A gentleman’s cut, lectures, training, reading law, and my new ride

Ah, the whirlwind continues. Indeed, perhaps it is an issue of attitude, but I’m finding it hard not to take this place in all at once—there’s too much to see and do. From fascinating seminars, team practices, chilling in the JCR (think Catz’s student union, complete with a bar), meeting the other students, getting on top of my work, the list goes on and on…

But first I had to get a haircut (see below).

Alas, after a request from a visiting St. Catz grad, I dropped into Walter’s, not only a “men’s hairdressing salon” but also a full men’s store, complete with classic umbrellas and old-style English bowler hats. I got the basic cut (discounted for students), although opted out of the seemingly popular “free wax”—most left the salon looking as if they’d just come out of the rain. Walter’s salon has a neighborhood-type charm (it’s located on the top floor of the building, right across from Brasenose College), with pictures of past college rowing teams on the walls and, as it was the first week of classes, packed with undergraduates. While waiting we watched in earnest the latest news from Haiti; the earthquake has dominated the news here, as I suppose it has everywhere. Walter’s advertises on a bike parked out on the main street—a popular sight in Oxford.


With my new sleeker look, the weekend brought my first practice with the O.U.C.C.C. (Oxford University Cross-Country Club)—attended along with my friend Erin from UNC—and a subsequent romp through the farmlands north of the ‘shire. Due to the melting snow, we spent many a strides careening through, shall we say, “casual water” (I took no drops), in addition to jumping over fences (close them behind you so the cows don’t get out), and running alongside marshes and canals. The group was a good mix—from Chris (a six-year medical student and a captain) to another Chris (visiting for the year from George Mason and studying theology) to Juozas (a maths student from Lithuania who had run several marathons)—and a fast one. Indeed, we covered 12 miles in 80 minutes, the longest I’ve gone since the Maine Marathon last October, and I was S-O-R-E. But I was also S-T-O-K-E-D. (Aside: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/99487.) Below are my muddy shoes post-run, right next to my cow laundry basket, purchased at the local Primark. My good friend from Colby and roommate Billy has a duck. Makes the walk to the laundry room a tad less mundane.

Then Monday. The official beginning of 1st week (the week before being “not week”—0th week) and thus the advent of lectures. Now, having gone through the term’s lecture schedules for International Relations, Politics, Philosophy, Law, and Social Policy with a fine-toothed comb, I had quite a busy schedule coming up (see planner below), but I wasn’t about to miss out on Oxford knowledge wherever I could get it. The first one I attended, called “International Relations in the Era of Two World Wars: Japan’s Expansion Leading Up to Pearl Harbour,” was a litmus test for the lecture system, and wow was it fast. Held at the Exam Schools (walk in and it’s like an airport with the lecture schedules, see below), the professor covered 80 or so years of Japanese history in under an hour. I’ve never taken notes so fast. My other lectures for the week weren’t as frantic but often more fascinating, my favorites being “The Ethics of Climate Change” (DEFINITELY one to go back to), “Seminars by the Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict and the Changing Character of War: On Punitive War,” and “Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Seminar Series: Comparing French and British Press Policy.” The third one there was especially great, since in addition to going to Green Templeton College for the lecture (with its Slytherin/Green Knight-esque seal) and hearing perspectives from journalists all over the world, I also got a free lunch. Next time I’m taking my Tupperware and I can stock up for the week—hey, it’s the student-budget mindset. Pictures below: attempting to plan with reading bearing down, the lecture board at Heathr—I mean the Exam Schools, Corpus Christi College (site of "Ethics of Climate Change"), Green Templeton College, Green Templeton's seal, University College (on the walk to the Exam Schools).


Now, in between all of this, I’ve also been studying (or trying to study). I have two tutorials for the term, one meeting every two weeks and the other every week, with the weekly one being “primary” and the other being “secondary.” I’ve already mentioned the latter in my first post, but as to the former…it’s tough. Titled “Legal Positivism,” I feel like I’m in law school. We’re reading dense legal theory, and the lectures I’ve attended for the course are with grad students who’ve read all the theory, so often I find myself in over my head. I’m hoping to tweak the course so it’s not so technical and a bit more pertinent, so more to come on that. Cross yo fingas.

At this point, having realized that I’ve mentioned St. Catz a few times but not fully shown or explained the college, let me, well, show and explain. St. Catz is one of Oxford’s 39 constituent colleges, located east of the main city square. It has a modern campus—feels a bit like a space-cadet academy—and a relaxed, down to earth feel. At “formal hall” every weeknight one doesn’t need to dress up, and the students are very friendly and engaging. Pictured below: the entrance to St. Catz (3 pics), the main green in the center of the dorms, bizzare hedge architecture, as well as the dining hall.

As for getting around town, it’s a bit hard to walk after running 12 miles, so I’ve acquired a new ride—the Runabout. Found on dailyinfo.co.uk (think craigslist), this baby has three speeds, a basket, and even came with a D-lock and lights. Now I only have to get used to riding on the left side of the roads through narrow streets and avoiding tour buses and taxis on the cobblestones. Yes Mom, I’ll get a helmet.

Yesterday was my first tempo run with the O.U.C.C.C., and considering I was still in a tad of hurt, Erin and I decided to not push it too hard. At the end of the run, having cooled down with other members of the team (Lee, a chemistry grad student, and Claire, a second-year studying history and economics), we noticed a helicopter—yes a helicopter—parked on the green of the University Parks (a beautiful expanse north of St. Catz, very English indeed). Alas, despite my hopes, it was not the queen but rather a Russian billionaire who is a beneficiary of the University and who decided to show up for a luncheon and conference. I can picture the conversation:

“Where shall we set her down, Viktor?”

“Right here, izz green and open. Close to the gate please.” (I mean, this thing was just right there.) Needless to say, it was cool to see. Wish I had pics.

Now, to cap off the week, that night Billy and I made our first foray into culinary art. You see, Billy was in Italy from Thursday to Monday, racing in the EuroCup for boardercross—Sir Pettengill is the U.S. amateur national champ—and so he brought back not only epic panoramic photos of Cortina but also some authentic Italian pasta. Thus, we supplemented said Italian carbs with chicken breast, green beans and red sauce and enjoyed our work while watching a moving Monteverdi opera. (Or make that “Entourage.”) And we still have leftovers. Score.

Before I conclude, however, I’ll keep the quote theme going. This one was written on a blackboard at a lecture hall I stumbled into while searching for “Post-Kantian Philosophy: Merleau-Ponty” and I’m quite keen on it at the moment. It’s from “The Professor” by Charlotte Bronte:

“Better to be without logic than without feeling.”

So, despite the illogical nature of my time so far (having no true schedule) at least I’m getting a feel for the place. Balance will come with time, I suspect.

Stay well and cheers to all,

Nick