Ebay Days.doc

Ebay has proven to be a nice distraction on the journey of dissertation writing. Do you know they offer name-brand clothing at bottom basement prices??! OK, so it's most likely knock off junk, but it's quite a lot of fun to browse through the endless pages of listings. This site was all the rage back in 1998, but it seems to have drifted from the collective consciousness.

I've actually been trolling the web looking for a second-hand furniture dealer for the upcoming move. The place is partially furnished which means that I need to find a bed for my room in the flat. Usually I'd just head to IKEA (pronounced ICK-EA by the majority of the world) and pick up a nice frame and mattress, but this is not how it works when surfing around the continent. We'll be in the flat for a minimum of four, maximum of six, months. So unfortunately there is no need to invest in a nice bed and leave it in the flat after moving out. So the solution is to find something cheap but decent. I've searched recycle depots and online stores with no real luck, until I remembered that auction site of yore. Jackpot. There are a few really great deals on there. I saw a modest single this morning (probably the size I should be going for if I want to fit a small workspace in there) that had passed with no bids, so I emailed the seller to see if she'd give it to me after the fact. She even offered to deliver in the listing. Other than that, there are a few coming up in the next couple of days that look promising. I think I'll be close to securing something.

The trouble with Ebay is it's so darn addicting. I've already got my eye on a small work table and computer chair both currently a steal at less than 10 pounds. The owner lives in Leamington so I figure I could always just wheel or carry back to the flat. I've had to stop myself from looking any further. I don't think we need the solid oak buffet sideboard currently on offer for 12 pounds, the lily flower standing lamp for 8 pounds, or the "Welcome Aboard" Yacht themed Welcome Mat for 6 pounds. Bargain shoppers of the world unite!

The Ebay tales are illustrative of how slow it has been. I know it'll all turn around once flat life begins, but it has been a pretty boring week. I've been continuing to chip away at thesis work, but until settled in a nice routine it feels like the work is all a bit premature - like I'm writing without knowing exactly where it's going. Still, I feel it a good idea to keep going and then revisit and retool later in the process. If there is one academic shortcut I've learned, it's to keep writing and fill in gaps later on. Quotations (not quotes), connections, and ideas can always be inserted to shore up the argument. In addition to the behemoth, I've been finishing up a report for IGLYO and uploading material for the launch of the memories website which has been pushed back to October because of the holiday schedule of some of the contributors (this buys me more time to continue working). I also sent a news pitch to the Advocate offering to write a piece about the conference this past July. There is NO way they'd go for it, but I figure it's worth a shot. They offer incredible internships in New York and LA, but sadly, they are unpaid.

The highlight of the week was a leisurely dinner and drinks with a few of the Heronbankers the other night. It was a bit of a spontaneous dinner, but we had to welcome Zhenya back to the MAIPR circle. It's her first time in the UK. We took a quick trip to the local Tesco and gathered a basket of supplies and threw in a few bottles of wine for good measure. I took on the role of co-chef with Zoey and we prepared some pasta, salad, garlic bread, and apple pie for dessert. The pasta was actually a recipe Tory had seen in a magazine - the first time I've cooked with cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric in pasta. It turned out really well with lots of great leftovers. We wined, dined, and whined about thesis writing. As I'm sure we're bound to do all semester.

Two more nights in Heronbank and then it's on to a more comfortable adobe in Leamington Spa. The next entry will probably be from there, although it may be a few days before we have the net. Also, I haven't published my new mobile number in the blog, but here it is in case you don't have the updated number. I'll leave the 011 international code to you:

(44) 07805632761

Doc's Prescription of the Day: Just take an Ebay browse. I think you'll find a vintage mickey mouse clock for five bucks or the best of the Beach Boys for under ten that might be to your liking.