I flew into LAX on Tuesday. The next morning I met up with the Australians and went up to Big Bear Mountain. We got there too late to do any skiing, (the slopes close around 4:00), so we spent the night in Engedi. That evening we went to Von's and bought groceries. There were about 16 of us so we decided to buy breakfast and lunch for the following day. That was interesting, we probably spent an hour and half shopping for groceries, and then weeding out the excess. The next morning we made eggs with spam and peppers, bagels with cream cheese, and some other food (can't remember). I met Gordy and his wife, we sang songs by the "fire." And in the morning after breakfast we went to the Summit. I'm just now starting to feel normal and its Monday already. Didn't get an pictures on the slopes, except for the ones that Svet took. Hope I get to see those soon. The whole snowboarding thing was quite exciting. After a few runs down I realized that I needed to learn how to stop. So I spent some time working on that. My foot positioning changed a few times as well, because I started out regular and then had my bindings switched to goofy. I still don't know which one feels more comfortable. People say that you should go with whatever foot feels more "normal" or "comfortable" but then they say that you will feel weird either way, just because its a new thing. I dunno, but after a day on the mountain I can go regular and goofy on my heels. I just hate riding on my toes because I always feel like i'm going to tumble forward.

Thats about the only eventful thing that has happened thus far. Went to the beach the other day but it was cold and the yogurt I bought was way too expensive. Its the "PinkBerry" fad that's apparently sweeping through So. California. I'm not surprised, it probably got some momentum from the health movement, and then a bit from the celebrities that endorse it and are willing to pay $4 for a small bowl of yogurt.

Today the training starts, and my "vacation" shifts into panic mode. Ahhhh! I don't want to get tested. There are so many people out here right now, from everywhere. At first I was worried about how I would possibly be able to say hello to everyone, but now I've decided to just be reclusive and talk to people only if they initiate it. I get too wired up when I'm around lots of people, Its probably not good for me. Yea, I should try to be shy and introverted. We'll see how that works.

International Politcal Economy

These are essays from an IPE class that I took a few years ago. I was rummaging through some papers and found them in an old folder. I guess the point here is that I'm kind of surprised that I once almost knew this stuff. If I didn't know better perhaps I would get the impression that these were written by semi-intelligent persons, rather than myself.

"Regional integration seems to be replacing GATT. With the apparent collapse of the Seattle and Doho Rounds, regionalism is stepping in to move free trade where multilateralism has stalled. Regional integration in Europe (namely, the EU) has caused a new impetus for regionalization. NAFTA and the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), have had an overall positive economic affect, so it seems natural that other American nations would want to integrate.

However, geopolitical factors would present strong opposition. Venezuela, for example, may voice politically stimulated opposition to an FTAA. Also, agricutlrual or even infant industry may resist an FTAA, because their lack of comparative advantage would hurt their business if trade became freer.

Consumers, though, should universally support FTAA, assuming they understand the true dynamics of regional integration. They would have more choices as new markets open, and competition should make prices more attractive.

Industries with low factor specificity could in the long run be introduced to more technological innovations, and gradually gain a larger market share in areas where China has dominated.

Americans who calim that NAFTA has cost them jobs should realize that China actually lost more jobs between '95 and '02. In a nation such as the U.S., unemployment is mainly affected by monetary policy, not globalization. Additionally, most jobs lost are caused by increased presence of technology, not by free trade.

A FTAA can be successful if properly implemented. Many developing countries with "infant industy" could be paralyzed by trade integration if they do not follow property monetary policy. In order for FTAA to succeed in the long-run, it must be implemented gradually, giving developing countries time to adjust, prepare, and shift resources to areas wehre they have a competitive advantage regionally."

And another essay, addressing debt relief policy. And yes, I made up a word and misspelled a few others. Its becoming evident that I depend on spell-check more than I though. Anyways, these little essay things are worth typing out, to me, because I like to read old things that reflect of me at another time.

Publish PostDebt relief is not the key to worldwide development. Nor does it promote a more stable financial system. Proponents of debt relief are blinded to the political implications that affect its overall usefulness. Lottery winners rarely use their winning to invest wisely and with a view to the future. Rather, the money is spent lavishly on short-term conveniences. By the same token, rulers in developing countries are not faithful stewards of the aid. Debt relief if affected in like manner.

