It’s been a while since my last post – most remiss of me, I hadn’t realised how quickly the summer had flown by! I’ve spent the last 3 or so months interning at various museums, publishers and libraries in London, and doing something I’ve never done before: a proper 9 to 5 in an office. … Continue reading On Things I Learnt Working in Offices
On the Cuming Museum
Recently I’ve been volunteering at the Cuming Musem in Southwark, London. (It’s pronounced “Queue-ming”, by the way.) The collection is made up of all sorts of things, some representing Southwark’s social history and others from around the world, including ethnographic material, art, geological specimens and archaeological finds. And stuffed animals, because why not? This is … Continue reading On the Cuming Museum
On the Whalton Bale (4th July)
Happy 4th July to our American cousins (I’m a bit late, but the sentiment stands). Admittedly, as a Brit, I mainly know Independence Day as the day Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum saved the earth using Apple technology and Morse code, but that’s not the only celebration going on the 4th. In a small village … Continue reading On the Whalton Bale (4th July)
On Efficiently Freeloading Booze and Nibbles at Events
It is a truth universally known that where there’s an official reception or formal get-together, there will be free food and drink. Works things, launch parties, family and friends’ formal events: no doubt you’ve been to this sort of thing. They’re pretty good fun, and in my current posts volunteering at a couple of museums … Continue reading On Efficiently Freeloading Booze and Nibbles at Events
In Defence of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Wait! Don’t turn away just yet. Let me explain. Last week I was not very well. Again. Something about two bouts of tonsillitis since moving to London makes me think that the air here doesn’t quite agree with me. I’ve been confined to house rest in an effort to beat the illness properly this time. … Continue reading In Defence of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
On Commonplace Cultural Differences 2: London
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that I’ve not posted for a couple of weeks. My apologies; my usual routine has been upset by shifting from home in the North-East to London for a few months. Here, I’m balancing photograph digitisation at the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, tracking down the locations of coins at … Continue reading On Commonplace Cultural Differences 2: London
Six Books to Read If You’re Miffed About the Election
So you’re miffed about the UK election result. That’s ok, so am I. And pretty much everyone I’ve spoken to in real life and on social media in the last couple of days, which makes me wonder who voted for the Conservatives in the first place, but ho hum. We’ve got them now for the … Continue reading Six Books to Read If You’re Miffed About the Election
Electoral Musings: Disenchanted but Not Disenfranchised
There we have it. I have played my part in democracy. I have cast my vote. I put the cross in the box, sealed the envelope and sent off my postal ballot. And how does it feel, to have taken part in a general election for the first time? Pretty anti-climactic, actually. This isn’t just … Continue reading Electoral Musings: Disenchanted but Not Disenfranchised
On St George’s Day
Today – the 23rd April – is St George’s Day. Patron saint of England, soldiers, boy scouts and one of the most famous early martyrs across the world. It’s well known that St George was not from England, so how did he end up as the country’s patron saint? And where has his medieval popularity … Continue reading On St George’s Day
40 Thoughts We Had While Watching Disney’s “Aladdin” (with apologies to Buzzfeed)
Last night I watched the classic Disney film Aladdin with a few mates, R, J and C (not always credited below to create an air of mystery). Here is a record of some of the things we felt arose from the film. (And, as I say, apologies to Buzzfeed for nicking their article format idea.) … Continue reading 40 Thoughts We Had While Watching Disney’s “Aladdin” (with apologies to Buzzfeed)
Scranshums 