leaving, part two.

hello, friends,

sitting in the lounge at manchester airport, having woken up at odark-thirty. i slept in the car ride over and now one side of my hair is smushed.

the day is going to be a long one.

i didn't want to leave the UK without mentioning that, as part of our travels in and around hull on tuesday and wednesday, helen and i went and visited the william wilberforce house in hull.


he's the town's favorite son. can anyone name the reason?

pause pause.

well, you can't avoid him these days.

he was the fellow who, in 1807, convinced the british to abolish slavery. this year is the 200th anniversary (the actual day was march 25, so my visit was really timely) and events are happening all over to mark it. you can visit the website for a complete run-down of the history, celebrations and impact wilberforce had.

the movie, AMAZING GRACE, is the story of wilberforce's efforts. i was sort of ambivalent about seeing it, but now i will.

and i urge you to sign the petition to stop the institution of slavery that still exists around the world today.

off now to find some chocolate homewheats for the lizard queen...hours more to go before i arrive back in the city of brotherly love.

kisses to all.

gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky

leaving hull

hello, friends,

well, despite the fact that i was "warned" about the connection between eternal damnation and the city of hull, i've had a rather good week.

helen and i attempted to see the beverly minster...it ACTUALLY looks like this:

despite our smugness and helen's vast knowledge of the hierarchy of the church of england, it does not look like this:

the two do share a striking similarity (and, let's be honest, all big churches look pretty much the same), but we were just plain wrong. sigh. no wonder we are friends -- shared lack of directional abilities.

i've just finished my last module for the week and frankly, just in time. i am REALLY tired, having not slept much here. the bed in my room is a single and, since i'm used to a big queen, i've been waking myself up after whacking my arm on the wall.

oy.

i've also had little luck in finding some presents for you good, kind people, but the entire country shuts down around 5, which is when my classes have ended. it becomes like an instant ghost town. it is odd, but, once again, confirms why there is no more british empire.

really anxious to get home, and, luckily for me, i got bumped up to 'world traveller plus' in my seating, which gives me more legroom and space. and i got an exit row, so perhaps i'll sleep there. and of course, who can forget the "free drinks on overseas flights?" can anyone say "bloody mary."

all in all, it was a good trip and i feel really prepared to dig right on in on my dissertation. i do miss the girl -- i dreamt last night that she saved the life of a duck and was part of a car burglarly in which both my friend jeannie and my cel phone were taken. crazy where the brain goes...

right then, i'm off for a nap. then fish and chips for dinner.

and a 6:15 departure for manchester airport.

hope to see you all soon -- and much much love.

gotohellifyouhatefreedom,

volansky

online and rolling

hello, friends,

well, by some minor miracle, i am getting wireless access here in my little monastic room in hull, england. i think i may be stealing it from the italians (bon journo!) who are sharing the house with me, but no matter. i'm online!

things are going well here. i liked yesterday's session on "managing the research process," led by a feisty australian named "derek." he advocates empowerment of the post-grads, which, given my sleepy state, is not really something i am up for. however, i am discovering some things about the difference between writing a dissertation in the US and in the UK. very cool stuff. i'm anxious to meet with my advisor later in the week to explore where i think i am going. beware, library workers of the world...

i get to hang out with helen today, which is very exciting. i think we may tear up hull today and then take a little adventure tomorrow. i heard rumors from the kids about york and scarborough.

despite kate, rachel and erika's insistence that england is not as...um...technically backward as it seems, i am still cell-phoneless. it is sort of liberating. i do have a phone in my room and i had a good chat with brother bertie last night. one sibling in japan, one in england...mom and dad must be very proud of their world travelers.

off to class (good lord, my computer says that it is 3:21AM -- who knew i'd be up this early!) and in search of a decent cup of coffee.
be in touch -- i miss everyone. oh, and if you are looking for a little reading material, check out what is available later this week...

gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky

i'm in england!

hello, friends,



well, it has been a long while since i've posted. i've discovered that some of my opinions are rather boring to anyone except me and so i've chosen not to share each and every one of them.



however, before i launch into the travel narrative, i did want to turn your attention to two sites worth observing:



the first is this one.



i know that some of you are liking the other one, or maybe even the other one. but i like my guy. i can relate to him, i think he's smart. and i think he is different. not the usual suspect. which is, for me, what it is all about.



the other site i think is REALLY important these days is this one. josh was the first on this story, and has continued to cover it relentlessly. there was an article in the times which seemed to suggest that the scandal (is that really the best word?) around the firing of 8 US attorneys is a non-event, but i have to disagree. to fire a guy like bud cummins to replace a friend of karl;s (remember karl, gang? he's not gone ANYWHERE...) seems more than a little fishy to this blogger.



what do you think?



so, i am currently in hull, england. here is where it is:



think secaucus, new jersey. think about the monty python sketch regarding your lover in bolton.

that's hull. not a pretty place. but i hope to find some fun, adventure and my dissertation.


however, i have encountered some technical difficulties:


my cel phone does not work here.
my laptop cannot get wireless here.
the computers are ANCIENT.
internet access is extremely limited.
there are 3 television stations on the television my room, which is, hmm, 'sparse.'


last night i popped over to the 'old grey mare,' the closest pub. it was a MOB SCENE because, of course, england was playing israel in a sport we call soccer. they were completely overwhelmed and weren't serving food because of the crowd. so, i had 4 gin and tonics and 2 bags of doritos for dinner. i'm hoping for fish and chips tonight.


today's adventures had me walking walking walking looking for someplace, anyplace to be open. out of luck. i did find a little grocey and got some essentials (a chardonnay, some pasta, kleenex).

i am beginning to see why england lost their empire.


more later, but i miss everyone and feel very disconnected. you can try to email me (volansky@yahoo.com) but know that internet is not this island's best friend.


gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansky