Times are strange, friends. I don't know if it's the impending late-October time change, the fact that the Halloween season is nigh, or if it has something to do with academic madness and general mind numbness. This week was marked by not one, not two, not even three, but four fire alarms.
The first came on Tuesday night, nearly midnight. I was half asleep when Mom called, as I had called her a bit earlier. We were only talking for about two minutes when the alarm sounded and I explained that I had to leave the building. Then I ran around my room trying to find my glasses, keys, a sweatshirt, pants without holes in them, and shoes. I was approximately the second-to-last person out of the building. Two fire trucks eventually showed up (to the raucous cheers a few hundred half drunk college students) and the fire fighters took a look through our hall, coming up with nothing, apparently.
Not twenty-four hours later (around 9:00pm Wednesday night) the alarm went off again. This time, the mood was more subdued and because it was earlier in the night, there were fewer students present. The two fire trucks showed up again, and it was ascertained that the cause was burning toast from a room in the D corridor. Toasters in rooms? Expressly forbidden. She apparently risks incurring a hefty fine.
Earlier that day, though, the fire alarm had gone off in a building on campus, which could be heard from the science library where I was situated, reading an article on AIDS and international security. The students filed out of the building while the fire wardens yelled over and over for them to move further from the building.
Finally, today, as I was again studying in the science library, the alarm there went off. I looked up from my book on European constitutional courts, looked around me and met eyes with a girl across the aisle. We gave each other a "really? we have to leave? are you leaving? what happens if we just don't leave?" look. We left. I think we get fined if we don't.
In non-fire alarm related news, I had a successful meeting with my professor today who so loved my idea for an essay that he literally jumped up out of his seat. But that was just to grab a book I had mentioned needing for the essay. I also ran a dissertation idea past him and he really liked that, too. So I may have a few good ideas to work with.
Music: Pavement and, right now, the 5th Dimension. I've been listening to podcasts of NPR's Wait Wait - Don't Tell Me which makes me laugh out loud (which is always a great thing to do while you're walking down the street by yourself). Speaking of podcasts, my brother and his friend Hudson are embarking on a podcast adventure - Hudson and Gaines - a satirical radio talk show. Hudson is the local conservative pundit, while Brother (Gaines, in this context) plays the lefty nut. It's entirely quality listening enjoyment.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Hayley Speaks! A Hot Bed Issue!
Earlier I had a post nearly complete when my internet connection got bungled (not for the first time in recent days) and shut down on me. But I'll try to remember all of my very excellent points. The topic I was contemplating was the Muslim veil issue, which is a real hot topic in the UK as of late.
The debate has centered on what place the veil has in a modern, European society. While not many people have come right out and said the veil should be banned, many people (Jack Straw, Tony Blair, Salman Rushdie all reccently) have critiqued it, arguing, specifically, that it clearly segregates Muslims from non-Muslims. This is always meant in a negative light.
I, however, don't believe we need to make such a case out of the veil. First, banning it certainly won't solve anything. Afterall, many things are illegal and it doesn't stop their proliferation. Second, this is a sensitive time for Europe's largest minority. We do not need fresh efforts at alienating an already alienated community. Finally, feminists will argue that the veil is a symbol of subjugation; and while there is some merit to this argument, I would argue that wearing a veil hasn't stopped Muslim women from pursuing university degrees and professional careers.
Banning the wearing of the veil will only make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding and productive members of society. The case of a teacher's aid now facing job loss is a case in point. Firmly believing that her veil had never been a classroom nuisance, Azmi continued wearing her veil, including covering her entire face (save for the eyes). She was suspended and her case handed over to an employment tribunal.
With Azmi dealing with suspension over her choice to remain veiled, there is the looming possibility of further alienating an already marginalized group. Muslims need little provocation these days to point toward instances of Islamophobia. Criticizing their lack of integration - taking issue with the fact that they stick out, are clearly identifiable - does not stand to improve relations.
Finally, a brief note on feminism. While I don't by any means conider the veil to be ideal women's attire, I will clearly defend a woman's right to choose it (nor do I even have any idea what ideal women's attire is). That it may be forced upon some women, there is little doubt. However, there are instances in which women use it as a bargaining tool - if they promise to remain veiled, they may pursue their university degrees and their careers. Some women choose it because it physically identifies them as Muslims - to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The choice to wear it ought to be protected. After all, who gets to determine what defines a liberated woman? (But that opens up a new can of worms)
This has been a hot issue in recent weeks, and has probably cropped up every now and then over the past few years. France and Germany both have laws regarding head-scarf banning, and it is already banned in certain instances in the UK. This is also a topic I've been contemplating for quite some time and my opinion has remained largely unchanged. As for the future of race relations in the UK and whether the task of integration has failed, I can't speak with any authority. But these are also perpetual-issues - not just for the UK, but for all western democracies, really.
