More Out Of Left Field

As though pondering the prospect of moving to Egypt (ongoing) wasn't enough, I now have the possibility of moving to Kazakhstan or Papua, Indonesia, to chew on. Neither are at all concrete; both got in touch specifically to make me aware of the challenging circumstances of the locations before I proceed with my application. Confidence inspiring, it is not. Still, I am up for a challenge and an experience that I'll remember forever. I love where I live and what I do, but it appears that it takes a stronger person than me to stave off that feeling of the mundane that creeps in from time to time. Not much time on the planet, lots of things to see and so. Mind you, the email from the principal in Papua didn't paint a pretty picture. Some of it is unrepeatable on here in case my mother pays an unexpected visit!

I'm still thinking about Cairo, watching things unfold, trying to envisage what life would be like there, and trying to come to a decision that feels right, whilst still being rational! To be fair, the school is still meeting other applicants, so the decision could easily be taken out of my hands. The situation in Egypt seems to be heading towards a measure of inevitability, and with what happened in Tunisia and what's happening in Jordan, it brings to mind the snowballing revolutionary movements across Eastern Europe over the late-eighties and early-nineties. I wonder what modern-day Havels and Walesas are carving out their own and their countries' future as we go about our daily lives, unable to grasp the tension and sense of expectation they must be experiencing. I don't agree with over-playing the role of people in bringing about changes such as these (there are bigger forces at play, just as in Eastern Europe in the eighties), but it's hard not to be strengthened by images of squares full of people celebrating the ability to dissent, perhaps for the first time in their lives!

Well, this will more than likely be it from me for the next few days. Ji and I are going to Shanghai in the morning until Sunday. Looks like mild weather. I think I have packed everything I'll need. All visas and so on appear to be in order. Hopefully it will all go according to plan. Ok, a slightly merry Ji has just come in, so I better go help her pack. Did you pick that up? I have already packed, she hasn't? Did you get that? I'm great? Right? Happy lunar new year everyone, I'll write more after the weekend.

How The Mighty Fall

In November 1910, people were on the streets of London protesting for Universal Suffrage, whilst Sun Ya-Sen was planning an uprising that would eventually lead to the Chinese Revolution in 1911. The United Kingdom was still one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world, whereas China were being over-powered and out-maneuvered by their Japanese neighbours. 100-years-on, yesterday, I listened to British Prime Minister, David Cameron, delivering a speech to students at the University of Peking, Beijing. As I listened, I felt as though I was witnessing a historic landmark in both countries' recent histories.

Prior to this speech, speculation was rife among political commentators regarding just how far Cameron would go in highlighting human rights issues in China, considering how his immense trade delegation were aware of how much more Britain needs China than the other way round in today's global economic climate. At the very beginning of the speech he talked of the freedom he experienced during his years as a student in Oxford (people who go to 'elite' universities never seem to pass up an opportunity to mention it), and expressed his hope that they, as students at the University of Peking, were doing the same now. At that point, I feared that this was his weak, watered-down allusion to human rights abuses and failures in China. I was wrong.

I'm not sure how things will go for Cameron in the medium to long-term, but I have to say that I am moderately impressed by him thus far. Whilst being careful not to openly offend his hosts, he did go as far as saying that the UK has, "deeply-held concerns" and cautioned that, "the best guarantor of prosperity and stability is for economic and political progress to go in step together." Reports suggest that he has also raised the imprisonment of Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo. He did all this while acknowledging Britains' drawbacks in a tactful way that appears to be based on an appreciation of mutual respect and differences. It could be argued that it's all fine and well treating others in this way now that you are the weak party, but I'm happy that he raised key issues rather than putting economic factors ahead of human rights abuses without going there and forcing 'western values' down their throats. There may be arguments that he could have gone further in one direction or the other. For my part, I was impressed. It seems that people have been talking about how China "would be the global superpower" for years now. All of a sudden, this scenario seems to have taken a big step closer to realisation in a relatively short space of time. Once upon a time the British Prime Minister ruled over a vast empire where the sun never set. Now a British PM is having to face the fact that he has to stay on the right side of a country he has great political differences with. Take note, USA.

Speaking of the USA, I notice that the American Humanist Association are going on a big publicity drive to educate Americans about what humanism is, and encourage them to question their own religious beliefs. As a non-believer in god, I would consider humanism to represent my views better than any religion I have come across in life so far. In simple terms, humanists aim for an open and secular society based on respect for Universal Human Rights and global-interconnectedness. If you're interested, the British Humanist Association have a very accessible and informative website. Whilst I'm glad to see the debate being opened up, I was a bit disappointed with some of the biblical quotes they chose to compare with quotes about humanism. For example, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” I Timothy 2 (New International Version) Humanism: “The rights of men and women should be equal and sacred—marriage should be a perfect partnership.” Robert G. Ingersoll, in a letter dated April 13, 1878." I get the feeling that examples like this are very polarising, and won't attract the attention of moderates who are probably the main target of this campaign. Still, I'm sure the advertising experts working on this have a better grasp of the issues than I do.

