Massaging and Fish sticks

That was the title of the email I sent to my mum last night. Wasn't an interesting email, but I could not think of a title for this blog post. I really don't have much to say.

I have enacted the "Closed Door Policy 2007" and people are under instruction not to bother me. Last year it was called, "Shutdown", but saying that makes it seem like I might be having some kind of willful breakdown, which I am not. CDP07 means no contact when the door is closed: wireless shut off, mobile off, no accepting phone calls, no interruptions till the thing I am doing, whether it be exam study or assignment writing, is finished. Or well on its way. Today I wrote over 3000 words so I have the door open. It a silly policy, but it helps me work.

I am playing scrabulous rather obsessively at the moment - another reason for the CDP07, but I am still keeping up with the 6 games I am playing simultaneously. If you would like to have a bit of a go, challenge me to an email duel. www.scrabulous.com

News

I have actual news today, not just random blatherings. However, be warned, thew news content will be nestled in between the blatherings - no one, not even I, can escape them.

Right

My lecturer/supervisor for my 12000 word beast of an assignment is happy with my progress and believes I actually have something to say. This is good as I am not just writing an essay, but writing a research proposal to get me a scholarship and a position at Monash for the next four years or so.

Next

The Internet Archive has been officially called a library. This means big things people. Check out the story here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07175/796164-96.stm
Digital media now has its place in the memory of culture, organised information and history. PLUS this will help me with my assignment/research proposal.

Second last (or penultimate)

I had a scooter accident yesterday. Obviously I can type, so at least parts of me are working. I have some muscle injuries, sore ribs, a great bruise on my leg and various other sore parts, including my ego. I feel stoopid. It was an accident, and I did not cause the accident, but needless to say, I cannot afford, both financially and mentally, to have bashed up my bike and Alfio's bike and lost time off work (or the multiple jobs/projects I am involved in). I did get my first ever ride in an ambulance though. How embarrassing.

Last

I am thinking about going to a conference in Canada next year. Being that I know nothing about going to academic/professional conferences, I wonder how it all works. This part is not news per say, but if anyone can tell me some information about conferences, that would not be a kick up the bum, or a fall off a scooter.

Food & surprises

I have been so into my assignment of late (I am constantly call it "the assignment" rather than "thesis" as this then makes it not so scary - small things in small ways...) , well really on the verge of panic, so that when I have to go to work, I resent it. I am totally in my head about a new/old language of meaning being published on the internet that I cannot do normal everyday things. So I look up sources for my assignment on Google at work, check the library webpage in case the books I have requested have come in, and then randomly browse as I normally do and read my monthly star sign. Then comes the delightful distraction or disruption, the one that takes you away. This happens rarely, but one of the best things about working in a bookstore is that there are millions of book titles and people are interested in so many many things, that sometimes someone will bring you something you have never hear of before. Tonight it was ...El Bulli. I have vague recollections of hearing about the style of cooking performed at this restaurant, but did not know of the restaurant or chef. The head chef or owner or whatever they are called, is Ferran Adria and the style of cooking is called Molecular Gastronomy which reminds me a bit of the novel, Perfume. It takes two years to get a table at this restaurant that is only open six months of the year. I have decided that I will have to go. I love surprises and I love being presented with something new. And so the beauty of this night was that I was surprised twice, once now and once in expectation.