Really interesting HuffPo article about Development, the IMF and Haiti. A lot of the points covered in it (in relation to development in general) were covered in my Political Economy of Development lecture this morning. Basically, the article covers how the IMF has caused so many devastating problems (famine, poverty traps, slums, etc.) in countries and how public action has ensured that Haiti won't fall further into that trap with the 100 million dollar loan the IMF is offering Haiti. Because of public activism (through facebook!) the IMF will free the loan of the huuuuugggeeee conditions that usually accompany IMF loans. Anywho, it's a really interesting read for those who aren't familiar with IMF development projects and for those who are.

Laugh of the Morning

Joe Mande, creator of the blog Look at this Fucking Hipster's (ooooo swear word! But very very funny blog) review of Tyler Perry's new live show. It is hilarious, especially the pictures of his face. Though, as Mande states, I don't think he was any where close to being the target audience for the show.

I'm in Love.

I was going to write on my friend Sara's facebook wall and suggest that she may consider Scott Fujita to love for a little bit instead of Tim Tebow. But then I read this jezebel profile and fell in love with him myself. He's a super intelligent, progressive, forward thinking man with a master's degree. Sorry Sara, I just don't know if Tim could fit all those elements. I recognize that Fujita isn't nearly as attractive as Tebow but wow... what a man.

Fujita on the Bible, Jesus and homosexuality (from HuffPo):

"I completely respect everyone's choice of religion. Just because I'm not a very religious guy doesn't make me right or wrong, or them right or wrong. Everybody has a right to believe in whatever they want. But, I don't like when people use God or Jesus Christ in this whole debate, if you could even call it a debate. Jesus Christ to me, is probably the most compassionate and revolutionary thinker of all time. Look at his teachings. Look at what he preached. He would not endorse any type of inequality, this type of inhumanity. He would not be on board with that. So please, spare me that argument and saying that hey, the Bible says that it ain't right, or hey, Jesus Christ wouldn't buy into this kind of thing. Don't give me that. That's not even an argument."

Fujita on the Tim Tebow ad and on his standing up for Gay rights (from NYT):

“The idea of focusing on the family — who wouldn’t agree with that?” Fujita said. “But the means of doing so, he and I might not see eye to eye all the way.

“It’s just me standing up for equal rights,” Fujita said. “It’s not that courageous to have an opinion if you think it’s the right thing and you believe it wholeheartedly.”

Wow. I think I'm in love. Even though he is married with twin babies. Though I'm still not going to watch the Super Bowl.

Millennium by Tom Holland

I just finished Tom Holland's fabulous dense book Millennium, not surprisingly a historical rundown of the European situation in the years surrounding 1000 a.d.. The book, was super interesting even though it took be about two months to read because of it's density. Basically, while I'm a huge fan of Medieval art, I had no idea so much was happening in the world around the first millennium. I thought things picked up around the 1200s or so. True, I did know the central premise, that in the years leading up to 1000 a huge amount of people were certain Jesus's return was eminent. And when that didn't happen, they had to adjust plans and Western culture began accelerating. What I didn't know was all the details and progress that was occurring in the period. Also, I started the book a few days after I was told that Jesus is coming back soon NOW, so it was a fitting parallel that in the last millennium people thought the exact same thing and had lots of interpretations of scripture to back up their claim.

While, I'm not sure about Jesus's return in this millennium, well I do know what I think (see Marcus Borg), I can definitely see why people in the year 1000 ad thought he might be coming back. There world was pretty awful in the run up to 1000. However, as Holland narrates, things started getting better, modern Europe began developing. Most interesting for me was the relationship between Pope Gregory VII and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, which exemplified the church's struggle to maintain power over the state. Since, prior to this period the Holy Roman Emperor was able to elect bishops and dispose popes.

Also interesting were the lengthy chapters on the Normans. I never realised how crazy they were, like in a blood thirsty and ruthless way. AKA I never realised that they were another name for the vikings, like Normandy was a viking colony. Fittingly, I read part of these chapters while flying to Iceland. Also, the Norman invasion is covered extensively, another area of history that I knew the gist of but never the solid facts. Now I know allll about pre-Norman English history and the Battle of Hastings. Fun times!

Anyways, I don't want to spoil the book for all of you who are going to run out and buy it, but it was a good read that showed me how much was happening in the year 1000.

My next read: 1599: A Year in the Life of Shakespeare by James Shapiro.

American take on the most recent English sports scandal. John Terry is a naughty man and all round scumbag. Though, perhaps not as bad as Tiger. Mostly because Tiger seemed so wholesome.

Photo from my Archives

Critter in London. 26 May 2008

Laugh of the Morning

From the Best Week Ever Blog. Hilarious. Well, hilarious if you watch Lost.

Daily Mail story of the mornin'

HOARDER! Oh Lindsey, how far you have fallen, how far you have fallen.