Ann Coulter: What the Fuck

[Talking about Canadian anti-war protestors on Hannity and Colmes]:

"They need us, they had better hope the United States doesn't roll over one night and crush them. They are lucky to be allowed to exist on the same continent."

Wow.

I CAN'T FEEL MY EYES

Y'know what I really like? Catching up with friends that I haven't spoken to in a while. I mean, always good to keep in touch with people, but when you haven't caught up with in a while it just makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Hurrah!

In other news, my MC application is finished and sent in - however, it is 6:30am and my diet coke supply ran out a few hours ago. I've had to rewrite this post a few times to correct the spelling... Sleep now. Oh yes.

Huh?

A random thought for today:

Why do people only ask where I studied in America when I'm wearing my IU sweatshirt?

Hmm...

Dude, that sucks

While walking in the centre of Manchester yesterday, I saw a few street vendors selling "fashion bracelets". On closer inspection, these turned out to be yellow plastic wrist bands - so basically LiveStrong wrist bands, only... well, not LiveStrong. This, I conclude, sucks - people jumping on the bandwagon to make a quick buck. One stall had tons of different colours, which again sucks bearing in mind you can get them in different colours for different causes (white for Oxfam, pink for breast cancer etc).

Less sucky but still sucky (if you get what I mean), I randomly saw some NFL jerseys being sold in a sports store in town. American football still has pretty much has no following in the UK - the Superbowl was on terrestrial (ie non-satellite/cable) tv a few weeks ago but no-one really cared, plus both the London Monarchs and the Scotland Claymores are both defunct - so I was suprised to see some jerseys on sale. Intrigued, I had a closer look - only to find they were on sale for the princely sum of £50. This, currency-conversion fans, works out at about $95 a jersey. Daaaaaaamn.

This was made even more ridiculous when I had a look on Amazon.com for shits and giggles, and found the same shirts being sold for about $63 (about £33), which means that its cheaper for me to import a Manning jersey from America than it is for me to walk for 20 minutes and buy one in person. Whatev. True, I have forgotten my 1st year economics classes, and so can't remember whether a small market means higher prices (to shiv them) or lower prices (to make what money you can and attract more buyers), but either way it works for Madden games too (Madden 2004 - 1.5 years out of date, currently selling for £30/$60ish).

On a random note, I'm kinda looking forward to EA's NHL 2006 - the first sim that allows you to sit on your ass and bitch about your multi-million dollar contract not being huge enough. Sort it out!

Currently watching: Futurama season 1

Have you seen my Monkey?

The 3rd annual MONKEYS conference got underway in Manchester yesterday afternoon, and it was a helluva lot of fun for all involved. It was the conference I helped to create in my 2nd year, so it was really nice to come back and see it still going strong. We had a fairly nice turnout from the rest of the region, plus everyone knew each other from STORM, our region's conference last semester, so it was cool to catch up with old friends as well 8)

I was in charge of the big exchange sim that took up the first day's afternoon - its an awesome session, but one that needs loads of prep and trainers (11 ideally!). Went really well though - the sim is really realistic (ICXers and OGXers can only talk to each other through paper "e-mails" left in envelopes, the traineeships and SNs are printed out and stuck on the walls to represent InsightXP etc), so after about 90 minutes everyone was totally pissed off at waiting for the other side to check their e-mails... Lots of fun to watch at least!

The Manc EB took care of the sessions today, so I had a little time to take care of a paper due next week, which is great because between my dissertation, class projects, MC applications and the show I'm in (9 days until opening night!) I've got a lot on at the moment. That being said, AIESEC conferences are fun for the parties and the dancing and what not (even if it does mean staying up until 4am staring at TN and SN forms to make sure they match...)

Anyway, tomorrow means more AIESEC stuff and a 4 1/2 hour rehersal, so its off to bed...

Currently listening to: Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf

8)

Retro!

Oh man, I just found some seriously old AIESEC stuff on one of my online storage things... not like "The first powerpoint ever made for AIESEC" old, but "This is Chris in his first year" old. Like... This Old!



OK, top row from left to right: Gav, who was the VPHR of Manchester before a girl called Sarah, who was the VPHR the year before I became VPHR which promptly changed to VPLearning. With me so far? Good. Next is Fab, The VPFER on my EB, a German with an American accent who possesses the uncanny ability to get stupidly high grades for papers written the night before (Fab, if you're reading this: you bastard). Next to Fab is me, and no, my hair has not gotten any better in the 3 years since this photo was taken; next to me is Andy, former Manchester VPICX and current MCVPICX of the UK and namesake of the Bongo Fetish region of AIESEC UK (it's an awesome story). Finally we have Adam, the LCP who recruited me and who's currently working to make AIESEC China a thoroughly groovy place.

Bottom row: Malte from Germany, the very first trainee I did reception for; then we have Johannes, the VPF of Adam's EB, operations mastermind and Manchester careers fair guru/legend; Next to Joey is Sarah, originator of the turn-stamp-clap-wiggle-wiggle dance, LCP of my EB and current VPMD for AIESEC UK (yes, VPL changed to VPMD, keep up). Then we have Kaan from Turkey, the second trainee I ever did reception for; and finally we have Hiroshi, spectacular guy who was an LCP in Japan and who came to the UK to do a masters in English, and promptly became the most enthusiastic member in the history of AIESEC.

