From the Earth to the Moon

This evening (while watching the highlights from the Commonwealth Games) D and I looked out of our large lounge window to see a beautiful crescent moon shining brightly. It was a wonderful sight. Of recent days the moon has become a more potent image in the Warden household as we are watching our way through the HBO series From the Earth to the Moon. I am really enjoying it. As usual with HBO series, it is clever, subtle and challenging. Each episode has a completely different feel with different directors approaching the script in a range of ways from the comedic last night to the bathetic tonight. Thoroughly recommended.

We enjoyed a very happy Sunday at church, with our friends and out at an old folks' home. As usual D was a hit with the old ladies. Elderly ladies love D - we aren't sure why but I put it down to his height and his Scottish accent. It always makes me laugh!

Anyways, yesterday I spent the morning on the book and the afternoon getting to grips with the finer points of Artaud. Yuck! Taught the latter today and all went well. I also saw my first years this morning who are doing a great job at present. They have lots of good, imaginative ideas. Assessment week is approaching so stress levels (student and staff) are increasing. I, as per usual, am the epitome of calm and cool.

We are looking forward to a trip to Edinburgh at the weekend. As usual it is half work and half pleasure. I'll spend Friday and Saturday morning in the library but we'll also get to catch up with friends and family. It'll also be a chance to see our new niece again now she is 5/6 weeks old. Can't wait to be back up in Auld Reekie!

I'm off to do a quick workout and then have a lovely bath as a reward. I've just started reading the Politics of Aesthetics by Ranciere for a staff book group next week. I suppose I'd better get on with that as well. I'll let you know what I make of it, though, I must warn you, if you are a Georgette Heyer fan by nature then it might not be your cup of tea. Hmmm....where's my copy of Friday's Child?

CSW

Fun and Games

Evening folks,

Well, I left you the other evening with Wigan winning in the Super League Grand Final. You'll be glad to know (or conversely you may not care two hoots) that the Cherry and Whites went on to win. Hoorah and Hooray! First win since 1998 I think, so it's been a long wait. And this week we have the Commonwealth Games. I must admit, I am not blown away by this event but it is great to see some high quality hockey on the telly. The sporting theme continues apace in the Warden household with my current health kick. I'm enjoying the tough workouts. Last night I did a truly brutal abs session. My core muscles couldn't actually hold me up by the end and D had to bring me a glass of water!

So we've started a second week of teaching and all is well. Lovely, enthusiastic students! I am trying to maintain a balance between teaching and research. I'm not sure I've quite got that cracked yet - teaching tends to take over a bit - so I am going to have to be a bit more disciplined with my time. I'm writing very clear, very strict daily plans. I am determined to stick to them and, although it isn't perfect yet, I am starting to develop some good habits that I hope will help me to get everything done in time for my deadlines.

What with the start of the new term, my private reading has been very limited. I am continuing with Tristam Hunt's biography of Engels and the Shakespeare book, 1599. But really it's all I can do to open the pages of the London Review after a day of teaching and research!

Anyways, I think another cup of tea is in order.

CSW

Nearing the end of the week and 50,000 words

So, as of the end of the day (just about to go and make tea) I am just 600 words short of 50,000 words for the Book. Not bad given that I have a year to go. Now I'm not saying they are 50,000 good words but they are better than nothing and will give me something to work with over the course of the next year.

Still enjoying my new Wii fit. It is really amazing and I'm already seeing and feeling the benefits. I'll try Combat again on Saturday morning and see if I can notice any improvement. And now I have a groovy new tracksuit to work out in. This morning a pile of new clothes arrived for me. I hate clothes shopping in the high street. It's stressful, too busy and there are too many people about. D buys almost everything online which is so much more jolly. Some cool new tops, a great Gant jacket and a pair of Nike trackies came as well. Ah online sales...what joy! He has an unbelievable knack of buying the right size. Whenever I go into a shop and try on a pair of breeks they never fit; whenever D order me a pair they always fit perfectly. It is a miracle. I am attempting to renew my wardrobe given that I am approaching thirty and should now look like a proper lady rather than a student. Gradual changes a foot.

Off to prayer meeting tonight and then a quiet, working weekend in store until my parents arrive for a couple of days Sunday lunchtime. Looking forward to some fun times with them. We might even sneak in a breakfast at Zoot. We'll see.

I'll try and post another list tomorrow if I have a chance. Was thinking perhaps of posting my favourite book list but I always get into a pickle with that one. Too many books, too little space and how can one compare Wuthering Heights to A Suitable Boy to Ackroyd's biography of Dickens? Have just started a new book after finishing A Voyage for Madmen. It is Tristam Hunt's biography of Friedrich Engels and so far so readable. It has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Engels has always fascinated me. His Conditions of the Working Class in England is the most entertaining and challenging Communist book (I think, though you are welcome to throw things..yes, yes I know it is a bit naive in its philosophy...whatever) and he lived and worked in Manchester. Interesting guy and Hunt's biography is supposed to be great. I'll write a review when I've finished it but don't hold your breath - it is a quite large!

