Much
The last two day's PhD-related meetings are captured in the following email response to PhDist chum Nicola:
Nic': Hiya mate,
SW: Hello dear. Before we get into PhD commentary, I'll just say that Stoke's 1-3 defeat to Cardiff the other night was a bit shit - especially though as it was to Cardiff! Stoke's former forward Peter Thorne scored at least once. Other than that, I was glad that Sunderland won a crunch game against Wigan 0-1 - I'd like to see the Wearsiders in the top flight - they have a good comedy manager, and have prettier shirts than Newcastle United - it's a north east fashion thing.
Nic': hope your meetings are going ok?? sounds a bit scary, but you can get this phd malarky finished no worries. (ok, perhaps with a couple of worries, but you can finish it).
SW: Meetings have now gone. Official supervisor was good for not getting angry and abusive at me - though she must be sick of hearing herself say the same thing. Unofficial supervisor was very good: acceptably scary, necessary. We did an audit of the PhD - what was done, what needed to be done, how much time left, what that all means per month and per week. There's more breaking down (no pun intended) to be done, however, that should come as I try to get chunks of work done. This all starts tomorrow! At 7am. Or 8am. Or maybe 9am. But it definitely starts tomorrow. Of that, I am sure.
Nic': Its kind of crunch time for me also, I have to get a lot of work done (ie some chapters finished) by the time I go to [FarFarAway] to have any chance of finishing the phd before [WomanSupe'] leaves. I'm just taking it day by day really, as always, trying to chip away at it. Who knows if i'll get it done.....
SW: I don't remember where [WomanSupe'] is heading for, but then again I don't think I want to know. It gives these academics the impression that they're as important to society as people like Wayne Rooney - which is blatantly not the case.
Nic': thats all for now, have banging headache so i'm calling it quits at uni for today. I'll send you some phd pearls of wisdom when i'm feeling more inspired.
SW: You do that. I'm sure they'll be appreciated. Thank you very much. Am I sounding like a robot? I think I am. Nanoo nanoo. Bleep. Buzz.
So that was that really. The meetings were appreciated and, I feel, useful.
*****
I got a little irked today. Listening to the Jeremy Vine lunch-time discussion, I felt like my brain was being struck at by some of the more profoundly dim-witted of our great nation. I used to experience the same thing during the Radio 5 Live phone-ins for the intellectually retarded. Anyway, talk was about prisoners being given the right to vote. JV was talking with a chap who'd served 25 years for murder. The murderer was trying to justify amendments to the law that would see prisoners being given the right to vote - something that's being pushed from Europe apparently. Domestic political suicide obviously, but there is some Euro pressure we were told. The interviewee did well, clearly not a seasoned radio discussion participant, but he did well nonetheless. JV raised the chap's own criminal past - a very raw thing to do I felt - he'd served his time, and I was guessing that he'd not left prison to return to a life of utter luxury. The attack on the notion of retaining some 'rights' of citizenship into a prison sentence continued online. I had to respond:
The interviewee was right to refer to 'trial by radio' - this was out of order. The fact that he was capable of serving 25 years then stepping out to present what was bound to be an unpopular case as he did on national radio suggests some rare qualities. Yes, some retribution was due for the murder he'd committed, however, consistent with his point, there are examples of penal systems working best where those convicted are treated as human beings who can make a positive difference to themselves and their communities. Removing citizenship based on conviction alone is not ideal; based on individual behaviour and contribution to the social life of the prison community makes much more sense.
As for 'eye for an eye' as one caller put it, with an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and an ignoramus for an ignoramus, there'd be some spectacularly dull offspring out there.
God save us from the moral majority!
*****
The UK's general election is to be held on Thursday 05 May:-
Prime Minister, Tony Blair: "This is the time to keep the progress going, move the country forward and not go back to the failures of the past"
Conservative leader, Michael Howard: "...vote Conservative to support a party that has taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter"
Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy: "Liberal Democrats want more police on the streets, more quality affordable housing, fairer local taxation, more sustainable green living..."
Green Party Principal Speaker, Keith Taylor: "With us, it is very much a case of planet, people and peace..."
Shane Wexford: "Looks like we'll be alright whatever happens, so let's scrap the election, pick the winner's name from a hat, and have a big party instead". Have emailed this suggestion to Blair and the Queen. Will let you know when replies are forthcoming.
*****
Tips for Saturday's Aintree Grand National:-
£1 each way Clan Royal
£1 each way Strong Resolve
Total stake: £4. Big league!
I'd ignore any hype re Forest Gunner - there's a lot of talk re his jockey being a woman. No disrespect (the foulest expression), but as much as I'm a fan of FG, it'll take more than female genitalia on board for him to win. Soft ground won't suit him (heard Shane on the radio yesterday).
*****
I love the word 'brouhaha'.
