Check out this website: www.myheritage.com
After doing the stupid free registration (use fake stuff) you can upload a photo of yourself. The program scans your face and returns matches of celebrities that you look resemble. I uploaded the regular color, full-resolution version of the photo of me you see in my profile at the right.
Some of my matches:
-Albert Einstein
-Edward Norton
-Ringo Starr
After trying another photo where I'm looking straight into the camera (and better resolution), I got the following hits:
-Nicholas Cage
-Jason Biggs
-Al Pacino (I've been told I resemble him before)
-Bobby Fischer (yup, THE Bobby Fischer.)
-Elijah Wood (aside to Erica: Well that's just plain creepy. Maybe we're related.)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand the most entertaining hit:
-Christina Ricci (ROFL!!!)
Monday, January 30, 2006
The Book of Books
"Born in the East and clothed in Oriental form and imagery, the Bible walks the ways of all the world with familiar feet, and enters land after land to find its own everywhere. It has learned to speak in hundreds of languages to the heart of man. It comes into the palace to tell the monarch that he is a servant of the Most High, and into the cottage to assure the peasant that he is a son of God. Children listen to the stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder them as parables of life. It has a word of peace for the time of peril, a word of comfort for the time of calamity, a word of light for the hour of darkness. Its oracles are repeated in the assembly of the people, and its counsels whispered in the ear of the lonely. The wicked and the proud tremble at its warnings, but to the wounded and the penitent it has a mother's voice. The wildnerness and the solitary place have been made glad by it, and the fire on the hearth has lit the reading of its well-worn pages. It has woven itself into our dearest dreams; so that love, friendship, sympathy and devotion, memory and hope put on the beautiful garmets of its treasured speech, breathing of frankincense and myrrh."
-Henry van Dyke
-Henry van Dyke
Why, Yes - Things CAN Actually Get Worse!
I have t-minus 13 days and 22 hours until my finals begin.
I have spent a grand total of 6 hours studying for Medieval German and close to 0 studying for EU Policy, which is going to be equally as difficult. This is akin to needing to dig a hole to China and stopping about 3 feet down.
Two other much, MUCH less important finals are also demanding just enough of my attention to cause me undue and unwanted stress and irritation. My work ethic is dying fast and there is no good place to study.
I have a severe head cold that, after beginning as a moderate sore throat, has effectively taken up residence in my nose, which is plugged yet constantly running and which will not respond to any amount of Benadryll or kleenex. My ears are plugged and my head is swimming from all the drugs I'm on. Today in class I stared off into space and actually slept with my eyes open.
My entire body is out of whack. My immune system has gone on vacation since I got here 5 months ago, my hair has mysteriously slowed growth to a FRACTION of the rate it used to, and I've actually noticed that it's falling out in the shower. I'm almost always tired and therefore running almost constantly on coffee. I don't want to go anywhere, I don't want to do anything, and I don't want to see anyone. I am apathetic in every area of my life.
Is the semester over yet?
I have spent a grand total of 6 hours studying for Medieval German and close to 0 studying for EU Policy, which is going to be equally as difficult. This is akin to needing to dig a hole to China and stopping about 3 feet down.
Two other much, MUCH less important finals are also demanding just enough of my attention to cause me undue and unwanted stress and irritation. My work ethic is dying fast and there is no good place to study.
I have a severe head cold that, after beginning as a moderate sore throat, has effectively taken up residence in my nose, which is plugged yet constantly running and which will not respond to any amount of Benadryll or kleenex. My ears are plugged and my head is swimming from all the drugs I'm on. Today in class I stared off into space and actually slept with my eyes open.
My entire body is out of whack. My immune system has gone on vacation since I got here 5 months ago, my hair has mysteriously slowed growth to a FRACTION of the rate it used to, and I've actually noticed that it's falling out in the shower. I'm almost always tired and therefore running almost constantly on coffee. I don't want to go anywhere, I don't want to do anything, and I don't want to see anyone. I am apathetic in every area of my life.
Is the semester over yet?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
European Union = Superpower?
So as I've mentioned before, I recently read a book called "The United States of Europe: The Superpower Nobody Talks About" by T.R. Reid. Now, I'm reading a book on a similar topic called "Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century" by Mark Leonard.
Both books have a similar thesis: The United States' time in the limelight with its "hard power" and military might is either coming to an end or already is. Europe, now under the banner of the European Union and weilding its "soft" or "transformative" power, has stepped into the leading role on the world stage. It's provoked some interesting thoughts for me.
Reid talks a lot about how the U.S. gets what it wants because of its incredible military might -- it has such a big stick that no one dares challenge it. Europe, on the other hand, gets what it wants through political pressure: "soft" power. By drawing countries into its sphere of influence, Leonard says, the EU is able to transform them into allies instead of enemies. Either that or it makes them dependent upon the EU for support and therein has its leverage.
