Gillian Polack's Blog, page 160
August 15, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-08-15T22:35:00
I am very full of goulash, stuffed eggs, a cream tart and two different kinds of spiced wine. I would have eaten other things, but they were not at my end of the table, and so my waistline is saved for the moment. Meetings should always include fine alcohol and gourmet food.
August 14, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-08-15T14:57:00
It must be Wednesday, for I met my Wednesday class. I am so logical!
We worked on building character traits today, which caused much angst among half the class, for I decided to be nice to the other half (the sport-loving half) and we looked at sports as a character trait. One student pointed out that "Collingwood" was a perfectly legitimate thing to write on the census form under 'religion' and that Collingwood supporters were known to see the world in black and white.
Word of the day was 'proposition' and food-discussion-of-the-day was making maple syrup. We wrote more cheering poetry to encourage Spring along, and were somewhat surprised when the two hours was up, almost before it had begun.
We worked on building character traits today, which caused much angst among half the class, for I decided to be nice to the other half (the sport-loving half) and we looked at sports as a character trait. One student pointed out that "Collingwood" was a perfectly legitimate thing to write on the census form under 'religion' and that Collingwood supporters were known to see the world in black and white.
Word of the day was 'proposition' and food-discussion-of-the-day was making maple syrup. We wrote more cheering poetry to encourage Spring along, and were somewhat surprised when the two hours was up, almost before it had begun.
gillpolack @ 2012-08-15T07:58:00
Class last night was interesting. I have a group of students who aren't by nature chatty, so it took quite some work to make sure they were getting what they needed. They're very good listeners, though, and the class went overtime without even a rustle of paper, so I think we're OK. That's not why the class was interesting, though it may be why we ended going in the direction we did.
We spent quite a bit of time time on evidence for women's thoughts and culture. We were specifically talking about silencing and overshadowing and how the cultural paradigms and mood we live with everyday shape the way we interrogate our past. I also talked about interpreting through the veil of other people's thoughts, of how women and Jews and children in the Middle Ages are mostly known through the eyes of men due to the nature of the historical record. I pointed them to a couple of the scholars who are getting past the silences to the lives of women.
We also created quires and talked about the physical characteristics of manuscripts. It wasn't all about the texts, after all - the physical environment of the texts is important. And S gave a very nice presentation about Mare de France, which meant I got to explain how a polyglottal society works and who is empowered by what languages in what circumstances in polyglottal societies.
I didn't mean it to be, but the subtext last night was all about relative status and how we can understand and interpret it. At one stage I was saying, "Walk down the street and notice current behaviours. That will give you a basis for understanding your own cultural baggage and wil help you interpret historical cultures."
We spent quite a bit of time time on evidence for women's thoughts and culture. We were specifically talking about silencing and overshadowing and how the cultural paradigms and mood we live with everyday shape the way we interrogate our past. I also talked about interpreting through the veil of other people's thoughts, of how women and Jews and children in the Middle Ages are mostly known through the eyes of men due to the nature of the historical record. I pointed them to a couple of the scholars who are getting past the silences to the lives of women.
We also created quires and talked about the physical characteristics of manuscripts. It wasn't all about the texts, after all - the physical environment of the texts is important. And S gave a very nice presentation about Mare de France, which meant I got to explain how a polyglottal society works and who is empowered by what languages in what circumstances in polyglottal societies.
I didn't mean it to be, but the subtext last night was all about relative status and how we can understand and interpret it. At one stage I was saying, "Walk down the street and notice current behaviours. That will give you a basis for understanding your own cultural baggage and wil help you interpret historical cultures."
August 13, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-08-14T12:44:00
I have had a lucky half day. The Beast is almost behaving, and I found a book I had somehow missed in my research. I was about to panic and order it from overseas (for it's not available in local bookshops) but I slowed down and thought, "What would Gillian do if she weren't panicking about nearing the end of the idiot doctorate?" What Gillian would do is obviously to check the catalogues of local libraries. Not only does the Chifley Library have the book, but it's on the shelf and I was going there this afternoon anyway. This demonstrates the value of panic. It's not a high value.
What prompted the discovery of this book was thinking about fridge magnets. I've decided to make fridge magnets containing Middle French proverbs to celebrate submission, in a mere.... er... not very long at all. I was going to go to Sydney, but the friends I wanted to see in Sydney are not available so, really, it's better to see them another time. I have found another means of celebration.
