Monthly Archives: March 2012

A cat-assisted attempt to avoid divorce (Rousse)

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Dreamaticus

There was only one way that I would find time to do my own research ever again: to register for a second PhD. I considered several options. I could return to the University of Birmingham where I had studied as … Continue reading →

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Top spring fashion trend 2012: the maroon leather jacket (Rousse)

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Dreamaticus

I photographed my niece AF and six or seven of her friends looking fabulous in the latest fashion for Spring 2012: short, maroon, leather jackets worn over dresses and jeans.

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Tom McNair’s coffee morning werewolf competition (Rousse)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Dreamaticus

When TPR appeared covered in mud and twigs I assumed that he must have travelled to the coffee morning by the underground tunnel. Then I noticed that Tom McNair was sitting next to my sister J at the table. Was … Continue reading →

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Lives saved, but with a fine to pay (Rousse)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Dreamaticus

It was meant to be a short walk to get some fresh air between sessions at a conference based in a Marriott hotel somewhere in the US, but within minutes disaster struck. One by one we slipped from the footpath … Continue reading →

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Bedroom design ideas (Rousse)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Dreamaticus

I stood at the top of the steps that led down to my sister’s master bedroom, astonished that she could possibly accuse me of self-importance. She and her husband had built their bedroom on the scale of a Norman cathedral. … Continue reading →

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Ceremony blunder (Rousse)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Dreamaticus

When my nephew PF ran back and told us that he had spotted a small man in a loud shirt at the ceremony we all knew who this was. The photographer and I sneaked up to the group. CO was … Continue reading →

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Dangerous driving in the United States (Rousse)

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Dreamaticus

After a quiet Christmas Day, TPR and I set off to visit KR. It was a long time since we had driven in the US, and the first time that we had taken our own right-hand drive vehicle on the … Continue reading →

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Hall of residence handicrafts at the University of Birmingham (Rousse)

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Dreamaticus

Nobody needed any persuasion to take to the floor at the Manor House reunion disco. With the first beat of the first record it was filled with enthusiastic dancers. I mentioned to TPR that we should list all these popular … Continue reading →

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How to write a winning grant proposal (Rousse)

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Dreamaticus

Was this cheating? I could just about see the competing grant application on the screen across the room. The authors were huddled around the computer, unaware of my presence. I didn’t know any of them personally, even though two of … Continue reading →

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Trapped in (seminar) space (Rousse)

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Dreamaticus

The big hand was edging closer to the hour and I just about managed to close the seminar discussion when AD started it up again. It was another 40 minutes before we eventually persuaded him that it was about time … Continue reading →

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