I'm supposed to be writing a paper for submission to the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland - basically a heavily edited version of a large chunk of one draft chapter of my PhD thesis. It's a bit scary - the thought of the great & good of Scottish archaeology reading it critically - supposing it's ever (a) finished & (b) accepted for publication, both of which are seeming unlikely at the moment.
I'm suffering from writer's block - can't decide between phrasing things in a wishy-washy way - lots of 'possibles' & 'maybes' - which sounds as if you don't know what you're talking about - or being more positive with more 'it is' & 'this shows' - which sounds a bit arrogant.
My man already had two papers published in the Proceedings (on the Peedie Pict - pictish bone carving of a little man, & on Neolithic Mortuary Practice in Orkney) so he's an old hand - currently writing lots of detailed papers on isotope analysis. He's also given papers at a couple of osteoarchaeology conferences so will be published in the conference monographs too, so I'm feeling a bit left out.
I have given two papers at the local 'Orkney research in progress' conference - one on my own research & the other funnily enough on his, since he was away south at the time, as a result of which I can now not only spell craniosynostosis but also know what it means (premature closure of the skull sutures in case you're wondering).
The big news has been the discovery of another probable chambered tomb in the garden of a restaurant down in South Ronaldsay, hopefully to be excavated soon subject to funding being available - my man's happy as there will be more Neolithic bones for his PhD - as if he hasn't got enough to do.
We've got a contingent of blue badge guides from the STGA - the Scottish Tourist Guides Association - in Orkney on tour at the moment - they're the governing body who oversees our own Orkney Green Badge guides training programme. We're holding the graduation ceremony for our latest batch of green badges this week to coincide with their visit & I've got to attend since I'm the chairman of the Orkney Tourist Guides Association (I'm only chairman because no else wanted to do it & I hadn't upset anyone). This presents something of a problem as I'm by nature quite scruffy being an archaeologist and all, & also hate clothes & shopping, so I've got nothing smart to wear & will probably disgrace OTGAs good name. I get away with decent fleeces & sturdy breeks & boots for touring (my breeks were once described as 'tough no nonsense trousers' on a blog by some Australian clients - £12.50 plus VAT from Birsay farmers - bargain).
Was discussing this problem with my friend Pat who's always impeccably turned out except when wrestling sheep & she was horrified to find I have no idea what size I am in anything & is now threatening to take me clothes shopping to Aberdeen. As a stop gap measure she suggested the Blue Door charity shop - noted for its bargains - lots of folk send brand new clothes still with the tags on. The Blue Door is a great local idea - there's a lady in the Kirkwall that owns an empty shop & she lets local charities & community groups have it for free for a fortnight at a time - if you get a really keen group in there they can take £6000 in a fortnight, pretty good going when you think most things cost a £1. Last time Pat was volunteering in there she got a whole new wardrobe of brand new unworn clothes. Never thought of that - only thing I ever get in charity shops is dog blankets.
Not having time to get in there will have to rummage through my clothes box (Pat also horrified that I don't have a wardrobe - just various big wooden chests) & see if I can find a pair of black jeans & Judith Glue sweater - my usual 'posh' standby. Will just have to stand at the back if there's a photographer there.
http://www.orkneyarchaeologytours.co.uk
