Just to show that you never know who is watching:
"A court in the port city of Alexandria has sentenced a young Egyptian blogger to four years' jail for contempt of religion, insulting the president and spreading false information." - BBC News
Full story at : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6386613.stm
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Trip and other bits
Don't ask me why its been over a week since my last blog, because to be honest I don't know.
This is what I remember of last week...
Tuesday: Rain - so much so the university pavements were 3 inches under.
Wednesday: Bright sunshine - so good we buggered off down the Hoe and had lunch :). Found out about Speedy Reedys Accident, counselling session for 3 hrs over msn.
Thursday: Did £10 of Laundry and ironing ready for trip up to Huddersfield.
Friday: Left for Huddersfield. Right where to start?
I got a taxi up to Plymouth airport, really is in a most peculiar / out of the way place. Near the entrance you are surrounded by deep hedgerow on a single track road with warehouses surrounding you. For a moment I thought my driver was going to mug me!
Luckily he didn't and I arrived at the 2nd smallest airport I have ever been to, the 1st being Alderney. There isn't much there apart from 2 check in desks - the baggage conveyors (its all done by hand), a cafe, and some toilets.... oh and some seats. After a while our plane arrived and we boarded for our hopper flight to Manchester via Bristol. All was pleasant and the plane was less than half empty.
Upon arrival at Manchester we were given the furthest stand possible from domestic arrivals, so much so that I thought I had walked to Huddersfield by the time I got my bag. I then began an equally gargantuan walk to the train station, which required a slog through terminal 3 (my arrival point) into terminal 1 and then via a long tunnel to the station. From there I boarded a train to Huddersfield and arrived 40 minutes later.
I quickly met Speedy Reedy and we did what all good students do, and went to the pub. A pint later and a small snack we took a taxi to his 'house' which is part of a small student accommodation complex to the south of the city. His room is significantly smaller than mine, but cosier as a result. That night we went to a house party (arrived just as it ended), had pizza (yum) and watched copious amounts of Family Guy.
Saturday: Spent the day in Manchester.
Not a bad city, big shopping malls offering only the finest in artificially cooled recycled air. But really tis a nice place so cant grumble. The only down side is that although they have a Selfridges, there is no Krispy Kreme's inside unlike Birmingham, so my friend now has to go without.
We then went to the Hard-Rock Café, it was nice not too pricey either, and our waitress was something to eat with our eyes too.
Fed and watered we got back to Huddersfield and popped into the Uni to check emails etc. We then went back to the house and watched more Family Guy before going to see the Pursuit of Happyness at the local Odeon. Not a bad film, congratulations Mr Smith.
Sunday: Late to rise, had a look around Huddersfield town and then met up with a friend of SR called Liam. The three of us went climbing, me sticking to non harness needing boulders, while they had fun with straps and ropes. Not as gay as it sounds, although SR admits freely that Liam spends a good many nights at his house staying the night. We also managed to partly help SR get over his accident. Although I was glad to be there and helped to 2nd belay (safety rope thing), as when Liam did fall, the differences in weight lifted SR off the floor and sent him heading towards the wall, luckily I stopped him :).
That night we watched Top Gear, which was great as usual, and then went out for a great meal at Wetherspoons, pissing off the staff by ordering dessert at 20 Min's before cut off :).
Monday:
Spent all morning in bed. The afternoon was taken up with goodbyes, as SR had lectures at 2, so I wandered through town with my suitcase, had a coffee and then went to the Head of Steam which is the fore mentioned pub attached to the station. I got to the airport at 5 and took off at 7:30. The landing into Bristol was.... rough. Very rough. At the time the pilots expressed concern for our chances of arriving in Plymouth at all, but vowed to give it a go. Take off from Bristol was... yeah you guessed it rough. In the end we couldn't land at Plym, so had to divert to Exeter. Being shaken all the way, and the landing was unsurprisingly rough. Got home at 12:30, 3 hrs later than planned, but all in all a good weekend.
