======= Date Modified 13 Jan 2010 11:01:31 =======
Hey KC, loving the pink mobile phne holder in the shape of a stiletto! That must have taken some finding, my mum still buys me chocolate coins and puts them in a pillow case along with a tangerine 50p, some new knickers and a calendar, all from santa - the calendar appeared when I became a grown up, all the other bits have been Santa staples since I can remember.   

I got three pairs of glamrous leopard print socks in pink, blue and biege/brown, all with gold embellishment and a leopard print purse to match I also got a whizzo stereo which I haven't fathomed out properly yet. :)

I'm jealous: I want a puppy!

======= Date Modified 12 Jan 2010 21:44:53 =======
There are a number of people in my life who have always thought I was a bit odd in terms of life choices, and now that I am doing a PhD their suspiscions have been wholeheartedly confirmed; however, this does not stop them loving me or being my friends and family, and they do not make judgmental comments (well someone did once, but they've been put on the back burner). It's very sweet of them, and they encourage me the way you might the progress of a deluded individual who is convinced that devoting their life to making a life sized castle out of match sticks will make them happy - they could, indeed, be right about that assumption.

You have my sympathy, bigoted inlaws are the pits.   

======= Date Modified 11 Jan 2010 16:11:37 =======
I don't have any info myself, but the Citizens Advice are good at handling these things, they tend to ring the b*ggers up for you and sort things out according to the official rules (whatever they are), they seem to get treated like human beings; whereas, mere mortals do not.

Maybe your handle should be Kafka.

======= Date Modified 10 Jan 2010 22:37:37 =======
======= Date Modified 10 Jan 2010 22:36:30 =======
Hi George,

Does your sup mean theoretical framework, rather than background? Background implies some historical context, whereas framework implies what Bug describes below. It sounds to me as if you have drawn those theoretical lines in the sand already: you have identified key concepts, a methodology, data etc so perhaps, if it is a framework your sup is asking for, then what you need to do is become more self aware and refelctive by making your choices, and your reasons for them, explicit in a clearly defined section of your writing, and then place this framework you have thus defined into its broader context.

However! I think the best thing for you to do is ask your supervisor: only she knows what she really wants; we can only guess at the best of times, and and I suspect there is something of a language hurdle going on, in addition to the usual, inevitable Chinese whispers effect.

Good luck!

Ok, so things have changed and not all places are fully fiunded - I just checked the website - but many place stilll are. All posts I've seen in my field or similar ask for some kind of teaching qualification, preferably a PGCE, your area - some kind of science - doesn't seem to, but from what I've seen and heard that's unusual outside of the very top league of research unis.

Whe I applied to take a PGCE I was told funding would not be a problem, it was practically automatic - I looked at English.

Verypoor: PGCEs don't cost, who on earth told you that? They are free and there is a 6 grand stipend for arts subjects, higher for others: languages get 10 grand - this covers the 9 month programme - so in some cases it can ve more than a PhD stipend and much easier tocome by . Many uni posts now ask for people with PGCEs, or some other teaching qualification. I know of department that is making everyone already employed on a permanent contract complete a PGCE. Maybe you're outside the UK? The decision t PGCE or not PGCE is, of course personal, but it will not cost and is far from irrelevant to an academic career.

Leaving things off your CV is perfectly sensible - it's called tailoring, don't worry Jojo has other work which more relevant to cover that period. For example, when applying for teaching posts I don't include my stint in data entry on my CV. Employers know the CV you send them is not your whole storty, just the bit they need to know about.

======= Date Modified 10 Jan 2010 18:56:02 =======
Hi Jojoegypt,

I think leaving the PhD off the CV for temporary work is a good thing: just include the work that's relevant, there's nothing wrong with that, most people do it - it's good CV technique; however, I don't think telling a lie that can be found out during an interview is ever a good idea, so if people ask you out-right, I think you should just tell them.

If you have 9 months maybe you could do a PGCE, plenty of courses start around now and you might get a late acceptance - the money isn't great, but it's an income and the training is useful for your career. Alternatively, why not just go on the dole and work on publications until you do get something?

On the grey issue: I dye my hair to cover, or blend my salt and peppet grey; I don't have much, it's mostly at the front where I have a couple of mallen streaks developing. I use toners and shaders wash in wash out temporary dyes which take more strongly on grey hair so what ever colour I use comes through as highlights on the grey hair, My hair is brown and I have used various shades of red, but I really like the brown option, it makes my grey look like low-lights at first and then after about 2 weeks highlights. I do have to re-apply about once a month, and I leave the product on for half an hour, nothte recomended 15 minutes, but the process is so simple - almost as easy as shampooing - and the sachets of colour so cheap - 99p - that it's not an inconvenience. I get lots of compliments on my 'highlights'! And my hair is in good condition, wash in wash out colours are very gentle. Good luck.

======= Date Modified 09 Jan 2010 19:58:56 =======
I'm really, really fed up with it because all the pavements where I live ae iced over so walking anywhere is harzardous, just popping out to the shops is a major hassle. Also, I love walking, I walk for 4 or 5 miles at a time and that's just impossible now; I'm starting to get really pissed off that I can't just get up and go for a walk. I'm really lathargic at the minute too, that seems connected to the cold and snow, I'm in hibernation mode so everything is going, very, very slowly.

Satchi, that is, indeed, a boy band haircut, a particularly camp meterosexual one at that. IMO it looks like a wierd insect.

I really like Hugh Fearnley Wittingstall's hair, sounds quite similar in type to yours; however, I think it is enhanced by the accompanying deliscious food, so you may need to do a lot of cooking for the full effect.


http://www.food-mag.co.uk/cpanel/newsimages/HughFW.gif

Short back and sides, a la the 80s, is currently THE haircut for the fashionable man about town, especially fetching with a curly mop top; but perhaps that's just in art schools, and the broader humanities may not be ready for that yet.

Daniel Craig is always a good aesthetic role model.

Hi Satchi,

In my experience henna produces a really good result, reddy tones and lots of shine, I used to use it years ago; however, it does create a lot of mess and is much trickier to use than more synthetic dyes - it's basically equivalent to transferring a load of mud from a bowl and onto your head. I now use toners an shaders and I have very shiny hair, so I reckon they can't be that bad.

A cynical attempt to lure us in with a fluffy animal... it may just work.

Ok, yes I want to quit to watch some TV. Here's my white flag too (snowman); so there is peace, for now...