White Winter Hymnal

So this is sort of random, but I thought I'd share this music video, not only because it is a great example of clay-mation, but also because it deals with time, especially the idea of rewinding time, and is overall just a great piece of meaningful animation (not to mention a great song!). Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE

Bittersweet Socks

"Somali women beaten for violating Islamic law, officials say"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/29/somalia.women.flogged/index.html

Alright I have to say, the original link that attracted me to this article was not the article's actual title. Instead, the link read "Women beaten for not wearing socks, officials say." Now this is a title for an article. Sadly enough, hearing about women violating Islamic law is not so out of the ordinary as to fully attract my attention, but women beating for not wearing socks? The absurdity of the title is shocking. Being myself a girl who happens to have a particular hatred of socks (for reasons I'm not sure of, don't question it), I saw the title and thought, well that's just not okay! Really, I never thought my ability to decide whether to wear or not wear socks was ever anything special. I don't like socks, thus, unless I'm feeling particularly chilly, I don't wear them. Simple enough. Unfortunately, this is just not so for these Islamic women. I must say, now every morning when I wake up, climb out of bed, and wiggle my blissfully naked toes, I'll remember those poor women and thank whatever fate it was that decided to let me have those precious bits of independence. How bittersweet.

Bought Loyalty

"U.S. set to pay Taliban members to switch sides"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/28/afghanistan.taliban.pay/index.html

I'm not so sure how I feel about this one. Like the rest of the critics, I feel that buying Afghan loyalty can only be temporary. Really, how can you really invest yourself in another's fight when you have no true passion for it? How do you trust someone who doesn't particularly believe or care about a cause to follow through with their duties, or worse, how do you trust someone who holds the same beliefs and passions as the opposing side? In my opinion, you don't really have someone's loyalty unless they have a deep, emotional or psychological reason to fight for you, rather than a superficial bribe of money. Actions will always speak to those you are truly loyal to, whether those actions are done knowingly or not, so though money can be an effective bargaining tool, this is not the case if the goal is to alter longheld beliefs. Sure, money may bring temporary help, but will the present quick-fix have bring longer lasting consequences of confusion, betrayal, and turmoil? In all reality, it is the longterm consequences that matter here, but those may not be uncovered until it is too late.

Arggh, Modern Pirates Be Near!

"Pirates may have captured couple, yacht"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/27/yacht.pirates/index.html

Okay I know judging from my title this article sounds like a joke, but no lie, those swashbuckling, eye-patch wearing, parrot-owning rascals of Davy Jones' locker do still exist. Sure, maybe their costumes have changed a bit, but the savage scallywags still know how to run the show out there on the deep seas. The first 9 months of this year alone have been dominated by more pirate attacks than all of last year combined, and the trouble doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. This time around though, naval forces worry that some sea scoundrels have made away with a British couple traveling on their yacht along the coast of Africa. Though the hijacking has yet to be confirmed, the couple has not been heard from since October 21st, with a distress beacon being signaled on October 23rd. Until word or sight of their safety arrives, the international military will be on the lookout, hoping for the best possible outcome. Hopefully they have met a better fate than the 533 other hostages that have been held captive by pirates this year. Of those, 8 were wounded, 4 killed, and 1 remains missing.

Tea Time

Cloning Chaos

"Disgraced cloning researcher convicted in South Korea"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/26/south.korea.scientist.stem.cell/index.html

Cloning is a crazy topic to begin, but add a researcher fabricating evidence of the first-cloned human stem cells and the scandal just blasts through the roof. That's exactly what Hwang Woo-Suk did back in 2004, only to be found out later in 2006. Now he's been sentenced to 2 years in prison on charges of embezzling money and illegally buying human eggs for his false research. Honestly, you have to wonder, if the guy is smart enough to clone the first dog (which is in fact true), you'd think he'd be smart enough to avoid getting caught embezzling money. That, or you'd think he'd be smart enough not to claim to have cloned the first human. Then again, intelligence and wisdom have never come hand in hand.

What do you do?

"Deadly bombings worst Iraq attack in two years"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/25/iraq.violence/index.html

What do you do to keep people from strapping bombs to themselves and letting them explode? Really, how do you fix that? They're killing hundreds of people and injuring hundreds more. Today alone 132 were killed. It needs to be stopped, but how? You can't back down and give them what they want, which in this case is a halt to the upcoming Iraqi elections. You just can't. You can't because then there would really be no hope. You need to fight back, stick to your plans and show them no bomber is going to halt progress and the chance for safety and normalcy. You can try and increase security measures, but judging from today's events even that is not fullproof. If people want to blow themselves up, well, they're going to find a way. So what do you do?

