Prattlin’ On

I have been reading quite a bit since I have gotten here. I seriously have not read this much since University, and perhaps not this much, then! (sh! Don’t tell!)

Just this last weekend, I finished a book on multi-cultural representation in government and that sort. (I shamefully can’t recall the title at time of writing. Ask me if you want it.) It laid out some fantastic ideas and chains of thoughts. There were 2 key things that I got out of it. The first is differentiating between National Minorities and ethnic minorities, and examining them as separate rights and representation cases. I am sure to oversimplify, and butcher this a bit, but: Native Americans had no choice, so they are National Minority. Irish immigrants came voluntarily. The rights afford these 2 groups should be different. Or, at least, they must be thought of differently.

I also read a book by the fellow who wrote “Fight Club” (which I read a few weeks ago) called “Invisible Monsters.” It was an interesting read, but didn’t impress me either way.

I read the “Code Book”. I think that is the title. I need to pay more attention. Anyway, this excellent book started with ancient codes, and worked through present day, and then did a bit of conjecture on the future. It examined the nuts and bolts, like how the codes worked, and their strengths and weaknesses. The strength of the book is putting all the developments into a historical context. This angle made it quite heard to put down. I eagerly followed the logic of cracking the Enigma code that would give the Allies a leg up in World War II. I mentally took pause as I read that the fellow who made PGP readily available for our modern age was taken to court, but later let go. It’s a great read.

I also began, this last weekend, a book of Rawl’s collected writings; essays mostly. He is a political theory fellow that I am led to believe is quite good. I also started a book on the philosophy of the internet. The first essay of Rawl’s was a little queer to read, but was written in 1951 in an outline form. The internet book has already given me some great things to think on just 2 chapters in. Like the idea the television wasn’t really so earth shattering new. It can be viewed as an improvement and extension of radio. Hmhmrrrm…

A couple weeks back I read Dahl’s “On Democracy”, which I highly recommend. It is easy to digest, and he nicely lays out what should make up a democracy. Given his thoughts, which I find myself in general agreement with, the United States has got some issues. Big Ones. See that? So big I needed a capital ‘O’.

I also read “Animal Farm”. I had started years ago, but never quite got through. I somehow managed to avoid reading almost every classic when I was in school. So thorough is what I missed that you might be tempted, though wrong, to say the aversion was willful on my part.

Ah! I just remember I read the original “Pinocchio” this last weekend. Let me tell you, the little bastard didn’t deserve to become a little boy, however reformed he was! It is a pretty quick read. I think you ought to check it out to help increase the buffer and filter strength between your mind and the Disney world. You have a buffer, right? Right?!

I also started reading “American Pharaoh” in Sarajevo. I will leave it there for when I visit. It is a (thick) book chronicling the rise and times of Mayor Daley Sr. of Chicago. So far, it is good stuff, and provides some good insight to political and thought ripples you can experience even today.

Stuck in the last weeks are also a book called “Don’t Read This if You’re Stupid”. I found it pretty bad. It read well enough, but left an icky taste in my mouth. I almost wish I were stupid. All the stories in it had outright miserable people, and messed up glimpses of their life. Perhaps I would enjoy it another time, but not this one. I also read “Elements of Style”. I think that is the title. One event is written in a ton of styles. I don’t feel like going into it, but you all would appreciate it.

This all doesn’t count the volume of materials I have read at OSCE to try and get my head around what the deal here is. I know I really need to get something down for “all ya all” about what that deal really is.

Yesterday was good.

Renee invited me over for Thai food. It was us, plus 2 other people from work.

Renee picked me up around 2 before she went shopping for the final things she needed. BiH makes it hard to find some items, like coconut milk. Fittingly, she was there one month ago as part of my pick up crew at Zagreb. She came along to secure coconut milk. That same milk would be used for dinner. Renee collected her ingredients from a variety of countries with a marked determination to eat what she wants.

As an aside, Renee spent a year in Thailand. One of the consequences is her ability to make excellent Thai food, which is grand by me.

I took the part as an assistant cook. I sliced, primarily. Baby corns, 3 meats, onions, cucumbers, and probably other things slid past me. It was quite nice to find myself cooking. I don’t for a bit, and the joy of it can fade from my head. I am currently pestering her to get the recipes.

The day was also nice for me because Renee is from the States. It provided a nice respite that I didn’t have to worry about social mores and all this, and had a common arena where I could share my experiences.

Well, yesterday marked the 2 week mark for my time in BiH. So how am I doing? Read on!

Overall, I would say I am doing good. I get along with the people I have met, even if I can’t recall half the names. I have enough down pat that I can at least get money and food, and have a couple trusted people to ask stuff. (keep readin’…)

The week was pretty tame. My supervisor was out this last week, so I did a good deal of reading, and trying to glean some questions that can be used to assess and track the state of Civil Society here. I am looking forward to his return, so I can start working in earnest.

The big visit this last week was to the Banja Luka Annex. It is the field office for this area. Nice folks. So far, the field offices have the feel of converted houses, with a micro-cosm of the regional centre working away. Human Rights, Democ, etc.