Anyways, time for tea. Hope all is well with all.

CSW

The weekend and a book recommendation

Well, what a happy weekend we had Chez Warden. After doing my first Body Combat since moving to Lincoln (ow, pain, oh the pain!) Saturday was spent on a Warden adventure. We ended up at a lovely village called Woodhall Spa famous for its cinema in the woods and for being the home of English Golf. There is also a rather impressive cake shop...just in case you are ever passing through. A walk in the dense, humid Lincolnshire air and afternoon tea in the woods. Lovely! The Pastor was away yesterday so we had two lovely old gents providing the sermons. All good stuff as usual. We even took a picnic to the marina to enjoy the sunshine.

Today I finished A Voyage for Madmen, based on the 1968 round the world yacht race. D recommended it to me. It is an incredible story and describes the experiences of the nine men in vivid detail. I think what will stay with me is the age-old question, 'what is the point?' All the men asked themselves that question at some stage in the journey. The nine had different intentions in this question but it remained key for them all. It is a question I have asked many a time and I seem to ask it most when I achieve my goals. Isn't it strange when get all you want, it is only then that you realise a little of the futility of it all. There is always something else, something more/better/more impressive etc. We are strange beings, huh? Anyways, give this book a read and be amazed at the tenacity and complexity of the human mind.

Today has been another happy day of book writing. I am still bashing through the argument for the Language Chapter. It is proving to be a little difficult to clarify. I have no doubt that it will come shining through by the end of the week.

Life is peaceful and quiet Chez Warden at present and we are enjoying it very much. It certainly won't stay this way forever but I'm glad for time to think, walk and write. Just wait until term approaches!

CSW

Sunday Review

A slightly different Sunday Review for you tonight blog fans. With D away in Edinburgh I decided to pay a visit to another church - New Life, Lincoln. While it isn't entirely my cup of tea I was super impressed by all their social projects (seriously, these guys are doing some amazing work) and by their drummer who was surrounded by a perspex box a la King Crimson's Robert Fripp. Be still my slightly proggie beating heart! Spent the rest of Sunday watching Mark Webber win the Hungarian Grand Prix, eating ravioli (my absolute favourite!) and reading a new book. After finishing Leviathan last night (you must read this book) I turned to a D recommendation, A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols. It documents a 1969 round the world yacht race. I know a bit about this story already as D is completely fascinated by this story. I'll give you a review when I'm done.

The only good thing about D's absence was complete control over the remote! And last night I indulged my guilty love of musicals by watching the Proms celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday. Now, I don't universally love musicals; there are a great many that drive me bonkers (don't get me started on those band-based shows!). But give me Oklahoma (especially if the lovely Hugh Jackman is starring) or West Side Story and I'm away. I also love Sondheim's musicals. A great many of them are pretty political actually and he is master of wonderful tunes. The highlight of last night was the fabulous Bryn Terfel as Sweeney Todd and then performing 'Everybody Ought to Have a Maid' from Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He even danced! It was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. Actually this musical is close to my heart as I remember my Dad performing in it. He was magnificent, of course. It is a bit of a racy show so it was also a little alarming! Catch it on iplayer if you can.

Anyways, a week of writing beckons. After completing that bloomin' Regionality paper I am now back to the book. I have about three weeks to go until our holiday and I want to get the whole book planned. It isn't an outlandish ambition but it'll take three weeks of hard work. I'm thoroughly enjoying the writing process though. It feels as if it is slowly coming together. And, with D back, everything feels better. I did enjoy the Skype chats (especially as the Warden/Young clan were in situ so we could have a nice catch up); I even watched the Rugby League on Big Dave's TV via Skype. But modern technology isn't as good as just having him around.

See you later in the week

CSW

The end of another working week

I thought I'd write this post during my afternoon coffee break (actually I'm drinking a Diet Coke and eating a wee Mrs Crimbles macaroon). Currently writing the language chapter of the book. When I start a new chapter like this I like a full quiet day without any other commitments. I might not be writing every second but I need the 'head time'. And this is exactly what I have had today. Hoorah! It has gone rather well and I am up to 1388 chapter words. Not bad for one day of thinking/writing. Mega!

It has actually been a week like that, for which I am very grateful. It does mean, however, that you don't see many actual people (other than D, of course!). Too much time in one's head (especially when you are reading mad Expressionist drama) is never good. So I was glad for a coffee with a colleague yesterday and the visit of our friends, Rachael, Jake and wee Bel. They came to visit on their way to Norwich and we had a very jolly time. It was so nice to see Edinburgh friends. And tonight the in-laws arrive for the weekend. Lincoln City are playing Celtic (I know, weird huh? Lincoln's manager used to play for Celtic) so the boys are off to watch. Ailsa and I will go and find something better to do :-) We are really looking forward to having them to stay.