Depressing..or Upsetting. Either Works.

"Farmers sell wives to pay debts in rural India"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/22/india.farmers.selling.wives/index.html

Once again, another depressing piece of information learned about the world through international news coverage. This time, I've learned that farmers in India are so burdened by the threats of starvation that they borrow money from powerful, rich lenders who later demand extreme, immediate, and absurd methods of repayment. The amount of debt so threatens the farmers that they often resort to selling their wives or even their own daughters. Once again, more atrocities committed against the severely impoverished and women. Will this madness ever stop? Judging by the world news, no. Why? Because apparently, some people will always be greedy, power-hoarding barbarians who manipulate and torture others in order to gain some superficial semblance of self-worth. Maybe I'd feel bad for them if I didn't have their victims drowning in the aftermath of selfishness and greed to distract me. Maybe.

Also, I'd like to say that if I were one of those farmers, I sure as hell hope I would fight with all my being for my wife and daughters. If I am the person I hope to be, I would fight until the death. I know it's unreasonable to ask or expect this of these unfortunate people, especially when I have never been in such a horrible situation myself, especially when they have the rest of their family to think about, especially when they probably lack the resources and education to do otherwise, but sometimes I wonder if a human being ever just knows that something or someone is worth dying for. Like I said, I don't expect this of these people, but sometimes you just have to wonder.

North Korean Human Rights...Or Lack Thereof

"U.N. slams North Korea over human rights"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/23/un.north.korea/index.html

According to information from a U.N. investigator, nearly 40% of people in North Korea are starving - 40%! But international aid is short, especially in a country with strict sanctions of its people and its interactions with other countries. The saddest part? The country actually has the resources to help its 9 million citizens go hungry, with a United Nations that would be more than willing to help, more natural resources than its southern neighbor, and exports last year equalling several billion dollars. In a country where women are highly discriminated against, where the topic of human rights just barely made it into their socialist constitution , where its not even legal to possess a computer, you'd think the least they could do is provide some food for their people. Keep this up, Kim Jong Il, and there won't even be any people left to govern.

Questions

"French Red Cross worker abducted in Darfur"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/22/sudan.darfur.abduction/index.html

After 3 armed men, whose identities remain unknown, abducted a French Red Cross worker this Thursday in Darfur, I've started to wonder about the value of human life. This story does make me sad and wish for the kidnapped's safe return but I have to wonder, when so many are dying in a regions like Darfur on a daily basis, is it okay to have a news story about one single person just because he or she is of a foreign ethnicity? Was a story written about this single person because he or she is a Red Cross aid worker, or because he or she is French, an outsider to a nation accustomed to brutality and barbarism? How do we rank an individual's worth, by what standards? Why do we start to ignore the death of some and not of others, and at what point do we become accustomed to hearing about the tragedies certain group of people? How do we reverse the effects of that acclimation? How can we create an appropriate response to such unfortunately common tragedies? These and so many other necessary questions are often left unaddressed, but in order to effect proper change, these are topics that need to be confronted.

Precaution or Paranoia?

"H1N1 vaccinations rolled out in UK"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/21/H1n1.flu.vaccinations/index.html

I have yet to decide whether this health plan is a great measure of precaution or an overactive bout of paranoia. Regardless, the UK is rolling out a plan to have every citizen receive the H1N1 vaccine, with priority groups receiving the shot first. Priority groups include health and social care workers, pregnant women, those over the age of 65, and those with asthma or cancer. I do know one thing, that having health and social care workers vaccinated definitely makes sense. How can an illness be prevented from spreading when those working to cure ill patients become ill themselves? Having everyone vaccinated...I do not know how I feel about this. Is the swine flu really that detrimental to strong, healthy human beings? Is this taking too much precaution? Is there such thing as too much precaution? Sometimes I wonder if as humans we should just naturally build up immunity towards germs, at least those we know will not kill us, rather than manufacturing preventive measures. Our naturally equipped immune systems have kept us around for this many years so far after all, why not let them do their job and invest resources in cures for more deadly diseases?

Wheeling Around the Fun

"Wheelchair user, 92, arrested for smuggling coke"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/20/spain.arrest.wheelchair.cocaine/index.html

Well this is a story you don't hear too often. Apparently, a 92 year old wheelchair riding woman was caught, along with one other accomplice, attempting to traffic over 9 pounds of cocaine from Brazil to Spain last Friday. Quite an absurd sight, I am sure! To top it all off, the woman may not even be tried or charge simply because of her age. Judging from this, if any of you 92 year olds out there are looking for some consequence-free fun, traffic some hard drugs! (And to all you airport security guards, never trust a little old lady ever again!)

