Sunday May 10th

Salutations,
It's Sunday and the last weekend of my sophomore year is ending. As a very wise person once said, we have reached the end of the beginning, and the beginning of the end. This midpoint of my college career is saddening, mostly because it means that I have to deal with responsibility, jobs, and the real world. However, International Relations 210, the course that has proven to be one of the more difficult endeavors that I have undertaken in my college career or perhaps life, is days from coming to a close. And for this, I am grateful. But more pressing matters are at hand. And that brings us to today's Daily Topic: TRAINS



When I chose this topic six minutes ago, I landed on trains because on May 10th 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. However, in my research I discovered that yesterday was...NATIONAL TRAIN DAY. Unbelievable. How could I have missed one of my favorite holidays? I'll tell you how. Last year, Train Day was held on May 10th. This year, Amtrak's declared national holiday was held a day earlier, completely destroying celebration plans for dedicated train enthusiasts like myself. In any event, since I wasn't able to partake in this year's celebrations, I'll give you some of the highlights from last year. In Washington D.C., celebrations included appearances by Al Roker and a performance by Sara Bareilles (I don't know who that is). In Penn Station, there was a performance by the Harlem Globetrotters. Because what better way to celebrate trains than by assaulting commuters with basketballs? In all, Amtrak spent $2.2 million in last year's celebrations. Which made celebrations for this year difficult as they had to spend the last year recovering from their $2 million debt. However, should we be celebrating our American trains? The answer: NO. Of all of the industrialized countries, the United States has the least developed train system. While the United States' fastest train has a measly top speed of 150 mph, Spain, France and China offer services with trains at speeds over 200 mph. Additionally, China has a magnetic levitation train possible of attaining speeds over 260 mph and Japan's maglev train that is in development has topped out at an astonishing 360 mph in testing. So Amtrak, as much as it pains me to say it, maybe you should save your money and make some cooler trains instead.
Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins Won,
-ROF

Daily Food: Spicy Shrimp Sushi

Daily Activity: IR 210 Study Group

Daily Song: Rasta Courage - Soldiers of Jah Army

Daily Attire: Buttondowns

Daily News Everyone Should Care About: Shaky Pakistan Is Seen as a Target of Plots by Al Qaeda

Daily News No One Should Care About: Saudi Judge: It's Okay to Slap Spendthrift Wives

Daily Life Goal: Travel 360 Miles an Hour by Train

Daily Complaint: USC Sports Choking in Championship Matches

Daily Drink: Frozen Dr. Pepper

Daily Studies: Environmental Scarcity

Daily Movie: none