Sometimes you need a little online procrastination that you can really connect with. My friend Matt the Red (PhD, Medieval Studies at Cornell) suggested PhD Comics for that moment, and I'm hooked. According to the current comic, "Desk Entropy", I'm truly a first-year student, as my desk is quite lovely and clean despite several weeks of intense essay-writing. (Click on the image to see it full-size).
A long-overdue posting. Last month the Selwyn College Choir sang two concerts for the John Armitage Memorial foundation, a trust set up to encourage and sponsor new musical composition. We sang one concert in Southwark Cathedral in London, and another in St. Cuthbert's Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. Stephen Layton directed us along with the organ and brass ensemble. The pieces were difficult to say the least, considering no-one has performed them before and at many points it seemed as if performance was perhaps not a realistic end in itself. Here are some photos of us rehearsing in London, taken by our director Sarah McDonald.
Sarah, Rich, and Fran in the Selwyn Bar after Sophia's 21st Birthday Celiedh party in Hall, a few weeks ago. I sing in the Selwyn Choir with Fran, who is also a soprano on Dec. She has a lovely voice.
Last night Gus, the Selwyn College Master's cat, was sitting right on that window ledge outside the bar, keeping an eye on the court and very deliberately ignoring us. We tapped but he was quite obstinate.
Selwyn, oh Selwyn, how do I love thee?
Your red-brick walls are like a wool blanket, always smelling peculiar and earthy after the rain.
Your rooftops are like stairwells to heaven.
Your little black birds, like small visiting demonic angels.
Your undergrads, like over-grown rosy-cheeked street children.
Your grads, like under-washed spinsters emerging from their widow's tower.
Your fellows, like the overly-friendly witch in 'Hansel and Gretel.'
Your gardeners, like too-cute hobbits who didn't make the second callback.
Selwyn, oh Selwyn, how I love thee!