Not much else going on. A good squash game last night (we have quite close games until D puts on the afterburners!), episodes of Life on Mars, reading the London Review, cleaning the house, doing the washing, having a great tea at Nando's (we were meant to go to see Inception as well but couldn't get in - boo! - so we'll try and get tickets next week) and enjoying Leviathan. I have been reading this book for quite a long while. This is not because I don't like it but rather because it is the type of book you can dip in and out of. I have learnt a great deal about whales. It moves from Moby Dick to discuss these great beasts in more detail. It isn't a biology book though. Rather it is a historical, literary celebration of the whale. Beautifully written, this book contains some of the saddest stories I have read in a good long while. I'd really recommend it. I have a pile of books to read when I'm finished including a biography of Friedrich Engels, a book about sailing round the world and a novel by Rebecca West. Phew! We are nothing if not diverse in the Warden household. D is reading a book about Baptists leant to us by a friend at LEC. Given that neither of us have a Baptist background we both find the whole thing a little confusing. I, for one, am hoping to find out what Strict Baptists are strict about!

Anyways, that's quite long enough, thank you. I'll do a wee bit more and then change the sheets upstairs in preparation for our visitors. Have a magnificent weekend.

CSW

Conference Review part 1

So, we've had two days of the conference at Lincoln and I have written precisely nothing about it at Molemaison. This is mainly due to the schedule of conferences. Yesterday we (my friend Julia was staying) left the house at 8.30 and arrived back at just before 11. Phew! My paper went just fine on Friday - it wasn't ground-breaking or world-changing but, given that 21st century lit is not my strong point, I was relatively pleased. Friday evening we had a performance by Tim Crouch. Not sure I can adequately describe this really except that it is a one man show about perception and the audience gaze. Very clever, I thought. It got us thinking anyhow. Yesterday we had some more great papers and the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, gave a reading. Not a massive fan of her poetry but readings are always lovely, peaceful affairs and it was very enjoyable. Conferences are funny things really. You spend your time smoozing and trying to be on your best behaviour. There are A LOT of words - chat, panels, plenaries, more chat, food and chat, coffee and chat, cold tea and chat. "Words, words, I'm so sick of words," as Eliza Doolittle would have said! All fun though.

And now it is Sunday morning and, though the conference continues apace, I have a peaceful day of rest before me. Sundays are good. More conference tomorrow and a week of meetings (only Tuesday) and days at home writing a paper for a conference in September. I am applying for a special bursary so need to get my paper in ASAP.

Outside of work, the weather continues to be summery, though it is a little windy and cloudy this morning. I finished my latest Sharpe book last night before bed. Sharpe's Triumph was an early one - in fact, Sharpe was still a sergeant at the start of it (I won't tell you whether he still was by the end!). I really like these books (and the TV series). As you can see from the 'I'm reading...' list, I have a lot of books on the go right now. Some are work-related and some just for fun. I've ordered a few Amazon bargains recently so have Rebecca West's Return of the Soldier, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables (I read half of this book when I was a lot younger), James McPherson's Battle Cry for Freedom (about the American Civil War) on my shelf and a number of books by wrestlers or round-the-world yachtsman that D is encouraging me to read. I'm always happy if I have at least five books on the go at any one time. Only occasionally do I mix up characters or get confused about plot. And that just brings an extra element of fun to proceedings!

Anyways, a little more tea would make for a very pleasant start to the day so I'll go and boil the kettle. Have a great Sunday one and all.

CSW

"Here comes the sun, do do do dooo"

Well, just when we'd all got used to the snow, we've had the most amazing couple of days in the East Midlands. The sun has shone almost continuously and, had you visited Chez Warden at lunchtime today, you would have found us sitting in t-shirts on our balcony. Now we live on the fourth floor so our balcony is really quite high. Not for the faint-hearted, but sitting with my back against the warm stone drinking Pepsi Max (slightly warmed in the sun) and reading a couple of excellent books I really could not have been happier. Here's to more sunshine to come over the summer.

Had a jolly evening with the folks from the department last night. D got to meet my work colleagues and we ended up tackling topics as varied as the election, university politics and the relevance (or otherwise) of the work of Zelda Fitzgerald. We got back just before one to find out that Tiger was still doing well. We'll see how he gets on tonight.

Am reading a very interesting book currently entitled How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton (Rach, if you read this, I will return this book to you when next in Auld Reekie...I promise!). Now, it is with shame that I admit to never having read a Proust novel. But this book looks at some of Proust's ideas and, in very vibrant prose, writes what is really a self help book of sorts. I really enjoyed the chapter on slowing down. Proust believed that it was important to spend time reflecting on the world and really seeing things. As I was reading it I was looking out over busy Lindum Road. We really are obsessed with speed in our culture. We want to get everywhere quickly, want to get everything done quickly. Proust slows everything down and I quite like that.

Anyways, we are looking forward to meeting our new friends again at LEC tomorrow morning and then having a nice peaceful Sunday of letter writing and reading. I love Sundays :-) Then we start with four very busy weeks. I'm just girding my loins...

