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Environment Personal Photography

[520] Of celebrating spring, and a bit of snow

Not 48 hours ago, snow was still falling. Thank goodness for the change of flow. Today was as bright as any summer day could be though some more warmth was in order. Very much excited upon seeing the sun up in the sky, I went for a 2-hour jolly walk in an arboretum in Ann Arbor.

I took about 20 to 30 photos and this is probably my favorite:

I think the photo could have been better if I could take a sip of the sky into the photograph. I’d love to get a second shot of it if time and weather permit me to enjoy another stroll tomorrow.This like the next photo too:

Too bad I couldn’t figure out what’s the best lighting for it. In my opinion, the blue hue is too strong.It has been a long time since I last heard a bird or two sang when I’m still in bed. For the past few days however, hearing the birds singing while it was snowing was rather strange.

A trivia, this freak snow is the latest snowfall in more than 110 years.

“On April 3 and April 4 of 2003, we had an ice storm after temperatures rose to nearly 70 degrees on April 1,” he said. “The biggest snowstorm to ever hit the Detroit area was on April 6, 1886 when 24.5 inches of snow fell and the latest snowstorm we ever had was the five to six inches of snow that fell over May 21 and May 22 of 1883.”

It’s a record. Well, Ann Arbor is not really in the Detroit area (more like New York…) so I don’t know. But, as far as I am concerned, I don’t want any record-breaking event related to snow. I want my spring. Now. Period.

Categories
Books, essays and others Economics Liberty Photography Science & technology

[519] Of freedom to arms

I made the following posting on ReCom.org and thought, hey, I’ll post this on my blog too. And thus begun the Clone Wars have. =p

About a year or so ago, an assault rifle ban introduced by the Clinton administration lapsed. Many predicted an increase in crime with the ban lapse. And it has been a natural experiment ever since. My econ professor said during the day of the lapse, America is a great country, but it’s a weird one. With the regression analysis of firearm on crime in mind, I agreed with him then.

However, despite the prediction, according to NYT here (reg. req.), crime has not risen, at least not significantly from what I understand from the article. Really surprising to me and it only strengthens my opinion on the freedom to arm. Do note however that the assault rifle ban was somewhat ineffective because it banned a subset of firearms.

I’m kind of divided on whether we should have free access to firearm (or at least easily obtained license like those of vehicle licenses) or we should ban firearm from the public altogether. One part of me thinks we should be allowed to own firearms (I’ve held a “senapang patah” a few times but never fired it) or we should all be happy with the current status in Malaysia.

In my opinion, if all private citizens were to be allowed to arm themselves, then those bag-snatchers, thieves, etc would have to think twice or thrice before they act. Furthermore, to those who are in love of CS, Quake, Doom, etc, shooting is fun! You must agree!

At the same time, I’m a green and I find myself quite irritated seeing another hunting season on the horizon.

In the light of this finding by NYT, what is your opinion on freedom to arm?

Nevertheless, I’m quite ignorant of the current firearm status in Malaysia. If anybody has some info to offer, do share it.

This is a modified version.

p/s – presenting to you, two presents I give to me (yes, I’m that sad).

I chose Creative Zen Micro over IPod because:
1. Everybody has an IPod, or two. I want to be different.
2. Zen Micro, for USD 220 offers 5 GB of space, FM radio, recorder (able to record radio broadcast and voice!) and the best thing that IPod lacks, replaceable battery!Behind the mp3 player is my left hand. Behind my left hand is Rifkin’s The European Dream. I found out about the book from Boris. I’m currently reading In Praise to Slowness. With all due respect to Carl Honore, despite some appealing ideas, my economic sense disagrees with many of the author’s points.

Categories
ASEAN Humor Photography

[518] Of diplomatic relationship of ASEAN

In the recent months or years, relationship between Southeast Asian countries has been spiced up to a whole new level. Below is how I see the origin of conflicts.

