Begun Sunday July 5
I has been an intense three weeks. It always is, but this year the last few days were unbelievably stressful for mostly things it would be inappropriate to share publicly. Let’s just say that the least stressful of the final three crises was rebooking nearly every student’s flight and sorting each one’s needs in light of the airport ground crew strikes. I am proud of how I and the students and the college handled everything. Overall, it was an amazing trip and has re affirmed the teaching I most enjoy is intensive, immersive, and deeply interpersonal.
I’m tricking myself into writing later by starting a post I cannot finish.
I’ve been out to buy a new suitcase for my books. Yes, this is something of a ritual when I travel. I ended up haggling for a Turkish kilim, finding some last minute vintage t-shirts for my family as souvenirs, and then reviewing the alcohol allowances to bring home a few treats. On the whole, I paid too much for the used suitcase, but the man looked like he could use the money. The kilim I feel was a steal at the price I negotiated. The seller might have gone lower but I’ve bought enough to know I could have paid much much more.
Haggling is such a funny tradition. I like how it reflects the socially constructed nature of any measure of value. Two people weigh their wants and desires as well as a measure of the other person’s capacity all bound up in social rituals and also conventions of value local and global. Super interesting.
Perhaps the oddest thing I purchased at the market was a set of four knuckle-bones, well-cleaned from a seller of bones and stones. I decided these were an essential teaching tool and part of my research on ancient symbolism on coins. I almost bought two boar tusks to turn into the handle of a purse, I’ve crocheted. I regret not buying them, but I needed them drilled and didn’t really want to break them in the process trying the drilling myself. Next year I’ll shop early so he can drill them for me and I can pick up the next week.
I’m off to see the new exhibit of the Francois Tomb. A dream come true if I can get in! It went on display last Wednesday after the state paid 15 MILLION euros for it. Frankly, I cannot say it is anything other than priceless.
And, I’m back. I cycled there and back. It was marvelous. But I didn’t realize the work out I was getting until I got home and sweat poured off me. I’m resolved to rent a bike for the whole of my trip next summer. The cost of the Lime bikes is exorbitant but it is definitely the way to travel. (youtube short)
You can imagine my frustration of getting to the museum and seeing this sign. I was not the only visitor to turn around and leave. My beloved told me I could change my flight to stay to see it. This was ridiculous I want to see my children more. My fear is like the Mausoleum of Augustus it will be open only for a hot minute and thereafter closed for years. Fingers crossed, one day I’ll see it.
Thursday, July 9.
I’ve made it back to the states and am transitioning into parenting, research, and minimal bureaucratic oversight of my department during the quiet summer months.
Since landing, I’ve done quite a lot. Perhaps most significantly, I’ve banged out an application for a visiting professorship. That was a good 1200+ words of prose related to my research ambitions and a culling of a version of my CV down to 4 short pages. Basically I made it a 5 year look back for grants and publications and 2 year look back other activities.
One thing I’ve noticed though is how few of my photos from my three weeks in Italy are research relevant rather than just documentation of my teaching and adventures. If you want the fun stuff, it is over on the class blog not here.
This isn’t to say it wasn’t good for my professional development: I collected so many new catalogues! I met with inspiring colleagues with a mutual love and curiosity regarding ancient bronze!
So now what?! Where does my writing and research attention need to be directed? Time is the most precious of my resources and goal setting is how we get there.
- Youthful Mars article
- Finalizing Papius catalogue, refine Fabatus catalogue, write contextual language to accompany both
- Re engage with Alien Ancestors drafting
- Line up letter writers for prestigious fellowship applications
- Consider most productive pitch for such applications
- Send data to colleagues in Rome RE bronzes
- Think about drafting a preliminary finding piece on pXRF work on 3rd century Bronzes
- Look over what other research has not been written up and/or published, esp. archival research, what is neglected low hanging fruit?
This feels like a moment akin to a day one like in 2013 and again in 2023. And yet, I don’t feel like enumeration. Perhaps it is just a feeling like a re commitment to a future of research rather than a limited period of time to count down.
Anyway. let us begin again regardless.
Liv Mariah Yarrow 