Author Archives: browney

Puff the magic dragon

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As I was working on the last section of my Research Methodology chapter which at the time of writing stands at an absurd and definitely to be edited 63 pages before appendices, a childhood favourite came up on the Spotify playlist – Puff the Magic Dragon.

My parents loved Peter, Paul and Mary and as kids, their music was regularly playing on the family radiogram. There aren’t a lot of music artists that I have in common with my now late parents but Peter, Paul and Mary was one of them.

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Research paradigms – down the rabbit hole again!

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This year’s Doctoral Colloquium (a posh word for an academic conference or seminar) for post grad students provided me an opportunity to peer once again down the rabbit hole.

A requirement for attendance is the preparation of a short paper which each post grad student is required to present and receive feedback on.

My short paper was an excerpt from Chaspter Three of my thesis – Research Methodology . I used the paper to get feedback on how I was approaching my research. Specifically my research method.

My paper glossed over my research paradigm because every time I start to think about the research paradigm I quickly descend down a rabbit hole.

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The Drive for the line – completing my PhD thesis

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Back from an amazing 6 weeks in Israel and Europe, its now time to knuckle down and complete my PhD thesis.

While I was away I used siesta time and early in the day to work on a Book Chapter for a book on family business. The first draft is due for submission in the next week or so.

I have a final version of an article for submission and inevitable rejection.

After a meeting with my Supervisors, I have a timetable for submission of my thesis. So now its time to drive for the finish line.

Over the next few months, my blog will chart my progress to a mid-May final draft for my Supervisors for review and then to its submission for examination in the first week of July 2020.

To remind myself of life away from my PhD each post will have a photo from our recent trip!

The Natural History Museum, London

Father’s Day 2019 and Springsteen’s Western Stars

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You just can’t top a hand-painted card from your one-year-old grandson as the best present you could ever get on Father’s Day.

The card was the surprise and highlight of my Father’s Day.

What was not a surprise was my children giving me Bruce Springsteen’s latest album “Western Stars” on vinyl. It is quite possibly the best Springsteen album since Born to Run!

Yes, a big statement but its one I’m going with. I have pretty much had it on continuous play since it was released on Spotify. Now I can play it on my Rega Planer turntable.

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England, London – a lovely few days to end a great trip

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A cup of tea while we wait for the taxi.

After a little over 6 weeks away we are on our last day. An awesome trip that has saw us start in Tel Aviv, take a raucous Saturday afternoon flight to Rome, spend a week in Assisi, take the bus and train to Lecce, then head back to Rome for a delightful weekend before we discovered the delights of Portugal and then to London.

London is a convenient exit point for Adelaide and after a few days here that included a visit to The Emirates to see Arsenal’s first home game of the season, it’s time to head home.

We stayed in Farringdon. It’s more business and locals than tourists, meaning most sites are a tube ride away. But with an Oyster Card purchased from the local Off Licence (I love that term), getting to where we want to go is pretty straight forward.

After 6 weeks of travel we had low key plans for our time here, Continue reading →