My nerd type - thanks to Jav

http://www.gotoquiz.com/results/what_be_your_nerd_type What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Social Nerd You're interested in things such as politics, psychology, child care, and peace. I wouldn't go so far as to call you a hippie, but some of you may be tree-huggers. You're the type of people who are interested in bettering the world. You're possible the least nerdy of them all; unless you participate in other activies that paled your nerdiness compared to your involvement in social activities. Whatever the case, we could still use more of you around. ^_^
Literature Nerd
Drama Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Anime Nerd
Musician

Democracy

I am doing my first uni assignment in 10 years - scary :) However I thought I would share my thoughts on the issues.

Democracy and economic liberalisation are rather like the chicken and the egg, working out which one comes first is one of the more difficult questions that we are struggling with internationally at the moment - see Iraq if you are wondering why it matters. We can see around the world examples of this issue being played out almost on a daily basis. A number of East Asian countries believe in the concept of guided democracy with the opinion that the economy is the big requirement. In the Central and Eastern European countries that were freed as a result of the collapse of USSR, you see political change before you see economic liberalisation.

As I have done my readings I have realised that the question itself is flawed - what's missing is the third force - societal / cultural liberalisation. There is a need for societies to develop a support infrastructure - a willingness for people to support the myths of democracy and too not fall back to old habits. It's this third force that enables democracy and economic freedoms to be pursued. So in effect it's the dinosaur (if you are a evolutionist) that came first and then the chicken sort of grew out of this. Anyway it's a thought

The challenge of loneliness

It seems yet another couple are leaving town, friends seem to be leaving with great frequency at the moment. It's especially difficult because it seems to be those friends who are at the same stage in life and have similar careers that are leaving. Sigh... still they have asked myself and Kelly to pray for them in thier trip and they are going overseas to work on international development projects - very cool work.

What worries me the most is the loss of companionship, people who get the difficulties at my level of responsibility and the nature of work. I need that.

This weekend I really need to start focusing on my essay - 4000 words on the chicken and egg question what comes first liberalisation of the economy or political liberalisation, it's interesting and I am enjoying it.

Study and life

well,

I may need my head read - I am studying (I grant you only part time), working full time assisting in the raising of three children and doing all the rest of things that one does. It's a more than full load even for me so why did i not drop the smallest of these things when I had the chance? I mean it would have been the obvious call! But I need the study it's a release for me - a chance to think the big thoughts and not feel like i am sinning by discussing big things. I guess at the end of the day I feel a bit lonely, my head is often full of big ideas which I often feel are never really heard.

as for the study itself - economic development in the middle east - tis brilliant