This week was reading week, which is meant to be a very productive time (as there are no classes) in which students catch up on their missed school work and get themselves organized for the last half of the term and all the impending papers.
Except, none of that actually happened, at least not for me.
Instead, I went floating, ate burritos, visited the Kew Gardens, and celebrated the Chinese New Year. I also read some of Trading Up: Consumer and Environmental Regulation in a Global Economy (David Vogel, 1995; Harvard University Press). And let me tell you, Professor Colin Provost was not joking when he said this was nearly a bedtime book. That man knows how to relax.
I also finished reading Christopher Moore's A Dirty Job, and I have to say: didn't like it. I didn't find it nearly as funny as Lamb, that being the only other book of his I've read and which I enjoyed immensely. This didn't strike me as funny or well-written at all. Bummer. And I was so excited.
I'm still working my way through Cat's Cradle, which must have you thinking, "That book is approximately 85 pages long, how can it possibly require a working-one's-way-through?" Well, I'll tell you that I've purposely only read a few pages a night (when I do have time to read it) and, furthermore, it is actually 191 pages long. Plus, when you've got David Vogel to fall sleep to, why go back to anything else?
Also, I've started eating dairy again as it was essential for my health. I'm also working my way toward eating fish. Who knows, by next week I could be eating raw bunny. Things seem to change pretty quickly for me.
Pictures forthcoming. Can I post movies here?
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
In Which I Finally Weigh In On The Issue That Will Define A Generation
I'm taking a stand. (What? Hayley - taking a stand? On an issue, no less? Nooo...).
Yes, I'm taking a stand against using the word random (except in completely legitimate, circumstances, which are nearly always scientific in nature, such as calculating the random sample error). Anyhow, the use of the word random has gotten out of control, has been for years now. It's time that we, as a thinking, literate people (am I giving us the benefit of the doubt?) start to stretch our imaginations a bit wider in attempting to describe a set of occurrences (or, for that matter, a single occurrence). So the next time someone says something that seems to come from nowhere, instead of describing that occurrence as random, describe it as chance, accidental, haphazard, unplanned, casual, indiscriminate, unmethodical, arbitrary, erratic. Maybe some of them won't work in the context, but I assure you that random does not fit into every context in which it is used. So please, for the love of all things sacred, stop describing everything as random.
(Note, I bet a lot of people who use the term random are also believers in fate. I have no empirical evidence for making such a claim, I'm just assuming from the number of people I assume to hold a belief in such a concept. Therefore, I find it odd that so many people who believe in fate also believe that so many occurrences are random. I'm sorry, but in this instance, we can't have our cake and eat it too.)
Yes, I'm taking a stand against using the word random (except in completely legitimate, circumstances, which are nearly always scientific in nature, such as calculating the random sample error). Anyhow, the use of the word random has gotten out of control, has been for years now. It's time that we, as a thinking, literate people (am I giving us the benefit of the doubt?) start to stretch our imaginations a bit wider in attempting to describe a set of occurrences (or, for that matter, a single occurrence). So the next time someone says something that seems to come from nowhere, instead of describing that occurrence as random, describe it as chance, accidental, haphazard, unplanned, casual, indiscriminate, unmethodical, arbitrary, erratic. Maybe some of them won't work in the context, but I assure you that random does not fit into every context in which it is used. So please, for the love of all things sacred, stop describing everything as random.
(Note, I bet a lot of people who use the term random are also believers in fate. I have no empirical evidence for making such a claim, I'm just assuming from the number of people I assume to hold a belief in such a concept. Therefore, I find it odd that so many people who believe in fate also believe that so many occurrences are random. I'm sorry, but in this instance, we can't have our cake and eat it too.)
