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April 29, 2005
My Home Away From Home
While in some ways Sweden is among the most advanced nations on earth (18 months of paid parental leave!), sometimes you have to wonder.
From today's The Local (Sweden's News in English):
Swedish government highlights bestiality problem
Bestiality, or sex with animals, is a growing problem in Sweden and in many cases the animals suffer physical injury, according to the country's first government-commissioned study on the issue presented on Friday.
The government last year tasked the agency with determining the scope of the problem, which species are most often abused and whether the animals suffer psychologically from the abuse.
"Horses are most often subjected to violations. Even if it is difficult to assess an animal's degree of psychological suffering, it is likely that it experiences discomfort or is subjected to psychological suffering even in cases where there is no evidence of physical injury," the agency said.
Most startling of all:
Bestiality is not illegal in Sweden. A ban on the practice was lifted in 1944, along with a ban on homosexuality.
However, a person can be found guilty of cruelty to animals if prosecutors can prove that the animal suffered physical or psychological injury.
The article makes a point to say that there is no evidence that this problem is occuring with more frequency, but just that more people are reporting it. Additionally, they are quick to say that it is impossible to judge how Sweden compares to other countries, since no one else is doing extensive studies of the issue. I guess this is one more way that Sweden is advanced--no other countries are concerned with the psychological affect of bestiality on farm animals!
I need to go home. 'Cuz, ya know, America has NO history of anything sordid like this. Nope, not at all.
Photo Credit: I took this picture last fall during a weekend trip to Ystad. I hope those horses haven't been violated!
Posted by madchen at 05:43 PM | Comments (1)
April 28, 2005
Zen and the Art of Blogging
And what is good, Phædrus,
And what is not good...
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
An Inquiry into Values
by Robert M. Pirsig
It's been 31 years this month since Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was first published. I bought the cheap paperback version (the one with the pink cover) a couple of years ago and remember having to bend the spine back to open it wide enough to read. Yet for the unpleasantness of reading a coarse-paper, tiny font novel, the experience was amazing. As Amazon puts it:
Arguably one of the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the consequences of a modern world pathologically obsessed with quantity. Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a truly life-changing book.
I wish I had my copy here now. Even though you can read it online, it's just not the same as curling up with a cheap paperback.
Posted by madchen at 08:56 PM | Comments (1)April 27, 2005
Basic Human Needs - Freedom
Basic Human Need: Freedom.
Being (qualities): autonomy, passion, self-esteem, open-mindedness.
Having (things): equal rights.
Doing (actions): dissent, choose, run risks, develop awareness.
Interacting (settings): anywhere.
As an American, it's sometimes hard to think about freedom without immediately getting all patriotic. Or, perhaps, un-patriotic, as I think about the restrictions on civil liberties imposed by the Patriot Act, the continuing discrimination against gays promoted by the Christian right, and my inability to choose a toxin-free lifestyle because of current environmental regulations.
Sigh. Despite the slogan, "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave", America can be a very stifling place to live, especially seen from the Swedish perspective. On the other hand, it's all a sliding scale and I'd rather be an American than an Iraqi right now—despite their recent "liberation".
But as I look at the list above, freedom suddenly shifts from a national level to a personal one. From this perspective, the situation looks much brighter.
1. I have an incredible amount of autonomy (look at me, moving to Sweden on a whim!);
2. I have a high self-esteem (some might argue arrogance—but who cares about those peons?);
3. I have equal rights (except for the right to marry a woman, which the lack of males to date is driving me to consider);
4. I fully embrace my right to dissent (just look at my history with this Master's program);
5. I like to think that I'm open-minded. At least, I can look back and see dramatic shifts in my opinions as my awareness about issues grew. And on some issues, I choose to stand my ground; and
6. Finally, as an American, it's my right and responsibility to challenge the things I disagree with (oh, how long that list is getting!) and I think I do a good job of making my voice heard (in fact, I made an international phone call to the Maryland Governor's office today to tell him to sign some pending legislation).
That's freedom, baby.
[Incidentally, this is the last of the "basic human needs" entries. I'm now accepting other ideas for the next introspective series.]
Posted by madchen at 10:28 PM | Comments (1)Commentary - The Schiavo Distraction*
The controversial legal events leading up to the removal of Terry Schiavo's feeding tube has created an unprecedented interest in living wills, documents that specify the type of medical care people want to receive if they become unable to communicate their own wishes. While the importance of living wills should not be underestimated, the media frenzy over Schiavo's death obscures a larger truth: we would be more effective in protecting our collective health by turning our attention to the causes of long-term debilitating illnesses rather than unlikely end-of-life scenarios. Unfortunately, Congress and the Bush Administration are doing precisely nothing to change this focus.
