First of all - my first conference paper? I did it! And it went really well! I had good feedback from the conference organiser (who chaired my panel) and various people who'd been listening. I had people nodding along to points I was making, and telling me they really enjoyed it, and more importantly the panel I was on (which included a friend of mine) really gelled - the papers fit together really well and complemented each other, and all were very interesting too.
I've already said one of the panellists was a friend of mine - we shared a hotel room the night before, and went out in Leicester to a dinner paid for by the university where we got the chance to meet the organiser and some of the other presenters. I must have come across a right fool as I did mention that it was my first conference and I was freaking out a little, but I got some good tips on presenting and handling Q&As. After the meal a few of us went onto a pub, where I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening chatting about fandom, vampires, tattoos, Wales and loads of other things. The morning of the conference itself was a bit of a nightmare as we managed to get lost on the way to the university (how we managed that, given we were staying less than a mile away I don't know) and missed the whole of the registration and some of the keynote speech. But thankfully we were there for all of the panels, and there were a lot of interesting papers, including one on vampires in Terry Pratchett's Discworld which I found fascinating, and one on a British vampire series of novels called The Radleys which has made me a) want to read the books and b) think about the difference between British and American vampire fiction written at the same time and what each says about the societies in which the author is living/writing. It was a shame I couldn't get to all of the panels - there were some really interesting papers that I missed out on because there were other things I wanted to listen to, but it was definitely well worth attending.
I've also discovered the importance of conferences for networking. I've had requests for copies of the paper and the bibliography from a variety of people, have been given business cards (which reminds me, I need to get my own for any other conferences I go to) and I've also been asked if I'd be interested in submitting chapters to two books (one on vampires and one on Twilight). The organiser of the Erotic Adaptations conference I withdrew from in January also managed to persuade me to rethink my withdrawal. So I will be talking about first time XF fics to a bunch of academics in two months' time!
I had a whale of a time though. I was really nervous at first but once I got up there and starting talking I got much more into it. It was really interesting listening to the other papers too, and chatting to different people in the coffee breaks. Yay me!
Thursday 25 November 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Supervision Meeting
But I'm not making a post like the last one I made *g* I was actually a little bit worried about the meeting, but that's because after much umming and aahing I decided it would be better for me if I could do the PhD part time. I was very naïve (stupid?) when I first applied and thought that I'd be able to work full time and study full time (after all, I did it for the last half of my MA) but I hadn't realised the sheer amount of work I'd need to do. Reading about fan fiction and The X Files alone just isn't enough-there are so many other areas to read around and theories to learn, and coming at this from the academic background I have means I'm playong catch up while studying. So I decided that doing the PhD part time would be better because I'd be putting the same amount of work in but would have much longer to write everything up. I'd emailed Matt to ask if we could discuss it and the response was positive but I was still a bit nervous.
Anyway, come today it actually went well. We talked about the fact I have to work because at the moment I have a £20 a week budget and that has to cover food, train travel and all other odds and sods. £20 is what I have left after my bills, etc have gone out, and I get my pay and help from my parents for those. So Matt's suggested I email our department head to ask about the possibility of teaching hours in the next academic year to supplement my income. He asked how much I was working, and I must have pulled a face because he said he wouldn't be pissed off if it was full time, he just needed to know. So I told him it is full time, and I work late every night to make up for the time I lose on a Wednesday morning (because work wouldn't grant me study leave). He said that it's impossible to work and study for a PhD and if I keep doing it I'll only get more stressed and harm my candidacy because there's no way I'll be able to complete to a high standard in 3 years. Which I agree with. So I'm going to email the department head, explain my situation and see what he says. Matt can't see any problem with me going part time; the only issue may be that I might have to pay back some or all of the grant I was given by the university, but we'll cross that when we come to it. So I'm going to send the email when I get home and go from there. I do feel like a weight has been lifted since making that decision though, and I'm glad today's meeting went well.
In other news, I can't believe a week ago I was on a train home after New York! I don't know where the time goes.
I'm presenting a paper at the Fangbangers conference next week and am freaking out about it! I haven't actually written the paper yet, and I don't want to go anymore! Except I have to so I will.