The IMF should reevaluate its role to worldwide development. Short term fixes rarely contribute to sustainable development. IMF money should not be used for debt relief. Instead, money should be focused on areas which will promote long-term development and stability.

Debt relief carries an impression of benevolence which looks good politically. However, few people realize the ineffectiveness of debt relief to worldwide development. Foreign aid focused on sustainable development, not debt relief, is vital to the goals and virtues of the IMF.

Developing countries should be approached on a case-by-case basis, with a view toward investment that will stimulate trade and economic activity. Leaders in developing countries will need to cooperate accordingly. This will not be easy, but with support from the OECD, developing states can be persuaded to adopt strategic trade and investment policies that will even bring added stability to the sphere of international finance.

Those who continue to receive debt relief become dependent and complacent, while lenders grow more and more frustrated at the squandry [sic] they observe. Debt fatigue will soon set in, and the developing states will find it harder to acquire money. The IMF should shift from debt relief to sustainable development. This action realigns IMF policy with its purpose; worldwide development and international financial stability.

something to think about

"The kingdom of God is the Lord Jesus, the Savior, as the seed of life sown into His believers, God's chosen people, and developing into a realm which God may rule as His kingdom in His divine life. Its entrance is regeneration, and it development is the believer's growth in the divine life. The kingdom of God is the church life today, in which the faithful believers live, and it will develop into the coming kingdom as an inheritance reward to the overcoming saints in the millennium. Eventually, it will consummate in the New Jerusalem as the eternal kingdom of God, an eternal realm of the eternal blessing of God's eternal life for all God's redeemed to enjoy in the new heaven and new earth for eternity. " Life-Study of Acts, Message 22; p.183

An Excerpt

According to [Acts] 4:33, great grace was upon all the believers. The law makes demands upon man according to what God is, but grace supplies man with what God is to meet what God demands. Actually, grace is God Himself enjoyed by man. Grace is the resurrected Christ becoming the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45) to bring the processed God in resurrection into us to be our life and life supply so that we may live in resurrection. Therefore, grace is the Triune God becoming life and everything to us.

Witness Lee, Life-Study of Acts: Message Seventeen.

The Twelve

Today was exciting. Kathryn called to deliver the good news. What a relief! I can't wait to start. The funny thing, I got along very well with the partners and other accountants, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone

I'm almost done with the first book of the soft-bound Acts Life-Study. Today on my home from school (bus and walking) I read another message. How splendid that I can find time on the way to and from school to enjoy the Word. As the verse it Psalm chapter 10 starts, “Be still, and know that I am God." This has been my experience lately, and I find the simplicity of relying on that city bus to provide much more value than I had anticipated. I'm not just saving gas money, I'm buying oil (in a spiritual sense; see Matt. 25). You can still pray when you're driving, but your mind wanders and you are easily distracted. Riding that bus allows me to turn to the Lord. How excellent an opportunity!

Life-Study

My dad gave me some of his soft-bound Life-Study books. I now have Acts-Ephesians. Last night I started Acts. Oh, and I also deleted all of my music. Several gigs worth of music; my music library has vanished. What a joy, what a opening in my being. I fill like the Lord is rushing in to fill that space, the gaps in my being.

nothing withholding, my all is for you
my life and my future, dear lord
is all for you. -Lord Keep My Heart

Whats New (and Old) in the News

Some articles of interest;

Steven Rinella depicts a culinary experience in Vietnam, eating dog meat.
Apparently eating dog meat creates a burning sensation in the chest. Not sure whether that comes from the subjective realization that you are consuming "man's best friend." Rinella explains how difficult this was for him, especially since the act brought to memory the pet dogs he grew up loving. Fascinating Steve! What a gift to humanity. What rich cultural narrative.


China Regulates Buddhist Reincarnation
As Tyler Cohen, economist and respected blogger, explains;

"Well, most countries do limit immigration one way or another. Here is the bottom line:

By barring any Buddhist monk living outside China from seeking reincarnation, the law effectively gives Chinese authorities the power to choose the next Dalai Lama, whose soul, by tradition, is reborn as a new human to continue the work of relieving suffering."

