Little Girl Dream

Call me sick, but some days I just like to imagine what I'll be like when I "grow up". I know I'm old now in my inner child's eyes, but there's some things I still haven't done so I can dream about them. Like getting married. Sad, I know, but I think about it when my brain isn't devising escapes to far off places or working rock problems or playing with critical assessments of buildings. In other words, this is a once in a blue moon thing.

The Idea:

I'm a traditional girl. I like filigree rings from circa 1920-1949. That one has to be my favorite. It's from 1939 and is beautiul. I haven't found the dress because I have a feeling it'll be like my prom dress from way back when. Pretty, traditional, low cut, tight around the waist, and THE FIRST ONE I TRY ON. I'm not really for dress up. So much for the "girly-girl" image.

Other thoughts for today:

I'm curently reading "The Secret History of the IRA" which provides me with an international perspective on IRA weaponry deals. I also picked up "Terror and Consent" and "The Master of Disguise", the first one being commentary on the necessary steps the authors believes should be taken in these new wars and the latter an interview with a CIA ex-op. It's sweet. I also plan on picking up some books on Pakistan later this week. I can't shake this feeling that once Bush is out of office, that whole front is going to change. I'm a little afraid and I'd rather know what's coming before it smacks me in the face.

But, honestly, I'd rather think about a fairy tale wedding right now. Too bad there's no Prince Charming.

For my own use:

CSIS
CDI
The Princeton Review: IICW
IVS
Middle East Institute
PMF

The Plague

Due to my incompacitation because of illness, I've been a real boob as of late and have actually watched television since reading hurts so much. Blame it on the fever. By watching T.V., I mean wiring myself to CNN and BBC online. I zone out when it come to a lot of the Obama vs Clinton thing (it's over-covered in my opinion - I know who I'm voting for, but it's a secret). But I find myself glued to the screen when it comes to the international bit.
When I was in eighth grade, I was convinced Putin was the anti-Christ. He fit the description in my mind. But somehow he dragged the Russian economy back into the billions from the disaster it was for years previous. Now there's a president who says he'll back Putin's ways, and although this time I'm pretty sure he won't bring about the apocalypse, I'm still skeptical about a Putin-lover. Medvedev has been elected as the new leader of the largest country on the planet by what some opposition is calling unfair. Medvedev's party has accused the US as trying to turn favor against the party. I've got the old scandals of poisonings during elections running through my mind (remember those?!).
I rejoice for the Russians who perceive this successful election of Medvedev as a chance to continue the economic boom, but weep for global cooperation. After accusing the US of starting an arms race and taking a stance against NATO's expansion plans, I wonder what the new leader is playing at. Not only that, Putin is to be prime minister after Medvedev's swearing in in May.
Now for the international connections: Russia is already annoyed at US' support of Israel, if I remember right. We also have Pakistan issues coming to head now. With the accused arms race and political scene changing much at the same time, a period of rocky ground and new leadership is in order. With Putin still in the Russian wings, America will need a strong diplomatic leader to try and smooth things out while maintaining a global connection within our international organizations. Who's up to bat, then?

A Really Strange Pet Peeve

I'm constantly reading about these people that shoot others, blow up buildings, and destroy lives. It's not particularly by choice; a lot of them are included as requirements for classes. But in these pieces, I've noticed a pattern that's starting to annoy me: authorities too often judge a person on the books they read. I'm a huge reader, and I find myself both nervous and minorly pissed off that people associate destructive and dangerous behavior with certain literature.
For example, in the recent NIU shooting, they made a comment that "police confiscated several items from Baty and Kazmierczak's apartment, including a copy of Friedrich Nietzsche's "The Antichrist" and the "Encyclopedia of Serial Killers"" (CNN). I've taken several Homeland Security classes, and I have all sorts of research laying around, from the 1993 WTC bombings commission reports, to Pakistan - US relations. Does this mean I'm going to be watched? Go ahead, look into it. If the government wants to look into my life that far, I welcome them to. Come on, Patriot Act. I've got nothing to hide. Except the fact I like to know what I'm talking about.
It's amazing that most people don't know that your library records are free to be observed by the authorities. Monitored. Recorded. Some people get a little uptight about it. I frankly really don't care, but I don't get it. Did Timothy McViegh do it just because he read The Turner Diaries (which is really messed up, by the way)? Or because his favorite movie was the 1984 Patrick Swayze epic Red Dawn? We might as well record everyone who reads Catcher in the Rye since apparently all snipers have read it at some point in their lives, according to one of my past professors. Never mind that it's one of the most common books for kids to be assigned in middle school English classes.
Oh, and just for everyone's information, I'm currently reading Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor. Finished Kabul Beauty School. And of course they’ve influenced me. But try not to judge me for it.

Nothing Really of Consequence

Audrey Hepburn has to be my favorite individual to watch in films. Her voice is so perfect and I swear I can feel my Philadelphia accent melting away when I listen to her for hours on end. Especially with a cup of Moccoran mint tea and honey.

On a different note, I've borrowed Special Topics in Calamity Physics from a friend. It's supposedly supreme. I also purchased two other novels. Kabul Beauty School and some other book whose name escapes me. I'm loving them both so far.

So much work to do this week, and then there's Valentines Day this Thursday. Which I will hopefully spend watching bad kung-fu and action movies with some cheap Chinese food. There's my best buddies coming in that evening. Nate of ten years, and Mallory of, oh, ten months. I can't wait to see either of them!

Goal for this site

Ok, since I've failed to actually update this on numerous occassions (I just seem to come here and stare blankly at it too often), I though I should establish what I'd like to see come of this thing.

1. Political issues that rile me up - Usually these will involve Pakistan, as I love to nit pick about policy there.
2. Climbing - I need someplace to log ascents, new climbs, etc.
3. Travel - I tend to go places spontaneously and I would love to keep track of it all
4. Reviews - Cuisine, recipes, movies, everything like that

Test

Testing