Darth_Rob

I think its on your end. I use Firefox all the time, and Im always logged in automatically. I dunno how to fix that though on your end.

Horrible hockey accident from last night Thankfully he is going to be ok

Not really. Though Im sure it will be one of the primordialist views, since Im dealing with Russia. The first people of Russia started way back in the the day, and their original establishment of Kieven Rus could definitely be argued as the beginnings of a nation. Im probably gonna browse through my notes from last semester's Tsarist Russia class and look more into Russia's beginning history. But yeah, Im thinking one of those approaches.

Unbreakable was awesome. I didnt realize it was his work until much later.

Another thing I thought about in that respect was Native Americans. They were called "nations", and they had separate political and territorial entities, and each one tended to have a different culture. They all had different languages, and their geography directly affected each tribes culture. I consider them nations also.

I agree with that also. I liked Signs, but the Village was lame. Then he came out with Lady in the Water, which was the worst. I guess he's getting worse and worse...

I just noticed that JH hasn't been around for over a month.

I totally agree with that. The sound was amazing!

The relationship between nationalism and nations is sort of like the "chicken and the egg" debate", as to which came first. You can say that nationalism does, because a true nation cannot be created unless the people want it to, and have a desire to be labeled together. But on the other hand, one can argue that certain elites can create a nation first, and then work on creating programs which promote nationalistic sentiment from the people living there. Anywho, I still have to select the theory which I most agree with, and then apply it to the creation of Russia as a nation for my research paper. So I can say that Russia was a nation when the tribes living in that area inviting the Vagarians to rule over them, or I can say it became a nation when Peter I started his massive "modernization" program, or I can mention other key events in Russia's history and say that this is when Russia first became considered a nation. It all depends on which of these theories I decide to follow for the purposes of the paper.

You've been slacking SOCL. I called that back in August...

Never heard of it before. Is it a game you would purchase in a store, like a box of chess or checkers, or is it a custom game made from other game pieces?

Why follow one? Why not dub them both as - say - aspect of tsarist Russia? I dunno. I think he wants the class to get into a debate, and have us pick a side, and then a theory from that side. Its something I have to get together soon. Its all so crazy, because most of them make at least some sort of sense.

Exactly. I definitely think the concept of a set territory along with an established government is necessary. But as for the people and culture, that is not one of them. There are many nations today that are multi-ethnic. Just look at the US. We have so many different cultures here, and depending on where in the country you are, you will find people who do not speak English, but just Spanish or another language.

Its pretty cool Mad. It just seems more...white. Like with the buttons and stuff. And the text is a bit different. It will probably take getting used to, but Im sure its for the best in the end. Time marches on and such like that. Edit: Our information is "hidden". I dont know if thats intentional or not. Like, our post count and date joined. Edit2: I saw, particularly in Eagles posts, that when he uses the ' sign, as in the word "don't", the ' becomes a "A". Im not sure if thats due to his connection over in the Land of Chocolate or not. Ok, Im done being nit-picky.

So Im taking a class this semester titled "Nations and Nationalism". Basically, theres eight of us and the professor sitting around and trying to define what a nation actually is. Eventually we will try and use these theories to determine which one best fits the rise of tsarist Russia (very early on, before Soviet Union). There are a ton of different theories on what a nation is, and I'll link some sites here for your own reading, if interested. Stanford University Wikipedia Now basically there are two main schools of thought, each with its own branchings of more defined thought. The first is primordialist, and they believe that nations have always been around, since the dawn of time. The people were always there, and it is inevitable that that nation would be formed where it is with those people. The other school of thought is modernist, and they believe that nations (and the idea of nationalism- having pride in your nation, believing in your nation) are a relatively new idea. While there are different ideas within the modernest school of thought, most believe that the first "true" nation, was France in the early 1800s, after the Revolution. Right now, Im not sure which school of thought I follow. The modernist one makes a lot of sense, with the idea that enlightened elites stepped up and helped mold/create the nation. However, then I think about Rome, and I cant help but think of it as a nation. I mean, it had a culture, military, organized state, language, set territory...its a nation if you ask me. It even had elites who helped create it (such as the myth of Romulus and Remus) and instill nationalism in the people. But I cant help but think something isn't right about that feeling, because the majority of historians hold a modernist theory. So how can they discount Rome? I mean, the people were there a long time ago, and are still there today. This class is insane. I never even thought about what makes a nation a nation, and took it for granted, I guess. But there are just so many ideas out there, so many definitions...it blows my mind. However, it is a really interesting class, and Im glad I put in the extra effort to take it this semester instead of a lower-lever history course that wouldn't be as interesting, or thought-provoking.