Nic': Hiya mate,
SW: Hello dear. Before we get into PhD commentary, I'll just say that Stoke's 1-3 defeat to Cardiff the other night was a bit shit - especially though as it was to Cardiff! Stoke's former forward Peter Thorne scored at least once. Other than that, I was glad that Sunderland won a crunch game against Wigan 0-1 - I'd like to see the Wearsiders in the top flight - they have a good comedy manager, and have prettier shirts than Newcastle United - it's a north east fashion thing.
Nic': hope your meetings are going ok?? sounds a bit scary, but you can get this phd malarky finished no worries. (ok, perhaps with a couple of worries, but you can finish it).
SW: Meetings have now gone. Official supervisor was good for not getting angry and abusive at me - though she must be sick of hearing herself say the same thing. Unofficial supervisor was very good: acceptably scary, necessary. We did an audit of the PhD - what was done, what needed to be done, how much time left, what that all means per month and per week. There's more breaking down (no pun intended) to be done, however, that should come as I try to get chunks of work done. This all starts tomorrow! At 7am. Or 8am. Or maybe 9am. But it definitely starts tomorrow. Of that, I am sure.
Nic': Its kind of crunch time for me also, I have to get a lot of work done (ie some chapters finished) by the time I go to [FarFarAway] to have any chance of finishing the phd before [WomanSupe'] leaves. I'm just taking it day by day really, as always, trying to chip away at it. Who knows if i'll get it done.....
SW: I don't remember where [WomanSupe'] is heading for, but then again I don't think I want to know. It gives these academics the impression that they're as important to society as people like Wayne Rooney - which is blatantly not the case.
Nic': thats all for now, have banging headache so i'm calling it quits at uni for today. I'll send you some phd pearls of wisdom when i'm feeling more inspired.
SW: You do that. I'm sure they'll be appreciated. Thank you very much. Am I sounding like a robot? I think I am. Nanoo nanoo. Bleep. Buzz.
So that was that really. The meetings were appreciated and, I feel, useful.
*****
I got a little irked today. Listening to the Jeremy Vine lunch-time discussion, I felt like my brain was being struck at by some of the more profoundly dim-witted of our great nation. I used to experience the same thing during the Radio 5 Live phone-ins for the intellectually retarded. Anyway, talk was about prisoners being given the right to vote. JV was talking with a chap who'd served 25 years for murder. The murderer was trying to justify amendments to the law that would see prisoners being given the right to vote - something that's being pushed from Europe apparently. Domestic political suicide obviously, but there is some Euro pressure we were told. The interviewee did well, clearly not a seasoned radio discussion participant, but he did well nonetheless. JV raised the chap's own criminal past - a very raw thing to do I felt - he'd served his time, and I was guessing that he'd not left prison to return to a life of utter luxury. The attack on the notion of retaining some 'rights' of citizenship into a prison sentence continued online. I had to respond:
The interviewee was right to refer to 'trial by radio' - this was out of order. The fact that he was capable of serving 25 years then stepping out to present what was bound to be an unpopular case as he did on national radio suggests some rare qualities. Yes, some retribution was due for the murder he'd committed, however, consistent with his point, there are examples of penal systems working best where those convicted are treated as human beings who can make a positive difference to themselves and their communities. Removing citizenship based on conviction alone is not ideal; based on individual behaviour and contribution to the social life of the prison community makes much more sense.
As for 'eye for an eye' as one caller put it, with an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and an ignoramus for an ignoramus, there'd be some spectacularly dull offspring out there.
God save us from the moral majority!
*****
The UK's general election is to be held on Thursday 05 May:-
Prime Minister, Tony Blair: "This is the time to keep the progress going, move the country forward and not go back to the failures of the past"
Conservative leader, Michael Howard: "...vote Conservative to support a party that has taken a stand and is committed to action on the issues that matter"
Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy: "Liberal Democrats want more police on the streets, more quality affordable housing, fairer local taxation, more sustainable green living..."
Green Party Principal Speaker, Keith Taylor: "With us, it is very much a case of planet, people and peace..."
Shane Wexford: "Looks like we'll be alright whatever happens, so let's scrap the election, pick the winner's name from a hat, and have a big party instead". Have emailed this suggestion to Blair and the Queen. Will let you know when replies are forthcoming.
*****
Tips for Saturday's Aintree Grand National:-
£1 each way Clan Royal
£1 each way Strong Resolve
Total stake: £4. Big league!
I'd ignore any hype re Forest Gunner - there's a lot of talk re his jockey being a woman. No disrespect (the foulest expression), but as much as I'm a fan of FG, it'll take more than female genitalia on board for him to win. Soft ground won't suit him (heard Shane on the radio yesterday).
*****
I love the word 'brouhaha'.
posted by Shane @ 3:50 pm
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