Graduation, May 2008

My mum - Dr. Jennifer Fullerty - and Katie at my Ph.D. graduation.

I had recently completed a Ph.D. at the George Washington University, specializing in British and American twentieth century novels!

Katie trying on my gown!

In the Elephant and Castle pub!

Graduation Day!

Graceland

Dear England, Here's Elvis's home that he bought for $100,000 in 1957 when Elvis was just 20! It's a beautiful plot of land, and the house isn't too showy, but a place that gives off a genuine air when you visit it - not what most people would expect. The gravesite is particular with "If I Can Dream" playing in the background is a moving experience.

Today the rooms - the famous TV room and jungle room - are also preserved as they were in the 70s. Of course there's a toursity side to Graceland but somehow it doesn't overpower the genuine memorial to Elvis it is today (it might be the Memphis heat). But you can even get married at Graceland. Long live the King!

American Chess Master - of New Orleans!

Meet Paul Morphy at http://www.mattfullerty.com/, the last unofficial chess world champion (1837-1884). He links Europe and America as a Creole (of French and Spanish descent) born into New Orleans wealth - which he squandered in London and Paris defeating the world's great chess masters!

To learn his story and meet his amazing opponents, from a General in the American Army to a British Shakespeare scholar, also see http://www.paulmorphychess.com/

The story of Paul Morphy is one of rise and fall, the success of a grand talent and his descent into obsession! Welcome to the precarious floating city of New Orleans!

South Beach, Miami

And then there were none - watching South beach empty and the sky open up was the way to arrive in Miami!

Chess boxing?

Only in...Germany! Who else other than our German cousins could dream up the intense spectacle of playing chess and boxing as part of the same competition? And I don't mean play a game, go home, and box the next day. No, brand new "X-treme sport" chess boxing is here, as the picture shows, and no, it's not late night TV for lonely men in tracksuits. This stuff is serious!

Here's the lowdown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_boxing

Every four-minute chess round is followed by two minutes of boxing. Kind of disorientating to say the least! I wonder which bout is more painful, the chess or the boxing.

Best of all, competitors can win by either knockout or checkmate!