Hello. Welcome to my website. It started while I was in Europe for a semester, and I've kept it up since then. I'm now at the University of Chicago Law School, living in Hyde Park, and the story continues. If you want to say hi or visit me, email cfloyd at uchicago dot edu.
"Life is nothing if not the sum of your anecdotes." -Scotty The Body, on storytelling "But it ain't that bad, man. Just figure out the system before the system figures out you." -T. Matthew Smith, on the 1L year "The beer just doesn't taste as good when you're not drinking it with your buddies." -Anon., on being away from good friends "Somebody has to pay the rent around here. Why the hell not us?" -Cotton, on studying for exams
6/30/2003
This is my last post in Graz. It has been great.
That's all. I'm in a hurry to catch my train. Next up: contemplation from a distance...
6/30/2003 04:06:00 AM
6/29/2003
It's 1am here. I'm all packed. I have to get up in the morning and tie up a few loose ends, and then my stay in Graz will be over. I'll take the noon train to Vienna, where I will stay overnight and catch the first leg of my flight to Amsterdam on Tuesday afternoon. I will have a 24-hour layover in Amsterdam, where I plan on seeing the Heinekin brewery and the Van Gogh Museum, and then I fly through Memphis to Tulsa. I'll finally be home Wednesday evening.
I'll drop a farewell post tomorrow morning right before I pack up the computer. And Mom and Dad: I'll call home tomorrow, once I get to Vienna.
6/29/2003 04:13:00 PM
6/28/2003
So far in my short life I have been moderately successful. That's mostly luck...I am fundamentally a lazy person.
If you are also a camoflaged bum, then you know the feeling that I just got. It's the feeling that might be labeled, "Oh crap, I have a lot to do." The feeling is intensified because of the week prior you've been lying to yourself about how easy it's going to be to pack and leave. "Aw, it's not going to take but a couple hours. Sure, I'll go for a coffee with you." And then you're riding your bike and you realize that in 72 hours you have to get on a plane and you've got a closet full of dirty laundry, a cluttered desk, and towels to give away.
I've also got to sell my Handy, return my books to the library, de-register with the police, get my housing deposit, give my bike back, and God knows what else I'm forgetting.
6/27/2003
Earlier today I went to the store and picked up a weekend six-pack of LoewenWeisse, Loewenbrau's hefeweissen beer. The cans are 0.5L, or 17oz. It was E3.50 (coming to $4.03). I got six for the price of a single pint at TapWerks in OKC.
6/26/2003
So you've heard of Posh 'n' Becks? Oh. Wait, I live in Europe, and you live in the U.S. That's the difference. Posh, as in Victoria Adams, aka Posh Spice from the Spice Girls. Becks, aka David Beckham, recently sold by Manchester United to Real Madrid for $41 million. They're a big-time couple in the rest of the world. The guy has got fame like Michael Jordan. And Posh...well, she's married to David Beckham? I dunno. Anyway, I didn't buy his fame until one of my Bosnian roommates got a weird mohawk haircut. I was like, dude, um... And he told me it was Beckham's style. He's got it gelled up into a point. And his girlfriend is very proud. I think she is going for the Posh thing, now that her boy is Becks. Anyway, just thought I'd share.
6/26/2003 11:28:00 AM
6/25/2003
Thanks, everybody that has been posting comments. You...complete me!
The time here grows short. I will shed a tear when I have to change the name of the website to Charles in Charge: Oklahoma.
I was beginning to stress about what equates to Finals Week here in Graz. Then I realized, I only have to pass! That's an Office Space-type revelation. Although, just like a high jump for us fat kids, a lower bar doesn't guarantee success. Thus I persevere. I will continue to study. I will try to get by. I will...I will survive!
And I'll have a good rest of my week and see everybody soon. If I don't see you this weekend for a beer (homo austriacus, I'm looking in your direction).
6/25/2003 02:26:00 PM
6/24/2003
THERE HAS BEEN AN EMERGENCY. CHARLIE IS OUT OF PEANUT BUTTER. REPEAT: CHARLIE IS OUT OF PEANUT BUTTER.