Oh, and it looks like my writing therapy article is going to be published as they've asked for a bio, and I've had an article on tattoos accepted for a new literary tattoo magazine, which makes me happy.
Anyway, come today it actually went well. We talked about the fact I have to work because at the moment I have a £20 a week budget and that has to cover food, train travel and all other odds and sods. £20 is what I have left after my bills, etc have gone out, and I get my pay and help from my parents for those. So Matt's suggested I email our department head to ask about the possibility of teaching hours in the next academic year to supplement my income. He asked how much I was working, and I must have pulled a face because he said he wouldn't be pissed off if it was full time, he just needed to know. So I told him it is full time, and I work late every night to make up for the time I lose on a Wednesday morning (because work wouldn't grant me study leave). He said that it's impossible to work and study for a PhD and if I keep doing it I'll only get more stressed and harm my candidacy because there's no way I'll be able to complete to a high standard in 3 years. Which I agree with. So I'm going to email the department head, explain my situation and see what he says. Matt can't see any problem with me going part time; the only issue may be that I might have to pay back some or all of the grant I was given by the university, but we'll cross that when we come to it. So I'm going to send the email when I get home and go from there. I do feel like a weight has been lifted since making that decision though, and I'm glad today's meeting went well.
In other news, I can't believe a week ago I was on a train home after New York! I don't know where the time goes.
I'm presenting a paper at the Fangbangers conference next week and am freaking out about it! I haven't actually written the paper yet, and I don't want to go anymore! Except I have to so I will.
Oh, and it looks like my writing therapy article is going to be published as they've asked for a bio, and I've had an article on tattoos accepted for a new literary tattoo magazine, which makes me happy.
Saturday 13 November 2010
So Good They Named It Twice
Right, I am sitting here with the cat on my lap and some peanut butter M&Ms within easy reach so I have no excuse not to write about my New York trip (actually, I have uni work I should be doing but I'm going to do this first).
And before you ask, of course it's relevant to my research interests. I met David Duchovny, who was in The X Files. I am writing about The X Files. I'm also writing about fan activity. I got to take part in a large amount of fan activity (and it was all awesome).
Saturday, the day of the play, started off with all of us freaking out about it being the day we'd meet DD. I think we'd all been ok before - we knew we were going to see the play and hopefully meet him, but it was still far enough away that it didn't seem real. Today was the day though, and there was lots of 'in eight hours' time we'll be there'; 'in six hours' time we'll be there'. We packed up all our stuff though, and headed into the city. We did a fair bit of sightseeing on Saturday - Central Park, the Time Warner centre, various Ghostbusters locations, the Empire State Building and an awful lot of NY districts (neighbourhoods? I can't work out the difference). We then got a cab up to our friend's house in Uptown NY again, and dropped off our shopping there before the play. It was about five by that point, and we were all acutely aware that the play wasn't far away. We went to a diner for tea, which served huge portions of lovely food and I felt awful about leaving as much of it as I did. It was the subway then to theatre (including a few transfers) where we met our friend and settled into our seats...
I have to say I really enjoyed the play. It was an interesting concept, which I've thought about a bit previously. The premise is that John Smith (DD) sees the face of God in the middle of the worst office shooting in American history. He goes on to try and persuade the people he knows, and the wider population, that God wants us to be better people. I won't say too much more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I found it to be funny and thought provoking and all the actors did amazing jobs. DD is in each scene, and it was so bizarre to be sitting five rows away from him. I don't think I breathed for the first five minutes he was on stage! He gives a great performance and it allows him to use his skills really well. There's one scene where another actor is talking and DD's facial expressions convey exactly what the character is thinking - it got a great reaction from the audience. It's definitely a play I'd go back to see. And the use of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus at the end I thought was brilliant!
