Georgia Pok Guy

I had my new baby delivered today!  I wrote a page about it, so check out my new MacBook!

It’s that time again! Time to ask yourself (because I know you care deeply), where in the world is my Mac product? Before it was an iPod mini, straight from the factory in Pan Chiao City, Taiwan! Now, a MacBook born in the sleepy town of Suzhou, China (PRC), along the banks of Lake Taihu. So, where is my MacBook?

• Jan 26th: Left Suzhou at 1518 local time
• Jan 27th: Delayed in Shanghai (darn customs!)
• Jan 26th: Going back in time, leaves Anchorage at 1432
• Jan 27th: Departing Indianapolis, hopefully making a beeline for Maryland
• Jan 29th: Arrived in Baltimore at 0455!  So close!

I want to pick up one of these toys, so as to protect me from the smallpox and other sundry maladies that stalk this land like Death in search of a Darwin Award winner.

It would appear that Hayek was correct in his assertion that a lose of freedoms in the economic realm would lead to a lose of all freedoms.  It isn’t definite yet in Venezuela, but I’d say this latest move by Chavez does not bode well for democracy in the country.  It is interesting watching this shift, although ultimately sad.  Of course, I’m sure Chavez will somehow blame America for all this…  At least it seems like most of the rest of South America is staving off the spectre of totalitarianism…

Today, what should I find on my doorstep but a package from my little brother!  I knew it was his birthday gift to me, and, being a few days early, I decided to do the selfish thing and open it.  And what a haul!

He sent me the first three books in The Masks of God series by Joseph Campbell.  Ever since watching The Power of Myth, I have been enamored with Campbell, and have really wanted to check out his books.  And now I can!  Campbell was one of those men who had a depth of knowledge and ability to connect disparate ideas that truly humbles the accomplishments of most mortals.  Despite this, he was modest and encouraged others to follow their dreams.  I really have a profound respect for him and look forward to reading these books!

I found the news in this blog to be rather interesting.  Apparently restrictions on examining Kofun, ancient Japanese tombs, have been slightly relaxed, with archaeologists given permission to walk on the tombs, but not excavate.  May not seem like much, but it is a start.  Early Japanese history is a rather murky affair, steeped in mythology.  Hopefully examinations of the Kofuns may lead to more restrictions being lifted, further elucidating the origins of the Japanese people.  Makes me want to pick up one of my Japanese history books, to review its early history.

As if listening to your phone calls to your uncle in Qatar without a warrant weren’t enough, here’s more.  Everyone’s favorite destroyer defender of civil liberties is back, now issuing a signing statement to a postal reform bill that allows him to read people’s mail without a warrant in the ever popular, and ambiguous, exigent situations.  Signing statements are a useful tool to tell executive agencies to disregard whatever it is that Congress wants them to do.  Of course, I always thought this was what the veto was for.  However, I have been wrong in the past.  And Congress can always override a veto, those little upstarts.  I say, let the signing statement stand, but with one provision: Bush has to read every single letter opened for it to be used as evidence in a case.  And they called Nixon the Imperial President.  Ha!  A small fry in comparison, I say!

Here’s a link to Bob Barr’s take on the whole affair.  Now that he no longer has to stand for election, I kinda like this guy!

Needless to say, the first day of work after a week and a half of being pampered back at the ancestral homestead kind of sucks.  That jarring feeling, like having a meat hook placed in your stomach and pulled very hard.  Still, there is something about being back at your place, with all your unread books and Indian dinner leftovers gone bad.  A little time alone is much appreciated.

Also, downtown Atlanta has grown since I’ve been gone!  There are some nice new apartment complexes, and various woebegone fields have been converted into swanky eateries.  Makes me wish I had just stayed put.  At least I would get some reception on my damned cellphone…