. The violation would not go unpunished. Down and down again, until death was assured. My book now stained and the corpse lay rotting. To the trash the spider went and there it will remain. The trial over my heart continued to pound. Thoughts of what if ran through my brain. Where did it come from? Was it really on my bed? Are there more? What if I had gone to sleep a minute earlier? Quite close it would have been to my head to my face had I laid down earlier. Quite true it was that I almost had done just that. I hate spiders.
Good story right? Ya well it really did freak me out. Oh man if I had gone to sleep, ahh! Spiders are not allowed in my personal space and that's as personal as they get! Aww it really freaked me out.
среда, июля 13, 2005
War and Peace
Currently, I'm reading Tolstoy's "War and Peace." I'm hoping to finish it before I go to Russia, not for any big reason, but the pride I can have by bragging that I've read it and just because if I can't finish a book, even a 1400+ pager, in one summer I'd be a bit pathetic.
I'm only about 440 pages into it, which means I have 1000 more to go, but the last chapter I read was very interesting. One of the characters, Pierre, was being inducted into the Freemasons. What was interesting was that Tolstoy actually went through the whole ceremony. Now I just happen to be a Knight of Columbus, so reading about my "archrivals" induction ceremony was quite a treat. You should read it yourself, "War and Peace" pages 406 to 426, it was good, and as a knight I found it very amusing. Pardon me if I seem repetitious. Due to secrecy I can't really say anything about how the knights and masons compare, but I will say this. Assuming the ceremony was a correct representation of a mason ceremony, I'm glad I'm a knight and not a mason (um besides the whole excommunication thing). There is so much more meaning behind everything the knights do compared to the masons.
Still, I know the Knights guard our ceremonies' secrets closely, so I obviously can't be sure as to whether Tolstoy is right cause I don't know if he was a Freemason or if that would even matter. Either way, it was a fun read.
I'm only about 440 pages into it, which means I have 1000 more to go, but the last chapter I read was very interesting. One of the characters, Pierre, was being inducted into the Freemasons. What was interesting was that Tolstoy actually went through the whole ceremony. Now I just happen to be a Knight of Columbus, so reading about my "archrivals" induction ceremony was quite a treat. You should read it yourself, "War and Peace" pages 406 to 426, it was good, and as a knight I found it very amusing. Pardon me if I seem repetitious. Due to secrecy I can't really say anything about how the knights and masons compare, but I will say this. Assuming the ceremony was a correct representation of a mason ceremony, I'm glad I'm a knight and not a mason (um besides the whole excommunication thing). There is so much more meaning behind everything the knights do compared to the masons.
Still, I know the Knights guard our ceremonies' secrets closely, so I obviously can't be sure as to whether Tolstoy is right cause I don't know if he was a Freemason or if that would even matter. Either way, it was a fun read.
The Domino Factor
I have to ask anyone out there who owns a dog a quick question. Do you ever notice your dog going seriously crazy over certain kinds of food. Now I don't mean the dog isn't just hyper and stuff, I mean a 16 year old dog that sleeps a lot gets crazy, like panting and jumping around and constantly looking for this food. Well I think there is some kind of dog mind control in Domino's pizza. When my dog smells this she goes insane, it can't be a coincidence and it can't just be my dog. Now I actually hate Domiono's pizza, I mean I hate it! Its the only thing that delivers around my house and I loath eating it. Any other pizza is better. Of course this is my opinion, and unless you've only eaten Dominos for like 8 years you can't understand. Anyways this is off topic. I need to find out what Dominos is doing to our dogs and why! I imagine that their overall goal is to take over the world, duh. The real question is how! I don't know everything yet, just keep your eyes on Dominos, and if you happen to love their pizza maybe should see a doctor.
вторник, июля 12, 2005
To Study Abroad!!!
Back in June I attended the NSEP Scholarship convocation in Washington D.C. Why you ask, well I just happen to be an NSEP Boren Scholar, which means that I won't be paying for my year abroad, the government will! Good ol' government!
At this convocation, I met a lot of other students going abroad. It was pretty amazing seeing where everyone was going. The largest group was actually going to Egypt. And almost all of them were studying at the same place, The American University in Cairo. I have to say that despite the fact that I'm going to Russia, I'm pretty jealous. I would love to spend even a summer in Cairo. Hmm, maybe I will, maybe I will ... I just need to find some rich chump to send me ... (Just kidding I'm very grateful for my scholarship). The next highest was China, which I would also like to go to, maybe not to study, but definitely to visit. This (finally) was followed by us Russian scholars. Although we were third we still had about 19 or so in our group.
