You should really go pick up "Born to Fight". Although Tony Jaa is not in this movie, it is directed/produced by the same team. It also features some of Thailand's greatest atheletes showing what their made of and doing their own stunts. There's even an "Asian champion of rugby"!
Don't take my word for it. Watch the preview:
Speaking of previews, go see "Dark Knight". Ike knows what I'm talking about.
Friday, July 18, 2008
For the curious...
In an effort to boost the content of my blog, I offer you my thoughts:
- I'm going to take a stab at this, and guess that this is not going to result in achieving real, useful fusion that will ensure the energy needs of the future. If anything it's safe to assume that anything that is possible in a Keeanu Reeves movie is IMPOSSIBLE in real life. The Matrix will never happen, time travel will never happen and I'm pretty sure a bus will never wheelie an overpass.
- "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." I just can't believe this is true. It's like Karl Rove dared him to say it, and he waited until the very last minute of the meeting, slipped it in and went home snickering... "C'mon man, I said it, you owe me 20 bucks!" Other highlights of King Bush's last trip to the G8 include: Greeting every world leader with "Yo!" and showing off his Italian language skills to president Silvio Berlusconi (Amigo! Amigo!).
- Speaking of our fearless leader... Remember the hullabaloo that was raised over Obama's willingness to negotiate with Iran? Looks like the administration has decided to quit pouting like a 5-year old and step to the table for some talks. The preconditions look... weak. Beggars can't be choosers, I guess.
- This week's Economist has an interesting look into the future of the Mediterranean economy, specifically how the European Union should take advantage of the growth happening there right now. That seems fine with me, but I think they should keep their hands off the Baltic region for the moment. I've got a trip planned there for next summer, and I don't want them to mess it up. EU membership already ruined Prague for me... 10 cent beers, my ass!
- I'm going to take a stab at this, and guess that this is not going to result in achieving real, useful fusion that will ensure the energy needs of the future. If anything it's safe to assume that anything that is possible in a Keeanu Reeves movie is IMPOSSIBLE in real life. The Matrix will never happen, time travel will never happen and I'm pretty sure a bus will never wheelie an overpass.
- "Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter." I just can't believe this is true. It's like Karl Rove dared him to say it, and he waited until the very last minute of the meeting, slipped it in and went home snickering... "C'mon man, I said it, you owe me 20 bucks!" Other highlights of King Bush's last trip to the G8 include: Greeting every world leader with "Yo!" and showing off his Italian language skills to president Silvio Berlusconi (Amigo! Amigo!).
- Speaking of our fearless leader... Remember the hullabaloo that was raised over Obama's willingness to negotiate with Iran? Looks like the administration has decided to quit pouting like a 5-year old and step to the table for some talks. The preconditions look... weak. Beggars can't be choosers, I guess.
- This week's Economist has an interesting look into the future of the Mediterranean economy, specifically how the European Union should take advantage of the growth happening there right now. That seems fine with me, but I think they should keep their hands off the Baltic region for the moment. I've got a trip planned there for next summer, and I don't want them to mess it up. EU membership already ruined Prague for me... 10 cent beers, my ass!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
No Teacher Left Teaching...
I've been busy these last few weeks, not only at work, but personally as well. Last Monday was my wife's 25th birthday, and this past Monday was our 1st wedding anniversary. Everything went wonderfully on both occasions, and overall I'd have to say the state of the union is strong.
One thing, however, has tried to ruin our summer: A certain school district in Arizona where my wife is employed.
Due to some paper-shuffling bullshit, my wife was in danger of losing her job last week. As a matter of fact, they chose to inform her of this on her birthday. So, last week was a scramble to assemble papers, certifications and correspondance to send to the district, which turned out to be fruitless, as everyone was off for the ENTIRE WEEK before the 4th of July.
Finally, on Monday (our anniversary) when she got a hold of her "teacher development counselor" (fancy name for HR director), he was rude, terse and unempathetic. Naturally she was upset, and I was livid. Here's an excerpt from the e-mail I helped her write to the district, sent to said "counselor" and copied to her principle, vice principle and the district superintendant:
Guess who got her job back ASAP?
Guess who's still going to several interviews for alternative employment in the meantime?
I mourn the downfall of the American educational system...
One thing, however, has tried to ruin our summer: A certain school district in Arizona where my wife is employed.
