Saturday, August 15, 2009

Uncertainty


Considering that August is halfway through, I decided that today might be a good day to write a blog post so that I don't fall behind on by 2 posts per month average.

I still have not heard anything from Humboldt regarding my application for a Master's program, which would begin in October. I check the mailbox daily. I have been informed that I should receive my answer sometime in August, so this means that I've got no more than 2 more weeks until I find out.

At first my patience was holding rather strong. A few weeks ago I received an email from the application company saying that I was qualified to apply, and that my application would be sent on to Humboldt for further processing. (Foreigners here must apply through a third-party. I am not sure why, I suppose the schools themselves do not want to waste their time with foreigners who don't even come close to making the grade.) At first I thought this email itself WAS my acceptance. But upon closer inspection, I discovered that it was like a pre-acceptance.

I wrote in a previous blog post... that if I was not accepted to Humboldt, that I will just get a job, retake the TestDaF, and try again next semester. This is still my backup plan.

But what is really getting to me now, is the uncertainty. I suppose I should attempt to be more willing to "go with the flow," and submit myself to the fact that I have no real control over what will happen.

Whatever happens, things do need to change. I am getting tired of having no enforced structure on my life. My permanent vacation has become my reality. I have no need to wake up early, or to do much of anything really. Many motivated friends of mine would simply implement their own routine and try to follow it as best as possible. I suppose I could do the same. Why don't I? Or rather, why do I find it so difficult?


I have been keeping up with American current events. It seems like the country is going insane with these "Town Hall" meetings. I've watched a few of them on YouTube. The "birther" movement is a new mutation of right-wing fringe madness. Despite being dismissed by the chairman of the RNC, as well as even many of the Fox News pundits... People are actually saying that Obama was not actually born in Hawaii, but Kenya instead? Wouldn't such a ridiculous "smoking gun" have been vetted by his opponents and critics like 2 years ago? I do not understand how misinformation and patent stupidity could actually be so contagious.

Fanning the flames of ignorance and hatred are certainly not new developments in our society. Not at all. But at the same time, I have heard from adults who honestly believe Glenn Beck's claim that Obama has set up FEMA concentration camps for those who disagree with Obama. America may have a lot of problems... but is not following in the footsteps of Cuba or Nazi Germany or Stalinist USSR when it comes to rounding up political dissidents and throwing them in prison. What a preposterous claim!

While being as pretty far away from conversative/republican as is possible... I certainly support their right to exist and to disagree with the me. I've googled things like "political prisoners in america" and weeded my way through various hate-mongering message boards. I usually try to stay away from such websites, but I was curious. I wish I hadn't bothered to look. The internet can be a scary place, sometimes.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Actually, Glenn Beck was debunking the myth of FEMA camps, not saying they existed. Fringe madness exists on both sides of the political fence, and the left has pushed that story like crazy even thought it holds no truth.

Did you know that Obama has never released his birth certificate? Only Proof of Live Birth. This is what keeps the "birthers" going. Hell, it's not like there weren't crazy conspiracies about Bush (tons of them), so this isn't something new.

sammyblade said...

Lee,

Oh. I just saw some YouTube clip of Glenn Beck talking about it, followed by a bunch of comments talking about the FEMA camps. A friend of mine's mother believes that there is such a camp in Anchorage, Alaska with over 2 million prisoners. I am not making this up.

It is absolutely true that fringe madness exists on both sides, without a doubt. You know, I listened to Glenn Beck back when he was only on the radio (circa 2003-2004?) and he was much more "moderate" than he seems to be now. It's almost like he is a different person. But hey, he's a big star now.

There were, of course, word of mouth Bush stories. Cocaine, DUIs, C's in college, staying in the states during Vietnam... to name a few. But... I think some of those were true. And none of those things preclude him from holding office.

I saw some clip of Bill O'Reilly (who I would otherwise never watch) saying that the "birthers" are whacky. I am glad that they are not the majority of the right (perhaps only the loudest?) because it really distracts people from actual discourse on actual issues that matter (health care, etc.)

In closing, thanks for posting, bro! Phi Pi!

Anonymous said...

Samwell,

Do you watch the Daily Show online in Germany? There was a really funny clip from the 13th or 14th of Glenn Beck from when he was on CNN complaining about how horrible the U.S. health care system is immediately followed by a clip of him 16 months later on Fox saying how we'd be idiots to change the health care system in the U.S., because it's the best in the world.

As for left/right madness, I'll take crazy "left" over crazy "right" any day of the week. Crazy "left" might net you a vegan member of PETA - crazy "right" gets you assault weapons and abortion doctor killing.