Altogether there were about 120 scholars, with people going to Japan, Brazil, Morocco, plus several other countries (a couple from the former Soviet Union). I gotta say that I met so many people going so many different places from so many different backgrounds. I even met one person going to Vladimir, Russia, we'll be future classmates.
I think this whole scholarship is one example the money well spent. And oddly enough the program was losing support and money until 9/11. Its real sad that something like that was needed to spark more government support for sending kids like me abroad, but when tragedy strikes the best thing you can do is find the good things that come from it. I mean just one of the 120 of us might be responsible for stopping the next 9/11, ya never know! Say what you will about the government or this administration, at least they know what is important to support.
At this convocation, I met a lot of other students going abroad. It was pretty amazing seeing where everyone was going. The largest group was actually going to Egypt. And almost all of them were studying at the same place, The American University in Cairo. I have to say that despite the fact that I'm going to Russia, I'm pretty jealous. I would love to spend even a summer in Cairo. Hmm, maybe I will, maybe I will ... I just need to find some rich chump to send me ... (Just kidding I'm very grateful for my scholarship). The next highest was China, which I would also like to go to, maybe not to study, but definitely to visit. This (finally) was followed by us Russian scholars. Although we were third we still had about 19 or so in our group.
Altogether there were about 120 scholars, with people going to Japan, Brazil, Morocco, plus several other countries (a couple from the former Soviet Union). I gotta say that I met so many people going so many different places from so many different backgrounds. I even met one person going to Vladimir, Russia, we'll be future classmates.
I think this whole scholarship is one example the money well spent. And oddly enough the program was losing support and money until 9/11. Its real sad that something like that was needed to spark more government support for sending kids like me abroad, but when tragedy strikes the best thing you can do is find the good things that come from it. I mean just one of the 120 of us might be responsible for stopping the next 9/11, ya never know! Say what you will about the government or this administration, at least they know what is important to support.
понедельник, июля 11, 2005
Russian Lit
Last semester I had the opportunity to take a Russian Literature class. I got to read several very good Russian books, and I got a very good intro into the cultural aspect of Russian Literature. This is pretty important in my opinion for study abroad. If you think about our American culture, there are so many cultural references that are based in our Literature. Actually English literature in general. I mean take Romeo and Juliet. How many times have you heard some love struck guy referred to as Romeo? Stuff like this happens so often that we don't really notice it. Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Tolkien, and even new comers like Stephen King and Tom Clancy. Learning a language is completely intertwined with learning the culture. People speak in references all the time and a new language can be confusing enough without having to wonder what something like, "You're such a Romeo." means when you don't know who or what Romeo is. Well after all that let me recommend some classic Russian novels that I really enjoy. "Dr. Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak, is probably my Favorite so far. Its about the lives of various people, focusing on Zhivago of course, through WWI and the Revolution in Russia. That's followed closely by Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment." That was very good and had some very interesting themes revolving around sin and redemption (and of course crime and punishment). Others I like include "We" by Zamiatan, "Heart of a Dog" by Bulgakov (Short but good), and "Hadji Murat" by Tolstoy. I'd check any of these out if you're looking for a summer read.
воскресенье, июля 10, 2005
The Fantastic Four
Well, I saw the Fantastic Four today so I thought I would review it for you good people. (See not everything must be Russian here) My first impression of this movie was one of disappointment. So many things about this movie had such great potential, but few of it was realized.
My biggest beef with the movie was Dr. Doom. I did not like what they did to him. I mean they have him gain powers from the cosmic storm like the rest of the Fantastic Four! What is that all about? Now in the comics, I liked Dr. Doom. He is your classic evil genius type supervillian, but he always was to go one on one with the F4 when he needed too. In the movie they make him this metal/electrical superhuman thing, and it really doesn't suit him. Not only that but he just didn't feel like Doom. Add that to the fact that the super fights were few and very short, which is unfortunate in an action movie.
My next beef is with the plot. Oh man, there are some many places where you could just tweak the story just a bit and it would be so much better! Let me think of a place ... Oh ok like when the cosmic storm hits, Doom is in his shielded area, which turns out not to work, but if it had just think of the possibilities. You got jealousy, from both Doom and the F4, and at least you keep Doom true to the comics. Well I may not have the best ideas, the point is neither did the movie and it could have been much much better.
