Tomorrow is the jiu jitsu national seminar and annual ball for the style that I study.  Some time ago I offered to do a very short belly dance demonstration at the ball, obviously while possessed by some sort of Dance Demon.  Luckily I managed to finagle a friend who also does jiu jitsu and is also a … Continue reading →

Today we shall discuss Oscar Wilde’s classic work of literature “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”  This 1891 novel is full of many themes, allusions and some allegory and stuff.  But what we will be talking about is the cover.  I read “The Picture of Dorian Gray” as an undergraduate for a class in what we at … Continue reading →

Exeter has been cold and rainy (and a little bit snowy!) ever since my return from abnormally freezing Florida.  Despite this, I’ve had some excellent lunar encounters lately.  The first was through the glass roof of a pub conservatory.  The pub is lovely and snug with a little fireplace in winter and a beautiful courtyard … Continue reading →

“Folks, we got some news for ya.”  These are words you never want to hear from a pilot.  I flew back to the UK on Tuesday, planning to arrive in London on Wednesday morning.  Flying always induces a mix of emotions in me–excitement about imminent travel, nostalgia for the good old days when flying was glamorous, … Continue reading →

In my family, there’s a little story I shall call “The Legend of Stroh-Man.”  It goes like this: Late one wintry night during a family gathering at my grandma’s house in Clearfield, PA, most likely at Christmas, my parents and aunts and uncles all went down to the local bar together.  I was a mere babe and … Continue reading →

As I write this I’ve got a bag full of presents, I’m sitting in the first-class train carriage (it was actually cheaper, I swear!) and I am very festively gallivanting up to the airport, looking forward with light heart to getting off the ground tomorrow on my way to visit my parents for Christmas.  Friday, things … Continue reading →

Yes, that’s right, folks!  I’m currently writing the first draft of the last chapter of my PhD.  That is, apart from the introduction and conclusion which don’t count as actual chapters because the first one is going to say, “This is what I’m about to say!” and the last one is going to say, “This … Continue reading →

So two weekends ago was the jiu jitsu national competitions for the style in which I train, Seishin Mizu Ryu Tataki Jutsu.  I was really nervous in the period leading up to the Nationals.  That’s a slight understatment, acutally–I’ve struggled with anxiety for nearly ten years.  Normally it doesn’t affect my daily life, but sometimes it … Continue reading →

The time has come once again to blog about burning barrels of tar.  In Britain, November the 5th is Guy Fawkes Day, where we commemorate the fact that Guy Fawkes failed to burn down the Parliament Buildings in the infamous Gunpowder Plot.  All over Britain people celebrate this with fireworks displays and bonfires upon which … Continue reading →

In my last blog, I devoted a considerable amount of space to figuring out whether or not I should wear a belly dance costume for Halloween.  (Main arguments against: I actually am a belly dancer in real life–hobbyist, not professional; dancers would probably say that dressing up AS a belly dancer is not empowering to the individual nor … Continue reading →