Music today has ranged widely from Arcade Fire, Belle & Sebastian, and Smog. Interesting day.
The debate has centered on what place the veil has in a modern, European society. While not many people have come right out and said the veil should be banned, many people (Jack Straw, Tony Blair, Salman Rushdie all reccently) have critiqued it, arguing, specifically, that it clearly segregates Muslims from non-Muslims. This is always meant in a negative light.
I, however, don't believe we need to make such a case out of the veil. First, banning it certainly won't solve anything. Afterall, many things are illegal and it doesn't stop their proliferation. Second, this is a sensitive time for Europe's largest minority. We do not need fresh efforts at alienating an already alienated community. Finally, feminists will argue that the veil is a symbol of subjugation; and while there is some merit to this argument, I would argue that wearing a veil hasn't stopped Muslim women from pursuing university degrees and professional careers.
Banning the wearing of the veil will only make criminals out of otherwise law-abiding and productive members of society. The case of a teacher's aid now facing job loss is a case in point. Firmly believing that her veil had never been a classroom nuisance, Azmi continued wearing her veil, including covering her entire face (save for the eyes). She was suspended and her case handed over to an employment tribunal.
With Azmi dealing with suspension over her choice to remain veiled, there is the looming possibility of further alienating an already marginalized group. Muslims need little provocation these days to point toward instances of Islamophobia. Criticizing their lack of integration - taking issue with the fact that they stick out, are clearly identifiable - does not stand to improve relations.
Finally, a brief note on feminism. While I don't by any means conider the veil to be ideal women's attire, I will clearly defend a woman's right to choose it (nor do I even have any idea what ideal women's attire is). That it may be forced upon some women, there is little doubt. However, there are instances in which women use it as a bargaining tool - if they promise to remain veiled, they may pursue their university degrees and their careers. Some women choose it because it physically identifies them as Muslims - to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The choice to wear it ought to be protected. After all, who gets to determine what defines a liberated woman? (But that opens up a new can of worms)
This has been a hot issue in recent weeks, and has probably cropped up every now and then over the past few years. France and Germany both have laws regarding head-scarf banning, and it is already banned in certain instances in the UK. This is also a topic I've been contemplating for quite some time and my opinion has remained largely unchanged. As for the future of race relations in the UK and whether the task of integration has failed, I can't speak with any authority. But these are also perpetual-issues - not just for the UK, but for all western democracies, really.
Music today has ranged widely from Arcade Fire, Belle & Sebastian, and Smog. Interesting day.
Monday, October 09, 2006
In Which, Due To A Severely Boring Weekend, I Expound On Gun Control (Or The Lack There-Of) In The US, My Home
This weekend, I swear, I only left this building twice. Once to buy tea at Harvey Nichols for Bro's friends Ben and Hudson, and once to walk to the Watershed to order pizza (which I had been craving for weeks now). I ate a lot of pizza. A lot.
Otherwise, I spent a lot of time in my room pretending to study. But there is no reasonable explanation as to why it took me two whole days to read approximately sixty pages. Certainly they were dry, all about new-right political thought - public-choice theory and the Austrian school. Today, I started the chapter on rational-choice theory. But, embarassingly, I have no clue what these things mean. My intellect has yet to really be turned on.
Otherwise, I've spent the past several days being rather disgusted at the state of gun control in the US. With three school-shootings in the space of a week, I think the US has to do some serious thinking about their stance on guns. They won't, really, but I think they should. The juxtaposition of talking about gun-control after having read so much about new-right political theory is slightly amusing, I know. But I am not a member of the right, old or new, and I do believe that certain rights have to be given up for the betterment of society. No man in America really needs 600 rounds of ammunition, or the guns to use them, especially when his use for them is to shoot six-year-old girls (their age is really almost a moot point, actually - they were people put at his mercy). I realize that the issue is not so straight forward as I would see it. I just happen to have certain beliefs regarding social responsibility, that's all. Consequently, you don't see the number of gun deaths in countries where gun ownership is heavily restricted. Say what you want about how it's the person who kills, not the gun. I'd say the gun helps.
