Otherwise

Right-o. This I solemnly do swear: no more scout's honour. The scout's been dishonoured, and it's no use flogging a dead horse, really, is it.

So, do I hear 'doctorate'? Very well.

I have been toying around with the idea of writing a PhD thesis. It would quite naturally continue the work I started with my first Master's, that is, the study of conceptual metaphors in the context of music. What would be different this time is that I would have to assume some translational perspective in the thesis. I don't mind doing that at all, but the challenging part is coming up with a topic that is at the same time relevant, novel or fresh and interesting to me.

One idea that came up was about the five-volume Sibelius biography by E. W. Tawastjerna, published between 1965-88. Although first printed in Finnish, the work was originally written in Swedish, and it has also been translated into English. Thus, a comparative angle presents itself as one aspect rather automatically as does, judging by what I've read so far, the use of metaphorical language. Tawastjerna's language makes frequent use of metaphorical expressions when discussing the music of Sibelius, as expected considering the abstract nature of music and art in general (here, I have a terrible urge to refer back to my master's thesis, but that would be just utterly pi of me).

The problème du jour is that I don't really know where to begin. Right now, there isn't a real consensus between the professor and me on which direction I should run with this set-up (not that she has said one discouraging word about my musings, but she seems to have an inclination to take the topic to realms previously unbeknownst to me). I only have about three weeks to come up with something smart and convincing. May seem like a long time, but considering that I will more or less be married to the words I put on paper now for the next 4 years or so, my thoughts had better be rather stellar instead of meh.

A pillar of moral support comes in the form and personage of Mr T, who's about to embark on the same journey as I am. Many a pint-tipping session awaits the frustrated researcher duo in the future, I reckon.