I didn't expect to keep up during Tishri, but this is ridiculous

[liv]

During the month or so when I didn't update:

The High Holy Days happened. I was a bit stressed about it beforehand, because I was doing a lot of leading in a new community, but actually everything went really well. During the Ten Days I had a really welcome visit from hadassah; we spent more of the time catching up and less of the time sleeping and preparing for YK than we had planned, but it was truly wonderful anyway.

Then I had a scientific conference in York. jack came with me for a weekend in York beforehand. We stayed at a slightly random B&B called Birchfield. They're a new business just starting out, so things were a bit patchy but the place has a really individual atmosphere. We did some touristy things, like taking a walking tour, and seeing the Minster, and visiting a decent local history museum. We didn't bother with Viking stuff much, having seen the real thing in Scandinavia. There is some really breathtaking Mediaeval stuff, though, both in the museum and in the crypt of the Minster. The city is a bit coy about its Jewish history, for example presenting an anti-semitic church decoration as depicting "the church's triumph over pre-Christian religions".

We also did lots of just walking around the city, and lots of eating out. The stand-out was Limehouse, which did one of the tastiest meals I've ever eaten, with a lovely atmosphere and really good service. Also drank interesting continental beeeeer at Pivo, which is one of those pubs where beer is definitely the point, but the atmosphere wasn't bad either. The conference itself was totally brilliant; my talk went really well, and I made some good connections with people working on related stuff.

Term started, and everything suddenly became manic, but great fun. I have a tutorial group I think I'm going to get on well with, both bright and friendly. I'm also in charge of the Year 0 group, those who are doing a year of pre-university studies so that they can read medicine without having science A Levels. Interesting bunch! I also started a post-graduate course which will give me a decent qualification in higher education teaching

In between all this, I have had workmen in building me some exciting bookcases. It's been a bit of a hassle (and very expensive), but I'm so very glad I did it. I now have more shelves than books, which I'm sure won't last now I'm free to buy as many books as I desire, but it's a lovely feeling. Plus, with adequate storage space, I've been able to unpack the last of the boxes, which makes my house feel much more homey. Dad came for a couple of days to help keep an eye on the workman while I was at work, and did some helpful DIY. (Father-daughter bonding: we have detailed discussions about what threat models I'm most concerned about, and then Dad helps me to secure my house against them.)

Oh, and I contracted tonsilitis, which was surprisingly unpleasant and made me re-appreciate the availability of antibiotics and pleasant, sympathetic but business-like GPs. Also jack was really good at looking after me without making a fuss or insisting on social interaction I wasn't feeling up to. He drove me back to Cambridge, because I decided that, however ill I was feeling, I'd rather spend a weekend in company than sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. In fact this turned out to be a good idea, because the antibiotics started working and I felt well enough to go to jack's party on Saturday night. Was good to see people, particularly simont and sophiejane.

Talking of nice to see people, I had a very pleasant flying visit from angelofthenorth today, and I'm looking forward to seeing lethargic_man and aviva_m next week.

So yes, that's why you haven't heard much from me lately. But I haven't disappeared, and I'm hoping to be around more in the next few weeks (at least until the middle of November, when teaching will get overwhelming again, I suspect.)

Comments

[nanaya]

Sometimes being too busy to update is a good thing! You got a lot done, it seems.

[liv]

Yeah, I feel generally pleased about the last six weeks, apart from the annoying falling ill part. What I need to get better at is finding time to catch up with DW and email when jack is around; at any given moment I'd rather talk to him than be online, but if I'm never online for several weeks, I lose the contact with my distant friends that is really important to me.

[nanaya]

That's both the awesomeness and the downside of wonderful relationships. I know whereof you speak :-)

[simont]

Yay, it was nice to see you too :-)