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Why
People ask why this journal is called what it is. It makes perfect sense to me - most of the time we spend in life is trying to be something we want to be, but don't really feel we are. We're too confused, distracted and generally busy most of the time. There are also those moments when you suddenly go "Wait! Is this what I want to be doing? Where I want to be going? Stop the train, I want to get off! Have I left the gas on?"

The answer to all of this, of course, is No. I'm a f***ing squirrel. In Senerity Forset.
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Nov. 3rd, 2009 @ 11:17 am I did warn you...
...that if you didn't ask about anything then I would blog about something I found interesting. Following that promise, today I am preparing to teach a third year seminar on emotional labour. This is quite an interesting concept, but to understand the idea, firstly, you need to understand how work has been theorised more generally. Many people may rememebr from high school Geography how industry is split into primary (resource extraction), secondary (manufacture), and tertiary (services such as sales). Well theory about it has also developed as the economies of the Western world (initially, followed by others) have shifted dominant industry sectors. All of this is quite boring.
What is interesting though is that Marx originally wrote about the exploitation of labour by capital in the context of predominantly primary and secondary industries. And much of early scholarship also centred on these activities. But the shift towards a tertiary economy accompanied many changing social factors (such as the increase of women in the workplace), and the result was a shift in the conception of what 'work' is. Suddenly, many activities that existed outside of the marketplace became commodities, and as commodities, they became subject to the exchange rules of the market. Thus the hiring of an employee was no longer about the strength of their back and hands (as in mining), or the dexterity of their fingers (as in manufacturing), but instead on their capability to produce emotional (or seemingly emotional) states in themselves and others.
Ans so, in 1983 when Arlie Hochschild wrote "The Managed Heart", she wrote about acting. How this had become a part of work in a massive way. How 'service with a smile' is not only about smiling to customers, but persuading yourself that the smile is genuine, all the while knowing that it probably isn't.

So, next time you find the high levels of stress and mental problems in current society remarkable, consider what is being produced in everyday 'work'. Because in most cases what is being produced is a 'happy worker', and that takes a lot out of you.

*may write more of the detail on this later*
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Berrach
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Oct. 26th, 2009 @ 02:50 pm I'm not big on memes but...
if you want me to blog about something which you would find interesting, and think other people would find interesting, please say so and I will. If no-one comments I may be forced to blog about something I find interesting, and that might be a bad thing...did you know I read a book recently about people who identify models of electricity pylon for fun?

In other news, I hear the Lions are having a social event at the end of Jan in Yorkshire. Anyone fancy it? Booze and Dancing apparently.
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Berrach
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Oct. 12th, 2009 @ 10:41 pm Help please!
I need a heavy duty quick drying cheap glue with low or no solvents, and I need it soon.
In art class at college we used to use UHU (in a tube, not a stick), which at least had less solvent than my current brain-melting gear. As I'm making props for Cthulhu I could really do with something that's quick-drying, but mostly it's the price that's the killer, as I need quite a lot of it.
Either that or breathing apparatus.
Anyone?
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Berrach
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Sep. 23rd, 2009 @ 02:04 pm A rather pointless update
Hi all,
this is just an update to say to folks that if I've not seen you for aaaaages I'm sorry, and if it feels like I've given you the cold shoulder I'm sorry, and if it seems I've just not been involved in the usual social scene, well I'm sorry about that too.
The long and short of it is, my thesis due date was meant to be September 30th. It's been known as a fact that that particular date was unrealistic for a while, and December was a bit more reasonable, giving me 3 months extra to finish, but with no pay, and no job lined up.
To be wholly honest, I doubt December is realistic anymore either.
So I'm looking at an Easter submission date, I'm going to have to get my arse in gear, and I'll have no cash coming in, which means yet again I might not be seeing folks much.
So please don't be offended if you invite me to things and I can't come, or if my face doesn't appear down the pub, or if I make excuses not to come for coffee or lunch.
In other news, my mum is subject to a CTO again, and it's quite funny explaining to her that no I can't drive a 300 mile round trip to pick her up some shower gel...