Karma

"Scientist charged with improperly passing on classified information"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/19/u.s.espionage.charge.israel/index.html

A Spy?! Really, mention the word spy and visions of the Red Scare and James Bond movies pop into my head. I don't know what that says about me, but I do know that the word pulled me to this article. Anyways, the alleged "spy" David Nozette, age 52, has been arrested and charged for delivering top secret information regarding classified government aerospace programs to an Israeli government informant - or so he thought. Apparently, this so-called intelligence official was actually an undercover FBI agent testing Nozette's loyalty, which has come under suspicion recently. After Nozette and the agent met repeatedly, Nozette did eventually deliver some high security, top secret information without knowing who exactly he was dealing with. Now he's looking at a possible life sentence for his treachery. Can you say karma?

More Like "Balloon Bust"...

"Authorities: 'Balloon boy' incident was a hoax"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html

"'You guys said we did this for the show,' the boy responded."

That's all Balloon boy needed to say to his parents during a national TV interview for many people's suspicions to be confirmed. Apparently yes, the infamous "Balloon boy" was conned into this little escapade by this parents, though investigators are still looking further into the case to be certain. If it was indeed a hoax, I can't really say that I'm mad - the whole scandal provided me with some entertainment for the day - but authorities probably are not as entertained. Pending further investigation, both misdemeanor and felony charges may be issued as a result, and child services has even been called to see if the Heenes are fit to raise their three children, ages 6, 8, and 10. All I can really say is, that's one hell of a messy publicity stunt.

Appalling

"Rape a weapon of war in Congo, activists say"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/16/amanpour.congo.rape.documentary/index.html

War is a terribly tragic and barbaric concept as is, but this if anything could take it to a more inhumane level, this is it. Rape as a weapon of war? This is perhaps the most vile concept I have ever heard of in my entire life, and yet here it is. Hundreds of thousands of girls, mostly young adolescents, being violated on a daily basis to serve the purpose of power-hungry, vulgar, and savage men. What's most appalling? Many of the high-ranking officals in the Congolese military have been accused of rape as well. Why are these animals being promoted to such statuses? Both the U.N. and Congo are working to correct these situations; unfortunately, how long these corrections may take may never be determined.

Balloon Boy Captures World's Attention

"World watches odyssey of 'Balloon Boy' in real time"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.world.watching/index.html

Whether you are one of the other millions of people who progressively followed the story throughout Thursday or one of the few just now hearing about this crazy escapade, the story of so-deemed "Balloon Boy" has certainly garnered the attention, imagination, and lastly, sarcasm of people around the world. After 6 year old Falcon (yes, that seems to be his real name, how ironic), untethered a large helium balloon, releasing it from his Colorado home this passed Thursday, his family and authorities feared for his life upon his disappearance. Now normally, a large unidentifiable flying object captures much attention, but when a six year old boy is possibly stuck in the homemade craft, word of the story quickly spreads, even as far as Australia and Al-Jazeera. When the balloon finally landed safely with the boy nowhere to be found within its confines, people around the globe worried that he may have fallen out of the aircraft. Fortunately, the boy was later found in his attic, hiding in a cardboard box (which I find absolutely hilarious - honestly, why couldn't his parents keep track of this kid?).

Reports show that balloon boy merchandise has already become a craze, from t-shirts wishing for his survival earlier in the day to those satirizing the drama after the whole crazy ordeal was finally settled. Personally, I thnk the story is downright hilarious, and I'm glad the world has found something to collectively laugh at for once, even if its at the expense of those silly Americans.

One in Six

"More than 1 billion going hungry, U.N. says"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/15/un.world.hunger/index.html

So you're in a room of six random people from around the world. Based on the statistics from this article, one of them is undernourished. One! Because on this planet, one billion of our fellow human beings are going hungry on a daily basis. Of this billion, the majority live in developing countries, countries where the resources to get food are simply unavailable. A big factor for this statistic is the current critical state of the global economy, but that still doesn't change the fact that there are one billion too many stomachs growling every day. The U.N. is calling for a change, but until some drastic transition on the planet happens, be glad you're part of the five that aren't.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

"Report: Hundreds detained by Israel without charge"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/14/israel.detention/index.html

Just a bit disconcerting, don't you think? The concept is called administrative detention, defined as "detention without charge or trial," and it is legal under international law, but only in "extreme cases to protect the security of the state." With Israel currently holding over 300 Palestinians under the rationale of administrative detention, one has to question their judgment. Over 300 people? With no supposed charge or trial to be heard of? Israel, if you want anyone to take you seriously, this is not the way to do it.

