Next week, I'm pleased to receive my second interview in Ireland - this time Northern Ireland. I'll give a presentation at Queen's University, Belfast. I'm excited about the trip to the city, and to visit the famous Seamus Heaney Centre in the English department, to interview for the post of Lecturer in Creative Writing (Prose Fiction). After teaching Creative Writing on the M.A. at Royal Holloway, University of London, I'm excited about the chance to convert my work and publications into a full-time position. Wish me luck!
One of Seamus Heaney's accomplishments is his translation of the earliest Old English epic poem
Beowulf. Here we see him holding up an ornate retainer's mask with suitable admiration!
Below is the The Grounds at the university, a suitable place for dreaming and writing great poetry!
A potted history of the university: "Founded by Queen Victoria, the Queen's University in Ireland, was designed to be a non-denominational alternative to Trinity College Dublin which was controlled by the Anglican Church.The University was made up of three Queen's Colleges - in Cork, Galway and Belfast. Although it was the first University in the north of Ireland, Queen's drew on a tradition of learning which goes back to 1810 and the foundation of the Belfast Academical Institution.Its collegiate department, which provided University-style education, closed with the establishment of Queen's and four of its professors and many of its students transferred to the new college.Founded in 1845, Queen's opened in1849 when the first students entered the magnificent new college building designed and built by Charles Lanyon. Since then, the University estate has grown to more than 300 buildings - many of them listed for their architectural importance. The first batch of students numbered 90. Today there are some 24,000."
The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race takes place today at 3.40pm on the Thames. The race takes about 20 minutes from Putney Bridge to just beyond Barnes Bridge, given no sinkings. Hold the line coxswain!
Above is this year's Oxford crew. (Go Oxford!) Here's the history of the race too, including those above mentioned sinkings, and rebellions!
Who wouldn't be, with a host of destination cities like these? Follow the pics or this link for a new website dedicated to visiting cities a little off the beaten track.
Ruba.com's first featured country is Viet Nam, and as you can see, that could mean any one of the following cities Can Tho, Chau Doc, Da Lat, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Sa Pa, Saigon and Vung Tau. 
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After much consideration - not wanting to enter into the decision lightly - I have now decided to adopt a monkey. Yes, a monkey. Adopt one. Yes. If you are so inclined to help your fellow tree clown (albeit not quite a primate), you can do the same here.
You may even learn something!
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