271
2003. What a year. Each and every passing day, the world seems to head towards chaos.
I remember earlier during the year, Europe suffered one of its worst floods in history. Eastern European cities were partially inundated; the river basins were being flooded by the water from the melting glaciers.
A few months after the flood abated, ironically an unprecedented heat wave and drought swept through the European Mediterranean coast. The heat wave was so great that they had to spray water against the wall of nuclear reactors in order to cool it down. Some of the nuclear plants were forced to shut down. Worse, death toll was high.
Looking at two of many events, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is wrong with the Earth. It is true that disaster strikes every now and then but noticeable, the frequency and intensity has risen steadily. Global warming and climate change are as real as you and me.
Down south, Antarctica ice shelves continue to disintegrate and despite of all this, Canada, Australia and USA seem to rejuvenate the old JUSCANZ alliance with Russia as the new member. Maybe the new alliance should be called RUSCAA.
Somehow, it funny to be obsessed with global warming while Ann Arbor is being covered with snow. It is as if I suffer from cognitive dissonance disorder but yet, the news from all around the world convince me that it is God who is suffering the metal disorder. Or maybe it's just the Human as a species.
0.7 degree Celsius has risen since a century ago. Based on IPCC extrapolation, global average temperature will rise a few more degrees. A few more degrees might sounds nothing but those few more degrees would send many coastal cities and island nations to share the fate of Atlantis.
As the world average temperature continues to set new record each year, I wonder when people will start to seriously care about the environment. And lately, I'm starting to share the green extremist concern - why do we value commodities more than the Earth?
We could die if we were deprived of water or food or air but we could never die if we ran out of gold. Why do we value the medium of trade more than the goods itself? Isn't the reason of trade is to obtain goods? Worse, why are we putting money above the very place that we call home? If the Earth were reduced to Mars or Venus, won't money will worth terribly less?
2003. What a year. Each and every passing day, the world seems to head towards chaos.
I remember earlier during the year, Europe suffered one of its worst floods in history. Eastern European cities were partially inundated; the river basins were being flooded by the water from the melting glaciers.
A few months after the flood abated, ironically an unprecedented heat wave and drought swept through the European Mediterranean coast. The heat wave was so great that they had to spray water against the wall of nuclear reactors in order to cool it down. Some of the nuclear plants were forced to shut down. Worse, death toll was high.
Looking at two of many events, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is wrong with the Earth. It is true that disaster strikes every now and then but noticeable, the frequency and intensity has risen steadily. Global warming and climate change are as real as you and me.
Down south, Antarctica ice shelves continue to disintegrate and despite of all this, Canada, Australia and USA seem to rejuvenate the old JUSCANZ alliance with Russia as the new member. Maybe the new alliance should be called RUSCAA.
Somehow, it funny to be obsessed with global warming while Ann Arbor is being covered with snow. It is as if I suffer from cognitive dissonance disorder but yet, the news from all around the world convince me that it is God who is suffering the metal disorder. Or maybe it's just the Human as a species.
0.7 degree Celsius has risen since a century ago. Based on IPCC extrapolation, global average temperature will rise a few more degrees. A few more degrees might sounds nothing but those few more degrees would send many coastal cities and island nations to share the fate of Atlantis.
As the world average temperature continues to set new record each year, I wonder when people will start to seriously care about the environment. And lately, I'm starting to share the green extremist concern - why do we value commodities more than the Earth?
We could die if we were deprived of water or food or air but we could never die if we ran out of gold. Why do we value the medium of trade more than the goods itself? Isn't the reason of trade is to obtain goods? Worse, why are we putting money above the very place that we call home? If the Earth were reduced to Mars or Venus, won't money will worth terribly less?
270
Dennis Kucinich said, if he is elected as the President of the United States, he will replace the Department of Defense with a new body, the Department of Peace.
I've seen newspeak a lot these days but Department of Peace is giving me the real scarce. In George Orwell's 1984, there was a ministry called the Ministry of Peace.
Dennis Kucinich said, if he is elected as the President of the United States, he will replace the Department of Defense with a new body, the Department of Peace.
I've seen newspeak a lot these days but Department of Peace is giving me the real scarce. In George Orwell's 1984, there was a ministry called the Ministry of Peace.
269
A huge development in Malaysian political arena. Quoting New Straits Times:
"Leaders of MCA and Gerakan � the two largest Chinese-based parties in Barisan Nasional � tonight announced the possibility of both parties merging to strengthen the Barisan Nasional."
