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.

More News

Firstly, the weather here in the UK has been getting hotter steadily, and is expected to get up to 30 degrees later in the week. Which is why this morning we packed up our car with all manner of bits and pieces and went down to a field for a Car Boot Sale. This is where people sell all sorts of second hand goods in order to clear out their houses.

However, if you are not one for the english weather, you could do a lot worse than going to Romania this weekend, as there is the annual Virgin Fair going on. If you hurry, there might still be some good offers :)

Yesterday was System Administrator Appreciation Day so you should have sent loads of presents to anyone fixing your computers.

And lastly, it has been found that chicken feathers provide a quicker throughput of signal than silicon, and could therefore be used inside computers. Weather they'll also produce eggs is not stated.

Have a great day.

News Updates

The Commonwealth Games started yesterday in Manchester, with some of the world's best sportspeople competing against each other in a number of events. Also it was a great day for british cricket yesterday when Nasser Hussain scored his first century on home ground for four years.

Another major news story is the fact that large americans are getting together to sue the fast-food companies for not giving enough warning that their food was going to make them fat. This is getting ridiculous, but read the story anyway.

That's it

Graduation

Yesterday was weird. Getting together in the Great Hall at University, wearing our robes, hoods and mortar-boards (hats) we received our degree certificates. It just doesn't feel like we've finished here. There is no sense of loss, just of normality.

Anyway, had a great time after the ceremony with all my friends here, managing to meet up for a drink with most, and dined with Nuria (Pablo was working hard in his department til after 1am !!).

Anyway, little time left before I have to start making my way back home, so I'll be off to meet up with some others that are still around for a bit.

Later

Apologies

Ok, I know I haven't written in here for ages, but I'm not even going to proffer an excuse. I have been away on holiday for a couple of weeks. That's right, I hopped on a plane and made my way to Spain for the sun, sand and...did I mention the sun?

Spent the beginning of my time staying at chez Jordi's, and from there visited the University of Alicante (palm trees, sun, oh, and maybe some studying) along with the Valencia in order to sort out things for my coming year studying/working there.

Managed to meet up with Jordi (obviously), Alberto, Longino and Paco (physicists), Elena P, Blanca, Mavi, Gloria and of course, Ana. It was great to see them all again, it's only a pity that I had to leave so soon.

Apart from finding out info for my stay, I also managed to find time to do a bit of shopping, visit the cities of Alicante, Valencia, Tarragona, Barcelona, Altafulla and Reus, and go to the beach for about 4 days :) Got browned on the arms and legs, but slightly red on neck and ankles, never mind, it was 36 degrees out there !!

Got home at half past midnight to find that Leanna (yes that sweet little american girl we once knew in Mainz) had come to London for a few days and was leaving that very day when I arrived. Unfortunately, due to a tube strike (trains not running at all in london) we were unable to meet up. Next time, I hope.

Well, that's what's been going on recently, more news soon.

Oh, and just in case anyone will be in the vicinity of Birmingham tomorrow, if they make their way to the University there will be a spectacle not to be missed. My Graduation Ceremony, no less.

Bye for now.

Web Update

OK, a quick note to say a load more photos have been added to this site. Under Birthdays Pablo's and Helen Booth's have been added; in Meals Physics Graduates, Vanessa's Barbecue and Our Barbecue; in Others Birmingham Haircut and Random Birmingham; and finally under Friend's Sites a link to Fabien's page has been put. Enjoy.

Off to the Sun

As you might have guessed from the title, I'm off to Spain for 15 days. I'll be arriving in Barcelona on the 2nd July and will leave there on the 17th. I hope to spend the beginning in Valencia and the end in Barcelona. During this time I will be applying for my Masters courses, and also looking for work for the coming year. I will also be looking forward to meeting anyone else who is around when I'm there, as it would be great to catch up with what's been happening. So send me an email or a text message, and we'll meet up.

An invitation for all to come for my graduation ceremony stands. You are all cordially invited to watch my collect my degree wearing full gown, hood and hat on 23rd July in Birmingham. So get your planes/trains/submarines booked now.

See y'all soon