To Wear or Not To Wear

"Egyptian woman protest ban on austere veil"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/13/niqab/index.html

This article may catch the reader off guard at first. After all, usually the debate over the niqab - the full veil headress worn by many Muslim women in the Middle East - regards a fight over a woman's right not to wear it. However, when an all male committee in Egypt decided for Eqyptian women that they cannot wear the veil in all female university settings, heated debate was sparked as well. One from our culture might ask, Why would they want to wear the veil? Instead, the real question should be, why aren't these women allowed to make this decision for themselves? Whether the rule is for wearing or not wearing the veil really does not matter because either way, a man is still demanding that a woman act a certain way under his unjust coercion.

At one point in the article, a link directs the reader to a survey asking "Do you think Muslim women should wear the niqab? Tell us below in the SoundOff Box." This makes me a little angry. This survey is promoting the idea that wearing the niqab is something legitimately up for debate, that other opinions beyond each woman's own personal choice should matter. Really, in a just and righteous world, this issue is not up for discussion; rather, wearing a niqab should be a woman's personal decision made by her and her alone.

Reevaluation

"41 dead in Pakistan Swat Valley blast"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/12/pakistan.blast/index.html

When searching for an article today, I saw this headline and immediately dismissed it from my array of choices. However, just as soon as I made this decision, I realized how incredibly sad that choice was in the wide scheme of things. Have I really become that indifferent, that callous and immune to horrific headlines such as these that I bypass them without thinking or feeling? Regardless of where they are from, what they are like, or how it happened, 41 citizens of this world died today, and I wasn't even fazed. I want to make excuses, blame the media for its lack of censorship, blame the rest of man for its incessant savagery, but really, what have I done to change any of that? Perhaps it's time to reevaluate.

Silence or Sentence

"3 Iranians tied to election protests get death sentences"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/11/iran.death.sentences/index.html

While we Americans are often fed up with the government in recent years, I have to say, we've never quite had it as bad as Iran does right now. Sure, many think their June 12 election was rigged, but if they actually voice that opinion, well, just look at that headline. A death sentence? Really? Now, the article does mention that the sentence can be appealed; then it proceeds to explain that those who have been arrested for connections with opposition groups have allegedly been tortured into confessing and/or been raped in prison, though the current president, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, has condemned the supposed "atrocites committed at certain detention centers." These are not the first arrests either. Dozens of outspoken citizens been detained since the post-election protests, with who knows how many to come. Granted we do not have every piece of information here, but given these few facts, something seems a little off.

Why It's Great to Live in the US of A

"Argentine Senate passes controversial media bill"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/10/argentina.media/index.html

If this were to happen in America...well that's just it, it wouldn't! Freedom of speech is such an essential element to the fabric of America, and while it often times gets us into all sorts of trouble, Americans would rather die than have that right taken away. Meanwhile, an new Argentine law has created a regulatory media agency that "targets media outlets critical of the government." Now at first this does seem a little contradictory to basic human rights, but what seems even more absurd to me is that this particular bill would allow the president to choose the majority of the members in this new media regulating group. That seems troublesome. Give the government too much authority over the lives of its people, and well, that's asking for either revolt or dictatorship. I'm not saying that will necessarily happen in Argentina. I guess what I'm really saying is, sometimes I really love America.

Compelling Cartoons

"Animation confronts Gaza breast cancer taboo"
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=386632550280518803

Every so often I am confronted with the idea that, as an artist, I don't do much to help or contribute to the world. Sure, I make pretty things, but how can painting canvases and sculpting clay possibly solve world hunger, save the environment or cure cancer? Well here's how: in the first commerical Palestinian animation in history, animators have harnessed their creative abilities to raise awareness on a subject that is often absurdly seen as taboo in the area: breast cancer. The film, based on a true story, portrays the life of a young seamstress, whose struggle with breast cancer in an area where women's bodies are rarely discussed or acknowledged leads to her young, heartbreaking death at the age of 28. Sadly, had it not taken the doctor's six month to diagnose her, had then not told her to "loosen her bra" or that her disease would disappear once she married, she may have had a chance for survival. Unfortunately, there's simply not enough funding, skill or awareness in the region, and clearly this must change. By tearing down the fences of propriety, the piece of artwork opens a path up for awareness, acceptance, and action in a land where women hide behind veils of cloth and convention on a daily basis. This is just one of those examples that remind me that as an artist, I do have power. Now it's just time to use it.

