Well, sort of. This isn’t going to be much of a post, because I’m jet-lagged and haven’t really unpacked yet, but I thought I’d let you know that…
(a) I completed and handed in my DPhil thesis – hurrah!
(b) I went to America
(c) I came back from America.
That’s pretty much my whole past month summed up neatly – but I shall sum it down (hmm) in the coming days and weeks, and tell you all about my time in the US, the bloggers I met up with, and the books I bought – and read. The first week after I handed in my DPhil was pretty empty of reading, as I couldn’t cope with any more, but I made up for lost time on holiday, and have plenty to tell you about.
It’s nice to be back, hope you’ve coped with my absence (ahem) and have had a nice bookish few weeks!
Welcome back! We're looking forward to the full report.
Thanks Susan! It's nice to be back :)
You talk as if those were minor accomplishments! So exciting :)
They certainly didn't feel minor, you're right!
Welcome back, Simon!
Thanks Karen! It looks like the comment box has changed in my absence…
I hope you were home in time to catch up on the Bake-Off! My highlight of the night was, "Derriere comme une peche!"
I was! Jet-lagged, but still watching… excited about the final tonight.
Welcome back Simon. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Thanks Lyn!
It was so nice to see your post in my reader – welcome back! I look forward to hearing more about your trip and the books bought & read.
Aw, that's lovely Lisa, thanks! Books bought done… now all those read books to review!
Welcome back! I have been very thankful that your absence so perfectly corresponded to a crazy-busy period in my life when I haven't even had time to read my favourite blogs. Now that that period is ending, you are back. Well timed, sir.
What wonderful serendipity – one does one's best! It's as if I knew…
Welcome back! Just in time for the fall getting-back-to-reading season as the days draw in. Reports of the month away will be looked for with anticipation. (And congratulations on the thesis submission!)
Thank you! I have read lots of fantastic books over the past month, so will be tempting you in the forthcoming weeks.
Congratulations re: finishing your DPhil. A great achievement and also congratulations n surviving Washington DC in shutdown mode.
Thank you Pam! I am delighted that it is over, and the DC trip came at just the right time.
Congratulations on completing your thesis. What an accomplishment. Still hoping to meet up with you in NYC some day. EllenB.
One day, Ellen, yes! I might be a bit overwhelmed by NYC, but now I have been to the US, I might be ready to explore some more of it…
Can't tell you how much you have been missed!
Welcome back, Simon.
Janey
That's so nice, thank you Janey!
Welcome back! I missed your posts, and look forward to hearing about the American trip.
Thank you Christine! I had a lovely time away. And I haven't forgotten about My Life in Books, it will be coming soon :)
We've so missed you Simon! Looking forward to hearing about everything that you did in the US, even if it was all closed and rainy!
Thanks Annabel, that's very sweet of you! I should make sure I write all the US posts I'm going to before I forget everything that happened…
Welcome back – we've already been taunted by the tale of 4 bookshops in 3 states (or vice versa)!
Yes! We didn't end up doing quite the itinerary Thomas had planned – we ended up staying in one state, but certainly didn't skimp on books – as you'll have seen by now ;)
Well done and welcome back. I've really missed your posts.
That's very sweet of you, thanks Ann :)
Great to have you back Simon – the blogosphere isn't the same without your posts. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences and your reading and well done on completing and handing in the thesis!
That's such a nice thing to say, Karen! I have missed the blogosphere, and it's lovely to be back in it.
He's back! Yay, Simon. Congratulations on completing the D Phil submission. Imagine how much MORE reading you can accomplish now.
I know, right! I'm also making sure I read lots of 21st century stuff at the mo, before A Century of Books take two. Maybe should do some Victorian doorstops while I'm at it.
Welcome back, and congratulations! What an accomplishment!
Thank you Tiffany! It's certainly a huge weight off my mind. As soon as I finished, I sat in Botanic Gardens laughing to myself… must have looked a bit hysterical!
Welcome back and congratulations on handing in your thesis!
Thanks so much, Stefanie :)
Congrats on getting the thesis finished! We have particularly missed your Bake Off posts – I hope you have been able to keep up with it on your travels. Final next week!
Thanks Erica! I'm excited about the final – although I won't be in when it happens, I'll make sure to catch up asap.
I'm glad you're back home safe and sound. I'm sorry about the mess in the US, but there wasn't much I could do about it! Come back again when things are back to normal. I missed your posts and can't wait to hear what you have to say about travelling and about books.
I still managed to fill my days with the non-federal things, and it was a great excuse to plan a return trip! I'm hoping to go back in the spring, maybe 2015.
wonderful to start receiving your welcome posts again! Would love to hear more about your DPhil thesis…
Sally Tarbox
Thanks Sally! Latest post has a glimpse into DPhil thesis territory…
Congratulations on submitting Simon. Good to see you back.
thanks Alison! You might be seeing more of me around Bod Corner for a few weeks…
Welcome back, Simon! Congratulations on finishing your thesis. It's really, really good to see you back :)
Thank you so much, Agnieszka, that's lovely! And I've realised that we've never really talked about you meeting my parents – how fun it was to get that call from Mum :)
Oh, it was great! Your Mum is absolutely amazing (I haven’t actually met you Dad but I’m sure he is amazing too). I wanted to visit Honey Pot since I started to follow your blog and I’ve learnt about it. Unfortunately I never had time off on Saturday or it was something else to do and the distance between Suffolk and Somerset didn’t help. So when I finally quit my job, Honey Pot was the first place on my list to visit. And what an extraordinary place it is! It’s soooo much more than just books (which are lovely as well). It’s hard to explain but I don’t remember having such a great time with people I’ve just met. I love the idea of meeting for a coffee and chatting. Within a second your Mum and all the other people (sorry, I don’t remember their names) made me feel so welcome. It was lovely, absolutely lovely to be there and I know that I will come back one day.
Great to have you back Simon – I've miiiiiiiiised you!…especially the Bake Off posts. Well done for finishing your thesis.
Regards
Jeano
thanks Jeano! Lovely to be back :)