Ancient Middle-earth inferno or latter-day university?

Returning to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight after my latest Tolkien read.

This is messed up on so many levels, but does no one else find the phrase ‘You may not know you are conscious, but you bloody well are’ so deeply unsettling. Like, yes, we are talking about AI but you've also decided it is female... Also, you're feeding your unpublished work into AI??

Despite recent news, the last thing I expected was to be evacuated out of an arena in Birmingham tonight. Though, obviously, I massively appreciate how quickly it was handled.

Next up in my attempt to read some more Tolkien. Is there an order you're supposed to follow after LoTR?

Afternoon out at Harvington Hall.

"Being a woman means living in a state of emergency [...] There is no room of one's own when men think our bodies belong to them." The most heart-wrenching end to a book.

Found what I think was my first uni assignment (definitely the first time I wrote anything on Milton-- a CV for one the characters from Paradise Lost, I obviously picked Satan). Very funny to look back on and little did I know that nearly 9 years on I would be writing about Milton for my PhD.

A post-lecture trip to the cathedral. I love Worcester cathedral and I feel like this is the first time I've been in ages apart from graduation.

It's been a great few days at BSECS. I presented a paper on Eden and Restoration politics in Lucy Hutchinson's Order and Disorder and attended some excellent panels (I especially enjoyed the panel on mock epics and grand epics this morning). #BSECS2026

Despite only 3 students showing up (lots of cold/flu and assignment deadlines) that's my final class of the semester finished! Now just to draft my conference paper before Christmas🎄.

Still utterly obsessed with Oscar Wilde so there was no way I was missing this. I also met Stephen Fry (who better to play Lady Bracknell) and got to show him my tattoo of Wilde.

Sometimes your siblings really humble you. My brother gets married in 2 years time, it's already been agreed that I won't be getting/needing a plus one on my invitation.

Slowly making my way through some more Tolkien.

After dark tour of The Commandery (despite having lived in Worcestershire my whole life I've never visited The Commandery in the day).

Pleased to say that my paper has been accepted for #BSECS2026! I'll be discussing Eden as a micro- and macrocosm in Lucy Hutchinson's Order and Disorder. #EarlyModern

Very grateful for the student who stayed behind to tell me that their classmates are always quiet during seminars and it's nothing to do with me specifically! Obviously looked a little frazzled today.

Day trip to The Tower.

Not one of my students (who was in year 8 during the first year of covid) joking that their friend was old because they were in year 11 at the time. I didn't dare mention that I was in my third year of uni...

Class consensus from today's session on The Duchess of Malfi: Antonio is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Prep for session 2 is taking me back to my A-levels.

That definitely could have gone better but at least that's the stress of the first class out of the way.

Contract has been signed and the introductory session is ready to go. All set to teach my first class on Monday (as module leader!).

I completely get verifying your age but these all seem like fairly terrible options, no?

I've just been offered my first set of teaching hours!

When I have to work on an article draft instead of having a cuddle on the sofa.

Reunited for the week 🐾.

Great talk from Dr Stephen K Roberts this morning @stuarthistoryfest.bsky.social. Looking forward to attending another talk tomorrow but back to writing my chapter on Paradise Lost in the meantime. #EarlyModern

Loads of beds inside and a cat house a mere few steps away but this is where he decides to sit. I'm sure it's nothing to do with the fact it's right next to the fish pond.

Hoping and praying that the weather decides to cool down before we're in London at the end of next week because I dread getting on the tube in this heat.

I've got a Waterstones voucher burning a hole in my pocket. Any book recommendations?

"Your mother is alive and well and living in Droitwich." First day of the Rik Mayall Comedy Festival (including costumes from Blackadder and The Young Ones).

Took a break from chapter drafts to take a trip into Cirencester. Did I get drenched in the rain? Yes. Was it worth it for the sandwich? Yes.

A cosy night with a new read and a very sleepy cat.

Cat sitting this little sweetheart for the week.

Nothing better than a bookish card (and definitely better than being told I am now "the wrong side of 25").

Book shopping and waterfalls (not pictured: the 3 out of 4 games of Yahtzee that I lost).

Picked up a copy of Carmilla this week and was reminded of a video I watched recently about the influence Booktok has on marketing (particularly the new Austen covers) and it's interesting to be able to see how advertising for Carmilla has changed from 2020 (right) to now.

This reads like a parent trying to convince their child that they won't be in trouble if they just tell the truth.

Looking forward to presenting my paper on embodiment in Lucy Hutchinson's Elegies tomorrow alongside Sharon and Rosie. A little bit of Restoration studies to end the day. #BSECS2025 #EarlyModern

Great first day at #BSECS2025. Looking forward to lots of interesting papers tomorrow (and spending some time exploring Oxford) followed by the conference dinner.

All packed and ready to leave bright and early for @bsecs.bsky.social tomorrow. First year in attendance so very much looking forward to it! #BSECS2025

Pleased to say that I have been offered the position of Associate Lecturer!

The interview is on Monday. Fingers crossed.

Associate Lecturer application submitted!

I don't know if it is because I'm getting ready to apply for this associate lecturer position, or just sheer tiredness but my imposter syndrome is hitting me hard right now.

Pleased to say that our proposal was accepted! I look forward to discussing Lucy Hutchinson @bsecs.bsky.social alongside Rosie and Sharon in January. #EarlyModern #BSECS

As horrible as the fireworks are for the dogs every year I can't get over how much she looks like a Seal.

Taking a break from my literature review to listen to some of today's readings. #EarlyModern #Milton

Rob Schneider supporting Trump just reinforces my opinion that the first Home Alone is superior.