In Which I Celebrate My Happy Day
We had a Real Swell Time last night, celebrating the 25th anniversary of my being Alive. Wei, Terry, Kelli, Wan Lu, Neel, and I went to an Indian restaurant not far from Brick Lane. It was Punjabi food, which really only had one major repercussion for us: it was delicious. My god, it was delicious... (maybe it's that I'm hungry right now, but I'm getting lost in the memory of spicy okra, chana, and (oh help me) kulfi popsicles). Anyhow, after dinner we headed to bar in an alley just off Brick Lane. The Big Chill, it's called, and I liked it. The music was really awesome, though some of it might have been classified in a broader dance genre (and those who know me know how irate dance music makes me). Most of the music, though, had a central tendency toward gypsy/flamenco/ska. We met some interesting people (the Norse God Sven who was insistent that women cook for him), drank a fair amount, and then, headed home in the freezing rain. Before getting home, though, we stopped off for what has become a late night institution - falafel and chips (and by chips, I, of course, mean fries). I stood outside eating my chips while a street musician serenaded me to old Bob Marley tunes. I gave him all the change I had, which amounted to approximately 16p.
Completely frozen and exhausted, we headed home, where I was certain I would never be warm again. Several layers of pyjamas and some warm blankies will take care of that, though. It was a swell night and I wouldn't mind turning 25 more often.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Whilst in London Town...
This is why the British have a reputation for being so polite. I'd argue that they are no more polite than people anywhere are. Their signs are just written more politely. It's the word whilst that gets everyone. I can't stand the word, myself. It's more awkward than while, which rolls trippingly. The origin of whilst is in fact late Middle English, from WHILES + -t, as in against. (This is from the dictionary in my computer, which has proven an invaluable resource for me.) But whenever I see whilst written, I'll just say while in my head. It's kind of a jerk thing to do, but you gotta look out for number one, right?
Last night, I had a stellar dinner with Joedi, Rob, and Artur. We went to a place near school, called the African Kitchen Gallery. It was nearly as small as my room, with only four tables (I found out later there was a whole downstairs), and the menu was quite small as well. However, the food was fantastic. we started off with some plantains, which came with some sort of coriander (maybe?) dipping sauce. Then Joedi and I split the African Delight (more plantains, in a tomatoey stew thing), black beans in chili sauce, and some great rice. Oh boy, was it good. And spicy, too. Near the end of the meal, we were all wiping our noses incessantly, as the spice had opened up our sinuses. Made for a very pleasant dinner. They also brought us these little balls for dessert, though I have no clue what they were. They were good, though, and I ate them. Boy, did I eat them.
Finally, I went to the Primrose Hill Farmer's Market yesterday. It's part of a greater-London collective of farmer's markets. There wasn't tons there, but it was very nice and quite reasonably priced, as well. There are several of them throughout London (as previously implied) and some of them are quite large, from what I gather. I think I'll try utlizing those from now on. The produce is cheaper, it's grown in the UK (and within a 100-mile radius of London), and it's organic.
Because, see, I've got issues with the organic movement, as it were. I'm willing to believe that organic produce is better for you and for the environment. My problem is that all the health and environmental effects are negated when you're shipping grapes to the UK (or Lansing) from South Africa. Planes are major, major polluters. So my new goal is to try to limit myself to UK-grown produce. I might still buy bananas, but I'd like to see how viable this is.
You think I'm crazy, don't you?
Friday, February 02, 2007
In which two time-honored nemeses meet, face to face (math vs. political science - Tonight! One Time Only!)
Today I'm giving a presentation in Law and Regulation. The article I am presenting is called "Political Control Versus Expertise: Congressional Choices About Administrative Procedures." The primary point is this: "the degree of agency independence on any particular policy reflects the legislature's willingness to trade uncertainty about policy consequences for uncertainty about agency behavior." So, a legislative coalition has a policy to formulate and it can choose to either form the policy by itself or to delegate the policy to an agency in a bureaucracy. If it delegates, it then has to decide how much power it will give up. If the policy is quite technical, it will probably give up a lot of power so that the agency is free to flex its technical know-how. If the technical aspect of the policy is not that difficult or important, the legislators will have no need to give up much power. That's the gist anyway. The author used formal modelling to make her point. Formal modelling is where you take inherently unmathematical properties and turn them into mathematical proofs, such that you end up in a political science course trying to figure out what the utility of a(x)=-(z-c*)(squared) means. I still have no idea.
