Getting down to business
As it would appear, I have not written anything for a while. This is because of a couple of factors. Firstly, I have had a huge amount of project work to do and hand in, as well as revising for an exam I have on monday 25th, when I think Ethel also has her last exam and Jordi has his birthday (although, he informs me that this year he will not be dressing up as a woman).
For anyone that is interested, my arm is getting a lot better as well, I think I might even take off the sling during some of the day as well. I will have to see how this weekend goes first, as I am going up to the lake district with a load of other students where we will climb, walk and be merry (or just sit at the pub watching the others walk by). When I come back I should be meeting up with Jen (birmingham student studying physics in Mainz this year) who will be in Birmingham before her trip to Finland. Hopefully we'll have enough time to chat properly and to take my mind off the exam I have the following day.
Since my last posting quite a few things have happened. Most notably, Nuria (on ERASMUS in Birmingham from Salamanca) had 4 of her cousins come and visit her here (all female). We met up down the pub, and I also went with them to london on sunday, and pointed out some things they wouldn't normally see. I had a great time, and I hope they did too, despite the fact that they couldn't stay in the pubs later than 11pm :)
On a finishing note, a couple of news titbits. The Brit Awards were held last night, and saw acts like Dido, Destiny's Child and Kylie Minogue taking home prizes. On the awards theme, Great Britain took back their first medal (bronze) from the winter olympics yesterday, and are guaranteed either silver or gold in the curling tonight - well done to them.
I will duly keep you up to date on what happens over the weekend when I get back.
Fin.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Kung Hei Fat Choi
Or, in english, "Happy New Year".
Yep, you've guessed it, today begins the chinese year of the horse. Hence anyone being born in 1978 (after feb 12) should wear something red for good luck (chinese custom).
On a different note, Princess Margaret (sister of the Queen) died a few days ago. Condolences are offered.
As some of you may have noticed, the guestbook area has been closed due to renovation. Also, if the website was not working properly last night for you, don't worry, I was updating things and accidently 'went live' before I had tested it properly. Plans are in motion for improvements, but due to high project workloads, it might take a while yet. I will keep you posted.
On a final note, if anyone knows anybody from last year's ERASMUS year that I don't have an email address, please tell them to send me an email, as there will be login procedures for the website sent out to you once everything is upodated.
retiring for tonight...
Or, in english, "Happy New Year".
Yep, you've guessed it, today begins the chinese year of the horse. Hence anyone being born in 1978 (after feb 12) should wear something red for good luck (chinese custom).
On a different note, Princess Margaret (sister of the Queen) died a few days ago. Condolences are offered.
As some of you may have noticed, the guestbook area has been closed due to renovation. Also, if the website was not working properly last night for you, don't worry, I was updating things and accidently 'went live' before I had tested it properly. Plans are in motion for improvements, but due to high project workloads, it might take a while yet. I will keep you posted.
On a final note, if anyone knows anybody from last year's ERASMUS year that I don't have an email address, please tell them to send me an email, as there will be login procedures for the website sent out to you once everything is upodated.
retiring for tonight...
Wednesday, February 06, 2002
The Reason
As some of you have been slowly finding out by reading my spanish page, I have been out of action for a bit. Now for those of you who require an english translation, I will spill the beans.
On saturday afternoon, after sleeping off all the caffeine of the borret that I drank before going to Mike's birthday, Andy and I made our way down to the gym on one of our weekly trips (it would be tri-weekly except we have commitments that clash). Helen came along too for a swim. Time seemed to fly by as we had spent nearly 2 hours exercising on the various equipment. There was a TV hanging down in the corner of the room, which was showing the England vs Scotland rugby match. If you positioned yourself well on a machine you could exercise whilst viewing the game. This is what I was doing as I reached up to grab the bars to pull down on. Just before my hands clasped around the metal, I heard a familiar (it happened 3 years ago as well) click as my shoulder dislodged itself from the socket. Waiting for the ambulance, supporting my arm as the muscles contracted and in so doing, spasmed, I could see people deciding that they rather wouldn't do any exercise any more.
