One can always identify the start of an Oxford term by an explosion of the number of messages in your inbox: since Sunday, mine has jumped from about six to about fifty. This is especially acute given that I immediately delete (or file as ‘School Spam’) all of the dozens of irrelevant messages sent to me. For instance, frequent notices that the fire alarms in various parts of Wadham College are being tested.
At least they provide a semi-productive way to take breaks between bouts of dense but interesting reading for international law. I think this course is going to be my most interesting seminar at Oxford so far.
To keep it from getting overwhelming, I find that it’s best to look at each event invitation as it arrives. Decide whether to go, right then, and mark the event in your datebook if you choose to go. Otherwise, just trash the message.
If you don’t keep on top of those, they really balloon to the point of swamping more important stuff.
You mean “event invitations” like this one, right?
This is a reminder that the first Faculty Seminar will be held this
Thursday, 18 January, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at Nuffield College (Clay Room).
This week’s paper will be ‘Sittin’ on the Sidelines, Thinkin’ about War,’ by
Professor Henry Shue.
DPhil discussant will be Patrick Travers.
That does sound interesting, incidentally.