Algorithms in QA and Projected Belief Patterns

I'm no math major, in fact, I hate number crunching and mulling over mathematical theories for hours on end. My eyes glaze over and my thoughts wander. But this, this stuff is facinating. It's almost up there with risk assessment, which also includes some minor equations. The numbers that I come up with in these situations have weight to them. I know what they mean and what I can do with them. I suppose if I was interested in engineering or physics, I'd love those projected paths and symbols. But instead I'm head over heels for slipping into some one else's destructive mindset and projecting the likelihood and potential damage of an attack. Not only that, now I can create a scatterplot-like layout that allows me to look at something like, say, an out break of the flu and determine if it's really just that or something that has more severe consequences.
And they want me to go into something other than Homeland Security. The advisors don't seem to understand: this is what makes me tick. I don't understnad how anyone could find anything else so driving. These studies are what push me to create a safer community and nation while making me challenge myself in stimulating and invigorating ways. Thinking like this is a natural high. There's the strain, the release, and the rush of figuring things out.
I know I titled this entry very specifically to deal with QA and PBPs, but I can't actually get into a whole lot of it on here. It's something I can't explain more for the reason that there's so much research going on with it right now. Once results are published, I'll explain more.

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.