After the play, then, it was time to hang out at the stage door. We were all huddled together because it was quite cold and we were all really nervous. After a few minutes there was some hubbub behind us, and we turned round to see DD coming out of the front door. I was really worried that I wouldn't get to see him as there was a big surge in his direction, but I needn't have worried. I hovered while friends and strangers got his autograph and photo, then handed him my IWTB posted (signed by GA, Chris and Frank in London two years ago) and asked if he would possibly be able to sign it for me. He said sure, and asked if I'd seen Amanda Peet and asked her to sign it for me. I said I hadn't, and he said I really should because she was in the film too. He gave the poster back and went to turn around so I asked if he'd mind having his photo with me. He said no, put his hand on my shoulder and asked which camera was mine. He was so nice it was unbelievable! We all hung around for a bit longer while he signed for more people, then he went to leave. Before he did though, he turned round and asked if everyone had what they wanted and did anyone else need anything before he left! I was amazed when he asked that because it was so thoughtful, and if that was me I'd probably have wanted to get some food and go home. But he didn't - he was really considerate, and when no one said anything headed across the road to a bar and sat down with some of the other cast members.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs965.snc4/75841_10150317966580716_723685715_15810686_6092843_n.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs992.snc4/76503_10150324543915716_723685715_15900758_7998908_n.jpg"></center>
We were all on a massive high by that point so took more photos outside the theatre and generally tried to calm down! What was really nice was that there were no 'crazy' fans. Everyone there was really respectful. There was no pushing or shoving like there had been when GA did Doll's House in London. There was no signing of XF related songs, or people following him to the bar and gawking at him. It was all in all a thoroughly great experience. We wandered to the next block to look at the Friends' apartment, then wandered back and past the bar that DD was in. We all glanced sideways as we passed, but didn't freak out or run in after him! We headed over to this bar called Jekyll and Hyde for a drink afterwards, calling <lj user="sandiscully"> on the way because she was waiting to hear about the experience! We all just kept repeating how nice he was and what he'd said to us! It was great though.
After that we made our way back to Uptown NY to pick up out stuff, then (after much waiting in the subway for a train that never came) got a cab to Port Authority and the bus back to NJ. We stayed up quite a while when we got there, uploading photos to Facebook and replying to Philes' comments! And went to bed very happy.
What else was good?
Watching two eps of Californication on the plane, in which they cut out the swearing and the sex. It was very odd hearing Hank call someone a melon farmer...
Explaining to Homeland Security that I was staying with a friend I met on an X Files Facebook group, and him not batting an eyelid at it.
My first sight of the city from the front seat of a yellow cab.
Buying a baseball shirt and a blue t-shirt with Mantle on the back ('I get this message marked 'urgent' on my answering service from one Fox Mantle...') and the sales assistants looking at us a bit strangely when we started acting out the end scene from The Unnatural.
Midtown Comics!
Modell's Sporting Goods store which made us all laugh.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs939.snc4/73195_10150324513000716_723685715_15900317_1610466_n.jpg"></center>
The Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1133.snc4/149577_10150324513135716_723685715_15900320_2564030_n.jpg"></center>
Liberty Island.
It was an absolutely amazing week. I'm so glad I went - not only did I get to meet DD, I got to see NY and meet my utterly awesome friends! It was tiring, and I walked miles and miles, but I'd go back again in an instant. Thanks so much everyone who made it that special.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs475.ash2/74795_10150324515735716_723685715_15900378_5882622_n.jpg"></center>
And before you ask, of course it's relevant to my research interests. I met David Duchovny, who was in The X Files. I am writing about The X Files. I'm also writing about fan activity. I got to take part in a large amount of fan activity (and it was all awesome).
Saturday, the day of the play, started off with all of us freaking out about it being the day we'd meet DD. I think we'd all been ok before - we knew we were going to see the play and hopefully meet him, but it was still far enough away that it didn't seem real. Today was the day though, and there was lots of 'in eight hours' time we'll be there'; 'in six hours' time we'll be there'. We packed up all our stuff though, and headed into the city. We did a fair bit of sightseeing on Saturday - Central Park, the Time Warner centre, various Ghostbusters locations, the Empire State Building and an awful lot of NY districts (neighbourhoods? I can't work out the difference). We then got a cab up to our friend's house in Uptown NY again, and dropped off our shopping there before the play. It was about five by that point, and we were all acutely aware that the play wasn't far away. We went to a diner for tea, which served huge portions of lovely food and I felt awful about leaving as much of it as I did. It was the subway then to theatre (including a few transfers) where we met our friend and settled into our seats...