A huge development in Malaysian political arena. Quoting New Straits Times:
"Leaders of MCA and Gerakan � the two largest Chinese-based parties in Barisan Nasional � tonight announced the possibility of both parties merging to strengthen the Barisan Nasional."
268
YEAH!!! NO MORE CLASS, at least for another 3 weeks. However, next semester econometrics is going to be a killer.
p/s - there's an interesting internship offer somewhere at the United Nations. I'm very much interested but I need to find a mininum of USD 2400 for accomodation in New York. Don't think my parents would give me that money easily. Don't think the Big Brother would give me the extra gold coins too either.
It's really tough to find the internship that I want. =(
YEAH!!! NO MORE CLASS, at least for another 3 weeks. However, next semester econometrics is going to be a killer.
p/s - there's an interesting internship offer somewhere at the United Nations. I'm very much interested but I need to find a mininum of USD 2400 for accomodation in New York. Don't think my parents would give me that money easily. Don't think the Big Brother would give me the extra gold coins too either.
It's really tough to find the internship that I want. =(
267
A quote from New York Times, via AAIO:
"The city's [New York's] crime index, a figure adjusted for population, is on par with much smaller cities, like Ann Arbor, Mich., and ranks 194th out of 200 cities with more than 100,000 residents, making it one of the safest."
I think there's something wrong with the statistics. But if the stats is okay, it sure does make Ann Arbor sounds safer...
A quote from New York Times, via AAIO:
"The city's [New York's] crime index, a figure adjusted for population, is on par with much smaller cities, like Ann Arbor, Mich., and ranks 194th out of 200 cities with more than 100,000 residents, making it one of the safest."
I think there's something wrong with the statistics. But if the stats is okay, it sure does make Ann Arbor sounds safer...
266
Testing ssh/sftp.
With A2 covered in snow, West Quad will liberate South Quad from its ugly residents.
And to AAPD, you are on my list.
p/s - a joke that I would like to share. It's an environmentalist joke taken from alt.politics.greens
This is true :
Women use all this toxic crap called make-up, soaps, perfume, etc. etc.
all this stuff to make their ugly faces even uglier.
Some "beauty stuff" is really highly toxic! Poisonous! Deadly!
They shower 5 times a day and pollute the environment with all this
stuff every day.
They eat lots of diet stuff and other chemicals to become thin (means
more ugly) or need medicine against headaches and other crap and piss
and shit a lot of highly toxic chemicals because of this.
They probably are full of radioactive isotopes, this radioactive crap
is used for this beauty stuff.
They also live longer and have more time for pollution.
Their highly toxic corpses will pollute the ground after their death,
even bacteria and worms won't eat them.
Men don�t use all this "beauty crap" and real men only shower once a
week. Men don�t eat all this toxic diet and beauty and anti-headache
crap.
And man die sooner, have less time to pollute the world.
The maggots and the worms have no problems with eating male corpses.
So we should treat women like nuclear waste and move their highly
toxic bodies beneath the earth, deep beneath the sea or send them to
Outer Space.
Less women means less pollution.This is true! Ask scientists.
Women should either stop to use this toxic crap to become less
dangerous or must face the consequences (life in anti-radiation
security chambers or life in space).
ABN
Testing ssh/sftp.
With A2 covered in snow, West Quad will liberate South Quad from its ugly residents.
And to AAPD, you are on my list.
p/s - a joke that I would like to share. It's an environmentalist joke taken from alt.politics.greens
This is true :
Women use all this toxic crap called make-up, soaps, perfume, etc. etc.
all this stuff to make their ugly faces even uglier.
Some "beauty stuff" is really highly toxic! Poisonous! Deadly!
They shower 5 times a day and pollute the environment with all this
stuff every day.
They eat lots of diet stuff and other chemicals to become thin (means
more ugly) or need medicine against headaches and other crap and piss
and shit a lot of highly toxic chemicals because of this.
They probably are full of radioactive isotopes, this radioactive crap
is used for this beauty stuff.
They also live longer and have more time for pollution.
Their highly toxic corpses will pollute the ground after their death,
even bacteria and worms won't eat them.
Men don�t use all this "beauty crap" and real men only shower once a
week. Men don�t eat all this toxic diet and beauty and anti-headache
crap.
