Personal Blogs

 I used to live just outside Oxford so it was nice to revisit, walked past the Randolph Hotel, scene of many a fine night, and its completely opposite the Ashmolean.My impression of revisiting Oxford though was that it seems a bit grubby, with the buildings not seeming to reflect their grandeur, and busy traffic ridden streets, but as always, with the lure of interesting side alleyways and streets which seem to promise more interesting things. 

 Been a while since I wrote last as have been busy at home doing domestic things…. and training. Doing lots of turbo cycling because of the crap weather, and working towards being able to compete on the bike next year. It’s a huge motivation for me as I think I can do well, but I think I need to get a year’s good training in first. So, working hard on my fitness. 

 Studying going well, and received my first marked assignment back, very pleased to have passed with a decent mark, and who would have thought, two months ago, I could have written an assignment on Cleopatra, and then on the Christopher Marlowe play Doctor Faustus. I did though and have to say I am feeling pretty proud of myself! Now got a couple of weeks to re write the assignment as asked by my tutor, including a lot of amendments, mostly to the referencing, but will need to get stuck into it and work my way methodically through it, as its quite detailed. 

 Next block of study is Joseph Stalin, and his reputation. Quite interesting but I already was aware of quite a lot of it, and it is heavy reading. Have also discovered YouTube, which seems to be the font of all knowledge, but care needs to be taken for authenticity. Going well though and I seem to be on track. 

 Going to a study day on Saturday 10th March at Aston University. I have been before many years ago, I think when I was studying for my first degree, and am not sure exactly where it is, just that it’s not in Birmingham centre. Hopefully can get the train, and am looking forward to meeting other students, as this hasn’t really happened during this course (am often way) and was one of the reasons that I decided to study. 

 So, home for a few days, then another trip.

I’m in Javea, or as the Valencieenes say, Xabia. Lots of the road signs have been spray painted to show the Valencia version, which reminds me they used to do that in Wales with the signs having both Welsh and English versions. Must say that seem separatists here, not like when I was in Gerona last year…… crikey!

Went walking up in the mountains today, drizzle and cloudy, but lots of beautiful olive blossom, and orange and lemons on the trees, a great walk about ten miles. Of course, tried a local bar in the village, bought some local honey, and tapas...the village was called Taberna I think. Also around Partence which is a small village just below a mountainous ridge which we also walked

No studying today though, and starting to feel a bit of pressure. The thing I need to do next is reference my Cleopatra essay, as I have the assignment written out in draft. But haven’t even started on my work on Dr Faustus, even though I know what I’m going to say and understand the play well enough. Got about ten days to get it all completed and sent in so it still feels ok… For sure though need to put more time into the study of Cezanne, and need all of my stuff, images / text around me which is always a problem when travelling. Seem to  be studying on the move a lot at the moment and haven’t as yet got a coherent study plan

Seemed to me today, being around these mountain villages, that there is a strong sense of community there. Of course, the locals are very welcoming, but at the same time seem very proud of what they have. Makes me sad to see that because it doesn’t seem to exist at all back home. Maybe that’s why I love Spain so much, and its easy, wandering around the orange and lemon groves in the sunshine, paying a few Euros for decent coffee or a small beer…

So back home after a great time with my family in Adelaide. Its the only time that I see them so its a bit special. Retirement now means that Im not sure when Ill be able to afford to go again, but Ill worry about that another time! One things for sure, family are the most important thing in life, whatever, so may have to think again about priorities. Its a big step to emigrate as its so final at my time of life, and if I can afford to go, Im certain I wouldn't be able to afford to come back again!

Studies on hold this week as I recover from jet lag, which I think is almost like being ill. Ive tried all ways to deal with it, but for sure its three or four days out of your life. Hard to describe to those that have never experienced it, I liken it to a hangover, without the headache!. The only cure for me, is to just get through it..

Back to the cold of the UK, February and its about freezing most of the time, so depressing. I find the weather restricts what you can do a bit, especially for an outdoors person like me, but trying to make the best of it.

I am making a big effort to stay "news free" as i find it all a bit patronising, I'm certain we are never told what is really happening, so avoidance seems to be working, and every day the sun stills comes up (I think). Have no interest in this country and find the people fat, illiterate and patronising. However individuals I meet can be lovely, so my views are probably based on us as a group...I do think we are now driven by social media, as everyone seems to have an opinion, without necessarily having to do any thinking, or understanding... what has happened to us...

Determined to stick with my study plans, not pushing ahead or dropping behind, and I am making conscious effort to try and immerse myself in culture, theatre, film music etc and find myself able to view something every day...

Managed to get to see the "Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde the other day, something I have wanted to see for ages, and loved its wit and cleverness, even though I knew the story. Then met someone the other day who had played Gwendoline, a great and funny character in the play...

Have finished reading Faustus, the notes and all of the stuff on Cleopatra. Great to see so much material available on line to, You Tube and catch up etc. The problem is going to be staying focussed on  what is required to answer the questions. I am finding the topics interesting and seem to trawl my way around the media picking up snippets... not sure if thats a good thing or not

Course proper starts next week and the seems to be a bit of frenzy on social media and the online OU forums.. all a bit new to me and not sure if it helps or hinders...Im ready anyway and just want to get going. I am planning on staying on the schedule as far as possible, as its best for me..