Anyhow, to make up for torturing you with that, I'm going to now torture you with this. It's long, I admit, but if you look at it in a few sittings, you'll be glad you did. It's really fascinating. And, of course, I'd like to read the guy's book.
Aside from legislative decision-making, this week has been all about food. Food security, the history of food, what makes good food, and, finally, my having given up dairy. Nobody knows how long this could last (especially not me) but I'm a few days in, and it's been alright. Positives: it forces me to eat way more vegetables, I'm ingesting far less cholesterol, I'm getting creative with cooking, I can't buy much crap anymore (no more candy bars or pizzas from school for me!) and my fiber intake is practically off the charts (which makes me fun at parties). Negatives: no more buying fun stuff at school (like candy bars or pizza) it takes a lot more effort, no more ice cream, and people think I'm insane. Giving up meat was very easy. Taking milk, cheese, and eggs out of the picture changes things considerably. But I really do like the challenge. It was what made being a vegetarian fun. I had to start being way more creative with my cooking. Now I just need to step that up a bit. Less cheese, more brown rice. I've been enjoying avocadoes a lot lately. Have you had one recently?
Anyhow, to make up for torturing you with that, I'm going to now torture you with this. It's long, I admit, but if you look at it in a few sittings, you'll be glad you did. It's really fascinating. And, of course, I'd like to read the guy's book.
Aside from legislative decision-making, this week has been all about food. Food security, the history of food, what makes good food, and, finally, my having given up dairy. Nobody knows how long this could last (especially not me) but I'm a few days in, and it's been alright. Positives: it forces me to eat way more vegetables, I'm ingesting far less cholesterol, I'm getting creative with cooking, I can't buy much crap anymore (no more candy bars or pizzas from school for me!) and my fiber intake is practically off the charts (which makes me fun at parties). Negatives: no more buying fun stuff at school (like candy bars or pizza) it takes a lot more effort, no more ice cream, and people think I'm insane. Giving up meat was very easy. Taking milk, cheese, and eggs out of the picture changes things considerably. But I really do like the challenge. It was what made being a vegetarian fun. I had to start being way more creative with my cooking. Now I just need to step that up a bit. Less cheese, more brown rice. I've been enjoying avocadoes a lot lately. Have you had one recently?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Also...
An addendum: This article appeared in the Lansing City Pulse on December 6 of last year. It mentions the efforts made by one of the Quality Dairy franchises near downtown to bring in fresh produce. In the article, the QD manager makes note that demand and the subsequent sales for produce were high. The market exists. It's just not a very upscale market.
My greatest concern, still, is price. This effort (assuming it goes through) has to avoid alienating the crowd it is primarily intended for. I'm really excited by the thought of being able to revitalize downtown Lansing, but it's important not to get carried away and to keep in mind the fact that a large proportion of Lansing residents rely on gas stations and convenience stores for a bulk of their grocery needs.
My greatest concern, still, is price. This effort (assuming it goes through) has to avoid alienating the crowd it is primarily intended for. I'm really excited by the thought of being able to revitalize downtown Lansing, but it's important not to get carried away and to keep in mind the fact that a large proportion of Lansing residents rely on gas stations and convenience stores for a bulk of their grocery needs.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!
A quite recent posting on the Capital Area Community Voices website has me intrigued. I have no doubt that a grocery store should be placed in a more central location for those who have difficutly making it out to the extremities of the Lansing city limit. However, the issue of whether a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods has me a bit, well, torn up. While the idea for low-income families to have access to healthy affordable food does not include either of those upscale retailers, the thought of being able to bring the suburbanites into downtown Lansing is compelling. Lansing, with 30% of its population living in poverty, needs a way to harness the economic resources of its nearby suburban neighbors. Maybe then downtown Lansing wouldn't shut down at 3 every afternoon.
