avoidance

This may not mean very much to those of you who are unaware of the feverish excitement that surrounds Australian Rules football in Melbourne, but:
Every year, as a matter of personal amusement, I make it my aim to try not to know which teams are in the Grand Final. Initially, this is not too difficult - just a matter of being generally ignorant about the teams and their progress. As the season progresses, however, and particularly as the Grand Final approaches, it becomes increasingly challenging. I have to politely excuse myself from conversations, avoid certain sections of the newspaper, listen to my iPod on the tram. Last year I succeeded, this year I unintentionally discovered that the Sydney Swans were once again on the menu. But I've got about 24 hours to not find out who the second team is. The pressure is on, and I'm seriously considering skipping the departmental coffee break, as way too dangerous. I mean, there are people here writing their PhDs on Aussie Rules!

Hallelujah! Get happy!

Less than two months since I submitted my thesis, and the examiners' reports are back! The two eminent scholars (whose sandals I am not worthy to untie) who read the thesis did their job thoroughly. A nice balance of compliments and criticism: they unerringly identified the methodological flaw at the heart of the work, which had bothered me from the beginning - I still don't know how to fix it! Overall they were both enthusiastic, and passed it without amendment. I just have to bind it, hand it in, and wait for the letter that proclaims me 'all but degree'! And decide whether I want to try and turn it into a book (which, as both examiners said, would require a fair bit of reframing. It's a slippery little sucker!)
So sincere thanks to those of you who've seen me through this! There will be a party, and you're all invited.

string thing

Were a genie to appear and offer me three wishes, I would ask (having dealt first with world peace and church unity) whether I could please be given a proficiency in playing the banjo. I've never even picked one up, but there is something about the combination of rhythm and whine in banjo music that I find deeply endearing. Five albums that I am currently listening to on my iPod make good use of those qualities. In no particular order, I recommend:

40 Days (The Wailin' Jennys)
Blue Horse (Be-Good Tanyas)
Illinois (Sufjan Stevens)
O Brother Where art Thou? (Various)
Why should the fire die? (Nickel Creek)

Toe-tapping good!