Over the first fence

On Sunday, I decided to go through my assignment for Cleopatra and Doctor Faustus. I was having a little trouble with both parts of the assignment for different reasons. With the Cleopatra part of my assignment, I had so much to say and so many ideas that I was finding it hard to condense this into less than 500 words without compromising on the quality of my argument. With Doctor Faustus, I was finding it hard to get above 400 words without waffling.


In the end, I managed to get the assignment completed in 475 and 455 words respectively. I sent it off this afternoon so that's it now, until I have to revisit again in a month's time for my second assignment (a reflective assignment and reworking of the first).


I've also finished working through Faraday (Chapter 4) and started on Stalin (Chapter 5) which puts me about three weeks in front on my studies...

Missed Opportunity

Saturday was the first Day School for my OU course at Leeds Rose Bowl, but I didn't go. I intended to, but only had a few pounds left and had to decide between bus fares or food... I chose food!


What was really annoying though (and also a lovely surprise), was when, out of habit, I checked the balance of my bank account at the ATM - my grant money had been paid in (although I didn't get the letter until today).


So, with my wallet now full of cash, I headed off to Leeds anyway, although sadly too late for the Day School. Instead, I went straight to Waterstones to purchase the rest of my set books for the course: The Faber Book of Beasts (ed. Muldoon, P.), The Burial at Thebes (by Seamus Heaney) and A World of Difference: An anthology of short stories from five continents (ed. Prescott, L.).


I also decided to buy myself a few writers' magazines and pay a few months broadband in advance, so that after last week's fiasco, at least I know I can stay online.


That wasn't my only surprise on Saturday. When I returned home, I had received a small parcel through the post from Waterstones - a proof copy of a new book which I need to review. The book is called 'Toxic Treacle' by a Yorkshire born author called Echo Freer. It is a young adults' novel, set in a world where there are clear but complicated laws regarding the mixing of males and females; where everyone has specific roles to play; where relationships between male and female are purely for breeding. I'm only on page 70 at the moment, but am enjoying it so far. When I finish, I will post a link to the review.

A trip to Leeds

I had a shock yesterday morning when I got home from the shops. My Internet wouldn't work! I phoned Virgin to find out why - a call that lasted almost half an hour and cost me the full £10 that I'd just topped up. Apparently, the £30 I'd paid off my bill hadn't gone through in time as I'd paid using PayPoint. Anyway, it meant that yesterday I had no internet... no email... no jobseeking... no Open University... and shock, horror, NO FACEBOOK!!!


It did mean that I could get on with a bit of reading and writing. I read a little more about Faraday but I'm still struggling to take in all the science bumph. As this reading isn't essential for the assignments, I may just skip it and move on to Stalin. I also finished reading 'Moon Over Soho' by Ben Aaronovitch, which is about a Detective Constable who is also an apprentice Wizard. Next up is 'The Windup Girl' by Paolo Bacigalupi.

As for the writing... I did a little tweaking of my Cleopatra/Faustus assignment. I edited some of the information in my CVs. I also wrote two poems about yesterday's ordeals with Virgin. The bulk of my time yesterday though, was taken up writing the first draft of the first chapter of a story I've been thinking about for years called 'The Leeds Witch'. Please DO read them, and as always, your comments and advice are gratefully received...

Change of Route

Yesterday evening, I was sat watching TV with my 'Stepdad' (he isn't really my Stepdad, but there is no word for 'the fiancé my Mum never got round to marrying before she passed away even though they'd been engaged for fifteen years' so until I finish my degree and submit new words to the OED, this will have to do).


We were watching the 1999 film 'The Mummy' starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah. When the Mummy first spoke, my Stepdad said to me, "I preferred it in the old days when the Ancient Egyptian Muumies in films all spoke in English. I can't keep up with all these subtitles!"


After a brief discussion about how EVERYONE should speak English ALL the time, he asked me to find out how many people actually DO speak English, and whether more people speak Mandarin. He also wanted to know when English as WE know it now was first widely spoken. I won't spoil it for you here - if YOU are interested, you'll have to do your own research!


After about an hour of searching and reading, I was hooked. I immediately went to the OU's Qualification Planner and changed my study route.  I am still concentrating on Creative Writing, but now instead of History I will be doing English Language.


