Gadhafi fun, miscontrued religion, and A Changing Ahmadinejad?, September 23, 2009

OK. I have decided that today is just a wierd day for things happening in the world. First off I wake up to find out that Gadhafi has decided to spread his non-sensical rants outside the border of Libya. Its one thing for me to read about his rants while he is sitting back in the desert trying to act all powerful and mighty, but its another thing to wake up to that ego of his addressing the UN. But alas, it was no dream, but reality. In case any of you dont know who he is, etc…let me fill you in! First off hes the leader of Libya, had been since 1969…let me make this clear, hes never been appointed as president or leader, but became leader by default after a coup inLibya in which he tried to become the next Che. Yes, the man is now known in Libya as the “brotherly leader” of that country. Im use to his rants, Ive been following him and his policies for years, especially during the negotiations with Italy, in which he sought and won compensation of Italys military occupation of Libya for decades (ie colonialism). I gotta commend him for that move, it was smart! But when the AU appointed him as the new leader of the organization, I immediately thought that they were nuts! hes not exactly known for his compliance, cooperation, or assistance…heck Libya was under economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation for most of his reign…oh yeah…and hes a bomber! In fact one of my favorite quotes of his is “I am an international leader, the dean of the Arab rulers, the king of kings of Africa and the imam (leader) of Muslims, and my international status does not allow me to descend to a lower level.” And this says it all! Today I awoke to find that he had spoken at the UN. While he had points about the UNs inability and unreliance to intervene in much of the worlds conflicts ( I agree with him there…which just is wierd to me! Maybe I should seek counseling!) his rants on the Security Councils power (which Libya is a member of) were hilarious, his rants on Israel…not surprising, his conspiracies on JFK had me wondering where the hell his speech would wonder off to next…and oh yes lets not forget the moment when he compared the Taliban to the Vatican, that was priceless! I want to know the Popes response to that one! Oh well, all i can do is smile and nod, because at the center of it all is an eccentric old man who is in desperate need of a reality check.

And well, as if Gadhafi wasnt enough for my todays wierdness and stupidity…I caught up on the news from Florida about the Mom and 5 kids who were killed. Her husband has now admitted to killing them and has asked the state to execute him immediately. Apparently he wanted to take his own life, but did not have the courage to go through with it, “because if you kill yourself, you’re not going to heaven.” Um…I may not have read the bible in years…but I seem to remember a certain commandment about though shall not kill. Wouldnt that mean you wont be going to heaven too?! Is he Catholic? Because if he was I coud understand the anti-suicide stance hes taking, but if not I think his religious arguement is a little off-kilter. Oh well, thats what crazy, economy, 5 kids, and religion will do to you I guess!

Am I the only one watching Ahmadinejad’s statements of late and wondering if the Ayatollah is beginning to tell him to become friendlier with the US. For all of his anti-west, anti-US rants in the past, this week has been really quiet from the Iranian president! While there was a rant about the new missile defense system in Europe as being anti-Iranian, hes been calmer. While he may not have applauded Obama’s speech at the UN today, his reports that he is asking for leniancy for the US hikers caught in Iran, and also his invitation to open talks with the US seem strangely new. How much of this is due to the appearance that Israel has appeared to take the military issue off the table with Iran, How much of this is caused by internal domestic unrest surrounding the election in Iran and the pressure being exported asking that the world shun Ahmadinejad, or something else…I dont know, but its got my interest peaked! Now to see how the world reacts.  Will there be talks? While he’s open to talks, it cant be on the nucleur issue, which is what the US wants to talk about….time to broaden the pie people!  or will the world shun him? Or will everythin remain the same…ahh….its Iran, who knows!

Later!

Prophet Pierre, Dolans discussions, and some HPU fun…. September 18, 2009

Ugh…and here I thought that Id be blogging more….guess im not doing so hot this semester already! Oh well….Iv ebeen busy with classes and reading…the usual grad school stuff.  Its beginning to look like I may make it over to the Big Island sometime this semester…and yes Stella I willl take pictures of a volcano for you and try and find you something fun with a volcano on it. I know how you are anxiously awaiting some lava love!