And man die sooner, have less time to pollute the world.
The maggots and the worms have no problems with eating male corpses.
So we should treat women like nuclear waste and move their highly
toxic bodies beneath the earth, deep beneath the sea or send them to
Outer Space.
Less women means less pollution.This is true! Ask scientists.
Women should either stop to use this toxic crap to become less
dangerous or must face the consequences (life in anti-radiation
security chambers or life in space).
ABN
265
Saddam has been captured alive, but still no WMD. I don't like Saddam Hussein but the capturing of Saddam is secondary to finding the WMD. With no WMD, the war is still a lie.
Half way across the globe, Keiko, the famous killer whale has passed away due to pneumonia. I wish there will be no more Keiko in the future. All lives deserve a life out of cage, or aquarium.
On more deserving news, the recent European Constitution Summit in Brussels and the Kyoto Protocol related meeting in Milan failed to reach any accord.
And God damn it. The expected is now inevitable - it's snowing. I find the urge to hibernate increased ten folds. Sigh...
And ehem.
Saddam has been captured alive, but still no WMD. I don't like Saddam Hussein but the capturing of Saddam is secondary to finding the WMD. With no WMD, the war is still a lie.
Half way across the globe, Keiko, the famous killer whale has passed away due to pneumonia. I wish there will be no more Keiko in the future. All lives deserve a life out of cage, or aquarium.
On more deserving news, the recent European Constitution Summit in Brussels and the Kyoto Protocol related meeting in Milan failed to reach any accord.
And God damn it. The expected is now inevitable - it's snowing. I find the urge to hibernate increased ten folds. Sigh...
And ehem.
264
After doing tons of reading on the Kyoto Protocol, I�ve come to a conclusion that the Protocol is too costly for implementation.
Why?
The Kyoto Protocol, if ratified, essentially demands the reduction of six greenhouses gases to the 1990 level by the year 2008. Those gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflourocarbon, perflourocarbon, and sulphur hexafluoride.
All those six gases, with carbon dioxide in particular are closely related to growth and energy. The connection to energy is a simple one to make since carbon dioxide is the product of burning any carbon based material, including fossil fuel. Growth on the other hand needs energy. Due to this fact, the bigger the economy, the larger greenhouse gases emission will be.
Currently, according to David G. Victor in his book The Collapse of the Kyoto Protocol and the Struggle to Slow Global Warming, most countries greenhouse gases emission exceeds the 1990 targeted level. In order to achieve the Kyoto set goal, many countries will have to reduce their growth by a substantial amount and upgrade numerous machines to be environmental friendly. The cost of doing so is high and this is the main reason why the United States, the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases withdrew from the Protocol. Recently, Russia has hinted that it will also withdraw from the Protocol.
Of course, the negotiators at the Earth Summit + 5 were aware of that and thus carbon or emission trading was introduced so the cost of emission reduction could be pulled down to a more tolerable level. This method allows the idea of aggregate instead of individual emission reduction. As a result, this allows the participants of the Protocol to continue to develop its economy.
Nevertheless, there are voices of discontent from the backroom. Emission trading is done by giving out emission permits to the parties of the Protocol. Later, unused permits by some countries could be sold to others who need to emit more greenhouse gases than the allocation. The problem is, permit allocation was not given out according to the size of the economy but rather, the allocation problem was solved by the wits of the diplomats. Therefore, some countries received more permits then it should have and more received too little.
If the Kyoto Protocol were to be ratified, Russia and Kazakhstan will gain profit by simply selling these permits. This is true due to the fall of the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR states) economy has no way of using all of its allocation, thus creating a surplus of profitable permits. Other countries like the US, hypothetically speaking, will have to buy from Russia so as to adhere to the Kyoto Protocol. Like what Victor said in his book, no country will sign a deal that merely enriches somebody else without doing something concrete in dealing with global warming.
One way or another, with or without permits, there are losers � somebody has to cover up the cost. Yet, if the Kyoto Protocol isn�t ratified in time, the cost of damage due to global warming and the subsequent climate change will be higher than the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol itself.
Given the options, isn�t it�s only logical to accept the least costly path?
For the sake of compromise, perhaps the Kyoto�s target could be lowered but sooner or later, the emission reduction must be done to avoid probably the costliest damage in modern Human history.
p/s - The __earthinc has been nominated for flyingchair.net's best Malaysian weblog.