According to scientists, we are far more likely to suffer long-term health problems from environmental contaminants and carcinogens than ever before. As the Collaborative on Health and the Environment notes, "Chronic diseases and disabilities have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting more than 100 million men, women and children, which is more than one-third of our population. Asthma, autism, birth defects, cancers, developmental disabilities, diabetes, endometriosis, infertility, Parkinson's disease and other diseases and disabilities are causing increased suffering and concern."
These chronic and often terminal illnesses can be traced back to chemicals used by industry and manufacturing. Multiple studies have shown that lab animals and humans exposed to these toxins develop birth defects, gene mutations, nervous system damage and liver and kidney disease. Other long-term health problems include impaired immune systems, damaged motor skills, and cancer-causing shifts in hormone levels.
Take mercury for example, just one of the hundreds of deadly chemicals currently released into our local air and water supply. Working its way up the food chain, high levels of mercury exposure can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune systems of people of all ages. In particular, mercury compounds in the bloodstream of fetuses and young children can result in severe learning disabilities. The effects of mercury poisoning are not limited to a few unlucky families either. A National Research Council study commissioned by Congress estimated that each year about 60,000 children born in the United States could have neurological problems because they were exposed to mercury before birth.
Back in 2000, the EPA determined that mercury from coal-burning power plants, accounting for about 40 percent of all domestic mercury emissions, was a risk to public health. Although supported by numerous scientific studies, the government failed to act until last month, when the EPA issued a long-awaited Clear Air Mercury Rule to "permanently cap and reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants for the first time ever."
The Bush Administration hailed the new regulation as a major step forward, but in fact, the Clean Air Mercury Rule is fundamentally flawed. Not only did the EPA ignore research findings by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis that showed mercury could be controlled better and faster, but the new regulation even allows some states to increase these dangerous emissions up to ten times their current levels by 2010.
Regrettably, criticism of the new mercury regulation can be more broadly applied to the government's attitude towards all environmental contaminants. Instead of placing the burden of proof on companies, the EPA currently allows chemicals to be used until they are proven dangerous. Because of the persistent and accumulative effects of these compounds, the EPA's reactionary policy threatens public health, especially for women and children, long after identified toxins have been removed from industrial use.
One of the many groups fighting to emphasize the connection between the environment and public health, the Saratoga Foundation for Women Worldwide, is archiving a list of studies of environmental health effects on women of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals applied in various countries. The aim of the program is to propose alternative measures which may be substituted and employed to avert environmental contamination and injury to health and to educate the public about why they are getting sick.
Even with this information, however, the public is still at a disadvantage. The sad truth is that until our government begins to proactively address the danger of environmental contaminants, we are likely to see a continued increase in chronic illness and death for years to come.
Given that the government appears unwilling to address this emerging health crisis that results in long-term chronic and debilitating illnesses, perhaps the recent attention on living wills is not so misplaced. So while you wait in your lawyer's front office, consider the following question: Which should be more important to Congress and our President, prolonging the life of a single brain-dead woman, or preventing toxic pollutants from affecting thousands of Americans? Unless your brain has already been damaged by mercury pollution, the answer should be obvious.
*This is the op-ed I wrote that was politely rejected by every conceivable newspaper. I personally believe that the writing is brilliant, just that the timing was off. Damn that Pope for dying and stealing the spotlight!!
Posted by madchen at 02:53 AM | Comments (1)Books I Read in 2005
The update for March and April is rather quick--between thesis work, volunteer research, op-ed writing, and all my traveling, there is just one book to review.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell: A Novel
by Susanna Clarke
Publishers Weekly Review: The drawing room social comedies of early 19th-century Britain are infused with the powerful forces of English folklore and fantasy in this extraordinary novel of two magicians who attempt to restore English magic in the age of Napoleon. In Clarke's world, gentlemen scholars pore over the magical history of England, which is dominated by the Raven King, a human who mastered magic from the lands of faerie. The study is purely theoretical until Mr. Norrell, a reclusive, mistrustful bookworm, reveals that he is capable of producing magic and becomes the toast of London society, while an impetuous young aristocrat named Jonathan Strange tumbles into the practice, too, and finds himself quickly mastering it. Though irritated by the reticent Norrell, Strange becomes the magician's first pupil, and the British government is soon using their skills. Mr. Strange serves under Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars (in a series of wonderful historical scenes), but afterward the younger magician finds himself unable to accept Norrell's restrictive views of magic's proper place and sets out to create a new age of magic by himself. Clarke manages to portray magic as both a believably complex and tedious labor, and an eerie world of signs and wonders where every object may have secret meaning. London politics and talking stones are portrayed with equal realism and seem indisputably part of the same England, as signs indicate that the Raven King may return. The chock-full, old-fashioned narrative (supplemented with deft footnotes to fill in the ignorant reader on incidents in magical history) may seem a bit stiff and mannered at first, but immersion in the mesmerizing story reveals its intimacy, humor and insight, and will enchant readers of fantasy and literary fiction alike.
