1) Voting in the general election.
Although my vote was incredibly pointless, the result was not what I wanted, and I ended up not sleeping for almost two days, I did at least feel as though I was participating in a democratic farce. Now, that may sound patently ridiculous, but even illusory appeasement is appeasement, non? A-pea-cement. Heh. Erm. Yes. So, I voted. As you can probably guess, I voted Liberal Democrat. I didn't particularly want to, what with their not really representing any form of liberalism and all... but I felt obliged to cast my lot accordingly -- at least this way I might have had the tiniest sliver of impact. Admittedly, if I were to live by my own rules, I should have voted with my heart. Unfortunately, no independents were standing in my constituency and so I didn't really have a lot of choice. It was vote for the Libs, or vote against everything I stand for. That's like... someone asking whether you want to be punched in the eye or the groin. Incidentally, by watching the entire 'results-show' I passed up the possible opportunity for getting my rocks off. Now that is dedication. You wanna fuck, or see the country break? I chose B, and I would do so every single time. It was worth it. I can abide being the lowest of the low, but I cannot tolerate being a hypocrite - which is what I would have been. Especially given the fact that this was probably my only general election in this country. I don't know how long it will be until I gain citizenship in Canada (when I get there, eventually), but I can imagine it's going to be a while until I can exercise my democratic right again. Hence why I was so fastidious in actively participating, then commentating, etc..
2) Stayed up for 44 hours.
This was surprisingly enjoyable. At first it seemed like something I could do easily (after all, for 9 or more months I was averaging 1-2 hours sleep a night), but apparently it's quite difficult. I have pulled many all-nighters before; but there is a difference between being out partying all night, or working all night, to just sitting on your sofa watching the TV. The last being by far the most difficult. Especially when what you are watching is so criminally soporific. Honestly, if my insomnia ever returns (which I am worried it will as soon as I stop the anti-depressants), then I am just going to chuck on C-SPAN or something. You Americans are even duller than we are. Filibuster, anyone? Lol pork. Erm. Yes. Anyway. The day after the night before (ha) was quite a surreal one. It had been a while since I had been awake for such a long time, and so I hadn't remembered how odd it gets. At first it was fine, but by about 1pm I was starting to lag. Quite badly. I fell asleep - I think - a couple of times in my lecture, and had to keep jerking myself out of the stupor. Then I had to go and get my contacts fitted. Now, at the best of times this would have been a problem - what with my crippling fear of anything touching my eyes - but it is made at least four-thousand times worse when you can barely keep your eyes open as it is. The poor woman got some delicious abuse because I was finding it so hard. Anyway, later on that evening I broke the 40-hour mark, and then things started to get incredibly strange. I've never had an outer-body experience, but... here it was. I genuinely felt as though I was becoming fractured from life, and as though my mind was disconnecting from my body. It got incredibly strange, and the only thoughts I was capable of were non-sequitur ramblings. Then my body stopped functioning properly, and I could barely raise my arms. It was great fun.
3) Engaged in a discussion about compatibilism.
This was the highlight of my week, I expect. It's so refreshing talking to people who don't normally care, or care to care, about this sort of thing. We were having a delightful meal, and then the topic came up. I'm not really sure if I learnt anything from it, or changed my mind on anything, but it was nice nonetheless to hear other people's views on what is an inherently inaccessible topic. It always amazes me when people are not only willing to listen and engage, but are also capable of a sequacity you don't normally encounter. It was very pleasing indeed to see people who don't know willing to go along. Not sure what any of us got from the conversation, but it turned fairly rapidly to the question of whether or not we should be allowed to show Mohammed on TV. This latter conversation was also in hilarious contrast to What Women Want (which was on TV at the time). In fact, the Mohammed/South Park conversation may have come out of discussing how hilarious Mel Gibson's breakdown was (and its parody on South Park). Anyway, it was interesting to see what other people's views were. I mean, I have always maintained that I neither agree with their religion, or their motives, or their methods, but I have always wanted to understand. I can appreciate how it seems like base debauchery to them: the ultimate sin. And I think that miscommunication, or lack of empathy on our parts, is the bane of the middle-east. I obviously do not condone the killing of people to achieve their ends, but I understand why they feel they need to. I understand how they feel oppressed by the colonising West, but I think they need to appreciate how we feel about their religion: it's scary. The suppression of women, for instance, is alarming to us. It's not because it's inherently scary, however, it's because it's so alien to us. That is where the problem lies, I think. Not sure.
Anyway. There are a few things which made me smile. Normal service resumes when I can be assed.
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