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FAO Everyone: Apologies, Explanations & One Horrible Image!


Dear all, this is an open letter to students and staff of Computer Animation Arts after what must have been a disappointing and anti-climatic series of days - not least because the Tombola Of Dreams remains idle and its prizes undistributed, but more so for me because I was unable to enjoy the final crits and end the term on the traditional high.  I was so looking forward to wearing my santa hat too.

This is the long and short of it: on Sunday night, I travelled out to France to screen an animation.  I had a stye in my right eye - which is an unremarkable infection associated with being a bit knackered out.  I had a red, swollen eyelid.  Nothing to worry about.  However, as more time passed, something strange began to happen to the surrounding skin, and I began to feel a bit more unwell. Meanwhile, my eye grew bigger and a little more revolting.  On Tuesday night, one of my French colleagues took me to hospital.  They diagnosed a bacterial infection.

By the time I got back to England on Wednesday night, I couldn't see out of my right eye at all and the blisters on my face were rivalling The Walking Dead in their general level of gruesomeness.  I was diagnosed with Shingles on Thursday morning - which is the adult form of Chicken Pox, which is a viral infection, not a bacterial one, and which is the most painful and unpleasant thing I've ever experienced.  This photograph below (rendered black and white for decency's sake!) was taken this morning.  I'm on a whole bunch of meds, but I'm essentially bed-bound, because standing up hurts too much.  Despite my rather dramatic appearance, I'm expected to make a full recovery - we're just not sure when.  Writing this blog post is the most physical thing I've managed since I came home, but I was keen that you had a bit more information and didn't feel too let down in your important final week.


"Shingle bells, shingle bells, shingle all the way"


It's likely that the beginning of next term might still feel the ripples of this, as we're not sure of my recovery time.  Rest assured, however, that we'll seek to minimise any disruption as best we can.  

@ Year 2 / sessional theory lecturer Kath Abiker will be assessing your Postmodernism assignments on my behalf.

I do want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas - and also to congratulate my first years on completing term one.  Well done all of you!  It's no small achievement. I'm genuinely looking forward to checking out your final submissions when I'm feeling a little more like myself. 






Comments

  1. SHIT! :O What did our animation do to you in France?!

    Get well soon! :)

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    1. @ Tom @ Jordan

      The animation screenings proved as spell-binding as ever; audiences of young children mainly in two quirky venues; Keith and I managed to keep things on track (the first screening in Abbeville was 100% in synch!). You two are to be congratulated on work that truly holds up. I took some photos etc, which I'll share with you asap, and I'll likewise provide digital copy of the various bits of promotional stuff too for your own archives etc. I'll be in touch.

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  2. Hope you feel better soon Phil. Look forward to seeing you back next term :)

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  3. Holy shit Phil! That's one hell of a photo :O Get well soon mister. Hopefully you'll be recovered for a good Christmas. Best wishes!

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  4. Hope this doesn't get worse! Best wishes and fast recovery!

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  5. Yikes, hope you feel better soon Phil!

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  6. Hope you get well soon Phil!

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  7. Hope you feel better soon Phil! Have a good Christmas and hopefully they`ll go away soon.

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  8. Oh my lordy, that's so bad Phil. Hope you get well, take it easy and enjoy the Christmas holidays best you can!

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  9. Get well soon Phil. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

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  10. Hope you get well soon! We can always wear christmas hats in january for a few days... right? :D

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  11. Holy... That is terrible, when Alan said you were ill we didn't expect this! I hope you do get well very soon and next term will be just as good as the end of term should've been! :)

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  12. Get well soon Phil, hopefully it doesn't stay with you too long!

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  13. Wow, Hope you get well soon Phil and still manage to enjoy your Christmas & New years.

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  14. Hope you recover soon so you get to enjoy your Christmas and New Year's after an amazing first half of the year!

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  15. Wishing you a speedy recovery Phil, in time for you to enjoy Christmas and new year!

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  16. take it easy Phil!! hopefully it goes away before christmas!!!

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  17. Dear all,

    Thanks for all your kind words - and for not running from your PCs when you saw my horrid face! The positive news is that my right eye opened today! Okay, so not an epic achievement, but I'll take it. More exciting updates as and when!

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  18. Oh good god, Hope you get better soon!

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  19. OMG PHIL!!!! GET BETTER SOON!!!! shingles bells I'm still glad you can make a joke out of the situation! get plenty of rest!!!!

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  20. Get well soon Phil :( and I hope you are feeling better soon, and ready for the new year :)

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  21. Oh goodness I hope you feel better soon Phil!!! Take it easy! Wishing you all the best for this Christmas break! :) :)

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  22. Crikey! I wish you a speedy recovery Phil, and hope that this doesn't overshadow your Christmas plans. All the best and see you next year!

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  23. Awwww, get well soon Phil! Try not let it ruin your christmas :) .

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  24. Ohhh get well soon Phil! we all hope you're okay! x

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  25. Awww Phil :( really hope you get better soon!

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  26. Jesus! Hope you feel much better soon! :)

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  27. Hope you get better Phil, and best wishes for this Christmas :)

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  28. Wow :( Wishing you a quick recovery Phil so you can enjoy your much-deserved Xmas break! Take care xx

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