:: Find Saipan ::

Northern Mariana is a very large and older nation at 149 days old with citizens primarily of Pacific Islander ethnicity whose religion is Sikhism. It is a backwards nation when it comes to technology and many refer to it unkindly as a ‘Third World Nation’. Its citizens pay extremely high taxes and many despise their government as a result. The citizens of Northern Mariana work diligently to produce Cattle and Pigs as tradable resources for their nation. It is a mostly neutral country when it comes to foreign affairs. It will usually only attack another nation if attacked first. Northern Mariana is currently researching nuclear technology for the use of nuclear power plants but believes nuclear weapons should be banned. Plans are on the way within Northern Mariana to open new rehabilitation centers across the nation and educate its citizens of the dangers of drug use. Northern Mariana does not allow any form of government protests. Its armed police forces work quickly at “dissolving” any and all government protests. It has an open border policy, but in order for immigrants to remain in the country they will have to become citizens first. Northern Mariana detains individuals who participate in the slanderous comments about the government. The government gives foreign aid when it can, but looks to take care of its own people first. The government of Northern Mariana will trade with any other country regardless of ethical consequences.

The above is my nation’s information from a little online game I humor myself once a day. Its a nation building simulation that allows to your take command of your very own country to do what you wish of. Surprisingly the above was generated from the choice I had made during my ruling of the CNMI. It is somewhat funny how well it mimics the real deal.

Granted in my version of CNMI, we have a good flowing free trade of;Cattle, fish, fur, aluminum, gold, lumber, marble, oil, pig,spice, water and wheat. We also get the bonus resources of Beer. See I told you it was very similar.

I tried to go about the higher education oriented nation improvements: with 5 banks, 1 Factories, 1 Foreign Ministries, 1 Harbors, 5 Schools, 1 Stadiums, 2 Universities. But unfortunately no matter what I do my nations literacy rate is 20%.

Still at a population of 20,151, the average gross income per individual pay day is $188.18USD which I tax the hell off at 28%. So they take home a net income of $135.49USD, don’t you wish you lived in my version of the CNMI.

Still the people love me and I give them beer… see how easy this ruling of a nation is. Only if life was this simple.

Check my nation out Northern Mariana at www.cybernations.net.

So, Buddhi Dhimal passed away on Monday morning. Who cares? I for one don’t, he’s an idiot. If someone wants to commit suicide, it is their free choice as a living human being. All these people saying that he died because of economic pressure, or because he was going to be deported. These are not issues that can be solved by commiting suicide. People who kill themselves, or others for that matter, are idiots. To use one’s own life as leverage, as a bargaining chip, or to make a point is a waste of time and energy. All of those suicide bombers that die everyday? They are idiots, not hero’s. The real tragedy is the cost to those around them. Suicide “victims” love to get attention. They don’t like to die alone, or quietly. They love to make it known that they are killing themselves. Public acts, such as mass killings, mass suicides, jumping from rooftops, leaving their brains all over a room by shooting themselves, suicide notes, manifestos… These are all evidence that suicide “victims” just want attention, and think that their life and the lives of others are nothing more than high leverage bargaining chips. The REAL victims of suicide are those that were killed or wounded but didn’t have a choice; the collateral damage that got dragged down together. Innocent bystanders that had to watch in horror and be traumatized. The survivors that loved the “victim” such as family and friends. Those that must carry on the financial burden of anothers death, like the government and family.

What logical reason is there to take one’s own life?

For God? I don’t know how God thinks, but I certainly hope that suicide isn’t on his list of ways to prove one’s faith.

For money? Suicide is usually not covered by life insurance.

For fame and glory? Martyrs die everyday, and in 10 years, we wouldn’t remember their names. Can you name the kids at Columbine? Or list the names at those that died in Waco. Fame from suicide is fleeting. True fame is from building something with global impact that lasts for generations to come, such as corporations or countries. Fame only lives as long as the people remembers.