Oh, and our November Cthulhu is looking so amazing I may make players swear a blood oath to never reveal the plot so I can run it again with minor alterations. Plus, we checked out the site last weekend, and they have an indoor heated swimming pool, so after the game ends we are *so* having a pool party!! (Even if I should be working on my thesis :p )
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knot
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Sep. 2nd, 2009 @ 09:29 pm November Cthulhu in Wales
Hi there all,
just a quick post to say that we have had some cancellations for our Cthulhu game, so three spaces are now available if you get in reasonably quickly. Archetypes are negotiable.
For more details look at
http://www.hazeyjane.co.uk/cthulhu.php

Dates: 20-22 November (with free extra night stay available)
Price: £140 including accomodation and catering
Location: Llanfendigaid, North Wales

Mr Charles Warner cordially invites you to join him in discovering if an important archeological find lies within his estate. Professor Julian Haverthwaite will be making an initial investigation of the site on the weekend of 20th - 22nd November, 1925, as well as making a presentation of his recent research on Viking settlements in the area. This will be a fascinating weekend for any interested in the study of history, archeology or genealogy..
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Berrach
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Jun. 10th, 2009 @ 02:14 pm Charity Gig
Tags:
Hey all,
just to let you know there is a bellydancing hafla at the Borough on Saturday from 8pm to raise money for an orphanage in Ghana. There will be performances and opportunity to dance in the 'eastern' style! Entrance is by ticket only, £7 though you can reserve a ticket in advance and pay on the night. Get tickets by calling Jane on Lancaster 752723 or you can email me and I'll forward your request for tickets onto the organisers. Only a limited number left!
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Berrach
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Jun. 7th, 2009 @ 12:17 am Raqs Brittania
For anyone who doesn't already know, I'm driving over to Blackpool tomorrow to visit the massive market and open performance at Raqs Britannia, the British Bellydance Festival. It's all indoors, and only £6 to get in. If anyone wants to join me, you're welcome to car space. I'll be leaving about 12.30 and coming back at 5.30, so if you want to come along, get in touch before then!
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Berrach
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May. 12th, 2009 @ 10:30 pm Birthday
Tomorrow, the 13th, is my birthday. Originally I was born on a Friday, ready to start the weekend. As tomorrow is not a Friday, but a boring mid-week Wednesday, I will be celebrating on Saturday, which happily coincides with The Dark Place relaunch at Cuba. Anyone who wishes to join me there to celebrate another year of not being on fire (well, except that one time, but now I keep my dressing gown sleeve away from the gas hob), is welcome. Doors apparently open at 10.30 and it's £3 with a flyer. I expect we may be in town earlier than that, but I dunno where, so text me on the evening or get in touch by mystic means of face to face communication nearer the time to confirm details. See you there!
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Berrach
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Apr. 6th, 2009 @ 09:58 pm Moonwalk! Attract the ladies!
This had me in stitches tonight, tears streaming down my face, I couldn't breathe. However without the rest of the QI buildup you may wish to search for the Michael Jackson version on youtube with music (search for moonwalking bird).

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Berrach
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Apr. 1st, 2009 @ 03:23 pm My week thus far...in reverse.
Two lindt chocolate eggs for £2 at market stall
Revisited soupanova - yum.
Got another cheque for Cthulhu! Yay!
twirl twirl twirl twirl - might bellydance @ CP
"One owner had all six barstools covered in leather made from whales' foreskin"
drilled holes in foreign coins - hope I won't be arrested for it, in the downturn we might need all the money we can get, even pretend! (especially pretend)
"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" says an academic paper. Actually I think you'll find dwarves are tossed quite often, as long as no one tells the elf. I think this says something quite profound about human rights legislators and ethicists, but I won't ramble here.
My office mate is slowly becoming southernified. London is bad for you.

Mmmmm boiled linseed oil - sticky, but cheap. Like Mike (be happy).

Built a raised vegetable bed! Hurrah! Thanks to Dan for doing all the hard work while I supervised.
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Berrach
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Mar. 4th, 2009 @ 05:57 pm Mana
Was doing some more reading of anthropology texts today, and came across the information that in the Ndembu language (a people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire) mana means wisdom. I thought there was a nice logic to this and the use of the word in fantasy contexts, spells deriving from the limit of the magician's wisom...
However, according to Wikipedia (which never lies):
"Mana is the concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. The concept is common to many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian."
and
the concept was first introduced to fantasy by Larry Niven in 1969, in his short story Not Long Before the End.

So....
universal resonance? coincidence? Any other thoughts on this, and perhaps other similar concepts used in science fiction and fantasy (no discussion of 'aggro' please)?
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Berrach
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Mar. 2nd, 2009 @ 05:23 pm Cynical Meme
This is a part cynical part ironic meme I just horribly abused. Pass it on for the ultimate in Internet meme irony. Especially if you hate memes.

