It seems I begin every entry with an apology for slow activity. I’ve fallen very far behind in my correspondence with home, and other “internet obligation” type things. Part of this is due to having my last three papers due in a week.

I handed in two on May 12th – one on Tom Jones and one on Much Ado About Nothing. As mentioned previously on this site, I saw Much Ado at the National Theatre here in London, and I feel that it greatly shaped my opinion and understanding of the text.

The last paper was handed in on Monday the 19th, and I had quite an adventure with it. Carelessly, I assumed that I would be able to select my topic from the list of essay questions as had been the practice for the first one. So, having perused these and begun collecting sources, I checked the details of the assignment in my Affiliate Handbook on Sunday night – the night before it was due. It turns out that the second paper had an assigned topic, which was posted in the History department on the bulletin board. Now, this is where I see big differences between Emory and UCL. At Emory, the History department would email us our topics, or our professor would. At UCL they make one print out, and post it in a building that isn’t open on weekends.

Why can’t they email it to us? It’s old technology and a simple idea. It’s abundantly clear that they have our email addresses as we are bombarded with spam from the departments and student groups constantly.

After a few panicked emails, I resolved myself as to what to do. I woke up very early on Monday, made it down to the History building for its opening at 9 am, found my essay topic choices, selected one, researched it, and wrote it. I had it in by 3:30pm that afternoon, and with that I am done with academics for the semester.

Simultaneous to this time period I came down with congestion, then a cough, then a fever. Once the fever broke, my voice went away. I feel much better now, and my voice is almost all the way back. Still, very unpleasant.

I had guests from home in town for a few days this week, although we only got to spend one evening, and I had to cancel plans for the Tower of London with them due to illness. Tanner arrives from his travels in Africa next week, and he’ll be staying here a few days. Then it’s off to the continent one last time, this time with my friend David – and then off home.

I have quite a few other things to update, and am feeling newly inspired to do so.