There is also the employment incentive for bringing a grocery store downtown. One grocery store can't boost employment rates, though the growth of downtown can. However, if an upscale retailer moves in, will they hire the neighbors? Places like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's offer desirable benefits and decent wages, but they may be looking for employees who have a greater knowledge of, say, whole (health) foods. So the question is, who will get these jobs? A Meijer or a Kroger (or whatever retail chain or independent grocer moves in (possibly)) will not have the need for a staff skilled in the yuppy foods industry and will, thus, be more likely to hire those most in need of employment.
Finally, am I giving the suburbanites too much credit? Can downtown Lansing become vibrant (or at least remain open past sunset) without the resources from East Lansing and Okemos? If a low-income-accessible grocery store moves in, will the crowd it invites be enough to revitalize the district? Am I even giving too much credit to a grocery store? So many questions.
There is also the employment incentive for bringing a grocery store downtown. One grocery store can't boost employment rates, though the growth of downtown can. However, if an upscale retailer moves in, will they hire the neighbors? Places like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's offer desirable benefits and decent wages, but they may be looking for employees who have a greater knowledge of, say, whole (health) foods. So the question is, who will get these jobs? A Meijer or a Kroger (or whatever retail chain or independent grocer moves in (possibly)) will not have the need for a staff skilled in the yuppy foods industry and will, thus, be more likely to hire those most in need of employment.
Finally, am I giving the suburbanites too much credit? Can downtown Lansing become vibrant (or at least remain open past sunset) without the resources from East Lansing and Okemos? If a low-income-accessible grocery store moves in, will the crowd it invites be enough to revitalize the district? Am I even giving too much credit to a grocery store? So many questions.
Friday, January 12, 2007
People are lying when they say television sucks
My apologies for the long delay in the update. As I was home for three weeks, my access to the internet was tenuous. Also, I was busy with friends, family, and moving people into new houses.
I had a chance to see the Michael Kirby clan, with Private Mike relatively recently back from Iraq, and Elly Kirby relatively recently born. Ivie, relatively recently 2, was in attendance as well with the matriarch, Meghan. Elly and Ivie are such fantastic, cute, and well-behaved children that they could make anyone want children. Of this, I'm convinced.
Also, the Chris and Sara Kirby family (with 4/9 of a still en-wombed baby) were in attendance as well. Brother was also home, so it was a complete-family holiday. There was lots of food, lots of playing with kids, lots of watching home videos. It was relaxing and warm and everything a holiday should be.
However, I have to note the passing of my grandfather, Harold Gaines. I would go into his life and times, except that Brother did it much more eloquently than I could hope to. I'll merely point you in this direction, for a glimpse into what it was like having this character for a grandfather.
As for school, I'm back into the swing of things. I gave my first presentation yesterday (I'd say it went swimmingly), am looking to join a gym, and have become obsessed with watching television on my computer. Oh, it's bad.
I've started watching Heroes and How I Met Your Mother. This is in addition to the DVDs I got for Christmas, which include season two of Chapelle's Show, season three of Arrested Development, volume three of The Family Guy, a few movies, some Pete and Pete, and an older volume of Family Guy. I'm doomed. What dissertation?
I had a chance to see the Michael Kirby clan, with Private Mike relatively recently back from Iraq, and Elly Kirby relatively recently born. Ivie, relatively recently 2, was in attendance as well with the matriarch, Meghan. Elly and Ivie are such fantastic, cute, and well-behaved children that they could make anyone want children. Of this, I'm convinced.
Also, the Chris and Sara Kirby family (with 4/9 of a still en-wombed baby) were in attendance as well. Brother was also home, so it was a complete-family holiday. There was lots of food, lots of playing with kids, lots of watching home videos. It was relaxing and warm and everything a holiday should be.
However, I have to note the passing of my grandfather, Harold Gaines. I would go into his life and times, except that Brother did it much more eloquently than I could hope to. I'll merely point you in this direction, for a glimpse into what it was like having this character for a grandfather.
As for school, I'm back into the swing of things. I gave my first presentation yesterday (I'd say it went swimmingly), am looking to join a gym, and have become obsessed with watching television on my computer. Oh, it's bad.
