I am busy grading the final projects. It takes two full days, so I should be finished tonight. BTW, this is my first post from my laptop with a 802.11 wireless connection.
Year: 2003
Which Country of the World are You?
Switzerland – A neutral power for as long as most can remember, it has avoided war for several centuries. However, it is still considered highly advanced and a global power. Positives: Judicial. Neutrality. World-Renouned. Powerful without Force. Makes Excellent Watches, Etc. Negatives: Target of Ridicule. Constant Struggle to Avoid Conflict. Target of Criminal Bank Accounts.… Continue reading Which Country of the World are You?
Exam Update
I passed. Going out to celebrate with Amber. Regular blogging to resume tomorrow.
Oral Exam
It’s about time. I have to give a 45 minute talk starting at 12:30pm.
No Blogging Until April 22
I have my Ph.D. proposal oral examination on April 22. I have to prepare a 45 minute presentation and read up for any questions from the committee or the audience. Therefore, I’ll stay away from reading blogs or posting on my own. Regular blogging will resume on the 22nd. Meanwhile, I am very close to… Continue reading No Blogging Until April 22
Baghdad: Liberated for the Iraqis, but ?? for Us
ABC News Chin, of the 3rd battalion, 4th Marines regiment, says he was just following orders in the minutes before the statue was pulled to the ground in a joint effort by jubilant Iraqis and U.S. troops. “I was just trying my best to get the chain around his neck and put the flag on… Continue reading Baghdad: Liberated for the Iraqis, but ?? for Us
Book Review: Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam
I finished reading Gilles Kepel’s Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam recently. The author is French with a number of previous works in the area. This book was originally written in French in 2000 and was translated after the September 11 terrorist attacks with small changes incorporating them. The main thesis of Kepel is that… Continue reading Book Review: Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam
Stupid Security Measures
Privacy International has come up with a list of the stupidest security measures all over the world. They have divided them into five categories: Most Inexplicable Security Measures Most Intrusive Security Measures Most Counter Productive Security Most Annoying Security Measures Most Egregious Security Measures Here are a few of the choice measures: Last September 2002,… Continue reading Stupid Security Measures
Mountains in Pakistan
I promised some time ago to write about interesting non-political stuff in Pakistan. This is the first post in that series. I hope that I can continue this series for some time. We’ll start with the mountains. The northern part of Pakistan is mountainous and there are three main mountain ranges there: Himalayas, Karakoram and… Continue reading Mountains in Pakistan
Book Review: Neuromancer
I finished reading Neuromancer by William Gibson this weekend. I am a big fan of science fiction, but don’t particularly like cyberpunk. Hence, this book was a surprise for me. I liked it a lot. It definitely grabs your attention. I read it in two sessions, on the way to Jersey and back. And guess… Continue reading Book Review: Neuromancer