Cambridge...
Hi, all. Just got back from Cambridge yesterday. I was there doing some research for the dissertation (one more day in Edinburgh, then I'm stopping-- I have to write it at some point, eh?). Anyway, some observations:
Why are deaf guys so hot? I was getting my bearings my first night in Cambridge when a guy (who looked far too young for me-- though still legal-- but oh-so-adorable) asked me how to get to Clare College. I had no idea, but between our maps I figured out how to send him in the right direction, making sure to walk back with him part of the way. He was French, but as we were walking along, I noticed hearing aids in his ears, which made me realise I also heard a bit of an impediment through his accent. That brought me back to the question at the top of this paragraph.
The principal's residence at Cambridge resembles the capital building/seat of government of a small Central American country. The library, despite its tower and Mediterranean-style tiled roof resembles a prison. There are even bars on the windows. It would probably be easier to get into the Pentagon: you have to have a letter of introduction to get access to manuscripts; you have to go to an admissions office to gain admission, if you don't belong to Cambridge; you cannot bring bags, pens or ink into the library-- not just special collections, the WHOLE library; you cannot bring food or drink into the library; and first- and second-year undergraduates at Cambridge cannot borrow books.
I asked a friend of mine about this, and he said it's because Cambridge is a copyright library, which, as I understand it, means it's entitled to hold copies of most books which are published. I'll look up the definition later, as I can't be bothered at the moment, but it is a special repository, like the British Library, the Bodleian at Oxford, the Mitchell in Glasgow (city-run, not university-run), and one other, whose name I can't recall.
Personally, I like the idea of not allowing pens and ink into the Glasgow University library. It would cut down on graffiti-- I saw none in Cambridge. Penalties for marking books would also be welcome, and while I would not stop first- and second-year undergrads from borrowing, I would have a mandatory lecture telling people NOT TO WRITE IN THE BOOKS. They do not belong to you, so treat them well.
It was a useful trip, though, and good to get away from Glasgow. I had only been away for three nights over the course of 11 1/2 months. That said, however, it was also very good to come home. Now I just hope a disconcerting dream I had last week is not a dissertation premonition.
I also saw this road sign near the library: 'Humped Zebra Crossing'. Which begs the question, do they limp when they do that? Yuk-yuk-yuk.
Now what the hell is up with the Red Sox? Dropping three of five to the Yankees? What about our epic?!!! Please salvage some dignity, lads!
Why are deaf guys so hot? I was getting my bearings my first night in Cambridge when a guy (who looked far too young for me-- though still legal-- but oh-so-adorable) asked me how to get to Clare College. I had no idea, but between our maps I figured out how to send him in the right direction, making sure to walk back with him part of the way. He was French, but as we were walking along, I noticed hearing aids in his ears, which made me realise I also heard a bit of an impediment through his accent. That brought me back to the question at the top of this paragraph.
The principal's residence at Cambridge resembles the capital building/seat of government of a small Central American country. The library, despite its tower and Mediterranean-style tiled roof resembles a prison. There are even bars on the windows. It would probably be easier to get into the Pentagon: you have to have a letter of introduction to get access to manuscripts; you have to go to an admissions office to gain admission, if you don't belong to Cambridge; you cannot bring bags, pens or ink into the library-- not just special collections, the WHOLE library; you cannot bring food or drink into the library; and first- and second-year undergraduates at Cambridge cannot borrow books.
I asked a friend of mine about this, and he said it's because Cambridge is a copyright library, which, as I understand it, means it's entitled to hold copies of most books which are published. I'll look up the definition later, as I can't be bothered at the moment, but it is a special repository, like the British Library, the Bodleian at Oxford, the Mitchell in Glasgow (city-run, not university-run), and one other, whose name I can't recall.
Personally, I like the idea of not allowing pens and ink into the Glasgow University library. It would cut down on graffiti-- I saw none in Cambridge. Penalties for marking books would also be welcome, and while I would not stop first- and second-year undergrads from borrowing, I would have a mandatory lecture telling people NOT TO WRITE IN THE BOOKS. They do not belong to you, so treat them well.
It was a useful trip, though, and good to get away from Glasgow. I had only been away for three nights over the course of 11 1/2 months. That said, however, it was also very good to come home. Now I just hope a disconcerting dream I had last week is not a dissertation premonition.
I also saw this road sign near the library: 'Humped Zebra Crossing'. Which begs the question, do they limp when they do that? Yuk-yuk-yuk.
Now what the hell is up with the Red Sox? Dropping three of five to the Yankees? What about our epic?!!! Please salvage some dignity, lads!