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.

Overcast

That's the word that sums up both the weather and my mood today. All week really. I'm doing my best not to feel sorry for myself with the knee situation but I'm not always as successful as I'd like. The official word remains the same. I have my next appointment on July 29th at which I'll find out if I can take off the splint and start physio or if I need to start preparing myself for surgery. I can tell you in no uncertain terms that surgery will be a pain, financially as well as physically and mentally. I am trying to be upbeat about it though. I was grumbling to myself whilst in Suyu last night running a few errands only to be passed by a group of cheery adults with much more severe physical disabilities than my silly little dodgy knee. The point wasn't lost on me.

I haven't blogged since Monday. I haven't been particularly busy or anything. I just think it's not the best idea to write too much when I'm not at my brightest. It has also been a very samey week in a lot of ways. My classes are going well and I'm enjoying them but there's nothing too noteworthy in that. I did stumble upon something interesting in my new class with the girls who work in the office here. That's a nice class because it allows me to get to know the Korean staff much better. I actually love teaching them. Anyway, the topic was 'friends or lovers?' based around the story of two friends (a male and a female) and the question arose as to whether or not men and women can really just be friends. Maybe it's not surprising among a group of six women in their early twenties, but they were insistent that men are incapable of being friends with women without other thoughts coming into it. I guess, if I'm honest, the number of my female friends who there has never been anything physical with (in mind or matter) is very, very small. It did surprise me a little that the girls in the class agreed with each other so vehemently. They mentioned at one point that maybe foreign men are capable of it, but not Korean men. That's probably a different debate altogether.

I mentioned that I had been reading 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. Well, it has been great company for me in an otherwise fairly empty week (by my standards at least). I finished it last night. Although it dipped in terms of quality in the final section and took about 100 pages to really get going, it was still a very enjoyable and, at times, enthralling book. At one point I was so wrapped up in the narrative that when a mosquito buzzed past my ear I nearly jumped the height of myself. I really thought, for a moment, that I was in that lifeboat with a Bengal tiger snarling by the bow. Of course, it's an allegory, but the story stands up by itself and is well-written and thought-provoking. My edition has some 'reading group questions' that I'm mulling over at the minute. I would definitely recommend you read it. 'Believers' might enjoy it even more than I did.

Religion is a major theme throughout the book. For me, this often spoils a work because I feel as though there is an essential leap that I simply cannot take and so my appreciation will be lacking. As early as the seventh chapter, the central character, Pi Patel, chastises agnostics: "To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation". While I can't agree fully with that, agnosticism does strike me as a bit of a cop-out that I have been clinging to for a while now. It's a kind of covering of bases just in case one side isn't right, while still protecting yourself from the barbs associated with belief/non-belief. I am ready to admit that I am an atheist. I simply don't believe in the notion of a God or that there is any point to what we are doing as we mill around in our daily lives. In saying that, I would consider myself to be a humanist. It's still something I'm thinking about. I don't feel, at 28, that I'm ready to draw a line under the biggest of questions just yet.

Well that got a bit heavy didn't it? Thankfully I have music and sport to distract me from becoming too sullen. We had rehearsal on Wednesday night and again later on today. Some of the songs came almost effortlessly and sound really, really good. Others will take more time but I'm enjoying trying tougher things and working at it. They'll really feel like an achievement when they come. And they will come. As a group we're starting to build some momentum and we're getting on well as people which is probably even more important than how well we are playing the songs. Cheon is a top bloke and brilliant bassist. I feel as though I have known Jeff for ages already and I don't really need to say anything about my relationship with Jim. Ok I will anyway. He is one of my favourite people on the planet. I really honestly always feel privileged to be able to play with such talented musicians. I'm gagging for a gig... Jim leaves on Saturday for four weeks but it seems as though I'll be singing in a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band with Cheon and some of his friends. That'll give me my music fix for the month.

FC Seoul crashed out of the FA Cup in mid-week with a 2-1 defeat away at Busan. Judging from the highlights, it was a game that was there for the taking had we been able to defend a couple of basic crosses in the air at the back. The ever-impressive Choi Hyo Jin scored the opener for Seoul. However, Busan clinched it with two headers late in the second half. Frustrating. I am thinking of going to watch them away on Saturday night. In Korea, all men (with some exceptions) must serve in the military (usually for 26 months). If you are a professional footballer, you do this by playing for Gwangju Sangmu FC. They aren't the most competitive team in the league, hardly surprising given that their panel is constantly changing from year to year. Unfortunately, in true Korean style, they aren't playing at home in Gwangju this weekend but in nearby Younggwang, which makes the trip down that bit less convenient. We'll see how the knee is in the morning and what Ji thinks on the matter.

I only have 40 minutes before my language exchange so I better get cracking. I probably won't write anything over the weekend so have a good one everyone. Make the most of it! If you feel like a giggle check this out. I've been meaning to post it since my friend Jessica showed it to me. I think it'll resonate for anyone who has ever been in a relationship!