The more things change, the more they stay the same

2002: Fresher at Hertford College MCR, student at the University of Oxford, studying History
2005: Fresher at Hertford College MCR, student at the University of Oxford, studying History

2002: Hang out frequently with friends Rich and Mindy, two Americans from opposite sides of the USA (North and South). Rich is a boisterous chap with two BAs (and counting); Mindy is pretty, a quiet, gentle soul with great spirit.
2005: Hang out frequently with friends Steve and Elizabeth, two Americans from opposite sides of the USA (West and East). Steve is a boisterous chap with two BAs (and counting); Elizabeth is pretty, a quiet, gentle soul with great spirit.

2002: Laugh at antics of Chief, a pear-shaped, be-spectacled, rambunctious, Brit who is the life of the party with his jokes, comments and physical humour.
2005: Laugh at antics of Paul, a pear-shaped, be-spectacled, rambunctious, Brit who is the life of the party with his jokes, comments and physical humour.

2002: Listen respectfully to Steve Ward, President of the MCR.
2005: Listen not-so-respectfully to Steve Ward, Junior Dean.

2002: Get together with perfect girl; break up later on discovering that she is perfect- perfectly wrong for me.
2005: Get together with perfect girl; break up later on discovering that she is perfect- perfectly wrong for me. Twice.

2002: Drink excessive amounts of beer at College bar.
2005: Drink excessive amounts of wine at College dinners.

2002: Armed with A.B. from prestigious university (Harvard); discover I have no idea what I'm reading and that everyone seems to be smarter than me.
2005: Armed with A.B. and B.A. from prestigious univiersities (Harvard and Oxford); discover I still have no idea what I'm reading and that everyone still seems to be smarter than me.

2002: Retire from Swimming. Come out of retirement to lead Oxford Swim team.
2005: Retire from Swimming. Refuse to come out of retirement to lead Oxford swim team, despite annoying entreaties from team members and coach.

2002: Perpetually broke.
2005: Still perpetually broke.

Lesson: Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of history are destined to repeat them.