All those of you who have held my hand or cheered or teased me or nagged me into doing the thing are entitled to fridge magnets if you so desire. Those who are proofreading may have a whole set. I'll ask for addresses when it's all happened. I still have nearly two months of panic before then, so you have heaps of time to decide if your life needs a Middle French proverb or word (some magnets will be smaller than others, I suspect, since some will be calligraphied because the paper says "Do not use in printer.")
What prompted the discovery of this book was thinking about fridge magnets. I've decided to make fridge magnets containing Middle French proverbs to celebrate submission, in a mere.... er... not very long at all. I was going to go to Sydney, but the friends I wanted to see in Sydney are not available so, really, it's better to see them another time. I have found another means of celebration.
All those of you who have held my hand or cheered or teased me or nagged me into doing the thing are entitled to fridge magnets if you so desire. Those who are proofreading may have a whole set. I'll ask for addresses when it's all happened. I still have nearly two months of panic before then, so you have heaps of time to decide if your life needs a Middle French proverb or word (some magnets will be smaller than others, I suspect, since some will be calligraphied because the paper says "Do not use in printer.")
more Middle Ages!
I've done all my prep for today's class. It was easy, because today's class is the Medieval Women course, and we're talking about writing and manuscripts. I have some of my favourite books with pictures and I shall use them to illustrate illuminations and writing styles and page set-up. I have de Hamel's book on scribes, so that I can show just how work was accomplished. All the rest is literature, and I really ought to know enough about Medieval literature to teach an introduction to it by now.
The student presentation tonight is Marie de France, which is why I chose the subjects I chose. It's easy from Marie to lead into werewolves or King Arthur or transmission of tales or the role of the court in creating literature.
All the teaching material has to be carted around a lot, and I have my new Medievalish review book with me to work on in the two hour gap (since my second meeting today hasn't eventuated, which is probably a very Good Thing), which adds to the weight. It does mean, however, that I can show my class the book and we can look at things like gravegoods and life expectations as a kind of aside. You know, if we get bored.
Since today's outlook is obviously Medieval, I shall work on a chapter of the Beast before I leave. Unfortunately for me, it's our most recalcitrant chapter. Right now it's too long and just not working. It's the economics/money chapter and is obviously reflecting recent history: it's messy; it's big; it's not very healthy at all.
Our biggest problem with it is communicating the actual situation and how much we know to people who may not understand how their own economies work. Do we assume that people will understand that some kinds of money are for accounting purposes only? Right now, I suspect we're assuming both too much and too little. And I'm the lucky soul who has to drag this bit of the Beast to the next draft.
Since I'm being Medieval today, I shall sing the only song I actually know from Le Jeu de Robin et Marion while I find my various beastthings. Then I shall have a nap, for this virus is still never-ending.
The student presentation tonight is Marie de France, which is why I chose the subjects I chose. It's easy from Marie to lead into werewolves or King Arthur or transmission of tales or the role of the court in creating literature.
All the teaching material has to be carted around a lot, and I have my new Medievalish review book with me to work on in the two hour gap (since my second meeting today hasn't eventuated, which is probably a very Good Thing), which adds to the weight. It does mean, however, that I can show my class the book and we can look at things like gravegoods and life expectations as a kind of aside. You know, if we get bored.
Since today's outlook is obviously Medieval, I shall work on a chapter of the Beast before I leave. Unfortunately for me, it's our most recalcitrant chapter. Right now it's too long and just not working. It's the economics/money chapter and is obviously reflecting recent history: it's messy; it's big; it's not very healthy at all.
Our biggest problem with it is communicating the actual situation and how much we know to people who may not understand how their own economies work. Do we assume that people will understand that some kinds of money are for accounting purposes only? Right now, I suspect we're assuming both too much and too little. And I'm the lucky soul who has to drag this bit of the Beast to the next draft.
Since I'm being Medieval today, I shall sing the only song I actually know from Le Jeu de Robin et Marion while I find my various beastthings. Then I shall have a nap, for this virus is still never-ending.
gillpolack @ 2012-08-14T00:15:00
My article is the right length. Now all I have to do is leave it until Friday (why I wanted to do all the big edits by tonight) and then make last adjustments and send it off for its first rejection. This isn't one of my commissioned pieces, you see. It's an academic thingie. I know that this thought of a regular job doing things I love is ambitious and dangerous, but I'm doing it anyway. Well, trying. And in the process, I'm very trying to be around. I really do not like getting rejections. I don't know anyone who does. The academic who is also a fiction writer gets them more than most, though, and I've got to accustom myself to the charm of it all.
My writing over the next three days is the regular sort. I have a conclusion to write, and I have two articles to write (and those articles already have homes, which is so much easier on the bruised soul). I've done the research for one and a half of them. I also have Beast-work to undertake and three classes to teach and at least two meetings.
I am looking threateningly at this virus I have and telling it to remain in abeyance, for I don't think the next few days will work with me in apparent hibernation.
My writing over the next three days is the regular sort. I have a conclusion to write, and I have two articles to write (and those articles already have homes, which is so much easier on the bruised soul). I've done the research for one and a half of them. I also have Beast-work to undertake and three classes to teach and at least two meetings.
I am looking threateningly at this virus I have and telling it to remain in abeyance, for I don't think the next few days will work with me in apparent hibernation.
gillpolack @ 2012-08-13T21:33:00
The yahrzeit candle is lit and I am drinking ginger wine. Also Iam watching 'I Claudius' (who is not yet born, he has just announced). Tonight is a minor kind of time travelling.
gillpolack @ 2012-08-13T17:25:00
I'm back in the land of historical food, but only this week. In fact, I'm merely dipping my toes in the smallest lake of the land of historical food.
This week's Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild meeting is all about Conflux, so Conflux organisers re bringing food from the favourite recipes from the various banquets. When I heard about this of course I volunteered. I've been given the Southern Gothic banquet and have two recipes in mind. I did the shopping today. One recipe will appeal very much to lovers of "What Katy Did at School." I'll be going to early and quietly working at an article in the kitchen, for my normal lift gets me to the meeting a bit late, which won't work at all if I'm bringing food.
I did the shopping for Wednesday this afternoon, and ran all my other messages as well. Well, the ones I could run today. I have the same number of messages for tomorrow. All this walking is good for me. It has to be. It's a little challenging, for my feet just want to walk me straight back to bed, but each message accomplished feels like a mission accomplished, so it's worth while.
Right now, it's strategising time, for I have at least one meeting (possibly two) and teaching tomorrow, and the same on Wednesday with the times reversed, and possibly only teaching on Thursday. Plus I have maybe three thousand words to write in the interstices. And all of this must be done despite my feet wishing to wend me back to bed.
This week's Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild meeting is all about Conflux, so Conflux organisers re bringing food from the favourite recipes from the various banquets. When I heard about this of course I volunteered. I've been given the Southern Gothic banquet and have two recipes in mind. I did the shopping today. One recipe will appeal very much to lovers of "What Katy Did at School." I'll be going to early and quietly working at an article in the kitchen, for my normal lift gets me to the meeting a bit late, which won't work at all if I'm bringing food.
I did the shopping for Wednesday this afternoon, and ran all my other messages as well. Well, the ones I could run today. I have the same number of messages for tomorrow. All this walking is good for me. It has to be. It's a little challenging, for my feet just want to walk me straight back to bed, but each message accomplished feels like a mission accomplished, so it's worth while.
Right now, it's strategising time, for I have at least one meeting (possibly two) and teaching tomorrow, and the same on Wednesday with the times reversed, and possibly only teaching on Thursday. Plus I have maybe three thousand words to write in the interstices. And all of this must be done despite my feet wishing to wend me back to bed.
August 12, 2012
gillpolack @ 2012-08-13T10:53:00
I'm awake. This is one of those small miracles. I'm awake and this virus won't go away. I want to use the "Who will rid me of this troublesome virus" line, but it's been done, and besides, I have a friend with the other virus, the one with vomiting and stuff, so this virus might be the Never-Ending Virus, but it's definitely the lesser of two evils. And sleep through it. And whinge through it. Still, I was totally pathetic last night, so there's hope it will go, oh, by the end of the next millennium.
I'm doing a lot of facing-of-fears this year. When I get a virus like that I'm sometimes prone to use it as an excuse to not to do things I'm frightened of. It makes it easy to hide, especially when the social life is not much in existence. Last night's mammoth editing effort was something that had been sitting around for a while and of which I was (and still am, but less so) terrified. This is mainly because of the significant bad luck that has attended these kinds of activities in the past.
