BS: Happy birthday: the Open University

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 23 May 03 - 10:49 AM

We've volunteered (i.e. Mrs Phas volunteered!) to havce my brother's kids for a couple of days, so you'll have to come to Gulliver's Kingdom, the teeny theme park, to find us!

MK drab? Depends on your point of view, I suppose. Bits of it definitely are, other bits definitely are not. The shopping centre is a shopaholic's paradise (just ask my daughter), and all under one roof; but you have to pay to park now. The old towns -- Wolverton, Stony Stratford (a hotbed of live music, folk and otherwise), Newport Pagnell, Fenny Stratford and ... er ... Bletchley, all have an air of charm and faded elegance, like many seaside towns ... except Bletchley, but they do have Station X.

There's the Sunday lunchtime session in the Vaults Bar in Stony; can be smoky, I'm told. I'm recovering from a sore throat, so staying out of the way just now.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Peg
Date: 22 May 03 - 12:22 PM

refresh!

well I am off on Tuesday night for England. Two nights in Glastonbury (Wed & Thur), then to Oxford (Fri), then to Milton Keynes Sat. morning, then back to Oxford (Sun night), then London (Mon)...

I'll be staying in MK on Saturday the 31st...opted to stay in somewhat-nearby Oxford in the days either side the conference because I am familiar with it and its such a lovely OLD place; MK is new and drab from what I hear...

But I'd be willing to meet up for drinks or music with any Catters in these areas! PM me with your phone numbers or whatever and maybe we can hook up...

love
peg

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Peg
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 11:36 AM

thanks for fixing that link Steve!
I have not finished the paper yet, but the abstract basically explores the ways in which popular media like film, TV and music affect the discussion and practice of "Wicca" among teens in the U.S.; for exmaple, there are a lot of teens who took their cue for the sort of "magic" they did and the reason they did it from the movie The Craft (1996), right down to the goth fashions and the completely fictional god name "Manon"...other teens watch the TV shows Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer and take cues from those, and this is borne out in discussions one sees on teen websites, etc.

BTW my friend Hannah is giving a talk during that same session, and we are also co-editing a book of essays about contemporary paganism in the US/UK...she is also a singer who performed with her family for years! (I forget their name at the moment). Perhaps we can all meet up. I do not know where I am staying yet, etc. nor the length or itinerary of my trip (must work that out in the next couple of days!) but will keep you posted...

peg

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:40 AM

Fixed your link: ASANAS. "A Charming Spell: The Intentional and Unintentional Influence of Popular Media Upon Teenage Witchcraft in America" -- sounds interesting, Peg: you might like to tell us more ... or do we have to wait until after the conference?

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:20 AM

Couldn't get your link to work, Peg. Are you coming to Walton Hall? If so, drop by and see Julie and me (and TOAO Dai, if he's still around) if you have time. PM us if you like. Drinks shouldn't be a problemon weekdays: there are three bars on the campus!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Peg
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 12:41 PM

cool! I am attending a conference on New Age Thought at the OU at the end of May...looking forward to checking it out. The conference info can be found here . I am giving a paper on teenage witchcraft in America.

I would be interested in a musical outing with area Mudcatters while I am there that weekend, or least meeting for drinks (hint hint).

peg

Subject: RE: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Amos
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 10:00 AM

A brilliant idea still going strong, eh....


A

Subject: BS: Happy birthday: the Open University
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 09:21 AM

34 years old this day. Julie B and I celebrated at the OU Folk Club this lunchtime with other traditional and contemporary music enthusiasts.

Steve Parkes BA (Open)