Good news

Oh, and some good news.

I've just found out that my contract will be extended from Jan 22nd to May 31st. So the worrying is over. And even better than that, the rest of my marking doesn't have to be handed back until the New Year. *phew*

Anyone for chess?

Oh heck, I'm out of brown sugar now. Well, no worries. For some reason, it makes the coffee taste slightly better! :-)

Anyhow, anyone for chess? Some of you will know that I've been playing on www.redhotpawn.com for a while now. Yes, it's a *CHESS* website. [Honestly, some people... ;-)]. I'm playing as Caffeine King. And since you can play six concurrent games for free, I have three slots available at the moment. If anyone fancies their chances playing me, why not join up (it is free) and challenge me? Just don't forgot to tell me who you are...

Irritating things...

Wow, things more irritating than Kevin Costner?

Yes, they do exist. Gripe number one is the fact that the students have left. Now I know that some of you may think that having the students go home - post exams - for Christmas is a good thing, but it also means that all the eateries have closed too, including my coffee bar. Disaster!! I'm down to the emergency Nescafe instant. It's horrible... :-(

Also irriating, but much more fun, is this brainteaser - just move the blocks down to the right. If you can do it, tell me how!! If you can't, then I'm with you in spirit. :-)

EDIT: Actually, I've just done it. 176 goes, rather than the 161 it can take. Anyone able to top that? (I'm guessing yes).

Here's a thought...

Slowly but surely, more and more people are reading this thing.

Who are you all? :-)

Still, as I randomly mutter on about utter nonsense - apparently one of my strengths - you can rest assured that I can't slag anybody off. You'll be reading it!! lol. Actually, can I slag off Kevin Costner? I don't even know why, but I can't abide that man. Maybe it's the wife-beating, or the way he fills the films he directs with long, lingering shots of *himself* staring off into the sunset, or maybe it's simply because he managed such a piss-poor English accent in "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves". Hmmm..., I think it's the last one.

Oooh. Talking about films - and I rarely do as I rarely go - we saw "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" on Saturday. Since this was one of my most favourite chidrens books, I just had to see it. It's pretty darn good. I'm not sure about Ray Winstone's Mr Beaver and his "Aslan is a geezer, you muppet" accent, but it was good for a laugh. But the White Witch? Since when did she become such a dangerous swordfighter? And with two at once? Don't remember that in the book!! :-)

Time, and the whizzing past thereof

I never have enough time these days. Which is bizzare really, as I never seem to be achieving anything. There's a lot of activity, with a lot of clock watching going on in the quiet moments. So since I was sent this link by my friend Craig, I've taken to checking it more often that I'd like. It's strangely addictive. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Human Clock.

Part of the reason this site has been quiet lately is that things just keep falling into my lap - and that's in a "needs doing" way, not a "ooh, that's nice" way. I found out last Monday that I had an interview for a lectureship at Sheffield Hallam University on the Thursday and I had a 20mins presentation to write (+10mins for Q&A) - finding out what that was to be about on the Tuesday. Needless to say, I didn't get the job as I'd have mentioned it much earlier if I'd have done so, but the feedback continues to be good. In the end, it was the same sort of stuff I got when I went for the Leeds Trinity post. Nothing to fault at interview (nothing they could suggest to help me improve), and a specific mention that my presentation - to a room full of lecturers - went down very well indeed, with the people there asking the poor guy who had to phone me up and let me know I didn't get it to make sure that he passed that on. Alas, my research just didn't dovetail as well with the current lecturers as some of the other people there. In other words, a very successful failure. :-)

I just hope something else crops up soon. This particular contract of mine ends in late January...

Absolutely Ravenous

I was over in Huddersfield last night - and went out for a meal with Sally. Great time, had all three courses and some wine and so on. I was stuffed by end of things. Which makes it weird that on the train back to Hull this morning, I was absolutely STARVING. Really, really, painfully, stomach-digestingly hungry. Strange how that happens after a big meal? I've been taking it easy today (as per), have had a couple of cups of coffee, and a sedate - if large - lunch. And guess what? I'm *still* hungry. I can't believe it!!

