I've been very busy since my last update with classes starting. Next week, I will probably be launching my offices website so that will continue to keep me busy. I also have been planning for my friends visit, and I still have some shopping and cleaning to do for that to avoid boredom.

Thanks for the care package! The pants fit fine. The white chocolate Reese's are excellent. It's been getting colder here (so cold I have stopped sleeping with the windows open) and so the blanket is nice. I actually think I'm starting to get another cold or sinus infection…

Although, I had to go to the NIH office, which is the American equivalent of the welfare office and everyone was hacking up a lung in the lobby so I blame them. I had to go there to get some number that makes it legal for me to work here. Though I did accidentally find the best meal I have had since coming to England on the walk to the bus, but details on that in a couple of weeks.

On a side note I plan to make a rule of always updating at least once a week.

So my Wednesday class is “Industrial change and Regional development in Eastern Europe .” There are only 9 people in the class. I know very little about Europe , but I want to learn about development as I see it as a potentially marketable skill as short term profit potential is high in newly deregulated markets. It is taught by Mick Dunford so far he has been very impressive. One of the coolest things so far was there were 20 topics on the syllabus, this is scary cause it indicated 20 weeks of material for a 10 week course! Then as he started class he went around the table and asked everyone's interests and narrowed it down to just 6 topics that sound very interesting. I know I am going to get a lot out of this course.Unfortunately, I don't have all my classes on one day this term.

My other class “Global Finance” is on Thursday and Fridays. I am very excited about this class since my dissertation is directly related to the topic. Friday we also had the best seminar I have had so far here at Sussex . There are 18 people in the class, which is bad. However, these 18 are on my level and contribute a lot. The professor just has to raise a topic and then discussion sorts it all out. I am really going to enjoy this class.

I ordered several books off AmazonUK this week as well. I made the order because I have heard very conflicting things about, “The Skeptical Environmentalist”. Basically the left claims his accusations that the coming environmental crises are trumped up are unsubstantiated and this is the first book he has ever written and is being embraced by American industry. On the other hand though I could see the possibility for some embellishment of the crisis (or at least I hope), Private eye here claims that he has been vindicated as not being a fraud so I will read it for myself.

I also ordered the new Boondocks compellation and “Catcher in the Rye ” it was recommended to me by someone as great fiction. I also picked up a book by Henry Rollins for the same reason. I also finally purchased my very own copy of “Thus Spake Zarathustra” I can't wait to read that one.

At the moment I started reading, Paul Krugman's compilation of his newspaper articles, “The Great Unraveling”. If you want to read a book that outlines every lie the Bush Administration has made since Bush became governor of Texas check it out. I'm half way through and am once again dismally dismayed about the future of America .

While I'm on the topic of my consumerism… I have found a new vice, eBay DVD's. I can buy Region 1 DVD's here on the cheap because I am living in Region 2. So far I have bid on Traffic, Vanilla Sky, Clerks, Truman Show, South Park movie, So I married an Axe Murderer, Bowfinger, Austin Powers 1, Jay and Silent Bob, A.I., Bicentennial Man, and Final Fantasy Movie. I was worried about the expense of moving all my VHS to DVD necessity may force my hand while here.

No links today because as I watched the news this week nothing that unusual or spectacular has happened that I haven't already discussed. Other then Bush flat out lying about the lunar base. *le sigh* Nothing new about Dubya lying though.

Music ~ Mer De Noms A Perfect Circle