<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><DIV>Hi all,</DIV>
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<DIV>I work on the Magee campus of the University of Ulster in Derry/Londonderry ('Derry'). I am employed to teach Irish, Spanish, Folklore, Ethnomusicology, Museum Studies, and whatever else needs doing. I have also taught media studies, cultural policy and management, and other things at other institutions. I've been in educational institutions almost without a break since I was 5. I was severely bullied in my last job, so I've seen the worst of what's out there, but I am currently enjoying working with the people I am now with and exploring the possibilities of what might be possible here. And today the sun is shining. :)</DIV>
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<DIV>I always remind myself that I can always do something else. That has kept me sane. Seriously. I am very clear about what's important to me and what I want to do with my life, and as long as being in this job facilitates that I will keep at it. But if I find that it is changing me too much in ways that I don't enjoy, despite my best efforts, then I will reconsider my options. </DIV>
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<DIV>I've been thinking a bit about knowledgelabs and things, and about conferences, and about travelling to conferences, and about weighing up the consequences of my actions, and all of those sorts of things ...</DIV>
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<DIV>I've been wondering whether participating in small meaningful actions with helpful attitudes is potentially more important than organising large-scale events? My own response is yes, and I'm now starting to think about what I might be able to do around the campus, and around my town. Brown-bag lunches? Screenings/discussions? Open themed talks/discussions/conversations? Skillshares? Conversation cafes?</DIV>
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<DIV>I've been wondering whether I sometimes get sucked into thinking that bigger (more people) is necessarily better? My response is, again, yes, and I think it would be good for me to remember that small is often beautiful.</DIV>
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<DIV>I've decided that giving a 20 minute paper and meeting some new people to talk about stuff doesn't adequately justify my travelling half-way around the world in an airplane. </DIV>
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<DIV>I've decided that it's important for me to not read a paper at the conference I'm going to in Belfast tomorrow (talking about reclaiming the idea of crafting as a way to think about empowerment and politics in relation to the politics of gentleness), but rather to sit and chat to whoever's there.</DIV>
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<DIV>I've been reading Derrick Jensen's book, Walking on Water. I would very much recommend it and I would love to use it as a source for discussion on this list at some point.</DIV>
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<DIV>There are a number of others who are primed to join us, they just haven't got around to it yet :) </DIV>
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<DIV>Looking forward to the discussions :)</DIV>
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<DIV>All the best,</DIV>
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<DIV>Anthony</DIV></div></body></html>