Leicester Adventure: Books and Series

It's been two weeks since I last wrote a blog post. Nothing much happened; I returned from Belfast, I've been ill for a few days, I've had some classes, I've been trying to write research proposals both for applying to PhD programmes (which I should start doing in about a month) and for my dissertation, I've been reading a lot and watching some TV series.
Oh, and my paper on The Picture of Dorian Gray is now available on the PALA website via the Conference Proceedings http://www.pala.ac.uk/resources/proceedings/2012/index.html.

So what have I been reading and watching?
I finally got round to Lucky Jim, which has been recommended to me by a bunch of people over the last two years. Of all places, Leicester is the best place to read it, if only because Kingsley Amis was supposedly inspired to write it when or after he visited Philip Larkin, who at that time was the librarian for what was then still the Leicester University College Library (I wonder what he'd make of the David Wilson library now, which is great and very nice but also very glass-and-steel). Philip Larkin lived on Dixon Drive at the time (if you haven't read it, the last name of main character Jim is Dixon), which is only a 20 minute walk from where I live. I might just walk by it some day soon just because.
I liked the book. It was funny in a sort of understated way. Can't really say much more about it though, except for the fact that there are some things in it that do remind of Leicester. Not all, and especially parts that have to do with the University itself are very hard to place, probably also because there've been so many buildings built on campus over the last fifty years, although "across a small lawn towards the front of the main building" does make sense if the Fielding Johnson was the main building at the time, since there is in fact something that could be described as a small lawn there, and I suppose 'College Road' should be replaced with 'University Road' as indeed there's a cemetery on the other side of it (though I have yet to hear any professor refer to it, which is quite extraordinary since of all people, Criminologists are among those with the sickest sense of humour - my favourite type of humour, that is). College Road is being described a road to be climbed by the car, which isn't the case for University Road at all, though. Welch lives in a town on a hill, which is interesting since it is something of a climb to, for instance, get to Oadby (I would know, I cycled to Oadby yesterday for the big Sainsbury's for supplies for my split-pea-soup). But no one who lives close to the University would have to catch a bus to the station - you'd probably be faster if you just ran the half-mile. But in any case I claim Jim Dixon for Leicester, because the city does need a bit more than just the corpse of Richard III to remain interesting.

I finally finished watching The Wire, also because I'd been putting off the fifth series for months now because though I like it (it reminds me very much of accounts of preparations and difficulties in the run-up to the Maxi Processo), it's somehow too gritty to watch in a row, and seeing as I'd worked through the first four series in about two months over summer, I needed something of a break.
I also began watching Dexter, of which I've now finished the first two series and which I'm finding very addictive because it's glossy (i.e. easy to watch) and because I like the moral ambiguity of murdering murderers.

For academic reading, I've read mainly books on Corporate Crime, because they tie in with my research plan. It's an absolutely fascinating topic and I can't be but grateful that RA offered me the opportunity to take Economics classes, because without it there'd be so much I wouldn't necessarily get, even though Economics is, above all other things, the science of rational common sense and calculation. Of course, one of the things missing from this is the absolute frenzy of bubbles and despair of recessions. I hope to think some more on the thing soon, so look out for an opinion piece like Criminology as a Field. I've been reading on Strain theory and labelling and all that lately, so it'll probably have something of that in there too.

Leicester Adventure: ILinC 2012

Conferences are amazing. Where else do you get the opportunity to hang around with academics who share your interests and where you can listen to their monologues on these interests for full half hours? The fact that it means I have to do a presentation then as well is something I'll suffer through then - I'm not that hesitant to do the "half-hour-monologue on my interest", as you'll well know, but it's the whole standing up in front of a group and doing an academically sound monologue that scares me. But okay.

Conferences are also amazing because where else do you get so many opportunities for inspiration concentrated in only a handful of days? 

Where else do you have to keep defining yourself by your interests?