I now have my next four years of study planned out: After I finish AA100, I will start A215 Creative Writing and U214 Worlds of English in October of this year. They will both finish in June 2013, giving me the Summer off. In October 2013 I will start my level 3 studies with E301 The Art of English. I will then have an overlap when I start E303 in February 2014. Iwill then finish my degree with A363 Advanced Creative Writing starting in October 2014, hopefully finishing in June 2015.


So, now all I need to do is find a job as a writer, proof reader, editor, librarian or any other job which will complement my studies...

 

My Mum and her log term Fiancé, Kevin - This is the last photo I have of her, taken three days before she passed away

Ee bah gum - it's West Yorkshire

I'm really enjoying the discussions on the AA100 February 2012 and A215 October 2012 Facebook groups. There's always something interesting to talk about whether it is study related (Cleopatra, Faustus, assignments), computer related (open Office vs Microsoft, Evernote vs One Note) or food related (Marmite, Jaffa Cakes, Monster Munch, Coffee, Vodka, Marmite Vodka!).


Today though, one of the conversations was quite civilised and cultural, turning to artists and galleries. This of course allowed me to talk of the many wonderful artists and the fantastic FREE museums and galleries in West Yorkshire, all within about ten miles of my home, and more important to me they are easily accessible by bus.

West Yorkshire has produced some of the greatest artists, writers, actors and broadcasters the World has ever seen. I'd be shocked if you haven't heard MOST (if not all) of these names:

• Henry Moore (Sculptor), Leeds
• Barbara Hepworth (Sculptor), Wakefield
• David Hockney (Artist), Bradford
• Andy Goldsworthy (Artist), raised in Leeds
• Damien Hirst (Artist), raised in Leeds
• The Bronte Sisters (Novelists), Thornton/Haworth/Birstall/Mirfield/Dewsbury
• Barbara Taylor Bradford (Novelist), Leeds 
• Helen Fielding (Novelist), Leeds
• J B Priestley (Novelist/Playwright/Broadcaster), Bradford
• Alan Bennett (Playwright/Broadcaster), Leeds
• Ted Hughes (Novelist/Poet Laureate), Mytholmroyd
• Alan Titchmarsh (Novelist/Broadcaster), Ilkley
• Michael Parkinson (Broadcaster), Cudworth
• John Craven (Broadcaster), Leeds
• Jeremy Paxman (Broadcaster), Leeds
• Chris Moyles (Broadcaster), Leeds
• Patrick Stewart (Actor), Mirfield
• James Mason (Actor), Huddersfield
• Malcolm MacDowell (Actor), Leeds
• Leigh Francis (Actor/Broadcaster), Leeds {Avid Merrion/Bo Selecta/Keith Lemon}
• Thomas Chippendale (Furniture Maker), Otley

 I could go on with a few dozen more names (as well as sports personalities, politicians, scientists, musicians etc) but you're probably bored already, so instead let me tell you about those wonderful museums and galleries that I mentioned.

• National Media Museum, Bradford - Several galleries exploring the history and future of photography, film, television, the Internet and digital media. Two special exhibition galleries
• 1853 Gallery, Salt's Mill, Saltaire - This gallery has a large collection of works by David Hockney. The mill is at the heart of a model workers' village which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
•  The Henry Moore Institute, Leeds - Collection of works by Henry Moore
• The Hepworth, Wakefield - Collection of works by Barbara Hepworth
• Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield - Open air gallery of works by Hepworth, Moore and others set in  the grounds of Bretton Hall

Again I could carry on telling you details of dozens more museums (Royal Armouries, National Coal Mining Museum, Eureka Children's Museum...) and art galleries in every town but if you ARE interested then I don't mind helping you to plan a visit to GOD'S OWN COUNTY!

As a treat, and considering today's date, here's a video of former Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes reading one of his poems...

Different Directions

As I have decided to take a short break from studying, I needed something else to keep my brain busy. After conversations on the A215 Creative Writing (October 2012) Facebook Page, I've decided to write the occasional short story. This is in addition to the poetry I'm already writing. To view my efforts, use the links to the left of this post, and please bookmark them so you can pop back later...

Take a Break

I've done it! I've finally managed to write Part 2 of my Assignment. After reading Faustus's Last Soliloquy about a hundred times, listening to the CD track about twenty times and watching Richard Burton in the 1967 film version three times, I've managed to get something down in my own words.