Alright. Time to get aggressive. People of the world, vote for me at flyingchair.net. I know I wouldn't win but, hey, a bit of publicity wouldn't hurt!
If you love my site, vote me!
If you hate it, vote me!
If you are indifferent, vote me!
Vote me! :)
After doing tons of reading on the Kyoto Protocol, I�ve come to a conclusion that the Protocol is too costly for implementation.
Why?
The Kyoto Protocol, if ratified, essentially demands the reduction of six greenhouses gases to the 1990 level by the year 2008. Those gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflourocarbon, perflourocarbon, and sulphur hexafluoride.
All those six gases, with carbon dioxide in particular are closely related to growth and energy. The connection to energy is a simple one to make since carbon dioxide is the product of burning any carbon based material, including fossil fuel. Growth on the other hand needs energy. Due to this fact, the bigger the economy, the larger greenhouse gases emission will be.
Currently, according to David G. Victor in his book The Collapse of the Kyoto Protocol and the Struggle to Slow Global Warming, most countries greenhouse gases emission exceeds the 1990 targeted level. In order to achieve the Kyoto set goal, many countries will have to reduce their growth by a substantial amount and upgrade numerous machines to be environmental friendly. The cost of doing so is high and this is the main reason why the United States, the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases withdrew from the Protocol. Recently, Russia has hinted that it will also withdraw from the Protocol.
Of course, the negotiators at the Earth Summit + 5 were aware of that and thus carbon or emission trading was introduced so the cost of emission reduction could be pulled down to a more tolerable level. This method allows the idea of aggregate instead of individual emission reduction. As a result, this allows the participants of the Protocol to continue to develop its economy.
Nevertheless, there are voices of discontent from the backroom. Emission trading is done by giving out emission permits to the parties of the Protocol. Later, unused permits by some countries could be sold to others who need to emit more greenhouse gases than the allocation. The problem is, permit allocation was not given out according to the size of the economy but rather, the allocation problem was solved by the wits of the diplomats. Therefore, some countries received more permits then it should have and more received too little.
If the Kyoto Protocol were to be ratified, Russia and Kazakhstan will gain profit by simply selling these permits. This is true due to the fall of the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR states) economy has no way of using all of its allocation, thus creating a surplus of profitable permits. Other countries like the US, hypothetically speaking, will have to buy from Russia so as to adhere to the Kyoto Protocol. Like what Victor said in his book, no country will sign a deal that merely enriches somebody else without doing something concrete in dealing with global warming.
One way or another, with or without permits, there are losers � somebody has to cover up the cost. Yet, if the Kyoto Protocol isn�t ratified in time, the cost of damage due to global warming and the subsequent climate change will be higher than the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol itself.
Given the options, isn�t it�s only logical to accept the least costly path?
For the sake of compromise, perhaps the Kyoto�s target could be lowered but sooner or later, the emission reduction must be done to avoid probably the costliest damage in modern Human history.
p/s - The __earthinc has been nominated for flyingchair.net's best Malaysian weblog.
Alright. Time to get aggressive. People of the world, vote for me at flyingchair.net. I know I wouldn't win but, hey, a bit of publicity wouldn't hurt!
If you love my site, vote me!
If you hate it, vote me!
If you are indifferent, vote me!
Vote me! :)
263
Ajax lost to Club Brugge in Belgium. It hurts to admit that Ajax didn�t qualify even for the UEFA Cup competition but nothing could be said or done now. Frustration could be seen in various Ajax�s forums. Even Escude couldn�t seem to cope with the fact that Ajax finished at the bottom below Celta and Club Brugge. Yet, among all the gloomy posts in the forum, one post by Vak425 says:
You are letting your heart rule your head on this one Jakobg - a team that loses 4 out of the 6 games plus doesnt manage a point in the last 3 games doesnt deserve to go through to the next round. Also remember the trouble we had getting past a small Austrian side in the preliminary round.
If we are looking for result that dumped us on our backsides, look no further than that Brugge win in Milan.
What was missing out there tonight was a leader and some experience of how to deal with the situation.
This team has not been firing on all cylinders this season - cannot understand why as it has such wonderful skillfull players throughout the team.
So the Class of 2003/04 was not up to the challenge - role on 2004/05 and Hup Ajax we love you.
What�s done is done and looking at the bright side, Ajax at least could concentrate on stretching their lead over PSV, Feyenoord and a whole lot of other Dutch clubs in the Eredivisie. Sigh�.