As my Dad always says, I must have hollow legs. :-(

Lack of photos

It's been a little while since I've put a photo up, but worry no longer. About a month or so ago, I was down in Reading for a PsyPAG committee meeting. Since we were a roving band of postgraduate psychologists, we all wanted to stop off in this particular pub. And who could blame us? Well, Rachel could. (As she was one of the locals who organised the meeting/meal, and she was able to tell us that the pub in question was a bit pants). But your intrepid hero needed a photo opportunity so here it is. Apt.




Note: weekends away from Sally appear to provoke demonic possession!

Pitter-patter

Oh, and while I'm blogging,

A huge congratulations for Andy + Fi. Yesterday saw Sam Jack Horrocks brought into the world at 6lbs 9ozs. Well done you two (slightly more credit going to Fi, I suppose!!).

Time Sinks

It's finally happened. I have time on my hands. Not much, granted, but some. Thesis is in - the corrected version - the storm of paperwork is over - so I'll graduate in January - and I've sent the latest issue of the Quarterly - the postgraduate Journal I edit (with lots of help!) - to the BPS for printing. So, erm... what now?

Papers. Writing papers - I'm supposed to scrape up two and send them off for publication by Xmas. Jackson, Coyne & Clough (2006) anyone? But this new-found freedom has coincided with lots of new computer games - and the pressure on me isn't as much as I need to get things done. Civ IV, The Movies, WoW, Guild Wars... I'm just thankful that Oblivion has been delayed. That thing could be the biggest time-sink of all time.

Feeling slightly geeky (this is a 32-year old talking here),
Me.

Wow, what a day!!

Phew. But the good news is that almost my entire workload has firmly shifted into the Out box. In fact, I'm a little unsure about what to do next. Long and short of things is that I'm feeling much better, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I spent some of last night playing "The Movies" on my PC. What a great game. What terrible films my studio produces!! Actually, you have to see them to believe them. Bad black-and-white films set to madcap piano music. I wonder if I can somehow link them to this site? That really would be something. They are terrible, in full 1930s filmorama.

Plus, I fell through a desk today. Yep. Smashed it completely - though not my fault. Not the left desk, not the right desk, but the utterly unsupported curved bit that joined them together. And in the main departmental office too. At least five people came running. Most ran to my aid. One cried out "Thank God it wasn't a student!"

At least I'm not likely to sue(!)

All hands to the pumps.

Seriously, it's a crazy week. So crazy in fact, so snowed under with everything that I am, that the only natural response is to side-step all of it, and write a Blog for myself. The awesome power of distraction.

To tell you the truth, things aren't going well right now. You loyal people who check fairly often, can't have helped but notice that blogs are few and far between at the moment. There are reasons for that, but no need to go there at the moment. When it gets like this, I get reflective - quite possibly reflective for the wrong reasons. But reflective I am. A friend of mine recently lost a grandparent, and knowing the age of most of you, I'm guessing that you have too. I've lost all four, with my Mother's parents passing away quite close together several years ago now. From then on - as an only child - it's been my parents and *me*. And since I don't go home as often as I'd like, they're getting older and frailer each and every time. It's distressing.

But life goes on. Elsewhere, Jason and Serena have brought Lauren into the world. Andy and Fiona were expecting on November 7th and while they haven't heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet just yet, it's a baby over the weekend, or one induced on Monday. As I say, life goes on. I've recently read a book about the Fermi Paradox. The idea that if aliens exist, why aren't they here to be seen? Turns out, we might be living in a dark, cruel universe that just keeps knocking back any civilisation that evolves up out of the slime. Life just happens, and life just keeps on plugging away and coming back in a different form. I kind of like that idea. I think it's reassuring, not desparing. Still enough of my rambling - and this is a ramble - let's all remember that life goes on, and it's worth fighting for.

Thank you for listening. Ridiculous as it may sound, the above has helped me make an important decision. :-)

It's been a while...

I haven't written here for ages, have I? Not entirely my fault, as while I've had my Karoo broadband modem and what-not for a good week now, I still haven't had my line "activated", whatever that may mean. The good news is that it's happening tomorrow - between the unlikely time of 8am and 6pm - at which point I can e-mail from home and have more time to fill you all in on my exciting adventures.

Yay!

Oh, and while I have the chance, fingers firmly crossed for Andy and Fiona, who if all goes according to plan, are expecting their first child *today*.

Double Yay!

And another one.

