Ekstranghero*

*Corresponding author.

Could have been like this in the journal… I could have been cited as E.Hero (2008).

I found out a few days ago that a research paper I wrote about fiscal decentralization was presented in an ADB conference. How awesome was that?! Well, actually it was not cool because my name wasn’t in the byline. But I guess that’s the way it should be because I was tasked to write that paper, i.e., the university paid me for that. Thing is, I think that was unfair because the paper was supposed to be used only in a classroom setting (case studies for management classes). At least that was what I was told when I agreed to do such papers. It was an unwritten agreement between the case writer (that would be me) and the university (my employer).

When I saw that paper published under the name of one of their professors, a supervising professor assigned to me, I felt so… I don’t’ know. I wanted to tell them and explain that they cannot do that, that I am entitled to something there (not monetary of course). Well, in fairness to that prof, she added a few sentences in the conclusion. (Right!) But you know what, I decided to let that go. To hell with my supervising prof! If I did it once, I can do it again. But for her? She did it once, I swear she cannot do it again. Maybe next time, Pulitzer people will call my attention. Or Nobel. Hah!

Good times.

Download Day 2008

Don’t forget to be part of Firefox’s Download Day!

Mark your calendar, wrap a ribbon around your finger or write a little sticky yellow note. Download Day will start on June 17, 2008.

Let There Be Light

Visitors flocking to see ‘unicorn’ deer
By MARTA FALCONI, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jun 12, 10:41 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/italy_unicorn;_ylt=AhWC1Z3qgPffZGLsYNAKTyas0NUE

ROME - The shy, young deer nicknamed “Unicorn” because of the rare, single horn in the center of his head is drawing hundreds of curious visitors, park officials said Thursday.

People are flocking to the nature preserve in Tuscany where the deer lives, hoping to see him and take his picture.

“We have received so many calls from people and many are coming to see it,” said Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Center of Natural Sciences in Prato, near Florence. “Sometimes he comes close to the fence, even if he is very shy.”

In just the past few days, some 200 visitors have made the pilgrimage to the Prato preserve to see “Unicorn,” Tozzi said.

The shy but budding media star wanders freely around the 2.5-acre park, he said.

“He is tranquil and leads his normal life,” he said. “He doesn’t feel like a star.”

The year-old Roe Deer was born in captivity with an apparent genetic flaw, Tozzi said. His twin, in contrast, has two horns.

Single-horned deer are rare but not unheard of but experts say the central positioning of Unicorn’s horn is unusual. Tozzi speculated that similar anomalies might have inspired the myth of the unicorn.

The unicorn, a horse-like creature with magical healing powers, has appeared in legends and stories throughout history, from ancient and medieval texts to the adventures of Harry Potter.

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Anomalies? Genetic flaw? Some people are just to stubborn to understand that magic does happen! Hehehe. Good times.