Uncertainty.

The thoughts I’ve had over the past week or so have generally been focused around wanting to be more involved in politics. The problem is, I find doing anything productive quite difficult (evident in this blog as it hasn’t been updated regularly). Since coming to university last September, I have become more educated and aware of issues and now have a growing urge to do something constructive. We are living in a turning point in history and the decisions leaders of world make now(e.g the current economic crisis), will have implications for the next decade or so. The G20 conference next week is crucial as the leaders of the world get together and decide what to do about the future. (There are some very good articles in the New Statesman http://www.newstatesman.com about it) Yesterday there was a massive demonstration in London called put people first which was attended by around 35,000 people marching for jobs, justice, and climate. I really wanted to go especially as since my uni ran a free coach there, but I was completely daunted by the prospect of going on my own since I wasn’t sure if any of my friends would have gone. Next year I plan to join more societies at uni to meet some more like-minded people and to generally be more pro-active. I am possibly the biggest procrastinator you will ever meet. There is another big demonstration happening on Wednesday next week but I am faced by the same fear of going alone and I am quite overdrawn, not really being able to justify travelling to London.

On a semi-related politics note I came across this song the other day, and despite hip-hop not really being my ‘thing’ I really enjoyed it. It relays a very powerful message and insight to the conflict in Gaza.

Student debt

Universities are increasingly coming more bureaucratic and business-like rather than places of learning. This article http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7946912.stm suggests that many vice-chancellors believe we as students should pay more for our education. Seriously is this necessary? University is all ready going to leave me with appox.  £18,000 worth or debt. That is already excessive and take me years to pay back. Who knows what my job chances are when I leave with the current economic crisis as it is. University should not be an elitist institution where only the rich can afford to go. In the modern world education should be available to everyone no matter what your background or your economic situation is like.  When my mum went to uni in the 1980’s she didn’t have to pay a single penny in tuition fees. I would like to see a return to that, education is not about making money but helping people to achieve their full potential.

Every student who reads this, or anyone who believes in anything I have said should sign this petition. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NohigherFees/
Hopefully this will help prevent our tuition fees being raised.

Punk Rock.

Me and my friend Matt (Special K) do a radio show every Friday for our uni’s station Livewire. Its between 7.30-9.00 and if anyone is ever interested in listening check it out on www.livewire1350.com 

It’s like a general punk theme, Matt plays like 77 type stuff and I generally spin hardcore punk and its associated subgenres or whatever really. This week I played:

1. Polar Bear Club- Our Ballads.
2. Frank Turner- Reasons not to be an idiot.
3. The Gaslight Anthem- The Backseat.
4. Maths- And we have killed.
5. Sinaloa- Rows of Tops.
6. Funeral Diner- The Wicked.
7. Lifetime- All night long.
8. All or Nothing- Assume the position.
9. Agnostic Front- Gotta go.
10. The Nerve Agents- Level Four Outbreak.
11. Trash Talk- Dig.
12. Deal With It- War against the machines.
13. Comeback Kid- Wake the dead.
14. The Legacy- Exsomnis.
15. Envy- A cradle of arguments and anxiousness.

Sunny Morning Blues.

I’m Broke. Seriously need a part time job but in this climate theres not much going. I looked in Norwich yesterday and the only sign I saw advertising a job was for Claire’s Accessories and there’s no way I’m working there. I got my module choices for next year yesterday as well, and the history ones suck, for some unknown reason I have to do three of them as well when last year they only had to do two. I’m considering changing my degree to straight politics but I don’t know. A very boring 9 o’clock lecture today has not improved my mood.

On a more positive note, I saw Slumdog Millionaire yesterday and it was brilliant. Well worth watching, I fully recommend it. It’s one of those films which stand alone in terms of  ‘uniqueness’ for lack of a better word. Its certainly one of the best portrayals of life in India I have ever seen and watching it gave me serious nostalgia. I would love to go back there one day. I really want to actually go travelling but I can’t see myself having the funds anytime soon.

Oh and check out Owen, just recently discovered him and its one of the best acoustic artists I’ve heard in ages.

I should really go and do my laundry (joy of joys) as its quite overdue.