Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Honey, do you remember where I put the 1.2 billion dollars?

So, we all misplace money sometimes right? or spend money without being able to account for it. ("Shit, i spent $500 this weekend? What the heck did I spend it on?")

But what are the chances you'd spend 1.2 billion dollars without being able to account for it? Well, clearly, your name isn't United (last name States).

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/22/dyncorp.spending/index.html

See, so many Repubs/Conservatives think the answer to the inflated budget is to cut taxes. What they don't realize is that lower taxes means less programs but not necessarily less waste. Our problem right now - dems/repubs/independents/libertarians - whoever - is wasteful spending. Billions unaccounted for, super inflated government contracts (usually taken advantage of by those same conservatives who advocate for lower taxes... since they don't want their millions to be taxed).

The problem is massive and its really difficult to figure out where to begin - but cutting social welfare programs won't reduce wasteful spending - in fact, those programs seem to be the most frugal. Its the programs that are seen as "essential" that seem to get a blank check to blow money.

Honestly, if our government was a private business entity, we'd be bankrupt. And if our government was a private business entity with the budget it has now, we'd have universal healthcare, wonderful public schools, social security and welfare programs for everyone who needs it - and still enough money left over to build schools (and implement democracy) throughout the world. Too bad we leave it all to stupid beaurecrats.

conversations

Intro to International Law - sounds sorta interesting no?

No! Really, its torture!

Chatting keeps me sane. (It was either posting a convo or a quiz...)


(3:43:52 PM) classmate: http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071021/NEWS07/710210355/1002/LOCAL
(3:46:15 PM) classmate: i guess i'm not taking real estate transfer finance and development any time soon
(3:46:30 PM) Alina: apparently its a little maddening
(3:46:32 PM) classmate: but...multiple assault rifles? under the influence of alcohol?
(3:46:38 PM) classmate: we don't have time for that here
(3:47:14 PM) Alina: i dont know about you
(3:47:19 PM) Alina: but i'm always playing with assault rifles
(3:47:22 PM) Alina: while under the influence
(3:47:24 PM) Alina: its kinda fun
(3:47:27 PM) Alina: helps take the edge off
(3:47:30 PM) Alina: after a long week
(3:47:31 PM) classmate: why are you not inviting the rest of us to the party
(3:47:33 PM) Alina: you know?
(3:47:42 PM) classmate: i think it's what iv'e been missing
(3:47:43 PM) Alina: oh, well, i didn't know there was an interest
(3:47:50 PM) Alina: i'll be sure to include you from now on
(3:48:02 PM) Alina: it will def make law school much more bearable
(3:48:13 PM) classmate: yeah, we can conduct the sessions outside the law review office
(3:48:17 PM) classmate: expand the job market a bit as a fringe benefit
(3:48:34 PM) Alina: hm. great idea!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Just one of those days...

So, I ended up not coming home last night. I was studying and on a roll and just decided to not come home. At some point in the evening, I talked to my roommate about the trash (today was trash day and it was my day to take out the trash). She told me she'd take it out but I assured her I'd be home in time to put it out. "In time" meant by 9 am.

Of course, I slept in this morning and, rather than leave the house at 8 like i had planned, i left at around 8:20/8:25. I figured I was still okay though since it takes about 40 min to get home usually.

But, I managed to get to the T station right as the train going in my direction left. Fortunately, another one wasn't TOO far behind. And, when I got to Park street to switch to the D line, the D was right there waiting - perfect. As I stepped onto the train, I felt relieved (obviously premature).

After smiling to myeslf and taking a few deep breaths, I suddenly looked around and realized, we hadn't left the station yet! Again, the wait wasn't too long but from Park to Brookline Hills, the ride was slow... sometimes stopping midway betweeen stops (which is common through kenmore but not as common from Fenway on) and sometimes stalling at the station itself.

9:15 am - I finally arrive at BH. As I got closer to my street, I could hear the garbage truck (actually the recycle truck) making its way down our street. I tried to make a run for it but as I turned into my street, the truck was picking up the last bins. I ran up the stairs, dropping ALL my stuff on the first floor, grabbed the bin and went running back out. I decided to go back up my street to try and catch the truck somewhere else but realized that the truck had probably already done the loop (my street sorta loops) so I changed course and ran towards Boylsotn. No sign of the truck still... darn. I picked another street and headed down a bit but soon noticed that the truck had been here too.

Darn. Mission failed.

So, I started to head home - trying to think of a plan B for getting rid of the overflowing contents of the recyclin bin. I walked up the stairs and "opened" the door...

except...

the door didn't open.

WTF? I didn't lock it! My keys were inside. My T pass was inside. My phone was inside. My computer was inside. And I looked like a train wreck (so going to school to borrow someones phone was out of the question - and even if it wasn't, it would take me almost an hour to walk to school!)

Think fast Alina! Okay, so someone must have just left the house - and they were probably on their way to the T. So, I made a mad dash for the T. But, just as I got to the little bridge that crosses over the tracks, I saw the green line pulling out. Whoever had left the house to catch the T was now on it. So much for that.

It was like, at every step of the way, I was a second late. Had I woken up on time, I wouldn't have been a second late on everything but still... at some point you'd think my luck would change right?

Anyway, I did end up getting home. And of course, there is nowhere nearby to drop off recyclables.

Damnit.