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January 2007 Archives

January 31, 2007

An Informal Survey

Since Aqoul has a fair number of international readers...

I notice that it is common social practice here* to "brag" about one's long work hours, as if a 60-hour week is a badge of honor. Seemed quite normal to me until I really thought about it.

To be honest, I'm happiest when my schedule is crammed. But what about elsewhere in the world? Do Europeans, in general conversation, boast about having no time to squeeze in a vacation?

* Urban East Coast North America, to generalize

Posted by eerie at 04:28 AM | Comments (16) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Random Notes

January 24, 2007

Catching Up

Apologies for the silence, have been busy as a bee with work, school and various forms of entertainment.

First, I've signed up for some courses because I'm perverse and easily bored. One is a seminar about the persistence of authoritarian Mideast governments and their economic/social policies (with at least one class entirely dedicated to rentier states, whee). Great material, but the instructor is rather green, has zero pedagogical skills and is obviously insecure in non-lecture settings. The other course plays to my persistent fascination with 17th-19th century European gentlemen-scientist fogeys (aka "natural philosophers"). History of science stuff.

Continue reading "Catching Up"

Posted by eerie at 03:07 PM | Comments (17) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Personal , Random Notes

January 14, 2007

Reflections on Caramel

So, I finally booked an appointment to see Kitten's colorist. Poor bastard spent about 2.5 hours inserting fine caramel highlights amidst the jet black, to avoid doing an all-over bleaching. My hair is now a golden-brown shade, not unlike the color I had as a toddler.

Overall, I'd say it makes me look less "sharp" and probably a bit friendlier. Certainly gets more attention than jet black.

Continue reading "Reflections on Caramel"

Posted by eerie at 10:33 AM | Comments (22) | TrackBack
Filed Under: Personal