My review: First off, I have to say that I didn't physically read the book, but instead listened to the unabridged version on audiobook. The audiobook took the 782 pages and read them in a delightful British accent (I say, cheerio, and all that rot) covering a space of 32 hours and 2 minutes. So no wonder it took me so long to get through. On the other hand, it was totally worth it--quite the entertaining read. I felt it was a nice mix between a gentle Harry Potter and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I recommend to all.
Posted by madchen at 02:43 AM | Comments (0)Buffalo Wings
This story from the Washington Post today had me nearly falling out of my chair with a fit of the giggles. It begins:
PIKESVILLE, Md. -- Police spent about two hours Tuesday morning corralling a herd of buffalo that somehow got loose and wandered around an upscale residential community in suburban Baltimore, disrupting traffic and alarming homeowners.
County police used 13 police cars, members of their tactical unit and a police helicopter to herd about 10 animals onto the tennis court of an apartment complex, police spokesman Shawn Vinson said.
I think my favorite part is the picture, which clearly shows a buffalo hopping over the tennis net, with a kiddy pool nearby--presumably to ensure that the buffalo didn't get dehydrated during their ordeal. I don't think I could hop over a tennis net if my life depended on it.
Posted by madchen at 02:27 AM | Comments (0)April 25, 2005
Basic Human Needs - Identity
Basic Human Need: Identity.
Being (qualities): sense of belonging, self-esteem, consistency.
Having (things): language, religions, work, customs, values, norms.
Doing (actions): get to know oneself, grow, commit oneself.
Interacting (settings): places one belongs to, everyday settings.
Over the past few years, I've been questioning my identity. I suppose this is part and parcel of the "quarter-life crisis". I've been trying to find my place in this world, trying to decide what kind of person I want to be, and trying to make choices and create opportunities that will allow me to become that person. It's a rough time.
This past year in Sweden has given me a wonderful opportunity to step outside of "normal life" and think deeply about the issue of identity. Setting aside the everyday routine of a job, a home, and a boyfriend (or the search for a boyfriend) has been unique. For that reason alone, the decision to come to Karlskrona has been worth it. In particular, being outside of American culture has given me a chance to critically evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and decide which parts of it I want to embrace, and which I want to leave behind.
So, what kind of person do I want to be? There are so many aspects of that question that it seems impossible to answer in a few sentences…So, in a repeat of an early blog entry, I will instead phrase it as "I want to be a person who…" Having had a few more months to think about it, I wonder if my answers will have changed at all.
1. I want to be a person who stands up for what she believes is right. Even if my opinions of what "right" is change over time, I want to be able to look back and say that I made informed decisions with the best intentions. I don't want to look back and think, "I wish I had taken a stand, rather than sitting back and waiting for others to act."
2. I want to be a person who knows herself. Dealing honestly with myself is a challenge. On the one hand, I think I am fairly self-critical. On the other hand, I consciously choose not to acknowledge certain issues because I know they will lead to emotional angst. I have a hard time justifying the choice to open myself up to that kind of intense reflection without seeing a substantial reward of some kind.
3. I want to be actively involved in my local community. Even if I choose to move around every few years, I want to be a part of the neighborhood. I want to go to town hall meetings, sit on the board of public works, be a "local" at the coffee shop around the corner, and I want have my neighbors over for BBQs every summer.
4. I want to be a person who takes calculated risks. I don't want to be staid, but neither do I want to be a foolish risk-taker. I want to critically evaluate situations and make the bold choice. At the same time, I want to be a planner who makes sure that there is a secure safety net in place, just in case that bold choice is a disaster.
5. I want to be a good friend. Ahh—here's the hardest one. I have a feeling that I might not be a very good friend. The problem is that I usually don't feel like I need to make any extra effort—especially when I realize that I make more effort than a lot of the others in my group of friends. (Actually, at some point I should really define "friend"—I think that a lot of my old friendships, especially those from high school have faded to mere acquaintances.) And yet, I can immediately identify those friends who DO take the extra time to keep up (EF and AA, that's you!!), and I admire them immensely for it. I need to find better ways to be a good friend, especially from afar.
6. I want to be an "citizen of the world". If the conference in Austria taught me nothing else, it's that language is essential. One of my first priorities when I finish this program will be to enroll in a language class, wherever I am. In fact, I might stay for the summer in Salzburg and take some immersion German—if the job doesn't come through.
And now, a new and improved list of THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE.
(The previous list was lost somewhere in London, but I know that several items have since been accomplished, including skydiving, lasik eye surgery, and living abroad.)
1. Learn to speak German fluently.
2. Learn to speak Spanish proficiently.
3. Visit Macchu Pichu. (And learn how to spell it correctly.)
4. Go on an African safari.
5. Write a book.
6. Get a Ph.D.
7. Go on a solo vacation.
8. Run a 5k.
9. See all 7 continents.
10. Learn to swim laps.
I'm sure there are other, better things to add to this list, but I think I'm satisfied for tonight.
