After years of national unrest in the Balkans (but seriously, when isn’t there unrest in the world?) the secession of Kosovo from Serbia attracted the attention of American Newspapers. Mind you weeks ago the Serbs knew the Albanian majority in Kosovo wanted to leave, state officials made tours throughout the Nato countries arguing it was a bad idea. Of the papers read today, the New York TImes and USA today (very much american publications), both describe the conflict thusly:
Just 10% of Kosovo’s people are ethnic Serbs, yet it is considered Serbia’s ancient religious heartland.” (USA Today 6A – Friday, February 22, 2008)
While technically true, it fails to illustrate exactly how important Kosovo is to your average Serb.
In the year 1389 the medieval Serbians were defeated by the Ottomans at Kosovo Polje. This defeat by the Muslims is heralded throughout Epic-poem tradition as a “Custer’s last stand” for Serb Christianity. It was 619 years ago but when a national identity persists, some things cannot die.
Admittedly my knowledge of politics and international affairs is lackluster, but in the late nineties the United States bombed Serbia. Effectively supporting the Albanian independence. At the time they denied that would happen, they were merely stopping the mistreatment by the Serbian country. Words are poor substitutes for action, and the U.S. sent mixed messages. The rhetoric said no independent Kosovo, the bombs said otherwise.
Can you see why maybe the ethnic Serbs are mad at the United States?
The competition between Rock Band and Guitar Hero 3 has subsided as gamers everywhere agree on the strong points of each game. Guitar Hero 3 is a game, you have goals bosses and ramped up difficulty while Rock Band is for having a virtual band of you and your buddies. That said, Rock Band has done an admirable job providing new content to “play.”
Kotaku blogged a certain geeky song will make its way onto the Rock Band DLC lineup. Jonathan Coultons song Still Alive is a favorite among Portals fans, is coming to Rock Band soon.
Two exams on Tuesday. A natural consequence of this is fewer hours writing, more hours reading. Unfortunately for you this means even less of me until Wednesday. A chance to catch your breath or maybe try that Heroin everyone keeps talking about.
This weekend is also the Kansas State Wrestling tournament, Hays happens to host it. If you happen to be traveling through I-70 this weekend, don’t. Either keep on going, or stay at home. At least there you’ll have a warm bed that cost you (practically) nothing.
Okay, friendly warning to travelers is over. Have a good weekend. I promise I’ll write at least one snarky thing, out of respect to you all.
Unlike math, philosophy majors are required to prove their years as an undergrad were well spent. This effort comes in the form of a twenty page paper, public lecture & dialog. Arguing on a random tangential is always fun, while public speaking is not. This venue also forces the speaker to come up with a proper topic. (more…)
A special thanks to Heather for sending me this Youtube video of Still Alive played on Mario Paint Composer. Additional thanks to VG cats for making its post.
The Gods of Apple deem their faithful as deserving of an update for Leopard. What wonderful improvements will be behind the 341 megabyte download? Time will tell.
Steve Jobs has done a good job making the Apple TV a desirable media device, especially renting movies. Some of us kids don’t actually have 230 to 330 dollars lying around for apple-related purchases (in spite of how I behave). For less one could get Connect360 for their Xbox 360s. A viable “poor mans alternative” for everyone involved.
Do you know who created Safari? Sure “Apple did it” is more or less accurate, but who is the person in charge of Safari? I certainly don’t. While not typical, knowing the main guru of a favorite piece of software lends itself to the experience. Wil Shipley is that guru for Delicious Library, software that I can best describe as a computer shelf for all your shit. While I initially panned it as “meh,” Delicious Library actually is kinda cool with extended use.
The reason Delicious Library even had a chance in my house was my knowledge of Mr. Shipley, via the Drunken Batman‘s conference a couple years ago, “Evening at Adler.”
What does this have to do with anything? HYPE my dear Watson! Wil Shipley recently gave a keynote at the C[4] conference for programers. Despite my obvious deficiency is such matters his words of wisdom were worth the hour long presentation and any confusion on my part.
