Walking around Oxford at night, in the snow, is the first time I have ever felt at all sensible wearing robes. I think it is a combination of the practical concerns of temperature and the suspension of normal rules of operation that always accompanies a Vancouverite after a snowfall.
I have always loved ‘extreme’ weather events, precisely because of the way they allow the subversion of normal modes of operating. Because of what I mean by weather, things like blackouts also count. Anything of a sufficiently super-human magnitude to let us legitimately question the rhythms of normal life tells us a lot about people; personally, the people who respond primarily with annoyance are the same sort who do not like Studio Ghibli films. That is to say, people with no imagination.
The snow will melt away by tonight
By Nick Britten
Last Updated: 1:23am GMT 09/02/2007
I expected as much, hence my concentration on enjoying it while it was here.
Like the shot, though I still regret not getting one earlier in the day before the weight of additional snow and passers-by had knocked some of the caking off to reveal the frame.
Still, its snowing again now…
It also snowed last night in Ottawa. Big beautiful flakes. I went out to a party with a Rhodie and met another Oxford grad at the party. It was a bureaucratic frat party really. Wine bottles all over the kitchen, people jammed in every available space, music blaring from an ipod set to speakers, surprisingly a real roaring fire in the hearth. But then you chat with people who are foreign affairs officers, people back from Kenya, everyone is in the family business or on the hill and it is just the greatest feeling. To be home! To be where you belong. I am sure after a few years I will tire of the sameness of everyone and the interconnectivity will seem to limit my freedom, but it is such a nice place. Come to the mothership– it’s not that cold. ; )
Ashley,
Jobs in Ottawa, I have certainly be considering. If you have a line on any, please let me know.
I think the “Recruitment of Policy Leaders” is an avenue you would be well suited to explore. They look only at high performing candidates and you start at an ES-04 level– I think $65K to start but you are slotted into the bureaucracy at a far higher level. They take 30 candidates a year. They want distinction and as an Oxofrd master’s student that would certainly qualify you. Then you are ‘sherpa’d’ through the government process and instantly enjoy a network of highly intelligent policy wonks. Plus this city is definitely swarming with eligble attractive women in a way that is very advantageous to men. You should be able to apply for the RPL through Oxford. They redegined the govt website: http://www.jobs.gc.ca to include more information about programs. I think the RPL would be the avenue most suited for your talents. However, if you do succeed with the Economist internship I think that might be your true home. Bonne Chance!
Ashley,
Right now, when you follow these instructions for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders program, it says simply: “No job opportunity found.”
Apparently, the RPL process for this year ended in October.