The Agrinautica

Thursday I hung out with Carissa and we explored local labyrinthine edifice The Social Science Building, known endearingly as "The Death Star."

   That evening I went to the ASUCD Senate meeting. It was dominated by an extensive debate about whether or not the Senate should pass a resolution urging local businesses not to accept advertising from cigarette companies (or something along those lines). I just listened for logical fallacies in the arguments and desisted from participating. I got on the speakers list during public discussion at the end, but the Senate adjourned before I could speak. I might mention some of my thoughts next week.
   Of particular note though, I was very disappointed in the way more than one senator summarily rejected the comparisons the "pro-smoking" Focite senators (particularly mini-Kalen) were making to alcohol, simply because they said the two things were "different." This you see, was "political correctness" in action. You probably don't think of being anti-smoking as being "politically correct," because it seems like an obvious thing to many people, but when one won't even listen to the arguments against alcohol because you know smoking is condemnable but drinking isn't so much, thats where you're letting PC guide your actions. PC makes taking certain stances condemnable and leads to less intelligent discussion and a generally undesirable political environment (though at the time one will probably not notice if one is themself on the PC train). Don't get me wrong, I am for the gradual elimination of smoking from society, and am against similar treatment of alcohol, but the summary refusal to entertain the Focite proposal offended me.
   Eventually the resolution passed with Rob Roy flipping a coin to decide the crucial vote (video footage!).

Friday I went to Murder Burger for lunch with Roxie and her friend (Molly?). We saw turtles in Putah Creek and Kalen Gallaghers at Murder Burger (along with Kalen's "hetero lifemate," Behzad).

Friday night: see Pledging. Also saw The Motorcycle Diaries with Kritsy and Sashie. Its about Che Guevara before he became a radical revolutionary.

Saturday morning I took the Foreign Service Written Examination (FSWE). A six hour test designed to see if your hand has the endurance necessary to process paperwork while under fire in third world kleptocracies while advocating US policy (from a cubicle). Also Azver was there.


Pledging
   Monday night we had our first pledge meeting and informed of everything about the process. Wednesday night we met our "big sibs." Mine is a girl I've known for awhile, she was a Senate reporter for KDVS like two years ago I think. I escaped early though because I needed to put together a presentation in Swedish that I had to give the next morning.
   Friday night we had casino night, which I thought was cool because I have no idea how to play poker but would like to learn where money isn't on the line - as in this case. I've found my lack of understanding can almost be advantagious, since obliviousness to the value of ones cards leads to a perfect poker face. At one point I beat someone who had a flush with a better flush, causing them to exclaim "he plays a flush just like a low pair, its insane!!" Fact is though, that I hadn't even looked at my cards until I turned them over. (=
   After a glorious winning streak however, people nickle and dimed me to death until I was only up 12 points.


Picture of the Day