It's *Dave's* viva today. In 20mins, in fact. Good luck mate. :-)

Karoo Quibbles

The great broadband debate goes on!!

Well, actually, it doesn't. Sorted. As it turns out, Karoo have a sister company called Eclipse. If you terminate your Karoo contract early *but* switch to Eclipse outside of the Hull area, no termination charge/fine/whatever. So that works. I think. Telephone is in, so now Sky and Broadband. Give me a few days so that I can have my technology back and the world is a better place. :-)

Plus, I was sent this the other day. Marking seems a bit harsh, but it appeals to me.

Living in Hull

Ok, ok, we know that Hull gets a bit of a bad press, but it's not that bad. Today, however, I'm a bit p****d off with the whole Hull thing. Or rather, the Kingston Communications thing. Some of you may not know that Hull is seperate to the BT phone system, has white telephone boxes and only *one* possible internet provider. Kingston Communications. Or rather, Karoo.

All I want is broadband for six months. Not twelve months. Just six. I'll even pay over the odds - as you have to with Karoo. But only for six months. That's all I ask. Is there any techie out there - and many of you are techies - who can suggest some other way of getting broadband? Through satellite TV or any other side-stepping suggestion. Six months is long time on dial-up (when I get my phone connected).

Help?

And he's back.

Yep, I'm back in Hull after an enforced absence of maybe three months (Raglan Street). Internet currently spotty but that's what offices are for. Blog should be updated much more regularly now.

See you again soon.

And we have a winner...

Well, all over. Took two minutes of deliberation on the part of the examiners. In fact, I was barely out of the loo before they called me back in.

Accepted with minor changes.

Understandable since page 234 was missing!! lol. And the whole of a correlation matrix I said was in the back but wasn't - I'd only put in the important bits. That and a few tweaks here and there to tighten up a few sentences so I keep to the same definition throughout. I have three months to do three days work - if that - and hand it in. Then I'm a doctor. Yay me. :-)

Twenty minutes to go!!

I feel sick. :-(

Oooh, scary!!

2.30pm on Thursday, September 22nd, 2005. Dress code: smart casual.

Yep, it's viva time. My (2hr?) oral examination on the 285 pages (minus appendices) of Thesis that I've spent the last four years writing. No place to hide, hopefully, no need to hide. Funnily enough, I'm looking forward to it. For the first time in years, I'll be in a situation where I can talk about my Thesis and my two examiners won't be able pop out for a quick fag or mumble excuses about having an urgent doctor's appointment. Yes, I get to talk about my work. And talk, and then talk some more. It'll be fun!!

Weird, aren't I? No, no need to confirm that in the comment box... :-)

Plus, Dave and I have sorted out the relevant paperwork for the house so it's back to Hull to sign that contract. Raglan Street, here we come!!

And another one!

A quick update to let you all know that one of my trusty Sheffield flatmates - Kean - has also started up a Blog. Looks like he's travelling the world. India and Nepal. Kean - you lucky, lucky *******.

Link to his now available. 'Natch. :-)

Sixteen long years...

Well, it's been a long time in coming. *Sixteen* long and painful years of humiliation since we've beaten the Australians at cricket. But at last, that four-inch tall trophy is ours once again. :-)

Yay England!!

Sorely neglected Blog...

It's weird.

I have no PhD to write - only the viva to go obviously. No presentations or lectures to write, as I currently have no job. I'm still waiting on an interview a four-six month contract from Hull (one of three posts and my chances are good). But what all this means is that I'm short of things to do. This means that I have plenty of time on my hands to do what I want to do, right? Wrong. :-(

It just doesn't seem to work that way. If I had a job lined up, and I started on X, then I'm sure I'd be running around, filling up my day with all sorts. Right now though, I just can't be bothered. Bugger.

Still, there's something to blog about today. You know how you can get a tune stuck inside your head for days, don't you? Well, it's happened to me this week. I was in town (York) a few days ago and I was looking through some DVDs and I found - but point out that I DID NOT BUY - a DVD of Magnum PI. With Tom Selleck. The TV series in Hawaii which denied us Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones - he couldn't get out of contract and they gave it to Harrison Ford instead. Some film trivia there... Since I saw that DVD cover, I don't seem able to get the theme tune out of my head so I thought I'd share the magic. :-) Here you are.

