(no subject)

The presentation went well. There weren't any problems with the overheads, and there weren't any problems with the presentation's delivery, never mind the presentation's reception. I think that I can work my Honours thesis into different presentations, as many as three or four, for academic proceedings, and manage it well. There is an ACCUTE conference in Winnipeg at the end of the month; that's good.

Have I mentioned that I really, really like wearing my dress suit? I like the way that it feels on my body, I definitely like the way it looks on me, I like the impression that it gives to other people, I like the confidence that I enjoy when I wear it.

I think I'd like to own another suit. This desire may, or may not, indicate that I'm destined/doomed for some career involving extensive suit-wearing.

The pressure was substantial. Oddly enough, though, I didn't experience any catharsis. This might simply indicate, for instance, that catharsis is an applicable term only when you've murdered your father, married and multiply impregnated your mother, learned of the fate before she killed herself, and tear out your eyes. That is, when you experience something authentically traumatic, versus something that's fun because it's full of tension.

Europa Universalis is quite entertaining, but I'll be giving the CD back tomorrow. I simply can't commit to another time-intensive simulation game right now.

[ARTICLE] Yet another geopolitical shift?

From the EU Observer, the article "[Comment] FrancoGermans at the forefront":

FRANCK BIANCHERI - "This is a major phenomenon in contemporary European history, and in part also as it is part of a crucial international evolution" (Photo: Europe2020)

EUOBSERVER / DEBATE - For the first time since the creation of Germany in 1870/71, the French and the Germans have found themselves on the same side, in the front line, at the time of a major international crisis. Not only were they together, but they also defended a position which turns out to have reflected the opinion of a vast majority of Europeans, from Romania to Ireland - and a position which every day seems a bit more justified as none of the arguments advanced for legitimising the war against Iraq today seem to be grounded.

For every observer of the European integration process, the phenomenon which this historic partnership between the French and Germans represents should not be under-estimated. This is in part because it constitutes a major phenomenon in contemporary European history, and in part also as it is part of a crucial international evolution.

( Read more... )

I'm sure that the Dubya administration will be pleased as punch with the latest French foreign-policy initiative put forward by de Villepin.