Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Music I'm Waiting For: Melissa Laveaux

I stumbled upon this girl towards the beginning of the year and have been waiting for her album ever since. I really, really adore her voice and better yet - more French practice!

Anyways her album "Camphor and Copper" is to be released sometime in October or November. Anyone whos interested in learning more about her I would suggest heading over to her official website and myspace page. There you can also hear some of her tracks. My personal favorites are Ulysses and Needle in the Hay, found on her myspace.

And now I leave you all with this interview of hers:

Monday, September 29, 2008

Cosmic Joke?

Today was something else.

Thats all I can say. It was fairly nice but one part, just one part, messed with me the rest of day.

In English today I had to join a little trio for a book discussion. I was only the senior in the group, so I didn't really know the juniors I had to talk to.

I sat down to join them, asked their names and respectivfully gave mine in return when the girl in the group said all knowingly "Oh so you're Ryan." And with that one line it set off a very, very uncomfortable dialouge.

Me: Um, yea I am. *wonders why she suddenly took that tone.*
Girl: Ah, I heard about you from Constanza.
Me: WHAT?! *Fear slowly creeps over my body*
Girl: Yea, she mentioned you...
Me: *bugging out* And why did I come up?
Girl: Oh don't worry. We were just talking about our ex boyfriends. If she said anything bad I wouldn't have brought it up.
Me: *still in shock*


Seriously though - What the hell? How is it that someone I dated 3-4 years ago still have connections like that (keep in mind, I haven't seen the girl in about a year and a half)? And I don't buy her saying that I "just came up". That seems way too much like a random shot in the dark to be true.

Now I can't help but wonder. Just what was said about me?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Fueling My Wrath

This is seriously just adding fuel to the fire.



Now, come on. This is just silly. If you have someone from a different party on your show, if for nothing else than just common decency, you let the person talk. I mean come on - this is why I have issues with policits sometimes. Let people talk, then debate them logically. Don't shut them down. I feel my own intelligence being insulted every time the Republicans pull that crap.

Oh, and by the way - I am going to wikipedia the Keating Five. Its about time I know more about it.

Heres one more video, just cause I love you all:



Nothing more I can say than McCain better stop pissing people off or else...

Note: for Google Reader Users - if you can't see the videos, please visit my blog itself to see it.

What Kind Of Week Has This Been? Part II

I would like to start with a quote:

I get the impression that recent political developments have left you speechless. :-)

It's certainly not a boring election...

- Opps, a frequent commenter.

I couldn't agree with you more Opps. This election has been anything but boring, and its about time I've let loose on some things. I have a feeling that this could turn into a rant if I'm not careful, so please bear with me everyone.

At this point, every American is cognizant of the economic debacle rippling not only here at home, but though out the rest of the world's markets as well. I just heard this morning that Washington Mutual went under, following suit behind some other major power players. How in the world did we let things get to this point? Who fell asleep at the helm and is now expecting we the tax payers to help out?

Now, I see this in two lights. America is already in a ridiculous amount of debt and bailing out all of these companies will only dig our hole even more. Companies that in my eyes, don't deserve to be saved. Companies and their head of operations that should go under and suffer. But at the same time, those companies are so closely rooted into America's and the world's economy as a whole - so much so that I know and understand their collapse would send everything spiraling even more out of control. So whats the better evil out of all of the options we have before us?

And while I'm on this topic, what the hell does this mean for my and the rest of my fellow students? Those of us who are about to enter college and those who are already there. What does this mean for us when we graduate? What kind of a world will it be when we are finally expected to fully intergate ourselves into the so-called "real world"? Whatever decisions made will no doubt have us dealing with this for decades to come. Is it fair that I and my children will have to be burdened with all of this? I must say that all of these questions truely scare me. I only had my first job a summer ago and now the economy is in a panic.

A panic. A crisis. And interestingly enough, this has all happened during the build up to our Presidental Election. Also, has anyone heard of any talk of a recession anymore? Has that word disappeared out of our collective vocabulary, or is it that its not no longer important?

Next up on my hitlist is what McCain recently did. The first debate between him and Obama is to take place tonight, and the man had the nerve to pull out saying that fixing the economy situation is more important. I was so shocked when I heard this. This is THE time to be debating. Now more than ever. Plus, isn't this the man who owns how many houses? Isn't this the man whose aide was being paid by Freddie Mac? I don't appreciate whatever game he's playing at. I give Chuck Shumer credit for telling McCain to get the hell out of the way and let them do what they have to do. He shouldn't be butting in so that he looks better.

The last thing I will go into before I explode is how the Republicans are sheltering Palin. She met with neumerous world leaders this week, but the press was hardly allowed to question her.

What, does she not have enough of a brain needed to answer whatever questions they pose? I find this to be worrying. Why is it that they don't trust her on her own? I saw her interview with Charles Gibson. Saw how she had a way of weaving in and out of answering questions that I would have loved to hear answers to. One could make the argument that the way her party is treating her, it makes her look like a stupid women ~ a form of sexism within itself; nevermind the Democraits "attacking" her because shes a women (shes fair game as far as I'm concerned. Open Season.). I think we've put up with enough crap from her - from the bridge/bridges to nowhere, her pregnant daugther (please, please, please don't let me get started on that), and her lackluster answers to grave questions. I'm waiting to see her tail on the line during her rounds of debates. Hope shes still having fun with looking at Russia through her window.

And McCain, you better show up tonight. Its not like you're doing much over there anyways - the Republicans walked out of the talks yesterday, so I heard. Show me you have more honour than that - its the least you can do.

What kind of week has this been indeed.