CSW

Happy Easter!

Evening/Morning all,

Currently enjoying a lovely relaxing weekend chez Warden senior, Auld Reekie. Great to catch up with Mike, Em and the children this morning. I even got blinks from Rosie which made my day. It's been a nice quiet day reading and watching a bit of sport. Currently working my way through a fab book called They Were Pilgrims by Marcus L. Loane. It looks at four good missionary men - David Brainerd, Henry Martyn, Robert Murray M'Cheyne and Ian Keith Falconer. The lives of these gentlemen are really challenging. My current favourite quote is from Martyn who was a very intelligent scholar at Cambridge. After becoming Senior Wrangler Martyn said, 'I obtained my highest wishes but was surprised to find that I had grasped a shadow'. How true this is! When we achieve our greatest goals we tend to feel a little flat. Funny ol' humans!

Anyways, I'm off to bed in a mo. Lots of dreams about work (was wandering about at 3.30 am!) so I'm hoping for a dreamless, peaceful sleep. Happy Easter to one and all. He is risen...and that's exciting.

CSW

A late night post...

...just to show you that academics work jolly hard ;-)

Hope everyone is having a great week. I'm currently bashing through the last bit of teaching before the Easter break. It's Harold Pinter all the way tomorrow. Despite my protestations that I wouldn't start another Rankin book before Easter I ended up finishing (yes, I know...I'm just hopeless) Resurrection Men yesterday, my second Rebus book. Enjoyed it much more that the first. I thought it was cleverly constructed and gave a real sense of Rebus' character. I'm determined not to start another one until next week.

We also finished the third series of The Wire this evening. Another great look at Baltimore life. For the first time after a series I was actually very sad to see the characters go. The untimely demise of the wonderful (see below) Stringer Bell (he was a gangster, I'm sure I'm not meant to feel like that -a case of The Wire messing with your prejudices and presumptions again!) was particularly effecting. I may write a bit more on this when it isn't 23.56 on a Wednesday night!

All being well we'll be in Edinburgh the following weekend for a jolly Easter with the in-laws. Hopefully we'll see Carrubbers folks and the fam then.

Anyways, I'm off to bed...

Sleep well one and all.

CSW

Plays, tunes but, as yet, no automobile

Welcome to the mid week blog post. It's been a busy few days as teaching has begun again. Today was the first Uranium 235 rehearsal and it all went very well. The students are brilliant and we did a lot of laughing.

So after a couple of delicious game burgers (yes, you hear right) from our local butchers, D and I have sat down to listen to some classic tunes, though at present we are listening to some Rolling Stones '80s funk - now that I could do without! Honestly, D's unbelievable music collection really turns up some turkeys at times. It must be remembered that he does have at least two Victoria Beckham songs on his ipod and Davey's Disco is the stuff of legend in the Warden clan. Talking of music, I've been listening to a good number of soundtracks recently while I've been writing class plans for Postmodern British Drama. Lots of Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and the Da Vinci Code, smattered with a couple of Peter Gabriel tracks when I need a good singsong.

But the big news of the week...I won a game of squash. Granted I lost five games...but I won one. Hoorah! We're both getting better and are less stiff the next day. The walk back up the hill is a bit of a killer though!

In a run down of this week's reading matter: I finished Habits of the Mind which I enjoyed very much, and I've moved on to a book along similar themes, Two Tasks of a Christian Scholar. I've only read the first chapter but so far, so good. I'll put a proper review up when I've finished. I'm also continuing with the Ian Rankin book. It has got rather exciting and I can't currently see how it will end. I'm not the biggest fan of crime fiction generally, but I'm actually quite enjoying reading about the ins and outs of Edinburgh. It even mentioned my favourite theatre company, 7:84! Still bashing on with the Charlotte Bronte biography in the evenings. It is a lovely restful book before bed. Due to current courses I have also read a number of plays - Chicken Soup with Barley by Arnold Wesker, A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney and Sink the Belgrano by Steven Berkoff. I generally read at least three plays a week at this time of year. Some are old favourites and some are brand new. Next week it'll be plays by Edward Bond and Caryl Churchill so its about to get a little bit violent and shouty (yep, that's an official academic word), but I'm sure I'll cope.

I'm also enjoying reading through Philippians in my quiet times. It is such an amazing book and, after spending last year reading through the whole Bible once and the New Testament twice (phew!), it feels quite good to be able to work slowly through a book and really get to grips with the verses. I've been thinking quite a bit about "God's peace" in Philippians 4. Sounds pretty good to me, folks.

Anyways, Davey's Disco has ground to a halt while the DJ is trying to sort out contents insurance for the flat. Don't worry, it'll be the Floyd loud and proud in a couple of minutes. Still waiting on our new car to arrive...I'll keep you posted on this one.

CSW

More soreness in the legs!