I've started watching Heroes and How I Met Your Mother. This is in addition to the DVDs I got for Christmas, which include season two of Chapelle's Show, season three of Arrested Development, volume three of The Family Guy, a few movies, some Pete and Pete, and an older volume of Family Guy. I'm doomed. What dissertation?
Friday, December 08, 2006
I am more awesome than you ever thought
These are exciting times, friends. I got a paper back from my professor and, not to toot my own horn (which is precisely what I'm doing) I got a very good grade and am quite satisfied with my sweet self.
It's a perfect way to round out the term and am looking forward, more than ever, to going home for a long and relaxing break. I'll be in the Mitten from December 16 until January 6, so if anyone wants to see me, start making plans now....
From the everything-in-a-cone-is-good camp.
And from the people at Nintendo.
Bless you.
It's a perfect way to round out the term and am looking forward, more than ever, to going home for a long and relaxing break. I'll be in the Mitten from December 16 until January 6, so if anyone wants to see me, start making plans now....
From the everything-in-a-cone-is-good camp.
And from the people at Nintendo.
Bless you.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
In Which We Journey for Miles for Modern Art
I took a long walk to the Tate Modern yesterday and took a smattering of pictures along the way. It was supposed to be a crappy day, but the weather cleared up and the sun came out, which is not entirely common in London in December (you've all suspected - I'm here to confirm it). Nevertheless, I'm taking this time to post a few pictures of yesterday's adventures.
This is one of the Slides at the Tate Modern. It's a fun exhibit with about four slides that you can go down, from the very top of the building all the way to the bottom (you know - like, a slide).
Another one of the slides.
Near Blackfriar's Bridge.
A glorious day, a view of the Eye and Parliament.
This is one of the Slides at the Tate Modern. It's a fun exhibit with about four slides that you can go down, from the very top of the building all the way to the bottom (you know - like, a slide).
Another one of the slides.
Near Blackfriar's Bridge.
A glorious day, a view of the Eye and Parliament.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
In Which We Learn Something Kind Of Interesting About Some Important Literary Figures
Week from Hell is finally over (I suppose it has been for a few days now), and I can breathe again. Briefly - I'll give my cancelled presentation next Monday (December 4), my economics assignment got done and turned in, as did my public management essay (a day early, even). As for my other essay (for Theories and Actors of the Policy Process - TAPP), which was due by Friday at 5:00, I had it in by 2:00. OR SO I THOUGHT! Instead, at six that night I got an email explaining that my emailed essay did not go through and that I would have to try again. Bummer. But by this Monday, when I asked my professor if he'd gotten my emailed essay, he hadn't even checked his email yet and I'm just resting on the assumption that he got it. Oh, and let's not forget a presentation for public management this Thursday. But who's counting?
Now, for the first time in a long, long time I decided to have fun over the weekend. So on Friday we went out for drinks, and on Saturday I went to the Natural History Museum and saw a movie with friends. It was an actual weekend. Unbelievable!
The movie: Pan's Labyrinth.
The trailer makes it look sort of bad, but it really is a very beautiful and very brutal film. the film is about a girl who moves to rural Spain, at the end of the Civil War. Her new step-father is a fascist general who is in the country-side rooting out communists still living in the mountains. He is a brutal general and has a habit of killing almost indiscriminately. He has no concern for the girl and is indifferent to his wife's pregnancy other than that it result in a son for him. The little girl, on the other hand, is obsessed with her fairy tales and wanders into the woods one day to encounter a faun who tells her that she is the princess of an underworld kingdom. In order to return to her kingdom, she must complete three tasks. The tasks, in and of themselves, are horrifying, far more so than in, say, any Harry Potter movie, to date.
On a final note, the movie made me realize that I knew nothing whatsoever about the Spanish Civil War, so I looked it up on Wikipedia. It's complicated, to say the least. But kind of fascinating. Especially interesting was the list of famous people who supported either side. Particularly Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, and Evelyn Waugh supporting the fascists. Who knew?