Press Release

I'm considering to "declassify" my blog. Right now I don't believe anyone reads it, and the reason simply is that I don't tell people I have a blog. And if, on rare occasion I admit to keeping a blog, I refuse to disclose its location. So right now I write to an audience that does not exist; but for me thats best. Now that I worry somebody might find it, I've found myself going back over everything to "tidy up." Its still a little bit incriminating, but it could be much worse. Yet, I would really only find value in this outlet if I could write freely and without restraint. Not having to worry about or cater to a specific audience. Thats the beauty, to me, of an "underground blog."

This blog has always been for me. I read the post, and I enjoy them. I enjoy writing that takes me back to another time. The memories attached to these posts are invaluably rich, and not worth compromising for the sake of a third-party.

Okay, Its 2:30 and I'm finally starting to get tired...

Eppur si muove

The other day I discovered The Post Secret Blog

A few of my favorite lines; "You're my happy ending," and "I know we can fix this." So yea, thats sweet. I'm still not sure how I feel about reading other people's secrets, but I like it.

I'm considering to write something academic. Okay, that was a joke. But really, I want to write! Maybe reading Reed's research has given me the itch.

Nostalgia rolls on...

Time & Relativity

"This long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead. Economists set themselves too easy, too useless a task if in tempestuous seasons they can only tell us that when the storm is long past the sea is flat again."

-John Maynard Keynes

Another Post

“When my life is through,

And the angels ask me to recall

The thrill of them all,

I shall tell them I remember you.”

Ernst Haas Quotes

• I am not interested in shooting new things - I am interested to see things new.
• There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.
• With photography a new language has been created. Now for the first time it is possible to express reality by reality. We can look at an impression as long as we wish, we can delve into it and, so to speak, renew past experiences at will.
• My theory of composition? Simple: do not release the shutter until everything in the viewfinder feels just right.
• Leica, schmeica. The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But you have to see
• A picture is the expression of an impression. If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it?
  

Nearsighted Ambitions

As the week comes to a close, so does my toil. This week brought a workload of unprecedented measure, and left me with little time to worry over those triffling things. My camera is back from repair, and though disappointed at not having received an updated model, you can't beat having a camera repaired for free.

This summer my ambitions;

1. start a company
2. become the CEO of that company
3. become financially independent
4. photograph, publish, dectorate
5. pay some bills
6. annihilate diplomacy
7. dabble in Lightman
8. beat Phil, in everything
9. save the world
10. learn russian

mutatis mutandis

A direct translation from Latin of mutatis mutandis would read, 'with those things having been changed which need to be changed'. More colloquially, it can be interpreted as 'the necessary changes having been made,' where "the necessary changes" are usually implied by a prior statement assumed to be understood by the reader. It carries the connotation that the reader should pay attention to the corresponding differences between the current statement and a previous one, although they are analogous. This term is used frequently in economics and in law, to parameterize a statement with a new term, or note the application of an implied, mutually understood set of changes. The phrase is also used in the study of counter-factuals, wherein the requisite change in the factual basis of the past is made and the resulting causalities are followed.

Addendum: Oct. 14, 2007. How and why do I know this? Or care to know? Well, grasshopper, as we learn in international law, this is a legal reasoning that would allow for a treaty to be broken. Though, to be realistic, breaking "international law" (geneva accords, multilateral treaties, etc) requires no "legal rational." A country does what it wills and and obeys the treaties it subscribes to only if they are in the best interest of the country. Usually they are because the consequences of breaking international law spread beyond just the immediate consequences, (notably, they destroy the integrity of your word).

As British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston (whom i mistakenly have referred to as Pemberton, for some reason) effectively said, England "has no permanent friends; she has only permanent interests."

Just Something I Like

Warren Harding’s speeches were once described as “an army of pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea.”

Ice Cream of the Month

Underground Blogger

I'm feeling better today; refreshed after a good night in my own bed. And then for lunch I met Brad at Little Italy. After eating pizza in Manhattan the other day, I thought my appetite for pepporoni would have deteriorated. But it didn't, that slice was as good as ever.

