So the English Defence League (EDL) held their march through the streets of Newcastle on Saturday. An anti-fascist march was organised, but the notice was short and the turnout subsequently weak. At first, I was just curious to see (or, confirm for myself) what type of demographic supported this so-called party.

But then it just got too real. We could hear the crowds marching through the streets; the police warned us to get back; but before we knew it two girls dressed as goths started to hurl abuse at the crowd marching past.

Of course the police had to stop the march whilst these two trouble-makers were dealt with; things turned a bit ugly. Missiles of beer cans were thrown (I was soaked with Budweiser), insults hurled from either side, children were scared and the elderly dismayed. As my friend Michael said, ‘I think the liberals have a bit of a problem’. If we try to see it from their point of view, all we come up with is that they see the crazed killing of soldier Lee Rigby as signs that the nation is under attack from ‘militant Islam’, which, as their website claims, they seek to ‘peacefully’ protest.

But in the aftermath I was shown a video by my house-mate; an interview with one of the EDL faithful – my heart sank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjuNuqIev8M

If this is the kind of ignorance which backs up such aggressive behaviour towards ‘others’, then we can see where the problem lies. Where did the state go so wrong?
How can one isolated tragic murder generate such mass intolerance, where people from all corners of the UK come to reclaim their nation from ‘Muslamic infidels’?

I’m speechless, I really am.

Thought I’d pop in for a chat…

Things are moving a bit faster my end now, I’m finally getting my act together with language training (after which I can book flights and start saving a Malaysia fund)

The BN achieved a narrow victory at the polls yesterday, which although understandable (they have 57 years of experience at the helm, and were never going to be an easy take-down), is significant in the loss of a great political voice, Anwar Ibrahim – who signified he would step down if PR lost.

It’s May bank holiday here, a beautiful sunny day, and yet I’ve come in nice and early to start preparing the structure for my presentation on Thursday. It is significant, for it is the first time I’ve indicated my change to a more philosophical direction, and thus needs to be seamless!

Otherwise, just trundling along nicely – have my Annual Progress Review next week, and was so busy faffing around trying to upload all of the relevant documentation that I felt really exhausted by the end of last week!

So I took Saturday off, followed the Malaysian elections yesterday but am now recuperated for the second of two tough weeks.

I taught my last seminar last Friday, I like my students – considering I’ve only had since January to know them (the groups oddly change half-way through the academic year). I wish them all the best in their exams, and am certainly going to apply to teach again when I get back from Southeast Asia, no doubt.

I’ll try and blog more frequently from hereonin – update you of my fieldwork arrangements, which will likely change on a week to week basis! X

I’ve always wondered, when I hear how my lecturers describe who their influences were, whether I will have one of these ‘There was this one day…’, or ‘I was inspired by Person X…’ moment. Yesterday, I believe it happened.

But first, I should go back in time to a month or so earlier. I presented at the Geographical Imaginations conference, and was struck at how monotonous postmodernism seemed to be. Not so much the content of the presentations (including my own), but the way in which theoretical approach was so blandly covered – unanimously, by all who presented.

Postmodernism typically goes: ‘there is more uncertainty in X than first seemed’, and we should question the basis from which this uncertainty arose, and critique our productions of knowledge. Well, no. Not any more. Alastair Bonnett, my supervisor, commented that it would have been refreshing to see a structuralist, and I agree. Or at least, someone dedicated to discarding this supposedly fashionable analytic costume.

My housemate is doing an MA in International Politics here, and we therefore had a mutual interest in politics, and, seeing this seminar advertised:

Despite All Critique:
World Politics and Western Reason Revisited (presented by Rob Walker, a proponent of realism – and, apparently a big cheese on the IR scene)

We felt we just had to go. Why indeed do we feel the need to doubt ourselves and our methods of analysis? This has only led to more uncertainty, not less. Not to mention a very dystopian outlook in analysis. Why, as Walker, unforgettably put it, does modern political science seem dedicated to eradicating the historical consciousness?

