Wed Jan 18th- day 12

Meet with Barbara today. She takes me for a convivial lunch, then asks me some questions. It is slightly unnerving being asked questions by an expert in argumentation and rhetoric. It's clear that I need to do some more thinking about the research, and that she quite rightly isn't going to make the decisions herself about how I should approach the research.

I reflect on what it's like to not know anyone over here, to only connect through letters, cards, emails and blogs. I guess it's not so bad because I know it's only a temporary state of affairs. But it takes some getting used to, the fact that some days I will barely actually speak to anyone, beyond niceties at the mall. I get bored of my own company after a while- how often can I surprise myself with my own thoughts- not often. Ireoncally, as I type this, someone in the computer room asks me if I want to go out for a drink tonight (it's Friday night) but I am going to a gig tonight (on my own!) so I have to decline. I think that being on my own is good for a part of me, and not so good for another part of me. It's when you are on your own that you take photos of interestingly coloured bark.

Still, to look forward, I ask Ann about what is good to do for when Rosy comes over, and we look at guide books and swap ideas. There's a lot to do and see here, both in the city and outside, so I am looking forward to the chance to do some vacationing in mid February.