Update: McCain has chosen to join the debate tonight. I'll be watching, and I hope all of you will as well.

What Kind Of Week Has It Been? Part I

This has been an odd week. Terrible, yet intriguing at the same time. I can’t believe that so many things came into the lime light - so much so, that this post needs two parts in order for me to get to them all.

First thing first - I was not asked to proceed onto Posse’s round two. I received a letter last Saturday delivering the news. Yet, I can’t say that I’m disappointed or upset. I truly went into it unsure of what I would do with such a gift to begin with. At least now, I can put all my energy back into my trailing my own path, wherever that leads me.

I must say this though - thank you to everyone who had a say in sending my name into consideration. The group meeting last Wednesday was simply fun and a good experience for all the teens there. I’m glad for even having the chance.

Next up is a trip my school is planning during spring break. There are plans to travel to Paris, Florence, and Rome during the week of that vacation on some sort of “science exploration”. I, of course, really want to go. If for nothing else, just to see Paris with my own eyes. I won’t get much of a chance to actually soak in much - out of the nine or so days planed, only two of them take place in that city, its still so much better than nothing.

Of course, there is an issue of costs. The entire trip including air fare, food, tour guides, hotel accommodation, and another slew of different things is just about 2,500 dollars. That almost made me want to cry, but who knows - there are plans to do fundraisers to attempt to drive down the cost, so I may have a chance after all. I’ll of course blog about what happens as time goes on.

Lastly, there is the recent betrayal of a friend. Not much to say here, except she acted in a manner I expected from her. And so now I get to sit back and watch as things crumble around her feet. That within itself is worth a few giggles, though its sad it had to come to that.

p.s. - To anyone who can guess what inspired the title of this post, I will give you a digital cookie. :p

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Upcoming First Round

I haven't been blogging much lately. Not as much as I would love to - there is so much going on that I could write for days, but I have a good reason why. Several good reasons why. One of such is the whole Posse Foundation thing, which some of you may remember me writing about a few months ago.

After a summer of relative silence in regards of the program, this coming Wednesday afternoon will be the first round. From what I hear, its basically a big evaluation of how you preform in group activities. I'm quite curious to find out just what these activities are going to be, and at the same time not knowing is really bothering me. I've started to dread the possibility of having some wayward task to accomplish, or something that I can't truly find a way to apparently "stand out" in.

Other from that, I'm really just planning to try and enjoy myself. While I'm fully aware of whats at stake (for those too lazy to click on that link above, its a full scholarship to a list of very amazing schools), I also realize that if I'm meant to get it, I'll get it. Putting too much of myself in it only to fail would not be a very smart idea. And if that wasn't enough, I'm still torn as to what to do if I should get so far as being offered this scholarship. I'm still sort of stuck on trying my luck with Columbia and other colleges within New York.

Well everyone, wish me luck. In the end, all I can really do is try and see what happens.

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment


EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

Yet another video - this one is just fun to watch. So many colors....

Stalker Guilt Syndrome



My English teacher showed this video in class a few days ago. Its so weird that I had to post it here. Anyways, enjoy and feel free to tell me what you think of it.

Warning: Those using Google Reader may actually have visit this page to view the video. Also There is an "F-bomb" and a few other words lying in wait for your ears. In case that type of language bothers you...

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Resume looking old...

For the past two hours, I've been updating my resume and trying to make a brag sheet.

Its awkward though, having to mentally go back through things you've done and had had a part in. Its amazing just how much I had forgotten from last year - such as my summer internship at Citigroup (or is it just Citi now? cursed name changes...). While I understand such events are 'important' and all, I still feel like it was a part of my life that I lived through and is now over and done with. It doesn't sit well with me shifting around in memories to find things to talk about myself with. This feeling only gets worst when making a brag sheet.

Ah, the brag sheet - a list of as much things as I have recollection of actually doing. For this I'm really trying to squeeze as much as I can out of my memory. Its seriously flawed recesses are not cooperating. Luckily I suppose I have some time to get it done and its not all that important - its very likely that I'm the only one who will ever see it, but I believe that its best to have it ready to go, just in case. I don't know what college(s) will ask to see it.

Bush's War - PBS Frontline Documentary

I finally got to sit down and watch this today. Taken from the official website, here is a basic overview of the film:

A two part special series that tells the epic story of how the Iraq war began and how it has been fought, both on the ground and deep inside the government.

I really enjoyed this show. It offered a very good look at how the war became twisted and strayed from its original goal and how the key players in Washington allowed all of it to happen. If you have some free time - and I mean a lot of it. This is not a short walk in the park - I suggest you watch it. Matter of fact, even if you don't have the free time, make it. The whole series is online here, divided into segments.

OLPC and Amazon - Side by Side

Link to Article.

This is a very, very nice touch by The One Laptop Per Child organization. According to the article, they've teamed up with Amazon.com to help sell the XOs in their upcoming relaunch of the Give One, Get One (G1G1) program.

I remember the first launch of the G1G1 program sometime ago. One of my teachers had participated, but it took a questionable amount of time for her to receive her machine. It appears that this move is to avoid running into those problems this time around.

Hopefully, many more people will join in and buy the XOs. The first round had some positive results, so heres to more of that successive!

October SATs

Just signed up for the SAT on October 4th. Though I'm happy with my first score, I figure it won't hurt to go back and see if I can improve on the math section. Also, I have to take the SAT IIs sometime in November, so hopefully this will put me in the testing spirit.

Time to get to studying...

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Best Offense...: Some political thoughts.

The Best Offense...: Some political thoughts.

Check this out. Its a post made by one of my good friends, showcasing some of his views on this election. A very good and interesting read.