On hobbies / Some links / Not that bad

The intellect does not grasp itself as longs as it remains isolated in itself. Ernst Cassirer

On hobbies

I have some hobbies.

• Writing this blog. For your enjoyment, for my memory.
• Reading.
• Playing pinball. It is cheaper than snooker, does not require (but benefits from) company, requires total concentration, and alertness. Just like, e.g., shooting.
• Cycling, but my bike is in Boston. Pity.
• Traveling, for which I do not have enough money right now. Pity.

Some links

Some articles I read today.

• John Brown has written 11 questions to Mr. Bush. In vain, of course, for Mr. Bush famously does not even read CIA briefings. Good and relevant questions though. Juan Cole writes also bitterly on Mr. Bush and Mr. Laden.

  In another reminder that George W. Bush has still not caught the man responsible for September 11, while he has mired tends of thousands of US troops in an unrelated Iraq quagmire, the murderous lunatic Usamah Bin Laden spoke again on Sunday. I don't know how Bush lives with himself. He has squandered 5 years of unparalleled power and opportunities, and has nothing to show for it but national bankruptcy and national humiliation.

• Arthur Schlesinger writes on the remaining 1000 days of the Bush administration and gives a good reason to oppose preventive war on presidential judgement.
• Sebastian Mallaby explains and why the Asian countries will not let their currencies appreciate.. They learned their lesson the hard way a while ago. Without large surpluses they would be at mercy of speculators.
• The White House claims that the Al-Qaede is on the run, while bin Laden releases new tapes. Running man records.
• Max Kampelman writes wisely on the need for nuclear disarmament and that the USA should lead the way.

Not that bad

A good day, actually. I got things done at work (had things to do and did them!), walked back to Helsinki by the sea, threw stones to the sea, watched birds, and happy couples chatting etc on the shore. Took a tram back to the center, had coffee, did some research on energy systems (there is a major system without a written history), played some pinball, walked back home with S, wrote. Kind of ordinary, but still excellent. And the weather was just fabulous: 10C, sunny, calm.

Alun perin julkaistu kuukausikoosteessa "Blogs March to June 2006".