Dan

Hello. I'm an academic in training at present, in the 2nd year of my PhD, although sometimes I think I'd rather be doing something else with my time - like whittling, or building sheds. If I choose not to stay in academia then I can fall back on my quite appealing yet quite rubbish business plan, which involves setting up a company to make bespoke wicker men to burn at pagan gatherings, childrens parties, hen nights etc. I'm sure some young upper middle class twit with plenty of money and no chin is already doing this, no doubt with the prefix 'eco-' attached to it somewhere.An ambition of mine is to see Mount Etna blowing smoke rings - apparently it's the only volcano that can do it as its main vent is of the precise diameter required (or something like that). Whilst I'm up there I could burn a special Etna-themed wicker man - unless Giles Boatrace-Fotheringay and his 'eco-friendly wicker persons' get there first.