The tricky part here wasn't understanding the play or deciphering the language; nor was it a case of not knowing the character of Doctor Faustus and figuring out why he did what he did or said what he said. No - the hard part was trying to put this into my OWN words when the books were making such a good job of explaining it all to me.


For this 500 word assignment I only managed 375 words but decided if I added any more I would just be waffling. At first I was a bit worried until I read the rules about 'word lengths' which told me it is fine to be under the word count but frowned upon to go over. Still to be on the safe side, I may go back and have another go just before I send it off. For now though, it's time to take a short break from my studies...

Going the wrong way

I need to be really honest with you. This week I seem to be going the wrong way in terms of my studies. I keep attempting to do my 500 word essay about Doctor Faustus, but I always manage to find something more interesting to do.


I've read and re-read his 'last soliloquy' several times but just can't seem to get my head around the use of language, and how this contributes to the characterisation. I understand about 'blank verse' and 'Iambic Pentameter' but just can't quite connect this to what it tells us about Faustus.


I think I'm going to leave it for another couple of days and see what else I can get done...

Pin in the Map

I had a day off studying yesterday, but it didn't stop my creativity. I managed to write two poems, although I needed a bit of inspiration from friends. I also plan on doing a few more over the next week using the ideas that I was given yesterday. You can view all of my poems on my Facebook Poetry Page.

 Another obsession over the past few days has been Pinterest. It gives you the opportunity to collect pictures and videos as you surf the Internet, and 'pin' them to boards. As well as boards for weird, beautiful and interesting things that I find whilst 'Stumbling' using StumbleUpon, I also have boards for films that I've watched and books that I've read (but only since 1st February), and also my favourite places that I've ever visited. What started as 'trying it out' has quickly turned into yet another addiction, adding to my procrastination.


Whilst Stumbling yesterday, I also came across a fantastic Open Source download called Storybook. It's a novel writing tool similar to the expensive Scrivener. When writing a story or novel, it lets you organise your story in scenes, rather than writing it from start to end as you would with a normal word-processor. You can also create separate profiles for every character and setting, and manage multiple plot-lines. I think I'll be playing with this quite a lot...

And we're off...

Well today is the official start of the AA100 course. So what's different? Well... not a lot really. As far as I can see, there's my electronic notebook and tutorial forums; but I'm not sure how much I'll be using them as they seem a little 'clunky' for the 21st Century. I'll probably stick to using Evernote and the Facebook group during most of my studies.


I was planning to go to the Induction Event at Leeds University Rose Bowl this morning to meet my tutors and fellow students. Unfortunately we had a power cut at quarter past nine last night. I had no TV to watch, no internet and no light for reading so had no choice but to go out for a few drinks. They were still digging at the end of the road at two o'clock this morning when I got home and went to bed. As my only alarm is an electric radio-alarm clock, I was unable to set it. I'm NOT a morning person so didn't wake naturally until about ten (the event started at half past).


Yesterday afternoon, I managed to write a first draft of my Cleopatra assignment. I really struggled at getting it down to less than 500 words. I did plan to write about three different years, but only had space to write about two. I'm going to leave it for a week or two before I go back and look at it again. Hopefully by then I may have some ideas of how to condense it further...

Far(aday) and Away

After writing last night's blog, I decided to have a go at writing some blank verse in 'Iambic Pentameter' and after a bit of trial and error, I managed to write a poem (click here). I've been a bit hit and miss with my poems since I started looking at the materials for this course, and I'm afraid it's going to stay that way.


Anyway, on to today. I've finally started on Chapter 4 - Fame and Faraday. So far so good. I'm enjoying reading about his life, and how he became a famous name through the 19th Century. However, upon scanning through the rest of the chapter, I've noticed there's quite a lot about his experiments. I realise that these contributed to his fame but I'm surprised to see them in an 'arts' course. Oh well, time to put my science head on...

Gazetteers and References

I didn't read as much as I wanted last night so I've still not moved onto Faraday (I will eventually... Honest). I was thinking about what to do on Saturday after the Induction Event at Leeds University. I've no money left (apart from the £5 I've put on one side for my bus ticket), so I won't be shopping. The event will finish around 12.15pm which leaves the rest of the day clear, and as I will have a 'Day Ticket' for the buses, I might as well get some use out of it.

