of d-day and your role to play

Well, kids, it’s go time again, both for me and for you.

For me, it’s D-Day this Monday, March 30th—the day on which I’ll ‘D’-fend my thesis in my Viva, the oral exam.

For you, Monday is offense day—the day you get on those knees and say your prayers for me. God answered them last December (over three months ago now!) when you pleaded for me to get the job, and so I enlist you again.

There are a handful of results that could come from the Viva, anything from passing on the spot and walking away as Dr. Goranson (!), to having a year’s worth of revision to make. Needless to say, the fewer the revisions, the better, but anything is possible.  So say your prayers, people. Pray that I would not be nervous, but that I would be engaging and articulate, that I would recall texts and ideas and authors that I’ve studied these last three years, and that I would defend my arguments persuasively and graciously.

This is College Hall, a room dating back to the 16th century and the place where I’ll be examined. You can picture me here at 2:00 pm on Monday, alone with my two examiners at the oversized oval table.

I’ll be here at 2:00 pm but, given the time difference, you’ll have to play your role much earlier. Depending on where you live, at 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, or 9:00 am, you best be out of your warm and cozy bed and on your knees at the side of it, no matter how creaky your knees are! :)

Many thanks, kids. I’ll report back Monday with the results…