Catch-Up

Ok, a quick resume of what's been happening here recently. Firstly I have been really busy with work, homework, and numerous other little things, which is why there hasn't been an update for a long while (ok, five days feels like a long while for me, actually it's a lot longer since I've written anything in English...).

Last Saturday was spent in Nuremberg with the italians (Laura, Giulia, Alicia and Silvia) visiting the Christmas market and a bit of the city itself. All had a good time, but were relieved in the evening when we got back to our warm rooms.

The last week has seen the temperature plummet, and has not gone above -2 degrees for 6 days. Today, however, everything changed. It is no longer so cold (about 1 degree I think) because it is now raining. What lovely weather we have here. As for those of you in Spain, if anyone even mentions what the weather is like over there again, I'll...

By the way, to check out the actual weather here at the University of Mainz, visit this page.

Other things that have happened recently; the italians had to lead a discussion in class about Shakespeare's Sonnets. After two hours of talking, the teacher congratulated them, so it must have gone well.

A brief for a nameless person just to say that trying to do the washing-up drunk, and thereby using olive oil instead of washing-up liquid, is not recommended :)
Friday night saw Jordi and Miquel take to the stage in Hechstheim Bar playing guitars and singing various populour Spanish tunes. The serving of cold beverages was seen to by myself and the man known as "Mit Scharf". The evening went with great success, seeing 102 litres of beer drunk (it wasn't all me, honest) and various sing-alongs by members of the audience.

At 4am today Jordi had his shift with the Nuclear Physics Experimental Group, and at midday I took over. So all in all quite a tiring weekend.

Lastly I have to mention that the fabulous sister of Laura (Chiara, or "mongolona") is here on holiday at the moment (why anybody would swap Bologna for Mainz is beyond me...) and hopefully enjoying herself a lot.

This coming week sees many people returning home for Christmas, in particular Noelia and Jorge on Monday, Alberto on Wednesday, and me on the 23rd. To everybody go out Christmas Greetings, and wishes for a Happy New Year.

Enjoy yourselves !

Birthdays and some News

Yesterday saw both Pili (in Valencia) and Fernando (here in Mainz) become a year older. Best wishes to them both, and let's hope they celebrated accordingly :)

Now to what's been happening lately. Yesterday saw two demonstrations take place in this otherwise quite town. One in Schillerplatz by the Police, Dustmen, Gasmen (still don't know what the protest was about though) and the other one at the Hauptbahnhof by students to protest about student fees for education.

Elsewhere, a fridge has been developed that cools its contents by using sound. Something to teach youngsters not to swallow things they're not meant to, a woman had to jump-start her car by pressing her toddler against the steering wheel after he swallowed the de-mobiliser chip. And for those of you who get really annoyed with those pop-up ads that look like error messages, the company who invented them is being taking to court for misleading millions of workers to disturb their jobs in order to visit this site.

Apart from that, it's just left for me to welcome Jen from Birmingham, who will be coming to visit for the weekend, and also Soph and Beecs who will be coming Sunday til Tuesday. Just remember to bring your coats ladies, because it's freezing here now !

Hi-ho, and back to work I go.

Tech News and More

First up in this news roundup is the story of an English student who took his revenge out on his two-timing girlfriend by putting up explicit photos and videos on his website, and also on her profile for friendsreunited. The full details can be found here at The Register as always.

Next comes a warning for people inclined to use their laptops as the name suggests - on their laps. A 50 year-old scientist was admitted to his doctor because of burns he had received whilst using his portable computer on his lap. And yes, he did have clothes on.

Keeping the same theme (sorry, it was the only thing in the news) a man (well it's not going to be a woman, is it?!) has been forced to remove his masculinity from that well known auction site Ebay after offering advertising space on it. It isn't mentioned if Durex had made an offer...

And for all those out there that keep on saying that size doesn't matter - it does. Apparently it accounts for 1.5 percent of accidents in the home, not many of which are fatal, we are told.

One for the other gender now, a lady in Taiwan was taken into hospital with a novel internal mobile phone. That is to say, that during her adventurous bedtime-games with her partner, something went wrong. Let's hope that her boss didn't ring in the morning...