More Sex Scandals in France

"French Minister says he won't resign over sex with 'boys'"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/08/france.minister.scandal/index.html

Now, I know the French are a little looser with the promiscuity, but really, this just seems to cross a line. This French minister, Frederic Mitterrand, wrote a book, voluntarily wrote a book, in which he details paying a boy for sex in Thailand. Personally, I do not want to know about my government officials sexual escapades, thank you very much, but when they involve prostitution, I am even further appalled. No matter how old this minister claims these boy he paid for sex was, he still paid him for sex, which is demoralizing, degrading, and just plain vulgar for all parties involved. If, in fact, the boy was much younger than his original claim, well what a tragic shame. No wonder people are calling for his resignation. Can you blame them? Yes, everybody makes mistakes, but this is a mistake of extreme proportion. If this politician can not even abide by the natural, unwritten laws of human integrity and respect, how can he possibly retain a government position bereft of corruption and illegal acts? How can be a role model for the citizens of France when he himself cannot uphold basic principles of decency and virtue? Like I said, I really cannot blame them.

Brita Pitcher Character Sketch

Oh, the Brita pitcher. So useful for filtering the dorm water of its filth, but for a lazy college student, oh so cumbersome. For this sound character sketch, I wanted to illustrate the frustrating conflict between a thirsty college student (namely, myself) and her utter lack of motivation, even to get out of her own chair and fill a pitcher with clean water. In order to create this conflict, I manipulated my own voice and the sound of empty cups and filter wrappers as I fight the need to get water. I work toward a climax by building both the variety and volume of sound until one loud refrigerator door slam signals that "enough is enough." The sound piece then transitions into its second half, featuring various water filter noises and the eventual fade out to myself, satisfying gulping a clean glass of water. How refreshing!

Run, Legislator, Run!

"Ex-Brazil legislator on run from crime charges, police say"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/07/brazil.tv.host.missing/index.html

Another politician gone awry, big surprise. Good thing this one is stepping it up to an unprecedented level, or else the story would be just plain boring. I mean, Wallace Souza is not just your every day, bribe accepting, tax cheating legislator, oh no. He's a former TV-hosting, drug-dealing, gang-forming, Brazilian legislator. He has even allegedly ordered his rivals killed, and then proceeded to have his TV camera crews for his show Canal Livre, be the first news team on the scene, which, of course, drove up ratings. This is all according to police, that is, whose argument sounds rather legitimate considering the offender, Wallace Souza, is currently on the run and missing. After a hearing voting him stripped of his political immunity, police now have full order for Souza's arrest. Now it's just a matter of where and when before he is caught and formerly charged .

Powering Hope

"Malawian boy uses wind to power hope, electrify village"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/05/malawi.wind.boy/index.html

When William Kamkwamba's home of Malawi suffered a drought killing thousands, he looked up to the sky. From that moment on, at the young age of 14, Kamkwamba worked tirelessly to teach himself how to harness wind power and provide water and electricity for his fellow neighbors. Amidst strange looks and accusations of insanity from those around him, the Malawian managed to build from scraps 5 windmills, the tallest standing at 37 feet. Today, seven years later, villagers from around the area traverse to his home for simple pleasures like listening to a radio.

Now this is a world news story I like to read. Somebody taking action, and making a difference. I wish I could say I've done the same!

Religious Controversy! OH NO!

"Italian scientist reproduces Shroud of Turin"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091005/sc_nm/us_italy_shroud

Certainly, this article will ignite blazes of heated debate around the world, among both religious and nonreligious people alike. As stated in the title of the article, an Italian scientist claims he has reproduced the infamous Shroud of Turin, using only materials that would have been available in the middle ages. For those of you unaware of the history of the Shroud of Turin, the sheet has been named Jesus' burial cloth since it first appeared centuries ago, but the authenticity of the cloth has long been under scrutiny. Carbon tests back in 1988 reported the shroud to be a fake, dating it back to the middle ages rather than the time of Jesus. Even so, religious devotees have long fought that either a) the cloth was contaminated or b) the lab results were misread or botched in some way.

