Maximising Utility in Response to a Change Mechanism

Hello, all. Sorry for the long delay. I'm in school in London, but most of the time it still feels like being at any other school; the mindset is to get readings and practice sets finished, then sleep as long as possible. Possibly with a few pints in between somewhere.

So where to begin? Rather than a chronological account of my last month, which knowing me would take 5000 words and be longer than even a loving grandma could stand to read, I've decided to just sort of reflect on things as they stand so far. Actual information will be scattered amongst the following:

London is everything I was expecting--and as many of you know, I had rather high expectations. The city literally has everything. I've eaten every type of food I've ever had on my travels all within this city: Turkish doeners, German sausages, Indian curry (and somosas!), Thai chicken, Vietnamese soup, and of course 10 types of pasties. And that's just the first month. We have West-End musicals and fringe independent plays. And I don't care if its provincial, I love the old, slightly grimy British pubs. With the regulars who you think are parts of furniture until you go to order and they make recommendations--or at least I think that's what they're saying. For all the over-quoting of Shaw, the UK and the US really are two great countries separated by a common language. I spent a weekend in Surrey on a 'home stay' with a real-life English family. Great time and I got to go to Windsor Castle (the Queen was in residence! Though she didn't invite me in for tea; not quite sure why...), but my 17 year old host brother had a strong south English accent, and he would mumble, so I never knew what he was saying. I spent the whole weekend hoping he didn't ask me anything important. The family as a whole was very inviting and informative. Friday night they gave me the most traditional/popular English dish: Indian takeaway chicken tikka. Seriously, at any given meal time, more of the English are eating Indian takeaway than anything else.

AND speaking of HRH, the Queen: My school is opening a new building which is very eco-friendly and so she, with her husband, Prince Phillip, are coming to campus for the dedication! All of the Americans are planning on getting there REALLY early. They will have a section of the road cordoned off for students to stand and cheer.

So back to personal information: I live on the South Bank of the Thames. In an....interesting area. It's not that I feel unsafe or anything, just that school, or plays, or clubs, or really any kind of food, is at least a 45 minute walk. BUT, I have my own room and bathroom, so no complaints so far. Except, the dorm is all grad students and Americans, so it's quite difficult to make British friends. I went ahead and joined lots of societies (clubs), so hopefully will begin to meet new people.

Also, I am cooking for myself. Every day. So far, only one really failed meal. And, I have to brag, last night was the best meal yet. I defrosted a chicken breast the night before, and rubbed in lemon juice, pepper, and 'assorted herb mix' and pan fried it in olive oil. Then I took a dry soup mix and added very little water to make a sauce to put over plain rice. And rewarded myself with a glass of wine. Basically, watch out Emerill. And Rachel Ray. If this whole college thing doesn't work out, I can now make something like 5 different dishes.

Hope everything is going well in the States. And if I don't post before Nov. 4, everyone go vote!

Mike

p.s. Please note the post title. You should expect lame Econ jokes all year. Just so you know.