Other things that have been happening, the Miss World contest has been moved from Nigeria to London today, due to the number of deaths occuring (last count over 100) due to it's presence there.

Hechtsheim is more or less empty this weekend, due to Laura, Giulia, Noelia, Jorge and Ramsy going off to Amsterdam. If you see them walking funny on monday, don't mention body-cavity-searches.

Congratulations go out to Luca who has just passed his English exam in Milan. The celebrations will be held tomorrow at his place (he doesn't know this yet).

Photos are up

OK, just a quickie to say that the first lot of photos (ie those from my digital camera) from our trip to Holland are now up. You can find them under Photos-Places-Roadtrip.

Also, photos from the first twister party of this semester can be found under Photos-Parties-New Twister.

And an endnote, photos of how Noelia's room looked when she came back from Switzerland can be found under Photos-Others-Teeth.

Good viewing

Roadtrip

If you have read my spanish site, you would know that the weekend just gone was spent visiting Holland and Belgium with Jordi, Javi and Alberto.

However, our plans changed before we even left Hechtsheim. The BMW 3-series we were meant to be hiring was not available, so in the end we had to make do with a Mercedes CLK-240 !!!

The visits to Den Haag, Rotterdam, the dykes, and Brussels were great, but it was this car that made the holiday that extra bit special.

Well, you'll be seeing the photos of this holiday later on this week and you can judge for yourself...

Brooooooooooooooom

Birthday Parties

The last few days have seen me rushing around getting things done, seldom having chance to check my email, let alone write something here.

However, I can now state that I am fully registered as a postgraduate of the University of Mainz. This of course means that I am giving classes to physics and chemistry students in basic physics - at least I hope it's basic!!!

Now to the interesting part. On the the evening of the 31st we went to Mainzer Kolleg to celebrate Halloween. After much time and effort on the part of Giulia and Laura (and a bit from Ramsy too) our faces were painted grotesquely (which, of course, is good for such a night). We turned up first to the old favourite Kulturcafe only to find that no-one was dressed up and that it still cost 4.5 euros to get in, whatever you wore!! We quickly changed plans and headed for the Kolleg. Here we danced the night away and enjoyed ourselves a lot.

The following day was quite special. Not only because it was my birthday, but also that of our old Erasmonian Mavi. We, of course, wish her all the best for her following year of old age, and let's see f she motivates herself to come over here to visit us (which Marilo and Julio were wanting to do as well).

As my parents had come over with all my stuff, I felt obliged (only kidding, I enjoyed it really) to accompany them (along with Jordi) to dine at Mykonis (the Greek restaurant by 'An der Philipsschanze' tramstop). Here we had a very filling meal with a good shot of 'digestive'.

For this night we went to Caveau. Here we met up with Patricia (whose birthday it was on the second of November) and a load more of the spanish lot. The evening was spent as usual there - drinking and dancing. We made our way home some time later (so I'm told), during which certain ape-noises were enacted by a member of our group.

Saturday was spent with my parents going around Media-Markt looking for a DVD-player (yes, I do have it installed now ready to set up for cinema nights :) and then to Real where I used the space in the car to put my weekly shopping in. During this outing we ate at a restaurant that was within this building, and you're not going to believe me, but the food was worse than in the Mensa !!!! In fact, up until today I have been quite ill as a result of eating there.

For the evening I entertained a few (about ten) of the people in Hechtsheim to a game of Feigling-Twister. The photos of which you will see up here soon.

Sunday saw Noelia return from Switzerland to find about fifty sets of teeth moulds in her bedroom. These were placed there by Ramsy and Company after there visit to Wiesbaden (the only interesting thing they found there, apparently).

Today I attended a shift in the experimental hall in order to learn what I should be doing the following wednesday. Apart from it not working for the first two hours, everything else went fine.

One last piece of news, the German Secret Service have been bugging people's mobile phones, and because of a bug in the software, the users have paid for the calls !!!

Ok, that's it for now, back home for a rest, bye.

