Writing a thesis will make you crazy

Monday, March 24, 2008
In all senses of the word. I've been thinking/writing/reading about my thesis and its subject material for months now, and it only consumes more and more of my thoughts and time. I've got a approaching deadline (just over a month) and believe that just typing the random thoughts in my head is what must be done to hit my 90-page minimum. The mountain of books and photocopies next to my desk is almost as high as the chair I sit in, and my bookshelves are full. I'm beginning to feel like I live in one of the unorganized/unkempt offices of my professors. I always wondered why they couldn't keep things tidy - now I know! A person's living space is truly a reflection of their state of mind.
Admist all of my mental clutter, things are picking up at my internship. We've got delegations coming in from NATO, Stockholm, and the Slovenian Embassy this week, and though it's all incredibly exciting, it certainly makes for a hectic atmosphere (ok, well, things here aren't that hectic, but moreso my mental state is!).

Needless to say, after sitting at my desk for more than two weeks without doing anything but work on my thesis, I've decided that I will give myself a break this weekend and go out. Moscow nightlife is something I've successfully experienced in moderation thus far - the open-24-hours-a-day nature of restaurants, clubs and entertainment venues here is great for nightowls and clubbers, but bad for those of us trying to focus on school. I've successfully thwarted the invitations of friends and acquaintances for some time now (and mostly all of last year), but it may be time to try a new approach - aka - relax a little. My head's spinning anyways (from too much caffeine, too little sleep and too much thinking!).

Tired...

Friday, March 14, 2008
Weather's been crummy, everyone is sick, and as life usually tends to do - am getting slammed with work after a month and a half of nothing to do. I need a nap.

The drums are beating...but where is Russia going?

Monday, March 03, 2008
Oh, Russia, Russia, Russia. This country never seems to surprise me, yet, at the same time, I'll never be able to predict what they'll come up with next. Yesterday's "democratic election" resulted in the expected win of Vice Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. Of course, Russian news only touted the fairness and viablility of these democratic elections, while the CNN, BBC, and just about any other Western news channel available in Moscow was being scrambled during the evening news hour (at least in my dorm they were!). No one knows quite what to expect from the new President Medvedev, except for maybe, much of the same. There are a few experts who feel that things in Russian politics will change dramatically even over the course of the next six months, but to be honest, I have my doubts that it will happen, and if so, that quickly.


Anyhow, I was sitting here at my internship today, making critical remarks to Hot Tamale as I read about the election from different media sources and look outside to see that a celebratory concert has been assembled outside on Pushkin Square, despite the wet snow and cold. About 100 youth have gathered, all waving not Russian flags, but United Russia flags, to celebrate Medvedev's victory. United Russia, is of course, just as good as any Russian flag nowadays, as they dominate every influencial position in the Russian government (and look almost the same! Could use imagine one of the US political parties using the US flag as their banner? Imagine "US Democratic Party" emblazened across a US flag...). Nevermind that many of them are either getting paid to party in the cold weather or were excused from school to be there.

This reminded me of last night's celebratory "Election Concert" held on Red Square. At 9pm, 13 hours before the official announcement of the winner of the election by the Central Elections Commission, a concert was held on Red Square, during which Putin made a "surprise visit" to congratulate Medvedev. The two both wore black leather jackets and jeans, and really, the pair looked more like MTV vj's than now President and Vice Prime Minister, soon-to-be Prime Minister and President. (I love the tag-teaming going on.) Of course the candidates from the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties both voiced complaints that all of this took place before the official announcement, but we all know that it didn't really matter anyways. A celebration Monday night would have thrown off the work week and holiday schedule, with International Womens' Day this Friday and the subsequent national/religious holiday (Maslinitsa) over the weekend. Putin and Medvedev certainly couldn't have overshadowed the world's women or an Easter holiday now, could they?





Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)