I'm referring, of course, to the Habsburg Empire but perhaps there's a case for applying it to Cambridge, too?

Loving lectures at the moment. There were three today: on Ireland in the late 18th century, on British politics in the 19th, and on the position of women in the Victorian era. The latter last was the best, being one of those wonderfully good lectures, and coming with a comprehensive set of notes already (appeals to my lazy side ) so that you could just sit back and listen. Fascinating issues too, examining different explanations for how the position of women was justified, rather than just what it was. Saoirse, that lecture was for you.

Last night was parents' night, so I thought it was high time I provided a photo of my brilliantly cool college parents, Felix and Rosa. They bought us pizza! (I have a brother and a sister too.) And there was a party, with chocolate cakes and cake and pass the parcel... really, there's no better way to live.