Moving In and The Poster

This morning I signed the last bits of paperwork and moved in to my new house. Not that I had a lot to move in, but at least now I have a proper bed to sleep on, and a place to put all my clothes. Thanks go out to Alberto and Luca for the kind use of their living room over the last week.

Ok, you can't have failed to notice the huge poster above Karstadt from Schillerplatz to the Cathedral of a very attractive lady opening her shirt (well the men amongst you anyway). Well this lady is non other than Verona Feldbusch advertising her new website (she also has a range of lingerie at the aforementioned department store).

Tonight, being Thursday, there are parties going on all over the Uni, but of course the one to go to is at the Kulturcafe, and for no better reason than that that's where I am going !!

As it's a national holiday here tomorrow (they new it was my birthday) we will have to see what happens and where we go, but something is definitely going to happen :)

Well, I need to go shopping and start to fill up my new room, enjoy the holiday...

Oh Saturday Night

The evening of Saturday saw the first party in the Forum at the University. Alberto, Jordi, Luca Carmen, Noelia and myself went along to see how it went.

We met up with loads more people who we knew, but I can't remember them all right now, suffice it to say that half of the party-goers were Spanish (or claimed to be, at least).

The night saw many a beer get drunk, many a foot get trodden on (because of all the dancing) and many a person not remember quite what they did. Yes, we all had a great time there (insomuchas we can remember) and returned home at about six in the morning. Needless to say, most people slept in on Sunday, some with headaches, some without (although having to piece together what they did during the evening also caused headaches...).

Well, if you have read this page in Spanish, you will know that I have my own place as of the first of November (huh-hum, my birthday, by the way). So there might be some reason to have a party there...

Tonight seems to be a quiet one, as we'll probably be going to the cinema (depends if it's a chick-flick or not) but hopefully it will be fun all the same.

See ya

Diary Attacked and News Stories

Yesterday afternoon saw a change in my schedule, as some annoying kid (probably) attacked the website where I along with millions of others write our diaries from. The fact that I was actually writing in mine when it happened meant that I was right in the thick of it.

After some desperate phonecalls to England in order to stop the attack before it directly affected my website, I was able to go home a bit less stressed. Apparently everything is working again properly, which is why you can see this latest entry :)

On a lighter note, Javi, Jordi, Alberto and I went to Scrooge´s again and had a weekly dose of Guinness last night. Nothing did actually happen the night before, which is why, despite it pouring with rain, we just had to go out last night :)

Well, today sees Giulia, Jorge, Laura, Noelia, and Ramsy depart on a little adventure in Laura´s car to Luxembourg (or was it Berlin or Zurich, or Konstanz...). Let´s just hope the weather holds up for them, so that thy don´t have to swim back.

A couple of news stories caught my attention recently. Firstly, a german condom manufacturer is offering one hundred English students a year´s free supply in order to find out what people prefer.

If that wasn´t enough, a South African insurance company has sponsored the research into a high speed condom, that instead of taking 30 seconds, only takes 3 seconds to put on. Working out how many spare hours arts students have, and dividing by three seconds, you can expect the birth rate to increase dramatically over the next year :)

Women are not left out though, they get to do an online measuring session, by guessing hand, foot and nose sizes of their prospective partner, the program comes back with his estimated size. Try it out :)

Better be off now, as I just remembered everything shuts in about fifteen minutes, and I haven´t got anything to eat later.

bye

Ok, time to get back to my breakfast of milk and swiss chocolate. Mmmmm.

Paperwork and 50grad

This week has seen me running around the Universe(ity) getting people to write and sign letters, then getting others to say they need different documents, then getting told that it will take at least another week to sort it out.

Yep, I am currently trying to register myself for the work that I already have started, and the red tape is taking its toll on me once again. Of course, not being registered means I can't go to classes, nor can I eat at the Mensa (what a pity) and I have to pay for the busses and trams every day.

Last night we took to the town to visit a club called "50 grad" - fifty degrees. It was my first time there, and I have to say first impressions are very good.