Honestly. I just spread the last succulent bit of what my Mom shipped in. Somebody get on a plane now with a big verdammten jar of Skippy. They just don't make it right over here. NOW! 6/24/2003 03:09:00 PM
The bad news: I'm a much worse writer in German than I am in English. The good news: I only have to pass my courses. But don't worry-I'm giving 100 percent. Well, okay, 85%. But I'm still trying hard!
And: I promise, no more politics on the site. I'm happy to email about it. Drop me a note.
6/24/2003 02:54:00 PM
6/23/2003
This isn't cool. I'm studying hard. I didn't think you had to study hard in study abroad. Dang it. It's in another language, too. Dang.
6/23/2003 01:33:00 PM
6/22/2003
Question:
If, as it appears at the moment (but may change soon), Iraq in fact had no chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, but merely tattered remains of past programs, why in Allah's name did they lead inspectors on a wild goose chase until finally expelling them in 1998, only to readmit them when in the tank-sights of the United States, and even then not allow unfettered access to weapons sites?
Answers? Anybody?
It just doesn't add up. If there were weapons, why haven't we found jack squat? I mean, political careers, including Tony Blair's, are dependent on WMDs eventually turning up. You've got to assume we're looking pretty hard. But if there weren't weapons, why did Iraq act as though they were hiding them until the bitter end?
I'm not upset about there being no weapons. We weren't duped. The war was justified with or without VX gas--see "mass graves." I just wonder what Saddam was hiding from inspectors.
If you feel the uncontrollable urge to comment, the following suggestions are not allowed: Liberal media. Conservative conspiracy. Good luck. I ain't got a clue.
6/22/2003 03:13:00 PM
6/21/2003
Last night: a beer with Austrians
This morning: a cup of coffee with Bosnians
This afternoon: Japanese sushi with Americans
Dinner: Italian food with Swedes
This evening: a drink of Ukrainian vodka with a Luxembourger
6/19/2003
Today was yet another random holiday in Austria. I slept late and did next to nothing for a few hours. Then I got highly bored and went for a long walk. I ended up going up the Schlossberg, which is really attractive right now. All the gardens on top are blooming. I am very tired of sitting at the computer when it's so pretty outside, and I have a paper to write, so I may not be posting much for a while. We'll see. Oh, and since you all keep asking, my return date is July 2nd.
6/19/2003 12:42:00 PM
6/17/2003
Another couple of words on European attitudes towards the United States-
It seems that Euro-people I talk to don't hate America as a concept or a vision. They seem to like Americans as a people. They still really love American fashion and trends (even if they don't quite realize it). But they hate George W. Bush.
No, they don't hate him like Democrats do. They hate him worse. They hate him like he stole their bike. They hate him like he kicked their dog. They hate George W. Bush like we might hate Jacques Chirac if he were suddenly the most powerful man in the world.
I'm not really sure why this is. To be fair, there are rational reasons to disagree with his policies. But their hate for him is not based on rationality. I've been trying to figure out what it is based on, through reading European papers and talking to folks around here, and I've come up with a few reasons. (Boldface shows characterization of opinion.)
1) George Bush is dumb. This is usually the first answer you get when you ask about W. People do not respect him. And Europe being so secular, they also are worried by his born-again Christianity, which they don't quite understand.
2) He is not Clinton. Bill Clinton had and still has extraordinary international appeal. This stems from a number of associations, but mostly from the man's impressive charisma. Also, the rest of the developed world is, for the most part, more liberal than the U.S., and so Democrat=good, Republican=evil.
3) Bush doesn't care about what the world thinks. This one comes from the fact that the foreign policy of the Bush administration tends to ignore world opinion. Short list of offenses: the Kyoto Protocol; the Anti-Ballistic-Missile Treaty; the International Criminal Court; the Afganistan conflict; the 2nd Gulf War. None of these was anywhere near a paragon of U.S./world cooperation.
4) Bush is a bully. This one stems from #3, but add in 9/11. People don't appreciate the "either for us or against us" doctrine. And nobody roots for Goliath, even when Goliath might be right. The solo show of the unstoppable military power of the U.S. is not winning many admirers.
5) Bush and those in his administration are corrupt. People see the business connections, current and former, of Bush and his people, and they assume that money is the real motive behind Bush's policy. Of course, he also controls the media. And 9/11 was an excuse to fight wars for oil. And the Jews are actually in control anyway. Have you noticed the similarities between your country and Germany in 1938?
Right, so that's about when I end the conversation. People are very ignorant. And Bush is a lightning-rod for world disdain. Some of it is deserved; some not. Maybe he will succeed with Israel and Palestine and will earn some praise. But I doubt it. History may ultimately be a fair judge of George W. Bush, but Europeans today have already made up their minds. He may as go ahead and kick their dog--it wouldn't much matter now.
6/15/2003
Good afternoon. It is a lazy Sunday. I need to do school work, right after I clean my room. Not much exciting going on. Maybe I'll go to a cafe later on to do some reading. Happy Father's Day to all Dad's out there, particularly mine.
Most of the links on the left are now live. Peruse at your leisure.
The party was really cool Friday night. Tons of people--too many, in fact. I just hung out with people I knew and we explored quite a bit. If you want to look at pictures, go here. Don't be daunted by the foreign language. Just click on "ansehen" to look at the pics. I'm not in any of them, but it will still give you a good idea of what was going on Friday.
I realized I never said anything about my trip to Budapest, so here's just a bit:
I was only there for about 24 hours because of budget and train schedules, but at least I saw the place. Others might differ, but in my book it's still worth going. Budapest is near Austria on the Danube. It is connected to Vienna on the river. If I ever come back with more cash I would like to take the hydrofoil between the cities. So, Kent the Friend and I walked around quite a bit and saw a good piece of the city. We went to the top of St. Stephen's Basilica for a wonderful view. The city is really beautiful, but there are undertones from the past of communist oppression. Lots of grafiti, and some ugly block buildings. But there was also a lot of building going on. I'm sure Hungary is a land on the rise--part of "New Europe," as Rumsfeld put it. And don't let anybody tell you Hungary is dirt-cheap, either, at least not in the center of Budapest. Prices were about like Graz, but that's probably because we didn't stray too far from touristy areas.
That's all I'm going to type now. Budapest pics will be up soon. Enjoy your day.
6/15/2003 04:45:00 AM
6/13/2003
Just a quick post to let you know that the run went great. Big thunderstorms came through and delayed the race by fifteen minutes but it was great--wet, muddy and fun. My team finished in 53:16. I did a soccer-goal-style belly flop at the end. The experience was awesome. I'm showering up and cooking dinner and then it's back to the race to party. In theory it will go past dawn. We'll see how long I make it. Pictures were standard film, so it will be a few days for development.
6/12/2003
There are now a couple of essays posted. Look to your left, under the pictures. More to come, as time permits. Pictures too, as soon as I can figure out where to store them. Today I ran up and down the mountatin twice, 2.6 km each time. I'm psyched for the run tomorrow. I'll let you know all about it.
6/12/2003 06:30:00 PM
So there are links up, and the Graz one actually works! Thing is, Styria is experiencing a record heat wave. Temperatures are near 90 F. People complain, but it feels like home to me. So I've been spending time outside instead of at my computer. I recommend you do the same.
Tomorrow is the Kleeblattlauf. It's a relay race with four legs of 2.6 kilometers. Thousands of people participate, and I'm on a team also with people from my yoga class. After the race, there's a huge party. I've been told 22,000 people converge on the area of the race. It starts at 6pm. There will be multiple stages, DJs and dance floors until 6am. Two hot-air balloons. And I think somebody mentioned beer. This could be fun. I'll take pictures.
6/12/2003 04:51:00 AM
6/10/2003
I know I promised new content by tonight. I don't deny it.
I made an earlier and more important promise, however, that I would put having a life as a priority over having a website. Living up to the earlier promise, I am heading to the Stadtpark to meet some friends.
Check back tomorrow morning States-time, tomorrow aftenoon Continental-time for new and exciting photos and posts.