To ease the pain whilst in the ambulance I was given a gas inhaler. I haven't yet found what the gas was, but it sure did work. Every time I could feel some pain I would just breathe in some more gas. In the end I couldn't actually feel my arm let alone the pain. Getting to the hospital I was enticed into different positions by being allowed a few more breaths of the gas before moving myself. If they could sell this stuff over the counter, there wouldn't be a single pharmacy that could keep pace with demand - it really worked !!
As happened last time with me, the shoulder couldn't be put back first time, and so I was given the extra dosage of 40ml of morphine. This therefore made any further recounts of what happened completely useless as I was on a different planet entirely. As I had so much morphine in me, I had to be kept under supervision overnight at the hospital. The advantage of this was that Accident and Emergency Nurses are really good looking. The disadvantage being that I couldn't get to sleep because of the other people in the ward crying out all night.
So, after 20 hours in the hospital (and a sunday lunch) I was set free to roam the streets again (ok, to go home and lie in bed).
Now you know why I haven't been able to write as much/quickly as before. I am slowly learning to clothe myself with one hand (shoelaces still being a problem), wash myself (had a full shower this morning), and cook some of the basics. But I think it will be some time yet before I can make myself a tortilla, and longer still before I return to the gym.
I will endeavour to keep up my postings, but if I do not get to write as much, you'll know why.
Let it be.
As some of you have been slowly finding out by reading my spanish page, I have been out of action for a bit. Now for those of you who require an english translation, I will spill the beans.
On saturday afternoon, after sleeping off all the caffeine of the borret that I drank before going to Mike's birthday, Andy and I made our way down to the gym on one of our weekly trips (it would be tri-weekly except we have commitments that clash). Helen came along too for a swim. Time seemed to fly by as we had spent nearly 2 hours exercising on the various equipment. There was a TV hanging down in the corner of the room, which was showing the England vs Scotland rugby match. If you positioned yourself well on a machine you could exercise whilst viewing the game. This is what I was doing as I reached up to grab the bars to pull down on. Just before my hands clasped around the metal, I heard a familiar (it happened 3 years ago as well) click as my shoulder dislodged itself from the socket. Waiting for the ambulance, supporting my arm as the muscles contracted and in so doing, spasmed, I could see people deciding that they rather wouldn't do any exercise any more.
To ease the pain whilst in the ambulance I was given a gas inhaler. I haven't yet found what the gas was, but it sure did work. Every time I could feel some pain I would just breathe in some more gas. In the end I couldn't actually feel my arm let alone the pain. Getting to the hospital I was enticed into different positions by being allowed a few more breaths of the gas before moving myself. If they could sell this stuff over the counter, there wouldn't be a single pharmacy that could keep pace with demand - it really worked !!
As happened last time with me, the shoulder couldn't be put back first time, and so I was given the extra dosage of 40ml of morphine. This therefore made any further recounts of what happened completely useless as I was on a different planet entirely. As I had so much morphine in me, I had to be kept under supervision overnight at the hospital. The advantage of this was that Accident and Emergency Nurses are really good looking. The disadvantage being that I couldn't get to sleep because of the other people in the ward crying out all night.
So, after 20 hours in the hospital (and a sunday lunch) I was set free to roam the streets again (ok, to go home and lie in bed).
Now you know why I haven't been able to write as much/quickly as before. I am slowly learning to clothe myself with one hand (shoelaces still being a problem), wash myself (had a full shower this morning), and cook some of the basics. But I think it will be some time yet before I can make myself a tortilla, and longer still before I return to the gym.
I will endeavour to keep up my postings, but if I do not get to write as much, you'll know why.
Let it be.
Friday, February 01, 2002
Breaking the Silence
OK, I just had to stop my concentrated studying mode that's gone on for the last week in to impart some essential news. Firstly though, I would like to wish all those in Valencia and Mainz the best of luck for their exams. I know that they have had a few already, but still they have more, and therefore need the wishes to keep them going.
OK, lots of things have happened in the news recently, so I'll just give a brief rundown.
Zimbabwe has yet again managed to pass a law to curb the freedom of the press and of any opposition against the present government. Yet another sign of decreasing human rights being perfectly displayed there then. Gold star for president Mugabe then (yes, that was meant to be in an ironic tone of voice).
On to Germany now, where two satanists have been sentenced to 15 years in jail for killing a man because 'the devil told them to'. In fact the girl claims to be a vampire who honed her skills in london 'bite clubs'. Haven't been to one of them yet, but when I do, I'll let you know.
