Tag: Oxford Patristics Conference

Eusebius update

Posted on by Roger Pearse

The proof copy of the paperback of Eusebius of Caesarea, Gospel problems and solutions (Quaestiones ad Stephanum et Marinum) has arrived this evening, and is perfectly fine.  I’ve marked it as approved on the Lightning Source site, so it should now start to trickle through the distribution system.

Once I know that I can order copies myself, then I shall start letting people know that it’s available and emailing all the supporters of the project who kindly expressed interest.

It’s not as massive a tome as the hardback.  But it is still 432 pages of pretty serious work! 

I’ve also commissioned a leaflet to go in the welcome pack of the Oxford Patristics Conference.  The first draft of this arrived today, and looks very good indeed.  The graphic designer that I use, Add Design, produce very professional-looking materials first cut.  I’ll look at it more carefully this evening and decide what revisions I want.

Share

Oxford Patristics Conference again

Posted on by Roger Pearse

Apparently I’m not going to be staying in Christ Church — I’m going back to Queens again.  

This evening I had a call from Priscilla Frost, the organiser.  Fortunately I heard the phone ring and got to it in time. 

It seems that the website has confused quite a few people — exactly the same problem has affected all sorts of people, and she’s drowning in emails and letters.   Over 500 people have booked so far, which is remarkable, and most of them  have sent emails!  But the teething problems with the website are apparently causing severe delays in replying, so do be patient.  There is more accomodation than is indicated on the website.

After describing the problem we agreed a solution, which puts me back in Queens College, and restores me to the joy of an en-suite.  After all, few would wish to meet me, dressed in jimjams, in the corridor at 2am anyway, in my experience.  Few of us are as young and beautiful as we were. 

And even if the other person was indeed a beautiful young lady set on matrimony with a dark-haired, greying, distinguished-looking patristics enthusiast wearing trousers awkwardly over his teddy-bear pyjamas, I feel that I might not be looking my best for such an encounter.  Such witty repartee as I can command might not be that welcome, while queuing anxiously for the loo.

I suppose it is possible that the confusion will lead to people turning up thinking they have booked when they have not.  Perhaps I should have some cardboard ready, so they — or I! — can sit outside the conference with a sign:  “Hungry, homeless, and attending patristics conference”! 

If the worst comes to the worst, I can probably beg a room off my old college, so really I have nothing to worry about. 

I think it will all get sorted out, from the sound of it. 

Share

More on the Oxford Patristics Conference

Posted on by Roger Pearse

Well I won’t be staying at Queens College for the conference after all. 

The online system mucked up my booking, as I indicated earlier.  But it took two days to get any kind of response to my email of enquiry — no phone number on the website –, and by the time I decided just to make a duplicate booking and sort out refunds later, all but a tiny amount of the accomodation had gone. 

If there are no more glitches, I shall be in Christ Church, it seems, in accomodation of a rather lower grade than I am comfortable with. 

Share

Oxford Patristics Conference

Posted on by Roger Pearse

Well I’ve booked my place at the Oxford Patristics Conference (Monday 8th August to Friday 12th August 2011), using the website.  The cost was less than I had feared — £256 — which is not too bad considering it includes accomodation.  But with my record on conferences and cancellations, I ought to insure it, I suspect.  I wonder how?

Accomodation seems to be going fast, tho.  I’ve ended up in Queens college, rather than Christ Church.   I don’t think I ever knew anyone there in my days at Oxford, and I don’t recall ever going there, so it will be a new experience for sure. 

UPDATE: Oops.  I seem to have only booked 1 night accomodation — poorly designed form.  Another £294 will be required, I suspect.  £550 is a much heftier sum, and will certainly need to be insured.

Share