( The anti-meme )
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Berrach
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Mar. 2nd, 2009 @ 04:56 pm No time for memes
Like I said....

So, instead, have an update.
Today I taught folks about globalization. Then more globalization. Then why it was all nonsense. Twice.
Then I had a sandwich.
Then taught other folks about autonomous work groups (specifically Power in Interdisciplinary teams).
Then spent 20 minutes telling a student that I wasn't going to tell him what essay question to write and how to answer it. And to write what he wanted. Without using Wikipedia.
I bet he'll use wikipedia.

Then I started writing something of mine.
Then I showed the secretary how to do bellydancing moves (camels. she asked).
Now it's 5pm.


I'll have that thesis by October then. Yes indeedy.
On the plus side, I will get paid for all this.
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Berrach
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Feb. 3rd, 2009 @ 10:16 pm DVD oops
In a moment of confusion (and let's face it, I have them quite a lot), I bought a copy of a dvd I already own.

So, anyone out there fancy a copy of Fight Club for £4?
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Berrach
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Jan. 20th, 2009 @ 12:09 pm Time @ Work
Ok, in this article written in 1959 the ethnogropher describes various 'times' to break up the monotony of the (industrial) working day. These included coffee time, peach time, banana time, window time, lunch time, pickup time, fish time, coke time, and leaving time.
The point of this post is this, do you to have things you do (alone or in groups) at work to break up the day? I usually have mahjongg time at around 4.30!

Tell me about your time. What does it mean to you? Would you be able to cope without it? Does it require certain objects or people to happen? Which time is best or most important?
Including livejournal time!


NB: "Messing about on the internet time" doesn't really count unless it is a major and regular feature. And Lolcat time goes without saying.
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Berrach
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Jan. 5th, 2009 @ 04:48 pm Exercise 'n' stuff
Feeling: contemplative
What with the usual new year new slate attitude, I was amused to find an article on "the Tracy Anderson method" favoured by certain celebrities to maintain tiny waists: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/03/tracy-anderson-personal-trainer-madonna

I'll save you the time of reading it - in summary it's eat what you like, when you like, but exercise 1 hour a day 6 days a week for the rest of your life. 30 mins cardio, 30 mins weights. That's it. Um..rocket science? How do these people make money?

Anyway, not that I plan to go down that road. However, I have booked bellydancing classes for the next term, and also need to fit in using my gym membership (to get my money's worth) - so, swimming anyone?
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Berrach
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Dec. 20th, 2008 @ 12:53 pm Christmas time
Dear all,
we are now going away for Christmas, and will be back for New Year (dunno when).
If Carrot and I have not seen you recently, have a great season of festivities.
If you did not recieve a card this is because;
1. it was lost in the post
2. we don't have/have lost your address
3. we don't love you anymore
4. we didn't think you'd want one

all the best to Blue_Swirl, who now has an apartment, and special Xmas hellos go out to zoe_far_away, soliloquy, butwhywouldyou, brightroar, and moonllama as you are all far away and we probably won't see you!
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Berrach
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Nov. 10th, 2008 @ 10:27 am It was rusted, it was busted....
...that old PC is playing up.
While Carrot is looking at it gloomily and soothsaying as to the portents of imminent doom...I'm not really all that bothered. I have been really worried about money laely, but once again I have looked at all the articles around on student debt and told myself that actually, I'm really doing quite fine. And if I have to buy a new PC it won't break the bank, I'll just have to cut back on other things (like compulsive fabric shopping on ebay).

And it also means I really can't stay at home and 'work' (get distracted by ebay etc). I can't even foll myself on that one if it aint working. So I'll have to get my schedule sorted and knuckle down in the office instead. However, today is my fortnightly teaching marathon, so I can allow a little bit of blog-time.

Speaking of teaching though, I gotta go!
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Berrach
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Oct. 24th, 2008 @ 07:14 pm Banksy
If you didn't see this already....go look!

http://thevillagepetstoreandcharcoalgrill.com/




PS. Perhaps I was merely protesting before. 3 Hours of reading Weber will do that. I still haven't finished.
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Berrach
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Oct. 24th, 2008 @ 04:16 pm I hate the world
The world is hateful.
This includes you.
Yes, you, reading this.
Consider yourself thumped for not doing something more productive with your life than reading livejournal.




However, I am posting to it. Which makes me as bad.
*wanders off to thump self*



There is no reason for this.
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Berrach
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