Spain Wins Euro 2008

Spain won Euro 2008 in a so-so match against returning finalist Germany. Germany had weak defenses and offenses, resulting in a 1-0 victory for Spain.

Streetsblog: David Gantt

This time, the MTA is not too blame for screwing over its riders. Streetsblog writes about how the transportation committee's chairman in the New York State Assembly screwed over New York City's attempts to enforce a new bus rapid transit program. The defeated bill, which would have allocated money to the MTA to install cameras onto the rear of special buses to enforce bus rapid transit, which was a proposed plan to offer faster transit on the surface. Alhough the MTA has a knack for these upgrade programs taking longer than anticipated and ending up costing more than planned for, at least there could have been a source of money to begin with. Some critics say that Gantt's moves were fueled by the city not using the technology products of a good friend of his. This follows another devastating blow to the NYC transportation system and economy of the whole state; the defeat of congestion pricing a few months earlier.

>>>Streetsblog: How David Gantt Sent Bus Cameras to Defeat in Albany

Motivation for the Unmotivated

After watching Black20's most recent News video on Youtube where it talked about Despair, Inc., I went on the company's site and found an amusing collection of motivational (or unmotivational) products. It satirizes encouragements in the workplace and in life.

>>>Despair, Inc.

In Denial

A day after my high school graduation, I still cannot seem to accept the notion that I have officially graduated. When I went to congratulate my friends and take pictures yesterday evening, as well as in collecting yearbook signatures during the last few days of school, it felt as if I would see them again next fall. It's not like I will not miss them, I will; I just subconsciously persuade myself to think that nothing is changing, perhaps because it will be too much for me to bear if I acknowledge that I will be away from most of my friends later on.

On the other hand, graduation was kind of fun. Ira Glass, whom I had never heard of, put a nice spin on a momentous occasion. He poked fun at Stuyvesant, told stories, related some interesting stories that occurred in our four years* and, of course, congratulated us. Although, he left right after the salutatorian spoke, in the middle of the ceremony, which I took as rude. Oh, and Lincoln Center was under some heavy renovations, which ruined many of the nice photo ops.

* He said that the one thing most students he interviewed remember the fondest was "Happy Birthday Tanisha," a message on the digital message board facing our courtyard which had been there since the end of freshmen through senior year because "no one could figure out how to change it." The entire student body erupted in laughter at this joke.

GOP Gives Oil Companies $ While Screwing Alt Energy

The AP reported that Senate Republicans voted to block an effort by the Democrats to tax oil companies for having a "wind-fall profits tax" whenever they make excessive profits. They claimed that the five largest oil companies in the US do not control world gas prices and taxing them would discourage domestic production. I am not completely sure if I support a profits tax, but if it had passed and if the money raised would have gone to support alternative energy research, then I would have been even happier. But the GOP also blocked a plan that would extend tax breaks for Alt Energy research that are set to expire soon. A double whammy for consumers and the environment!

>>>Yahoo!/AP-Senate GOP blocks windfall taxes on Big Oil

Prom was Awesome

My school's prom at the Waldorf-Astoria last night was AWESOME!!! Alright, the food was not that great-some snacks at the reception, followed by a garden salad as an appetizer and then some mixed vegetables and a roasted chicken breast. We barely got any desserts for our table. But the best part was the dancing and the music. Over 475 people were present for the best party ever! Some highlights: impromptu break dancing and a repeat of some my friends' performance (NSync's (Bye Bye Bye") from an act in our school's Senior Talent Show. Lasted for four hours from 8 till 12 and lots of great moments!