Coming to Our Census

The last couple of weeks have been busy, but nothing to write home about.  And, since writing home is basically what this blog is, having nothing to write home about explains why this blog has lacked recent entries.  Other than a dinner party hosted by Anne and Mark (fun and well-received by the guests, but not well photographed), not too much has transpired around here.  There was one thing - Mark was asked to participate in a video to promote voter turn-out in the student government elections.  Professor Trocinski showed up to the video shoot and recited lines prepared by the committee for a better voter turn-out. The take they ended up using was Prof. Trocinski looking into the camera and saying, "Vote - Because I Said So!"  That ought to do the trick.

"Of course I need to be here.  Do you think this microphone will hold itself?"

Later, a reporter from the student newspaper asked Prof. Trocinski why it was important to vote in student government elections.  Prof. Trocinski had absolutely no idea what the role of student government is at this university, but felt obliged to answer the question anyway.  He is quoted as saying, "The more people will be aware of the importance of the elections, the more they will care about it.  So I think it's a big step towards increasing the impact of the elections."


Nice quote, Thomas Jefferson.  Just plain genius.  Dear readers, please do not spend too much time trying to make sense of Prof. Trocinski's apparent bout of verbal diarrhea.  This blog cannot be responsible for any mental injuries caused by a prolonged exposure to this type of gibberish.  Instead, please accept our profound apologies and take solace in the fact that at least he didn't make it any worse (like by saying that he could see Russia from his house or by discussing the limits on the geographical knowledge of U.S. Americans.)

Anyway, on a new topic that IS related to the title of this post, Anne and Mark were informed that they were required to participate in the census currently being conducted in Bulgaria.  Why were American citizens counted in a census of Bulgaria?  No clue.  But, the message that Anne and Mark had to participate was pretty clear (see photo below), so they did.

"Please call to ask you some questions."

So Anne and Mark spent nearly minutes completing the census questionnaire.  The odds that they filled it out correctly?  The over/under is set at 2.5%.  Anne and Mark will take the under.  What makes it so difficult?  Well, for example, what is the difference between the "District," "Settlement," "Municipality," and "City, Region"?  Also, if they put one of these door hangers on our door, they already know where our apartment is, right?  So... what exactly are they asking for?


So Anne and Mark filled it out in good faith as best they could.  Probably incorrectly, but as best they could.  So, let's consider it done.  But even though their contribution to it is complete, Anne and Mark are very much looking forward to seeing the final results of the census.  Particularly the responses to question 13.  

How many people answer 3?  Aren't we past that?  And answer 4?  No access to toilet facilities?  At all?  Ever?  That's not cool. . . Not even sure how that works, exactly.


Additionally, Anne and Mark are interested in seeing the answers to question number 20.

If it is anything other than 100% for answer #1, something is fishy.  


So, Anne and Mark will keep you posted on that.


Finally, after working nearly six full weeks this semester, Anne and Mark are finally awarded a week of vacation.  As mentioned in a previous post, the initial plan to visit Egypt had to be canceled due to an uprising there.  Anne and Mark's second choice?  You guessed it - Libya.  (Kyle - Endor was third, but with the uprising going on there, the risk was far too high).  That's not going to work either.  


Eventually they decided to spend a week in a nice, calm place - Israel.  Anne and Mark will be leaving on Monday and return a week later.