Author: cdwan

this is over the top. That baby koala is WAY too cute.

For added effect, imagine it saying, as it clings, “don’t leave me, I love you.”

There you go: tears of joy.

In other news, I just finished Gears of War on the “Hardcore” setting. This is the middle setting. So far as I can tell, nobody even bothers lying about having finished the game on “Insane.”

We practiced sweeps and throws at karate today. I practiced falling. Since I was the youngest one in the room, the teacher decided that everyone could practice their sweeps and throws on me. He was kind enough to bring out an extra mat for me to fall on.

I’m told that this is part of the traditional hazing process. Yes yes, very old Chinese tradition. Get over here, ook.

Very sore now.

Thanks to rev_e for the tip:

This article indicates that Keith Ellison (the first Muslim elected to congress) will be taking his ceremonial, unofficial, photo-op oath of office with his hand, not just on a Koran, but on the very copy of the Koran personally owned by Thomas Jefferson.

It’s worth noting that the official, legally binding oath is taken with ones hand raised in the air, and not on any holy book whatsoever … as God intended.

The man has political chops.

Assorted one-liners from 2004
2005 results

Here we go again:

q and a

I got a pair of BOSE in-ear headphones for Christmas.

As Borat says: “Very nice.”

Feels like Linkin Park and Slavic Soul party are right here in the room with me.

I got the email note below from my grandmother, and I do think that it’s worthwhile to forward it on … though perhaps not for the reasons in she had in mind. I really have a hard time understanding the motivations of someone who would tell this sort of lie to my grandmother, seemingly just to upset her … but they’re out there.

At least this one didn’t callously ask for a check. Most of them do. Whether it’s a check to support the struggle against the “socialists” of the United Nations, or a check to “defend our Christian nation,” there’s usually a hook at the end of this sort of thing. I’ve seen the stack of mail on my grandfather’s desk, slickly worded to enrage him and make him send a couple of bucks to the con artist of the day.

It disgusts me, and it ought to disgust you too.

Here’s one debunking of the letter. There are many more.

Do this for me: Ask your grandparents or parents if they get this sort of tripe. Ask them to send it to you, with return addresses attached … and then publicly shame the senders. This is reprehensible.

the letter

After all the adventures, we’re finally home. I’m exhausted, and looking forward to the solace of an ordinary work week. Was great to see the entire family.

Maybe I’ll document more, later. More likely not. Still feeling some vague urge to resolve to change something about myself for the new year. Haven’t decided on anything yet. Also dimly aware that 2007 is going to involve massive upheaval, including a move to a new house, at least one new job, and so on.

New Years traditions: I ate my herring to stave off bad luck, and the pets got extra food, so that their annual report on my behavior (to their superiors) might be slightly improved.

Bah. I’m going to go play some Gears of War.