Posted by madchen at 09:13 PM | Comments (2)April 24, 2005
Fun in Austria
I've been on such a whirlwind adventure these last 8 days that I haven't had a moment to spare. The overall lack of cheap, convenient internet resources also contributed to my lack of updates. I have exactly 28 minutes (d'oh, 27!) to wrap up all my email, update this site, and check the internet for major news. So, to sum up:
- Our last day in Vienna was disappointingly rainy, but we made the best of it with a trip to Schonnbron Palace. I had been there before, but had never taken the time to walk through the extensive gardens in the back. Definitely one of my favorite places in the world.
- Our entire time in Salzburg was rainy. Mandy and I decided to forego sloshing around in puddles, and so mainly saw the sights via walking around to various pubs, hair salons, and H&Ms. I am now the proud owner of a new jacket (having left my spring jacket in DC), two new pairs of pants, and a cool new haircut. I also highly enjoyed getting my hair washed by a sexy young Austrian man, and chatting a whole evening with two guys from Salzburg (who incidentally paid for our dinner!).
- The weather in Graz was better, and the conference was fun. We met a bunch of Swedes and spent more time enjoying the Graz nightlife (acoustic karaoke at an English pub one night, dancing to world music at a pub another night, and a LONG walking tour of the city (we got lost) and drinks at an Irish pub, another night). Good times. I'll try and hook up with them in Stockholm sometime before I leave.
I'm now back in Vienna for one last night. Our flight to Copenhagen leaves at 9:20 a.m. in the morning, which means we have to be at the bus station at 7:30 (gasp of disbelief) to catch the bus to the airport. With any luck, I'll be back in my apartment by 5 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
And then, there will be frantic work on my thesis (trouble is a-brewing with my absent thesis partner), an update to potential employers, and somehow fitting in all the things I had planned to do this year into the remaining 4 weeks I have in Sweden.
I'm starting to get a feel for how I want the next 6 months to look like. Actually, there are several tracks the future could take, but it's nice to know that I have options if none of these jobs come through.
More later. Auf wiedersehen!
Posted by madchen at 08:58 PM | Comments (0)April 16, 2005
Vienna
We're in Vienna!
I'm writing from the computer room in our hostel. For a mere 2 Euros, I have a whole 30 minutes. Unfortuntely, I have neither the time nor the inclination to transfer over my pictures, or to give a hugely detailed account of the last two days. 'Cause I'm tired.
But here's a quick overview.
Yesterday we left Karlskrona on the 13:38 train to Copenhagen. The fun started right away when a rowdy, drunken bunch of college students decided that our car was the prime locale for their agitated ramblings. Mandy and I, in particular, were graced with the presence of one, who proceed to tell Mandy that she was beautiful. Her eyes, they were perfection; her face, "like a flower".
At one point he looked over to me (sitting next to him) and said, "You, you alright. But her," turning to Mandy, "her beautiful." We found it highly amusing and also greatly annoying.
Thankfully, they only rode with us as far as Kristianstad, where the rest of the journey was uneventful. We spent a couple of hours in the airport (our flight was delayed) before finally boarding our Maersk flight to Vienna. Once we arrived, we took the shuttle over to the Westbanhoff Station, then hoofed it over to our hostel (getting only slightly lost on the way). After checking in to our room (which is tiny, but very clean), we took a quick walk and called it a night.
This morning we were up and out the door by 10 a.m. We headed for the main part of the town and proceeded to see most of the Innerstadt (spelling is iffy on this, since Mandy has the guidebook upstairs). The weather was absolutely gorgeous--with people in shorts, t-shirts, and sunglasses. We meandered through the park next to the Hofburg Imperial Palace, saw St. Stephan's (and took a tour of the crypts), walked around a bunch of the side streets and generally had a good time.
We had planned to go to the Statsoper (the premiere opera house in the world, or so they say) to see a performance of La Boeme, but we were just too tired to get back to the hostel, change into nice clothes, get back to the Statsoper, buy cheap standing-room tickets, and stand through a performance. Plus, we realized that we hadn't had any solid food all day (unless you count ice cream as solid).
So instead, we found a little Italian place, got seats outside, had a nice glass of wine, and ate a leisurely dinner. A round-about walk back to the hostel has brought us back to where we started 10 hours ago.
Our plans for the night include a little thesis work and a little "other work". I'll be working on a school project, having been asked to help revise the textbook for next year. Mandy will do whatever it is she does when she's not working on her thesis.
The plan for tomorrow is to spend the day at the Schonnbron Palace. The weather is supposed to cool down, and nothing else is open on Sunday's anyway. We'll be lucky to find anything to eat. On our way back, all the grocery stores had closed and won't re-open until Monday morning. We're bad planners!!
Posted by madchen at 07:48 PM | Comments (2)April 14, 2005
Basic Human Needs - Creation
Basic Human Need: Creation
Being (qualities): imagination, boldness, inventiveness, curiosity.
