I have a dream

No, not that dream.

My imagination has been running wild at night. I've been having the strangest, sometimes terrible and sometimes wonderful dreams. Some of my friends get married. Sometimes they solve immense social problems. Sometimes they die. Sometimes I die. They are epic and involved. The acts of the play meander on as I drift in and out of sleep. Last night I was part of a rally bumper car race that ended up at a farm. There I continued my pilots training and haggled over hay. I bought a good bale that didn't contain too much moisture (from this very crazy looking, multi level processing plant) and set it down on a huge hill. I sat on it and watched the sunrise while drinking something green and bitter. Odd.

Most of this is very private of course, but one was just too funny to not share:

I had a very long and involved night where I dreamt that dinosaurs had enslaved the human race. Why? Because they were making us find a way to prevent them from going extinct. It was kind of the Matrix meets I Am Legend. It was very theatrical with protagonists and antagonists.. even had a love interest. There was a moment where the chief human scientist had a crisis of conscience... time was running short and she could have let them all die - The human race would be free! There was a big standoff with the head dinosaur and they somehow achieved a mutual respect. The (now not so evil) dinosaurs were safe and the human race went back to doing normal human things. I was quite proud of her. I guess that's why I loved her so much.

I have to get that dream diary beside my bed again. Crazy stuff.

I'm just Joe the Junkie

Thank GAD that this whole election thing is finally coming to a close. Every four years I become obsessed with what is going on south of the border. I always know more about the American political sphere than I do of my own, which kind of makes me angsty. This time around though I am simply exhausted. Tomorrow marks the close of the dirtiest, dare I say filthiest, campaign that I have ever seen. People who know me will already know that I am a huge supporter of the democrats, but I have to say that I am not proud of anyone in this election. Take a spin through www.factcheck.org and revel in the lies and misdirections.

The Canadian election wasn't all that full of integrity either. Harper really stuck it to the Liberals in an uncomfortable place. Its kind of depressing. The US is leaning left and Canada leans right. US citizens are going to turn out in record numbers to vote and Canada had the weakest voter turnout in for ever. Everyone lies to the public, everyone knows it and nobody gets there feet held to the fire. Iraq again anyone? Hell in a handbasket.

I hope that the white US voters don't leave Obama high and dry. I hope that this woman is forced to crawl back to obscurity where she belongs.

Lets get on with living our lives again.... right after I watch one... more... day of election drivel. Tell me how I think, American media.. just one more time for old times sake.

I am a bad person

Thanks Janette!

Art

You know, I always plan on going to burning man. I think it it would be a hoot. Another year gone, another man not burned by yours truly. I have not burned the man... the man has burned me. Hardly seems fair.

The most compelling reason to go to this festival is that the people who _actually_ go, do nice little art bits that make me happy. Like this:



And I am a little bit perturbed that this thing has only been seen by a 1000 people at time of writing. If only there was a blond bimbo socialite seducing a 13 year old... then it would have been seen by 10 million folks. Really... 10 million views? Are you kidding me?

Something is gravely wrong ladies and gentlemen.

Living with Vinh isn't THAT bad

At first I was a bit worried about moving into Vinh's place. Things seem to be going pretty well, although I could use more room in my bedroom for my stuff and my computer is a little bit worse for ware.


Source. (Makes how Garth used to live look like an operating room!)

I was having lunch today... (Hell in a Handbasket - HIAH)

CNN was on. A pastor of a cultish thing near the mighty missisip was being interviewed. His ministry has been searched due to an investigation of sexual abuse (minors).

"In an interview Monday, Alamo spoke of the allegations with a mix of denial and defiance, saying he never promoted sexual abuse but that he believes there's a mandate from the Bible for young girls to marry.

"In the Bible it happened. But girls today, I don't marry 'em if they want to at 14-15 years old. Because we won't do it, even though I believe it's OK," Alamo said.

In an AP interview on Saturday, he had said that for girls having sex, "consent is puberty."

Source. Through Google News. Tried searching for it on CNN. Palin, Palin, Palin... no creepy dude who thinks that the bible is literal and that if the hormones of young girls start to change then its open season on a rape'y type of marriage.

Not that I expect much from CNN, but should this at least be reported above the No Gas or the snake stories (which, for the keen observer, was reported before the one about 9 Iraqi dead?)

Awesome article about the Palinator

"Pray for the construction of the $30 billion natural gas pipeline, Palin told them. Pray for the military men and women overseas, "that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for -- that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

Later, senior pastor Ed Kalnin -- with Palin standing at his side -- spoke about tapping into Alaska's natural resource wealth to fulfill the state's destiny of serving as a shelter for Christians at the end of the world.

"I believe that Alaska is one of the 'refuge states' -- come on, you guys -- in the Last Days," Kalnin said, raising his arm to underscore his point. "And hundreds of thousands of people are going to come to this state to seek refuge. And the church has to be ready to minister to them."

Read it here.

The democrats could point out the fact that her religious upbringing does not "sit" with America (just like Obama's didn't), but the GOP will claim that they are picking on her children.

And.. well.. her religious upbringing appears to "sit" with America more than I want to admit.

Cool Google RSS reader attached to my Blogger dashboard

I like the subscription thing that Blogger has added. (which apparently is just the Google Reader)

Fascinating

I'm spending 30 minutes a day doing research around why I think we are all going to hell in a hand basket. Mostly political messes, but not exclusively.

Anywho, couple of fascinating developments in the Palin-ator's quest. Here and here.

Wow

Dear Applicant:

Within the context of the Astronaut Recruitment Campaign, we made a first sorting in the 5351 applications we received. Following the information you provided, the pre-selection committee is pleased to inform you that further consideration is being given to your candidacy.

Therefore, for the continuation of the recruitment process, we will require additional information. We ask you to complete the second electronic form that will be available on our website on Wednesday, July 9th 2008 at 8:00 Eastern daylight time (UTC - 4:00)

You have until Monday, July 28th 2008 at 18:00 Pacific daylight time (UTC - 7:00) to complete your online application. It is in your best interest and your responsibility to answer all questions as best and completely as possible.

If you do not answer in the foretold delays to these demands, we will consider that you voluntarily withdrew your candidacy from the present selection process.

The pre-selection committee will review all candidacies and will identify high-ranking candidates for the astronaut's position. The results of this second sorting will begin to be disclosed by wave, from August to September. The selected candidates will be invited in September to interviews that will be held in October 2008.

We wish you the best of luck.

Sincerely,

The Astronaut Recruitment Pre-selection Board

Astronaut Recruitment Campaign
Canadian Space Agency