Just to fill you in on the Warden squash challenge which entered its second week tonight...D now has his own racket courtesy of good ol' Sports World and duly beat me five games to nil. A bit disappointing but fun all round, and it really gives you a good workout. Tune in next week for more thrills and spills on the court. I will beat him one day.

So the marking is in and I have a huge pile of essays to wade through over the next few days. Hopefully they are all magnificent. To give myself a bit of a break from assessment I picked up one of D's Ian Rankin books the other night. D has now read all the Rebus books, in chronological order so I thought it only right and fitting that I give them a go. They are crime novels centred on Edinburgh so they mention a whole range of places I know well, including St Leonard's Police Station (don't get the wrong idea...I once assisted in the rescue of a drunken man who was attempting to throw himself under a car) and The Meadows amongst others. It is kinda nice to read books about a place you are familiar with, even if they are about murders etc.

To conclude the wardrobe story, we now have a fully functioning item of furniture. As it happens it just needed a good wallop (obviously we didn't have the knack) and two very sweet gentlemen came and put it together for me. They even took the rubbish away. Hats off to the good people of Pine Solutions.

And so another Wednesday passes and I am gazing at my super-duper photo collage (see below), given to me by my good friends in Rudsambee. Man, I miss you guys on a Wednesday night. Tormis the Penguin is standing pride of place on my desk as I write this. He looks cosy in his red scarf. 'May the Road Rise to Meet You' guys and gals.

Anyways, I'm off to my bed. Sleep peacefully friends.

CSW

Marmalade?

Coming to the end of a happy (if slightly sleepy) day at home preparing material for two new courses starting up next week. This has meant I have been able to listen to a broad range of musical delights and engaging debates during the course of the day. My highlight was definitely the Food Programme on Radio 4 this afternoon which proceeded to spend a whole half hour talking about marmalade. Surely the only radio channel in the universe to devote airspace to the pros and cons of using Seville oranges. Man, I love the Beeb!

So, I'm bashing on with Habits of the Mind. It was a little slow to begin with but I am now really, really enjoying it. There are a whole range of challenging suggestions and it has really got me thinking about the process of reading, about the benefits of developing a critical way of thinking and the need to understand the 'wisdom of the Egyptians'. Last night a particular quote stood out for me:

Therefore, in reading profane authors, the admirable light of truth displayed in them should remind us, that the human mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable gifts from its Creator.

Fancy a guess as to the author of this insightful wee comment? John Calvin! And they say he was a narrow minded, misogynistic religious nut! Here he is positively encouraging folks to explore all literature as great gifts. We like a bit of Calvin in our house!

And so the Oscars have been and gone. Best picture to The Hurt Locker which D and I saw at the cinema. It was a pretty terrifying film and an extremely tense viewing experience. Whether films can ever really help us to understand the nature of war, I don't know (although I can still remember my horrified teenage reaction to Saving Private Ryan) but it was certainly shocking and thought-provoking. A worthy winner? I guess so, but I really liked Avatar (even if the 3D technology did leave me feeling sick for three days!). Ah well, what do I know anyways? I am the girl who watches most films holding on to D's arm saying 'I'm scared, I don't like it'.

More days at home this week with lots of plays to read. Also reading a very interesting critique of British post-War theatre entitled State of the Nation by Michael Billington. There is some obvious bias but largely I like it very much and it's helping me to get an overview before I go off and teach it next week.

CSW

Heading back up north

Evenings folks,

So it's back up to Edinburgh tomorrow to see D. We've not actually seen each other for two weeks so it will be lovely to catch up.

Rather unbelievably, today was the last day of the first term. So that's the end of dramaturgy and foundations, and on to the new. Lots of assessment to come though...and presumably lots of slightly panicky tutorials to enjoy next week. I've really enjoyed this first term and am excited about the new challenges coming up.

My evenings are currently taken up with bits of work and lots of Winter Olympics. Enjoyed the snowboarding half pipe last night. Those guys are a-maz-ing! I can't imagine how you would have the nerve the throw yourself around like that. Currently it's the women's combined alpine skiing. I've even watched a bit of the curling (which is like bowling on ice)!

Inspired by the Olympians and their finely honed muscles, I have been back to the gym this week. When I lived in Edinburgh I used the hang out at the gym fairly regularly and enjoyed my Bodycombat classes. Down here in Lincoln, it's taken a little while to get my act together and I am seriously out of condition. With a bit of hard work, though, we'll get it back...slowly but surely. I am currently enjoying the subsidised rates of the uni facilities, though I am dreading bumping into one of my students after stumbling red-faced off the cross trainer. Dignity all gone.