I have always admired realism, for its certainty of itself. This PhD has been about soul searching, and I feel that I was lured by the modality of the ‘fashionable’ way of doing geography (if I even call myself a geographer anymore; which I don’t) at undergraduate and even at Master’s level. But that I really am more of a realist; even if I didn’t know it.

This is not to say that I believe the pendulum has swung completely. I do believe Postcolonial (more neocolonial) critique is important, especially in this new age of empire. But I hope that this seminar at the very least, will help my writing to become more mature and balanced, and at the very most, become more sure of itself and more real and pragmatic – for this is where I believe the future lies.

Over and out

X

Went to a time management seminar today, and to be honest it was the best two hours I’ve spent in a long time. I’m a planner by nature, and this was ideal for a seminar which taught you to give yourself a weekly plan, to list your key areas in ‘life’ (for all of these contribute to the Alexander Macleod project), and most importantly, the conviction that I’d stick to it! Perhaps most interesting was the Urgency/Importance matrix:

If it’s important and urgent (a project deadline), then do it.
If it’s urgent but not important (i.e. most uni emails), don’t let this cut into your day, and see to it at a time that suits you.
If it’s important but not urgent, don’t let time pass by and forget about it until the last minute!
If it’s both unimportant and not urgent, then leave it out of the workplace.

Simple – but so, so effective.

My essay is coming along nicely, all the reading done and started writing it up this afternoon. I’ve really enjoyed reading about theories of nationalism, and it just shows how we take things like ‘nation’ and ‘national tradition’ for granted. Could you define a nation if asked to?

I’ve started playing in the windband on Tuesdays, which is nice to keep the old bassoon ticking along. It had been a while, but I’ve finally blown away the cob webs and I’ll be diploma level in no time! Not quite…

I’m presenting my research progress on Thursday and to be honest, really looking forward. I finally know my research direction, questions, context, and so have hit a turning point. Let’s just hope my supervisor agrees, as he’ll be facilitating the presentations!

Talk soon, Alex x

Yes, it has. To be honest, not much has been going on, I’ve just been rehabbing my knee, working towards my first hand-ins and reading literature!

Supervisor meeting went OK yesterday, but now I realise the step-up from Master’s level; just the sheer detail, accuracy and consistency with which you have to write.

I’m kind of thinking there is so much to edit on this first essay that it’s almost like flogging a dead horse. From the outset I wrote from a ‘master’s’ mentality and not a ‘professional researcher’ one.

Anyway, just started new essay on nationalism now which is always fun; Anderson, Gellner, Hobsbawm, Smith, Kedourie, Reid, etc.

As for spare time, well…not much! Just combining gym with swimming and whatever nights out I can still enjoy guilt-free! Though off to Barcelona at Easter so can let off some steam then.

I’ll check in more often this year to make up for three months’ of absence!

Ta for now x

Me again, thought I’d write a quick update. Received the email: GEO8089 has been marked and feedback is ready. Eek! I will find out the result of my largest academic assignment yet, on Monday.

PhD work is going well, and I’m delighted to be able to write that there is a high possibility that the three years will be extended to three and a half to accommodate an extra six months’ language training in Southeast Asia (Malay).

I’ve been toying around with the idea of laser eye surgery, and after further discussion and consultation (and a £300 off voucher courtesy of Optical Express) have decided to finally take the plunge. Going in to talk to them tomorrow. Excited and nervous, both at the same time. (My bank managers are just as nervous!)

That’s it from me, just thought I’d check in. Until next time.

The time is near! 12 weeks on crutches and I started to walk again yesterday. I plan to ween myself off them over the next week or so, so that September I can finally get my life back.

Sorry for playing the smallest violin, let’s focus on the positives. Dissertation done and ready to print out. Started to learn the ukulele, though not sure where I’ll find the time to put the practice in! I can finally get back to the gym, stop having to pay for taxis everywhere – heck, just walking to the fridge will be a joy.