Myanmar – we are moving progressively towards a democratic system and ASEAN agrees with us. Suu Kyi is free? Go arrest her again.

Thailand – it’s not our fault. We are a peaceful nation. Those troubles in the south are caused by Malaysia, in the west, Myanmar, in the north China and in the east Cambodia and Laos! Thai tea anyone?

Laos – we’re Communist and we’re poor. So, we’ll keep our mouth shut and let you Capitalist pigs do your work. We also kick every Laotian that disagrees with our chairman. Just shut up and we won’t kick you to kingdom come.

Vietnam – Spratly is ours! We’ve proven that by confronting the Chinese navy! Want shrimp? You can’t impose tariff on us! We are not dumping!

Cambodia – we love revolutions! Viva la revolucion!

Malaysia – we are probably the second richest after those bloody kiasunistic Singaporeans (we’ll be first, don’t worry lah) but why does everybody hate us? Before you answer that, could we have Sipadan and Ligitan? Oh, and Ambalat too. Along with Pulau Batu Putih and Spratly. Hey Brunei, want to join the Federation? Hey Aceh, we’ll treat you better than Jakarta if you’d just join us. Can we have Pattani too?

Brunei – oil, oil, oil. Who needs democracy when you have all the oil in the world?

Singapore – we are richer than you, better than you and most likely sexier than you but can we have that water for free please? No? Oh come on! Quit being a bitch. Just give it to us for free. Why are you so like that one?

Indonesia – this oil subsidy is costing us gazillion of Rupiahs. We can’t afford it but Indonesians will hate us if we remove it. We need scapegoats. Hey Malaysia, quit treating us like that! Australia you racist white man! Timor you foul betrayer! America you devil! All of you are stinking imperialists! Rise Indonesia rise! For Indonesia Raya!

Philippines – die rebels die! Hmm… Killing these rebels are tougher than it ought to be. Oh, no. More demostration?

Timor Laste – help! Gankers are everywhere!

Sekian, terima kasih.

p/s – Happy Earth Day Earthy. I’m not refering to myself of course.

Save the blue sky!

Categories
Personal Photography

[517] Of farewell

My truly last exam will be this coming Tuesday. Graduation day will come a week or so after that. Knowing that. gosh, I’m going to miss the economics department.

Another shot of Lorch, taken about a week later.

Goddamned! If only I could bring down that one pesky tree so that I could get a better view of Lorch! LOL!

It has been a great honor to be under the tutelage of some of the distinguished economists. I wish I had done more during my years here in Michigan. That’s my only regret.

At least, I will be able to wear a gold tassel on graduation day. You can almost bet your head that I will be bragging to those that will wear white tassels.

Categories
Sports

[516] Of FFTW!

In the 48th minute, Feyenoord 1 – 0 Ajax.

57th minute, Feyenoord 1 – 1 Ajax.

80th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 1 Ajax.

86th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 2 Ajax.

90th minute, Feyenoord 2 – 3 Ajax.

Full time, w00000000000000000000000000000000t! And the win is even sweeter given the fact that Ajax supporters were barred from entering de Kuip Stadion by the Rotterdam mayor.

With the win, Ajax is now second behind PSV. If AZ loses their next match, Ajax is up and running for the 2005/06 Champions’ League season. The first place is possible, however unlikely – but let’s celebrate first and worry later!

p/s – damn the hooligans. Here’s an explanation of what happened in Rotterdam:

Here goes!

The Ajax supporters (1,600) were divided over two trains from the ArenA to De Kuip. 800 on each train. I was on train #1. Just before arrival, less than one mile before De Kuip, some nutters managed to pull the emergency brake, in spite of riot police presence on board. The train was suddenly standing still, furniture was thrown out of the windows and approximately 30 hooligans managed to open the doors and get off the train. There weren’t many Feyenoord supporters there. Riot police were on the spot in no-time and secured the area.

More here.