More Field Trip Pictures

Sorry! It's been a hectic week (or however long it's been since I last updated). No time to talk now--I have to get to bed--but here are some of the better pictures I took before, during and after the walk. The next update I'll include a few pictures from my end-of-the-day bike ride along the coast of Taiwan. But for now, please to enjoy the following, compiled in chronological order.





























Yes, those are two separate temples. We didn't go full-circle or anything.

CNN and Facebook Made Me Care

Good thing Obama won. I'd say I followed this election more than any other and believed, like most, that America's future hinged on the outcome. It's undoubtedly wishful thinking--the president should not play that big of a role--but at least symbolically that is how I have felt. Thank God I was vindicated. In light of some people's opinions I have copied something I posted on my Facebook here. I think these quotes need to be seen by as large an audience as possible to really drive home just how clueless some people really are.

Please to forgive the language.

Some quality dipshit statuses re: presidential election:
"I am disheartened with the youth of today."
"I am spreading the wealth, so those who want a knuckle sandwich for voting for President Hussein please come forth, and I will share."
"Everyone move your money into offshore accounts ASAP."
"I am now a sad panda."

I will update this list should more of my Facebook Friends decide to come forth as intellectual lightweights who believed--and probably still believe--an old, decrepit man who ran a campaign overflowing with smear tactics and chose a fundie whackjob for a running mate represented an agent of change and the best choice for America; and as they expess only the most infantile of notions regarding Obama's tax plan and probably still believe trickle-down economics is a viable economic system/strategy. When we are in a recession, when our infrastructure requires a great deal of maintenance, when a large percentage of citizens lack decent health care, when unemployment continues to rise, when our education system is bunk, when we continue to support a war in Iraq and Afghanistan, when our place at the forefront of scientific research has been marginalized, when America needs money more than ever, these select few supported the guy who would decrease government revenue. Period. Not the one who would cut them (the majority of America) a break and increase government revenue (hmm, maybe revenue is the wrong word...) by increasing taxes only among the upper 5% of Americans. And they continue to support him, using their status to symbolize how very wrong they were, are, and will continue to be.

And if they think tax hikes for rich people will affect said rich people's businesses and business ventures, they need to really, truly and completely shove off.

This election was nothing but a farce, and those who honestly support(ed) McCain-Palin after every stupid decision, ill-conceived plan, moronic strategy and cringe-worthy interview these two and their party gave are the poop-stained smudge on what is otherwise a bright, shining beacon of (potential) change and fresh air.

In short, fuck the haters.