And since it's detective/cop shows today, here's a theme tune that is a personal favourite of mine and in my search for Magnum, I turned it up. Hill Street Blues. Anybody remember it? Clicky.

Scary news

Very scary, in fact.

I've a date for my viva. 22nd September, 1.30pm. Aw heck...

On a lighter note, it's my birthday on Thursday. And no, I'm not saying how old I am. If you don't know, you really should do. ;-)

Back from Exeter

Yep, I'm back, and I enjoyed it. The late nights, the drinking, the conversation, the mind-numbing pre-presentation fear. The lot. Great to see some new people and to see some really nice new people join in the fun. But I know most of you aren't psychologists, and I'm even surer that most of you won't be all that interested in our slow climb up the greasy pole!!


Anyway, here's photo that proves I went! lol. Funnily enough, I was convinced that Exeter was on the south coast. It's not - but most of the others were under the same delusion. I was gutted though. Honestly, FIVE hours on the train and I didn't make it as far as the Channel. Twelve miles short, apparently. If we'd have had the time, we'd have got a taxi down to the sea. We didn't.

I'm away *again*

Yep, here I go again.

In a couple of hours, I'm off down to Exeter for a conference. Over four hours on the train - I even toyed with flying down from Leeds/Bradford but getting there isn't too easy. So the train it is, followed by three whole days of psychology presentations from fellow PhDers - myself included. Yep, the majority of you get to miss out on 20mins of waffle about tinnitus. You lucky people!! ;-)

Nah, it'll be fun! Perhaps only fun if you happen to be a soon-to-submit postgraduate psychologist who enjoys seminars and getting plastered nightly, but there you go. The only thing I regret is all this traveling back and forth and back again. What with rendezvousing with Sally in Huddersfield before flying off to have fun in Corfu - that followed quickly by a stay over in Hull (thanks lads) - I'll have only spent one full day at home in three weeks by the time I get back on Friday!! Who said signing on (three full weeks on the dole now) means you have to stay at home? For the record, I'm beginning to wish it did.

Simon, Craig, Catherine, Dave. See you down there.

Apologies

Some apologies in order, I think. I'm racing about again - I'm sat in Hull at the moment - and I knwo that I owe some people some e-mails. Towa and Alex for definate, and a few other people too. All I can say is bear with me. Normal service will be resumed v.soon.

Until then, here is a picture of the beach at Arillas (NW Corfu) where Sally and I were based. She is actually in this picture, btw. If you zoom in towards the two people standing together in the centre, Sally is the bobbing head doing the breaststroke just behind them and to their left. Yes, Sally swims. Quite well in fact. Just like me. *cough cough*

-ahem-

What is a blog all about?

Good question really.

I've read that Blogs are becoming increasingly common. Some affected the way we look at the world - e.g. the famous Baghdad Blog. Some allow you to read up on the thoughts of your friends. Some read like a diary. Some ponder the meaning of life - granted, this one probably won't!!

Mainly, this blog will be about me. And why not? But today, though we're back from Corfu and armed with photos of everything from me boozing to the Gates of Hell themselves (the entrance to Hades, at least), today this blog is about friends. Or more precisely, friends and how they grow up. For example: this.

Particularly poignant for me is photo number 17. For those that don't know him, here is my oldest friend Jason (blog linked) a new father cradling his new and beautiful daughter. And I'm not just being polite for once. :-)

Temporary detour

Well, not "closed". More on holiday. Yes, that's right, it's almost time for me to pack my bags (I'm doing it after this) and fly out to Corfu for seven lovely days of not-very-much-in-the-sun. I seriously need to recharge. After that, it's the psyPAG conference in Exeter (22nd-25th) and then it's constantly checking www.jobs.ac.uk for suitable positions until I find somewhere foolish enough to let me teach psychology to 18-21yr olds.

So you know, I'm back in the country on the 16th Aug, and I'm back Blogging on the 17th. Until then, take care everyone. :-)

PS. Any of you Hull types remember this sign? It's the one Eddie and Kirsten nicked.

