Defense (clap clap) defense

So I have my thesis defense tomorrow....Ya a 30 minute presentation and then a whole bunch of questions to make sure that I actually know what I am talking about. Its weird, the more school that I take the less I feel I know about anything, let alone what I am supposed to be an "expert" about. For those of you who don't have a clue what I have been doing I will give ya a quick run down. My thesis is looking at the reasons why there are company takeovers, and how company's perform afterwards in Europe from 1997-2004. Europe is quite interesting because as a whole, the economy is as large as the US, but within it there is a diverse range of countries that have different legal systems, cultures, and a diverse range of economic development. In the end I am trying to find out why companies perform differently after a takeover in different countries. For those of you who care, a lot relates to the legal tradition of the country. Those countries with stringent enforcement and developed markets (ie English common law countries) have better performance because their shareholders are more protected. I won't bore you anymore but if anyone wants to here more about it just let me know.

Its going to be weird for the next couple weeks. Char char has gone on a trip down around the South Island of New Zealand with her sister, leaving me to fend for myself. I don't get much time to myself all that often so when she takes off it is a little lonely around the house. This time of year makes it worse because the roomates are taking off to see their families over Christmas. While I do like people around, having some space to yourself for a while is always nice. Ya, if I don't want to do the dishes or if I feel like running around the house naked, I can. Rad.

I have added a music video of the week. For those of you how think my taste in music is shit...I don't care and for those of you who do, enjoy.

So for the news....

1. Kara Bordon willingly left with David Luwig after he shot her parents. Wow, this looks like a modern day teenage Bonnie and Clyde. He has admitted to shooting her father and mother without remorse because Mr Bordon didn't want his 14 year old daughter dating a creepy 18 year old. Hmmm, I think that Dad was right and he probably wasn't that good for her. If she had anything to do with it she deserves everything she gets.

2. Zarqawi may have been killed in battle when troops stormed a house in the Iraqi northern city of Mosul. This could be a big blow to the Sunni's extremists if this is true. I guess we are going to have to wait and see.

3. For those hockey fans out there, here is a crazy hockey goal scored last year in a Major Junior All-Star contest. I think this may have been from last season but this is crazy anytime.