Back in the real world, I had better get some study done so that I can do a good chunk of preparation before my classes beginning at 6:40pm. I have been a bit of a "negative Nancy" (McGuinness, 2010) this week, so I need to grab the bull by the horns and make sure my classes are well-prepared but that I don't expect the sun, moon and stars. Unbelievably, it's already Thursday so only a couple more days until our next gig at Club FF, in Hongdae. We had a really good facebook response and turnout for our RMT gig last week. However, the listed attendees for the FF gig are currently: yours truly; Catherine (who I think actually isn't coming); Eddie (The FF owner), and Anna (who lives in Australia). No drummer, no bassist, no girlfriend? You have to laugh. There are quite a few 'maybes' but FF always has a good crowd of it's own so I'm not worrying. We'll be playing after The Koxx (wonderfully-named and energetic Korean band) and Angry Bear (check them out on myspace - lovely stuff), so there should be a good crowd and atmosphere. I'm looking forward to belting out ten cracking rock songs and, of course, taking full advantage of the 11-12 free 'cocktail' hour. Come along! We're playing at Woodstock the following weekend and I'm setting up December and January dates as we speak so don't think the pestering is going to stop anytime soon. Hope the day is treating you all well.

So many words, so little content

Once again, I'm not talking about my own blog! No, no. The big news in UK politics over the past couple of days has been the surprise (to some) victory of Ed Miliband in the Labour Party leadership contest, edging out his elder brother David. Having lived and worked in the UK much more than in Ireland since the age of 18, I know much, much more about politics there than I know about my own country, I'm somewhat ashamed to say. With the Conservative/Liberal Democrats coalition, the fall of Gordon Brown, the jostling for position among the Milibands, Ed Balls and so on, it has been an interesting topic to follow of late.

It's tempting to go down the, 'they're all the same, what's the point in even voting' route in politics, no matter where you live. Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister), Brian Cowen, has faced the wrath of the public recently for seeming drunk/hungover during an early-morning radio interview following a late-night with party members and supporters. Korea has been struggling to appoint a new prime minister as numerous candidates fall foul of the questions of an ethics committee. However, I don't think the answer to unsatisfactory politicians is to ignore them and let them carry on with whatever they want to do. I'm tempted to think that might be what the elites want; mass apathy from the masses so they can continue ruling as they please without having to worry about what we think.

Last night (Korea time), Ed Miliband gave his first speech as Labour leader to the party conference in Manchester. Five minutes in, and I was wondering why I bothered even listening. Why do they insist upon this lame practice of hitting us with a few jokes at the beginning of the speech. Look at me, I'm such a regular guy, haha I'm so down to earth. WE DON'T BUY IT! On it went in a similar fashion, lot's of talk of 'change', 'new generation', etc., etc. He could have been most any politician from most any party in most any 'western' country these days. It's a sad sign of the state of affairs when news broadcasters need analysts to talk for hours after the event to tell us what was actually said.

I understand that it's naive of me to expect these guys to get up there, speak their mind honestly, tell us they might be wrong, they might be right, but that they'll make each decision according to what they honestly think is right. They'd be ripped to shreds by an insane press, baying for blood, looking to twist their views into homophobia, fascism, communism, or anything that will kill off the side that doesn't best suit their interests. Still, someone needs to START speaking in that manner, so that it becomes less of a rarity, so that rationalism is favored over appearance, so that people stop defining the worth of a politician according to his/her voice, appearance, sense of humor, body language, and so on and so forth. In among the usual drivel, Ed Miliband did say that going to war in Iraq was wrong, that cutting the budget deficit would be painful, that Unions were important but strikes should be avoided and that Israel must recognize the right of Palestine to statehood. Maybe, just maybe, that's something. I'm not holding my breath.

My Dad has been fairly involved with local politics through Fianna Fail as long as I can remember, and I'd like to do the same in my future life. I think that we should all get involved in our communities, take ownership of the decisions that affect our lives, and not just sit back and complain about the decisions of others (whilst constantly voting them in). Politics is everyday life magnified. For that reason, I never really understand when people say they're not interested in it. There were politics on show in my work meeting earlier today, as different participants pitted themselves against each other for greater influence or promote their preferred outcomes. I really think it's as simple as that.

The outcome of said meeting for me appears to be that I'll be off work from October 16th-25th. If that turns out to be true, I'll be a happy man. More time for my top priority: myself.

In case you're interested, here's the audio from Cowen's infamous early morning meeting. Is he drunk? Hungover? I'm not so sure...