This is what I remember of last week...
Tuesday: Rain - so much so the university pavements were 3 inches under.
Wednesday: Bright sunshine - so good we buggered off down the Hoe and had lunch :). Found out about Speedy Reedys Accident, counselling session for 3 hrs over msn.
Thursday: Did £10 of Laundry and ironing ready for trip up to Huddersfield.
Friday: Left for Huddersfield. Right where to start?
I got a taxi up to Plymouth airport, really is in a most peculiar / out of the way place. Near the entrance you are surrounded by deep hedgerow on a single track road with warehouses surrounding you. For a moment I thought my driver was going to mug me!
Luckily he didn't and I arrived at the 2nd smallest airport I have ever been to, the 1st being Alderney. There isn't much there apart from 2 check in desks - the baggage conveyors (its all done by hand), a cafe, and some toilets.... oh and some seats. After a while our plane arrived and we boarded for our hopper flight to Manchester via Bristol. All was pleasant and the plane was less than half empty.
Upon arrival at Manchester we were given the furthest stand possible from domestic arrivals, so much so that I thought I had walked to Huddersfield by the time I got my bag. I then began an equally gargantuan walk to the train station, which required a slog through terminal 3 (my arrival point) into terminal 1 and then via a long tunnel to the station. From there I boarded a train to Huddersfield and arrived 40 minutes later.
I quickly met Speedy Reedy and we did what all good students do, and went to the pub. A pint later and a small snack we took a taxi to his 'house' which is part of a small student accommodation complex to the south of the city. His room is significantly smaller than mine, but cosier as a result. That night we went to a house party (arrived just as it ended), had pizza (yum) and watched copious amounts of Family Guy.
Saturday: Spent the day in Manchester.
Not a bad city, big shopping malls offering only the finest in artificially cooled recycled air. But really tis a nice place so cant grumble. The only down side is that although they have a Selfridges, there is no Krispy Kreme's inside unlike Birmingham, so my friend now has to go without.
We then went to the Hard-Rock Café, it was nice not too pricey either, and our waitress was something to eat with our eyes too.
Fed and watered we got back to Huddersfield and popped into the Uni to check emails etc. We then went back to the house and watched more Family Guy before going to see the Pursuit of Happyness at the local Odeon. Not a bad film, congratulations Mr Smith.
Sunday: Late to rise, had a look around Huddersfield town and then met up with a friend of SR called Liam. The three of us went climbing, me sticking to non harness needing boulders, while they had fun with straps and ropes. Not as gay as it sounds, although SR admits freely that Liam spends a good many nights at his house staying the night. We also managed to partly help SR get over his accident. Although I was glad to be there and helped to 2nd belay (safety rope thing), as when Liam did fall, the differences in weight lifted SR off the floor and sent him heading towards the wall, luckily I stopped him :).
That night we watched Top Gear, which was great as usual, and then went out for a great meal at Wetherspoons, pissing off the staff by ordering dessert at 20 Min's before cut off :).
Monday:
Spent all morning in bed. The afternoon was taken up with goodbyes, as SR had lectures at 2, so I wandered through town with my suitcase, had a coffee and then went to the Head of Steam which is the fore mentioned pub attached to the station. I got to the airport at 5 and took off at 7:30. The landing into Bristol was.... rough. Very rough. At the time the pilots expressed concern for our chances of arriving in Plymouth at all, but vowed to give it a go. Take off from Bristol was... yeah you guessed it rough. In the end we couldn't land at Plym, so had to divert to Exeter. Being shaken all the way, and the landing was unsurprisingly rough. Got home at 12:30, 3 hrs later than planned, but all in all a good weekend.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Impending Trip
This Friday I will be setting a northerly course and heading into the unknown that is Yorkshire. I am off to Huddersfield to see Monsieur Reedy. This means either a 6hr train ride from Plymouth, or an 11hr coach trip. Thank god then that I can fly from Plymouth to Manchester which is only 55 Min's from Huddersfield. Interestingly enough I will have a quick stop-off at Bristol while they load more pax and hopefully not offload my baggage. This option takes 3 hrs total.