Leonard also warns that the United States can only take its "hard" power so far -- and that eventually, the world will lose patience with us for it. I think can definitely see this going on today, especially with the Iraq war. America has lost a large degree of credibility in the eyes of the world, and it's painfully obvious. Granted, it's not like they loved us beforehand, but things are definitely more hostile now. If there is one thing I've learned so far this year, it's that Europe is a political force to be reckoned with and that the United States has got to start taking world opinion into account (at least partially) in its decisions.
However, I am not a fan of the way the EU has acted in the past either. France criticized the United States severely for acting unilaterally in the Iraq war -- and yet, within the framework of the EU, France plays very much the same role the United States does on the world stage (the heavyweight that throws its weight around) -- only on a smaller scale. When the U.S. was putting pressure on North Korea because of its nuclear program (I think we've sanctioned them at this point), the EU sent a delegation to NK right away to discuss aid options. Why the EU wants to help someone like Kim Jong Il further a nuclear weapons program is beyond me, and sometimes I think that the United States and the EU represent two extremes: the United States is a hardliner, willing to act unilaterially and uncompromisingly at whatever cost, while the EU sometimes seems to be the exact opposite -- no backbone, no deeper values for which they're willing to fight, and unwilling to bend or break the rules for a greater cause.
But I don't think that's what Europe wants to stand for anyway. While the United States has spent the last 60 years doing its thing, Europe has been quietly, slowly, and surely building a political and economic machine with one purpose: to challenge the United States' supremacy and once again secure Europe a place on the world stage.
And it's worked. It's safe to say that, between its own member states and the countries dependent upon it (and therefore willing to vote with it), the EU has nothing less than an iron grip on the United Nations. American companies, now needing access to the vast European market, are increasingly looking to Brussels for compliance standards for their products. Europe, in turn, is investing heavily in America -- it's no accident that Deutsche Telekom has emerged so strongly and quickly in the last 5 years as T-Mobile in the States (T-Mobile USA is now the cash cow for T-Mobile International, pulling in more revenue than T-Mobile Germany, UK, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovakia). You'd be amazed at how many "American" companies are actually owned by European conglomerates. Take Verizon wireless, our biggest wireless provider. It's a shootoff of Vodafone, a British company.
So it's definitely been an enlightening 5 months here in Europe so far. I have definitely come away with a newfound respect for the continent, even if I don't always agree with what it does or what it stands for. In turn, I've become more critical and, in my opinion, more objective about my own country. I don't think I'll ever again be able to have the sort of tunnel vision I had before. Being outside of your own little bubble in the world for so long -- realizing that there actually IS a world out there -- causes you to really search for justification for things you've taken for granted your entire life.
It remains to be seen whether Europe really will be (or is) our second superpower. Europe has only a tiny military force (most of its army is integrated into the U.N. peacekeeping troops and NATO). If the United States pulls out of NATO (which I've heard whispers of), Europe will have a big problem, since it's left the military operations to the U.S. in the past. By the same token, it will be interesting to see where the United States goes in the coming years as Bush leaves office and we elect a new president who will likely have a different policy.
Both books have a similar thesis: The United States' time in the limelight with its "hard power" and military might is either coming to an end or already is. Europe, now under the banner of the European Union and weilding its "soft" or "transformative" power, has stepped into the leading role on the world stage. It's provoked some interesting thoughts for me.
Reid talks a lot about how the U.S. gets what it wants because of its incredible military might -- it has such a big stick that no one dares challenge it. Europe, on the other hand, gets what it wants through political pressure: "soft" power. By drawing countries into its sphere of influence, Leonard says, the EU is able to transform them into allies instead of enemies. Either that or it makes them dependent upon the EU for support and therein has its leverage.
Leonard also warns that the United States can only take its "hard" power so far -- and that eventually, the world will lose patience with us for it. I think can definitely see this going on today, especially with the Iraq war. America has lost a large degree of credibility in the eyes of the world, and it's painfully obvious. Granted, it's not like they loved us beforehand, but things are definitely more hostile now. If there is one thing I've learned so far this year, it's that Europe is a political force to be reckoned with and that the United States has got to start taking world opinion into account (at least partially) in its decisions.
However, I am not a fan of the way the EU has acted in the past either. France criticized the United States severely for acting unilaterally in the Iraq war -- and yet, within the framework of the EU, France plays very much the same role the United States does on the world stage (the heavyweight that throws its weight around) -- only on a smaller scale. When the U.S. was putting pressure on North Korea because of its nuclear program (I think we've sanctioned them at this point), the EU sent a delegation to NK right away to discuss aid options. Why the EU wants to help someone like Kim Jong Il further a nuclear weapons program is beyond me, and sometimes I think that the United States and the EU represent two extremes: the United States is a hardliner, willing to act unilaterially and uncompromisingly at whatever cost, while the EU sometimes seems to be the exact opposite -- no backbone, no deeper values for which they're willing to fight, and unwilling to bend or break the rules for a greater cause.
But I don't think that's what Europe wants to stand for anyway. While the United States has spent the last 60 years doing its thing, Europe has been quietly, slowly, and surely building a political and economic machine with one purpose: to challenge the United States' supremacy and once again secure Europe a place on the world stage.