Music has varied widely, but I must say that I'm always pleased to be reminded of how much I love Of Montreal. And, while we're at it, I feel I should mention Jonathan Richman, whose album "Her Mystery Not Of High Heels and Eye Shadow," I hadn't listened to in a long time and who will be performing here soon. I'm trying to decided if I can spend the money on that show.
Otherwise, I spent a lot of time in my room pretending to study. But there is no reasonable explanation as to why it took me two whole days to read approximately sixty pages. Certainly they were dry, all about new-right political thought - public-choice theory and the Austrian school. Today, I started the chapter on rational-choice theory. But, embarassingly, I have no clue what these things mean. My intellect has yet to really be turned on.
Otherwise, I've spent the past several days being rather disgusted at the state of gun control in the US. With three school-shootings in the space of a week, I think the US has to do some serious thinking about their stance on guns. They won't, really, but I think they should. The juxtaposition of talking about gun-control after having read so much about new-right political theory is slightly amusing, I know. But I am not a member of the right, old or new, and I do believe that certain rights have to be given up for the betterment of society. No man in America really needs 600 rounds of ammunition, or the guns to use them, especially when his use for them is to shoot six-year-old girls (their age is really almost a moot point, actually - they were people put at his mercy). I realize that the issue is not so straight forward as I would see it. I just happen to have certain beliefs regarding social responsibility, that's all. Consequently, you don't see the number of gun deaths in countries where gun ownership is heavily restricted. Say what you want about how it's the person who kills, not the gun. I'd say the gun helps.
Music has varied widely, but I must say that I'm always pleased to be reminded of how much I love Of Montreal. And, while we're at it, I feel I should mention Jonathan Richman, whose album "Her Mystery Not Of High Heels and Eye Shadow," I hadn't listened to in a long time and who will be performing here soon. I'm trying to decided if I can spend the money on that show.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
In Which I Make An Attempt At Being A Good Sport
In an effort to appear as though I don't find this place insufferable, I've decided not to focus on the continuing bank account difficulties, or the great lengths I went to in order to buy notebooks, or the high incidence of mean bus drivers (nor the incidence of insolent 11-year-olds on buses who treat you rudely), or the oddly small refrigerator that's meant to hold food for nine or ten people (all cooking for themselves), or the fact that I may have broken my foot.
Instead...
Today I saw a free lunch-time concert at St. Martin-In-The-Fields. Three sopranos sang songs to piano accompaniment in the eighteenth-century church. Prior to the show, Kelli and I ate lunch at the Cafe in the Crypt. The food was good and I suppose it was cheap by London standards. And it worked out because the concert was free and we sort of rode the bus for free on our way there. I'd like to make the free lunch-time concert series a habit, though. Also, student-priced tickets for the evening shows there are not outrageous (six quid (a term I use simply because I cannot remember how to get the pound sign on my computer)).
To further confound the money sign issue: I bought a computer printer today for 20 quid, which will be shared with Joedi, Karis, and Kelli. I just need the usb plug to make it work.
Monday saw my first class: a seminar for Theories and Actors of the Policy Process (TAPP). My professor is an adorable Italian man who speaks very fast. Tomorrow I have lectures for my research methods class as well as TAPP. I'm not so much excited as I am just wanting to finally get this thing going. I feel as though I've been here for a long time and I've done nothing. The anticipation is stressing me out.
Music: various arias and songs by Verdi, Puccini, Strauss, and Bizet.
And for some slightly dark entertainment...
Instead...
Today I saw a free lunch-time concert at St. Martin-In-The-Fields. Three sopranos sang songs to piano accompaniment in the eighteenth-century church. Prior to the show, Kelli and I ate lunch at the Cafe in the Crypt. The food was good and I suppose it was cheap by London standards. And it worked out because the concert was free and we sort of rode the bus for free on our way there. I'd like to make the free lunch-time concert series a habit, though. Also, student-priced tickets for the evening shows there are not outrageous (six quid (a term I use simply because I cannot remember how to get the pound sign on my computer)).
To further confound the money sign issue: I bought a computer printer today for 20 quid, which will be shared with Joedi, Karis, and Kelli. I just need the usb plug to make it work.
Monday saw my first class: a seminar for Theories and Actors of the Policy Process (TAPP). My professor is an adorable Italian man who speaks very fast. Tomorrow I have lectures for my research methods class as well as TAPP. I'm not so much excited as I am just wanting to finally get this thing going. I feel as though I've been here for a long time and I've done nothing. The anticipation is stressing me out.
Music: various arias and songs by Verdi, Puccini, Strauss, and Bizet.
And for some slightly dark entertainment...
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