At least there�s still the Rose Bowl for the Wolverines.
p/s - The Green Party almost won the mayor post in San Francisco.
Ajax lost to Club Brugge in Belgium. It hurts to admit that Ajax didn�t qualify even for the UEFA Cup competition but nothing could be said or done now. Frustration could be seen in various Ajax�s forums. Even Escude couldn�t seem to cope with the fact that Ajax finished at the bottom below Celta and Club Brugge. Yet, among all the gloomy posts in the forum, one post by Vak425 says:You are letting your heart rule your head on this one Jakobg - a team that loses 4 out of the 6 games plus doesnt manage a point in the last 3 games doesnt deserve to go through to the next round. Also remember the trouble we had getting past a small Austrian side in the preliminary round.
If we are looking for result that dumped us on our backsides, look no further than that Brugge win in Milan.
What was missing out there tonight was a leader and some experience of how to deal with the situation.
This team has not been firing on all cylinders this season - cannot understand why as it has such wonderful skillfull players throughout the team.
So the Class of 2003/04 was not up to the challenge - role on 2004/05 and Hup Ajax we love you.
What�s done is done and looking at the bright side, Ajax at least could concentrate on stretching their lead over PSV, Feyenoord and a whole lot of other Dutch clubs in the Eredivisie. Sigh�.
At least there�s still the Rose Bowl for the Wolverines.
p/s - The Green Party almost won the mayor post in San Francisco.
262
The Trojans, unlucky enough to drop to third placing in the BCS, will be up against the Wolverines. Okay, let's make one point straight - no Pac 10 team could make a dent on any equivalent Big Ten team.
Why?
Let's face the fact. Pac10 is not as competitive as the Big Ten. If you observe the NCAA Football, there are 5 ranked teams in the Big Ten while Pac 10 has merely 2.
The Trojans, unlucky enough to drop to third placing in the BCS, will be up against the Wolverines. Okay, let's make one point straight - no Pac 10 team could make a dent on any equivalent Big Ten team.
Why?
Let's face the fact. Pac10 is not as competitive as the Big Ten. If you observe the NCAA Football, there are 5 ranked teams in the Big Ten while Pac 10 has merely 2.
261
OMG!
How could I forgot!
The __earthinc's second anniversary was six days ago! OMG!
To celebrate this, I've updated the Gallery further. Live long and... err... I mean May the Force be with me!
OMG!
How could I forgot!
The __earthinc's second anniversary was six days ago! OMG!
To celebrate this, I've updated the Gallery further. Live long and... err... I mean May the Force be with me!
260
St. Louis is a great city. It is not as large as New York or as dark as Detroit. The city is simply pleasant.
I stayed at Washington University, crashing in Teddy's place for three or four days. Teddy was a great host and yeah, his name is really Teddy as in teddy bear.
Before I describe the city, I would like to say a few words about the structures in Washington University, better known as Wash U. Some of the buildings are new but the focus here is the old ones. In the middle of the University, there's a huge field and the University's buildings concentrated around this open space. The architecture of the old buildings is impressive - it's sort of like University of Michigan own Law Quad - castle-like - though the feeling of being in Europe is essentially expanded throughout the whole academic campus. One particular work of art is the arch on the hill, facing a long avenue with trees on both side of the space. Again, it's like Michigan Engineering Arch down in West Hall though the size is doubled or at most tripled.
In contrast, St. Louis has a modern skyline.
Typical of American cities, St. Louis uses the grid system instead of a centralized one to plan out its city. Thus, walking around the cities street is actually a pleasant experience. There weren't many vehicles on the road though I must admit that I wandered around St. Louis a day after Thanksgiving. Therefore, my description about the traffic might be misleading.
St. Louis is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, facing the state of Illinois of which is situated directly across the river. There's a city called East St. Louis on the Illinois' side though it is no as high profile as Missouri's.
Traveling around the city is pretty easy. The city's satellites are connected to the downtown by a rail transit system. The rail transit is reliable. There's also a bus system but I didn't use it. However, judging from the frequency of the bus, I am sure it is efficient. The city is well connected by road. There are several long bridges crossing the Mississippi River. To sum it up, St. Louis has a pretty good transportation system. Important to note however, new visitors might want to avoid shitty cabs because they do charge more that usual. David and I experienced that first hand.