Having (things): abilities, skills, work, techniques.
Doing (actions): invent, build, design, work, compose, interpret.
Interacting (settings): spaces for expression, workshops, audiences.
My greatest creation this year has definitely been my blog. In the past couple of years, I had kept a private journal with great regularity. I found that it helped me to mentally organize my time, review the day's events, and revel in my less-kind instincts. Going public, as I did last July, was a big step.
Yet in some ways, my blog is very much the same as my old private journals. Lots of the time, I just write about what I did that day. No deep feelings, no personal revelations. For one thing, although it might be less interesting to read, the "chronicle" approach has been helpful when I've needed to look back and remember what I was doing on a particular day. How long did Jim and I date? When did I first begin to sense my dissatisfaction with the program? Are there trends in my mood that I should be aware of?
In other ways, though, this blog has challenged me to be creative. At the beginning of this year I made the following New Year's Resolution:
I will update my journal regularly, and make a special effort to write about things other than my daily routine. The "journal" issue is something I've been struggling with for the last month or so. I wish I could be more thoughtful about my writing, but there are a couple of things holding me back.
- First, a public journal (which my parents, friends, and classmates can read) is a little intimidating--I know I am self-censoring at some level. In my previous private journals, there is discussion at a more intimate level. I would like to be this honest in my blog, but I worry that I will offend people--particularly my parents. If I decide to be completely honest (which I think would be more rewarding in the long run), I have to deal with the potential disgust from readers.
- Second, there is an inherent tension between recording my daily activities (which I *do* find important) and delving into deeper issues. I just don't have a commitment to writing for hours and hours each day, and I'm not sure how to make the most out of my writing time.
- Third, there are issues that I need to address, but that I just don't want to deal with. I'm even reluctant to mention them here, because committing them to paper (or computer memory) indicates that I realize they are important and have some responsibility to address. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Since January, I've made a conscious attempt to make good on this resolution. But how well have I done?
- Well, I've certainly achieved a better balance of introspection and a daily recitation of events. But now I kind of miss having a detailed record of my humdrum existence. Not that I do much around here—just thesis work, watching Alias with Roya, and…well…that's about it.
- I think I'm being more honest, although there are still issues that I don't even begin to address. Again, I'm hesitant to even commit them to paper. At some point, there will need to be a reckoning, but for now, I'm content to be in Egypt.
Beyond the blog, I think I've done a really great job at finding other ways to be creative. Hooking up with the Saratoga Foundation was a great opportunity to further explore women's rights in Africa and, more recently, to try my hand at op-ed writing (we just submitted it to a local NY paper). Working as a volunteer has given me a great deal of freedom to pursue my own interests within a structured environment, which is my favorite medium.
And, of course, my thesis work is another way I'm fulfilling my basic human need for creation. Although I'm working in a team, I'm basically the one driving the process (for better and for worse), so I feel a sense of responsibility to create something lasting and meaningful.
As I look to the future, I am realizing that I need to find a job that allows me the opportunity to create something. In some ways, it's very important for me to feel ownership over what I do, so that I can step back and say *I* did this. Whether that means having the time to keep volunteering, or getting published, or doing some home renovation (after I find a home, of course), creation will be vital to my happiness.
Posted by madchen at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)April 12, 2005
*My* Situation
Would you rather have him be Dictator of the World? I thought not.
[For consistency, you might want to read Kevin's entry first.]
Let us examine the following excerpt from Kevin's blog:
We all know that someone who does not subscribe to a close-minded, one-track, "this is the absolute truth - regardless of the circumstance" view is quickly labeled a flip-flopper, a wish-wash, weak, and indecisive. What a sad world we live in when people are made to feel guilty or inadequate for thinking about a topic from all angles, reserving judgment until it is well understood, and refusing to make over-arching assertions independent of context.
Can't you just hear the long drawn-out sighs and see the morose head-shaking that must have accompanied the writing of that paragraph? One can almost picture Kevin standing at the window, looking out over the Baltic sea and wondering if life is worth living. If only he could just get in his kayak and sail into the night, living in harmony with nature, taking only what he needs to survive. Why must life be so complicated? Sigh. Why can't we all just be flip-floppers? Headshake.
I recognize, however, that is it not enough to simply badmouth the competition. That, dear readers, is what is referred to in highly erudite circles, as "negative campaigning". And so, I now present, the top 10 reasons I should be your pick for Dictator of the World:
1. I know impressive words, like "erudite".
2. I have a photographic memory. Living in such a complex world, isn't it comforting to know that your Dictator remembers all the information she reads, rather than relying on a fuzzy memory of what someone said three years ago?
3. I am truthful. Rather than rudely editing someone else's blog entry to make her sound like an idiot, I let people's words speak for themselves. If I offer commentary afterwards, it is just to alert readers to my opinion on the subject--not to besmirch their good names.
