Northwestern Revisited

It is awesome experience to bring your child back to your alma mater.

20 years ago I was there as a freshman. If things are to change many times in a decade, let's double that amount of changes for 2 decades. There are quite a few new buildings made within the 20 years... the main parking lot is unpleasantly chopped to make place for one... and there are few more buildings (some are architecturally not so pleasant) are blocking some once-clear views. Those building climbing plants have gone out of control, devouring a lot more percentages of the surface area of some buildings.

Norris Student Center was my favorite hangout place. I walked by the lagoon, studied there, and banged on the video games when I get bored. What happened to the grass near the lagoon? It seems like no one mows that weed that is at least 3 feet high! Inside the Norris Center... oh my gosh, what happened to the nice furniture? It is now replaced by cheap cheap plastic chairs. What happened to the neon light "1999"? At 1990, 1999 seemed to be a very distant future.

"Look, daddy attended school here" is not so comprehensible to my son now. Here, proudly wear this toddler T-shirt bought at the student center.

Write Your Alderman

Dear Alderman:

Someone encouraged me to write you to show some concern about some budget cuts for the public library.
Details here.

Sorry, I live under the rock here I don't even know who you are.

I found a list of alderman here but I am not even sure what ward I am in.

I went to the city's website that is supposed to a map here but all I see is a blank page. Now it isn't that difficult to program google maps perhaps you should consider hiring me for fixing it first.

-A Concerned Citizen

I am saddened about China

A two-year old got hit-and-run in China, twice, a dozen+ people ignored.
Details here

The article says "Internet users have flooded microblogs decrying the apathy of the people who left her for dead." Ok, I am going to make that number++

This is OUTRAGEOUS.

Add that to the list of fake milk powder, poor railroad accident rescue efforts and other scandals.

China has become a world of me-me-me-first. Good Samaritan laws should be set NOW. Oh, good Samaritans are blamed and fined? Now that's outrageous. At least call the police, ok?

Throw stones at those who ignored the poor kid like they do to each other during the Cultural Revolution!

The prime minister or the president ought to say a thing or two about this incident.

China still has a LOT to work on despite its economic growth.

Cancer Awareness Month

You may have seen pink ribbons every where. Yes it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
You have succeeded in making me aware.

But look, this is even on Parking Meters!


Is the city donating some money on every quarter I put in that thing? Don't put a ribbon there if the city is not going to.

The parking meters eat more money than laundry machines during my college years or video games I played. Ouch.

Yes, breast cancer is horrible and we are well aware. But other cancers deserve some attention too.

Apple should donate some money to pancreatic cancer (or all forms of cancer) research on every new iPhone, iPad, iWhatever it sells. That will generate a ton of money.

But yikes, are the money put in good use? or poured into the fat pocket of drug companies?

Occupy Wall Street

Alas, a lot of people are suffering, and are occupying the Wall Street.

See some stories they have to tell here.

People have lost jobs, can't find new work, can't afford the house they have,  can't pay the bills, etc. Everyone has their story to tell.


I question any use of occupying Wall Street... just what do you want them to do? Empty their wallets and distribute their fortunes to you?

Many folks are college grads terrified by not able to find work with loans on their back. Yes I see your concern.  Many now question whether going to college is worth it. Let me tell you this: if you have a chance to go college and you don't go your chance of getting work is even more grim. Go to college to learn something. Go to a vocation school (such as fixing air conditioners or CTA tracks) if a job is all you have in mind. I think education should not be so focus on job.

It is perhaps more effective to occupy college tuition collection departments to demand lower tuition or ditch it for public universities?

It is perhaps more effective to occupy Washington(!) to lower that income tax.


Rather than begging for jobs that are so hard to find, sometimes I think there should be more spawning new business. Start with humble hotdog stands, burger shops, chop suey house... how about barbershop, grocery store?


For those who can write a program or two, show what you can do for $20 an hour while some shops charge $100+ (and pay programmers overseas $10).  Yes, I know those silly people won't listen to you.

Politicians: if you can meet some demands you win 99% of votes. Even the most powerful rich people can only give you one vote each.

So, 99%... go ahead, vent your frustration, but please not for too long. Actively seek your next possible moves. Good luck.