Some paperwork sorted - not all

Ever had one of those days where no matter how much you managed to achieve, something is left hanging? Yep. We all do, don't we? Today's clanger is that I had to sign on this morning, and as it turns out, I didn't quite bring all the required paperwork. More fool me, I only brought in everything they *asked* for, having left my psychic powers behind. Oh, the indignity!! *sigh*

But, I've sorted out my E111 form - which for you non-Europe types, allows me free medical treatment in the European Union. Yep, this Blog is truely international - you know who you are! ;-) So when the nice lady in the Post Office discovered that I was off to Corfu for a week, she told me what a beauituful place it was - she's been all round it. Top Corfu tip: watch out for snakes, stripy ones. Great. :-)

Obligatory Rich/Louise wedding photo. Perhaps 2005's best photo of *me* so far, not many good photos of me out there. Personally, I blame my complete lack of chin. Heh, who'd have believed that? "Chinless Wonder is ex-public schoolboy shocker". lol. But back to the photo. Special guest star: Sally Hugo.

Finished

It's done. The PhD is finished, submitted and all I do now is wait for the department to set a date for my viva (Two hour plus oral exam). Plenty to talk about - and coming up now, plenty of *time* to sit down and type it up. For now, just thought I'd spread the good news. Coming soon - photos. :-)

Cheers everyone!

So close, I can almost touch it.

It's *almost* done. I've almost got to the stage where I can hand it in. I've been fairly quiet during the last few days - and that's not because I've got bored of blogging. Far from it. It's just that I've a Thesis to finish. But having said that, I've written more than I could have hoped for in the last few days. Only a couple of thousand words granted, but a couple of thousand concluding words that seem to draw everything together and make sense at the same time. Right now, I'm printing out my Appendices. I'll finish up soon, head round to Hardy Street - where I'm crashing out (big thank you to Eddie, Mik and Will as ever), and have a couple of drinkies. Tomorrow morning, it's the title page, the contents pages, the abstract, the acknowledgements, and another go at that dodgy-looking correlation matrix on page 103. Damn you Table Seven!! ;-)

Mr and Mrs Price

Not much about *me* today. Far too many fish to fry. Instead, a moment to reflect on the newly married Mr Richard Price and his lovely new wife Louise (nee Skelton). I think they'll make a lovely couple, and I'd like to ask us all to wish them well as they honeymoon in Italy. In fact, let's push the boat out and wish them a little bit of wonderful. [Warning: *Minor Sop Attack*]

-ahem- Good luck, you two. :-)

More hits than an Amish website

Yes, it's true. I've figured it out - all possible because of the help of Gareth who's ability to explain it in non-jargon has been rewarded with a Blog-link of his very own. I'm now able to count the number of hits this Blog recieves. Yesterday I got ten. *TEN* That's ten real people checking for more random utterances from yours truely (plus some revisits).

Pretty darn good, I'd say, considering that this ain't Harry Potter. ;-)

Other stuff (a) Am off to Rich and Louise's wedding today/tomorrow so no more blogging from me until Monday. (b) If you're a Star Wars fan, do check out the IMPS link. If not, *AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE*

Busy busy busy

I have so much on at the moment that my head is spinning like something out of The Exorcist. But I have good news (for me). My Thesis must be in on Saturday 30th, so that really means Friday 29th. The good news is that the University Print Shop binds while-u-wait and only costs £5 a copy. Whoo-hoo!! Even better, if needs be, I can hand it in on the Monday. Cue one crazy week, then one extended holiday. :-)

Whoa!

It's been a few days, hasn't it? Mainly because I've moved back in with the parents - though I'm away a bit - and to be frank, I haven't really settled yet. I'm still sifting through piles of old stuff but slowly and surely the cardboard boxes are disappearing away inside each other Russian-doll style.

Back in Hull today. Crashing out at Hardy Street again (Guild Wars), before a supervisor meeting tomorrow that may just see my almost-finished final draft given the thumbs up. I'm checking my references at the moment - yes, the bit that comes at the *END*! ;-)

Otherwise, more bloggy goodness.I'm not too fussed about whether people read this or not, but it's great to write something from time to time - or add a picture. If you have some good pictures, do let me know and I'll post them. I've got several good pictures from the BBQ on Saturday but alas, they haven't been cleared by all involved (i.e. Sally in this case). But a good time and a good weekend. I still suck at ten pin bowling though...

To reciprocate...

