Adventure Awaits

18 days to go, which pretty much means I am through to the ‘can I just go already?’ stage of anxiety. The problem with being so organised is that I tend to me too organised and thus I am packed and planned and ready to go. Unfortunately, the plane doesn’t leave until the 30^th. Or so my ticket says.

The good news is that I am over the sheer moments of terror and onto the sheer moments of excitement (interspersed with the usual anxiety attacks). I have rather a lot to distract me for the next two weeks, which is a very good thing, I think. However, it also means I have rather a lot of work to do before I leave and I’m running out of time to do it! Whoever said the good things in life take forever to arrive got it wrong. I have no idea where the last three and a half months have gone, much less the last twelve since I started planning this crazy idea!

I’m still a bit worried (more than a bit) about my foot. The injury seems to be mostly healed, but I’m terrified of reinjuring it again in the first few days of really difficult climbing. I think if I can get through those I’ll be okay, but if I do myself in then that’s it. It’s taken weeks to be pain free this time, and I don’t have weeks to rest next time. Though I know, in my heart, I’ll push on even in pain as long as I can. I don’t want to leave Chantel on her own or miss out on the whole experience! I guess I face a potential summer on crutches, but there are worse things.

Tomorrow I am off to Cambridge to either A) visit IWM Duxford or B) visit the Fitzwilliam. Which one will depend on what the weather does, as there is a significant chance of rain. Why do I always visit Cambridge in the rain? On the upshot, it’s supposed to be mild and not windy, so so far I am enjoying this year’s version of ‘Spring’. It’s so much better than winter that I really don’t mind the rain at all. In Spain it’s 25* and sunny, which is very, very bad for hiking, so I will enjoy the rain and cooler temps for now before I face a daily battle against heat stroke. What fun that will be.

My field work is going along quite well and the worry that I wouldn’t get everything done for that before the end of the month is gone. All meetings have now been arranged and I should get them all finished next week. Just a few more emails to send about summer field research and I’m on track for June! If the other work was going as well I’d feel better, but one out of two isn’t bad, right? The marking nightmare is over, at least, and the money is very useful. Glad to not be dealing with the next round however, because as interesting as this assignment was, marking it was mentally exhausting. All good for the CV.

My big challenge before the end of this month is writing an abstract proposal for the PhD conference. I have no idea what to do for it, but I want the abstract to be good! I’ve got 17 days to figure something out. 250 words shouldn’t be that hard….but it is.

Lastly, the exciting news of the week is that I’m moving Denmark for a term next year. I’m more than thrilled to have this finalised, as it’s an excellent opportunity to study with the leader in my field of research and to interact with PhD students in another country. Very much looking forward to this and already I can’t wait until January!

Where is Spring?

Indeed, I have not had time to write a review for the Richard III Exhibition. I've not had a chance to revisit it either. Mostly this is due to having injured my foot and being restricted to the environs of campus and not the rest of the city as a whole. The foot is getting better (thankfully!) and as soon as the weather follows I might venture down to the centre and have another look (and then write the review). Perhaps Easter will be good for that.

Spring has disappeared. I shouldn't be surprised, considering what winter has been like (and Autumn, Summer and Spring 2012). Still, as it is now going on nearly 12 months since the rain started (and hasn't stopped) the only thing I can say about this month is that it hasn't rained much. Snow, on the other hand...

One would think I lived in the arctic wastes of northern Scotland or something, rather than southern England. But the cloud, wind and cold is getting to all of us. My mantra has become 'Spain Spain Spain'. I just hope it's lovely and warm and sunny! Although I've no doubt I'll get bored of that right quick what with having to walk in it. The weather right now is more conducive to that sort of thing. Still, I would like to walk out my door and not wish I'd brought a hat/scarf/gloves. I would like to wear a skirt. I would like to do all the things you are supposed to be able to do when Spring comes. Instead, I plan to spend the weekend huddled inside in the cold house with the heater on and tea in hand and not open my curtains, because why? I am seriously contemplating finding a job in California after I graduate in 2 years.

Spain Spain Spain

Right now, because my foot still hurts a bit and I'm trying not to make it worse, I am off to the pool. I was very good about going the week before last, and then last week I was away for 3 days and when I came back I was just too tired to want to work out. Of course that excuse didn't last past the weekend, but here it's Thursday and I still haven't gone. So I am going today. The pool is warm and the spa is even warmer. Both good. Tea only does so much good when I have to look out a window.

