Holler!

[tea4nico]

Howdy, everyone! As my username suggests, my name is Nico, and I do happen to like tea!

I'm a 23 year-old graduate student living in the Washington DC area (Northern Virginia, specifically!) where I'm working on my master's degree in linguistic anthropology. I am outrageously nerdy!

Because of my educational background, I can tell you that I am a big fan of Noam Chomsky; both of his linguistic publications and his views on libertarian socialism. It was really because of him I became more interested in the whole philosophy of the libertarian left!

I'm originally from the Basque Country in Spain and came to the US in 1996. Of course, things back in the homeland are always interesting and complex, and it's difficult for me to give an opinion on any of it without coming off as unpatriotic in some way! Although I do have issues concerning the state and especially the nation-state!

Aside from my political interests, my personal interests include cooking, sleeping (a lot!), caffeine, gymnastics, squirrels, and all things associated with Russia and the former USSR.

[Q]

Welcome! :)

[JimmyJazz]

I'm working, or rather I've stopped working, on a thesis for a master's in research psych.

Do you like the VU?


caffeine

I can tell! http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/vtm20002000/mysmilie_52.gif

[Bilan]

Tea is fantastic!

[revolution inaction]

Hi nico



I'm originally from the Basque Country in Spain and came to the US in 1996. Of course, things back in the homeland are always interesting and complex, and it's difficult for me to give an opinion on any of it without coming off as unpatriotic in some way! Although I do have issues concerning the state and especially the nation-state!

Good, patriotism and nations are bad because it encourages people to think there are real differences between the people of different countries.

[The Feral Underclass]

It is pretty damn awesome. Welcome!

[tea4nico]

Woot! Thanks for the welcome so far!

My caffeine adventures continue this morning as I just made some espresso. Being on holiday break from school, I've been incredibly lazy.

[The Feral Underclass]

I just made some espresso.

Traitor!

[tea4nico]

Good, patriotism and nations are bad because it encourages people to think there are real differences between the people of different countries.

You certainly make a valid point. I must confess that this is a constant struggle for me. It actually has nothing to do with my American residency. I became an American citizen in 2003 and I haven't had any issues since obtaining this nationality. But it's a much more complex situation whenever I refer back to my origin. Am I Basque or am I Spanish?

Actually, according to my family tree, I'm 1/4 Spanish, 1/4 Catalan, 1/4 Basque, and 1/4 English (I have an English last name). Although it suffices to say that many people in Europe and the Americas of Indo-European heritage are complete mutts because who knows where we really come from? Political boundaries in Eurasia have changed so much throughout history that nobody knows what they are these days!

Growing up in Basque Country, people are constantly fed propaganda of how Basques are not Spanish and that they deserve to be an independent state. Much of that was fueled by the radical group, ETA, during the Franco regime. The fuel in the fire hasn't subsided in the past 30+ years despite the fact all the regional communities in the Kingdom of Spain have more autonomy than ever.

Speaking from personal experience, I have not sworn any allegiance toward being Basque or Spanish. I tend to have the mindset of, "can't we all just get along?"

[tea4nico]

Traitor!

I have no shame! At least this espresso isn't from Starbucks, eh?

[RedAnarchist]

Hi, welcome to Revleft:)

[OneNamedNameLess]

Welcome Nico :)

Tea is good but coffee is teeeeen times better. So long as it's organic of course.

[tea4nico]

Welcome Nico :)

Tea is good but coffee is teeeeen times better. So long as it's organic of course.

Merci beaucoup!

I must agree with you that sometimes I really enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Although buying organic is certainly nice when it's affordable! Unfortunately being at the bottom of the barrel as a college student, that is usually not possible lol.

[Q]

I agree, coffee is the way to go. Anything less is reactionary scum!

[Raúl Duke]

Hello!
I'm still undecided of what's better, coffee or tea, but usually I drink coffee.


I'm 1/4 Spanish, 1/4 Catalan, 1/4 Basque, and 1/4 English
I too have a very diverse heritage...