A summary of the last three months:

January: Epic internet issues! Frantic application to Oxford! Join new morris side and fret at them (they are sympathetic, and also silly. I love morris dancers).
February: Fret. Internet issues continue. Carry on with publication. Discover Deep Space Nine. Rapidly become obsessed interested to a not insignificant degree.
March: Invited to interview at very short notice. Struggle to find cover, with no help from boss. Finally make it, having pissed Oxford off. Interview. Unofficial advice on my publication given and gratefully received. Joy at OULES friends! Panicky realisation that publication due in really really soon! Write faster.

And since I'm so rubbish at updating, here's the forecast for the next three months:

April (tbc): PANIC! Fret over Oxford application (when will they let me know?!)
May (tbc): Submit publication. Start frantically applying for scholarship. See above.
June (tbc): Submit scholarship application. RELAX.


I've been very busy. I've seen mr_coomber for all of 7 hours in the last month. The morris side is joyous - I've joined Chinewrde, a fabulous local North West side, most of whom knew me from the Gogs. Publication is turning up interesting facts. The interview was...well, it was an interview. I express no opinion on these things. Thanks everso to half_of_monty for letting me sit in her office beforehand, and I cannot express my joy at seeing her, Duncan and ktroo85 afterwards. I have missed likeminded people. When I am less busy, I'll start visiting people again. In the meantime, come and see me! I have a perfectly good floor...

Last year at Hallowe'en I was dressed up as Inana getting merrily drunk with a load of other assyriologists.

This year I'm hiding in my room with the lights off, trying to keep out of sight of the little fuckers brats vicious terrors children trick-or-treating down my road.





I think I preferred last year.

I've just been brought a cup of tea! How lovely.

I rather liked Dr Who tonight, especially counting the cunningly-inserted-book-titles.

I was, however, slightly disappointed that it was early Agatha Christie and thus was set before she met and married the great Max Mallowan, the celebrated Assyriologist and excavator of Nimrud and other exciting Assyrian sites.


Not that I'm partisan or anything.



In deference to Max Mallowan, I'm using my Neo-Babylonian icon, which is not quite Assyrian but close enough in time. Sort of.

Two posts in one day! Good lord!

But YESSSS I have found justification for an argument! Oppenheim, as well! Just HAD to celebrate...

I'm reading a book about dream interpretation in the Ancient Near East, and someone has written a note in the margin. In Hebrew.

Things like this make me so happy. Not so much the writing notes in other languages as the confident expectation that everyone working in this area will understand. Or at least know someone else who does.


Very boring post, I know, but then I am maniacally writing up my dissertation, rammed full of new work and exciting things that only me and Eleanor (Robson) know about! And may parents, but they don't quite understand the significance and just smile encouragingly when I rabbit on about it all.

All done by Monday, though, then I shall post a rant about my pet peeve in the world of Assyriology. Bet you can't wait...

Words fail me

I've got an email address for the big cheese at Tesco and even a draft of what could be written, if anyone else feels sufficiently moved to protest about this. Honestly, there are many things that get my blood up but this is just...

Off for a calming cup of tea.

Please repost this on your own blogs (if you like...)


Address: terry dot leahy @ tesco dot com

Suggested text:

I am deeply concerned that your store is currently selling a 'padded bra' for 7year olds.

This seems to be a wholly misguided and completely irresponsible attempt to encourage girls who will still be a few years away from puberty to imitate the appearance of mature women. Girls of this age are not equipped to deal with the responses of older boys and men who may have inappropriate sexual feelings towards them, nor are they mature enough to cope with feelings of inadequacy that such an emphasis on their physical appearance may generate.

Such an early sexualisation of young children is entirely inappropriate. I think it is highly irresponsible of your store to sell such a product, and request that you withdraw it from sale.

I shall not be making any purchase from your stores until you assure me that you have done so,

Yours,
name

Spotted on this jewellery website:

"This type of jewelry reached a zenith when Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Phillip, died."




Thassorl.

Saturday night (12th), London Barndance, C# House in Camden.

Any takers?