To kill the pain? What pain? The pain of living? One can enjoy oblivion, heaven, hell, whatever you believe, for all of eternity. One’s life is bookended by eternity on both sides. Time only matters while we’re alive. If you’re lucky, you get to experience pain for 100 years. After death, you think you will ever get to enjoy pain ever again? If you believe in the existance of hell, wouldn’t that be just rushing into eternal pain? Non-existance lasts an eternity, so why rush? What’s another 20 years of “pain” when you have all of eternity to enjoy after death? 100 years of pain and suffering of an individual is nothing when put in perspective of the eternity of the universe. Stop your bitching and bear the pain of living, because in a relative blink of an eye, you’ll be dead one way or another soon enough.

Wednesday May 30th, 2007’s edition of the Saipan Tribune talks about how Dhimal’s daughter, Pabitra, raised concerns about Dhimal’s lung problem due to the use of a fire extinguisher on him… What are you trying to say Pabitra? Your dad died because he got fire extinguiser crap all in his lungs? You want to file a lawsuit against the people that tried to save your dad’s life, and the lives of other people in the building because of his reckless act? You want to sue the government because of the use of unsafe fire extinguishers or lack of training for use of fire safety equipment? Or sue the fire extinguisher manufacturer for making an unsafe product? If you want money, sure, go for it. If you want the real cause of your dad’s death, then blame your dad. Last time I checked, setting one’s self on fire tends to shorten one’s lifespan, so my bet is on the self - immolation as the cause, and not the fire extinguisher. But I guess you want that answered in court, no?

Now days, the economical crises at hand is what people talk about. Schools are underfunded, the hospital is understaffed, the college is going to have cut backs and the minimum wage is going up. One forgets about the other issues at hand. Like the passing of Buddhi Dhimal, a formal L&T security guard who set himself on fire at the Department of Labor. He has died after arriving to St. Luke’s Hospital in Quzeon City. I am sure most people have forgotten about this person since this incited on April 24, 2007. One also has to ask why did it take so long for this person to get the care he needed. Everyone knows of the inadequacy of the local hospital in this island in treating intensive care patients. Also the fact that Monday was Memorial Day, when driving around the island I couldn’t notice but not one person/business was seen giving any indications what the significance Monday was to them. It saddens me how quickly people forget about the sacrifice others make, whether small; like Mr. Dhimal trying to find a way to support his family or big; like the men and women who served our nations and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we so enjoy.

Okay so it is finally here the dreaded and all fearing minimum wage increase. Slated to start on July 24, 2007 at an increase of a fifty cents, the minimum wage in the CNMI will be 3.55cents. Sadly that’s almost enough to buy you a gallon of gasoline. In an island where almost all class of people has to drive to acquire even the basic of needs. It’s still a sad state of affairs. Lets put this into perspectives a family of 4, let’s say immigrants/contract workers living and working here in the island of Saipan. Lets also say bother parents are working and both kids are in Middle/High School. Given they both work 40hours a week with no over time. They bring in about 488 every pay period for both or about 1k a month.
 
2 adult working at current minimum wage jobs at 40 hours a week.
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.05(current minimum wage) = 488.00
 
Lets factor in some basic expenses for a month.
Rental one bed/one bath: 300 USD
Food at 100USD a week: 400 USD
Power/water low consumption: 100USD
Gas for a small compact car: 50USD                                    total : 850USD a month
 
This is assuming they already have a working car, and all other household needs. They have 150USD a month to save if that is possible.
 
2(adult)x40(hours)x2(week)x3.55(current minimum wage) = 568.00
 
That translate to 286USD for our above family, that .55cents almost doubled there saving month. It’s not much but I bet it’s a big bonus for the basic workers of this island. Of course, granted if one of them doesn’t get laid off because of downsizing within the company because of the minimum wage increase.
 
I do fear the state of affairs in this island I have come to call home. I worry that this winter will be a lot worse then last winter. I worry that more and more people, bright and capable people will be leaving this island for better opportunities else were. So many of my friends have moved on or in the process of moving on .. I am sure its same with many people on this island. 

Don’t you hated when your peers are right about something. You know they have been telling you all the long that this isn’t going to work, that ain’t right.. etc etc But your stubborn or retarded self keeps telling you that you know better then them. So you keep at it and move on. What happens in the end is they were right and you are a retarded monkey. The situation is magnified by the fact is this problem was a little relationship.  

Today this has happened to me, and I have to say it sucks big monkey balls. I mean looking at it I was so fucken blinded, even seconds leading up to the point of me waking up to the fact that I am a retard. I was head over heals in love with this girl. Now.. I feel like a giant ass.. yes one might say monkey ass. I do like them monkeys, soo entertaining and educational.

