Sunday, June 01, 2008

Going Back

I am going back across the Atlantic. Starting in September I will start a masters program at the University of Aberdeen. I was just rereading my post from my trip to Aberdeen. Its interesting that I one thing I really mentioned was that the city had a college. I oculd never have possibly know that I would end up back there. The town is absolutely beautiful though and looking at the yearly weather report, it doens't look like its going to be as cold as I thought it would be. Now I don't need to save up to buy a Artic snowsuit.

I will be enter the Elphinstone Institute of Enthology & Folklore. It was founded in 1995 in celebration of The University of Aberdeen's Quincentenary. The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1595 and is one of the 'ancient universities of Britain'.

"The [Elphinstone] Institute is an initiative on the part of the University of Aberdeen to introduce the study of human traditions into its research portfolio, especially the traditions of the North and the North-East of Scotland."

You can view their website here: Elphinstone Institute

The question that everyone has asked is "What is folklore?"
The answer:
In general Folklore is the study of vernacular culture, including (but not limited to) dance, music, story, lore, language and song. These social practices are studied in both modern and traditional contexts, integrating current practice and historical uses in order to understand how culture changes under modern concerns.

How is this different from anthropology?
Its not really. Except that anthropology will not always look at historical context (although sometimes it does) and the modern influences that have shaped current practice. Additionally, anthropology is often more concerned with getting a "complete" picture of a society. Folklore is VERY focused.

Callan, what do you want to do?
I'm glad you asked. I want to focus on oral storytelling. Looking at why some oral stories have remained within the tradition for centuries, while others have not. I also want to look at how modern concerns influence the traditional practise of storytelling and how traditional beliefs influence the modern practise of storytelling.

I'm still waiting for everything to finalize, which means getting my NYU grades to Aberdeen, applying for scholarships and eventually giving Aberdeen money. But right now its just a waiting game.


This is a picture of me in the holding tank at Madison Square Garden, where the Tisch School of the Arts graduation took place. I was a great morning and the speakers were so vibrant and sassy. Not at all what I expected from graduation speakers, but I did graduate from art school and we do things a little differently.

The all University graduation took place at Yankee Stadium. "The first, last and only graduation" to take place there, because they are tearing it down. I didn't go since my parents were not yet in town, I was scared of getting sunburnt and I had to work. I didn't really want to go anyway.


This picture is from one of the many end of school parties that my friends and I threw and attended.

These are two of my very best friends who are launching out on very exciting careers. Theresa is working at Penguin Press (the book publisher) as a publicist assistant and Jake is working at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego as the assistant company manager.

It was very sad that he left New York, but we all know he'll come back. And so will I.

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