MSN, work, etc.

What I really don't understand is why people insist on sharing the stories of their lives on the little section that Windows Live Messenger suggests you "Enter a personal message."

I just realized I kind of messed up a little bit of something at work today and the fact that I have to wait until Monday to fix it is going to drive me insane all weekend long!

Aside from that, NYC was amazing, work is pretty great, and I love getting to spend so much time in the city! I think I'll start taking my camera out and about with me after work and maybe doing a bit on Toronto Street Fashion.

New, Continued

Guns in America: I just don't understand Americans sometimes. I mean, surely the answer isn't to supply the population with even more guns?

Worldwide Sympathy Over Shootings: another very interesting article that compares gun violence in the United States to that of other developed nations while examining associated laws and regulations.

Admittedly, not all of these comparisons are entirely valid but they do suggest an interesting aspect of American culture: an obsession with handguns. Perhaps there is a connection between this attitude and the increase of gun-related homicides in the United States in recent decades? Either way, it is something that should seriously be taken into consideration because events like this simply should not take place, at least not as often as they seem to in the United States.

Comments on the News

There seems to be plenty going on in the news lately:

US University Shooting Kills 33: I just find this all both tragic and horrifying. It just seems that gun violence is continuing to increase in the United States, and I'm not trying to lay the blame anywhere in particular but surely something can be done about this! This tragedy is also a reminder never to take life for granted; it is such a precious gift that can be lost at any given moment without so much as a signal or warning. Despite everything I can't help but be truly shocked by this event. The victims of this tragedy and their families are in my thoughts and my deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by this. Perhaps Hobbes was right after all?

German Army Condemns Racial Video: Well, this is just bizarre. I actually thought it was a joke at first, but you just can't be that naive can you? The German army seems to be dealing with plenty of problems recently.

Pride

"'My grandpa always said asking a question is embarrassing for a moment, but not asking is embarrassing for a lifetime.'" -- Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

So I am currently in the middle of reading Kafka on the Shore and I stumbled upon this quote, which happened to hit close to home. I often wish I could let go of my own pride and insecurities in order to do what I know is best for me. Sometimes I'm successful at it, other times, not so much.

Justin Timberlake!

I am so excited because Valerie and I are seeing Justin Timberlake on the 21st of August at the Air Canada Center!
It's actually interesting how much I used to dislike him back in the days of 'NSYNC but now I can't help but adore him. I just felt like sharing that.

Scandinavia

I just had to come here and express my love for everything that is Scandinavian, or more specifically, Swedish. There is so much I adore that hails from that small, northern country -- from H&M, Ikea, J. Lindeberg, to that boy I met while vacationing in the Dominican Republic. Now all I have to do is marry a Swedish man and I shall be forever complete. Anyway, recently, I've also discovered that they have rather impressive street style in Stockholm. People on the streets of Copenhagen are quite well-dressed as well! I've been browsing through both websites for some style inspiration and they never fail to provide me with just that. Although I do enjoy walking through the streets of Toronto and checking out what people are wearing because, from time to time, you do encounter some very well-clad ladies and gentlemen but, unfortunately, being in university and thus having to spend most of my time in Waterloo, there seem to be less and less opportunities to do so. This is another reason why I am so excited about the end of term and the possibility of soon being able to work in Toronto's downtown neighborhood. Furthermore, I'm off to New York City on the 20th, which means I'll get to spend some time in one of my favorite cities of this world!

A Sad Day Indeed

Not only am I quite certain that my Microeconomic Theory final exam did not go too well but one of my all-time favorite writers, Kurt Vonnegut has died. Something else that has caused me ample grief is that there's more news coverage and media attention on the death of someone like Anna Nicole Smith than that of a talented literary great like Kurt Vonnegut. It really makes you wonder about the state of the world. RIP Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007).

"Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt." - Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five