4. I'm listening to phenom pianist Lang Lang play Mozart and Liszt, even as I type this brilliant missive. How much more brilliant do you want your Dictator to be?
5. Now I'm listening to an iTunes shuffle of 50 Cent, Iron and Wine, and Bob Dylan. I'm not just about classical music, I'm also in touch with the people.
6. I've already met lots of important people. See how Kjell Magne Bondevik, the Prime Minister of Norway, loves me? (I can't comment on the woman in red.)
7. My website is full of "sass". You want your Dictator to be funny, sarcastic, and self-deprecating, right?
8. I currently have no sex life, so all my energy can go into managing the world.
9. Did I mention I have no sex life? All my pent-up frustration can go into creating innovative solutions to our most challenging problems!
...and now, the most important reason...
10. I don't care what you do, as long as you take responsibility for your actions. Go ahead, smoke all you want! Just don't expect my government to pick up the tab for your lung cancer. Go ahead, solicit a prostitute! Just don't get bitchy when you contract VD. Go ahead, work like a dog and ignore your family! But no complaining on your deathbed when you realize your life was meaningless.
As long as you don't infringe on other people's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then you can do as you please.
My job as Dictator is to ensure that everyone on the planet has access to information that will inform them of the results of their behavior ("smoking causes cancer") and create the capacity for people to choose the "right" options (birth control on demand, free education, etc.)
I'll step in when you decide that murder, robbery, sweatshops, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses are acceptable. Otherwise, proceed as planned.
Posted by madchen at 11:23 PM | Comments (2)News Round Up
1. Due to obscene neglect on the part of my parents, Madchen has been forced to keep herself clean by secreting herself in loads of laundry. At last report, the filter on the dryer was clogged with fur.
2. The Willy:s grocery store down the street from me is being closed. This is an obvious case of redlining, and irritates me to no end. I will be sending a sharply worded letter to their corporate headquarters, just as soon as I learn enough Swedish to navigate their "Kontakta Oss" website.
3. I have been up to my ears in thesis interviews. Each one takes at least 2 hours of preparation (and that's after I've carefully negotiated an interview time where both of us will be available), plus the time it takes to have the interview, write up the summary, and email it off for approval. Thankfully, I've got it down to a science, and it now runs quite smoothly.
4. On Friday I leave for Austria with Mandy. We'll spend 3 days in Vienna, two days in Salzburg, 4 days in Graz, and then one day to be decided when we get there. While in Graz, Mandy and I will be presenting at the Conference on the International Launch in Higher Education: Education for Sustainable Development (United Nations Decade 2005-2014). We're very important, you see.
5. No one has decided to pick up my brilliant op-ed. I think it was the timing--Terry Schiavo is so last week. Even the Pope is getting overexposed. Perhaps I'll post it here, after I talk to the Foundation.
Posted by madchen at 04:56 PM | Comments (3)Heroine Supplier
I've been very bad. In fact, I am responsible right now for several of my classmates avoiding thesis work. Instead they sit around with glazed looks in their eyes, their minds spinning with vivid colors and foreign languages.
I have provided them with heroine. A heroine, I should say. I've given them a dose of Sidney Bristow.
Alias is one of the few television shows I religiously watch. In fact, I brought all three seasons of it with me to Sweden. It actually got me through the first week, when I didn't have any lights in the apartment and there was precious little to do after the sun went down. Now I'm sharing the love.
Posted by madchen at 01:53 AM | Comments (0)April 11, 2005
Thought You Should Know
The most popular search term that brings people to my blog?
Is it the thrilling book reviews? No.
Is it the deep introspective entries on my basic human needs? No.
Is it the scintillating travel stories? Kind of.
In fact, the answer is "tallin strip clubs", with "latvian strip clubs" coming in a close second.
Also popular is "jessica simpson and nick lachey and seperation" and a bunch of kids trying to scam book reports on To Kill a Mockingbird.
Posted by madchen at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)April 09, 2005
Basic Human Needs - Leisure
Basic Human Need: Leisure
Being (qualities): imagination, tranquility, spontaneity.
Having (things): games, parties, peace of mind.
Doing (actions): day-dream, remember, relax, have fun.
Interacting (settings): landscapes, intimate spaces, places to be alone.
Of all the things I have going for me here in Sweden, leisure has to be at the top of the list. This semester has been virtually free of any scheduled activities. We have an occasional optional class, but my time is mostly my own. And I LOVE IT.
I love working on a schedule conducive to my bizarre circadian rhythms. I have known for years that my most productive times are between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Unfortunately, not a lot of jobs (unless I want to work the swing shift at the local gas station) have that flexibility. This semester, I've been able to work as late as I want, and then sleep practically the whole day. It's even been somewhat of an advantage, since I'm often trying to correspond with people in the United States, who are 6 hours behind me.
