Can perfection and free will coexist? It is not a question that I have ever considered prior to seeing The Invasion this evening. The film juxtaposes two quintessentially democratic desires - freedom and the quest for perfection. I have always held the romantic view that perfection is something that everyone wants to achieve, you know world peace, feeding the poor, general benevolence - but in reality we all know the unfortunate truth that this is not and can not be true. Well tonight hammered this home, especially because I realized that I actually think I value free will over perfection. It seems easy to argue that a lack of conflict, turmoil, and sadness are optimal outcomes. But what then of our happiness? Can we be happy without experiencing doubt, loss, or death? Can we appreciate peace and the recently hijacked term liberty without knowing war? And who am I to decide? Being a hopeless romantic, tonight was a rough night. I feel like my world view has been at least slightly inverted. I feel like I grew up a bit.

Oh and if you are curious - here's the trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/theinvasion/trailer1/

"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
- James Madison

"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? We are the strongest nation in the world today. I do not believe that we should ever apply that economic, political, and military power unilaterally. If we had followed that rule in Vietnam, we wouldn't have been there. None of our allies supported us. Not Japan, not Germany, not Britain or France. If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
- Robert McNamara

I think we fight because basically not enough people are standing up saying, "I'm not doing this anymore."

This November vote to
Pull Out of Vietnam II

Quite Obviously...
everyone had an amazing time at Pete and Annie's Wedding
I love the genuine happiness exuded by this picture
(nice work Linda!)

 

Amazing Race!

Alexis and I are going for the oddest pre-existing relationship ever on the amazing race. With a June 2nd deadline looming, suggestions on creative, eye catching ideas for our try-out video are more than welcome. We were trying to be intimidating in our posed Amazing Race picture a couple years ago but I ruined it by smiling, so new approach, Alexis will intimidate and I will smile and pretend to be clueless while collecting vital information. We are also in need of a catchy name as "people close to the girl with ehler danlos syndrome" doesn't generate that mass market appeal requisite for selection. If selected we would race in October and air in Spring of 2007. Here's to a dream :)

Update: Our editing did not go as planned and we will be applying for the next application deadline as Team (a bit more than) "Barely Acquaintances"

Never Again...
Sadly the traditional Holy Cross Boston College annual battle dating back to 1904 has been terminated by beaver Al Skinner. Enjoy feasting on cupcakes like Sacred Heart all year and early tournament exits at the hand of HC-type teams, Al, and try to keep your stars out of the slammer.

The good news...
A trip to Duke in December, and the rarity of an out of conference opponent who can read and write, probably much better than you or I.