Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Freedom!

Today, Wednesday 3 March 2010, is new beginning. Yesterday I quit my job. (obviously I have to work out notice yadda yadda yadda so I'm actually still at my desk) But today signifies the start of the next four or so years of my life: researching and writing my PhD.

At the moment the proposed topic is kind of large and shapeless and a bit like something a nun would wear on her day off (except slightly more chic, I hope) . . . . I'm interested in the trickster/klutz/minstrel persona of the (apparently) unreliable narrator; and how that might link to the buried or voiceless authors within 'historical' narratives of slavery and capture. There's a whole bunch of texts that I might look at: Schwarz-Bart's The Last of the Just; Erdrich's The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse; Twilight (yes, really); Jim Henson's The Story Teller.

But the die is cast: I have entered my wee proposal, amoeba-like as it is, into the online portal, and now await word from the English Department. I think they'll have me. After that, I have to meet with potential supervisors, and well, start actually thinking and reading and writing. I can't wait!

In case you are worried re funds for the purchase of shoes that make me happy - I am now on contract in another part of the University, doing research and research project management - something MUCH MORE like what I love doing. Not so many hours - so I will blog. And rant. And procrastinate. And try to finish the Nanowrimo novel. And spend more time with people I love. And cook. And procrastinate some more.

I'm looking forward to it.