I have to say I really enjoyed the play. It was an interesting concept, which I've thought about a bit previously. The premise is that John Smith (DD) sees the face of God in the middle of the worst office shooting in American history. He goes on to try and persuade the people he knows, and the wider population, that God wants us to be better people. I won't say too much more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I found it to be funny and thought provoking and all the actors did amazing jobs. DD is in each scene, and it was so bizarre to be sitting five rows away from him. I don't think I breathed for the first five minutes he was on stage! He gives a great performance and it allows him to use his skills really well. There's one scene where another actor is talking and DD's facial expressions convey exactly what the character is thinking - it got a great reaction from the audience. It's definitely a play I'd go back to see. And the use of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus at the end I thought was brilliant!
After the play, then, it was time to hang out at the stage door. We were all huddled together because it was quite cold and we were all really nervous. After a few minutes there was some hubbub behind us, and we turned round to see DD coming out of the front door. I was really worried that I wouldn't get to see him as there was a big surge in his direction, but I needn't have worried. I hovered while friends and strangers got his autograph and photo, then handed him my IWTB posted (signed by GA, Chris and Frank in London two years ago) and asked if he would possibly be able to sign it for me. He said sure, and asked if I'd seen Amanda Peet and asked her to sign it for me. I said I hadn't, and he said I really should because she was in the film too. He gave the poster back and went to turn around so I asked if he'd mind having his photo with me. He said no, put his hand on my shoulder and asked which camera was mine. He was so nice it was unbelievable! We all hung around for a bit longer while he signed for more people, then he went to leave. Before he did though, he turned round and asked if everyone had what they wanted and did anyone else need anything before he left! I was amazed when he asked that because it was so thoughtful, and if that was me I'd probably have wanted to get some food and go home. But he didn't - he was really considerate, and when no one said anything headed across the road to a bar and sat down with some of the other cast members.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs965.snc4/75841_10150317966580716_723685715_15810686_6092843_n.jpg"></center>
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs992.snc4/76503_10150324543915716_723685715_15900758_7998908_n.jpg"></center>
We were all on a massive high by that point so took more photos outside the theatre and generally tried to calm down! What was really nice was that there were no 'crazy' fans. Everyone there was really respectful. There was no pushing or shoving like there had been when GA did Doll's House in London. There was no signing of XF related songs, or people following him to the bar and gawking at him. It was all in all a thoroughly great experience. We wandered to the next block to look at the Friends' apartment, then wandered back and past the bar that DD was in. We all glanced sideways as we passed, but didn't freak out or run in after him! We headed over to this bar called Jekyll and Hyde for a drink afterwards, calling <lj user="sandiscully"> on the way because she was waiting to hear about the experience! We all just kept repeating how nice he was and what he'd said to us! It was great though.
After that we made our way back to Uptown NY to pick up out stuff, then (after much waiting in the subway for a train that never came) got a cab to Port Authority and the bus back to NJ. We stayed up quite a while when we got there, uploading photos to Facebook and replying to Philes' comments! And went to bed very happy.
What else was good?
Watching two eps of Californication on the plane, in which they cut out the swearing and the sex. It was very odd hearing Hank call someone a melon farmer...
Explaining to Homeland Security that I was staying with a friend I met on an X Files Facebook group, and him not batting an eyelid at it.
My first sight of the city from the front seat of a yellow cab.
Buying a baseball shirt and a blue t-shirt with Mantle on the back ('I get this message marked 'urgent' on my answering service from one Fox Mantle...') and the sales assistants looking at us a bit strangely when we started acting out the end scene from The Unnatural.
Midtown Comics!
Modell's Sporting Goods store which made us all laugh.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs939.snc4/73195_10150324513000716_723685715_15900317_1610466_n.jpg"></center>
The Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1133.snc4/149577_10150324513135716_723685715_15900320_2564030_n.jpg"></center>
Liberty Island.
It was an absolutely amazing week. I'm so glad I went - not only did I get to meet DD, I got to see NY and meet my utterly awesome friends! It was tiring, and I walked miles and miles, but I'd go back again in an instant. Thanks so much everyone who made it that special.
<center><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs475.ash2/74795_10150324515735716_723685715_15900378_5882622_n.jpg"></center>
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