I've been exploring Belfast with a bit more gusto, especially since the weather continues to get lovelier and the city has been quiet for Easter/Royal wedding holidays. (I admit I don't get the royal wedding clamor, but fair enough, extra quiet Belfast for me.) I tried beans on toast for the first time: not as bad as expected. Almost good.
I spent a good couple of hours in the Linen Hall library near the center of town today. They have an odd selection of niche and vintage books, and boutique-style books by local writers ... I did a quick survey of the astronomy section and it wasn't too bad, especially for a non-specialist library. The history section, to my delight, had a series of children's books, occult histories, and random real estate pamphlets. And so on. Plus they have great tea ... so, winner.
Last week I got to chatting with a guy at the climbing wall who offered to take me out with his friends into the Mournes, now that the weather's nice. I'm sure I'll be far behind the skill level of most of them (they're amazing, these guys, at least from what I've seen down at the wall) but it will be nice to actually get out a bit in the area. The weather has been good and getting better.
In time for differentiation, I finally narrowed my PhD topic down to focusing on Messier 45 only. Still a massive project area, but more narrowing to go. Dad's favorite part of the sky, that was. Not sure if that's a coincidence.
More soon. I'm doing better.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Monday 25 April 2011
Sunshine, cherry blossoms, and a lack of art
I should really be more active on here. I can't expect anyone to be interested in my blog if I'm not interested in it myself, right?
Research continues. Belfast is coming into spring now, and there are cherry blossoms everywhere. I'm told this is a brief moment of perfect weather, and it will turn into endless rain before long. It's much nicer than winter, anyway.
Just read through my last post. Maybe because of the sunshine, I'm feeling better these days. I can't help sometimes imagining, though, what life would be like if I was still at home, if David was still around, if Dad was still around. Imagining it may be the worst possible thing I could do.
The Cathedral Quarter Festival is going on in Belfast, and I keep meaning to check out some of what's happening, but I also keep getting wrapped up in various things related to research. It's possible that it's easier to bury myself in the books than it would be to go hang out with folks. Despite a brighter disposition, I never seem to be in the mood to make chitchat with strangers. And none of the other postgrads in my department seem interested in arty things. Shame.
I vow to become more active on Facebook and Twitter &etc, if only to increase the chances of coming upon people with similar interests to me in this city. It's bound to happen eventually!
Cheers,
Ana
Research continues. Belfast is coming into spring now, and there are cherry blossoms everywhere. I'm told this is a brief moment of perfect weather, and it will turn into endless rain before long. It's much nicer than winter, anyway.
Just read through my last post. Maybe because of the sunshine, I'm feeling better these days. I can't help sometimes imagining, though, what life would be like if I was still at home, if David was still around, if Dad was still around. Imagining it may be the worst possible thing I could do.
The Cathedral Quarter Festival is going on in Belfast, and I keep meaning to check out some of what's happening, but I also keep getting wrapped up in various things related to research. It's possible that it's easier to bury myself in the books than it would be to go hang out with folks. Despite a brighter disposition, I never seem to be in the mood to make chitchat with strangers. And none of the other postgrads in my department seem interested in arty things. Shame.
I vow to become more active on Facebook and Twitter &etc, if only to increase the chances of coming upon people with similar interests to me in this city. It's bound to happen eventually!
Cheers,
Ana
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