Now, for the first time in a long, long time I decided to have fun over the weekend. So on Friday we went out for drinks, and on Saturday I went to the Natural History Museum and saw a movie with friends. It was an actual weekend. Unbelievable!
The movie: Pan's Labyrinth.
The trailer makes it look sort of bad, but it really is a very beautiful and very brutal film. the film is about a girl who moves to rural Spain, at the end of the Civil War. Her new step-father is a fascist general who is in the country-side rooting out communists still living in the mountains. He is a brutal general and has a habit of killing almost indiscriminately. He has no concern for the girl and is indifferent to his wife's pregnancy other than that it result in a son for him. The little girl, on the other hand, is obsessed with her fairy tales and wanders into the woods one day to encounter a faun who tells her that she is the princess of an underworld kingdom. In order to return to her kingdom, she must complete three tasks. The tasks, in and of themselves, are horrifying, far more so than in, say, any Harry Potter movie, to date.
On a final note, the movie made me realize that I knew nothing whatsoever about the Spanish Civil War, so I looked it up on Wikipedia. It's complicated, to say the least. But kind of fascinating. Especially interesting was the list of famous people who supported either side. Particularly Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, and Evelyn Waugh supporting the fascists. Who knew?
Monday, November 20, 2006
The on-going fight between Good and Evil manifests itself ever more
This is one of those weeks where all I need to do is get through it and I'll consider myself successful. Presentations, two papers, an economics assignment - it's enough to make your head explode!
I was up all night last night putting together my presentation on policy networks and the advocacy coalition framework, which was due today. At about 11:00 this morning (class at 2:00) my shaking hands were putting on the last touches of my very first power point presentation. I thought I'd take a quick glance at my email.
And what should be awaiting me but an email.
Obviously, you think to your rational self.
This was no ordinary email, but an email from the pixie-adorable Helen Holt, administrative assistant to the policy rock stars at the SPP, saying that "unfortunately" today's seminar for Theories and Actors of the Policy Process had to be cancelled.
I read it again. Rubbed my work-weary eyes. Read it a third time. Chuckled. I had this deep and abiding fear that my tiresome eyes were going delusional on me. But I've (since) checked a few times. It is there. And it is for real.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
What can any of this mean?
We here at my professionally staffed weblogging outfit are struck dumb by this. We cannot find any good reason for this to be happening and will either blow a collective fuse attempting to understand it, or will simply banish it from our brains and refuse to recognize any course of events that might trigger memories of this.
Speaking of brains and refuse... My face hurts from trying to read such a high volume of technically boring texts. I have to present on policy networks next Monday and, I must say, the reading is not as fascinating as I had hoped. My light at the end of the tunnel is an article I'm trying to get my hands on - Political Influence in the 1990s: from iron triangles to policy networks. What excitement! I say. and it requires a special trip to the British Library - always an exciting endeavor.
By the way, I saw Yo La Tengo over the weekend and it rocked my socks off my ass. It was such a sweet show! I would recommed seeing them live. Right now, actually. Or, if you prefer, something to bring back memories?
Thursday, November 09, 2006
My brain is fried and this is only the beginning
The Borat movie was terribly hard to watch. In retrospect, it's funny. But I have so much difficulty with that kind of humor, where unsuspecting people are made into fools. According to an article in one of the free daily tabloids (sterling reputation) handed out in London, most of the scenes in Borat featured actors (in other words, they weren't all unsuspecting people).
It's reading week, and if you're one of the lucky UCL students whose department takes part in such a thing, then you have the entire week free of classes. What does that mean? You are 1) assigned shit tons of reading for each class; 2) you have the entire week to play catch up for all the reading you've missed; or 3) you have so many impending assignments due that you hardly leave your room (let alone the building), forcing yourself to read and write, feel generally arthritic as a result of sitting in the crappy plastic poor excuse for a desk chair, and keep yourself awake through the night sick with worry that you'll never get the work done and will flunk out of grad school and owe thousands of dollars in loans for which you have nothing to show. Guess which one applies to me. Oh, then there are the lucky few who get to travel during reading week. My friend Neel left for Krakow today. I hear it's lovely there.
