Unbalanced Vision

As a research student, sometimes you may find that your best mates are blokes who were dead 400 years ago: they talk funny and are extremely uptight when it comes to religion. I am glad to be in touch with a few cool living souls recently. It's a postcard from New Orleans, an unexpected visit at the bookshop, an e-mail from a lost elementary school mate, a fantastic storyteller and a dumpling-making evening.