PPE

What I’ve been up to..

by Matthew
Studying French to C2 level.

Studying French to C2 level.

I’ve enrolled onto my French course for the summer. The aim is to learn French right up to C2 (Fluency). I’m excited, and start on the 8th June. So, next week! I’ll also be in Brussels in two weeks, so, a lot to look forward to.

Today, I also officially completed my project for DD309 with the Open University. I will be driving up to Milton Keynes to hand it in on Tuesday morning (tomorrow). It’s all been printed and bound, after a lot of blood, sweat and tears.. well not entirely true but almost! 😉

I’ve enjoyed this module immensely my tutor has been great. Assisting me through Skype/Email and face to face at our session at the London School of Economics. The project involved huge amounts of research regarding Environmental Economics and Carbon Trading. I’ll never look at the European Emissions trading scheme in the same light again.

On the way, I learnt so many things about how the EU operates. From using their direct line service (for help on EU matters) and Email. All of which delivered exactly what I needed. I feel that like most things regarding governance most of the information and is there if you ask for it.

I’ve also become more aware of how deeply important the environment is to us as a public good. Not just due to climate change, but the air we breathe, the views we enjoy. The things we can’t make excludable and struggle to protect. In conclusion, I found the EU ETS did assist with reducing emissions but only by a marginal amount and it maybe a little too early to say we collected any meaningful data. As the ETS has only been running 10 years. Environmental policies tend to take many years and not show improvements in short or even the medium-run. Many weaknesses within the EU carbon trading system can be solved by EU policymakers (which I will reveal in another blog post when I have my results back 😉 ).

It’s been incredible this module and I want to thank friends (some who are no longer with me), close family for the support. It’s been tricky at times to self-motivate myself. Many times I’d have a beer and watch question time doing little else. My degree is not over but it’s been an amazing journey so far and I feel everyone in my life is part of it. I’m so lucky to have you all. So, thank you!

My Pictures of the Month are below

Few notes: EMA stands for end of module assignment it’s basically my project for my Economics module. The intimate relations thing is an economic valuation I guess! How much time we spend and the net effect of those things, Got a few vanity shots… I don’t often go vain but I thought I’d go against the grain a little. And protect the NHS, our human rights might be disappearing but can we at least protect that? Too bad the tories got in.

My blog may be down at various points over the next month. It really needs an overhaul a nice new theme, it needs to be mobile/tablet friendly (hint, hint can anyone help in any way? 🙂 ).

Also, I’m taking action to address why the blog is slow loading. The database has pretty big over the years. I know the comment feature is not working properly for all readers. I’m trying to fix that too.

Whilst reading I was listening to:

Danke, Merci, Thank you

Love being so busy!

by Matthew
Heavy reading? Aiming for 100% in everything :)

Heavy reading? Aiming for 100% in everything 🙂

As I said in my previous post, I think I’d be more then a little busy this year this has turned out to be true.

I’ve bought two economics books as I really want too boost my grades in Economics. Andrew Gillispies book seems to be more lighter and suitable to introduce newbies into Economics.

Doing two modules at once with the open university was always gonna be tough. Economics much tougher then politics but on the whole both very engaging, interesting and applicable to the real world.

Today at work I had what I thought was the beginning of a good conversation going with a customer. She asked me what I was studying I told her PPE and she then asked what career options am I thinking of. I told her EU or civil service. She told me to keep quiet it’s a dirty word then told me how soldiers fought and died so dictators at the EU wouldn’t make laws for us and how the EU is undemocratic. I didn’t say this but was just thinking as she was mouthing off… The EU is an example of representative democracy. Like our nation is. It’s not a direct democracy. It has stayed true to its founding principles as laid down by Sir Winston Churchill and Robert Schuman amongst others. It’s by no means perfectly democratic but what institution is? We can act to improve it. She then started talking or should I say SHOUTING about Mr Farage and she wouldn’t stop. Rambling on about him being a man of the British people. Looking out for British workers. Much how a certain German politician promised to before the Second World War I guess. She sounded like she was brainwashed unfortunately considering I wasn’t answering her at this stage because she was so ill informed and seemed so ignorant to anybody else.

I couldn’t believe all that reaction came from my career path to be honest. It’s scary to think we have ignorant and the ill informed in the country who cannot even reason or disagree in a polite manner without raising their voices to be heard. If I had been a ex-soldier or if I said I wanted to join the army how would she have viewed me then? Presumably in a positive light despite the fact I may have ended the lives of people with a gun or maybe going on to. Really is this what has Britain come to? Hmmm. Something doesn’t sit right 🙁

So as you can see politics comes up even without intention. Maybe more so because of my pathway. I’m finding I’ve learnt so much more though. When walking around shops or any public place my economics and politics knowledge seems to kick in! I read the economist and understand more and more week by week. It’s all very exciting 🙂

My exams for economics are in June so a lot of prep ahead!

I went to Paris on March 25th. It’s a beautiful city but not as beautiful as Brussels! It was a rainy day but still it was nice to be away from London for a change. I can’t believe it being only a train ride away I never been. Take a look at the assortment of photos below.

It was lovely though, didn’t want to return home. Day trips do feel really long though. I’m planning to go racing again and go gym after I finish DD209 – Running the Economy. Then I can focus just on DD203 – Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics. Once DD203 finishes in September 2014, I will be moving on to DD309 – Doing economics: people, markets and policy this looks to be interesting.

I probably won’t post again till after the 6th June 2014. When I actually stop going full-time and go part-time with my studies again.

Till next time. See you 🙂

The final book of my Philosophy module! Woo!!

by Matthew
All 6 Philosophy texts that have been studied. Not including the huge set book!

