Thesis Writing from the Infernal Regions...

Well, thesis writing is hell. There are so many things going on right now and it's hard to keep track. I'm trying to finish a draft of my theory chapter for my Master's Thesis, and it's not going so well. Everything goes back to Fanon and Wallerstein, plus I found a good book by Barrington Moore on social transition to modernity, but i'm still suffering from writer's block. I also am submitting my absentee ballot, booking a flight to America for next month, and submitting an abstract to a conference in Hawai'i for February. Oh what a life..... Sometimes this whole grad student thing seems a bit aimless, but what can you do? I guess i've figured it will come in handy to have an extra piece of paper in addition to my bachelor's; let's hope it pays off.

The clouds are slowly forming on the horizon, and those clouds spell out J-O-B. I have basically divided my career prospects into three areas: Education, Consultancy, and Public Sector. I think will apply for consultancy positions here in Singapore, as well as Hong Kong, Dubai, and the EU (if there are any at the time); I will also apply for a few jobs with federal agencies in the U.S., and finally, for a teaching position back home just in case I decide I need to re-adjust to American society after three years abroad. It's tough in a way, because i'm very anxious about returning to a country in which i'm not quite sure I still fit. America can be a very conservative place at times, and as my viewpoint is in variable shades of gray, sometimes that might not mesh well. Nonetheless, I consider the U.S., with all its structural inconsistencies and injustices to be my home, and maybe things will be better than I imagine.

On the other hand, Europe seems to be a very attractive option, with the welfare state and what not. I am not opposed to paying taxes, so long as I get something for my money. In America I feel like we pay taxes with little in return, except perhaps cruise missiles and jet aircraft. So, on that level, I feel like we should pay less taxes or we should start getting more government services, such as in the realm of health care. Americans pay too much to go to the hospital, and, as Paul Krugman notes, we pay more per capita than most of not every other industrialised nation. I don't really know if anyone in our political leadership will ever do anything substantive about this issue, but it really concerns me.

On a day to day basis, life seems to be ok. I'm not exercising enough, but that's partially because i'm waiting for my resident card at my new place to access the gym facility. It's really a pain, and i'm not quite sure why I don't have a temporary card, but perhaps i'll cajole my landlord on that issue. I'm also contemplating getting cable TV, which would be a substantial improvement to my current 4 channel spectrum, 2 of which are in Chinese. Such things are, I admit, mundane, but that's my life.

11 Days Off...

Well ladies and gents, i've been about the region recently, as well as busy moving into my new place. I have moved into a condo in Upper Bukit Timah Road, which is a quiet and oh so ulu part of the island, but which offers me amenities as well as peace and quiet with which to write my thesis. Aside from that, I just got back from Bangkok yesterday for a brief trip with my aunt, who was in town visiting me here. I think she had a good time, and Bangkok was, as it is, the same as always. We found it a bit challenging to move around the city, although the skytrain added some additional convenience, as well as a free shuttle boat from our hotel (which was, by the way, the Hilton on the Thonburi side of the Chao Praya.... did I mention we stayed for free?)

My big purchases were quite boring, as i'm not really a fan of the vast array of cheap junk that Thai street vendors generally push on farang such as myself, so I settled on buying a few odds and ends that are significantly cheaper in Thailand instead of Singapore, as well as some inhalers that are hard to find in our little garden city. I also went ahead and made use of my time in the Duty Free area, buying some Stella and Heinken as well as a litre of Myer's Dark Rum, which we'll see if I actually drink as I generally abhor liquor (i'm a beer and wine person myself).

I suppose the highlight of my excursion to the north was my meeting with my advisor, who is currently on leave, and having a really intriguing discussion about the state of affairs in Thailand today. One wouldn't get the impression there was martial law, either; it would seem the tourist dollar trumps all else. I also had a really nice massage at the Hilton Spa (completely legit, my friends, sans 'happy endings'), and had a nice convo with the masseuse, who was ethnically khmer (i.e. the Cambodian ethnic group) but who lived in Isaan in the northeast of the country, the former site of U.S. Air Force bases during the Vietnam War.

All in all, even though Bangkok remains Asia's 'City of Sin' I suppose there is still some virtue about the place. There is freedom, exciting news, and, did I mention.....

SINGHA!!!!!

Blake's Jerusalem

Well this is a slightly random post, but I was recently looking through my music collection and found a recording of William Blake's Jerusalem. Originally a poem, it's now used as a song, and, to me, is one of the most beautiful texts ever written. When I was younger, and in my mind a staunch socialist, I used to listen to Billy Bragg's version of the song. The greatest thing about the song is how it can mean many things to many people. Well, here's the lyrics:

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England’s mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

Bring me my Arrows of Desire;

Bring me my Spear; O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand,

Till we have built Jerusalem

In England’s green and pleasant Land.

In many ways this represents one of many outstanding literary contributions from the British/Anglo-Saxon tradition. Along with C.S. Lewis, Byron, and Chaucer, Blake is tops.