The Wake

Two of my professors here at school are surely to be some of the most memorable you could ever hope for.

One teaches my International Marketing course. He spends most of the time in class telling stories of his foreign excursions, which serve to illustrate his points. He’s been all across the world and knows a great deal about the nature of foreign relations. One Particular story of note involved his attempt to broker a deal with some businessmen in Nigeria. He explained that the only way to accomplish such a thing was to arrive with a brief case full of Rolex watches, and 3,000 dollars in American cash. He did just that, and upon paying his way through airport security, he crashed in his hotel room. The man whom he was to meet, a man employed by the government, called him and said he was stopping by to pick up the watches and money, to distribute to all the top officials. The man came and took the suitcase, and said he would be in touch soon. An hour later, another man called, claiming to be the same man who had just visited, saying he was coming over to collect the watches and money. Our professor explained what had happened. The man told him he had been tricked, and that all negotiations would now be off given he didn’t have the money or watches. He was forced to wire home for more money, just so he could get out of the country, which entailed bribing his way through the airport. He later learned that both of the men had more than likely worked for the government, and had been in on the deal together.

Myself and a few of the other soccer playing students in class also enjoy talking with him about football, as he is a die hard West Ham United supporter. For those of you who have seen the movie, Green Street Hooligans, that’s the team the firm (aka gang) in that film follows. He explained that things aren’t quite as dangerous as was depicted, or at least they hadn’t been since the early 90’s. We often go out for a beer with him after class to watch a match and further discuss football and world relations.

My other cool professor teaches my British Broadcasting class. His particular claim to cool fame is that he once jammed with Pinky Floyd. This story arose from my mentioning that I worked at the Roundhouse, to which he responded, “Far out!” He once spent a good 45 minutes doing impressions of all the accents throughout the different areas of England and the U.K. He comments very openly about his thoughts on American politics and society, and offers great insight into what Brits and Europeans think of the U.S. Much of it is simply unbridled amusement about the religious fanatics, and the role they’ve taken on in our elections.

He played us this documentary called, The Power of Nightmares. It’s an eye opening look into our past. I think everyone should have to watch this and become aware of these truths. It’s about the rise of the neo-conservatives in our government.