Taking the quarter-life crisis global!

Monday, March 3, 2008

"I Didn't Vote Today!"

Word of the day: traveller
So I think the number of "l"'s in the word traveler has always been elusive to me...Luckily in Britain, if I get it wrong I'm right.

Place of the day: Hyde Park in Kensington
Located in one of the poshest parts of London, this park is home of the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Albert Memorial, Kensington Palace and a nifty statue of Peter Pan.

Hyde Park


Kensington Palace

And the award for the world's ugliest monument goes to ...

Albert Memorial


"I Didn't Vote Today!"

Yes, that is the pin I should be wearing tomorrow. My parents tried to mail me my absentee ballot, and it never made it. I think to be fair my boyfriend should not vote for Obama in order to
even out my would-be Hllary vote, but he didn't like this deal.

But I wouldn't have to worry about this absentee absentee ballot if I hadn't missed the boat on the Democrats Abroad election, which Obama won. I had no idea overseas Americans actually have delegates.

I almost feel the British should have delegates, because you would think this was their election.
My co-workers know more about it some days than I do. This is the most attention America has received abroad in an election ever, I hear. I was sitting with a group of English people recently who told me they didn't know what it was but they were positively fascinated by it like a football match!

See, British people are very cynical. As a British person recently told me, he is amazed at how "glass-is-half-full" Americans are. ThatBritish cynicism we know and love is extremely evident in theirpolitics and has increased exponentially since Blair entered the Iraq war without the support of the British people. It seems they are interested in America in a way that is kind of inspired by the political vigor of Americans. And of course, they have more obvious vested interest, such as the fact that we are allies and the next president will have a huge effect on foreign affairs.

The British press seem as enamored with Obama as the American press. Hillary seems to be poked fun at a little more. As I'm already confessed, I am a Hillary supporter, and I think we can all agree she has not been portrayed in the same Messiah light as Obama. I'm willing to say this might be partially her fault, I don't know, but it is a genuine observation. Overall, I find the media coverage of this debate -- specifically abroad -- to be utterly fascinating.

Slate did a nice article on the foreign press hype before Super Tuesday: American Idols, International Addition

By the way, it was fun to try to explain the American electoral system to my Canadian housemate. (Thanks for your help Wikipedia.) Of course, Canadian government seems even crazier. They change their government every time they hold an election! And they have like 5,000 parties!

I am now listening to: Amy Winehouse. Yes all of this time in England has finally made her jazzy music sink into me. It is as addictive as the many drugs she takes. My roommate ran into her the other day on Oxford Street! Still no big star sightings for me:(

2 comments:

Kristina said...

That is the Victoria memorial and it is beautiful. I have written and entire essay on it. Once it was all gold but they had to paint over in during ww2 so it could hide better. Hope you are doing well!

Unknown said...

Well I certainly accept that some people find this beautiful:) This is actually the Albert Memorial that Victoria built for her beloved prince. I find it a little garish and grandiose -- but I suppose this is the beauty of the Victorian age. I bet that was an interesting essay, as I found the characterization of the British empire on the four corners of the monument to be extremely interesting, and somewhat offensive in their sort of stereotypical portrayal. (But of course, I take the time period into account and avoid being judgmental about these golden monuments scattered about Britain.)

I am leaving soon and so sad I missed seeing you in England!!!