I decided to start by looking at the Gazetteers on the AA100 website. They list locations around the country to see examples of works I will be studying throughout the course. After a bit of scrolling and clicking I've discovered that there is a great example of Pugin's architecture at St Anne's Catholic Church in Keighley, and examples of Benin art in the Leeds City Museum (there are others at the Leeds Discovery Centre, but this is only for pre-booked tours). I can't decide whether I should visit any of these or leave them until I'm actually studying them (possibly on the same day as a tutorial).

As I was scrolling through the coming weeks I discovered that NONE of the Ancient Sacred Sites, Roman Villa Sites or Eighteenth Century Houses listed on the website are within West Yorkshire. The nearest being in York, which although only another hour by bus would be another £6! I think a bit more research might be required to find something similar locally.


I also spent a little time today working through the online activities for using the Harvard Referencing System, and then followed this up by adding some references to my pre-prepared assignment and advising someone on the AA100 Facebook page. Now back to my reading...

Getting Ready

Well, I still haven't finished the book, so still haven't moved on to Faraday. It hasn't been a totally wasted day though. I spent an hour or so preparing my document for my assignment. I'm still trying to find my way around Open Office, as previously I've always used Microsoft Word. The free version of Word that came on my laptop though has an annoying little animated advert in the bottom corner which you can't turn off (without buying the full version), and always seems to crash my computer (obviously nothing to do with the half dozen tabs I have open on Firefox).


With a bit of playing around, customising toolbars and changing default settings, I managed to get it to do what I want, although I am disappointed that there is no option for a 'live' word-count or even just a word-count button to save me having to go to the menus. 

For my first TMA I've set up a document with a header containing my name, OU identifier and TMA number; a footer containing page number; title, question (copied and pasted from the PDF version of the Assignment Booklet) and bibliography for parts 1 and 2 (part 2 separated by a 'Page Break'); and just because the idea has been swimming around in my head for a couple of weeks - my introduction paragraph for Cleopatra. This has helped a lot because I now know that six lines of Arial 12pt, is approximately100 words.


As well as this, I've also set up a LinkedIn account to help with my job search, and following advice I received in an email, I shall be including details of LinkedIn,  my Poetry Page and my Blog on any future CVs that I send...

Travels Through Time

I didn't really fancy the leap to Faraday in Chapter 4 today. Not because I don't like the subject matter, because I know I will find it extremely interesting once I get going. The historical aspect of this course is really fascinating (who did what and why did they do it?).


No, the reason I didn't move on to Chapter 4 is that I'm in the middle of reading 'Time Riders - Gates of Rome' by Alex Scarrow. It's the fifth book in the series about a group of kids who were snatched out of time minutes before their imminent death and taken to a lock-up under the Williamsburg Bridge in New York to work for a top-secret agency. There they repeat the 10th and 11th September 2001 over and over, watching for subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) changes which may indicate that someone has gone back in time and altered something.


I won't go into plot details, but the gist of each novel is that something has happened in the past which they have to go back in time to fix; aided by their tube grown, genetically engineered, super-human 'support units'. Whilst it is classed as a 'Young Adults' novel, I think Scarrow has a fantastic imagination which he is able to express through his writing in an engaging manner, without resorting to his characters swearing at the drop of a hat.

Now according to the Time Riders website, the book isn't due out until next Thursday, so maybe I've done a little time travelling myself...

Slow Progress

Quite a productive day today! I did the online activity about the death of Christopher Marlowe and discovered that nobody is really 100% sure of how he DID actually die, although I did learn that if you are going to trust anybody's opinion about someone's biography, then Oxford University Press is a pretty good source.


Next was the 'Inside Art' activity. As you've probably gathered from previous posts, paintings are not my thing at all. This activity has helped with SOME aspects of evaluating paintings (perspective, light source, colour) but these are the few things I actually remember learning about at GCSE. I've still not got the foggiest when it comes to deciding WHY an artist painted the way he did.


It did mean that I could tick off these activities on the website. And as an added bonus I got 9 out of 9 on the Chapters 1-3 Quiz. I'm going to leave the TMA questions for a couple of week (until I've been to a tutorial) so tomorrow I might start on Chapter 4, although it is CSI Sunday on Five USA...