My third problem was the invisible women, I felt that they didn't really get her right. Maybe it was the acting, more likely the writing and directing though. I also found the music to be very forgettable. I mean I can still hear the Spider-man theme in my head, but I couldn't catch the Fantastic Four theme even when I was watching the movie.
Ok that said, there were some could things. At least 50% of the jokes were funny, the rest felt very forced. The special effects were incredible. The acting was decent, nothing really stood out, but it didn't hurt the movie. There was some good character development, so that was a plus.
The one thing that I absolutely hated though was The Thing's love life. First, he was married and his wife leaves him when he transforms, that was stupid. Next, they through in his girlfriend from the comics. Now I like her and their relationship in the comics, but come on! You see her for like 5 mins. total on screen, but suddenly they're in love. Oh and the worst part was when the meet the Thing says "If there is a God, he doesn't like me." She replies "She is blah blah blah." Oh man, "She?" Come one, that's such a cheap shot to throw into the movie, AND the Things girlfriend isn't like that! She would never say that, its out of character and very annoying.
Well, those are my thoughts on the movie, I give it a 6 out of 10, not really worth seeing, but it's worth the money it you had any desire to see it.
My biggest beef with the movie was Dr. Doom. I did not like what they did to him. I mean they have him gain powers from the cosmic storm like the rest of the Fantastic Four! What is that all about? Now in the comics, I liked Dr. Doom. He is your classic evil genius type supervillian, but he always was to go one on one with the F4 when he needed too. In the movie they make him this metal/electrical superhuman thing, and it really doesn't suit him. Not only that but he just didn't feel like Doom. Add that to the fact that the super fights were few and very short, which is unfortunate in an action movie.
My next beef is with the plot. Oh man, there are some many places where you could just tweak the story just a bit and it would be so much better! Let me think of a place ... Oh ok like when the cosmic storm hits, Doom is in his shielded area, which turns out not to work, but if it had just think of the possibilities. You got jealousy, from both Doom and the F4, and at least you keep Doom true to the comics. Well I may not have the best ideas, the point is neither did the movie and it could have been much much better.
My third problem was the invisible women, I felt that they didn't really get her right. Maybe it was the acting, more likely the writing and directing though. I also found the music to be very forgettable. I mean I can still hear the Spider-man theme in my head, but I couldn't catch the Fantastic Four theme even when I was watching the movie.
Ok that said, there were some could things. At least 50% of the jokes were funny, the rest felt very forced. The special effects were incredible. The acting was decent, nothing really stood out, but it didn't hurt the movie. There was some good character development, so that was a plus.
The one thing that I absolutely hated though was The Thing's love life. First, he was married and his wife leaves him when he transforms, that was stupid. Next, they through in his girlfriend from the comics. Now I like her and their relationship in the comics, but come on! You see her for like 5 mins. total on screen, but suddenly they're in love. Oh and the worst part was when the meet the Thing says "If there is a God, he doesn't like me." She replies "She is blah blah blah." Oh man, "She?" Come one, that's such a cheap shot to throw into the movie, AND the Things girlfriend isn't like that! She would never say that, its out of character and very annoying.
Well, those are my thoughts on the movie, I give it a 6 out of 10, not really worth seeing, but it's worth the money it you had any desire to see it.
суббота, июля 09, 2005
Say What?
I was watching TV today, actually I was pretty anger that the Orioles game was not on TV. Oh but the Nationals sure are, la di da di stupid da! Anyways, I was watching TV and this commercial came on and the first words I hear are "We just cleaned two sides of this puppy with toilet tissue," which is promptly followed up with "now lets try it with our 'brand x' wet tissue, just look at the difference." Indeed the wet tissue thing came off very dirty, so I learned that puppy can be cleaned with wet tissues, amazing.
Splitsville
I was talking to a friend about what I plan to do in Russia about Mass. I told her that I had actually found a church in Vladimir, thank you very much masstimes.com, so I should be fine for at least my Sunday and Holy Day obligations. I also made the comment that if it came to it I could attend a Russian Orthodox Mass and I would still fulfill my obligation, although I couldn't receive. So this then lead into a short discussion about why there is so much division between the many churches of the Christian world. She said how she didn't understand why we all couldn't get along and I bit my tongue cause I knew I didn't really feel like getting into a why Catholicism is the one true faith debate.
Anyways, the point is that most people don't realize that many of the splits in the Catholic Church are really over such small disagreements. One I find particularly interesting is the split of the Russian (Byzantine at the time) Church. Basically the Constantinople patriarch decided one day in 1053 to break from the church, he closed Latin Churches and declared some heresies. Basically got his bum excummunicated and with it most of the eastern churches, including the Russian Church. The Russian Church became its own entity after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. So it short this whole split came from a dispute over papal authority. You can read more about this here or in the textbook I am holding right now. Well, I not really all that insightful but at least its something to think about.