Speaking of New York City...

Book of the Week

Last week (or maybe the week before) I tried to sell back some of my old textbooks. At the FTX Bookstore on Baxter, I was grieved to find that one of my books was outdated, and the other they had overstocked. But as I was waiting in line, a table of clearance books caught my eye. After eyeing them over, I found a book called Great Fortune: The Epic of the Rockefeller Center. The hardback book was heavy, and nearly 500 pages in length. My goal was to sell books, not buy more. But, needless to say, I departed from the bookstore with one book more than I had upon arrival.

The book it amazing. And the preface includes a line that I found particularly delightful. It reads,

To Lawrence F.H. Okrent,
who got me interested in
everything that's interesting

The book can be found at, http://www.amazon.com/Great-Fortune-Epic-Rockefeller-Center/dp/0670031690

Today I began to read; it's a slow read, but trendy and elegantly written, though heavy with content. I found myself growing angry at each customer who arrived and forced me to stop mid-sentence to care for their stupid laundry; why must they bother me?

Things I'd Like to Be

Ingenuous, Candid, Artless, Frank...

I used to think I could make everyone happy. I'm not sure what to think now, perhaps I'm more or less apathetic. Pleasing everyone means being adaptable, and being adaptable means changing, compromising; I used to do a lot of that. Some people just say whats on their mind, others are more methodical, calculated in approach. Though I hate to confess it, I'm probably more the latter. What I say depends on who you are, what you believe, etc. Maybe I should get into politics, or not; John Kerry didn't fair too well. I'd probably share his fate. The people I respect most are those who just say what they think, regardless of their audience. You may not like what they say, hell you may not like that person, period. But at least you don't have to double-analyze everything they say to interpret and cross-interpret the actual meaning. So I'm working on being candid. Sure there are advantages and disadvantages. Being candid can backfire on you, but I'd rather people know what I want.

Word of the Day

Sciolism

n. A pretentious attitude of scholarship; superficial knowledgeability. superficial knowledge.

[From Late Latin sciolus, smatterer, diminutive of Latin scius, knowing, from scīre, to know; see skei- in Indo-European roots.]

sci'o·list n., sci'o·lis'tic adj.

Social Innovation

Bill Strickland is my new hero. Seeing him speak was refreshing. His words carried weight, and I listened. Head of both the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild and the Bidwell Training Center, Strickland impacts more lives than a John Maxwell speech could ever dream to accomplish. Strickland takes single-mothers and turns them into gourmet chefs, analytical chemists, and pharmacy technicians. His secret, just fresh flowers and sunlight. He takes struggling high-schoolers, and puts them in college. As he explained, "people are a function of environment, a function of hope." Thus, he asserts "we're in the attitude business, not just the training business."

Summer Reading List

The Tipping Point ~ Malcolm Gladwell

Diplomacy ~ Henry Kissinger

The Thinker's Thesaurus ~ Peter E. Meltzer

Einstein's Dreams ~ Alan Lightman

Deception Point ~ Dan Brown

The Chamber ~ John Grisham

Twilight Criterium

Word of the Week

ne·ol·o·gism
n.

1. A new word, expression, or usage.
2. The creation or use of new words or senses.
3. Psychology
   1. The invention of new words regarded as a symptom of certain psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
   2. A word so invented.
4. Theology A new doctrine or a new interpretation of scripture.

Athens Twilight Criterium

Adrenaline junkies...

Dan Carter, describing George Wallace;

His childhood and his experiences in college, law school, and the army forged an identity upon the twin anvils of resentment and an almost pathetic search for affections and respect.

Word of the Day

ingratiate - to establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of others, esp. by deliberate effort (usually fol. by with): He ingratiated himself with all the guests.

Providence, Rhode Island

What necessity supercedes the lure of donuts? Shoud it take a xenophile to apperceive the ecumenical appeal they warrant? Ah donuts!

One of my favorite hymns...