Oh, so the election, nuts, right? I may be thousands of miles away, but that certainly seemed to run smoothly. I'm sad I missed it, actually. Civic geeks like me get all excited on big election days.
Did you know, though, that Australia (among other countries, I know) have mandatory voting? I think it might be a good idea, but I was trying to explain why something like that would never pass in the US, and could not seem to get my point across.
Right now I'm listening to Arab dance music with a pretty fresh little beat. But if you want something real good to listen to, I'll just add another little plug for Hudson & Gaines, the finest in radio broadcasting the US has to offer.
It's reading week, and if you're one of the lucky UCL students whose department takes part in such a thing, then you have the entire week free of classes. What does that mean? You are 1) assigned shit tons of reading for each class; 2) you have the entire week to play catch up for all the reading you've missed; or 3) you have so many impending assignments due that you hardly leave your room (let alone the building), forcing yourself to read and write, feel generally arthritic as a result of sitting in the crappy plastic poor excuse for a desk chair, and keep yourself awake through the night sick with worry that you'll never get the work done and will flunk out of grad school and owe thousands of dollars in loans for which you have nothing to show. Guess which one applies to me. Oh, then there are the lucky few who get to travel during reading week. My friend Neel left for Krakow today. I hear it's lovely there.
Oh, so the election, nuts, right? I may be thousands of miles away, but that certainly seemed to run smoothly. I'm sad I missed it, actually. Civic geeks like me get all excited on big election days.
Did you know, though, that Australia (among other countries, I know) have mandatory voting? I think it might be a good idea, but I was trying to explain why something like that would never pass in the US, and could not seem to get my point across.
Right now I'm listening to Arab dance music with a pretty fresh little beat. But if you want something real good to listen to, I'll just add another little plug for Hudson & Gaines, the finest in radio broadcasting the US has to offer.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
In Which Good News and Bad News Is Shared
I'm not going to be famous. Balls.
But I am heading off to see Borat in a bit, so a full review will come later.
Kelli went home to Ohio last week and only just got back today. She brought me candy corn, those little pumpkins, and double-stuffed Oreos. She also got me the Finding Nemo soundtrack and she brought some Halloween candy. I've just finished eating a tootsie pop. I love those things. We used to buy bags of them when we went up north for vacation, and we'd, well, eat them. Point is, they remind me of fun summer vacations up at the Smith's cottage on Lake Michigan.
Something in my room smells weird. I hope it's not me.
Right now I'm listening to the mixed cd that Tony made me before we started dating. This evening is all about good memories. That's not to say that the time before Tony and I started dating constitutes good memories, but those few weeks leading up to the start of our relationship were, well, fun, full of anticipation. I know you know what I'm talking about. Don't try to twist my words. You're always trying to get me into trouble.
Happy Election Day!
But I am heading off to see Borat in a bit, so a full review will come later.
Kelli went home to Ohio last week and only just got back today. She brought me candy corn, those little pumpkins, and double-stuffed Oreos. She also got me the Finding Nemo soundtrack and she brought some Halloween candy. I've just finished eating a tootsie pop. I love those things. We used to buy bags of them when we went up north for vacation, and we'd, well, eat them. Point is, they remind me of fun summer vacations up at the Smith's cottage on Lake Michigan.
Something in my room smells weird. I hope it's not me.
Right now I'm listening to the mixed cd that Tony made me before we started dating. This evening is all about good memories. That's not to say that the time before Tony and I started dating constitutes good memories, but those few weeks leading up to the start of our relationship were, well, fun, full of anticipation. I know you know what I'm talking about. Don't try to twist my words. You're always trying to get me into trouble.
Happy Election Day!
Friday, November 03, 2006
I'm going to be quite famous, you see?
Last night I was at a debate about the Muslim veil issue. There was a white British convert there, a woman named Yvonne, who, after the debate, asked me to be on her television show on the Islam Channel. Her show is a current affairs type of thing, and if there are any affairs I can get behind, they are the ones that are happening currently.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Sound The Alarm (X4)
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.
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 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.
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