Like every main cities that I've visited so far, St. Louis has its own Union Station. Compared to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, St. Louis has a rather unique structure for its Union Station. From my travels to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, the Union Station has the reputation of being a grand old building with the primary function to serve the respective city's transportation needs. St. Louis' on the other hand is a recognizable metal structure. It's almost like a huge warehouse or hangar minus the walls. It's more like a really big gazebo.
From far, the Union Station looked like the city of Detroit - rusty and poorly lit. Inside however, its rocking like it's 1999. About half or a quarter, of the Union Station is occupied by a shopping complex. The term shopping complex might be an exaggeration but the complex is full of shops selling various souvenirs. Also, there's an interesting bakery. The bakery is unique because not only you could buy its tasteful product, entertainment is also provided.
Typical Union Stations like I said earlier is a grand old structure. Perhaps St. Louis' had undergone renovation as inside, there's the Hyatt Hotel. The hotel is adorned with impressive work of art. I was further informed by Teddy that St. Louis Union Station used to be the busiest railways station in the world.
And of course, St. Louis is famous for its Gateway Arch. The Arch itself stands normally aligned to the east-west line. It's to symbolize the west as St. Louis is closely related to Lewis and Clack's famous expedition to the west immediately after the Louisiana Purchase. The Mississippi is about 50 meters away from the Arch's base.
Nearby, an old building is erected facing the Arch. A park is also present. The only disappointing thing about it is the fact that an ugly factory exists directly on the other side of the river.
The city itself is very open. Among the tall buildings, there is a sort of boulevard starting from the Arch and almost all the way across the city. The city prominent old public structure all aligned to face this boulevard.
Finally, the city skyline is pretty normal from the west. Nothing impressive but the Union Station and a stadium of which I can't recall its name stands out. From the east, the Arch is the eye catcher.
The nightlife is somewhat happening. I gave a place called the Loop a visit and there were many people there even a few days after Thanksgiving. I would imagine the place is packed with people during normal weekends. The Loop however is not the city itself but rather, a hangout place for college students, much like Ann Arbor's South U St. For food, St. Louis does offer great choices. I ate dinner with some friends at a Siamese restaurant and damn the food is good. It also has teh tarik! Additionally, I was told that a must try in St. Louis is its root beer. I tasted it but unfortunately, there was nothing great about it though at the price it was sold, it was definitely a huge glass.
Anyway, I hope that wrap up my review of St. Louis. To cut things short, I would like St. Louis if I had grown up there. It's not too big and it's too small. It's just nice for person who wants a quiet life without leaving civilization.
All photos will be made available once somebody get his ass to work. :)
And before I make love with my bed, I would like to say thank you to Teddy for a warm treatment in St. Louis, to Ray for thinking that I could speak Chinese and finally to David for giving me a choice to have fun in St. Louis or to rot in the overrated Annarbour (pardon for the spelling. AAIO has a bad influence on me).
St. Louis is a great city. It is not as large as New York or as dark as Detroit. The city is simply pleasant.
I stayed at Washington University, crashing in Teddy's place for three or four days. Teddy was a great host and yeah, his name is really Teddy as in teddy bear.
Before I describe the city, I would like to say a few words about the structures in Washington University, better known as Wash U. Some of the buildings are new but the focus here is the old ones. In the middle of the University, there's a huge field and the University's buildings concentrated around this open space. The architecture of the old buildings is impressive - it's sort of like University of Michigan own Law Quad - castle-like - though the feeling of being in Europe is essentially expanded throughout the whole academic campus. One particular work of art is the arch on the hill, facing a long avenue with trees on both side of the space. Again, it's like Michigan Engineering Arch down in West Hall though the size is doubled or at most tripled.
In contrast, St. Louis has a modern skyline.
Typical of American cities, St. Louis uses the grid system instead of a centralized one to plan out its city. Thus, walking around the cities street is actually a pleasant experience. There weren't many vehicles on the road though I must admit that I wandered around St. Louis a day after Thanksgiving. Therefore, my description about the traffic might be misleading.
St. Louis is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, facing the state of Illinois of which is situated directly across the river. There's a city called East St. Louis on the Illinois' side though it is no as high profile as Missouri's.