I was at a conference for the last two days. ILinC in Belfast. ILinC stands for Interdisciplinary Linguistics Conference, and though I'm not a Linguist I do like Linguists' conferences. But that is what helps you define the boundaries of your academic identity - going to conferences outside of your field, I mean. For example, I though I was simply a Criminologist. That's all fine, but what on earth are you doing at a Linguistics conference if you're a Criminologist?

"It's an interdisciplinary conference, innit?"

So I am a Criminologist, but my linguistics interests keep me from allowing myself to be defined by this larger field. I needed to find a part of Criminology that was compatible with interdisciplinary linguistics. Cultural Criminology? Yes. Certainly. After all, Cultural Criminology means sociolinguistics for criminal subcultures and critical discourse analysis etc. for media representation of crime. So I'm not a Criminologist, I'm a Cultural Criminologist. Cool.

Then the suggestion: "Have you ever thought of Forensic Linguistics?"

As a matter of fact, I had - but only because I've been more or less forced to. Yes, I have looked into it to maybe consider reading up on it, but the interest was never consolidated until this weekend, when I had a good chat with Paul Simpson on Forensic Linguistics. I might just end up doing a second master's in Forensic Linguistics, then, one day (interestingly, he also told me that if I do want to do the whole analyzing media representations of crime thing, I am indeed better off in Criminology than in Stylistics, which was very comforting to hear, I must say). 

So I guess I'm a Cultural Criminologist on the right Road of Trials. 

Trips: London

This weekend was Roosevelt Academy's London trip and I met up with some of my friends who still study there (and with Danou, who studies in London). As I've promised my most loyal readers (that is, my parents) that I'd do a post on that, here goes.
Please do keep in mind that I haven't been to London since I was 16, not counting the 2.5 hour stop in the middle of the night at the Victoria Coach Station last April, that this is a long post and that this post contains maaaaannnnyyy photos.

Mode of transport: train. Practical tips: the Railcard 16 - 25 gets you 1/3 off on every trip you make, costs 28 quid and is valid for a year, so if you're planning to travel for more than 84 pound's worth (which means twice to London) it's a good deal. You'll have to travel to St. Pancras (little choice though when you travel from Leicester) and if you take the one that calls at no stations, it's about 1 hour 10 minutes, the one that calls at a few (Kettering, Luton etc.) is 1:20. Doesn't really matter, really.

First thing I did upon arriving on Saturday was get day tickets for the tube. I then walked out of St. Pancras and over to King's Cross.

All that's missing here is a flying Ford Anglia. Yes, this is St. Pancras, not King's Cross, but seeing as they're about 50 yards apart, I have no doubt it's perfectly natural for the Weasleys to park their enchanted car by St. Pancras as they drop off their kids. 

This is at King's Cross, but of course not the place in between platforms 9 and 10 (which is impossible) and not the place where they filmed it (which is apparently platforms 4 and 5). Either way, I wouldn't be let through so now I'm seriously doubting my magical capabilities (the fact that the Hogwarts letter never arrived when I was 11 somewhat points in that direction as well but I'm willing to forgive Hogwarts for overlooking me like that). 

One can't be a Beatles fan (even if slightly casual) and go to London and not go to Abbey Road (especially not when you've got about 2 hours before your first scheduled meeting). Yes, yes, yes, the cross walk in the bottom left corner is THE crosswalk. The white building behind the still-leafy trees is Abbey Road Studios, where absolute gods of music played (I agree with John Lennon). I was struck by the absence of pilgrims, but then I guess 8:45 on a Saturday morning will do that to even this road.

This looks very much like the popular London poster, but I can assure you that I took it myself.

Standing in line for the Sherlock Holmes museum, we were right in front of the Beatles store. I didn't go in for various reasons, but seeing they had a Yellow Submarine lava lamp in the other shop window (regrettably without Blue Meanies, but I'm willing to overlook that) I do need to do so next time. 

Danou and I with the museum guard. See? 221B Baker Street. 

An old-fashioned Victorian chemistry set and a whole lot of Sherlock-related knick-knacks. The museum was filled to the brim with this kind of stuff, it's worth the visit even if you do have to queue outside for about 20 minutes in a very very chilly London (none too bad if you're queuing in front of the Beatles store though). They charge you 6 pounds and it takes about 30/45 minutes.

