koh's Journal: #3 - Resignations

This has been a busy day. This has been a busy week, actually. Cleaning after people who don't know one bit about coding is always a pain in the mind and soul, and sometimes you just want to resign on the spot. Really.

Fortunately, I still find within me the strength to carry on. Mostly because I still need the money. But there are other, older, more fortunate people who choose to just give it up, to stop doing what they they do best, to retire into oblivion and never be seen again.

To these people, I want to say : "I'd like to show'em, just like you did." Also, "Can you lend me a thousand bucks ?"

This week (2005-03-11) has been rich in resignations. Let's go through a few of them :

• Carlos Mesa, President of Bolivia, resigns after 3 years in power because of oil problems and government-sponsored repression issues. But his resignation was mass-rejected by the Bolivian Congress, so he's still in charge. Tough luck, Carlos. Nobody wants your job anymore. If you still have oil problems, sell your car. Or call the US government, they would also solve your repression issues. Anyway, you're to remain where you are for at least two more years.
• Omar Karami, Prime Minister of Lebanon, resigns after the murder of the former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. Actually, he couldn't care less about the murder, but he would not have the Syrian troops retired from Lebanon, even after said Syrian troops were accused of committing the murder, even after said Syrian troops were suspected of being involved with Omar himself and his government, and even after the US government told everyone that said Syrian troops were withholding Michael Jackson from justice. Anyway, President Emile Lahoud promptly reappointed him to his former position. Tough luck, Omar. Call Carlos if you need advice.
• Gary Kasparov, one of the strongest chess player in the world, if not the strongest, resigns after finally realizing he was beaten senseless by a puny machine back in 1997-05. When asked about this event, Gary mumbled about "the machine being helped by a puny human being", "the machine having Neo inside", and "the machine not running Windows" as possible explanations for his defeat. So long, Gary. We'll miss you.
• Tropical Cyclone Ingrid resigns from being a category 5 cyclone to start a new job as a category 1 cyclone in Australia, pending "getting back to category 5 or better as soon as I find a way to the US". Ingrid, allow me to wish you best of luck, and when you're in the US please follow the standard route and aim for the red states. Thank you.
• Aslan Maskhadov, leader of the separatist movement in Chechnya, finally resigns after being allegedly killed by Russian special forces. Astoudingly, Aslan did not show up in office even after President Emile Lahoud and the whole Bolivian Congress reappointed him to his former position. We think of you, Aslan, wherever you are.

So many resignations, so little time. Let's remember them all, and close with one of Gary Kasparov's best gifts to humanity :

1.e4 d6
2.d4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6
4.Be3 Bg7
5.Qd2 c6
6.f3 b5
7.Nge2 Nbd7
8.Bh6 Bxh6
9.Qxh6 Bb7
10.a3 e5
11.0-0-0 Qe7
12.Kb1 a6
13.Nc1 0-0-0
14.Nb3 exd4
15.Rxd4 c5
16.Rd1 Nb6
17.g3 Kb8
18.Na5 Ba8
19.Bh3 d5
20.Qf4+ Ka7
21.Rhe1 d4
22.Nd5 Nbxd5
23.exd5 Qd6
24.Rxd4!! cxd4
25.Re7+! Kb6
[25...Qxe7
  26.Qxd4+ Kb8
  27.Qb6+ Bb7
  28.Nc6+ Ka8 29.Qa7#
]
26.Qxd4+ Kxa5
27.b4+ Ka4
28.Qc3 Qxd5
29.Ra7 Bb7
30.Rxb7 Qc4
31.Qxf6 Kxa3
32.Qxa6+ Kxb4
33.c3+! Kxc3
34.Qa1+ Kd2
35.Qb2+ Kd1
36.Bf1! Rd2
37.Rd7! Rxd7
38.Bxc4 bxc4
39.Qxh8 Rd3
40.Qa8 c3
41.Qa4+ Ke1
42.f4 f5
43.Kc1 Rd2
44.Qa7 1-0

Truly, he shall be missed. In my wildest dreams, I expect to be half as missed as he is when I do retire.

Thank you for your time.