Have returned to James Sire's Habits of the Mind this week. It is a book to dip into, meditate on and really grapple with. It is, therefore, not exactly relaxing reading, but it is tremendous and getting better. It deals with some very interesting issues, not least the importance of real critical thinking. Oftentimes faith is regarded as the binary opposite to reason, and in some ways it is. But Sire continuously suggests that people of faith must use their brains. It is a book about Christian intellectualism, but it does not reject intellectuals from other/no faith. Indeed it admires Nietzsche! Sometimes folks with faith seem to reject, even mock the wisdom of others. I'm glad this book doesn't do that and instead really instills a deep love of learning. That is why it is such an exciting and fascinating book. It avoids the usual pitfalls of this sort of book - arrogance, dullness, self-righteousness and anti-intellectualism. I'll fill you in on my final conclusions when I've finished it (give me a couple of months as I'm just about to start wading through the plays for post-modern British theatre -eek!)

Anyways, I'm off to enjoy the thrills and spills of the skeleton bob. D is rooting for Amy Williams in a typical contrary decision. She seems like a very nice lady so I'll give her a bit of a cheer as well. And tomorrow we can cheer on the same sofa - huzzah!

Enjoy the weekend.

CSW

The start of a new week

So two days and two new posts - goodness this is becoming a habit! Currently ready for bed and listening to the Super Bowl on the radio. Now I know very little about American sports (I enjoyed a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game once and became a bit of a fan overnight) and American football is a particular mystery to me. If someone can explain the rules to me I'd be delighted. Perhaps it will all become clear as I listen...perhaps not. Ooo the national anthem has just started...

I'll carry on reading the Charlotte Bronte biography as I listen for half an hour or so. Still enjoying this wonderful wee book and I can dip into it when I feel in the mood. Enjoyed a morning at our new church, LEC. The Pastor gave a wonderful sermon on the importance of love in the church. It was very thought-provoking and we even sang 'Here is Love Vast as the Ocean' to cement the point which is one of my favourite hymns.

So, D has gone back to Edinburgh again and I am left with Boris Bear and D the pot-bellied bear for company. Both are very faithful companions but aren't quite as chatty as D! It will be two weeks until we see each other again so it is a good job we don't celebrate things like Valentine's Day. We are, as always, taking courage in these circumstances though, also as always, we have no complaints. We are so tremendously blessed!

Tomorrow night our first Tesco delivery is coming. I'm more excited than I should be about this occasion. Oh, the Super Bowl has started and I can't even understand the words let alone make head nor tail of the rules. What, pray tell, is a quarterback?

CSW

Back for a new week

Man, we have a good time of it! Another jolly weekend with D in Edinburgh. Didn't get up to a great deal though it was worth the trip just to see Grandad Young's face when he was told he had flights to Stornoway for his birthday pressie. It will be their first time in an aeroplane. What fun! Good to see the Carrubbers folks as always and hope those on the weekend away had a great time.

Read quite a bit of reading over the past few days including Maurice Maeterlinck's The Intruder which I'd recommend if you are in the mood for a weird play (perhaps it is only me who ever feels in that sort of mood). Getting on with Leviathan which I'd recommend if you like reading about the whaling industry or the sexual prowess of the sperm whale. Actually it's lots of fun and beautifully written.

Last night we enjoyed an evening in with Indiana Jones. I hadn't seen the new one until last night. It was enjoyable rubbish.

So after a busy afternoon meeting students I got back to find the plumber at the door. Rather unbelievably the shower was plumbed in the wrong way up originally so it is no wonder we haven't managed to have a hot shower since we moved in! Fortunately we have a bath which is a bit of a luxury. Here's hoping we'll be able to get this sorted soon.

After our usual Skype evening with the Wardens (on Monday nights we all watch University Challenge together - I know it is a little bit sad though my colleague calls it "adorable" so we'll go with that, shall we?) I tuned in to a very fascinating programme I saw advertised - Tower Block of Commons. A very interesting show and an insightful look at some of the problems of British urban life. Catch it on ITVplayer if you can. Rather amazingly the Tory and Lib Dem MPs came out the best. Now as D and good ol' Councillor Rose will tell you, I am no Tory, but in this show it was the Labour MP and his wife who made themselves look like idiots while Iain Duncan Smith was described by his host as 'alright, not stuck up but a bit slick', Mark Oaten genuinely seemed affected by the whole situation and Tim Laughton's dancing was very humorous. By contrast, the Labour guy had to bring his wife (honestly!) and seemed intent on making jokes at every opportunity and ended the show by going to a friend's house for dinner. Since most of these horrendous urban estates were thrown up by Labour and continue to be run by ineffective Labour governments, it seemed a bit ironic to me. I like to think of myself as a bit of a trendy lefty. When we first met (and interestingly round the dinner table of the aforementioned councillor) D called me a 'Champagne socialist' and I was extremely cross, refused to talk to him and called him 'opinionated'. Actually it is quite surprising we got married at all! But if Austin Mitchell is anything to go by Labour are really quite beyond the pale...and can I confirm that this does not mean I will be automatically voting Tory (just to clear that up). And so ends my contentious political rant. You can tune in to this again next week and I'd really recommend it.

