The lecture for the class I TA for was cancelled again because the prof has been really sick this semester.  I'm still in the office because we are holding extra office hours instead of having class.  And then instead of my workshop this Thursday, she is going to have a makeup lecture, which is kind of awesome for me because it means I do not need to create a lesson plan for this week.  I kind of need that extra time to do papers that I have yet to start because I have no interest in starting them.

One paper that I can't get out of my head is asking whether or not international cooperation actually matters to how some countries are seen in the eyes of the U.S.  So, is there a significant difference in the amount of cooperation (as opposed to amount of conflict, which would also be included in the model) that the U.S. engages in with those nations it sees as allies (/friends) vs. with those nations it sees as enemies (/antagonistic)?  You would think yes, but at the same time, I'm starting to wonder if reputation like that is really more about the level of conflict and if they have a liberalized economy and other things, and cooperation doesn't really matter all too much.

The only problem with this idea is that my professor told me that although it was a good idea, it would be too big a project for the semester paper.  Now, that would be okay if I could think of a different topic.  But since international cooperation does fall outside my usual zone of interest (even with my recent nod towards foreign policy...since I really focus on domestic forces influencing foreign policy), this is the only thing I have been able to think of and actually be interested in.  And it is still somewhat in my area, since it focuses on the U.S.

I'm actually thinking about asking her if I can do this, but limit the number of observations.  So instead of a large-n analysis, start with something small; use two countries whose reputation in the eyes of the U.S. (leaders, not the public) has changed over x amount of time.  Maybe the U.K. and Iran?  Or Germany and China?  I don't know.  Definitely a western and a non-western nation, and a current friend and a current adversary.

Maybe I'll ask.  It really is the only thing I can think of.


Just word-vomited to one of the fifth years who stopped by to say hi to me.  Apparently the crisis I am having is one that most people have in the second year second semester.  So that is...marginally comforting, I guess.


Going to try to send my headphones back today and see what Sennheiser will do for me.  I might ask about just getting a refund so I can put that money towards the better quality ones.  If they don't, and just send back or repair these ones, that's okay too.  I just want working headphones.  I'm already sad I won't have them for trip to UC and possibly Chicago.  Sob.