The Naming of Things

Today started off rather badly.

I got up later than I had wanted to, sleeping past my alarm. I couldn't remember what important things I had to do, although I knew that I did have important things to do today. Suddenly remember, I jumped out of bed. I needed to call the doctor's office, because I have been having some serious pain in my feet. Even wearing inserts and special foot pads and properly fitted shoes, the pain persists. So I called at about 9.30 this morning, and the woman on the other end had no idea what to do with me.

'Can't you talk to your college doctor?'
'I don't have one.' 'What college are you at?'
'Wycliffe.'
'Don't they have a doctor?'
'No.'
'Well I have only one appointment left for today in 20 minutes.'
'I can be there.'
'What's your name and date of birth? You aren't in the system?'
'No, I'm not.'
'Don't you have a college doctor?'
'No.'
'Well it's going to be 40 pounds.'
'Okay, I have to stop and get cash. I am not sure I can be there right in 20 minutes.'
'Well you can always go and see another doctor. Here is their number.'

Gee, thanks for the help. Socialized healthcare...what a grand idea.

So I was so unwilling to leave the house today. By the time I did, about 2 hours after this incident, I was feeling rather sullen. On the way to the Bodleian, however, I ran into Iulia, a Cypriot girl who is studying here in Oxford, and who is probably one of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever known. Seeing her seriously brightened my day. I went to the main Bodleian building today for only the second time since I've been here. I usually study in the Radcliffe Camera, which you have seen in my photos. It was pretty awesome, because they have every book you've ever wanted to read, and then some. The reading rooms, however, are kind of like the 1970's threw up on the world's most venerable library. The floors look like lacquered particle board and the room is decorated in varying shades of drab. There was a portrait of John Dryden, staring at me disapprovingly. I felt intimidated. I didn't stay there for very long. The Radcliffe Camera is much better suited to my academic pursuits anyways. The reading rooms are round, and so in the middle there is a shallow dome. I feel like all of the smart things that people think get caught up in the dome, and they float about until someone needs an idea, and they draw the idea into their heads and can think and write intelligent things. Working in that room always makes me feel infinitely smarter.

This last weekend was so dreadfully quiet. More than half of the residents of 8 Crick Road were abroad, either in Rome or Barcelona or London. It was a bit disappointing; however, it afforded an opportunity to get to know certain housemates better. I had a great tutorial on Monday. I didn't read out my essay, which made things so much better. I felt like I was more confident to talk about my ideas instead of feeling stupid as I stumbled over the mistakes in my essay.

Anyways, I am feeling kind of sick, in addition to my foot pain, and it is a bit late. I am going to go to bed now. I know I need more pictures. However, in my defense, I do the same things in the same buildings every day...