…from his adviser. Not a positive one. No changes in the defense day but I will have to sweat more, it seems. I have had nothing easily in my life and dissertation defense will not be an exception…
Despite several attempts I could not go back to writing and I did not hear from my professors. Because there are sections that need more work, my readers’ feedback could be overwhelming. I have to do some preemptive work, but so far I could not do. I did some more reading. I did have a … Read more
Erkan in a modest but excellent fish restaurant- another hidden secret of Istanbul- with his colleagues from Child Studies and Youth Studies units at Istanbul Bilgi University. Last Friday was another down moment in Erkan’s life. It started with exchanging civilized words with a girl who first flirted with me and then backed down. Since … Read more
Erkan’s current dissertation commitee members:
James D. Faubion (Rice), chair.
George Marcus (UC Irvine),
Carl Caldwell (Rice),
Christopher Kelty (UCLA),
Michael Fischer (MIT),
Hamid Naficy (Northwestern)
The table of contents:
As of 02.30 I had completed the 9th chapter. Hmm Erkan can manage to finish up with one day delay! I have a class in the morning, then I have all the afternoon. It is doable. I was interviewed in an ARTE TV blog interviewed me. Here is the interview with one of my cool … Read more
As of Sunday 8 pm, I am done with the 7th chapter which had needed too much work to do. I have three more chapters to go. They are all in better shape. One is relatively ready. I might be a little late but I can be on time to finish up by Monday evening … Read more
From Friday evening to Monday evening I intend to finish up 5 chapters and thus intend to send the first full draft.
in relative failure. I could not meet the deadline I proposed. 5 chapters completed. 5 chapters to go. (but this is a draft, all might be subject to intense feedback from my committee members) It is more structured and the rest can be handled easier. But now right in the middle of Monday, I give … Read more
June 29, 1916. Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. "Hanging around the saloon — 5 p.m." Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size. Oh boy, I am just done with a thorny chapter, the Method chapter. It has taken a while. So far, I am done with 3 chapters. hmmm now I look at the remaining proposed … Read more
Two ads from the Czech Museum of Communism. Communists like Marx and Stalin had some human genes according to these visuals. found here: Get Intimate With History
Erkan is not as productive as he wants and he feels not good. These albums keep him company:
Death Magnetic by Metallica Loud-that Erkan likes normally, but disappointing. Every old Metallica song had a soul, not like these that look like each other. Good for ordinary metal listener but not enough for the Old Metallica style.
Tostaky by Noir Desir Not good. Too loud.
Veuillez Rendre L’âme (à Qui Elle Appartient) by Noir Desir Good, soothing.
Lateralus by Tool I liked it. In fact, I don’t like much about the contemporary metal bands like Slipknot (but i will give’em a chance soon), Tool has some real quality.
Undertow by Tool Not tried yet. but since I liked Lateralus. I am hopeful about it.
Favourite Worst Nightmare by Arctic Monkeys Could not like it. I love Franz Ferdinand, but I could not this FF like band and its album.
Superunknown by Soundgarden Not listened yet. I will give a chance anytime now:)
A song I love nowadays:
Sweet About Me by Gabriella Cilmi
oppps I forgot to mention:
Agent Orange by Sodom A tribute to my high school days. A speedy thrash that thrashes anything left in your mind. Sometimes useful…
After a few very angry and agitated days, I am alone and relaxed. Turkey has entered a 9-day official break. An ultimate statement of a lazy society. The occasion is Ramadan Bairam or Şeker (sugar) bayramı. Naming the bayram is an ideological act- oh i begin to be agitated again. For a person like me … Read more
@ haha.nu.found in Different Forms of Suicide Excerpts from the 13th Writing Report to Erkan dissertation committee members: Glad to be on time. This is a Saturday afternoon, I am in my office and there are exactly 100 days left before the defense day I and Jim arranged. I am contemplating about what to do … Read more
This is a column title by İsmet Berkan but it well portrays my state of affairs; sort of. For the last few days, I am satisfied with the pace of writing and unfortunately these lonely office hours in evenings do not help. I would prefer a crowded and noisy office to this silent and being-alone office. I am glad this damn summer is ending. and here comes a round up mostly on Turkey’s fantasies with all-track diplomacy…