Earth Departure Movie

Thought I should post a link that is both cool and, with respect to the previous post, highlights the fact that in a very real and absolute sense, we are all in this thing together.

It's essentially a stop-motion movie made from pictures taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft as it sailed past us.

via BB

Rape, Murder and Beatings in the Astrodome

Also, only certain media outlets are being allowed in, and a VOLUNTEER EFFORT to establish an internal radio station (and distribute radios to those who need them) is being squashed.

This according to the people who are living there.
Go read the full BoingBoing post, I can't paraphrase.
I wish I could say it's hard to believe.
I can only hope that we, as a species, get our fucking act together some day.

n00b

So, first day of school, sorta. I biked to campus and walked around, trying to learn the lay of the land. I am directionally challenged, so this is always an anxious time. Went to the buildings I have classes in. Got that familiar feeling of thinking that everyone knows I'm lost and are secretly amused by my incompetence. It's very difficult to casually inspect a map to determine where the hell you are. "oh!, what a nice map, I admire its placement and design and I am not at all lost, how you doin?"

I became acutely aware of all the things I've been missing in the past five years of working life. Perfume, for example. Girls wear all kinds of different perfume. It's awesome. Hell, girls in general have been sorely lacking in my working environments. Sunshine. Trees. Insane rabbits that run directly across your path. People, seemingly happy people, who have not yet been crushed by the grim machinery of life. It was a nice change.

Classes start Thursday. I have one that day. Then I'm done for the week. I could get used to this.