Something a bit closer to home now, and the Queen was delayed in her trip to visit an RAF base when her car got stuck behind a tractor for 2 miles, and then a learner driver. The timed fly-past had to be redone as she missed the original one. Imagine looking in your rear-view-mirror during a driving lesson and seeing a parade of cars, with the Queen in one, trying to get past you. Wouldn't you just want to put your hazard warning lights on and try the three-point-turn right there and then?
Another blight in Belgium's system is the new sex-case scandal in Neufchateau where a man allegedly raped his three daughters (one when she was a baby) and prostituted another one at the age of 12 to the local townsfolk. Apparently the town was very close-knit and liked to help each other out. That would be why an electrician, a lumberjack, a car-repair man, a train driver and an antique salesman have all been accused of raping the girl. It just makes you think, if all the townspeople were involved (and I'm not saying that they were - legal statement) who could you turn to? It appears that her schoolteacher was the first person to be alerted. Of course it is not known whether the teacher accepted this excuse for not doing her homework (more fiction - legal stuff again).
Another clippet from good ol' Blighty is that a 26 year old biology teacher has been taken to court after allegedly having sex with a 14 year-old and 15 year-old pupil. It just brings a whole different meaning to practical lessons...
And lastly, but by no means leastly, two students in Manchester have started a website to petition against tuition fees, and to make Tony aware how many people are affected by leaving Uni with over 13,000 pounds debt (about 20,000 euros !!! ). The site is amusingly called "PayUpTony.com".
Now you've had your weekly read of what's been happening in the world, I will depart in the knowledge that Friday night is the birthday party of my friend Mike Kendel. So I will be partying long and hard tomorrow night in case you wonder where I am.
Ciao
OK, I just had to stop my concentrated studying mode that's gone on for the last week in to impart some essential news. Firstly though, I would like to wish all those in Valencia and Mainz the best of luck for their exams. I know that they have had a few already, but still they have more, and therefore need the wishes to keep them going.
OK, lots of things have happened in the news recently, so I'll just give a brief rundown.
Zimbabwe has yet again managed to pass a law to curb the freedom of the press and of any opposition against the present government. Yet another sign of decreasing human rights being perfectly displayed there then. Gold star for president Mugabe then (yes, that was meant to be in an ironic tone of voice).
On to Germany now, where two satanists have been sentenced to 15 years in jail for killing a man because 'the devil told them to'. In fact the girl claims to be a vampire who honed her skills in london 'bite clubs'. Haven't been to one of them yet, but when I do, I'll let you know.
Something a bit closer to home now, and the Queen was delayed in her trip to visit an RAF base when her car got stuck behind a tractor for 2 miles, and then a learner driver. The timed fly-past had to be redone as she missed the original one. Imagine looking in your rear-view-mirror during a driving lesson and seeing a parade of cars, with the Queen in one, trying to get past you. Wouldn't you just want to put your hazard warning lights on and try the three-point-turn right there and then?
Another blight in Belgium's system is the new sex-case scandal in Neufchateau where a man allegedly raped his three daughters (one when she was a baby) and prostituted another one at the age of 12 to the local townsfolk. Apparently the town was very close-knit and liked to help each other out. That would be why an electrician, a lumberjack, a car-repair man, a train driver and an antique salesman have all been accused of raping the girl. It just makes you think, if all the townspeople were involved (and I'm not saying that they were - legal statement) who could you turn to? It appears that her schoolteacher was the first person to be alerted. Of course it is not known whether the teacher accepted this excuse for not doing her homework (more fiction - legal stuff again).
Another clippet from good ol' Blighty is that a 26 year old biology teacher has been taken to court after allegedly having sex with a 14 year-old and 15 year-old pupil. It just brings a whole different meaning to practical lessons...
And lastly, but by no means leastly, two students in Manchester have started a website to petition against tuition fees, and to make Tony aware how many people are affected by leaving Uni with over 13,000 pounds debt (about 20,000 euros !!! ). The site is amusingly called "PayUpTony.com".
Now you've had your weekly read of what's been happening in the world, I will depart in the knowledge that Friday night is the birthday party of my friend Mike Kendel. So I will be partying long and hard tomorrow night in case you wonder where I am.
Ciao
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