It's over a week since anyone commented here. Now, that may be because I've had nothing interesting to say. Or it may be that you're all too busy. But I'm just wondering if the problems with leaving comments that used to plague this blog have returned? Perhaps if you know my email address and you've been having problems you could let me know that way. Not that I promise to be able to solve the problem if there is one!

Now we're onto Chain Reaction in which Jack Dee is hilariously interviewing Jeremy Hardy. I've always liked Jeremy Hardy on the News Quiz and 'Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation'. This interview is very likeable and lots of laugh out loud moments. Available, of course, on the radio 4 website, to listen again.

I have Gardeners Question Time on in the background at the moment. The question was 'which plant should be re-named Essex Girl?'

Bob Flowerdew suggested pampas grass: 'Blonde and fluffy on top, looks delicate but is actually as tough as old boots, and if you tangle with it, it'll cut you up.' Perfect.

We have snow. Not the six feet of snow that fell in New York last week but more than the half inch of snow we've been getting on a semi-regular basis for the last few weeks. Driving home last night was not fun at all. Westminster is closed for the day today, which is not a big deal for me since I have no classes on a Wednesday anyway. I have books to read, chocolate to eat and tea to drink - who needs to go outside?!

This semester began nearly two weeks ago but for one reason and another it feels like it's only just getting going properly. I have now had all my classes, so for those who are interested, this is what will be occupying my time for the next few months:

Ugaritic. Following on from last semester, but now starting to think more about literary issues rather than language, and doing some work on comparisons with Hebrew. I hope to write a paper about Ugaritic poetic technique by comparison with Hebrew (or something along those lines).

Hermeneutical Foundations. A more abstract look at principles of interpretation. Haven't decided what to write about here but maybe something about the history of interpretation of the Song of Songs and the role of community in interpretation. Hmm. Needs more thought.

Biblical Interpretation of the Second Temple Period. Does what it says on the tin. Some general discussion then student presentations introducing the interpretive techniques found in particular bodies of second temple literature. I plan to look at Philo's allegorical method.

OT reading. May have mentioned this before.

German. Have to take exams in reading theological French and German. I'm hoping I remember enough French that, given a dictionary, I can make it through on my own. But my German is pretty much at the level of asking the way to the station and writing a postcard to an imaginary penpal, so I thought I'd better sign up for the classes.

And finally, I'm being a teaching assistant for an MDiv course on Poets and Wisdom. This involves writing and marking Hebrew tests, writing part of the final exam, lecturing on the Song and possibly being involved in marking essays on the Song. I'm very excited about this. I also get to meet the guest lecturers (Tremper Longman and C.K.Seow) when they come, so that should be fun.

All in all, it looks like being a busy time, but I think I'm looking forward to it. Better stop blogging and get on with some work now.