The core of being an archaeologist

Archaeology has caused me severe stress, insecure (even illegal) employments, and some life crisis now and then, and one can really wonder if it is all worth it.  However, when I think about all the fantastic people I have met through my work, studies and "archaeological" life, and all I have been learning from those encounters, I feel very grateful! Grateful for getting to know people with all kinds of views and ideas. Grateful for the chance to experience new cultures and contexts, and to discuss history and todays´ politics with, and learn from, someone who is actually living in Romania, Hungary, Latvia, the US, Russia, or wherever. It really helps if one wants to cultivate an open mind...  
 
The latest challenge will be to learn enough Catalan and Serbian, so I can read more than the English summaries in these 2 lovely books that was given to me last week, from my good friends Lucila and Vladimir. Thank you so much for being so caring and bringing me a copy of your latest work. 😊

My PhD: Library recesses

Work/working spaces should not be large, open and bright "landscapes" if you ask me. They should be snug/cosy and silent. In this huge fantastic library, one can find such nooks and corners everywhere. Just love today´s desk, South Wing, floor 4, Cambridge University library. 😊             

Proofreading: "Excuse the coffee, please!"

It IS Sunday, but considering that fact that I took almost all Wednesday off this week (All saints/holiday in Spain), and made time for a really long walk today, I actually don´t mind doing some work this afternoon. Some days ago I received the proof/comments from the editor of a text which will be included in an anthology produced/compiled by my department. It is called “Allvarligt talat”/”Seriously (speaking)”, and my contribution is focusing on Agda Montelius, who was married to the archaeologist Oscar Montelius, and her travels and work together with him during the 1870´s and 1880´s. To treat myself –even if I really enjoy today´s task- I decided to move my office to a proper environment, i.e. a bar/café from the late 19^th century… I mean, why not work in an (almost) authentic environment if one has the chance? I moved from one to another, since the first one got a bit too noisy after a while… It´s fantastic that there are still quite a few of these old and more or less authentic interiors left in Barcelona.

Bar Muy Buenas

Bar Casa Almirall

As some of you already know, I am writing my thesis about international archaeological networks etc in the late 19^th century, focusing on Oscar Montelius (and Agda), and the source material includes loads of documents from the Montelius´ archives. During my last visit to the archive (in Stockholm) I came across a document that was not of interest to my current study, but still caught my interest. It was a proof, commented by Oscar to be sent to the translator of one of his publications. There are certain moments when you feel extra close to your study object, and this was one of these times. Just like I am this afternoon, Oscar was proofreading and all of a sudden he spilt his coffee on the script. No computers, no printers, so he had to keep the script as it was… Coffee stains and all...

"EXCUSE THE COFFEE PLEASE!"
Ref: Oscar Montelius arkiv, Antikvarisk-topografiska arkivet, Sthlm

 

Alltså...

Jag och min avhandling 😎

My PhD: Writing your dissertation in 15 minutes a day

Today I would like to share a book tips with all of you: Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day by Joan Bolker. 
I was recommended this title by another PhD candidate (thanx Minna!), checked it out at the library and decided to get my very own copy. It is a pretty quick read, only 150 pages . The title is of course a bit misleading, it is not about actually writing a thesis in just 15 minutes a day. It is about creating a writing habit and finding your own preferable work style. "Writing in order to think" might be my favourite advice.

Reading this book is a bit like having a conversation with a friend about writing. Bolker is adressing everything related to the writing process, from psychological aspects to dealing with distractions. She provides different methods for creating a work flow, such as free writing (but also a little less free writing, which might work better for some people.) I find it quite useful to re-read the different chapters now and then since Bolkers tips and advice might be seen in different light depending on where one is in ones writing process and which problems that might have surfaced. The book was written in 1998 which means the section on computers is outdated, but it doesn´t matter. I think this book applies to any larger writing job and is a great book for all writers :-)

Underbart är kort, alldeles för kort, så som när Magnolian blommar...💗

Underbart är kort, alldeles för kort, så som när Magnolian blommar...💗

Some favourite second-hand categories

There are some things which might be extra worth looking for when going vintage- and thrift shopping. Some of my favourite categories are:

WOOL JUMPERS. We have all read terrible articles in the news about how many cashmere- and other types of woolen clothes are being produceed. Taking animal welfare into consideration, I believe that buying such items second-hand is a much better option and"safer" than buying a new piece if the seller can´t tell you how it was produced.

BELTS. With a little patience you can find all kinds of nice belts, even as good as new ones in leather.

SCARVES. Most second-hand shops sell nice quality scarves for just a few euros. 

SHOE TREES. Both wooden as well as plastic ones can often be found in good condition for a bargain price.

Easter thrift shopping

Easter was definitely my favourite holiday season when growing up! Spring on its way and I also loved all the bright colours, greetings cards and traditions associated with the holiday. April is also my birthday month, which might have had something to do with it... For many years I have not given much attention to Easter decorations etc, although still enjoying the calm holiday. This year, however, we have decided to fill our home with a little more light and colour. A perfect way of finding nice decorations without spending too much money is of course to go thrift shopping :-) It is quite easy to find new -or as good as new- items as well as nice retro textiles, all for just a few euros in total. The tradition of decorating twigs of birch (or other trees) with colourful feathers has been criticized the recent years, as people have become more aware of how those feathers are produced. I did not buy any feathers today, but if one wants to have them, I think the perfect place to  buy them would be at a thrift/secondhand store. 

Vintage & second hand: A rather dull skirt

Some time ago I bought a long, black and floral skirt. It looked quite boring to be honest, but it was the right size and made of a very comfy and soft rayon fabric. It was only a couple of euros and I thought it could (at least) be worn with a singlet or tank top and a pair of sandals during the summer. Just by a coincidence I found a vintage silk scarf with a very similar pattern. By combining the skirt and scarf with also a black cardigan, a belt and why not a brooch from the 1950´s, I think this skirt works fine for just any occasion! So, don´t judge a piece just by how it looks on the hanger, try it on, try to imagine how you can combine and style the garment. Doing so you might find real bargains that work very well with and can create new styles together with the pieces you already have in your wardrobe.  

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Vintage in Barcelona: Clothes by the kilo

Like in some other European cities, you can by your secondhand garments by the kilo in Barcelona. The concept has been introduced in Spain by Flamingo Vintage Kilo. There are several stores in the city center and one can also find a Flamingo vintage barber shop.