Double post, but for a good cause. I saw Cloverfield today...by myself. It wasnt as bad as I expected because it was only me and some other guy by himself in the theater, so I didnt feel as lame. The movie was freakin awesome! I really, REALLY enjoyed it, and was very glad that I had made the extra effort to see the movie in the theater. The sound was awesome, and the visuals were...also awesome. The way it was filmed was very cool. I didnt really have much to say in the way of picking it apart. It just seemed to be as realistic a monster movie as can be. Super awesome!!!

Here is the results from "Super Tuesday". It appears that McCain is the clear Republican winner, while it is still a toss-up between Clinton and Obama. My personal feelings on the matter is that whoever wins the Democratic primary is gonna be the next president. Even though I am a Republican, I don't think they will win. The nation is fed up with President Bush, and they will take it out on his party. The people want change, and want to look to outside forces. Its history repeating itself. Look at Nixon's Presidency. After he resigned due to Watergate, Ford took over. When Ford ran for re-election, he lost to the peanut farmer Jimmy Carter, because many people connected Nixon with the rest of the Republican party. I feel it will happen again this year. Dont get me wrong, I will be voting for McCain. But I will be more than happy if Obama wins. I just dont want Clinton winning. Everyone knows I believe she is the anti-Christ. I just feel she is way to ambitious. Shes been planning for this since 1992, and that scares the hell out of me. Im not sexist, and I have no problem with there being a woman President, its just that I have a total disdain for "Hellary". So I am just hoping that Obama has what it takes in the end to take her down...

Yeah, I work til 3 on Wednesday, so I'll most probably go then by myself. I'll just have to suck it up.

It was an awesome Superbowl party. I must admit I was never as wasted as I was last night. Good times. While we're on the subject of sports, what does everyone like to watch professionally? As for me, give me the NHL (National Hockey League) anyday.

That's a secret that only a few fellows here know about... muahahahahahaha!!!!!

So far, I prefer the Gamecube one. The Wii game is a sequel to the Gamecube one, so you definitely want to play Gamecube first. Plus the story is more fluid, because the Wii one is broken into several different chapters where you control various different parties who come together at the end of the game. I also found the Wii game to be much more difficult than the Gamecube game.

I'll be seeing Cloverfield this week at some point. Im trying to get some guys to go with me tomorrow night after class, and if not, I will see it by myself on Wednesday. Has anyone else ever gone to the movies by themselves?

I honestly missed the entire game. I was in the bathroom by 6:15, and woke up around 10 when everyone started going nuts when they realized the Giants were gonna win. However, I was coherent enough for the Rangers game, where they crushed the Canadians 5-3. I was happy. Their playoff chances are looking better now that they won the last three games.

Hey man, Im as Italian as a...I dunno. But I guarantee I am. Just look at my last name, man. That should say enough.

I dont know if anyone has ever played any of the Fire Emblem games on Nintendo systems, but they are great. Its a tactical RPG that is extremely challenging based on the fact that characters cannot be resurrected if happen to die. Theres no churches or phoenix downs or anything of that nature. So you find yourself replaying battles over and over again just to ensure your entire party survives. I first played the one for the Gamecube and completed it, and now Im working on the Wii one. I just recently found out there were two more released in America (I think 4-5 others are Japan exclusives) on the GBA, so I gotta start checking out used game bins for that. So if you like tactical RPGs and have a GameBoy Advance, Gamecube, or Wii, check this series out. Its sweet.