Globalization and its Discontents

This week, well actually in the last few days, I have experienced what happens when globalization goes wrong-internet fraud and social welfare disaster!

I had a large trollery of groceries at Tescos this afternoon and was paying, when the lady at the check-out said 'payment not going through'. I thought it was a bit strange as there is never usually a problem. I called Lloyds, the bank, and they said they were suspicious of fraud-they noted two transactions-that of 180 pounds to a German bet shop and a ticket on easyjet. GERMANY!!?? How does that happen. Some chap sitting on his computer in Germany hacked into my account, and funded his gambling addiction. Lloyds said they would refund me for any loss.

I was working last night as usual at the union. I was talking to the manager earlier in the evening and looking at an out of place looking man in the bar and he told me to keep an eye out for him. He asked for a tea, then said, 'no, can I have Earl grey, I don't like this one' so I poured him another one. Ten minutes later he came back and said 'can I have a coffee instead?'. I said 'not unless he paid for one'. He went on and on, and asked for a refund; I then asked him for his union membership card, and he threw the mug of tea on me. We chased him but he was gone. Then tonight, as I was behind the bar, he came in again and threw a bag of stones at me! It appears he was from the home-less house, which is, ironically, located opposite, the most prestigious debating union in the world! Other than his madness, it shows the nature of social-inequality in Britain!

Starting for St. Peters tomorrow at hooker, then LASH!! afterwards...

The ending of Capitalism?

I read an Independent article recently which was comparing Obama's failing in Afghanistan to that of Gorbechev in the 1980's. The latter effectively brought communism to a shuddering halt, and will the US failure bring an end to capitalism? Ironically, last week 'commemmorated' the tearing down of the berlin wall. Afghanistan has NEVER lost to a foreign invader-would that send shivers down your spine if you were a politician? And will sending in more troops bring more success? In 1985, Russia had over 100,000 troops in the country, and that was their deadliest year-If Obama sends in an extra 40,000 as planned, it will equal what the Russians have...

Enough of the politics...

Went to an Oxford Union speaker event last night-Michael Humphreys who cycled 50,000 miles around the world in 4 years. Ironically, when I was at school in about form 2, I remember reading an article about someone who was going to cycle the world and would take him 4 years-funny if it was the same chap! Really good speaker, and most interesting-I ended up having dinner with him afterwards at the Union by chance...

Rugby match against Brasenose College today-By the time I came on just before half-time, we were already over 30 nill down! Anyway, I personally had quite a good match, scoring my first try for St. Peters.

Am blogging in the Kitchen, sipping on a scotch and waiting for the chicken to defrost-ready to try out one of Jamie Oliver's Chicken ala King recipes off the internet-starting to get a knack for cooking which mum would be proud of!!

Rogue Economics

Reading a brilliant book at the moment by Loretta Napoleon called 'Rogue Economics'. She draws upon how rogue economics is booming across the world-America's subprime mortgage lending scandal, China's fake goods industry, pornography, fish-farming, prostitution industry and c3elebrity philanthropy in Africa!

This sort of things is right up my street-I really want to understand how the world works, because I feel that in a world dominated by big corporations who basically control politicians, and the consumer always comes off very second best! Another similar book I read was that of 'Confessions of an Economic Hitman' and these sort of books have really motivated me to explore the world of economics outside that of text books.

I have applied to a few consulting firms, but don't think that I will get anything. Hence, am starting to plan some travels for next year. Then possiblyh a global politics course at LSE.

Movember

It is 1.14 in the morning-been working on a piece of coursework since finishing work at the Oxford union at around 9.30. Thought I would take a break and I have noticed that I didn't blog the whole of October-how quickly everything is going! It is now week 7 (out of 12) and uni is really going quickly!

Clems (Nightclub) on Friday-went out some friends whom I used to row with for an ex-cox's birthday and had a great night-possibly the best in at least a couple of months! It is great when you have a good time, when boozed up, but not so much that you are left hugging the toilet and feeling like shit!

This weekend has been probably the foulest of my time in the UK-huge gusts of wind-so much so that the fours head of the river was cancelled-bloody glad I gave up rowing!!! At the same time, it is always comforting sitting and doing some work, with a cup of coffee, and catching up on some work.

November is taditionally mistache (sp?) growing season, and although am severly handicapped in that regard, it is now mid-way and I feel I have done pretty well for myself!