Those eagle-eyed types amongst you will have noticed a link from this Blog to that of my friend Jason. Those of you that went there may well have noticed that whe had a few (kind) words about me and my "caffiene-fuelled" activities so I thought I'd return the favour. ;-)

I have known Jason since I was three-and-a-half, though it was a few years before I got to know him better, when the poor soul had to stay down a year at school (his October birthday) and I managed to catch him up. I then spent the next ten years at school trying to keep up. [You swot, Jase. ;-)]. It was a pleasure to be Best Man at your wedding, amigo. I don't know if I ever told you this but that speech cured me of any possible fear of public speaking and has led me to the lecture-bound career I'm aiming for today; being perfectly willing to lecture two hundred twenty 18-21yr olds at 50mins a go. So cheers for that Jason! Being down in London and all makes it harder to keep in touch, but since heand his wife Serena (a busy London doctor) have a child on the way, I'd just like to take the to be a little serious and wish them both (or all three rather!) the very best of luck in front of the rest of you. So there we have it

PS. Jim? Not sure I'm ready for the Jim (Kean and co. aside). My Dad is Jim as you know. Since you know him, could be confusing... However, Uncle Jim, I like that. I can be that uncle who steals all the kids noses, talks too loudly and tends to be slightly tipsy. :-)

The awesome power of Blogging

Yes, here it is as promised. Reading this very Blog spurred Rich into action. Thanks mate, I do appreciate it when you're so busy. Am a bit miffed that Louise had her laptop (with wedding seating arrangements) nicked so close to the wedding, but now the one *bad thing* has happened, your wedding should go like clockwork. I'm very much looking forward to it. How old is this photo, would you say? Three years, maybe four? Elsewhere, my cup of tea tastes rubbish. Still, that's what you get for finding an open bag of teabags that have been hidden behind your office curtain for so long, you've no idea how long they've been there. I'm betting months, but thankfully, that they can't be as old as this photo. :-)

Back in Hull

Yep, yo-yo time.

But I'm back in the office and skiving as if I've never been away. It's Graduation Twisted tonight. Cue hordes of girls gathered in circles and crying about missing each other, and roving bands of lads, threatening Christmas cards and getting completely off their face. For those of you clueless as to what Twisted is, Sheffield types can imagine Loveshack. Edinburgh people, I forget what thay called it. Yorkies: erm... we never did have a good club, did we? :-(

More later. But now, lunch.

Back in York

Or more precisely, back in York and *online*. :-)

Lots of things to talk about, thankfully, so no fear of me dying of boredom just yet, though it's a distinct possibility further down the line.

Right then, Saturday. Didn't make it. In fact, didn't make it halfway. Here's sculpture 14 to prove we had a stab though. [We got as far as number 23 incidently]. Went to The Mission for the first time in years. That place really has gone downhill - even the Hen Party seemed pretty jaded. Only two balloons- what were they thinking of?? But I digress... And why not? It's my blog. ;-)

Another Saturday photo. From left: myself; Yvonne; Mik; Kathrine. As taken by Eddie. Hull lightship in the background - though out of position and not switched on these days obviously. With Yorkshire ingenuity available, who needs a silly old lighthouse anyway?

It's printing!! It's printing!!

It's not over yet, I'm printing out the first complete copy of the Thesis as I blog. Printer cartridge, don't fail me now!! Then it's back home, some final packing, and then into town to the Admiral of the Humber at 6pm for food. Then, my friends, the Fish Trail. 41 fish sculptures, who knows how many pubs!!

<-- Here's the plan of action.

My camera may go too. :-)

Off the top of my head

After four years and a bit writing my PhD Thesis - now entitled: "The Relationship between Tinnitus, Cognitive Performance and Demands on the Individual", you think I could do better than scrabble together a 2,500 word joining section - bringing my Introduction and my Studies together - *off the top of my head*. Sheesh. Got there in the end though. Now, it's time to go home and spend the next 36 hours throwing rubbish out before I pack up what's left.

Still, Dave's bought me a bottle of wine. When I'm back up Wednesday/Thursday, we're going to drink it in the office. A fond farewell to Room 243 is in the offing. You did me proud. :-)

Time to blog?

