Random Access

Monday : 11 September 2006
Five years have passed. What have we learned?

• We were not as untouchable and invulnerable as we had thought.
  We can be hurt. We can bleed. Many men and women have died – both as victims and in defense of our country and our way of life. One thing that we did find in the aftermath of the tragedy was a renewed sense of national identity. There were some missteps in the days and weeks immediately following the 2001 attacks, but out of that darkness, many people stepped forward and served as brightly shining beacons of what it meant – and means – to be “American.” I don’t just the ones who chose to join the Armed Forces, although their contributions and sacrifices have been great. I am mostly referring to those who joined with their friends, family and neighbors to see to it that – although the country had endured a great crisis – we would not just lay down and die, nor were the losses and setbacks going to cripple us as a nation… nor as individuals.
• While there are those who welcome and wish to emulate us, not all people think that we are as great as we sometimes think of ourselves. There is room for change in the world, but we often turn a blind eye to the problems in our own country.
  It is said that “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Sometimes, this is true. But is it foolish to act in the interests of those who honestly want and/or need help? The balance comes in finding the line between seeking out those who really need our help… and doing those things that are merely self-serving – or aggrandizing – interests. Yes, we have done good in the world since 11 September 2006, but aren’t there enough social and economic issues in our own backyard that deserve as much – if not more – attention?

But… we’re not without hope. We hope – and believe – that things can be better. We hope to find common ground on which to stand. We hope to see the good things, not only in our neighbors, but also in ourselves.

The road to understanding is a long one. And it is often rough. But, with perseverance and determination, we can make the journey.

VI. The Sphere: A Kind of Dream

We can walk our road together
If our goals are all the same
We can run alone and free
If we pursue a different aim

Let the truth of love be lighted
Let the love of truth shine clear
Sensibility
Armed with sense and liberty
With the Heart and Mind united
In a single perfect sphere

-excerpted from Hemispheres, by Rush (from the CD “Hemispheres“)

Stray Toasters

• What kind of Jedi would I be…?
  

  Your path is 27% Consular, 63% Sentinel, 9% Guardian, and 0% Dark!

  Your path is lit by many sources. Give into yourself and follow it wisely. ————————————————————- Those with a high “Consular” score have a craving for knowledge. A Jedi Consular was, like all Jedi, skilled in battle, but rarely entered combat, preferring to study the mysteries of the Force. Consulars were the primary scholars and diplomats of the Order, often becoming instructors. ————————————————————- You who scored well in “Sentinel” should take this into account. The Jedi Sentinels found a balance between the other two extremes of the Jedi, the Jedi Consulars and the Jedi Guardians, as they possess admirable combat skills with some extensive knowledge of the Force. Along with this average knowledge of both combat and the Force, they also had exceptional skills, whether it was in security, computers, stealth techniques, or medical skills. Sentinels were often dispatched to regions across the galaxy to work as ambassadors and investigators of unusual concentrations of the Force. ————————————————————- And for you that follow the “Guardian” path. A Jedi Guardian was the name given to a Jedi whose skills and talents lay in battle. They often concentrated on martial training and combat and usually engaged in combat more than any other Jedi, though they were no less skilled at diplomacy. Like all Jedi, they were keepers of the peace, acting as a kind of special police force for the Republic. ————————————————————- If you scored high in the “Dark” aspect… You probably won’t read this, because you’re to busy killing something or causing destruction. — Thanks for taking my Jedi test! Don’t forget to rate it! *waves hand* You will rate it a “5”…

  My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 21% on Consular You scored higher than 86% on Sentinel You scored higher than 24% on Guardian You scored higher than 0% on Dark

  Link: The Which Jedi Path Do You Follow Test written by BigAshS2 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

• Slashdot has just gotten around to reviewing The Physics of Superheroes… a book that I’ve had since almost this time last year.
• Don’t be shocked by tone of my voice
  Check out my new weapon, weapon of choice
• “Funky ju-ju”
• In case you hadn’t heard about it: The Seattle Craigslist sex scandal, by way of boingboing.net
• Something that should interest and/or : Japanese Surf Versions of Classical Themes
• Yet another take on the classic “What superpower would you want?” discussion:

Namaste.