Still in Adelaide visiting family, strange to be so hot and fierce in January, and the beach life the Aussies embrace so well is attractive, but always seem to include alcohol..

Also, completely enjoying being uk news free..... bliss!

Still on holiday in Adelaide with my family and certainly enjoying the fine weather as its the height of summer here. 

It seems I have been saying a lot that I am struggling with Faustus, and although I find it fascinating and quite brilliant, I have decided the stop / start / study approach is what is making it difficult. So have decided to listen to it all of the way through in one go, and also try and find a you tube version of the play. Now I have some sort of semblance of understanding I think it would be the right time....

One thing about being so far away from the UK is the lack of news from home, quite deliberate. Am I a worse person because of it? Doesn't feel that way, and the world keeps on turning, so makes me wonder why I take such an avid interest in the news and politics. Quite refreshing for it not to be all around me, and for the constant subliminal messages that the media surrounds us all with.

Great to be with my kids though, who I literally see once a year, since they have emigrated..but Oz seems an expensive place to me..

So spent most of the last two days in the skies of the world.. travelling from Birmingham to Adelaide to see family for four weeks...

This means Ill be on the other side of the planet when this course starts, which I am seeing as an interesting dynamic, but not off putting. Probably, to be realistic won't make the early tutorials but Ill manage somehow.. all worth while to be in blue skies and sunshine, and all of my family whom I only see once a year if Im lucky..

Spent the flight listening to Faustus (which meant i slept a lot!).... only joking. Took the opportunity to listen and read the whole play. I can thoroughly recommend this way of studying. Being able to read the script whilst listening to the performance made the whole thing much more interesting and fascinating, because you can listen to the nuances and tempo of the spoken words....

Completely jet lagged now though.... so a bit stuffed until my brain turns from the mush that is..

Im in Adelaide, in fact Seaford, a town to the south, and have been here many times. Getting used to the Aussies can take a while bit always great fun.. and I love it here 

.Its hot, Im jet lagged and all over the place. Will try and get my notes down on Faustus tomorrow, maybe when Im thinking a bit more clearly...

Today spent around a small village called Carlton, just west of Richmond Yorkshire.. still here spending some time walking in the dales, but trying to get myself up to speed ready for AA100.

Had a good look through the student planner, and then the penny dropped when i realised the pace of the course! Need to adjust my study times I think as it seems a lot to do. On the positive side, the planner lets you know exactly where you should be at any given time. 

I am going to spend some time trying to get ahead over the next fortnight, and appreciating what a luxury it is to be able to say that having just recently retired. So nice to be able to do so many things... properly!

Also spent some time today putting some key dated into my phone, and tipped my toe into some of the forums... all a bit strange!

Blue sky day in the dales, but getting colder I think. Headed back home to Hereford tomorrow.. not looking forward to the five hour drive! 

Travelled from Hereford to Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales today, five hours through a storm, so not much studying, but still a bit more organising and at last some access to some of the forums.. great to see also many students taking this course, Im sure it will help..

Taking it easy now i am here and the temptation of the local village pub is too much, so thats it for today...

Of course Ive brought my course materials....

So this morning went out on my bike in a howling storm! Got soaking wet and frozen! 

Planning on typing up my notes today and to add some dates to my calendar.

Up to looking at the speech Augustus made to the troops before the battle of Antium, but of course the course hasn't officially started yet so dont know where I should be..

Must be ahead though? 

PM. So typed up my notes on the speech that Augustus made prior to the battle of Actium, then saw something that said Plutarch had writen this piece some 200 years after the event. if that was now, it would be 2218! How does that work? How can it in any way be reliable?.. just a thought though on the fragility of information and how it can be misinterpreted...

No hangover today, post NY eve, which for a very light drinker is a relief! Late night though, about 2.00am. Glad all of the festivities are over and we can all settle down to normality again..

Booked a ticket to go and see Oscar Wilde " The importance of being Ernest' at my local theatre, the Courtyard Theatre Hereford. Not on until February though so a bit of a wait! Not many films on at my local Odeon, unless your four years old, or a Jedi warrior.... where can I go to see films of note?? 

So ... here we go. 

A new venture, and although I am qualified up to the yin yang in professional terms, this is a new venture for me... both studying AA100, and blogging.

Have just retired and all other studying in my life has been crammed in around work / life. For the first time I have time to do this properly. I am nervous and have some trepidation about what I am taking on, because i am completely ignorant of what I have briefly seen of the topics.

Received my course materials and have started to work through the Study Companion, trying to make sense of the layout and structure of the course materials, this website and navigating my way around.

First impressions are, it must be impossible to do everything, and at present I have no pressures of times or structures.

Most of this website at present is still closed, perhaps for the best!

So still setting up... do I work on my computer, hand written notes, how  do I coordinate audio / clips etc into a coherent piece of work, how and when do I study.