Author: Christopher-Dorset

My dear fellow Charioteers,
I was informed today that
a company wishes to interview me
next month for a permanent position as a co-ordinator
in Bristol. Should thinks work out,
I could be moving to England quite soon.

I wrote this before Janus posted his blog, but my internet was too slow and I had to save it until today.

When the United Kingdom and China were negotiating the retrocession, or betrayal as some argue, of Hong Kong to China some British diplomats argued that the Chinese can get very nasty if they don’t get their way. With time against them and holding only a very weak hand, the British government did the best it could for Britain’s last major colony. At least in theory, Hong Kong would control most of its own affairs and have a separate status for at least 50 years. If China pleased, it could continue as it was far beyond that. Formalities concluded, flags exchanged and anything not unduly difficult to remove removed, Hong Kong once again became Chinese territory.

Despite the ceremonies and the official line, this was not an event happily accepted. Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers left Hong Kong, establishing bridgeheads in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. If things became too bad in Hong Kong something could always be arranged elsewhere. Again, despite what some aspects in China and even Hong Kong itself argue, the vast majority of those who left were not criminals. Rather, they were people who with good reason did not trust the integrity of Beijing.
Continue reading “Some thoughts on Hong Kong.”

Germany is not a civilised country. Disregard the arguments many make to the contrary. Germany is, again, not to be considered a civilised country. Germany cannot be considered a civilised country because it is lacking in the three key requirements for being considered a civilised country: aged cheddar cheese, proper tea and a functional postal service.

The importance of the first requirement cannot be overstated. How does one survive without a steady supply of aged cheddar? I simply do not know. Recently, in my Hun-induced reduced living conditions, circumstances have obliged me to become more frugal in culinary habits. As the weather grows chiller I have started making more soups. Herb and dumpling soup, yeast soup, pumpkin and courgette soup, etc. One soup I have not been able to make is the humble, honest Cheshire soup. Potatoes, carrots and aged cheddar are the three primary ingredients. On more than one occasion I have embarked on a perilous journey in the search of the Holy Cheddar only to return as successfully as I did from my Measuring Spoon Saga.

Continue reading “Living With Huns 3: Germany Is Not a Civilised Country”

Some of our readers might find this amusing, especially OZ and CO.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/independent-scotland-to-blame-cats-2013020658754

One of the more pleasant aspects of living in the Trier region is the architecture. Trier, as I have not been remiss in informing you, was at one time the second city of the Roman Empire. St Helena was born in Trier and Constantine the Great much preferred his mother’s hometown over Rome. Most days, when returning from grocers, I walk past St Nikolaus Church. A dreadful miscreation of the 1970s, it was built over a beautiful, if decrepit, Baroque church which in turn was built on the ruins of Constantine’s summer villa. The foundation stones can still be seen in the crypt, remnants of the bath can be seen – and touched – just beyond the church, nearer the cemetery.

From the church one can also see the former Konz train station. At one time a villa for military leaders of some standing in the region, this Renaissance structure has tragically seen better days. While structurally sound, years of neglect and oiks have conspired to the worst. The sandstone walls are covered with spray-paint and many windows are broken. Inside, graffiti is scrawled on the walls and the ceiling. Some oiks, it seems, have at least that much ambition.

Continue reading “Living With Huns II: Trains and Buttered Brötchen”

To all those residing in England, be forewarned that I shall bugger off to West County and London for a week in November.

Roughly two months ago I returned to Trier. Or rather, an underwhelming suburb of Trier 10-15 minutes by train away from the city centre. Originally it was my plan to stay for two weeks before going to Karlsruhe to seek my fortune. Or at least gainful employment which would be a fortune for tax collectors. Trier, despite its aesthetic virtues is economically stagnant. It is possible, of course, to get by without too much difficulty here but it can hardly compete with Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt-am-Main or even the neighbouring mini-powerhouse, Luxembourg much less London or Hong Kong for economic vibrancy and potential for advancement. Continue reading “Living with Huns”

The flight to Lisbon left me somewhat irked. It seemed as if Luxembourg Airlines hosted a screaming baby convention that lasted from Luxembourg City to Lisbon punctuated only by the occasional fight between children. While a short flight by my standards, only about 3.5 hours, it felt nearly as long as a decent trans-Pacific journey. Other than that, there is little disparaging I can say about Portugal.

The Lisbon Metro Red Line starts at airport so travelling virtually anywhere in the city is simple. As a card with full-day validity costs €6.00 there are more expensive ways to travel. Compared to most other major world cities, it was almost a present. Simply to, say, travel into Tokyo from Narita Airport costs £20.00. Osaka is not much cheaper. Even Seoul, far more affordable than any major Japanese city, costs £5.00 for a one-way ticket. The limited impact was blunted even more by a good-natured backpacker who, heading out of Portugal, kindly gave me his pass. Continue reading “To the Edge of Europe”

On the 28^th of February one of my mates offered to drive me to Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport rather than see me take the coach/train combination which is offered residents of Central Minnesota. Since she was going to Minneapolis that day anyway it was not inconvenient for her. The next morning we went together laughing, joking and gossiping. At airport I met another mate who lives in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. Well-connected politically, he gave me some insights about upcoming elections in the country and why John Kerry was appointed Secretary of State. (No, it was not that he was especially suited for the job – many in the Democratic Party saw him as dead weight in the Senate and wished to get rid of him. Making him a member of a term-limited president’s cabinet was the quickest and easiest way to let him end his political career with honour.) The rest of the day was underwhelming. Poor weather in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain Region meant that flights were often running late and experiencing turbulence. Still, I survived the flight to Sacramento and was relieved to see the ground again. Continue reading “Kangaroos and Kimchi.”