RESULT!

[x_los]

So, um, on Friday I got me MA thesis results back, and I got a Distinction. Not a very high one, but why quibble? I don't feel like the thesis didn't deserve it so much as I'm ASTOUNDED Goldsmiths bestirred themselves to give a fuck. Frustratingly, it seems more like random luck than the proportionate response to the work done. I don't feel like I learned anything really this year about how to perform academically (though I appreciated my readings and seminars and the new material they introduced me to or the old material they enhanced my appreciation of) and as such it's a bit difficult for me to really have a sense of pedagogical progression from my relentlessly 2.1 essays to my first!thesis, but you know what, what the fuck ever. My Overall grade will be probably a high 2.1, it can be no lower (there's a miracle!chance that weighting and exit-velocity grading will drag it to a first overall, but I'm not counting on it), with a first on the Thesis (which is the main component). It's not QUITE as well as I wanted to do or felt I showed willing to work for, but it's almost there, and now I have a real chance at entering better PhD unis/competing for funds.

Also I guess now I can post the final version of the thesis.

Side-note:

Dear NSPCC,

I realize you're trying to raise awareness of child abuse and garner funds to fight it. That's very worthy and good. But I can't watch some old Doctor Who on Dailymotion while doing dishes without your ads flickering demandingly at me. Said ads are pictures of sad small children and shifting words like 'burned' or 'beaten', or insults. It's certainly attention-catching, but as an abuse survivor, I find that uncomfortable and unnecessary. Also, as someone currently drastically under-employed, living off her student loans, I find the guilt-trip heartbreakingly pointless. Maybe recalculate the ad-formula.



FRIDAY:

- shalka emails
- wrote back to Mendelson
- wrote back to Hawley (**maybe redefine charm proposal as thesis at 19th c Eng Lit, IF I need to apply to RHUL**)
- mini shalka meeting
- made advisor masterlist spreadsheet (have been updating it since)
- DISHES LIKE WOAH
- said yes to job interview
- drafted letter to Jacobus
- caught last week's butterscotch apples before they went off, chopped them down, collected the syrup, and melted it all into a compote
- At Katy's prompting re: the RHUL response, realized that charm's connection to the control of time might also be hugely connected to the development of the novel, which is an effective means of controlling time. We'll see if this plays out into something--there's been a TON of comparative research on the development of the novel so, we'll see.
- got told Thesis result
- went out to dinner to celebrate
- got v. ill, came home early :(

SATURDAY:

Yom Kippur, giant migraine, train journey up to the Midlands to see Badger in "Guys and Dolls" with Katy. Badger v. good, for voice and acting, others variable. Hilarious American accents. Was so ill all day. Think maybe Badger's mom didn't want us sharing a bed, but we did anyway, sooooo. Badger and her friend Cat v. nice--saw a fair portion of v. cute small English town (such as I rarely see), Droitwich Spa.

SUNDAY:

Visited Jon in Wolverhampton, talked about Shalka a LOT. Came back on the train--felt a bit less ill, read a chunk of Hard Times. It REALLY is like Jude the Obscure at points, isn't it? W/ the slatternly wife!divorce!plotline? FINALLY GOT INTERNET BACK ON RETURN!! Two days is toooo looooooong to go w/out. Did some researchy shit in the evening, some Shalka planning w/ Katy and Bess throughout the weekend. Emailed Goriunova back.

MONDAY:

- helped carpet-layer clean out Phillipa's room and install carpet
- cleaned Katy and I's room
-cleaned litter box
-dishes
-laundry
-listed ikea cushions on gumtree
-responded to email about them
-responded to two potential supervisors
-drafted emails to two more
-read their work in order to write advisor letters
-edited Sam's advisor letter
-cleaned fridge (my GOD that chicken had gone off, ew forever)
-made pizza for dinner (caramelized onions, garlic, 3 cheeses, bacon, rosemary)
-discussed groceries/food for this week with Katy
-helped Katy put together book shelf in living room
-wrote Shalka character descriptions for call backs
-Shalka meeting w/ Bess re: call backs
-looked over script excerpts for call backs that Katy picked out


TUESDAY:

- NASTY FLU :(
- got Jo's reservation changed, emailed/texted her, asked what she wanted made for her bday
- read an essay by a potential supervisor
- discussed callbacks w/ Nadja
- updated shalka callbacks list info
- listened to a Darker Projects thing for What Never To Do, sent it around to other people casting
- wrote back guy who wants to buy seat cushions--NEED TO DO THAT TONIGHT
- drafted last Cam Charm letter, to Csengei
- no word from Jo, so went through several recipes and picked a chocolate cake
- grocery shopping, got ingredients
- made two-tier cake, from Nigella's How To Eat: Cake is accidentally GIANT
- made ganache
- spent a lot of time w/ Jo for her birthday
- did Badger's Alison audition
- talked to my little brother
- read another article by potential supervisor
- wrote Crawford letter