Friday night I went out though! I went home with Lucio, rather than take the shuttle. Lucio has been here for about 3years, and works in the Human Rights office, as a Rule of Law Adviser. He, Dragana (from Hum.R) and I had a beer. I got a good overview of the human rights work that is being done. What is more, I learned about the way the education system here works, and how some “old” attitudes prevail. Interestingly, many of the critiques I hold for the US are true here, if not to a greater degree. (keep readin’…)

Well, well, well. This is certainly a plus. It is not recognized as much of a holiday here. To clarify, I don’t say it is a plus because I loathe the romantic (another discussion on that someday) but rather because it is a depressingly “Hallmark Holiday.” Red and white slathered everywhere. Hearts, Cupids, and doves flitting about. Obnoxious really. And, I see it as the “Proper Gender Roles and Expectations Holiday.” Are you a proper man? Woman? You can find out by examining the questions people ask you about this Holiday.

But, thankfully, I saw no red and white. From what Anja tells me, there is more of an inclination to celebrate March 8. That is international women’s day. Even then, not so much is done. Not by men anyway.

The UN website has a brief deal on it: Women’s Day. Is there anyone else concerned that the timeline covers a mere 8 years, almost 100 years ago? This link: Another Link looks a little more promising. I could not (quickly) find a relevant link for BiH. You get one, be sure to post it in the comments!

A quick blurb about the police here.

First, from what I understand, they have not been very respected historically. This is in extreme constrast to the States, especially Chicago, where a lack of respect can end brutally. It’s one of those things you ‘just know’ growing up. You don’t fuck with a cop. Though, from talks with Dana, the experience with police in Chicagoland is not necessarily indicative of the Nation. It is my sound belief that the structure surrounding the instution of policing has the possibilities of abuse built into them. But, I digress.

I was told that here, becoming a police officer is a step down. It simply is not respected. It is along the lines of, “What? You weren’t smart enough to get a real job?” Much like McDonald’s before we became a service economy.

There are a good number of them about, and they do look pretty sharp, I will admit.

The kicker is how you get pulled over. I still have not made total sense of this one, so you will just have to read my words, and accept that it is the way it happens here.

It is pretty well know where they park their (tiny) cars. Usually you have 2 of them, so the works go quicker I suppose. The officer stands on the side of the road. He (all he so far that I have seen, which is something, since I am told there is a ratio of 7:1 F:M)… He has a little stop sign. Its maybe eight inches across, and its on a stick. At night, it even lights up! He will stretch out, and wave it at a car going by. The car pulls over, and they do whatever it is they do! I have seen it happen where the officer simply points to a car, and to the side of the road.

I am currently shy on what the criterion for getting pulled over are. I know things like lights out will do it. (Lucio works hard to avoid the police.) It also seems that it is just a random vehicle check. A remnant of the previous regime, and the inability to move as freely.

It is quite something to see, whatever the mechanics!

My kingdom for an adapter?

I need an adapter. Hence, “The Long Walk.” Only one. For me, to think I have only one thing I plug in, it’s kind of remarkable. I am told they are cheap. I have heard from 50 fenning to 2KM quoted.

I was loaned one that I found didn’t work. The plug for the Laptop is 3 prong, and this could only accomidate 2. By the looks of it though, I could plug a 2 prong in, anywhere in the world.

The person got in contact with that, meaning at the end that Marge of SFOR brought me one. Alas, it is just 2 prong as well.

Before anyone goes all psycho, and I get like 9 in the mail, Marge said that one could be secured Sunday most likely. Some sort of traveling PX that will have an “American” section. They’d have them for sure.

We’ll see!

“Standing on a corner, waiting for a bus. Looks like somebody forgot about us.”- Violent Femmes, Waiting for a Bus

As I said, there is a shuttle that will come near my house when I don’t have a ride to work, and take me there. Luckily, I am on its route. Anja was kind enough to set it all up so they knew to look for me Monday morning, across from the OHR (Office of the High Representative) sign. Easy landmark, sizable fellow. What could go wrong? People who ride the bus were even told to look for me.

The shuttle is not so much of a bus, as it is a van. It was to go by near 8:20. I got down there at 8:05, figuring the time given was a loose framework, and I did not want to miss it.

8:05. 20. 25. 30. 40. 50. 8:50.

I walked, and arrived at 9:10-5. (Quite a contrast to the long walk, to be sure!)

I was a little annoyed, but wasn’t too concerned. I wasn’t the one who had goofed. It turns out a driver was sent to look for me, and several people called. The shuttle people had seen me, but it totally skipped their minds. A fellow, who didn’t recognize me, even drove by thinking, ‘An international trying to cross the street for OHR.’

I received an apology, and you can bet I was first in line for the shuttle home.

Ahh… It was Saturday. My first official day here all by my lonesome. My friend is off for the week, working at his house to get it ready for spring.

I was pretty happy, though. I felt I could really use the alone time to get rested, and get focused on my new world. I was still pretty damned tired from all the travel and general disorientation. Its not jetlag when you simply haven’t had enough sleep yet.

I wanted to be sure that I could find work from the flat. A shuttle was scheduled to pick me up on Monday, and take me to work, but you never know. I was told it is about a 25 minute walk in. Hah! I thought. Simple! (keep readin’…)

Things are pretty similar to in the States. I would not have known I was in another country except for the odd little cars, and even odder road signs. Some other novel differences have become evident. (keep readin’…)