OK.... so I changed my mind....

[strange_complex]

Dangit: I was so certain I was never going to post anything in this livejournal, and now I've been sucked in, just as venta predicted in the first place!

It started with more regular checks on my friends' journals while I was in Hong Kong and bored, then I got into dropping in on random people's journals from time to time[1], and finally I discovered communities. Already becoming hooked, I was then pushed over the edge into actual posting by flattery: I spent this weekend with brummiepaul and his lovely wife and son, and was repeatedly told my Paul that I 'should post on livejournal' because I have 'something to say'.

Hmmm, well we'll see about that, but you all know who to blame now if I don't!

Not quite sure what sorts of things I will say just yet, or how often. But for today, proclaiming my intention to post in future rather than just responding to other people's posts will do nicely.

Love to all for now (and see some of you in the pub later!)

Penny

[1] From which I learnt that most livejournal users are either goths, Russians or teenagers: or sometimes a combination of these.

Comments

[ladyguinevere83.livejournal.com]

I'm not any of those three! :-) I'm not a goth, nor am I Russian, and I'm 21.

Oh wait.... I do specialise in the history of the Soviet Union! Does that count?

While I remember... I may have to ask you a favour. Do you happen to know much about Oxford as a uni and ancient history/archaeology courses there? :-)

Sarah.
~LadyG

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Sure, of course: I've taught plenty of courses for both at Oxford. I seem to have your mobile no. programmed into my phone, so I will text you in a sec with my landline number. Then you're welcome to call me tonight to have a chat about it. Alternatively, if (as I presume) it's a friend that's interested, you can give them my email address and tell them to mail me about it.

[avaritia.livejournal.com]

oooh what were you up to in Hong Kong? were you at a conference?

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

No, nothing so erudite! I went with my Mum for a 2.5 week holiday at the start of the Easter vac, while my Dad worked out the last 2 weeks of a 2-month sabbatical post he was holding at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. So it was worthy and scholarly for him to be there, but not me!

I don't think conferences on Roman History tend to get held much in Hong Kong, anyway.

It was really cool to be there, though. It's an amazing place: a really unique blend of different cultures (mainly Chinese and British, of course, but pretty much everything gets a look in somewhere), and also a unique blend of the extremes of man's achievements (primarily incredible sky-scrapers) and the extremes of nature's (mountains, islands, wild cockatiels and beautiful flowers). Also they have great food and clothes at cheap prices and lots of interesting things to see and do.

I would totally recommend a visit some day to anyone!

[avaritia.livejournal.com]

> I don't think conferences on Roman History tend to get held much in Hong Kong, anyway.

Good point, I hadn't thought about that. It is because the events I look at applying for, are held in all sorts of places.

I'm glad you had a lovely holiday, the scenery must have been breathtaking and quite a contrast from the UK.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had a lovely holiday, the scenery must have been breathtaking and quite a contrast from the UK.

Actually, I just thought of something particular about Hong Kong's scenery which might interest / amuse you, given your expertise in pavement architecture. The landscape there is _very_ hilly (nay, mountainous), which means that a lot of the roads there are cut into the sides of steep slopes. Where this happens, the slope at the side of the road is generally coated in concrete to stop it slipping onto the road. A small plaque is then affixed to the side of the conrete slope, which displays its 'Slope Registration No', and has a number to call to report any problems with the slope. I have photos as proof!

Can you imagine being the person whose job it is to sit by a phoneline all day, and take calls from people saying, 'Yes, I'd like to report a problem with slope no.....'?

[avaritia.livejournal.com]

I meant to reply to this sooner, but I've been sporadic and erratic with my lj reading over the last few weeks.

I hadn't heard about slope registration numbers before, but thanks for telling me. I'm going to see if they have a similar system in Japan when I'm over there. Although it is possible it may be a unique Hong Kong feature!

[neilh.livejournal.com]

We knew you'd give in eventually....Looking forward to hearing about things going on in Oxford again now that everyone else there has gone quiet.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

venta's never quiet for long! ;-)

[neilh.livejournal.com]

True, but somehow I don't really associate her with Oxford, but I'm not sure why not, she keeps cropping up with the camgoths and does loads of other stuff too.