Sorry that it's been four days since I last posted. I have a ton of new content I plan on putting up very soon so that you can waste more of your precious time paying attention to me. Highlights of the last four days:
* Charlie and Kent The Friend walk around Graz being tourists, taking pictures, and getting rained on!
* Charlie and company take a trip to a Styrian farm and vineyard, eat fish, sample wine and spirits!
* Charlie and Kent The Friend decide to go to Budapest on Saturday!
* Charlie takes even more beautiful pictures of Graz for your viewing pleasure!
Part of the problem is that the internet went kaput and wasn't back until I got back from Hungary late last night. So anyway, you have all of the above and more to look forward to. Look for at least some of it by midnight my time. (23:00 GMT).
6/10/2003 05:07:00 AM
6/05/2003
Spllatdog: hi
CharFloyd: yo
Spllatdog: im at the USDA
Spllatdog: very illegal operation im pullin here
CharFloyd: that's cool
Spllatdog: gotta go soon
CharFloyd: very cool
Spllatdog: sneakin into the AIM
Spllatdog signed off at 8:36:29 PM.
That's my sister. She's big, big trouble. If the red hair hadn't already tipped you off, the illegal use of federal software should.
6/05/2003 11:43:00 AM
I was part of a group presentation today in my Medieval German Prose course. Afterwards the professor gave us quick individual evaluations. She told me I was charmand, and that it overcame my few grammatical errors.
So that's the formula for speaking a language you're not fluent in: smile a lot and be charming. I could teach a class. I should teach a class.
6/05/2003 11:18:00 AM
6/04/2003
Here's the deal.
I just got back from a little lokale nearby, called Babenbergerhof. It's run by a boisterous older lady named Anni, who really seems to enjoy her job. On Wednesdays they have live music there. So I was sitting watching this guy play an acoustic guitar and singing songs that everybody knew the words to, and I drifted between that place and Oklahoma. I was taken back to all the times I've had with an acoustic guitar and people singing along--as a camp counselor, at the Deli listening to Travis and Stoney, hanging out at the DU house, sitting in Ted's garage writing songs, performing live at Brothers. I realize I miss all this, but it also occurs to me that I've successfully found an acoustic guitar show here in Graz. So I miss the guitars at home, but I'm finding guitars here. You're asking, so what about the guitars? Silly reader, the guitars are analogous to the whole study abroad situation. See, the whole time I've been missing certain aspects of my life at home, I've been creating a life here also. I have my coffee shop. I have my bar with guitars. I have a workout buddy. I have buddies I watch sports with. I have classes that I procrastinate for. I have posters and pictures on the wall. I've managed to make due here and develop a routine, 5300 miles from home.
So now let's go back to the Babenbergerhof and take 'er home. I mentioned to Anni that I play harmonica, and now I'm supposed show up with my harps on June 23rd to jam with some local musicians that play there sometimes. I'm really excited about that. Also, eight days later, I'm leaving town for good, heading back to Oklahoma. Ah, now the analogy becomes fully parallel. In the three-plus months I've been here, I've just managed to start feeling at home. I know the university, and I know the town. I'm beginning to know some people other than fellow studiers-abroad. Four weeks from today I'll jump a plane and leave it all behind. That's slightly frustrating. I can't wait to set foot on Oklahoma soil, but it's going to be distantly sad to leave. I won't shed any tears for Graz, but I will be aware that I have invested four months of my life in what has been, for the most part, an extended vacation. If nothing else, this has prepared me to be ready to put down roots in Chicago in September. Thanks to my Graz experience, I should be able to adjust to a far less foreign place far more readily than I would have before.
In case you were wondering what my roommate looked like, here he is--Super Mirza himself.
6/04/2003 04:11:00 AM
6/03/2003 Pictures from the Team USA vs. Graz Giants game. Photos, courtesy of Jonathon Nausner. (By the way, this guy is going be at OU next year. He loves American football--he even used to play. I need somebody to volunteer to acquaint him with the Sooner Nation. Bassity, I'm looking in your direction.)
6/03/2003 02:16:00 PM