I love having a schedule that permits me to be spontaneous. My trip with Lisa to the Baltic was planned a mere 4 days before we actually left. I decided to go to Austria with Mandy after looking at the conference schedule for under 10 minutes. I'm only here in Sweden for another couple months, after all. I need to pack in as much traveling as possible.
I love having a group of friends that plan BBQs, potluck dinners, bonfires, and the like. Tomorrow, for example, the girls are all going to the Badhaus to enjoy the spa-like pamperings of the different temperature pools. Afterwards, the entire class is invited over to Birte and Tomomi's for a mini-class on back exercises.
My only semi-complaint is that I miss having my own place. While Jess and Roya are great, I greatly anticipate my next apartment. It will be sparkling clean, with two cats and plenty of naked time.
Posted by madchen at 07:17 PM | Comments (3)April 08, 2005
This Is What It Has Come To
Sure, being single can be frustrating, but has it really come to this?
Apparently, the dating scene has gotten so rough, Wal-Mart has now entered the scene.
On Friday nights, singles looking for romance, mindless flirting or just a new friend head over to their neighborhood Wal-Mart where they're given a big bright red bow to attach to their shopping cart or shopping basket.Then it's up to the willing participants to approach one another and take it from there.
But if that's too intimidating, Wal-Mart has set up "flirting points" around the stores stacked with "romantic" merchandise, such as chocolates, wine and cheese, to help with that first awkward step.
Now, when I think about it, I have to admit that the strategy is pure genius. Moreover, I would probably wait in line to participate if, say, it was sponsored by Whole Foods, or Dean and Deluca. But I just can't bring myself to endorse a Wal-Mart version of the awkward "singles night" spectacle.
I think it's the uncomfortable thought that I might run into a potential date while standing next to a selection of granny-style bras. Or that I might meander past the guy of my dreams as he stocks up on his favorite brand of ammo.
No, I'd rather risk the perils of internet dating, thank you very much.
Posted by madchen at 09:58 PM | Comments (0)April 07, 2005
Bitter
Why do people whose SOLE JOB IT IS TO BE HELPFUL always turn out to be grouchy, monosyllabic bastards?
Ok, that is not entirely truhful. In general, I find most people to be quite delightful. That makes it all the more annoying when a single person appears to be purposefully irritating.
Grr. This calls for some serious karaoke.
Posted by madchen at 03:30 PM | Comments (1)April 06, 2005
My Thesis Partner...
...finally has a draft of his literature review! It has been a very exciting day, let me tell you, to know that I am not the only one writing down my research findings.
I'm ready to move on to the next step of the thesis writing project (keeping in mind that at some point I will have to finish up that last chapter, which is so close, and yet so far from being done)--interviewing two dozen survey respondents. So far, I've sent them all emails asking for an hour of their time (which in itself took a couple hours), and so far I have 4 interviews set up. The first one starts in a half hour. I'm fairly well prepared, and have 9 brilliant questions to ask, plus whatever else comes up in the conversation.
In other news, the interview yesterday went well. It will take at least 2 weeks to hear whether I've made it to the next step (an offer, I think), but I'm feeling pretty confident.
Also, I finished my op-ed and submitted it to 4 B-I-G newspapers. No response from them yet, but it's so damn brilliant that they would be fools to pass it over. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. If I don't hear back by Thursday, I'll submit it to some more regional newspapers.
Posted by madchen at 07:51 PM | Comments (0)April 05, 2005
In Over My Head
Today I will have the following appointments:
1. Follow-up job interview at 4:30 p.m.
2. Teleconference with a volunteer organization at 5:30 p.m.
And then, I'll try to fit in the following things where I can:
3. Finish op-ed about environmental toxins
4. Finish writing a chapter of my thesis
5. Read 11 sustainability reports
6. Begin draft of next essay for book
7. Book hostels for my trip to Austria next week
8. Collate information from about diversity in CSR conferences
Given that it is already 2 p.m., I should probably get started.
Posted by madchen at 12:49 PM | Comments (0)April 04, 2005
Feeling Linky
Here are my favorite responses to recent events:
Living will is the best revenge
By ROBERT FRIEDMAN, Perspective Editor
St. Petersburg Times
Published March 27, 2005
Requiescat in pace, Karol Wojtyla
Francis Strand
How to Learn Swedish in 1000 Difficult Lessons
Blogged April 4, 2005
Questions for John Bolton at his Confirmation Hearing
Madre.org
April 4, 2005
Basic Human Needs - Participation
Being (qualities): receptiveness, dedication, sense of humor.
Having (things): responsibilities, duties, work, rights.
Doing (actions): cooperate, dissent, express opinions.
Interacting (settings): associations, parties, churches, neighborhoods.
The next main question is about participation. Here in Sweden, I think that participation is one of my most-fulfilled needs. My classmates have provided me with such a sense of community. Their receptiveness to me, their dedication to the program, and their overall sense of humor has sustained me through what might have been a difficult transition away from the "real world".