Traveling around the city is pretty easy. The city's satellites are connected to the downtown by a rail transit system. The rail transit is reliable. There's also a bus system but I didn't use it. However, judging from the frequency of the bus, I am sure it is efficient. The city is well connected by road. There are several long bridges crossing the Mississippi River. To sum it up, St. Louis has a pretty good transportation system. Important to note however, new visitors might want to avoid shitty cabs because they do charge more that usual. David and I experienced that first hand.
Like every main cities that I've visited so far, St. Louis has its own Union Station. Compared to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, St. Louis has a rather unique structure for its Union Station. From my travels to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, the Union Station has the reputation of being a grand old building with the primary function to serve the respective city's transportation needs. St. Louis' on the other hand is a recognizable metal structure. It's almost like a huge warehouse or hangar minus the walls. It's more like a really big gazebo.
From far, the Union Station looked like the city of Detroit - rusty and poorly lit. Inside however, its rocking like it's 1999. About half or a quarter, of the Union Station is occupied by a shopping complex. The term shopping complex might be an exaggeration but the complex is full of shops selling various souvenirs. Also, there's an interesting bakery. The bakery is unique because not only you could buy its tasteful product, entertainment is also provided.
Typical Union Stations like I said earlier is a grand old structure. Perhaps St. Louis' had undergone renovation as inside, there's the Hyatt Hotel. The hotel is adorned with impressive work of art. I was further informed by Teddy that St. Louis Union Station used to be the busiest railways station in the world.
And of course, St. Louis is famous for its Gateway Arch. The Arch itself stands normally aligned to the east-west line. It's to symbolize the west as St. Louis is closely related to Lewis and Clack's famous expedition to the west immediately after the Louisiana Purchase. The Mississippi is about 50 meters away from the Arch's base.
Nearby, an old building is erected facing the Arch. A park is also present. The only disappointing thing about it is the fact that an ugly factory exists directly on the other side of the river.
The city itself is very open. Among the tall buildings, there is a sort of boulevard starting from the Arch and almost all the way across the city. The city prominent old public structure all aligned to face this boulevard.
Finally, the city skyline is pretty normal from the west. Nothing impressive but the Union Station and a stadium of which I can't recall its name stands out. From the east, the Arch is the eye catcher.
The nightlife is somewhat happening. I gave a place called the Loop a visit and there were many people there even a few days after Thanksgiving. I would imagine the place is packed with people during normal weekends. The Loop however is not the city itself but rather, a hangout place for college students, much like Ann Arbor's South U St. For food, St. Louis does offer great choices. I ate dinner with some friends at a Siamese restaurant and damn the food is good. It also has teh tarik! Additionally, I was told that a must try in St. Louis is its root beer. I tasted it but unfortunately, there was nothing great about it though at the price it was sold, it was definitely a huge glass.
Anyway, I hope that wrap up my review of St. Louis. To cut things short, I would like St. Louis if I had grown up there. It's not too big and it's too small. It's just nice for person who wants a quiet life without leaving civilization.
All photos will be made available once somebody get his ass to work. :)
And before I make love with my bed, I would like to say thank you to Teddy for a warm treatment in St. Louis, to Ray for thinking that I could speak Chinese and finally to David for giving me a choice to have fun in St. Louis or to rot in the overrated Annarbour (pardon for the spelling. AAIO has a bad influence on me).
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Malaysia, the center of the world software piracy. Proof - MS Longhorn has been released in the street of Johore Bahru. Of course, the OS is still under the alpha version, yet to be completed.
The only answer to piracy is Linux - the open source OS.
p/s - Russia has finally, unofficially refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. It's disappointing but not surprising. However, it's not a formal no yet. So things might be brighter than it seems to be. But then sadly, as the author of EnviroSpin Watch has put it, "The politics are even more complex than the science!"
pp/s - My sister has received admittance into the University of Adelaide, Australia. Yea! If I'm going to the World Solar Challenge in 2005, I have a place to stay!
Malaysia, the center of the world software piracy. Proof - MS Longhorn has been released in the street of Johore Bahru. Of course, the OS is still under the alpha version, yet to be completed.
The only answer to piracy is Linux - the open source OS.
p/s - Russia has finally, unofficially refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. It's disappointing but not surprising. However, it's not a formal no yet. So things might be brighter than it seems to be. But then sadly, as the author of EnviroSpin Watch has put it, "The politics are even more complex than the science!"
pp/s - My sister has received admittance into the University of Adelaide, Australia. Yea! If I'm going to the World Solar Challenge in 2005, I have a place to stay!
