Stop Being Such Assholes

Before getting to my main argument, I want to highlight two things: The term ‘asshole,’ as I understand it, is gender-neutral. To make sure it is, I googled it and found this convincing post by redw6452. FYI: it’s quite difficult to google ‘asshole for women.’ Most hits explain how to be a perfect asshole to …

Old People Party?

I once saw a meme about anthropologists. "When an anthropologist goes to a bar, it's called participant observation." So, here we go: There is a weekday party in my city. It's advertised for working people. For people who need to get up early the following day. 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Not a minute longer. When …

Happy Birthday, Rithy Panh!

I'm planning a research project in Cambodia. Thus, I'm trying to get my hands on anything on Cambodia. So I recently watched Rithy Panh's documentary Les Tombeaux Sans Noms (Graves Without A Name, 2018) on the countless people who were killed and vanished (or 'were abandoned' as the murderers called it) during the horrific regime …

A Future In Coffee? (Part II)

Last week I talked about my job interview at a coffeehouse (A Future in Coffee?). And today was the day. After these last days with the horrible boss I considered quitting if today would go well. (Not immediately, though, but maybe after the first two weeks or so.) I met a few of my (potential) …

When You Begin Considering the Coffee Chain Job

I said before that I am teaching in a few institutions. And yesterday I said that I enjoy teaching. And that is still true. I prefer my university courses, for various reasons. (I'm still in love with my students.) But the working conditions at these institutions vary. Significantly. I am not solely talking about money. …

A Love Letter To My Students

My dear students, I'm in love with you. I enjoy teaching you. Every week, I'm looking forward to discussing with you again. In my classroom, you seem to be engaged. We always have lively discussions. I often have to cut you short, because we have reached the end of our period. As in every classroom, …

And the Good News Is …

Money, money, moneyMust be funnyIn the rich man’s worldMoney, money, moneyAlways sunnyIn the rich man’s worldAha ahaAll the things I could doIf I had a little moneyIt's a rich man’s worldIt's a rich man’s worldABBA (1976) In 1976, ABBA nailed it. Money makes life so much easier. I’m okay with not being part of ‘the …

A Future In Coffee?

A few weeks ago, when I panicked about health insurance, sick leave, and paid leave (what a dream!), I applied for a job as barista. With very mixed feelings. Did I do my PhD, investing so much time, money, and (mental) health, to become a barista? I started thinking. What if they want me? And, …

The Precariat

The Precariat. I did not know we have a term for this socioeconomic state. But apparently, we have had a name for it for quite a while—since the 1980s, according to Macmillan. A combination of ‘precarious’ and ‘proletariat,’ the precariat originally described temporary workers without a social safety net or employment protection. Since 2011, the …

Youthful Enthusiasm vs. Reality Sets In

I started thinking about my (academic) future during my last one or two years of high school. Or, rather: I started seriously thinking about it, after I realized that 'I can not do anything I set my mind to.' I got a list with possible degree courses from my chosen university (by post! printed on …