Similarly, while I have been unemployed for almost a year, I feel like school (and particularly my thesis) has continued to provide me with responsibility, duty, work and rights.
And above all, this year has taught me the importance of cooperation and dissent—and how welcoming it is to have a group of friends that allow you to express opinions and then think them through together.
As I look to the next couple of months, I will be deciding on a bunch of life-changing things: where to live, what job to take, etc. Having two job interviews this week, I want to keep in mind that participation is essential. I need to have a job (and choose a place to live) where I have a real opportunity to engage in "big" issues. And right now, I just don't have a feeling about these potential jobs—one way or the other.
Photo Credit: This one is Kevin's (again), taken during last November's class trip to northern Sweden.
Posted by madchen at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)April 03, 2005
Weekend Plans
Yesterday was another whirlwind of activity. I managed to get a quick nap between my book meeting at Wayne's Coffee and the class BBQ. Upon waking up, I threw some gear in my backpack and set off to Polhemsgatan, where about 20 classmates were gathered in the backyard. The yard is directly next to the water, so it's a beautiful spot. The weather was great, the food was great, the conversation was great.
Unfortunately, we had planned poorly, and Kevin, Mandy, and I had to leave rather early in order to get our kayaks from the Kayak Club. Mandy and I biked around to Lango Island and met Kevin there, where we got all suited up. I had lost one of my wool mittens on the bike ride from home to the BBQ, so I just wore my waterproof mittens (basically just an outer layer--no warmth)--big mistake. The mittens aren't really waterproof (just water-resistant) and my oar didn't have any rings to prevent the water from running directly on my hands during the upstroke. As a result, my hands were frozen solid shortly into our 4-hour trip. The scenery was beautiful (Kevin hasn't shared his photos yet, and I didn't take my camera--so I don't have anything to post), but it fell below freezing as soon as the sun went down and I spent the last hour quite uncomfortable.
The guy at the Kayak Club gave us a little lecture on the temperature of the water (right at freezing) and made Mandy and me promise that if we fell in, we would only try to get in our kayaks ONCE before swimming for the shore. Apparently, at that temperature, you can only be in the water for 30-60 seconds before you're fingers stop working. Kevin was prepared, as always, with a stove, water, tea, a sleeping bag, a towel, and other "falling in the freezing water" items. I think he was a little disappointed that neither Mandy or I tipped over--although he was great when we temporarily snagged her rudder on my line and almost tipped over.
Once we pulled back up to the Kayak Club to return our kayaks, I was frozen solid. We rendezvoused (I had to double-check that spelling) back at Mandy's, where we had a nice cup of tea. I was on my way out the door with Kevin when I saw the last bus passing by. I was planning on bussing back to Kungsmarken so that I wouldn't have to bike back with no gloves, but alas, it was not to be. Thankfully, Kevin had an extra pair of gloves that I could wear, and I even managed to find the missing glove on the bike path on my way back. In short, all's well that ends well.
This morning, I slept in. Although the current forecast says 57 degrees, I have my doubts. Nonetheless, it's another sunny day that I will take advantage of by walking down to Willy:s to get some groceries. It's looking pretty bare in the cupboards.
Tonight I'll go down to Minnerva and have a little meeting with another thesis group. They are looking to revise a sustainability policy and want some input. Lucky that I have lots of opinions!
Photo Credit: I took these pictures at Skarvfa on Friday night. The first one is the farm house we pass on the way to the bonfire site. The second picture is the view from the bonfire across the water. In the top right you can just barely see the BTH campus.
Posted by madchen at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)April 02, 2005
Spring is Here
Yesterday I had a lovely lunch with classmates up at Villa Oskars, and then participated in an afternoon of workshops with our guest speaker. Afterwards, Mandy and I biked up to Kungsmarken and had a little snack, then biked out to Skarfva for a bonfire. It was so beautiful and peaceful out on the nature reserve. The bonfire was right out on the water, across which we could see the campus twinkling in the night. The stars were the brightest I've ever seen, and the fire crackled in a most pleasing way. The bike ride home was not so pleasant, and I stayed awake shivering in my bed long after 1 a.m.
This morning I dragged myself from bed and took the bus down to Wayne's Coffee to meet up with my book-writing group. Three hours later, I'm still here. We've written a first draft of an introduction, and the others are working on their essays. In a minute, I'm going to take the bus back to the apartment, eat lunch, pack up some gear, and then bike down to Polhemsgatan for a class BBQ. The theme is "beach BBQ" and flip flops are required. Never mind that it is barely 40 degrees today--I'm sure we'll all catch pneumonia.
Several of us will cut out early and go for an evening kayak. The water is mostly thawed, which makes for really calm seas. I'll be wearing 16 layers of clothing, so I hope I can stay warm enough to enjoy the sunset on the water.
Posted by madchen at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