In year one I regretted not joining enough clubs and societies, and through a chance meeting have heard about the kayaking club, which I intend to find out more about.

September will certainly be an intense month! Self-rehabilitation – social, physical – and the construction of my PhD proposal proper, all to complete by the start of fresher’s week, when I learn how to teach a module – lots to be excited about.

Ending on a rather cheesy note, this summer has certainly been testing at times, and has really made me reflect on things, and certainly not to take health for granted! Watching the olympics only inspired me to throw myself back into all aspects of life, and I really hope that this rubs off on my attitude towards my PhD – sure to be one of my greatest challenges yet.

Well, this summer certainly hasn’t progressed as expected!

This was supposed to be the post where I remark on how wonderful it is to be able to walk again, but…the surgeon wants me to stay on crutches until September, so no can do!

I’m moving into my new gaff over the next few days, but my housemate to be is currently having the time of his life in Asia! Tip: don’t attempt to buy/rent a house when your co-tenant is abroad, it’s a logistical nightmare.

As my PhD year draws closer, I’ve signed up to tutor two groups of undergraduate students in GEO1096, which I’m quite excited about. I had Simon Tate as a first year and know the importance of having a decent mentor, so it’s also quite daunting!

But I am looking forward to passing on my pearls of wisdom as to how to survive as a geography student.

Turns out that I have been on crutches, an experience which has been…eventful. Seems quite odd, but I’ll never take my legs for granted again!

As such, not much has happened in June apart from what I said, recovery and dissertation, oh and a disappointing quarter final exit at the Euros.

Powered through my dissertation, and now I have the dreaded editing period to start. Takes longer than writing the dissertation itself! That said, in my own mind I am a perfectionist; one of those people who re-reads a sentence four or five times until it clicks.

Having been chucked out of my flat in Fenham (tenancy ended, I didn’t do anything bad!), it’s back in Marris House for a month before I move to my house for next year.

Being in halls again is quite a novel experience, makes me wonder whether I’d do anything differently if I could do it all again. But on the whole, I got what I wanted out of the undergrad experience, albeit with a few hiccups along the way!

Not much more to add, I really cannot emphasize how uneventful this month has been!

Sorry to bore you! Until next time.

Well, that’s the teaching finished. All assignments handed in, and I’m going to pick one of them up from the GPS office tomorrow. These next two months are the two that count! Dissertation, dissertation, dissertation. You see, I’m trying to get a lot out the way now, so that I can watch all the Euro 2012 games later. Forward planning – vital for a masters degree!

I’ve had a long term problem with my knee, which has culminated in going in to have surgery on Wednesday week. The day before my birthday. The surgeon does not know whether he’ll have to create a micro fracture in my knee, and I will not know until after the operation. If he does, I’ll be on crutches for six weeks. If he doesn’t, then I’m back in business within a few days afterwards. My whole summer hinges on a few hours in a hospital bed.

(On a side note, looks like the brief spell of super hot weather is over. Just as Evolution festival comes to town, which I bought tickets for. Typical.)

Anyone who reads this, pardon my pessimism. Perhaps it’s because I’m sad the masters degree is practically over! I cannot reiterate how fast time flies. If you choose to do, or are doing, a masters degree, then love every moment of it. Because soon it’ll be over and you’ll be thrown out into the big wide world, and no one wants that. Luckily I have my PhD to keep me entertained for three more years! I’d recommend this masters degree to anyone, regardless of what they did at undergraduate level.

Favourite module? Tough one – toss up between GEO8016 and 8017. Lecture? Definitely learning about bass culture in Qualitative Methodology. Sounds odd, but that was truly fascinating. Memorable moment? Presenting my dissertation ideas at the 8015 conference. Good feedback, and I finally learned that I’m not as bad at doing presentations as I thought! Thanks Newcastle, and ESRC, for helping me enjoy a wonderful first year in my 1+3.