East Coast Tour 2006

Dear All,

It appears I just can’t keep away from the road. I did try, but this time I’m off to a conference in Pittsburgh – harsh, I know, but I am visiting New York afterwards. I’m not sure that qualifies as a tour in the same sense as last year’s `tour’, but at least my nomenclature will be consistent.

There’s not a whole lot to report right now: I only arrived in Pittsburgh yesterday. Thus there’s not much more than the journey to comment on. That in itself, was rather long, but my worries about United Airlines not supplying me with free booze in economy were at least quashed as they upgraded me. Having sampled business it will seem quite a squeeze when they return me to my rightful place at the back of the plane. They did however manage not to trasfer my bags in time for my connecting flight, but they were at my hotel by the time I was up in the morning. The first day of the conference was very productive and I got to have some very interesting chats with clinicians.

Summer life in Oxford continued in its usual fashion after my last post, although I did manage to go away for a weekend’s camping with Hilary. We went down to Lyme Regis and did some fossil hunting, hiking, and general site seeing. Originally I planned to get a train down and hike to the campsite (which would have just about worked) but in the end we hired a car as it wasn’t going to be much more than traveling by rail, and was a much shorter journey time (and clearly added a lot of flexibility).

Well I’ll endeavour to add a few more notes on the pleasures the US of A has to offer me.

Cheers,


Ali

What happened to Trinity?

I seem to have written two posts, one shortly before my birthday and one shortly afterwards, yet I failed to write anything about what I got up to. Well, as always, the plan was punting with pimm's and lemonade, and for the second consecutive year the punting was rained off. That didn't stop us from having an awesome time though and we all had drinks in the kitchen, and then a pot luck picnic/supper afterwards. It was a really great evening and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Otherwise, I've been enjoying the fun of summertime in Oxford. Lots of punting, and sailing every Wednesday afternoon. I also decided to have a go at acting for the first time since I was about fourteen. I played Siward in a promenade production of Macbeth in New College. The promenade aspect of the play meant that each scene was held in a different part of the college and the audience followed the players around. It was great fun to be part of it all.

Term ended on Friday so now there will hopefully be more time to focus on my research, without the distraction of Chinese and Spanish classes, teaching, MCR committee work, etc. Having said that, I'm off to the USA soon for a conference in Pittsburgh and then a weekend in New York, which should all be useful and fun (in that order).

I'm sure lots of other stuff has happened too, but that's the main stuff I can think of at the moment.

Cheers,


Ali