We have started a new ritual of going out every thursday after class to Dolans. Its been fun! Its pretty much everyone from my Middle East Diplomacy class and other DMS students and faculty hanging out and drinking. Today was very interesting…well at least the conversations were!  The conversations ranged from ragging on professors (with professors sitting right there), to blow jobs for grades (it was a joke), to tramp stamps, piercings, a little AINAC bashing (which was a carryover from class), whether doves have talons, and oh yes…the story behind my tattoos…the face on my professors face was priceless! Needless to say no topic is off limits with this group….So….while all these topics of conversation were going on, there was also a little male gossiping or as one person in our program likes to call it “intel” sharing. I wonder why men always think women are the worst gossips becuase honestly all the men in out program our worse!!!! Seriously!!! Ok enough on that rant…..

So for the DMS t-shirts this year we are doing dictator t-shirts where there will be a face of a dictator on the front with a funny or ironic quote from them on the back. Right now Mao is leading the voting for the Fall 09 tshirt, although I personaly voted for Mugabe…after all I had to represent my “African heritage” (Asselin thats for you!). But Id be happy with a Moa shirt, especially if Spring 10 is the Kim Jung Il shirt! I so want that one!! And i have decided that I am going to make a Prophet Pierre shirt with the European Underwear model on the front…after all I have to follow the newest prophet and his J 4.0 religion! Hehehe…i know most of you wont get that but i decided that I needed to be random, abstract, and have a little inside humor in there!

Later!

The lament of a slacking blogger…. September 11, 2009

Wow! I cant believe that it has been about a month since I last updated you all on my life out here in HI! Ive been busy with the end of summer classes and visitors from the mainland, and now the beginning of the Fall semester! In fact Im really tired, and its now 1:45am as im finally updating my blog. So lets begin…

Summer classes went really well. My grades overall were satisfactory, even though I would have loved a higher grade in Cold War, but alas my brain had turned to much after 6 hours a week of flat out discussions on Sino-Soviet relations by the end, and my participation within the class dropped in relation to my brain failing me….so I deserved the grade I recieved. While I loved that class it was a tough go cramming it all in in a matter of weeks rather then months. Oh well, it was my last ever Summer class at HPU. So kinda sad too.

As my summer came to an end, Jessie and Bobby came out for a visit. I dont think I have done that much island traveling tourist trap touring since I first moved out here. But it was fun, and Jessie got to experience first hand the evil that is my stairs, while I got to embarrass myself on stage at a Luau. All in all, i think they had fun, and I was exhausted by the time they left. Visitors wear me out! And i have 2 more to come while im in class this fall. At least their only requests involve another luau and just general fun. And of course I will probably end up looking like a lobster yet again. Heck Im still peeling from 2 weeks ago!

Now fall classes are in and I have already spent one night out drinking with classmates and professors, and will be vernturing out yet again tomorrow. I cant believe im going to say this, but im kinda partied out! Can I please just chill for awhile?!   I know it wont happen this week or next week, seeing as how they have all decided that since next week I am turning 29, they have all decided that I must have a “massive” celebration for my last birthday in my 20s. I just want to sleep! But then again, I think that would be the desire of any insomniac like myself!

Well I have definately gained some really great friends out here, and have spent countless hours doing random things with them. For example, spending multiple hours looking at Halloween costume ideas with Selina…I have decided to go as a bleeding heart this year. At least the costume will be simple! Im all about simple. I was debating between mobster, zombie, vampire, parrot, stick figure, an anorexic (yes the irony!), the cowardly lion, a flapper, and much much more, but then I had the genious idea of the bleeding heart and my mind is set. All I need now is my pashmina (hint hint Rich!) and my attire will be complete!

Well I am off to relax and try and sleep although I know I will fail miserably at that!

Later!