[Cirsium]

An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

[hobnob]

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

Sorry to hear that.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

Really sorry to hear this. I can't imagine what that must be like

Feel free to PM me as an outlet, if that would help

[Becca]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
You must have confidence in sunshine, in rain, that spring will come again, in confidence alone, and in yourself

On a serious note: I wish you the best of luck. Think positive! An MSc Distinction is something to be proud of and will hopefully put you in good stead

How are you feeling btw?

[Becca]

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

That's awful really sorry for your loss.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Becca)
How are you feeling btw?

No psychosis the last 2.5 days. I think it's gone away again. At least I really hope so! My brain is still frazzled though, so not able to work. Not sure how I'm gonna get the dissertation done, at this rate

Thanks for asking

[Becca]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
No psychosis the last 2.5 days. I think it's gone away again. At least I really hope so! My brain is still frazzled though, so not able to work. Not sure how I'm gonna get the dissertation done, at this rate

Thanks for asking

That's good about the psychosis! Are you informing uni about it so you can get an extension if required? You Defo need to focus on being well before starting to work again

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Becca)
That's good about the psychosis! Are you informing uni about it so you can get an extension if required? You Defo need to focus on being well before starting to work again

I haven't informed uni yet because I still want to see if I can somehow get it in on time. As I think I've mentioned previously, my dad is trying to micro-manage the whole dissertation writing process. This is specifically because he doesn't want me to have an extension on it. Plus I really don't want to go to Sri Lanka with my laptop and a whole lot of writing to do

My uni mentor knows though and I'll talk to my psychiatrist about it when he's back from leave next week

[scarlet ibis]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
No psychosis the last 2.5 days. I think it's gone away again. At least I really hope so! My brain is still frazzled though, so not able to work. Not sure how I'm gonna get the dissertation done, at this rate

Thanks for asking

Glad you are feeling a bit better, and I hope you are able to get back to work and not need an extension.

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

so sorry to hear that.

**

literally cannot get down to work today. spent ages exploring nooks and crannies of the University Library, purportedly to 'look for somewhere quiet to work' but mainly because it it's fun! Found a room full of paintings of old librarians that I didn't know existed, which also had a glass cupboard full of what looked like rolled up flags

[QHF]

So there's this dude running through the city with a fire on a stick. Lots of people have come out to cheer at him and he's pursued by some kind of motorcade thing, but not at a high pace -- more like the pursuit is some kind of formality.

I'm not sure what it is but from the available evidence I'm guessing some kind of local Promethean cult is celebrating the theft of fire from the gods.

[The Lyceum]

Haha that doesn't sound *quite* like the Daidaleia festival but reasonably close I guess.

Is this in Oxord? I really ought to leave the house to procure sustenance....

[hobnob]

(Original post by QHF)
So there's this dude running through the city with a fire on a stick. Lots of people have come out to cheer at him and he's pursued by some kind of motorcade thing, but not at a high pace -- more like the pursuit is some kind of formality.

I'm not sure what it is but from the available evidence I'm guessing some kind of local Promethean cult is celebrating the theft of fire from the gods.

Oh, so that's why they set up some kind of stage thingie in the Bodleian quad earlier today. I was wondering what that was all about.

[sj27]

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

That's awful news.

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
I haven't informed uni yet because I still want to see if I can somehow get it in on time. As I think I've mentioned previously, my dad is trying to micro-manage the whole dissertation writing process. This is specifically because he doesn't want me to have an extension on it. Plus I really don't want to go to Sri Lanka with my laptop and a whole lot of writing to do

My uni mentor knows though and I'll talk to my psychiatrist about it when he's back from leave next week

Hope it all goes OK with you ....

(Original post by QHF)
So there's this dude running through the city with a fire on a stick. Lots of people have come out to cheer at him and he's pursued by some kind of motorcade thing, but not at a high pace -- more like the pursuit is some kind of formality.