We actually went in order to see our pet Gallega at her first day of work, taking care of people's jackets whilst they dance the night away. However, I don't know if she is suited to the post, as she refused to take my shirt :)

The music started off a bit unsettled, but as the beers flowed (which were only 1.60 euro each) it got better (or did our noise tolerance level increase?) and by the end of the night we had enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

I must not forget to mention that it was Ruth's (the Alicantina) first day of work behind the bar as well, and by the looks she was giving the customers, I think she must have been getting some large tips from the male contingent.

In fact I would have to say that last night was one of the best nights I've had out recently. Hopefully next time, though, Noelia will not forget her keys and have to wake Laura up at 5am... nor will Gunnar drink so much...nor will Jorge (from Galicia) play the fool on the way home. Talking of the Gallego, it is his first day at work at the same club tonight (Gay Night) so if you are going there, when you hang up your coats, don't forget to give him a kiss :)

Well, it might be Kulturcafe tonight, but then again it might not. You'll have to return tomorrow to see what I write to find out...

Ciao

Back to Mainz

Yep, you read right, I am here,gone back to my roots (ok, that was a bit over the top, but i´m back here anyway).

So if you even think about not asking me to a party...

Well, maybe this year i´ll even manage to get this site up in german and italian...

Well, got to go and prepare for lunch with Alberto (in whose place I am staying) Laura and Giulia, after last night´s "Flurparty" it´s not going to be a very stressful meal :)

So, now you know I´m back in Mainz doing my Diplomarbeit (research project), I want to know what you lot are doing - so send me an email right now !!!

Ciao bella

The Spanish Inquisition, Irish disbanded and Peckam's Angels

A few newsbites today. Spanish websites have been closing down this week in protest against new government legislation forcing them to be censured and registered by the state. The Register has more.

The power executive of Northern Ireland has been dismissed for the fourth time, due to allegations of IRA information gathering within the Assembly.

And finally, the once eye-sore of London, Peckam, has cleaned up it's act with a new take on the 'Guardian Angels'.

Stupid Computer

Before you say anything, it's not my fault.

You can see by the fact that nothing has been written on my website or that of Jordi for a while. This is because the website we use to publish our diaries has had lots of problems recently. I have only just now been able to mend my bit so I can write again.

Anyway, talking about Jordi, his website has changed address, it can now be found under http://wwwa1.kph.uni-mainz.de/~llongo/.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in my well-being during my brief visit to Mainz.

OK, too much of a good thing can be bad, so I'm going to sign out while I can. Have a good day, and we'll meet again...

Body Bits

Whiling my time away at home whilst waiting for my course results, I decided to do another trip to that great big city - London.

After walking along the Thames taking photos as the city turned it's lights on, I met up with Nick, who had just finished work for the day. We then went to dine at Wagamamas. This is a chain of japanese restaurants serving such dishes as noodles, dumplings and soups. The food was amazing, the waitresses very attractive, and the atmosphere was very happening.

Later on we watched a couple of DVDs back at his place. Lola Rennt is a German film released about 7 years ago, which I first saw in an open-air cinema in Ludwigsburg, South Germany. It's an interesting film, one to watch. As we were still wide awake after this (the soundtrack was quite lively) we put on another film. This time Jennifer Lopez took the stage (amongst a plethora of other famous actors) in U-Turn. Quite a slow moving film, it does have it's moments though.

Having finished watching films at about 5.30am, naturally I wasn't in a fit state to wake up before midday. So I didn't. I then met up with Kathy (physics, brum) to have a coffee , a chat, and do some shopping (her, not me). Afterwards, I met up with my parents who were just sitting down to a meal in a restaurant in Chinatown (free food). As my dad went off shopping for some food to take home, my mum and myself went along to the amazing Bodyworlds exhibition. This has real human corpses which when the person has died, are plastinated so as to keep them in the same shape and texture as before. Amongst the exhibits were one of a skeletal man with muscles holding in his hand his entire body skin. Also a rabbit entirely made up of it's arteries. These really have to be seen to be believed, and as it is now extended until December 1st, you have no excuse.