Whew! That was fun! I also found a load of stuff from MONKEYS, the regional conference AIESEC Manchester developed in my EB year and that I OCPed while VPL (and yes, it's an anacronym). So many memories...

8)

PS - What was the first powerpoint ever made for AIESEC? And did it have that dreary music on it?

PPS - I theorise that if AIESEC's origins were slightly less dramatic and awe-inspiring, the organisation would have collapsed due to lack of membership as our history powerpoint, the greatest tool in our recruitment arsenal, would have sucked. Discuss.

Meh

Saw Ocean's Twelve with the rest of AIESEC Manchester after the LC meeting yesterday - don' want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it but the first one was waaaaaaaaaay better. If I'm stuck for ideas in a few weeks time I'll rip into it in a bit more detail, but it was nice to go out with everyone at least. Also very nice to have Denise (former Aussie @er and former UK MC support staff) at the LC meeting as well 8)

Today is gonna be truely exciting - not only do I get to work on my own dissertation, but I'm helping a friend out with his as well! Hurrah!

8P

Taking the Next Step

OK, so the first day I arrive with the Manchester delegation, change into my suit and get ready for the next few days, meeting up with the other candidates and catching up on the winter break. The evening, we all had to give an opening speech - the MCP candidates for 7 minutes, me and the VP candidates for 5 - outlining our experiences in AIESEC and what we wanted to do if elected. It was amazingly nerve-wracking, but once I got up there I just kinda went into auto-pilot and got through it really well. Coming out of the plenary room to thundering cheers and the Foo Fighters blaring in the backgroud (my walk-in song was Times Like These), I felt so excited, a feeling mirrored by the other candidates, all of whom felt that the first step had been made and a lot of nerves had been overcome. The Western party was great, even if the music was a little on the old side (DJ Kevin, where are you!?)8)

Next day was the big one. I had been dreading it since I got the agenda, and here it was - a 45 minute grilling by the LCPs in the morning, followed by the Crystal Maze, a 3 hour marked AIESEC exam. Then in the evening, we got given a topic and 20 minutes to prepare a more laid-back, funny presentation to the delegates to finish our work for the day. Looking back, it actually went really well - I made some good points in the Q&A, the test wasn't too bad and my presentation on why AIESEC UK should relocate to the hotel we were at (we're having 3 conferences there this year alone) went down a storm. Result!

That night was also the MCP elections. While the VP candidates couldn't hear the speeches, we were there for the result - and what a result! Mark, one of my newies from 2002, was elected the MCP for 2005-06, and I've never been more proud of him. Comiserations of course to Andy, Henry and Heather who were unsuccessful - but with Henry and Heather stepping down to be VP candidates, the day drew to a close.

The next day was a lot less stressful - an hour-long coffee talk with the delegates, where they could approach us with any questions they had about AIESEC or our applications, then our 3 minute closing speeches. Both went really well, resulting in all 8 VP candidates recieving a confidence vote from the delegation. That evening was the formal dinner, and while we had to be up and 7 for the selection panel interviews, we all had a great and relaxing time (and goooooood eats!).

Which brings us bang up to date with today. We all had 3 20 minutes interviews with various members of the selection panel, who then locked themselves away to make a decision about the new team. 3pm finally arrived, and we lined up in front of the delegation, the current MCVPs standing above us with jugs of water, ready to announce the successful candidates.

OK, I think that's enough stalling and dragging the story out... Unfortunately, my future lies not with London and the UK MC. The weekend was a truely great learning experience for me - I'm heartbroken, but at the same time I think I learnt a lot about myself, my capabilities and my future with AIESEC. I really build up my confidence over the conference, and I really want to take that away with me. Comiserations also to James, Bee and Juliet - meeting them, getting to know them and going through LDS with them will be a memory I always hold dear, with each of these individuals truely representing the best of what AIESEC UK has to offer.

I'm proud to announce the new MC of AIESEC UK, 2005-06:

Mark Duffield
Heather Brierly
Henry Richards
Scott Douglas
Lucy Morgan

They're all amazing, talented and passionate AIESECers, and they'll really do the UK proud in the coming year. And as for me... tonight I'm going to get wasted and yell at Tom Brady for being so clean cut; but the search for new MC opportunities is now on. In my closing speech I talked about taking the Next Step, about going deeper into AIESEC and embracing the opportunities it can give to people. Now it's time for me to take that step myself.

PS - Go Eagles!

Leaving on a smile...

From Connie's MSM screen-name:

"Man, all I do is talk to Brits and AIESECers"

Woo, doubles!

8)

Here we go...

Well, this is it - tomorrow is LDS 2005! Argh!

I'm feeling pretty ok, nerves are kicking in a little but I'm sure this'll be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I'll have ever had. It's gonna be tough, but I know I'll be there with friends and I'm really looking forward to hanging out with the rest of the candidates inbetween grillings, as well as seeing the Manchester members work hard and party harder!

Just going over my speeches now - I think I'm at the point where I know the main points I want to hit and that if something goes wrong then I can recover and get back on track. Worried that I don't know enough, but I thiiiiiink I've got it all down. Huge, monumental props to Mazzy for directing me to the Danish Leadership toolbox (aiesec.net > Denmark community > Leadership toolbox subcommittee on the home page - if you haven't seen it yet, DO IT NOW), and for the supportive words from my buddies over in AIESEC USA.

Right, gotta pack, practise speech a couple more times and brush up on coaching stuff... Wish me luck!

Peace out

8)