Ox Stew, Second Helpings

Wisdom of my years: When in doubt.  Cop out.  Get your game-head on*.

Resolved the MFA issue myself.  Still got it, baby!  (Scottish people can’t get away with using ‘baby’ in any sentence not about actual babies).  Changed daily updates from the noticeboards to weekly.  Realised was bedazzled by Oxford’s thrall; that am not doing this course to belong, nor to waste time on the unedifying ramblings of others, especially those with terminal insecurity and no manners.  Am studying to stimulate the grey cells, and for ideas for a bubbling-up story.  Will focus on interpreting the course work and recommended reading.  Course is only 10 weeks, and comprehending medieval manuscripts while fascinating, is heavy going. 

More wisdom: After reading the study for the day, that evening write out what you remember you’ve read.  Once you’ve stopped panicking, go back and fill in the gaps.  This eventually helps with retention of information, and can stem anxiety-provoking distracting thoughts such as, ‘Should I read ‘The Golden Bough’?**

Second tute.  One of the pontificators hogged half the time and used latinisms such as ‘ipso facto’ and ‘a fortiori’ on the discussion board.  What a mentula.  Then chivvied the rest the group about the question we’re supposed to be answering (Q: Is divination magic?  A: Depends who you ask and in which century).  It’s not lost on me that a key reason for my disdain is that I’m competitive.  But we’re not talking about me, we’re talking about pontificators being twats.  When a course only has a 1500 word final pass or fail, then allocate your energies accordingly.  Cop out of any and all distractions, (except cinema-going which is essential to the process).

Course itself is full of treasure – feoh; the Old English word for ‘treasure’.  (There’s a different rule when it’s me pontificating).

*Disclaimer: Obviously only cop out of employment, marriages, family homes and such once you have established the basic needs are covered; roof over head, clothes over body - or bedroom chair – food in pantry – including emergency biscuits – emergency fund (including % for books and fun fund for cinema trips and crap-you-don’t-need) in the bank.

**Spoiler Alert: Nope.

Mentula: Latin, an obscene term for the penis, used by classical authors like Catullus and Martial as a direct personal insult (equivalent to calling someone a "dick" or "dickhead").