Have a superb week folks.
CSW

A Sunny Morning in Edinburgh

Good morning one and all,

I am currently sitting in my inlaws' front room in perfect peace. D has gone for breakfast with a friend and, though I woke up when he did, I must admit I went back to 'snoozeland' and dreamt about the dramaturgy projects my students are currently embarking upon - what a geek!

Had a good, straight forward journey yesterday and arrived in Auld Reekie just before 2. I must admit I then sneaked off for a quick run round the Turners at the Royal Academy before finding a Starbucks for a vanilla steamed milk (yes, I am five years old) and a read through the intro to the new book. The gallery only exhibits the Turners during the month of January to keep them in perfect nick (too much sunshine the rest of the time apparently, though I must admit that is not the Edinburgh I know!) and they are truly amazing. D always says that I respond to visual art in quite an emotional (I'd say almost visceral) way and never is this more true then when I look at these beautiful wee paintings. This is one of my favourites.

After a long (but good, I hasten to add) day of teaching on Thursday, I decided to watch a film. Wading my way through the Warden collection (indeed in is akin to the Vaughan bequest, to carry on the Turner theme) I came across the Roman Polanski version of Tess of the D'Urbervilles and decided to give it a go. It is, as with all the Polanski films I've seen (check out his version of Oliver) beautifully shot. Incredibly atmospheric. It is also (in line with Hardy's original) completely depressing. I won't spoil it by telling you the ending but the final scene of the sun rising above Stonehenge (oh man, I had a Spinal Tap moment there - I bet that is the first time Thomas Hardy and Spinal Tap have been mentioned in the same sentence) was imbued with misery rather than hope. Smelly (affectionate name for sistery person) rang just as it was finishing which took the edge off it - in a good way.

Anyways, hope everyone is well and happy. Didn't crack open the new Twilight book on the train btw - I was too busy reading Dramaturgy set texts! Oh, and as an aside, the new Rugby Super League season started last night. For those unacquainted with the differences between the rugby codes (this is particularly for my American friends or anyone who was born south of Crewe) there are two different types of rugby - Union and League. Union is the 'boring, lots of kicking, fighting in the scrums' code and League is the 'beautiful, running, exciting, bring the fam and enjoy the banter' one. So League it is then... My team is the Wigan Warriors and has been ever since I saw the great Va'aiga 'Inga the Winger' Tuigamala racing down the pitch. So come on the Cherry and Whites!

Enjoy the weekend folks

CSW

Have we reached Wednesday night already?

This is my first week of teaching and life is dashing by around me at rapid pace. Classes are going well so far. Lots of fun!

In the evenings, I am keeping myself occupied with a bit of TV, lots of reading and a couple of films. As you can see from the side bar, my current favourite soundtrack (when I'm in the middle of writing something soundtracks become an absolute essential - currently trying to come up with three new option modules!) is from the very interesting (at least more interesting than I thought it would be) film, 'Kingdom of Heaven'. D and I were also discussing the merits of the new 'Sherlock Holmes' soundtrack which is really very unusual indeed. Already anticipating the latter coming out on DVD and adding a copy to the Warden's ever-increasing selection of films...which is now, thanks to D, in an ordered system. Films are grouped generically and then, within the genres, alphabetically. It's a guy thing (for confirmation see Nick Hornby's brillig 'High Fidelity')!

In keeping with 'High Fidelity' here comes my current favourite list of study soundtracks for those times when a song with words is just way too distracting:
1) 'Gladiator' by Hans Zimmer - it remains a classic.
2) 'Lord of the Rings' by Howard Shore - just because there is SO MUCH of it so you don't get distracted having to choose a new CD to put on.
3) 'Con Air' by Trevor Rabin - daft yet entertaining film, but for all that Trev (of Yes fame) does an amazing job with the soundtrack.
4) 'A Beautiful Mind' by James Horner - again a classic...that makes you want to do maths!
5) 'The Dark Knight' by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - this still scares me to death but it is quite exciting to work to.

Anyways I'm back up to Edinburgh this weekend (can you collect rail miles?) and exploiting the excellent hospitality of the in-laws. Looking forward to seeing Carrubbers folks on Sunday. Might take the next Twilight on the train...then again I might stick to Dramaturgy and Maeterlinck's 'The Intruder' - the options are endless!

Will try and write a wee something over the weekend.
CSW

Back down south

Afternoon! Well, I'm back in Lincoln after a great weekend in Edinburgh seeing the boy. As you can see I now have t'internet at home, although I can't quite get the wireless system to work properly yet. Generally D does all that sort of thing so I'm quite proud of myself.

A very pleasant time in first class this morning - lots of free tea (a big plus in my books) and biscuits and a very quiet, peaceful carriage. Even managed to get some work done though I must admit I finished Sharpe's Siege just before Doncaster. Even an hour wait in the chilly waiting room at Doncaster station couldn't dampen my spirits.

