Been meaning to tell you

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So I've been meaning to tell you... that I shaved half of my head.

Things have been quite busy recently - so much so that I haven't blogged. But one of the reasons why I haven't blogged is because I recently joined Twitter, which has proved surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, for anyone who follows my gmail status) addictive.

Recently the (pa)Rentals came to visit - at a time when I had literally no time to spare, which was a shame. But we still got a few things in - they came to watch me row, and we went for high tea together at the Grand Cafe. They also brought me a new camera, hence the proliferation of photographs. As much as I love Toph's DSLR, it's a little to precious for me to take around every day. Now you can frequently find me crouched by Keble's flowerbeds keenly snapping.

Flowers are good like that, tireless models. People are much, much trickier. I don't think I've graduated to photographing people yet. Whenever I look at the Sartorialist or any other street style photographers I wonder how they approach their subjects. My guess is that each one has their own little schtick they drag out. I'd quite like to know what it is. Also, portrait photographers (or street style photographers) must have a knack of making their subjects seem relaxed. I once read somewhere (maybe from the Sartorialist) that it's the gift of anticipation. In a way I can see that - people's expressions are so fleeting. I wish my eyes were cameras, then I'd always get very good pictures.

Tonight's graduate discussion evening went well. I think my talk was well-received. Some interesting questions came up afterwards - and everyone appears to have enjoyed my example of 'flyting' from Waiting for Godot (fast-forward to 1:57). It's the first time I've done a proper presentation with powerpoint and projector and all that, so I'm glad it all came off nicely. High table dinner beforehand and Ralph told me that he won't be able to make it. To be honest I was quite glad - if no medievalists are present I could say whatever I want. I thought of emailing him to ask him NOT to come - but then he would have made a point of coming. So turns out my reverse psychology (of not saying anything to him) worked out quite well.

So recently Sally and I had a meeting and she reminded me that I really can't afford a day off. I don't remember if I mentioned to her that I'd joined a rowing team. We (the Kebelles) are the Keble fun-crew. But some people tell me that if you have erg (indoor training) sessions, you are no longer fun. So I guess we're the kill-joy crew. So, we qualified for the Summer Eights - and guess what - we won blades!

In Oxford we do what's called bumps racing. To win blades (an honour granted by the college), you have to bump 4 times in 4 days (that is, the definition according to Keble) - which we did. So, we get to buy ceremonial blades with our names on them, including when the race was and who we bumped etc - and we get to chalk up our names in one of the stairwells at college. I'll definitely have some pictures of that when it happens.

But for now, a picture of my new sandals will have to do. Weather has been so beautiful.

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Oh and also, I accidentally exfoliated myself with the gravel at college. I'm recovering from...

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But it's ok, because life here is really quite good. Here's a picture of what Oxford (especially Keble) is all about in the summer time.

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Occasionally I find myself in strange places.

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But usually I recover myself quite quickly again. Except the time when I went to Port Meadow to take pictures of buttercups - thinking that we were going to row at Godstow. Then it turned out that we were rowing at the Isis, so I had to haul ass down the river. Then I didn't know I had to park at Head of the River so I was on the wrong side and I had to double back. But the photos turned out really good...

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and it made me realize that even something s simple as buttercups can be really, really beautiful.

Now I have to go to bed because tomorrow I'd like to get up at 7 am and eat breakfast in hall. Then work all day on my dissertation in the library. The fun never stops, you know.