So here I am .. awaken into a new world, with me sitting right in the middle of it. Right up that pinnacle retarded point I have planed everything around my life for this girl. Its like starting a baseball team, hiring everyone, practicing for the game, and then during your first game, at the bat you coming to the realization you don’t like baseball at all. So now, the situation is what do I do….  I guess I’ll just swing on, and hit a homerun and move on. One for all the monkeys behind bars.. this is for you homes ! 

A hidden gem of Japanese Imperial Might!  Here we have Nikko-Ken, a traditional ramen shop, run by a real Japanese person!  Nikko-Ken is located behind DFS, across from the bus parking area.  Let me introduce to you the owner and head chef of Nikko-Ken, Mr. Noodle Nazi.  Mr. Noodle Nazi caters to the Japanese tourist, so that even in overseas travel, Japanese people can spare themselves from the horrors of experiencing local cuisine, bravo!  Mr. Noodle Nazi strives to keep his shop tight and clean, so that means no foreigners allowed (foreigners = non - Japanese.  Everyone knows Saipan is a colony of Japan.)  English menu?  HA!  What do you think this is, McDonalds?!  Expect portions to be politely sized.  No pigging out like uncouth barbarians!  For foreigners that do wish to brave the experience that is Nikko-Ken, be sure to bring a Japanese person along, to ensure that your food isn’t specially blessed.  Seating is thankfully limited to about 6 counter spaces and a table for 4.  Considering the time it takes to make an order, any more seating would mean dynastically long wait times. 

The food itself is probably the best Japanese ramen you can get on island; the noodles aren’t overcooked and soggy, the soup isn’t prepackaged crap, the toppings resemble something you can get from Japan…  If its not negative, it must be positive, right?  Flavor comes in a few different varieties, but missing the king of all Japanese ramen flavors:  the legendary Ton Kotsu flavor.  Hailed as the king of all ramen flavors, not even mighty Mr. Noodle Nazi can hope to put forth an offering of such epic flavor.  Able to stop a heart mid - beat, clog drains and arteries with ease, lubricate diamond saws and give enough calories to keep a polar bear alive for 2 months, Ton Kotsu is the miracle food that is illegal to export out of Japan.  Dubbed a national treasure and is responsible for the quick rise of the Japanese Empire after World War 2, only a select few foreigners have had the honor, nay, PRIVILIDGE, of tasting this secret treasure.  Alas, Mr. Noodle Nazi, in the interests of national security, may not even mention Ton Kotsu in his shop.  Should it be mentioned, espeically by a foreigner, an extraordinary ass beating will be in order.  Pray that Mr. Noodle Nazi is in a good mood.

Prices are clearly marked on the menu, and a meal of noodles will run about 9 dollars a head if you are local Japanese.  If you are a local foreigner, you can expect to pay double that.  If you are Japanese, and know the Emperor(may he reign forever)’s birthda and recite the Tale of Genji, you get the food for free.

Remember, if you are foreign, enjoying Japanese Ramen is a priviledge, not a right.

One thing about the newspapers on this island is that they just can’t get any facts right. I know people say you should never believe what’s printed but one has to assume atleast one should check basic facts. Saipan has two main newspapers, Mariana’s Varity and Saipan Tribute, both run daily. More then 50% of the actual news is NPR and AP recycles from day before. The little local news they publish is spewed with so much random facts and misinformation. Half of the time you have to wonder how they came to that conclusion.

Take this for example. Marianas Variety article title “7^th armed poker robbery since February” posted on May 23, 2007. States that the poker arcade robbery in Chalan Kanoa was the seventh armed robbery involving poker establishment since February this year.  Lets look at Saipan Tribune article title “11^th poker robbery in 4 months” posted on May 24, 2007. States that the same robbery was the 11^th poker robbery. Also note that Saipan Tribune is about a day late then Marianas Variety and also the fact the robbery took place on Sunday. Like I said ..  you really can’t trust Saipan Newspapers.

Also note.

Saipan Tribute: “Police made some arrests in three of the 11 cases.”

Marianas Variety: “So far, police have solved only one of the armed robberies”