Well, tomorrow sees Jordi make his way back to Mainz (this time with his friend Alberto) to continue his work (or is it study/partying?). I will then be joining him from October 3rd til 9th, so anyone up for a party in Mainz, get in contact. I will then be heading down to Munich (all the cities begin with 'm', hmmmmm) to meet my good friends Gerald and Alex (and any others that have made their ways down there). The return flight is on the 12th, whereby I will have 4 days before the results are made known (apparently).

OK, nothing else been happening in my life recently, how about yours?

Adeu

Back in the UK

Just a quick note to say that at last I'm back in England after a gruelling (that's a lie - amazing) 3 weeks in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

After surviving a 6.8 earthquake in Taipei, Taiwan, it was almost comic to arrive back in Britain and experience a 4.8 one in Birmingham !!! But you have to remember, the scale is logarithmic, so a 2.0 is 100 (ten to the power of two) times stronger than a 1.0. So the one in Brum was no way near comparable to the one in Taiwan in reality.

OK, lack of sleep still being a major factor, I am now retiring to bed.

Goodnight

A couple of interesting Newsbites

Some interesting news to prove that physicists are useful, is that a new tank-protection system has been invented by the MoD which is basically a huge capacitor.

Next up is the article about NASA deciding to measure peoples' thoughts as they pass through an airport to see if they are about to commit an act of terror. Feel safe now?

OK, that's it for now, adios

Uh-oh

Feeling thankful that I don't live in East Germany (re: floods), I have just found out that the Yangtze (biggest river in China, where we are starting our holiday by cruising down it...) has also been closed due to sever rainful and flooding in the surrounding regions. I'm starting to feel like taking my umbrella and wading boots with me at this rate. I just hope that in the remaining 13 days before we leave, the water levels will reduce and the weather will be fine again.

Oh, and congratulations are in order to Ana who got her results for the English Proficiency Test. This is the highest level that is available, and it just goes to show that sometimes foreigners are able to understand us (whether the reverse is true, I daren't ask).

Bye for now.

News Update

A quick splattering of news today. Again I find myself in the central city of Birmingham, visiting Nuria and Pablo before they fly off back to Spain next week.

As you have undoubtedly heard, the water levels across europe are still rising, and have now got to such a stage that in Dresden (Eastern Germany) the level is rising by four centimetres an hour !! Fourteen people have so far been killed, and many buildings have been ruined, including monuments and museums. To think that we're in the middle of summer !!

Again, white Zimbabwe farmers have been arrested and others mobbed in order to make way for Mugabe's supporters. This is yet another step to utter destruction of a once beautiful country, as without these farmers, crops will no longer be available to the starving population.

On a lighter note, how do you fancy flying from London to Sydney, Australia in two hours? Well, the machinery to make it possible has successfully completed its tests.

Apart from that, nothing much else happening here. Elena (P) had her birthday yesterday, but what with exams coming up soon, I doubt whether she could enjoy them as she would have wished. Never mind, after the exams there's plenty of time for parties :)

Fin.

Hacking Politicians, Fighting Office Workers and Shooting Stars

If you've looked up into the sky over the last few days, you might have noticed something different. No, not more helicopters rescuing victims from the rising water levels across northern europe, but the Perseids, a group of meteors passing through the night sky at the moment. So get out there now and start making wishes.

Now you remember that film from three years ago about an office worker who starts up an underground movement of fight clubs? No, well get a refresher at the official site. Now, in a life-imitating-art scenario, this movement has actually been set up in the UK for office workers bored of their jobs and seeking something more from life. They call it The Real Fight Club. To get your equipment, have a look here.

In an interesting twist on governments' increased intrusion into internet surveillance, it has been claimed that a government minister had hacked into the bbc's website to change content that was deemed not to be in the government's best interest.

One more point of interest for all you superstitious folks. Today is Tuesday the 13th, an unlucky day for the spanish. Best of luck to you all for the next 24 hours.

Quickie

Mostly sorting out things still, but others are enjoying themselves. Mavi is off in Rome with Daniella, Giulia and Chiara, Jordi is back in Spain with his family and friends, and Andy (whose birthday is this friday) and Helen are off in Sweden or somewhere.

It's not all fun fun fun, though. England is now under heavy rain, so much so that the underground was flooded this afternoon.

Anyway, enough of me, until the next.