The world seems to be conspiring to give me a headache today, and it’s making me grumpy. I seem to have gotten dehydrated yesterday, despite a fair amount to drink. My room is next to a water pump that goes on at 6 am. It sounds exactly like a loud vacuum cleaner that has been left standing in place directly outside my open window. Normally it doesn’t bother me too much, but this morning it gave me a wicked headache. Now I am here at the internet cafe sitting under the one dying florescent light in the place which is a little like the Chinese water torture of light.
I have started writing up my research. It is a very early stage of write-up, but it is making me feel much more accomplished about what I’ve done and I’m enjoying it a great deal. Right now I’m writing an experimental (or maybe not that experimental, but rather simply non-academic) first chapter and a more academic second chapter. I’m also making notes and outlines for further chapters, an exercise that helps to make clear what information I need to spend the rest of my time focusing on.
I’m thinking of publishing some of the first chapter here, especially since it will probably never make it into the final draft. I want to attempt to describe life in Kumasi in a way that gives a vivid sense of living here, and that manages to convey a sense of both the social structures and the random fluidity of social life. I’m not sure how I feel about putting such raw stuff out for all the world to see (potentially, obviously, since I think my actual readership is around 10). Any comments, should I/shouldn’t I? Do you want to see it?
Filed under: Daily-Living Anthropology
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Yes please!
Of course we want to see it!
Absolutely! I can’t wait.
I would love to see it – when you write in a raw form there is an energy there that is different from the final piece. It becomes more polished for sure, but I think a little less in “the now” if you know what I mean. Probably not. But anyway, I think it would be relly interesting. I am really glad you are enjoying writing up your research. Especially since the thought of having to do that myself makes me think I would rather remove my own gall bladder with an oyster fork. Must be some of thoses “genetic differnces” scientists are always going on about.
I’m with Lenore on the oyster fork thing. Hearing you talk about writing your thesis reminds me of how I felt when you finished your first piano recital and said, “That was Fun!!” Definately didn’t take after me on that one either!
Always interested in reading your work. Glad the writing seems to be going well, that’s always the hardest part for me – getting thoughts down on paper in a way that makes sense and sounds like I know what I’m on about! I missed sending you a letter before you’ve left Ghana but I’ll send one to you in W’loo instead. Hope your trip goes well, and that you have a fantastic Christmas at home :)
How many times did it take me to figure out that Captcha thingy? Duhh…