Two highlights of the weekend (other than just seeing D of course but that goes without saying). For Saturday lunch we took the inlaws to The Plumed Horse, Edinburgh's newest addition to the Michelin list. What a fab meal we had! Everything was completely delicious. D and I reminisced about some of the truly spectacular meals we have eaten since we've been married - not from kitchen chez Warden I hasten to add. D got his foie gras (yes, I know the RSPCA would be after him if they knew) and I got my fish fix. They even served blackcurrent jelly as a petite four - sweet!

Second highlight was Peter Jackson's visit to Carrubbers. He was a very cool guy. Blind from the age of 1 1/2 he spoke about overcoming adversity and the importance of his faith. He is a brilliant pianist and really very entertaining. Joke of the day was:

I was walking down the street the other day and it was raining cats and dogs. Unfortunately I stepped in a poodle.

Comic brilliance! Also finished Twilight. If I had been a 14 year old teenage girl I think I would have loved it. As it happens I got a little bit sick of the descriptions of Edward's gorgeousness - is it only me who thinks he is a little creepy? A gripping storyline of course but it felt like it was either a) written by an adolescent or b) written by someone who knows exactly what adolescents want...and exactly how lucrative that is. I have the next one on my coffee table and I might give it a go - we'll see.

So this is a week of meetings and greetings, and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better and settling into University life. Thanks to all who have sent cards and hugs - we are very glad to have your friendship.

Enjoy the week. I'll post later with more news/ramblings.
CSW

On my travels

Well, so much for East Coast Mainline t'internet connection which decided not only to relay all useful information in Norwegian last night but also wouldn't allow me to put up a carefully written post. So now the whole post feels a little 'yesterday'. Ah well, newspaper editors must feel like this every day. And so to the post...

Yesterday (with a delicious bacon sandwich made chez Warden) I found myself in Retford station. I must admit I am not really sure where Retford is but it feels like the end of the world. Have you ever seen that film with Will Smith, the one where the world has ended and its seems like it's only him and his dog left (actually I only watched half of it - you are looking (in a cyber way) at the girlie who spent the last two visits to the cinema staring at D's arm and saying 'I don't like it, I'm scared)? Well, it feels a lot like that. It is desolate and lacking in people and freezing! Apologies to the Retford posse! Managed to get away from Retford eventually and up to Edinburgh. The return journey should be fun as I am travelling first class. You know, now that one is a bona fide lecturer one should be able to have a complementary cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake, shouldn't one? Actually it was only five quid more expensive than an ordinary ticket so I decided to treat myself.

So what to do on a train journey? Well, muchos reading of course. Currently I have (as always) too many books on the go but here is a selection: 1) Sharpe's Siege by Bernard Cornwall. There is nothing better for a train journey than a bit of Sharpie.



This is a good one and our hero is currently stuck in France being pursued by the evil Major Ducos. As usual I read in a Yorkshire accent although, as all Sharpe fans will know, he is actually supposed to come from London. It is rather difficult to get away from a certain Sean Bean though, is it not? 2) Dramaturgy and Performance by Cathy Turner and Synne K. Behrndt. Obviously this one is work related and I'm only two chapter sin, but actually it is a very good read. Very interesting analysis of Brecht's theatrical conventions. O.K. I'll stop now. 3) Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell. On of my favourite authors ever writing about her friend. It is a very beautiful book and I've been really struck by Charlotte's deep faith and sense of duty. These are two personality traits that seem to have disappeared largely from our society, sadly. Here ends my 'old woman' moan. 4) Changing my Mind by Zadie Smith. My dear friend Daisy bought me some book tokens to specifically buy this book which she had heard on Radio 4. The author writes really well and like EM Forster which makes her an all round good egg in my book. 5) Habits of the Mind: Intellectual Life as a Christian by James Sire. This was given to me by the sweet folks of the Christian Postgraduate Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh. I love books which point out that you can be a Christian and have more than five working brain cells, so this was a perfect gift for me.



Phew, I think that's about it currently except that in my new North Face rucksack (Christmas pressie from Ma and Pa) there is a copy of the first in the Twilight saga. I haven't read any of these books and had to get my first years to explain the whole phenomenon to me last term. One of my new colleagues has lent this to me and, though teenage vampire love stories are not really my thing, never let it be said that I am not up for a challenge.

So those are my reading recommendations for the weekend. I'll post again over the weekend or from my first class carriage on Monday morning hopefully while eating a free and gratis bacon roll.

CSW

p.s. I texted my story about the snow and the MacDonald's coffee stirrer into Radio 5 last night (not randomly, it did fit into their topic of discussion) and they read it out and it got a laugh...on live, cross-the-nation radio! The last time I was on the airwaves (again Radio 5) I was talking about the greatness of the Mighty Boosh and the time before that I had a long discussion with dear ol' Scottie on the sadly missed Talk 107 (we have a cup that always makes me feel a little nostalgic when I drink my tea out of it) about the state of Scottish theatre. Not to mention, of course, my starring role with Maestro Boy on Leith fm before Christmas (that's still on Relative Pitch if you want to check it out). Video didn't kill this radio star!