And it's worked. It's safe to say that, between its own member states and the countries dependent upon it (and therefore willing to vote with it), the EU has nothing less than an iron grip on the United Nations. American companies, now needing access to the vast European market, are increasingly looking to Brussels for compliance standards for their products. Europe, in turn, is investing heavily in America -- it's no accident that Deutsche Telekom has emerged so strongly and quickly in the last 5 years as T-Mobile in the States (T-Mobile USA is now the cash cow for T-Mobile International, pulling in more revenue than T-Mobile Germany, UK, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovakia). You'd be amazed at how many "American" companies are actually owned by European conglomerates. Take Verizon wireless, our biggest wireless provider. It's a shootoff of Vodafone, a British company.
So it's definitely been an enlightening 5 months here in Europe so far. I have definitely come away with a newfound respect for the continent, even if I don't always agree with what it does or what it stands for. In turn, I've become more critical and, in my opinion, more objective about my own country. I don't think I'll ever again be able to have the sort of tunnel vision I had before. Being outside of your own little bubble in the world for so long -- realizing that there actually IS a world out there -- causes you to really search for justification for things you've taken for granted your entire life.
It remains to be seen whether Europe really will be (or is) our second superpower. Europe has only a tiny military force (most of its army is integrated into the U.N. peacekeeping troops and NATO). If the United States pulls out of NATO (which I've heard whispers of), Europe will have a big problem, since it's left the military operations to the U.S. in the past. By the same token, it will be interesting to see where the United States goes in the coming years as Bush leaves office and we elect a new president who will likely have a different policy.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
We Are Master Chefs
Tonight dinner was from scratch. Straight out of my new cookbook. The menu included:
-Wienerschnitzel with a wonderful mushroom cream sauce
-Green beans
-Rice
-Noodle soup
The schnitzel and the sauce was definitely what we'd call borderline orgasmic.
Fun stuff:
-Wienerschnitzel with a wonderful mushroom cream sauce
-Green beans
-Rice
-Noodle soup
The schnitzel and the sauce was definitely what we'd call borderline orgasmic.
Fun stuff:
| You Are Rain |
 You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming. Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing |
Friday, January 27, 2006
I Am So Dead Meat
We have 17 days till finals. I have an estimated 700-800 pages to read, take notes on, and learn in all subjects. I have a term paper to write, for which I also have to read another book. And that's just the stuff I can remember right now. I have never felt more like a deer in the headlights in my life. I've had some intense finals preparation periods, but this will definitely be the worst. I hope I survive.
February 15th will be such a sweet, sweet day of release.
February 15th will be such a sweet, sweet day of release.
Survey (Because I Am Bored)
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
"Die kann man kochen, mit Schale oder ohne, in Wasser oder in Brühe."
-Basic Cooking (I'm becoming a master chef!)
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.
Dirty dishes, pile of papers, camera, tee lights, dead Edward (bamboo plant), laptop, watter bottle, iPod, cup, knife (I used it to unscrew the bottom of the computer last night and left it there, I'm not sadistic), blank CDs, guitar tuner, coupon, chapstick, Basic Cooking book.
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The news? I think it was N24.
4. Without looking, guess what time it is:
9:26
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
9:27
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The busses and cars coming up the hill (faintly). Other than that it's dead silent here. I LOVE this dorm!
7. When did you last step outside?
To go to Campus for Christ last night at 8.
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Erica's xanga, Emily's xanga, my blog, email, blah blah blah.
9. What are you wearing?
Boxers. And nothing else. I just got up.
10. What did you dream about last night?
I don't know if I had a dream last night. Don't remember one at least.
11. When did you last laugh?
at Campus last night. Really hard.
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Posters, calendar
13. Seen anything weird lately?
............don't think so....maybe this question?
14. What do you think of this quiz?
See number 13
15. What is the last film you saw?
Oh geez....Monty Python's the Meaning of Life
16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Pay for college, buy a house in Arizona, buy a VW Golf, donate money to my sisters to pay for their college anywhere they want, tithe, and donate a good million or few to the American Cancer Society.
17. Tell me something about you that I don't know.
I cannot stand it when people say "drownding" instead of "drowning."
18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Make politics honest. I'm tired of double standards.
19. Do you like to dance?
only if I've had a couple drinks.
20. George Bush:
is this guy who leads my country and who has oh-so-little bearing on my life this year. He also can't speak (or has a HORRIBLE speach writer who needs to be fired) and this is beginning to really irritate me.
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Sarah. Got that picked out already.
22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Brandon Tyler. Tyler was supposed to be MY middle name, but my dad changed it at the last minute. So Brandon's getting it instead.
23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Ummmmm.....see the title of the blog?
24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"Well done. Now wait till you see the mansion I've prepared for you. You like Doeners, right?"
25. 4 people who must also do this meme in THEIR journal:
Erica, Margaret, Lori, and whoever else wants to.
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