I'm not sure what it is but from the available evidence I'm guessing some kind of local Promethean cult is celebrating the theft of fire from the gods.

PRSOM!



We had our kitty put down this morning . I know it was the right thing to do but it still feels crap. Here's a pic of him in happier times.

[cpchem]

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

10-11 - someone from hall? So sorry - hope you're feeling OK.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by sj27)
We had our kitty put down this morning . I know it was the right thing to do but it still feels crap. Here's a pic of him in happier times.

I'm so sorry for your loss. He seems like a much valued member of your family.

I think the orange tree idea your daughter had was a really nice one, if you're still thinking of doing that.

[apotoftea]

Hi all *waves* Scotland was lovely and very dry Hope you're all well and choose your own suitable smilies for any issues you may have

Is it bad of me to be considering applying for a job ala quitting the PhD?

[sj27]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
I'm so sorry for your loss. He seems like a much valued member of your family.

I think the orange tree idea your daughter had was a really nice one, if you're still thinking of doing that.

Thanks, and yes re the tree. It's not the right season to plant now though (apparently - I'm clueless when it comes to anything beyond "that plant looks pretty").

(Original post by apotoftea)
Hi all *waves* Scotland was lovely and very dry Hope you're all well and choose your own suitable smilies for any issues you may have

Is it bad of me to be considering applying for a job ala quitting the PhD?

What job? You won't regret quitting the PhD? I was under the impression you were enjoying it, mostly
And glad to hear you had a good time in Scotland

[Hylean]

(Original post by evantej)
Mhhmmhmmhmhhhm.... Disagree.... I understand that there is an anthropological base to your field but given that a lot of the evidence you use is 'literary' it seems like an unnecessary separation to make. I know the Germans and Russian acknowledged the part played by literary texts in the formation of their national identity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries so I do not see what makes 'folklore' special, why it should be treated outside of the arts and humanities.

Likewise, the Russian formalists treatment of folklore always seemed to me to be literary rather than explicitly political or sociological.

Maybe I have the wrong idea about what you do...

Well, there's a huge anthropological aspect to what we do, given both disciplines started around the same time, the only difference being that folklorists studied "us" whilst anthropologists studied "them". And whilst most of the evidence is "literary", it is only literary because previous folklorists went out, recorded the oral traditions and left them on paper, understandably giving people the wrong idea of the discipline. The publication of folktales has only help this misunderstanding, really; furthered by British university departments tending to push the discipline into English departments. Like anthropologists, much of our work involves going field work, going out and recording things in situ, looking at their context to discover the meaning behind them and what they say about humans. The only difference between us and anthropolgists is a focus on subject, really.

As an small list, folklorists examine and research: dances, oral traditions, beliefs, music, customs, rites of passage, superstitions, latrinalia (toilet graffiti), jokes, material culture, etc. and a lot more. We look at the unofficial culture which informs and is informed by popular culture, "high" and "low" culture. Not really arts and humanities.

(Original post by Cirsium)
An old housemate died over the weekend. And I've been sort of shell shocked since I heard this morning, but I've only just realised that this was not Alex N who I lived with in 2009-10, and didn't know that well or like that much, but Alex W who I lived with in 2010-11 and did and did. And it kinda feels like I've just been told again and I sort of want to throw up.

Sorry to hear about that.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by sj27)
I'm clueless when it comes to anything beyond "that plant looks pretty").

Same! When I get my own place, I'm gonna have lots of plastic flowers. Plastic coz I'm not good at the whole watering thing

[apotoftea]

(Original post by sj27)
Thanks, and yes re the tree. It's not the right season to plant now though (apparently - I'm clueless when it comes to anything beyond "that plant looks pretty").

Sorry to hear about your cat

What job? You won't regret quitting the PhD? I was under the impression you were enjoying it, mostly
And glad to hear you had a good time in Scotland

I'm enjoying parts of it, but possibly the wrong parts and I dunno, not cut out for academia maybe?

The job's a research assistant for a (history related) government commission...