Religion and Science

I just found this old post from Oxford. I'm not sure exactly where the posting process broke down but I'm sure it was a user error. So in the spirit of nostalgia, I present you a blog I wrote nearly four months ago. Enjoy!

A post titled "Religion and Science" sounds like it would delve into deep questions of life but for now I won't go there. Instead, I'd like to show you two different parts of Oxford. The first is the Trinity College Chapel and the second is the Oxford Museum of Natural History. We'll save the science and religion debate for later.

Here are a few pictures of the interior of the Trinity College Chapel.

The ceiling.

Detailed carvings.

A view from the entrance.

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The other day I took a trip to the Oxford Museum of Natural History and the Pitts River Museum. The Pitts River Museum is extremely controversial because it is full of human remains and other weird knick knacks. The museum reminds me of what Grandpa George dreams about for his museum.

In the Pitts River Museum I saw the tip of a human tongue meant to cure disease, a biscuit from 1901 meant to cure the common cold, an old voodoo doll, a dried toad with needles in it meant to fend off evil spirits, and much more. They had guns, tools, clothes, mummies complete with x-rays, old coffins, ship models, and more. I spend the entire day just reading about random history. It was just one of those places where you would be looking at an 18th century sewing kit and then turn around to find that you're staring at skulls and shrunken heads.

Below is a picture of one of the many shrunken heads that can be found in the museum. When the Europeans came to the United States they were so fascinated with the practice that they would pay big money for shrunken heads. Originally meant to portray heroism over an enemy, shrunken heads suddenly became a huge moneymaking prospect. People started shrinking the heads of monkeys in imitation, or even shrinking the heads of people who had died from natural causes. The museum made me a little uncomfortable at times, but it was certainly worth seeing.


Oxford also has a Museum of Natural History which is awesome. I've added some nice pictures of that for your viewing pleasure.

The museum is lined with famous scientists. This one just happens to be Darwin.

This is the exterior of the museum.

A line of skeletons.

Galileo watches over the deinotherium skull.

The museum's beautiful interior, which has arches that reflect the industrial revolution.

With that, I'll leave you with some music to listen to.

I am currently rocking out with Everybody Else's "Born To Do." I predict that this type of music (or pop with a slight electronic infusion) is the future of American music. They say cinema creates more musicals during times of national trouble. In the past years the number of musicals released have increased significantly. With this change I believe we ought to follow suit with music. Here comes bands like Everybody Else, Matt and Kim, The Blow, and more...

The Trip Home and a Review of Magdalen College

Well everyone, I made it back to Massachusetts. The trip back is much longer and more wearing than the trip over, and I already miss England, but it's nice to be home. I've been sorting through my stacks of mail, unpacking, and just generally catching up with day to day life in Amherst. But before I get into life back in Amherst, I wanted to write a little more about Oxford.

One of my favorite places in Oxford is Magdalen College. Rather than just talk about it I've got a few photos to show you why.

Magdalen happens to be the former home of C.S. Lewis. People constantly show up at the porter's lodge excited to see his former room. Now when the porter is bombarded with questions he just tells guests to look for the room with the red flowers.

This is the ceiling of the chapel in the college.

Some stained glass in the Magdalen College Chapel.

If you were a student at Magdalen you would live in that building.

Magdalen has an impressive meadow and garden. There is also a foot path about a mile around. This is part of the path near the college.

And now for my favorite part of Magdalen. The college keeps a bunch of deer and along the footpath you can see them grazing and frolicking around in the meadow. They tend to be very vocal and I particularly like watching the babies hop around.

If you ever end up in Oxford, this is the place to bring a book and enjoy.



I'm listening to yet another UK artist. Check out the lighthearted tunes of Kate Nash. You'd be keen to check her out. One of my favorite songs by Nash can be found below. I hope you enjoy it.

More Views of Oxford

In case you haven't seen enough pictures lately, I'm making an effort to get you all caught up so you feel like you're actually here with me. Let the browsing begin.

Here is an exterior view of Christ's Church. Many know this building because of Harry Potter. It's incredible. I won't get into the history here, but if you're interested I've got some of the details.

Since we already brought up Harry Potter, why not mention more entertainment news. It seems like there's always news of some sort of filming going on in Oxford. This is a sign for "Brideshead Revisited," a big time television series. We've also seen filming of The Golden Compass and a German fashion magazine photo shoot.

Here are a couple images of the New College gardens, as well as the old city wall. Long ago gardens were used as a kind of PR for getting donors to donate to a specific college. Trick features were common in gardens.

This is the gate to the Botanical Gardens in Oxford. If my memory serves me right this is one of the first free standing structures in Oxford built in the classical style.

Typical (and remarkable) views of Oxford.


A view of Oxford through the Queens College Arch.

The most recent location of the Oxford University Printing press (pictured above William Brennan Thomas' head).

This is The Eagle and Child, a pub. It's the best and most cost effective place for amazing ravioli and also the former hangout for C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.

Although this isn't the best picture in existence, this is the best replica of The Last Supper in existence. Completed just ten years after the original, it's certainly world famous.

Now we'll venture through the countryside, where everything seems to be completely different.

A view of the Thames.

Sir William Brennan Thomas tending to the sheep.

Below are some views of the ruins of a nunnery.

My new favorite artist is The Blow. If you prefer videos as opposed to the Myspace link given above, the videos below are for you.

The Blow - "True Affection" (warning: This video is not created by The Blow)


The Blow - "Parenthesis"

The Hall

What Lauren Proctor discussion would be complete without the mention of food? So what better than to show you where we eat most of the time? Here is a photo tour of the Trinity College (dining) Hall.

This is the exterior of the hall.

Some stained glass in one of the hall windows.

A detailed painting in The Hall.

Last but not least, every Tuesday we have formal banquet dinners. Set in the style of old lords who had people over, the most important guests sit at the most elevated tables. Here are a few pictures of my friends and I at high table, as well as a few post high table festivities (when some people have changed into more comfortable clothes).

Me in the process of getting ready for one of the High Table Banquet dinners.

Further along in the getting ready process. Quite a bad shot though, I apologize.

While the dress look is certainly nice, nothing beats the power suit my parents got me for my birthday. Hopefully this suit will get me through a nice grad school interview but for now it's my favorite High Table outfit.

After formal dinners we often head down to the Trinity College Beer cellar. Most people get drinks but I have a particular fondness for darts and foos ball.
Another picture at the beer cellar, featuring friends from the program.

Lori was telling me some sort of story at Thirst. She cracks me up.

Dancing at Thirst on a Tuesday night, one of our favorite places in Oxford. I think the song was telling us to put our hands up. Some friends featured here are Emily, Smuffly, Lori, and Liz.

And just before we close, I thought I'd show you an amazing view of Trinity from the back gate entrance. For anyone who has checked out the Trinity web cam, this is an extended view of what the web cam shows. I call the part of left hand side of the U shaped building home.


Currently listening to Scissors for Lefty - "Next to Argyle" It's a great song but gets stuck in your head easily so take precautions accordingly.