1. The love of God is greater far
   Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
   It goes beyond the highest star,
   And reaches to the lowest hell;
   The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
   God gave His Son to win;
   His erring child He reconciled,
   And pardoned from his sin.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
     How measureless and strong!
     It shall forevermore endure—
     The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
   And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
   When men who here refuse to pray,
   On rocks and hills and mountains call,
   God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
   All measureless and strong;
   Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
   The saints’ and angels’ song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
   And were the skies of parchment made,
   Were every stalk on earth a quill,
   And every man a scribe by trade;
   To write the love of God above
   Would drain the ocean dry;
   Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
   Though stretched from sky to sky.

Dispatches from NYC

My brother likes to draw...a lot

Lacrosse Nostalgia

The grass is greener on north campus

Brown University

Hymns

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
Lord, Plant my feet on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven’s table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts and rise and fears dismay
Through some may dwell where these abound
My prayer my aim is higher ground

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven’s table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to live above the world
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven’s table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on Heaven’s table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

Study Break

School for Scoundrels was impressive. Nathan is in town, maybe the guys will go down for indian food tomorrow. I should be dead asleep at this hour, especially with an 8am tomorrow...for economics of all classes. Who would ever wants to wake up to economics?

Today I considered whether it would be beneficial to begin preparing for the LSAT. My gpa is not so pretty and I'll really need to ace the LSAT. Should I begin now and just pace myself?
Becca once said something like, "don't play games, but you still must be strategic." Perhaps I've over applied what she said, but its helped me think through a few complicated situations.

spring break

Spring Break, thats when you see the light at the end of the tunnel. We get a week off and then return to put the finishing touches on another year of college. Now past the 3/4's mark, the weather is starting to brighten up, and life seems more interesting....or maybe I just haven't gotten over the spring break high.

As the weekend rolls around...

I'm glad my roommate is still alive. We were painting with oil based paints in the basement, and he decided to have a glass of milk. We had poured some paint thinner into a cup to keep our brushes from drying out, but Paul got the two cups mixed up and accidentally took a drink of the paint thinner! I looked up just as he hurled the paint thinner out of his mouth; fortunately none was swallowed. We called poison control just to be safe, and Paul was told to brush his teeth, throw away the toothbrush, and eat some ice cream.

That whole painting ordeal was quite an experience. Completely spontaneous, the idea emerged after looking at some of Alex's artwork, and our ensuing conversation about how the mind works when we're in that artistic, creative mood.

I keep thinking back to the Wall Street Journal article, "entrepreneurship 101." Why wouldn't UGA want a similar program? Heck, I'll do the legwork. http://www.collegejournal.com/careerpaths/findcareerpath/20070320-spors.html?refresh=on

Parva Leves Capiunt Animas

I'm not sure why this picture fascinates me so much. Perhaps subtle symmetry is enticing?

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

Vague and insignificant forms of speech, and abuse of language have so long passed for mysteries of science; and hard and misapplied words, with little or no meaning, have, by prescription, such a right to be mistaken for deep learning and height of speculation, that it will not be easy to persuade either those who speak or those who hear them, that they are but the covers of ignorance, and hindrance of true knowledge.

~John Locke, 1960

Einstein Quote of the Week

Although I am a typical loner in daily life, my consciousness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has preserved me from feeling isolated. The most beautiful and deepest experience a man can have is the sense of the mysterious. It is the underlying principle of religion as well as all serious endeavour in art and science. He who never had this experience seems to me, if not dead, then at least blind. To sense that behind anything that can be experienced there is something that our mind cannot grasp and whose beauty and sublimity reaches us only indirectly and as a feeble reflection, this is religiousness. In this sense I am religious. To me it suffices to wonder at these secrets and to attempt humbly to grasp with my mind a mere image of the lofty structure of all that is there.

~Albert Einstein, circa 1932.

Panoramania

First time in NYC. Staten Island Ferry was awesome, and free. I left my heart on that boat, but more on that later...perhaps. Photo stitching is the new passion of my photographic endeavours. If a picture is worth a 1000 words, how valuable is a panoramic? Awesome panoramics are found at a Berkeley hosted site; best way to see the world for free? http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/worldwidepanorama/wwp/index.html

Thats my plug for the day. Enjoy ; )