The events of November 29th, backwards
I am going to write this backwards, since memory peels back in layers and I am too tired to straighten it.
Just now, I left the King's Arms: where I spoke with Claire about the future of humanity, the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and the brilliance of our fellow M.Phils. Earlier, I was in The Turf, discussing much the same matter. Quite a broad cross-section of those in the program were present, which was an enjoyable surprise. I particularly enjoyed meeting Andy's roommate, who studied at UBC.
Before heading to The Turf, I was at a production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, put on at the Old Fire Station, on George Street. As I remarked to the young man taking notes for student radio beside me: it was like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, except ten times as loud. I enjoyed it quite a bit, as my first piece of theatre since arriving in Oxford this September. I also enjoyed the Old Fire Hall as a venue, complete with curious icy lounges for intermission. I am glad Claire encouraged me to attend.
Claire and I wandered to the play from Wadham, where we stopped to drop off my notes and pick up my gloves. Tonight was quite bitterly cold, you see. Before that, we were at the Christmas Party of the Department of Politics and International Relations, where I got potato chips for dinner and free wine. I spoke very briefly with one of our core seminar directors, as well as with many IR M.Phils and those in related disciplines
Before that, I was at the final quantitative methods lecture given by James Tilley: despised in some quarters and embraced in others. During the break between the two hours, I spoke with a young woman from Green College sitting in the row behind me. While I don't know who she is and will never see her again, I did see her during the small feminist march that Claire and I passed between the DPIR party and the play. That march is pictured above.
Before the statistics lecture, we had our core seminar. Today's discussion struck me as particularly good, and I felt as though I participated usefully in it. The first three-quarters were about levels of analysis for interpreting the emergence of the cold war. The last bit was about hegemonic stability theory.
First thing in the morning, I went for a walk and a coffee with Bilyana. While I fear that I may have spoken too much about cryptographic and authentication systems, it went well regardless. I hope that I shall see her again soon - before everyone disperses for the break.
Tomorrow morning, many of us are meeting to make an attempt at this week's STATA assignment: the penultimate assignment of the much and rightly derided quantitative methods course. As such, I should consign myself to sleep. My best wishes to all who read this. Bonsoir.
PS. For £1250 and the advancement of medical science, one member of the M.Phil in IR was intentionally infected with malaria today.
3 Comments
It should be noted, just prior to sleep, that Claire created a blog today.
I didn't know James Tilley was your stats lecturer. He's my college advisor (this term).
Sounds like you weren't so much at the DPIR party. We went from there to the Turf, to Jesus, to Nuffield. After which we'd beeen told the IR people were going to the Ha Ha Bar, but not finding any, we then went to Univ and St Antony's...
Here is an entry on the feminist march you describe.
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