Coming from a girl raised her entire life in the Catholic tradition, I do not see why the Shroud of Turin's apparent authenticity or lack thereof should affect someone's religious beliefs in any way. Isn't faith about believing in what you know is true, without needing any physical evidence otherwise? Sure, nobody wants to be told that something they believe in is a fake. But really, so what! If you believe that Jesus really died and rose againt to save mankind from sin, then believe it! Don't let a piece of cloth stop you! Also, maybe if the Agnostics and the Christians would stop fighting about the stupid thing for, oh, I don't know, even a millisecond, somebody might see that respecting each other's beliefs would be one more step to making this world a better place. Take that energy you spend fighting over the shroud, and fight for someone's life, fight for peace, fight for love, fight for anything good in this world. God will smile upon you. (And if you're Agnostic, the world will smile upon you). But please, don't fight for an inanimate object.

Money Mayhem!

"German kids hand out lost 15,000 euros in playground"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/germanychildrenoffbeat

Okay, this is just another one of those offbeat international stories that made me laugh, hard! I mean, the event is just so ludicrous! What child finds 15,000 euros (equaling to about 22,000 American dollars) and then proceeds to give it away to other children on the playground? I have to give credit to those kids. I mean, maybe they just weren't smart enough to figure how much that money could get for themselves, but really, their first thought was to give it away. Granted that wasn't the best decision, seeing as the owner of that money - a 33 year old Afghan man - was in all likelihood wanting that safely returned to him, but either those teachers really drilled sharing into their heads, or those are some generous children. Two boys and two girls, ranging in age between 10 and 13, were the masterminds of the plan, which would have made many kids happy if one child hadn't told a teacher, worried about the chaos ensuing. However, retrieving the money from all the children wasn't an easy task. (Apparently the kids were much greedier than their generous classmates). I can just picture teachers and patrolmen scrambling about, trying to catch children like they are chickens in a coup, all laughing hysterical with wads of cash in their hands. Now I'm sure the actual process wasn't that chaotic, but you have to admit, it's a funny picture. Anyways, in the end, around 14,040 euros were recollected, though exactly how much is missing remains unclear. The money will be returned to the owner once he can provide proper documentation that it does indeed belong to him. Now that's a story you don't hear everyday.

Tragedy in Indonesia

"Up to 4,000 buried in Indonesian quake rubble"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/03/indonesia.earthquake/index.html

With a death toll at 540 and mounting, the citizens of Indonesia scramble to help the predicted thousands still stuck beneath the rubble of the 7.6 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes that hit the country this past Wednesday and Thursday. According to officials, it is suggested that 90 percent of citizens were buried beneath the aftermath of the tremors, forcing the few people capable to dig themselves and others out with hammers, chisels and even their bare hands in the heavy rainfall that continues to drown the region in further devastation. With electricity lacking, shelter sparse, and a growing need to get people to safety, water, and food, reports say that the U.S. has already offered their undying support to help the Indonesians in this time of tragedy. Unfortunately, not even the best efforts will save many from the terrible effects of these powerfully strong natural disasters.

And the Winner Is...

So I couldn't possibly post about the 2016 Olympic bid yesterday without posting the winner today. With that being said, the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics will be....

...(the suspense is killing me!)...

Rio de Janeiro!

I really can't say that I'm surprised, or disappointed (after all, now I have an excuse to travel to Brazil in 2016). No other contending city deserved it as much as Rio; South America has yet to host an Olypmic games in history. However, like most people, I was surprised at how quickly Chicago was eliminated from the competition. If anything I thought Tokyo would be first to go: China did host the last summer Olympics, and the city had the least amount of public enthusiasm from its citizens. Not only that, but Chicago had intense support, with President Obama and the First Lady personally flying to Copenhagen for the Olympic bid. Guess America will have to wait and see for 2020!

For in depth coverage of the decision making process, check out Yahoo!'s article:

"Rio wins right to host the 2016 Olympics"
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-2016bids&prov=ap&type=lgns

OLYMPICS!

"Which cities are vying to host the 2016 games?"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/olympic.bids.explainer/index.html

So exactly who will host the 2016 Summer Olympics?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the competitors are (drumroll please):

Chicago!....

Madrid!.....

Rio!.......

and last but not least, Tokyo!

Now personally, I wouldn't mind the Olympics in the U.S., especially in a city so close to my hometown (6 hour drive to see the Olympics? I'll take it!) ...Who am I kidding, I would LOVE for the Olympics to be here! But we do have some tough competition, especially from Rio, seeing as South America has never hosted the Olympics before. With strong pros and cons for all four cities, it's really anybody's game. The final decision is being made tomorrow in Copenhagen, keep your fingers crossed!