That still attends them, in fact. I have a record of not a single US publisher (fiction or NF) ever answering a snail mail letter of ms proposal or submission, no matter their policies of replying to everything or within a certain time. They insist on the snail mail, though. They don't answer email queries about that snail mail, either. One actually complained that they never got mss about such-and-such, when mine was there (registered, for I was testing to see if it was worth spending such a fortune on postage and if the US mail was to blame, which it might be for some things but was not for this). I sent one last snail mail thingie last year and have not heard a whimper, and now think I shall just not bother. I get a few non-answers from emails, but not the clanging silence. Email contact with publishers only in future, unless they have actually asked me for something.
That's a bad example, for I have resolved it by deciding not to give so much of my income to the postal services in return for non-answers. Where I've had nastiness from journals, though, I have a choice of different journals. I don't have to develop a fear about sending material out. That's what I'm trying right now - to break down my caution about sending stuff. I have projects, from my interviews of writers about history to various analyses, and they need to find homes. This year is the year for starting to get a couple of them into print, if possible. And if I can plough through the fear of the last bad experiences while I'm not well, that's a bonus.
The truth about being my age and single is that there is a great deal of being alone. The lack of replies echo and the nastiness I get sometimes has more room to roam. It's only loneliness if I let it be so (which is too often, right now) but it can turn to fear very easily. That's why I'm facing down so many small terrors and a few big ones right now. Life's too short to spend it cowering.
I'm doing a lot of facing-of-fears this year. When I get a virus like that I'm sometimes prone to use it as an excuse to not to do things I'm frightened of. It makes it easy to hide, especially when the social life is not much in existence. Last night's mammoth editing effort was something that had been sitting around for a while and of which I was (and still am, but less so) terrified. This is mainly because of the significant bad luck that has attended these kinds of activities in the past.
That still attends them, in fact. I have a record of not a single US publisher (fiction or NF) ever answering a snail mail letter of ms proposal or submission, no matter their policies of replying to everything or within a certain time. They insist on the snail mail, though. They don't answer email queries about that snail mail, either. One actually complained that they never got mss about such-and-such, when mine was there (registered, for I was testing to see if it was worth spending such a fortune on postage and if the US mail was to blame, which it might be for some things but was not for this). I sent one last snail mail thingie last year and have not heard a whimper, and now think I shall just not bother. I get a few non-answers from emails, but not the clanging silence. Email contact with publishers only in future, unless they have actually asked me for something.
That's a bad example, for I have resolved it by deciding not to give so much of my income to the postal services in return for non-answers. Where I've had nastiness from journals, though, I have a choice of different journals. I don't have to develop a fear about sending material out. That's what I'm trying right now - to break down my caution about sending stuff. I have projects, from my interviews of writers about history to various analyses, and they need to find homes. This year is the year for starting to get a couple of them into print, if possible. And if I can plough through the fear of the last bad experiences while I'm not well, that's a bonus.
The truth about being my age and single is that there is a great deal of being alone. The lack of replies echo and the nastiness I get sometimes has more room to roam. It's only loneliness if I let it be so (which is too often, right now) but it can turn to fear very easily. That's why I'm facing down so many small terrors and a few big ones right now. Life's too short to spend it cowering.
gillpolack @ 2012-08-13T00:33:00
My article is now only 2,000 words too long. In thinking through why certain words had to go and certain ideas were less relevant than I had believed, I started thinking about a chapter in my dissertation. I'm wondering if it really makes as much sense as I thought it did.
Thank goodness for having got drafts in early. I have all week to think through the chapter, and I can do that while working on my conclusion. I don't think it's appallingly bad, just that I might have fudged a couple of steps. It's in an area I'm supposed to know something about, so I suspect I was just a little intellectually lazy.
This is where it's really handy to work on related but not-the-same items. I spotted my issues in time.
And now I really do need to go to sleep. The virus still demands much sleep. I'd rather work, though. Work is more fun.
Thank goodness for having got drafts in early. I have all week to think through the chapter, and I can do that while working on my conclusion. I don't think it's appallingly bad, just that I might have fudged a couple of steps. It's in an area I'm supposed to know something about, so I suspect I was just a little intellectually lazy.
This is where it's really handy to work on related but not-the-same items. I spotted my issues in time.
And now I really do need to go to sleep. The virus still demands much sleep. I'd rather work, though. Work is more fun.
