Denied (my humanity)

Bureaucracy, Max Weber observed, represents the organizing of society into a rule-based order of public administration. This tool has allowed the modern nation state to provide public goods at scales previously unseen in history, ushering in the age of modern prosperity that has raised human welfare to unprecedented average highs.

At the same time of course, the modern bureaucratic state has been the source of unimaginable horror, its impersonal efficiency enabling evil that would have been, Hannah Arendt argued, impossible in a more individualist society.

Being a governance-y type, I'm usually more on the Weber side than the Arendt side. But maybe that's because I don't usually go through trials like poor Josef K.

Today however, the UK Consulate in New York--and worse, the private contractor is outsources most of its work to--allowed me the opportunity to pay to find out that my visa has again been denied. Why? The reasons are, to quote Kafka's literary executor, "marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity."

I was lucky to receive my passport back at all. They claimed that they had sent it back to me already, and so were no longer responsible for it. Had I not had the good fortune to find a sympathetic mail room employee who allowed me to physically appear at the consulate (usually against the rules), I might never have seen it again.

Appeals will be made. The good London School of Economics and Political Science will intervene. It will, I am confident, be resolved in the end.

I realize also that I have it pretty good, in general. While this bureaucracy is costing me time, money, and hassle, it is not sapping my will to live or actively trying to kill me. And I am well aware that my own country is one of the worst in this regard.

But I have been struck throughout at how impersonality--the very quality Weber extols and Arendt condemns--truly prevades the entire process. I have not once interacted with an actual human being at the UK consulate. Applications are filled out online. Biometric data is taken by the US government, again working through a contractor, and then shared in a global database (I'm sure that will work out well). Responses are (supposed to be) sent back in the mail. Indeed, the only time a small glimmer of hope appeared in the entire process was when I fortuitously evoked the sympathies of Andre, the large African American guy in the mail room. As Arendt said: "the rule of no-body is the form of government in which everybody is deprived of political freedom, of the power to act."

Hawaii my my

Just back from the lovely islands of Hawaii, where my cousin had the wisdom to take us to celebrate her marriage. A week with just me and the 'rents.

Initial worries of over-togetherness were assuaged by the lovely aloha spirit that cast peace and harmony over all.

The few days before the wedding were spent on the island of Maui, a lovely set of volcanoes beset by an ugly swarm of tourists. The sunny west coast of the island is classic Beach Resort, with the same sort of concrete hotels and mini-malls that can be found in any place cursed with the combination of beaches and package tourism. But not everything was ruined:

Fortunately, we escaped into the sea, snorkeling around the sunken crater of Molokini.

It was here I saw a shark. Swimming in the same water as me, able and willing to tear me limb from limb in an instant. As I've mentioned here before, I have phobia of these cold blooded ictho-killers (no doubt a Freudian issue related to having oceanographer parents). It occurred to me that I should be scared. But, strangely, I was not. Not even a little. This is what I believe is referred to as a breakthrough.

There are many sides to Maui. The Haleakala volcano rises 10,000ft above the sea, providng space for a range of climates on its slopes. A tour was taken of the Nature Conservancy's precious preserve of indigenous forest:

Ferns are very important.

Apparently it rains in the rain forest. A lot. This was made very clear on our drive to the remote eastern coast of the island, which turned into an EPIC battle of man against nature.

Trees blocked the road:

Feral cats and chickens (not domesticated, but savage jungle beasts) lurked where least expected:

But there was also a gorgeous landscape of lava tubes and waterfalls:

Then it was time for Honolulu, and the main event.

We stayed on the famed Waikiki, also a strip of high rise hotels full of a strange mix of midwestern and Japanese tourists. And lots of surfers. A bit like Big Wednesday, in a good way. Inspired, I even managed to stand up on a board. Briefly.

Despite the Waiki-kitsch, M+M organized a very tasteful wedding. Short, sweet, and fun for the whole family. The rehearsal dinner was in an acquarium, beautufilly located on the ocean

And included some unexpected guests.

Delicious food. All grown locally on the islands, all cooked to perfection (well, the gnocchi were a little mushy, but that is really a quibble), and all porked down with reckless abandon.

Musical entertainment was provided by an Elvis impersonator. What's not to like?

The last night provided a nice surprise: a dinner with former David Ginn roommate and future senator from Hawaii Stanley Chang. Evidence of his political activities were to be found all over Honolulu.

AND he took me to Honolulu's only Korean Fried Chicken restaurant! It was greasy, breaded, and bland. All wrong. But good to know.

Last, it turns out hale means "house" in Hawaiian. This led to much pun.

Easter

A catch-up posting from Easter, as I've now been able to download my pictures.

As has already been discussed, the theme of the weekend was Kraken and the release thereof. Here are three delicious krakens, after they have been dispatched by our heroes.

Not pictured was the other kraken, actually a Czech Easter bread named "houska," which crushed several villages under its massive bulk before succumbing to toasting and buttering.

In general there was much eating in the land, and much cooking. So much so that it was declared, on the fourth day, that no more cooking would be done. Ever. And then we saw a delicious kraken of boar loin and were forced to dispatch it forthwith with honey glaze.

Several films were also porked down, the best of which was the phenomenal KICK ASS.

Oh, and there was some egg-dyeing too, so due respect was paid to Tradition.

Release the Kraken--A Meme for Our Times

Apologies for recent lack of blogging. I misplaced the cable to download pictures from my camera, so will have to save Easter updates for another time.

However, I will note one of last weekend's activities, attending this horror

There was only one good thing in this entire film: the phrase "RELEASE THE KRAKEN!" Truly applicable to all life situations, from baking to intimate relations.

However, it was not until I returned to New York that this catchphrase developed its full potential. Actually, that's not quite right. It was not until N, S, and myself arrived at our favored drinking den that the kraken concept was taken to a whole new level. On cocktail napkins, a new meme was born.

I give you: Release the Kraken, the website http://releasekraken.tumblr.com/