Oxford, TV on the Radio

Its been awhile. A poster requests pictures: if she reads some of my earlier posts she will learn that I have already wasted a number of hours trying to post pictures with no results. But perhaps this weekend I will try again. Some things are also on my facebook. Anyway, 2 items today -

Oxford: Must beautiful little town ever! Well...the only place in England I've been thus far outside of London, really, so obviously not much to compare too. But seriously, I cannot do it justice. The architecture is ancient and serene, like the task of learning which is the town's purpose. We visited a college (can't remember which) with huge and lovely grounds. A creek snakes through green fields, with willow trees and such leaning over the banks. They have their own cows.

In terms of food, we found an outdoor market with lots of delicious food to complement a permanent indoor one with equally delicious food. I recommend Ben's cookies if anyone is ever in Oxford (I owe thanks to my friend Becca for showing us this place).

We visited Lewis Carroll's coffee shop and some pub Tolkien wrote in. These of course, are not nearly as one would hope. But still cool.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science: A marked improvement over either of their two previous albums. An album with more wisdom (and consequently less gloom) than before, wedged between funky beats that ask one to dance. Highly recommended, definitely one of the best albums I've heard this year. 19/20

I need to fix some pasta before class so that's all for now.

Prague and Business

Two things before I get to Prague.

1)Congrats Obama. How am I off by an electoral vote, and how did I get Missouri and Indiana wrong? Well...the electoral vote is Omaha. The Messiah even plays in Nebraska, and that's all I can say, really. And my home state is just being obstinate.

2) Quantum of Solace: New James Bond flick. Some have said its bad. They're wrong. Almost as good as Casino Royal. And a Bond with a story-arch. Wowza!

Now to Prague. We will do this as a frequently asked questions set.

1) Is Prague as awesome and gorgeous as rumored?

Why yes! Actually, it is. It sits below a ring of hills and has a lovely, rather clean river running through it. One can disembark on any of the little parks in that river, and fish or boat if one wants. Or one can survey all of the ancient buildings, Prague Castle (which I had the pleasure of visiting) and cathedrals from Petrin Hill or the Letne gardens. Even in late autumn they're gorgeous unto themselves.

2) Wow! Did you really go to all of these places?

Yes! Even better, one can walk to all of them - its a small city and great for foot tours. The public transport is fine for the lazy. I also saw boring tourist stuff like Old Town Square (there's a giant clock) and some bridge thingy.

3) Well on to the authentic stuff then. How's the food?

Delicious, if not terribly healthy. Goulash is delicious. My dear hostess (Becca) and I ate at a restaurant with multiple entrees fixed with the aide of beer, which was awesome.

4) Speaking of beer, is it really cheaper than water?

Yes, and delicious too! Half a litre of "Pivo" as they call it can be had for usually under two dollars, light or dark, and so instead of water...

5) Are you saying at all times you drank beer instead of water?

Er...so there was um...this election while I was there! I think the black guy one. Everyone was happy.

6) What's the weirdest thing that happened in Prague?

There's a park in the north part of the city called Stromovka (or something like that) which also has a fair grounds. While I was enjoying a nice stroll, I heard some music. Followed it to a creepy deserted carnival. With music in Czech and lots of lit rides and no people. Except for a couple as I tried to leave. And a creepy guy selling candy by the entrance. I didn't buy any.

Dodds vs Rove

My friend Becca is in class so I'm doing last minute election watching on the internets from the NYU building in Prague. The most important development? Karl Rove (yes that one) has his predictions out - and they're exactly the same as mine! - except for a few thousand votes in North Carolina and Missouri, which he has barely going McCain and I have barely going Obama. Fie! En garde, ye knave! But Rove, er, may be right, we'll see.

Especially in North Carolina, where weather.com indicates rain - which leads to reduced turnout...which almost certainly hurts Obama.

Anyone reading this in the states go vote!

Election Predictions

Obama Election Day Post

So…I got 2004 and 2006 right, but this one is actually going to be (yeah, I’m making excuses) harder. Why? There’s been a lot of movement in both the polling and the campaign (Obama’s summer fall, Palin, the destruction of the world economy) which makes prediction difficult. There’s also the questions of racism (Bradley effect) and increased turnout. But anyway, on with the predictions.

I’ll move from West to East.

Hawaii (4): Obama.
Alaska (3): McCain. Palin = instant win.
West Coast (77): Obama. The northwest might have been close in a close election.
Nevada (5): Obama. One of my riskier guesses, I would say. Went for Bush. But Obama’s leading wide enough in the polls and I feel like increased turnout will help.
Arizona (10): McCain. Home-state advantage.
Utah/Idaho/Wyoming (15): McCain.
Montana (3): McCain. I list Montana separately b/c it’ll be close. It went for Clinton once and has two democratic senators. But I’m going with the polls.
New Mexico (5): Obama. Usually close but hasn’t been this election.
Colorado (9): Obama. Usually Republican but has seen an upsurge in democratic activity of late. Polls bear this out.
Texas/Oklahoma/Kansas/South Dakota (55): McCain.
North Dakota (3): McCain. Obama’s leading in the polls out recently. What? There’s very little to go on here, so I’m calling outlier on this one and going with the historical record.
Louisiana/Arkansas/Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee/Kentucky (49): McCain.
Missouri (11): Obama! Ah Missouri, my oft-conservative home state. Have you learned to love Obama like Claire? I think you have, just barely. And I’m counting on the cities to turn ‘em out like none other. Will be hair-breath close.
Iowa/Minnesota/Wisconsin (27): Obama. Midwest love.
Illinois (25): Obama. Home-state love.
Michigan (17): Obama. Was in play, but then the economy happened.
Indiana (11): McCain. One of the hardest states to call. Its been quite close all year, and Obama can really turn out in the Chicago suburbs. But I’ll go with a narrow McCain victory off his overall poll lead and historical advantage.
Ohio (20): Obama. National momentum moving his way, the ultimate bell-weather goes too. Not an impossible reach for McCain though.
Florida (27): Obama. Another close one. Will be down to the wire. But they like Biden and they like money.
Georgia (15): McCain. This is closer than you’d think. If Obama has super turnout then I could be wrong on this.
South Carolina (8): McCain.
North Carolina (15): Obama. Turnout! Polls! Can this be?
Virginia (13): Obama. Turnout! Polls! DC suburbs!
West Virginia (5): McCain. Blarmey Nigra!!!
Pennsylvania (21): Obama. McCain’s making a play for it. Here’s betting he fails.
Blue Northeast (78): Obama.
New Hampshire/Maine (8): Obama. Might be close in a close election.

Leaving us with! Obama 364, McCain 174, OBAMA PWNZZOIGKNLK!
Margin of Victory: 4.2%.
The Messiah will have arrived ere’ I eat dinner in Prague on the 5th.