Friday, October 20, 2006

Goin' to the UK

Hurrah! I got word to day that I have been accepted for a conference on Tove Jansson at Oxford University *and* the book collection that it will spawn. Hurrah! Best of all, I am writing on the comics collection from Drawn and Quarterly which I recently reviewed for New World Finn.



Plus, it looks like there is the possibility of attending a meeting on behalf of the College at Regent's College in January (6-10) as well as the late May short course I'll be teaching if I get enough students to sign up for it. Of course, everyone who knows me knows this is just an elaborate excuse to go book shopping on Charing Cross Road and to see friends. Well, and to convey that sense of fun to a new generation of American tourist/students. I have a few other plans for the trip that will be unveiled later...

Those who have known me for far too long may recall that my first trip to England came via a study abroad program between Michigan State University and -- wait for it! -- Regent's College. The dorm I stayed in is now a private home, but it remains right next door to the big mosque on the Outer Circle of Regent's Park. And that park (with its secret garden) remains one of my favorite places to be -- Regent's Park may not have as high a profile as the other London parks, but my sentimental attachment to it is strong.

3 comments:

The Queen said...

Wow, congrats, you jet-setter, you!

-QoE

Anonymous said...

There's a Tove Jansson conference!!? Wow. I'd love to hear about it when you come back.

C. Margery Kempe said...

Undoubtedly I will write about it here! It should be a lot of fun even if it's only one day. And I haven't been to Oxford in...? Twenty years or more! I didn't know all the history then either, so I will definitely appreciate it more this time.

Just my attempt to out-Snufkin Snufkin (yeah, that's a Moomin reference).