Anyways, the point is that most people don't realize that many of the splits in the Catholic Church are really over such small disagreements. One I find particularly interesting is the split of the Russian (Byzantine at the time) Church. Basically the Constantinople patriarch decided one day in 1053 to break from the church, he closed Latin Churches and declared some heresies. Basically got his bum excummunicated and with it most of the eastern churches, including the Russian Church. The Russian Church became its own entity after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. So it short this whole split came from a dispute over papal authority. You can read more about this here or in the textbook I am holding right now. Well, I not really all that insightful but at least its something to think about.
пятница, июля 08, 2005
American Councils
I guess this happens with all new blogs but I feel I need to get a lot of these introduction posts out of the way. Right now I want to describe the program that I am going abroad with. As the title indicates I will be with American Councils of Teachers of Russian. A very well respected program, more so now that I am part of it, they were very happy to take me on. Anyways, I'll be in Vladimir, Russia, like I said. I will be there from August 25 until May 23. Lets see, what can I say? Its expensive to study in Russia, but not for me. Why you ask, I gots me a scholarship. I am officially a NSEP Boren Scholar. Not only does this pay for most of my cost but it almost assures me a job in the intelligence community when I graduate. Pretty cool right? I gotta say I am looking forward to this indeed! I mean through the program we get to cultural excursions every week plus longer trips to Moscow and Petersburg and elsewhere during the semester. We also get like 4 weeks or so between semesters. Can you say Trans Siberian Rail? Yes it will be fun (despite the fears I may have). Well that's all I really have to say about American Councils.
четверг, июля 07, 2005
Cyrillic
Like I said in the previous post, I've put the date and time in Cyrillic. I think it looks great, but since I realize that most of you cannot read Cyrillic I will give you a crash course in pronunciation. Lets start with the month July. In Russia, July sounds about the same. The letters are the backwards N, pronounced like a hard "e" or a Latin "i", then this, -O, that's pronounced like "yu", next is the upside down "V", which is a "L", lastly the little "b" is a soft sign indicating a soft "L". So put it all together and you get Eyul, the stress is on the "u" not the "e".
Great, ok now see if you can do the day, Wednesday by yourself. The Russian "c" is like and "s" and that square "o" is a "D" and "p" is pronounced like an "R". So cpeda becomes sryeda (the "e" is like a "ye" sound).
Now, Thursday, the upside down "h" is a "ch", the "B" is pronounced like a "v", the "r" is a "g", and T's are still T's. Put it all together and you get "Chyetvyerg". I'll add more letters as we get to them. Isn't learning fun!
See, you'll be speaking in no time! (Or at least you'll learn the days of the week)
Great, ok now see if you can do the day, Wednesday by yourself. The Russian "c" is like and "s" and that square "o" is a "D" and "p" is pronounced like an "R". So cpeda becomes sryeda (the "e" is like a "ye" sound).
Now, Thursday, the upside down "h" is a "ch", the "B" is pronounced like a "v", the "r" is a "g", and T's are still T's. Put it all together and you get "Chyetvyerg". I'll add more letters as we get to them. Isn't learning fun!
See, you'll be speaking in no time! (Or at least you'll learn the days of the week)
Welcome
Well, welcome to my blog, in case your wondering, no I am not in Russia just yet. I leave on August 25. But! I still have much to talk about till I leave, and even more when I do (assuming I can actually make this blog thing work in Russia) So just a few things before we start. I have found out that blogspot lets you display the time in Russian. You may have already noticed this. I think it fits the theme and should not be that hard to decipher, maybe you'll even learn something. Next, for now the time is US eastern Standard. It will remain as such until I actually get to Russia. What else ... hmm ... oh, well the content of this blog will be basically whatever I want. Right now I would like it to be my thoughts on living in Russia for a year, updates on what I'm doing before I go, and various musings that come to mind. Once I get to Russia I hope to be able to post on my daily life and interesting happenings. (Assuming I can work the internet cafes) As the title suggests, I am Catholic so most of the post will have a Catholic theme (if they have a theme). Finally, obviously Sebastian is not my real name, but he his my confirmation saint (and the best saint ever!) and he's praying for me right now in Heaven. Well, this should be interesting.
Once again, welcome!
Sebastian
Once again, welcome!
Sebastian
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