Musings and stuff

     Oxford has been less about study abroad as it has been about study the-self. I just hope that the experience makes me a little better on the way out. I mean, isn't that what we hope we can gain from most any experience that involves change? And if not, I think we are probably being set up for cloudy days.
     And speaking of cloudy days, Oxford is not a medieval town, nor a book repository, or cultivator of good citizens, doctors, lawyers, politicians, and humanitarians. Oxford is a projection of my own past, even my own hopes for the future. It's as if I'm walking around with a projector glued to my forehead and making a running commentary on what does and doesn't match up to my past life experiences. The funny looks people make at me for talking to myself aside, I'm learning a lot.
     Yeah, so maybe I don't really know what I'm learning. I guess I could post one of my essays. That way you would know all about the facts i'm sifting through my brain. Nevertheless, even prospectors sometimes find gold.
     Friday night was awesome. Finally got to go out and heckle prying strangers outside the bars (right wing Christian students no less).
This week is going to be hectic with three essays and a visit from BFND.

Now for some pictures:

     This is St. Catherine's College. It was designed by a Danish architect in the 60's. He was a communist who did not believe in privacy. All the dorm rooms were built with large windows and no blinds.

A prize to any Wash U student who recognizes the sculpture.

There are Koi in the moat.
I haven't gone fishing - yet. 

My house on Oatlands Road.

My library card

One of the many old colleges

The economics library in all its modern glory.

And another

The History Faculty Building

The view from Economics class,
And the reason I don't pay attention.

The entrance to the Ashmolean,
The oldest museum in England.

The Ashmolean.

The Bridge of Sighs

On the walk home,
crossing the Thames.

My first self-cooked stir fry.

A Church on the way home.

The neighborhood.

Some folks wear robes around town.

Off of High Street.

The inscription is a Buddhist prayer wheel,
From inside the Ashmolean. 

Buddha.
The first renderings of Buddha occurred after
Alexander the Great's conquests exposed
The East to Greek sculpting techniques. 

View from my desk.

My room.

Inside the Ash.

Inside the Ash.

Also inside the Ash.

Greek gods and goddesses 

The mask of Agamemnon

Alright, I'm off to St. Catz library to pick up some books.