10.25.2005
conversations
It seems that whatever spare time I have is involved in relatively serious conversation. Last weekend, I got into a massive discussion with my friend Jonathan over different periods of Roman history and when to place the real turning point between the rise and fall of Rome. I say the splitting of the Empire into the tetrarchies. I think he said the death of Trajan. Jonathan is one of the more articulate people I've met so far.
Last night was a conversation with a guy I worked with in the dining hall named Forrest. He's from outside of Beijing and he would be here studying law if they'd give him funding. But there's no funding available, so he's one of the hall managers. We talked about the new direction of China, and the mistakes that China will have to avoid if it doesn't want to end up like Russia. Great conversation.
And then over lunch, a disagreement and debate with Salvador over personal responsibility in the dorms and whether dorm security is really all that necessary. My contention is that for issues of public safety, it's crucial. But Mila, for her part in the conversation, decided to argue for the placement of security guards around our dorm in order to make sure that drunk people weren't too loud and disturbing her sleep. Which is a matter not of security but of comfort. Public safety is one thing, and I think that Salvador and I came to an agreement over that point. But what Mila wants is for the drunk people who make noise and waker her up to stop without being that person who actually tells them to stop, because she can't be asked. And that's just a cop-out.
Also, final birthday gift arrived today. Diana sent me the Gourmet cookbook because, as she said on the Amazon card, "because you already have the joy of cooking."
Last night was a conversation with a guy I worked with in the dining hall named Forrest. He's from outside of Beijing and he would be here studying law if they'd give him funding. But there's no funding available, so he's one of the hall managers. We talked about the new direction of China, and the mistakes that China will have to avoid if it doesn't want to end up like Russia. Great conversation.
And then over lunch, a disagreement and debate with Salvador over personal responsibility in the dorms and whether dorm security is really all that necessary. My contention is that for issues of public safety, it's crucial. But Mila, for her part in the conversation, decided to argue for the placement of security guards around our dorm in order to make sure that drunk people weren't too loud and disturbing her sleep. Which is a matter not of security but of comfort. Public safety is one thing, and I think that Salvador and I came to an agreement over that point. But what Mila wants is for the drunk people who make noise and waker her up to stop without being that person who actually tells them to stop, because she can't be asked. And that's just a cop-out.
Also, final birthday gift arrived today. Diana sent me the Gourmet cookbook because, as she said on the Amazon card, "because you already have the joy of cooking."