Danou'd found herself a new ally in the museum: the brilliant mathematics professor James Moriarty. I'm afraid even Sherlock Holmes wouldn't be able to save the world from this pair of destruction, even if he allied himself with James Bond and the Doctor.

Being a film fan, and My Fair Lady being one of my favourite films, it's none too surprising that I found myself wanting to see Saint Paul's Church and hum/recite "Why Can't the English" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhninL_G3Fg)

At night, Danou and I went to the Opera. I'd never been to the opera before so I was slightly nervous, but I like Mozart and the story of Don Giovanni appealed to well enough so the plan was solid enough. 

And it was sooo worth it. It was a very modern production, modern sets and clothes and everything in English, but I did like understanding what happened and it was so beautiful. The fun stuff is that some things really seem in line with the way Mozart's been portrayed in Amadeus. We both sat up in eager anticipation when we first heard the notes for the Commendatore bit at the end (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK1_vm0FMAU), and for the rest of the night after the performance (at the ENO, go see it while it's still on... only a few more stagings, I think) we kept going "DOOOOOONN GIOOOOVAAAANNNII, I'VE COME TO SUUUUPPPPPPPEERRR!" and all that. I'm definitely on for the opera next time, perhaps Carmen (we've been doing that one melody from the Toreador bit from Carmen all Sunday, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5qmSEvDEGs).

Being the daughter of a ferry man, I did have to take a picture of myself sitting in the Ferryman's Seat. The guide of the Dickens tour (recommended! That man knows a lot about literary London... not just Dickens and Shakespeare but also Harry Potter. Like where to find the new and the old Leaky Cauldron. More on that later) told us of theatre attendants not crossing London bridge but instead taking ferries, while oarsmen called out 'oars, oars!' which was misunderstood by some, as the southern bank also held the brothels owned by the bishop of Winchester. After this tour, everyone was chilled to the bone (rain and cold wind and rain and cold wind tends to do that), me and Danou visited the church of the patron saint of Coffee, Saint Starbucks, and afterwards made our way back to Borough High Street to see The George, the last remaining gallery inn (from where the stagecoaches left to the south of England and on which the early theatres, like The Globe, were based). On the way there we were stopped by a policeman because they were shooting a film, though I can't remember the title. 

This is The George, the gallery inn. Had a cider there and then crossed London Bridge to go to Leadenhall Market, which is where they shot the outside of the old Leaky Cauldron (first two films) and Diagon Alley and everything like that. I wish I could show you loads of pictures of it. I really wish I could. But I can't.

We were, again, stopped by a lady who requested we ventured no further than that (we were in that bit of the Market where Harry reads out the letter detailing his needed things to Hagrid and says "Can we find all this in London?" and Hagrid replies "If you know where to go", see here: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/an-L9aZbmtmmhbbb4/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_2001_the_leaky_cauldron/ ) as they were, again, shooting a film. I did remember the title of that one, because the lady said that all the shops were closed especially because of this shooting and I replied that it must be expensive to close all shops for the day, and she told me that, well, it was a Hollywood production with Bruce Willis, which of course had Danou and me all excited. Turns out it was for a high-speed car chase for the upcoming Red 2. We never saw mr. Willis (obviously) but we did see a very fancy looking electric blue car on a trailer (I think it was a Lotus, but I don't properly remember that, I'm better with remembering Aston Martins, I'm afraid). 

We went on, eventually almost getting lost before stumbling upon the tube station we'd been looking for and went to the British Museum where I got my re-fill of Egyptian stuff. I wanted to see the Rosetta Stone to complete my memory collection of all the really important Egyptological stuff currently in European and Egyptian museums and we had loads of fun identifying stuff before reading the descriptions (I guess we were right about 80% of the time). History geeks and all that. Here's to validating the idea that secretly I'm really one for the Humanities. 

I fist-bumped a statue.

Had dinner afterwards and then I took the train back up to Leicester. So now I'm home. Tired, aching feet, but happy. London's awesome.