Due to some paper-shuffling bullshit, my wife was in danger of losing her job last week. As a matter of fact, they chose to inform her of this on her birthday. So, last week was a scramble to assemble papers, certifications and correspondance to send to the district, which turned out to be fruitless, as everyone was off for the ENTIRE WEEK before the 4th of July.
Finally, on Monday (our anniversary) when she got a hold of her "teacher development counselor" (fancy name for HR director), he was rude, terse and unempathetic. Naturally she was upset, and I was livid. Here's an excerpt from the e-mail I helped her write to the district, sent to said "counselor" and copied to her principle, vice principle and the district superintendant:
Dr. X,
I would like to take the chance, through e-mail, to explain to you my situation regarding my provisional certification to teach in Arizona. Allow me to start at the beginning:
I was hired, by you, at a job fair in Seattle, Washington in the summer of 2007. I spoke to a few districts located in the Phoenix-area at the time, but your attitude and your positive description of the X School District won me over. I was led to believe that X School District was an organized, motivated, caring institution that would help me begin my career in teaching.
[8 paragraphs of explanation and grievances]
I was excited about beginning my second year of teaching, and I was under the impression that X School District was very interested in keeping me around for years to come. Now, I am doubting XSDs commitment to their employees, and I also am doubting that the beauracratic and unappreciative culture of the entire education system is really for me. I moved out here to teach, and I feel like I have been cut down at the knees every step of the way. I did not spend 4 years and incur tens of thousands of dollars in student loans in college to be yanked around by a second-rate school district that is so rife with patronage, infighting and apathy that the state is forced to consider a full-on takeover.
I do not know whether at this point you are interested in helping me out or not. I would be happy to continue teaching next year, but if you do not thing X School District is fit for me, I will seek employment elsewhere in a field where employees are treated with trust, respect and appreciation.
Kind Regards,
Norf's Wife
Guess who got her job back ASAP?
Guess who's still going to several interviews for alternative employment in the meantime?
I mourn the downfall of the American educational system...
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Phew!
Movin', wife's birthdayin', brother-in-law entertainin', doin' my part to get New Orleans hooked up with some reliable levees... It's been a busy past couple months for me.
I did go to the Sasquatch festival in May, which was awesome. Highlights include: Tegan & Sara, Okkervil River & the Presidents of the United States of America (still rocking). A good time was had by all!
I also saw the Grand Canyon for the first time since I was 9. I was much more impressed by it this time.
As I mentioned in the first bit, the wifey and I did just complete a move. We have left the confines of our cozy luxury apartment by the Biltmore for an older house in a "historic" (the term is relative here) neighborhood, closer to central Phoenix. It is my anticipation that the light rail will bring more businesses and fun to this area, but we'll have to wait and see...
Randomly, I've been tossing a few thoughts around in my head, which I would like to share with you:
- Discovering new podcasts is awesome... Especially when said podcasts are not "current events" oriented and therefore the archives are not outdated. I listened to 7 episodes of Radiolab in a row yesterday while chugging away at my desk.
- What the hell Africa? How could so many countries sit around and do nothing while Mugabe so brazenly steals yet another election in Zimbabwe. Of course, we didn't do anything either...
- I'm looking forward to my 5-day long weekend. The wifey and I will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary this weekend, with a trip to Santa Fe, NM. Finally, a chance to relax and enjoy eachother for days on end... 'bout time!
I did go to the Sasquatch festival in May, which was awesome. Highlights include: Tegan & Sara, Okkervil River & the Presidents of the United States of America (still rocking). A good time was had by all!
I also saw the Grand Canyon for the first time since I was 9. I was much more impressed by it this time.
As I mentioned in the first bit, the wifey and I did just complete a move. We have left the confines of our cozy luxury apartment by the Biltmore for an older house in a "historic" (the term is relative here) neighborhood, closer to central Phoenix. It is my anticipation that the light rail will bring more businesses and fun to this area, but we'll have to wait and see...
Randomly, I've been tossing a few thoughts around in my head, which I would like to share with you:
- Discovering new podcasts is awesome... Especially when said podcasts are not "current events" oriented and therefore the archives are not outdated. I listened to 7 episodes of Radiolab in a row yesterday while chugging away at my desk.
- What the hell Africa? How could so many countries sit around and do nothing while Mugabe so brazenly steals yet another election in Zimbabwe. Of course, we didn't do anything either...
- I'm looking forward to my 5-day long weekend. The wifey and I will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary this weekend, with a trip to Santa Fe, NM. Finally, a chance to relax and enjoy eachother for days on end... 'bout time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