Next time I will have a review of RIII and probably of WB's Harry Potter Studio Tour as well.

Tempus Fugit

Apparently, I wrote again. 11,000 words. Of a three-part story. That won't be completed until August 2014 at the soonest. Oops?

I have no idea how it is already the end of February, though I am very glad of it. At least March may mean weather that is not arctic-like. Though it may not, as well. Still, I live in hope of one day not spending my waking hours shivering. If I didn't have to get out of bed, I never would. I am quite serious.

March will go by right quickly too, as I have field work in three different cities and various other trips to other cities, some of which almost happen on the same day (don't ask). I start with Coventry on March 1st, which is at least close (and free transport). I also get to see the Warner Bros. HP studio next month! I will end up buying lots of things from the giftshop that I can't afford, you wait and see. I'll have a review of that afterwards (the tour, not the giftshop).

Also, when I have a moment (not this week it seems) I'll write up a review for the Richard III exhibition that's on at Guildhall, because I bet there aren't many of those on the 'net, are there? No, didn't think so. [They'll be a review of the RIII museum, this time next year too.]

Lastly, I have a very ambitious new neighbour. Despite the fact it is 4*C outside and raining he is out trying to turn over and dig up all the stones in his garden. And powerwash everything in his back garden, it seems. Not sure they'll be much soil left at the rate he's going. Still, I admire the effort, as the end to winter is no time soon.

Enough Books to Make an Xmas Tree

That may mean something to a few of you, if you saw the picture going around last month about the xmas tree made from books and hung with lights. I seem to be collecting again. I mean, really, I bought another copy of The Hobbit, because I left my other two in Canada and it'll take the next 12 months to get a copy from the public library. Of course, I refuse to read it for the next 18 months, so I still have very little idea why I bought it. Except that it's the movie copy, so...excuses? I also purchased Anna Karenina in the theory that, if I own it, I will be more likely to read it.

[Once I finish the never-ending books that are Cloud Atlas and Battle Royale, that is.]

Nearly 2000 pages of words to read. However, the xmas tree would be made of only research-related books, which should freighten anyone who has been a student. The MAs keep recalling them to the library, which is annoying me, since it means I have to get what I need from them before they disappear again. Interestingly enough, most of the books in my current posession in Leicester seem to be history related or technology related and not museum related. Hum.

You remember how, in August, I said I was giving up writing? Well, Things Happened and that is no longer the case. I am currently allowing it because [I have no choice] it's a pleasant distraction from my field work and I have the time. Ish. And I'm not exactly ashamed of these fandoms right now (though possibly the fics themselves). There are also people to blame and you know how I love to justify my writing by blaming others for the plot bunnies! Names beginning with P, K and...PJ...are currently on the 'bad influence' list. Funny, how they've been the culprits for several years (*cough*10*cough*) now. I need to find new people, clearly. At least there is no sign of another 50k story in the works. I can't deal with that this year.

It's winter again and so, naturally, Spain feels like a long way away. It's less than three months now (I need to do my Spanish lesson today...) and I think I'm slowly getting ready. The legs don't hurt quite as much after a round at the gym, so that's a good sign! Also, I've been walking a great deal around Leicester these days, and will continue too and next week I'll be standing a great deal. All of this should be good exericse. Of course, nice weather would be better exercise...

I am contemplating house moving. I don't want to, really, because that's a huge hassle and will involve renting a van to get everything moved. Also, anywhere I go is going to be much more money than I currently pay and that's a hassle. And, lastly, I can't find anywhere with an 18 month contract, so I'd have to move *again* next year. Choices, choices. I think I'm too tired to deal with it, really. So many other things going on and trying to decide if I'd rather be warm next winter or broke is about more than I can handle right now. Adult problems, world, adult problems. Also, possibly, First World problems, but there you go.

Right: book, lunch, [Spooks], gym. The order is still up for grabs.

Spain and hiking and charities, oh my

It's been a while, hasn't it?

And this post doesn't have to do with my PhD. Not really, anyways. It does in the sense that, having been at this for 16 months so far I need a break soon. Not a working holiday or a putting up with my family holiday. An actual, completely disconnected from everything, holiday.