All 6 Philosophy texts that have been studied. Not including the huge set book!

I’m on the final book of my Philosophy module. Book 6: Political Philosophy.
Thank goodness. I’ve kind of liked and disliked this module. Like marmite! 🙂

Sometimes I’ve enjoyed the philosophical debates and thinking that I’ve done, and at other times just loathed it.

Political Philosophy seems interesting so far. I’ve covered political obligation and I’ve read part of the Crito. Which is a dialogue between Socrates and Plato on his obligations to the state, with Socrates arguing he should remain in the city of Athens and face his inevitable death sentence. The three arguments Socrates uses are first, a parental analogy, disobeying the state is like disobeying your parents. The second because the state where the authors of his education and thirdly, because he has made an agreement with the state to obey the law. I’ve enjoyed that first half of this book. A lot more then the others 🙂

Every day I get closer to the exam!! Today, I was meant to do some mock questions but I couldn’t. The library was busy and I wasn’t prepared. I’m a bit behind in reading for my final assignment on my module. Pressure is in the air but I’m cool as usual 🙂

I’ve not been writing much. Been busy with life and as a few of you readers may know. I’m really living life to the full now 😉

Hope all my readers are having fun and are in peace. Till next time.

TMA 2 just needs submitting then Christmas is here :)

by Matthew
Christmas Bells

Hope your having a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 🙂

I’ve completed TMA 2. Found it a challenge. Had a extension. It’s been rushed but being checked for grammar now! I’m now just waiting for Christmas and to be honest I can’t wait. I really, really must give myself more time for TMA 3. And I should not stress about not having a girlfriend (no time for one) or just sit around and procrastinate, hahah!!

One more day left of work then its Christmas Day.

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Updated 26/12/2012: Has this saved but not published. Christmas Day has come and gone. Food all in my belly for another year! Can’t wait for things to get back to normal.

Start going to the gym again but I’m not too keen on getting down to study though. Submitted my essay on the 23rd, I was given a three day extension. Could have done better really. Next essay is getting started early. I know I said that about the last TMA, but I really need to!

Next book to read is all about Ethics (Book 3). The study planner says I should start on the 29th. Will try to start a little earlier 🙂

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas Day and hope you all have a happy New Year 🙂

Barely Breathing!

by Matthew
Book number 2 - The philosophy of religion

The Philosophy of Religion – Très difficile 🙁

Don’t worry though it’s just a cold I got (I don’t often have them) and its not that bad.

I’ve still been around. Just not got around to posting much. Enjoying Exploring Philosophy but finding the module a real drag. The first essay was probably the worst piece of work I have ever submitted and was under the word count. Still I’m looking ahead to improve on the second. The second book is the Philosophy of Religion. I’m struggling mostly with the concept of putting an ‘I’ in an essay and forming arguments in philosophy more then before.

This module is gonna be a real struggle. I knew it anyway. My brain just doesn’t function the way a philosophers would. Yet, I’ll try. I need this module. It compulsary 🙁

Had my tutorial at the London School of Economics again yesterday. I think more of these sessions are needed its the discussion factor I am lacking. I don’t get to talk to anyone about the arguments or philosophy which you do need. That’s my one criticism. Overall, I feel negative about the whole module today. I just wanna get it out the way and onto Politics and Economics.

Outside the degree a bit..

I’m going to begin saving for a new car soon (woop). Ages before I can get one though. There were plenty of things I wanted to say, however when I opened up to start writing I forgot everything. Ah well.

Btw, For those wondering what module and degree I’m doing and where etc. I am aiming to achieve a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. You can find out more about my current module here.

The blog is running on a new superduper betterer server 😉 😀 😛
All high speed and stuff. Much better.

Peace all. My twitter thing on the left no longer works. I’ll get it fixed soon but you can see my instagrams 🙂

Reading Chapter 7 (Governing problems) then Western Philosophy

by Matthew
Western Philosophy - An Anthology

I’m reading Western Philosophy – By John Cottingham

I’m now back on track on week 27 of my course. Reading chapter 7 out of my module materials (Governing problems). I’m going to do everything I can to keep up and not fall behind till the end 🙂

I’ve started reading the Western Philosophy book I ordered from Amazon. It’s really thick and seems like it will require heaps of concentration. I’m going to read some of it later I hope. I really can’t afford to fall behind with two modules, with one it’s really tricky catching up let alone two! I really like some of the quotes though. Really want to read it more but need to find some time.

I bought a new watch and it arrived last week. Had to have a few links removed at G.Mantella in Enfield Town. It’s real shiny though. Might take a piccy 😉

Last week I downloaded John Lennon’s Discography. Mainly just because I wanted to hear imagine because it sounded amazing at the closing ceremony. I’ve developed a new enthusiasm for his music. It was already there (a friend in Argentina shes a big fan) but I didn’t take that much notice.

Anyway, I look forward to getting week 27 out the way so I can move on with closing out my module and I need to stay ahead or with the weeks at least 😛

No progress on TMA 6 today

by Matthew
Was ready to attack the essay yesterday. Not today!!

Was ready to attack the essay yesterday. Not today!!!

Today I done nothing except go to work and eat. Pretty much it really. So frustrated really. Just frustrated with everything. Don’t know why really. I do I guess but don’t want it broadcast everywhere. Maybe I need to stop being so frustrated?
Who knows 🙁

I’ve been really busy, if it’s not work. It’s the assignments. I’m trying to fix my laptop too. Been broken for about a year. Think it’s the backlight inverter.

Don’t know why but I’m pretty down. Can’t explain it. Guess its just one of those things 🙁 🙁 🙁

Things will turn around soon.