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Here's your typical LJ post of my weekend.
Friday evening and most of Saturday were spent working on my second research project. Originally the project was to find out if western-educated political elites of non-western nations promote different economic policies than their locally educated colleagues. As it turns out, we could not find any existing work in the field, nor any data, and so the project was retasked to collect said data. Consequently, I'm in the process of identifying the executive branch members of six countries and finding their educational histories (that is, find their biographies, really.) In some cases (Poland, Thailand) this is easy, since the government web page, available in English, provides all I need. In other cases (Japan, Brazil) this is surprisingly hard, since all the bibliography databases the university is subscribed to are incredibly anglo-centric. You're lucky to find one in ten of current ministers of European, South American or Asian countries in any of the Who's Who products. By suggestion of librarian LaVoie, I will probably enter the lair of some local research librarians for additional help. Still, it's kind of fun, and I get the feeling that I'm doing something vaguely worthwhile.
As part of this project, here are some completely random factoids:
Anyhow, I also did manage to squeeze in watching Shawn of the Dead and Assault on Precinct 13, and visiting Liang's China Bistro in North Tampa. Said bistro is very reminescent of PF Chang's, just in a much smaller and intimate atmosphere, with more nifty stuff, like boba drinks and teas and a wider menu. Quite nice, and they have a drive-through pick-up window.
Sunday I attended Kevin's D&D game, including a new character (Hi, Emily!) We had to bail out somewhat early to see Finding Neverland, by invitation of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
moonwolf's parents. An interesting, peaceful, beautiful period movie, though with a fair bit more sets and good acting than content.
( Workrant )
Friday evening and most of Saturday were spent working on my second research project. Originally the project was to find out if western-educated political elites of non-western nations promote different economic policies than their locally educated colleagues. As it turns out, we could not find any existing work in the field, nor any data, and so the project was retasked to collect said data. Consequently, I'm in the process of identifying the executive branch members of six countries and finding their educational histories (that is, find their biographies, really.) In some cases (Poland, Thailand) this is easy, since the government web page, available in English, provides all I need. In other cases (Japan, Brazil) this is surprisingly hard, since all the bibliography databases the university is subscribed to are incredibly anglo-centric. You're lucky to find one in ten of current ministers of European, South American or Asian countries in any of the Who's Who products. By suggestion of librarian LaVoie, I will probably enter the lair of some local research librarians for additional help. Still, it's kind of fun, and I get the feeling that I'm doing something vaguely worthwhile.
As part of this project, here are some completely random factoids:
- Thai officials have royal decorations such as Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) Of the Most Exalted Order Of the White Elephant and Grand Companion (Third Class, Higher Grade) Of the Most Illustrious Order Chula Chom Klao.
- Thailand's king was born in the United States. One of the thai princesses married an American while attending MIT and decided to stay here with her family. The name of the current king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, translates to Strength of the Land with Incomparable Power
- German foreign minister Joschka Fischer, apart from being a radical (as in violent) leftist, also has had no formal schooling since age 15. Gerhard Schröder, Germany's prime minister, was a "mainstream marxist" in the 1970s--and a lawyer. The political and educational background of Germany's, and likely those of other European leaders, is somewhat surprising.
Anyhow, I also did manage to squeeze in watching Shawn of the Dead and Assault on Precinct 13, and visiting Liang's China Bistro in North Tampa. Said bistro is very reminescent of PF Chang's, just in a much smaller and intimate atmosphere, with more nifty stuff, like boba drinks and teas and a wider menu. Quite nice, and they have a drive-through pick-up window.
Sunday I attended Kevin's D&D game, including a new character (Hi, Emily!) We had to bail out somewhat early to see Finding Neverland, by invitation of
moonwolf's parents. An interesting, peaceful, beautiful period movie, though with a fair bit more sets and good acting than content.( Workrant )