Serious times. :-(

For that reason, and meaning no disrespect, it's a day to keep light. The world has changed, but we keep on walking. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, lack of seriousness. In a group e-mail, my old school friend Julian has wondered aloud where we get the time to write these blogs. Never fear. I'm printing lots of stuff out at the moment, and this is all my office PC can cope with while it struggles with my introduction(!)

Still, for the rest of you, who is this Julian Bond? Here is a picture of him at a Kung Fu demonstration. Yes, unlike the rest of us, he actually exercises. He's the bloke at the back on the right. Don't fear for him though. Instead, fear for the bloke at the front. He may look like he's doing ok, but look at his female assailant. Her hands are a blur. Always a *bad* sign.

London attacked

To my knowledge, no-one I know has been killed or injured. I hope it stays that way. However, I know many of you have been affected. Though, in most cases, it seems limited to a long walk home without buses or trains. Again, I hope it stays that way.

Safe journey to you all.

A tale of two aitches

Whoo! Another day, another blog. Dave is bravely resisting the distraction, but I just can't help myself. With all the work I've got, I should know better. I really should. Ho hum.

Still, while I'm leaving Hull on Sunday, it's the infamous Fish Trail on Saturday night. And about time too. How come none of us have every dared it? And then Huddersfield next weekend for a BBQ. Hull Huddersfield. Huddersfield Hull. Do I ever end up anywhere that doesn't begin with aitch? Erm... York. D'oh! *slaps forehead* Still, they are good photo opportunities. Talking of photo opportunities, it's back to Hull for Rich's wedding to the lovely Louise on the 24th. Once Rich is safely married, he may reclaim enough time to scan a vital photo and send it on. Years ago, for the HUU e-zine, I interviewed Johnny Ball. Yes, *the* Johnny Ball. I may be showing my age, but I don't care. He was great - he even looks a little like my Dad?? - and Rich captured the moment. That photo will appear here. Until then, to see if I've got the hang of it, here is a photo of me that you should all recognise. ;-)

Staking a claim

Looks like knowledge of the "Blog" is spreading far and wide. Not sure why I'm even doing it, save to copy Jason, but I'm finding it quite theraputic. Thanks to all who've commiserated about me not getting the Trinity job. If it makes you feel better (and it's making me feel better) I'm just about to post my Claim for Expenses. £71.25. Muah ha ha ha ha!! ;-)

I've forgotten something, I know I have.

Argh!! How many people need to know my forthcoming change of address? The bank. The university. The Psychologist. The BPS. Specsavers. The TV lot. The Student Loan company. Other magazines, the utility people... I've missed somebody out, I know I have but I've been reading and re-reading my draft so much, I'm addled.

Exit stage right. Cup of tea.

It's London

I've just checked the BBC website. It's London for the 2012 Olympics. Nice one. Even better for someone like me with *no* intention of living in London and contributing who-knows-how-much in council tax.

Yay. Beach Volleyball on Horseguard's Parade!! ;-)

PS. One of these days, I'll figure out how to put photos on this site. Untlil then, I'll revel in the fact that I'm only semi-geeky. Hopefully demi.

Weather Woes

Blasted weather. It's 6.30pm and I want to go home. *But* it was really sunny this morning and I walked onto campus in my t-shirt. Now, it's teeming it down and I'm trapped in my office, waiting for the rain to stop. *sniffle*

War of the Worlds

Oh, and a few people are talking about War of the Worlds. I liked it. Good direction. Will have to get the book one day - and read just how hard the Martians hit Woking in 1898...(!) But why are sleeves so immune to alien death rays? Why not shoes as according to tradition? And what was the deal with the arteries everywhere?? "Huh?" And again with the "huh?" (Very surfer-speak of me). Bad James.

Trinity Blow

Ah, I didn't get the job I was hoping for. (Trinity and All Saints, in Leeds). Good feedback though. Gave a good interview, and a cracking 30mins presentation apparently. Kean, enthusiastic, understood the job. All that. But they went for the bloke with a little more xp. I think it even went down to research area. Only problem I have is that I don't have a weakness to work on. Tsk! ;-)

Origins of the Glass Box.

Yes, "Inside the Glass Box".

Why, I hear you cry? Well, it's a a saying that Dave (Marchant) and I came up with a while ago. You've all heard of the glass ceiling. We have the glass box. Soon to be armed with PhDs, yet trapped in academia forever. There's no getting out of the box in a hurry... ;-)