I've just finished my shift at the library and am spending a few minutes in the MCR computer lab hoping to bump into Andrew. I should really be having lunch, but if I see Andrew then we can have lunch together. On Mondays and Wednesdays he normally has class at noon, so we fend for ourselves. It's not that we can't eat any other time, it's that Hertford's dining hall only serves lunch from 12 to 1:30 and they're usually pushing you out the door by 1:15 and out of food before that. Andrew's class doesn't end until at least 1:10, making it nearly impossible to eat lunch in hall those days (I can't use my college ID to pay for it, only Andrew's, which he has with him, obviously) . So since we can't eat at hall on Monday and Wednesdays we usually just pick up a sandwich on our own.
Today he had another class before his normal noon class and thought it might make him late to the noon lecture. If so, he might have to skip the noon class. That's kinda secretly what I'm hoping for. Otherwise I won't see him until late this afternoon when he comes home to change for tonight's chapel service. Anyway, I thought while I'm here I might as well write an entry.
Tonight is the Hertford College Chapel Choir Christmas service. It's basically a musical sing-along church service dealy with traditional carols. Our musician friend Rich tells us that many of the familiar songs don't have the same tunes in England as in the U.S. For example, "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Away in a Manger" have completely different tunes, although similar rhythms. Interesting, huh? Anyway, we have a really tremendous choir (which includes Rich) and I look forward to the service. I'm constantly impressed at how full and beautiful the sound is from our rather small, non-auditioning choir. Simon (the chaplain) has asked us to be there early to help 'work security' - making sure certain VIPs get seats, etc. Should be nice.
Before I do that, though, I am giving a Bodleian tour to four lucky Hertford MCR members. LOL. Actually, that is the maximum number I can take at a time, so the first four people who asked or who I invited are those who are attending: Jon Baines, Michael (a German gent who lives upstairs in the same house we live in), PJ, and Rich. It should be a nice tour and I hope they enjoy seeing all the 'magical' things like tunnels and conveyor belts. LOL. If you haven't been there, especially if you're a Bodleian Reader, I think it is pretty cool, actually. The other porters I think get a kick out of the touristy things I do (like giving tours), but I think it's fun.
Today I worked my favorite post, the Exhibition Room. It's just what it sounds like - a tiny museum of sorts in one of the rooms of the old Bod. Admission is free and it opens at 9:30. Right now they are showing off some of the real gems from the Bodliean's collections like Shakespeare's First Folio, original handwritten letters from King Charles, school work from a young Queen Elizabeth I, original handwritten poetry from John Donne (I wrote a question on my English Comprehensive Exam on ole John and therefore credit him with a chunk of my Masters!), handwritten drafts from Jane Austen, sketches of JRR Tolkien (Are you impressed yet!?), the first known map of England, and Handel's conducting score for "Messiah". And that's not even half of what's in there! It's really amazing!
Anyway, when you are the porter on duty your duties are basically to count people as they enter on a hand-counter, answer questions, and make sure the collection is safe and people follow the rules (no photos, etc.). It's not a bad gig at all. I enjoy it because it's quiet, so you can do a lot of reading or whatever, but also because the people who come in tend to be very nice. Today I kept myself busy by writing when there wasn't a big crowd. I don't want it to sound like I'm slacking on my duties. I did them, but between visitors and such I did write. And by the end of my shift I'd written more than 9 pages toward the novel. Not bad, huh?
Congratulations to my in-laws, Gene and Judy, on their 31st wedding anniversary. Three decades, two kids, and they're still happy. Pretty cool, huh?
Well, it looks like Andrew has made it to his lecture, so I'll be off for a quick bite before the tour. Cheers!
Posted by Erin at December 4, 2002 12:26 PM