I've been planning this one for a while. At the beginning of May and very old friend and I are going hiking. In Spain. Specifically, we are hiking the 800km Camino Frances, the French pilgrims' route across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. In 33 days (well, 5 weeks total, but we plan to stay a few days in Santiago at the end). It's been a goal we've both had for years and this is the year we're going to do it. She is finishing her PhD, I'm in the middle of mine. I turn 30 (yikes!) this year, though she doesn't until next year. Still, she starts her 30th year this year, which is almost the same thing.

But I want it to be about more than just us and a personal challenge and a long-held dream. She is doing it to research for an archaeological book about the Camino (with help from me!) and I am doing it to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a charity that has become very dear to me in recent months. I haven't done a fundraising walk in nearly two decades, and this seems like a great one!
Sometimes, being here is not all about doing a PhD (or gaining work experience, or making contacts with like-minded people, or doing something meaningful for your chosen subject). Sometimes it's about the other things you do to enrich your experience. And this is one of those, both for myself, my friend and for the many people that will hopefully benefit from us doing this.

Besides, after walking 30km a day for 33 days, finishing a PhD is going to be easy, right?

So that's one of the things that's been filling up my time. Also, planning a teaching session this week (help me!!!!), writing a report, being in Canada, sending email after email after email and all around freezing to death in the middle of the worst winter England has had (that I've lived here). They'll be more updates starting next month when I have things to update about!

Ignorance

Meaning the ignoring of part.

That thing wherein, despite checking your Blogger home page every day, you forget that you have TWO blogs to look after. Though I've not been doing much on the other one either. Slow news month!

I haven't written much. I haven't, in fact, written much of anything (that I'm willing to admit) to. Because I've finished writing fic. Yes, that's right. Mostly, I am too tired to be creative. Mostly, I have no plot bunnies for fandoms. And mostly? I'm spending a lot of money a year to get a PhD. I'd rather spend my time doing that then writing fanfiction. I'll save up my writing and work on that book idea after I graduate. And publish my thesis. So, about five years or so from now. Which is fine, actually. I've only ever written because I enjoyed it, not for other people or to get me something. I'm not enjoying it any more because I'm too tired to spend hours at a computer writing fic. I spend hours at a computer writing thesis stuff. That's enough. More than enough, judging by how much my eyes hate me these days! I'd really like to not go blind before I finish this thesis.

So today was my first day in a museum for field research. I was only there for observation and spent most of the 4 hours feeling more than a little overwhelmed. How the hell am I going to get the information I need from the public? Seriously! But I have a month to figure that out, and pilot studies are done for a reason. Still, more than a little stressed right now and I was more than a little stressed, already, yesterday. I'm just pretty much stressed. Period. Not helping that I'm back to being an insomniac and my back is killing me. Both of which would be helped by going to the gym, but I'm too tired to go to the gym! I hate vicious cycles!

But right now it's foggy, dreary, and wet outside and I want tea. And cake. And the telly.

Unfortunate Accomplishments

So, the Olympics happened. Looking back, I should be rather proud of what I accomplished between July 27th and August 12th. I mean really.

Except what I accomplished was 26k of a fic I hate, for a fandom I am ashamed to admit exists much less that I write for it, and will forever pretend I never wrote. It may also, single-handedly, be the worst fic I've ever written. It's so awful I can't even reread it and have had to find a beta to do it for me. I also know it will be my last chapter fic for a while, if not forever. I have not only no interest in writing another, I have no ideas. And right now, that's a blessing.

In other news, I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Denver, a city I have not been to for 30 years. I don't remember it ;) It makes for a nice five-day weekend away, except that Denver is 10 hours away from London, so it makes for a lovely five-day-twenty-hour-flight weekend away. I do it out of love for family and my cousin's kind words and his new wife's thanks makes it worth the trip. The weekend has been a perfect organisational masterpiece that looked effortless. I know, literally, that it was not effortless and that there's been more than one near-disaster, but as far as it seems, no one outside the family is aware of that. Thankfully. My family is no fun unless there's drama and politics. We'd be bored otherwise. It was picture perfect from start to finish. I can't wait to see the photographs.

Tomorrow I'm off to Boulder and out somewhere east of Denver to find an airfield. Should be an interesting day. Can add Colorado as another State I've driven in. Considerably less terrifying than California, from the looks of things. Though apparently every single member of my family has gotten lost in Denver sometime in the last four days, except for me. I just memorise maps. It's a useful skill to have. I also have a pretty good sense of direction, which helps too.

Two more days and then a mini-break in London on the way home.