Best Personality Profile in the Verse!!!

Later this summer, a Serenity special edition 2-disc DVD will be released. I'll be standing in line.

I've commented in the past how much I love both Serenity and Firefly (see April and May '06 posts). The story line strikes a chord with me and I find myself relating to a number of the characters. I had wondered whether my relating to the characters was all in my mind, but those questions have since vanished.

Last week, I stumbled across the "Best Personality Profile in the Verse!!!" on a friend's site. Ryan was with me and I asked him if he could guess who I came out as. He guessed it. In fact, he said that while watching the show he thought the character in question and I were a lot alike.

If you ever want to learn more about me, watch the shows.

Your results:

You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)

Honest and a defender of the innocent.
You sometimes make mistakes in judgment
but you are generally good and
would protect your crew from harm.

Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 100%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 80%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 75%
Derrial Book (Shephard) 70%
River (Stowaway) 65%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 50%
Wash (Ship Pilot) 50%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 50%
Inara Serra (Companion) 45%
Alliance 30%
A Rever (Cannibal) 5%

Click here to take the Serenity Firefly Personality Test

Note: I want to be honest and upfront here: I did take the quiz twice. The first time, I came out as Shepherd Book (90% Shepherd Book, 80% Captain Reynolds). There is a question asking whether or not I have lost my faith in God. Throw out that question, and this is what you get...

Let's go Senators!!!

The previous two Stanley Cups have crushed my heart.

When it comes to rooting for hockey teams, I have a system that I use to pick my teams:

1. Go AVS! As you may or may not have guessed, I am loyal to my beloved Avs!
2. Go Canada! If the Avs can't do it, I cheer for any of the remaining Canadian teams.

Without going into further detail, this system explains a lot. During the previous two Cups, I have watched Canadian teams go down to the wire only to lose a heartbreaking Game 7...and yet, this year I am willing to put my heart on the line once again.

Last year, I was in Canada shortly after Edmonton, an 8th seed, lost Game 7 to the stupid Hurricanes. The Canadian newspapers were rather brutal to Ottawa, a #1 seed in the East, for not playing to their full potential. One cartoon depicted an Ottawa Senator with his "Required Summer Reading"; a book entitled "How to Play with Heart by the Edmonton Oilers".

I think this and similar comments may have sparked something. This past weekend, the Sens beat the Sabres (4 games to 1) and advanced to their first Stanley Cup!

All I have to say is...GO SENS!!!

Double the size of Guantanamo?

Last fall, I expressed some of my frustration with the ruling class in the White House. I went so far as to attempt a change in political parties (for unknown reasons, my attempt failed). Tonight, I am concerned, deeply so, with the path the majority of candidates from the right have chosen.

The second Republican Presidential Debate was held in South Carolina last night. One of the questions asked was how each of the candidates would handle a situation involving the capture of known terrorists after a major incident in the United States.

I quote from the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War Part II, Article 13

"Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest.

"Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.

"Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are prohibited."

For those who are not swayed by international treaties, let me quote Christ Jesus:

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." Matthew 7:12 NIV (emphasis mine)

Every one of the candidates, save one, said they would want the terrorists tortured. John McCain, the only one of the candidates who has experience as a prisoner of war and was tortured as such, said he believed that under no circumstances should we as a nation condone such action. God bless John McCain.

I am sick to my stomach with the thought that our nation has reached a point where the overwhelming majority of one of our major political parties now endorses torture.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9 NIV

R.I.P. Bambi...

My roommate, Ryan, is a violent person. He enjoys listening to Tom Jackson's review of the best bone crushing hits of the week, watching the battle for Helm's Deep (time and again--not that there's anything wrong with that), and, most of all, hitting poor defenseless woodland creatures as they attempt to cross the road. Yes...Ryan hit a deer. More precisely, Ryan's car hit a deer while zooming down the highway at 70+ mph. This happen last week on our return trip from Topeka.

Manhattan is a great community: K-State is a beautiful campus, the nearby Flint Hills are a nice addition to the local topography, and Aggieville has more than a few things to offer. Even so, life here can stall out. To fill our need of entertainment, Ryan and I have taken to driving. Driving here, there, anywhere to escape. Such was the setting last week when we found ourselves in Topeka.

This past weekend, we were at it again. This time we drove to Wichita to watch Spiderman 3. Yes, we contributed to the record breaking box-office weekend. We had fun! We stopped by my cousin's house (happened to be his birthday), went out to eat, and then I drove back (so no more deer stories).

I realize I'm giving Ryan a hard time. Some of you may be asking, "Is Ryan a bad driver?" No, he just doesn't like varmints getting in his way.

Side Note: Sis added a candle to her cake this past Saturday. Happy Birthday Sis!

Plan B...

Yesterday, my advisor and I met to review my last two chapters. Overall assessment: good work! For the most part it was add a few quotations and maps here and there. Nothing too big which is a really good sign.

My last post addressed some of my thoughts of recent regarding the placement process. Since then, I have decided to hold off and wait for an assignment, hopefully a geography assignment, to begin in January '08. Waiting would allot me extra time to tackle a number of important projects, including:

• Finishing my paper (100%)--not to mention the whole graduation ceremony in December
• Find a GEOGRAPHY position
• Possibly submit an article or two--not that I really care about such things, but they do look nice on a resume!

...and last, but not least...

One more football season.