A week or so ago, my wife Heather took up a job as childrens/youth/family outreach worker at the our church. It’s a 3 yr post, so as long as we can keep the British govt from kicking us out of the country we’re planning to stay here until then. We were already planning on being here 1 year anyway, so this will be 2 extra–until 2012, Lord willing. I should finish my doctorate around November, ideally before SBL so nothing will be hanging over my head. For my own employment, I’m looking at trying to get a post-doctorate fellowship, and the current idea I’ve got is to do some translation of Cyril of Alexandria’s NT commentaries, which are as yet untranslated into any modern language. I’ve got a couple of meetings this week to feel out how feasible the project is. If nothing turns up, I may pimp myself out as an accountant again. 🙂 We’re definitely excited.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Dunelm Road 
Tuesday, 9 June 2009 at 4:08 pm
I’m glad that you’re staying put in the UK. I look forward to seeing you around the conference circuit.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009 at 9:18 pm
Which of Cyril’s NT commentaries do you have in mind? I’m planning on looking at some of those for my dissertation beginning this fall.
Glad you’re going to be around a little longer.
Matt
Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 6:48 am
At this point, I’m planning on his Pauline commentaries–Romans, 1/2 Corinthians and Hebrews. Which ones are you thinking about?
Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 1:52 pm
I wrote two doctoral seminar papers last semester on Cyril’s John commentary. Of course, there is a translation of that one, but it is archaic. I originally planned to write about his treatise on the OT titled De Adoratione, but I’ve also thought about the Luke commentary or the fragments on Matthew.
Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 11:42 am
Congrats on all the hard work! I hope to join the Durham ranks soon. I applied for the MA program to study under Prof. Doering. Hopefully I will be accepted and share in the illumination. If not, I will continue suffering in Accounting Pergutory.
I just want to let you know that on the application I wrote that I learned of Durham from Ben Blackwell’s blog. Maybe they will cut a commission check for services rendered!
Best of luck on the next step!
Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 2:11 pm
Funny that you should mention that. We had a NT Seminar potluck last night and Stephen Barton mentioned that somebody listed my blog. I’m still waiting for that check…
Thursday, 11 June 2009 at 2:11 pm
By the way, give me a shout when you get here and we’ll have you over for dinner.
Monday, 29 June 2009 at 4:20 am
Ben, did you hear any word on your projects?
Monday, 29 June 2009 at 5:57 am
I’ve gotten positive feedback on the project idea. Now I’ve got to write up a proposal, get official sign-off, etc. for the applications. One is due in October and the other in March.
Friday, 17 July 2009 at 12:45 pm
Ben, first of all I got accepted. I was certain that the reference to your blog would push me over the top. Second, can you give me your expert opinion on a few subjects: (1) cellphone – transition from US to UK, (2) UK health care and US travel insurance, (3) living accommodations for single “monks” (please excuse the oxymoron).
Do you need any contraband for this school year?
Saturday, 18 July 2009 at 1:13 pm
Great. We’ll be looking for you. On the move stuff:
1) I’d bring a US cell phone (unlocked of course) and get a ‘sim-only’ tarriff. This gets you a number tons of minutes/texts (relatively) and they’re usually only month to month contracts. Even if a company is in both the US and UK, their two branches don’t work together, so don’t expect a US plan to work here (except for the high out-of-country rates you’d be charged).
2) UK healthcare is automatic once you move here. All you have to do is sign up with a local GP when you get here. We did get some travel insurance when Heather and the boys were back for a few weeks. I’ll have to look up the details, but just about everybody here (post office, banks, etc.) sell travel insurance.
3) Living accomodations are trickier, as it depends on your college. If you are St John’s then many go with St Margaret’s Garth. With Ustinov, Howlands is an option. Unfortunately, Howlands is far from most things. You can also share flats with people, but not sure on how that works.
Thanks for the offer. My folks are actually coming this week, so I think they’ll load us up with the necessaries until I go to SBL in November.
All the best on your move!
Ben