Author: Christopher-Dorset

Although I finished university in California this term I was still asked to write a letter sharing my thoughts and concerns about the budget process with the governor, lieutenant governor, the state senator, state assemblyman, both federal senators, and my congressman. Not having anything better to do, I wrote a brief note and decided to share it with you.

I am not by nature an activist. Frankly, the thought of going to a protest — the thought of kicking up a fuss isn’t really that appealing. There are more worthy things to expend energy on than that, mostly, the things in my own life that are within my control. Despite that, I will take this chance to share my thoughts — to tell you about my own experiences in the CSU system. Continue reading “A Letter to the Government.”

So here is some:

I’m tired and have just written up a storm about colonial Brazil. I’ve accomplished more in one hours this evening than I have in the past few months on this subject and can finally hope to finish my assignment tomorrow.

A few weeks ago I received an email from the university in Minnesota regarding open positions as a professor’s assistant. In exchange for working 10 hours a week my student fees would be waived and they would pay me an additional $5,000.00 per year. Seeing no reason why I should not at least try I applied. The process was fairly simple, my curriculum vitae and a two-page application to fill out. This afternoon I received an email from the director of the history programme informing that they have approved my application and the position, should I want it, will be made open to me. After receiving a fast notice of acceptance, a quick and early response which a seemingly favourable outcome for a nice flat, excellent help in planning my degree, and now a job offer that will make my financial future certainly more secure I can’t help but thinking that I made the best possible choice in accepting the offer to read history in St Cloud.

Today France will have its first round of elections to evict Sarkozy from the Elysee, umm, I mean, elect its president. Sarkozy, initially elected only by a moderate margin, has managed the task of making himself the most unpopular president in French history. For a country that has challenged, with some success, the United States for most inept leadership, this is no mean feat.

Sarkozy, my French friends advise me, will not be missed. His style, more suited to Dallas or Miami than Toulouse or Bordeaux, has grated on the collective French nerve.
It seems that the election will not be fought so much on ideas and politics as it will be on the man. That a man who was described by Chirac as a “pup” and “less known that Mitterrand’s Labrador” will almost certainly be France’s next president can be explained no other way.

What is disheartening is that Hollande’s platform, if carried out, would be disastrous for France. Continue reading “La France Vétuste”

Summary of Life

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptise cats..
2) When your Mum is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the
second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can’t trust dogs to watch your food..
6) Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair..
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts..
10) The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandma’s lap. Continue reading “The facts of life.”

I’ve been waxing nostalgic recently. Perhaps it’s because once again I’m ready to pick up my life and move it to a new, unexplored place. Perhaps it’s also because of the frustrations felt by having a life that’s not come together quite as planned. Maybe the reason why I’m writing this is because I saw my hairline receding today, not bad, but the skin around my temples is growing a bit more exposed — that and the fact that I see more and more grey hair.

I’ve grown wistful about the things I’ve never seen. I wonder, how is it in Spain? Is it beautiful or only disappointing? How are things really in Portugal? Is it really a country where one can lose onself drinking a bica, watching the sun go down over Lisbon? Continue reading “Dreaming with a Receding Hairline. (Though I’d prefer a receding Hareline)”

After watching this video I don’t know how anyone could resist passing up the opportunity to visit our dear and eternal leader’s wonderful country!

All things must come to an end. This cliché is a point that keeps raising itself in the back of my head. All things must come to an end. I’m in San Francisco, again, and none too pleased about it.

The Kyoto portion of my holiday did not go especially well. I arrived, but a bit late. What was to be seen was a decent sunset. The hotel itself was acceptable, but not spectacular. The quality of the customer service was excellent, though a bit cool. Instead of simply giving me a key they gave the key to an employee who carried my luggage to my room, prepared a cup of tea for me, and personally showed me how to operate all technological equipment in the room. The particular assistant I was given had a German surname, leading me to speak to her alternating in German and Japanese with some English thrown in.  It was only when I had finished that she admitted that she could only speak English and Japanese — her father being an American-born great-grandson of a Swiss German immigrant.

The second, complete, day was supposed to hold the promise. Alas, the weather conspired against me. Continue reading “All Things Must Come to an End.”