Here's the latest from Kindahl.  She's now halfway through her time in Iraq…

 I’m doing well.  It’s hard to write because we are at our half way point and I’m really missing home right now.  I hope everyone has a good day today and please remember those who have given everything to uphold our beliefs.  We have lost a few here and it is always hard.  It was harder for me this time because I had to process their paper work.  Even though some of you may not agree with the reasons for which this mess was started believe me when I say that we are doing good over here.  The media does not do justice to what is done here and when mistakes are made they are used against us in everyway possible.  People make mistakes and it is easy to judge but if you were in that situation knowing only the information you have been given, you can not say what you would do.  I think this aspect is really easy to forge,t hindsight after all is 20/20.  I’m not just talking about the big decisions that are broadcast throughout the media showing our failures, I’m talking about the small every day decisions that make up those big decisions.  We live in a country where the leadership is chosen by the people.  If the leader is doing a bad job then we reserve the right to change; we reserve the right to protest, peacefully.  We live in a country where you can criticize the leadership and not fear for your life.  You can seek higher learning and not worry about what will happen to your family.  You are free to move where ever you choose.  Women have rights and can seek justice when they are not treated fairly, anyone can seek justice when they are not treated fairly.  Some have it worse than others and just because we live in a free country does not mean our lives are better but we have the right to seek a better life.  Americans seem to love the stories where people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.  That is what is so great about our country, the fluidity of our stations in life.  We can live a “better” life than our parents and our children can live a “better” life than us.  I guess what this long drawn out email is saying is: you may not agree with decisions of people but don’t forget where you come from.  Don’t forget where you got the ability and courage to stand up and protest.  Today remember those who have fallen in support of your right to complain and criticize. 

It is Memorial Day for a reason.  

Until next time…

Kindahl

Yes, it's that time again.  Come one, come all to the glory that is Bumps rowing. I'll be rowing in the New College MCR boat this year, way down in the glorious Men's Division VI.  As opposed to the first division, which is all serious and hard work, Division VI is more like, well, how bumps is supposed to be, i.e. with lots of boats ramming into each other.  This is the spectator's sport at it's best.  If you want to come watch, here's the info you need:

Time : 13.10 Wed-Fri; 12.10 Saturday.  If you actually want to see the race, you have to be there by start time.  If you're two minutes late it will all be over.

Place : River Isis.  The best place to watch us will probably be Donnington Bridge.  Though, if you want to see us come in and pat us on the back, head to the Boathouse. Here's a map of the location in Oxford , and here's one of just the race course .

What we'll look like : something like this (have a look at the Big Blade pictures from Rowing On, and our own ).  Notice our blades are purple with two gold bands .  Wednesday we'll be in all black, Th-Sat in gold tops.  We'll add to our outfits each day, so be sure to watch for comedy value.

Keep up to date with how we're doing here.  We're listed as New College III Men's.

I have formed a small dining club in response a gift I received from a friend last year.  It is a book called Nose to Tail Eating: A Kind of British Cooking by Fergus Henderson, the famed chef of St. John's in London.  The book is, shall we say, not for the faint-hearted.  Dishes include Boiled Belly and Lentils, Pheasant and Pig's Trotter Pie with Suet Crust, and an entire section on Lamb's Brains (unfortunately, lamb's brains are not currently available in the UK…).

Such a gift should not be taken lightly.  I therefore saw it as my solemn duty to establish The Culinary Expedition Club in order to taste the delicacies of the Henderson tradition. 

Tomorrow's inaugural meal includes. . . well, why not see for yourself?