I was looking around at the price for this trip and I have paid £156.75 for the privilege. Interestingly the flight from Bristol-Manchester is the bit that costs £156.75, and the Plymouth leg is costing me nothing. (I looked how much just going from Bristol would be.) And yet to fly Plym to Bristol costs from £22 single. So they either cant justify making me pay more, or they like to con more from the people of Bristol.
Interestingly enough I have found this out about Bristol International Airport. They cover all costs and come into profit from car parking charges alone. All other charges etc are pure profit. SO that's landing fees, taxiing fees, refueling charges, ground handling charges, rental from shops/airlines- check in desks, terminal duty fees, security fees and prob a few hundred more.
No wonder its the most expensive regional airport in Britain!
I was looking around at the price for this trip and I have paid £156.75 for the privilege. Interestingly the flight from Bristol-Manchester is the bit that costs £156.75, and the Plymouth leg is costing me nothing. (I looked how much just going from Bristol would be.) And yet to fly Plym to Bristol costs from £22 single. So they either cant justify making me pay more, or they like to con more from the people of Bristol.
Interestingly enough I have found this out about Bristol International Airport. They cover all costs and come into profit from car parking charges alone. All other charges etc are pure profit. SO that's landing fees, taxiing fees, refueling charges, ground handling charges, rental from shops/airlines- check in desks, terminal duty fees, security fees and prob a few hundred more.
No wonder its the most expensive regional airport in Britain!
Money Ooooh er
I've submitted to the forces of student evil... I have myself a credit card. Now everyone stop drying your teeth and listen. I do not need it to get myself further into debt... nor in fact will it be anywhere near me most of the time. It will stay at home until the time I actually need to use it approaches. This time is May.
As part of my course I get to go on a cruise ship for a few days (F.O.C) and experience what the crew have to do. However seeing that the cruise will begin in Bordeaux, we felt it silly not to give up the chance of a nice holiday. So... we are flying out two days early and as much as Visa is accepted, Visa Debit can have the frogs up in arms. So therefore I applied for a Student Barclaycard, which unlike all other Barclays Student cards is a MasterCard.
Should take 14 days to process and deliver, and after that I'm good to go... but like i said, it isn't going anywhere until is necessary.
As part of my course I get to go on a cruise ship for a few days (F.O.C) and experience what the crew have to do. However seeing that the cruise will begin in Bordeaux, we felt it silly not to give up the chance of a nice holiday. So... we are flying out two days early and as much as Visa is accepted, Visa Debit can have the frogs up in arms. So therefore I applied for a Student Barclaycard, which unlike all other Barclays Student cards is a MasterCard.
Should take 14 days to process and deliver, and after that I'm good to go... but like i said, it isn't going anywhere until is necessary.
Friday, February 09, 2007
New House!
Well things are changing fast here at Plymouth Uni. Buildings are going up, others are being remodelled and a few are coming down and going back up again.
Next year I had planned on being in Discovery Heights, however a friend has had a house bought for her, and she is renting it out. I've met the two other girls, and of course I know my friend so looks like we will be a nice little foursome next year :) 3:1 I may be outnumbered, but that aint bad.
Also I have been introduced to a fantastic new restaurant called Hans. Its chinese cuisine at its very finest. Reasonably priced and fantastic no matter who you go with. Definately a reason to wear those trousers that are a little too large.
Finally for tonight... In just under a week I will be in Huddersfield seeing Speedy Reedy. Looking forward to this alot, always nice to get drunk in new places.
Next year I had planned on being in Discovery Heights, however a friend has had a house bought for her, and she is renting it out. I've met the two other girls, and of course I know my friend so looks like we will be a nice little foursome next year :) 3:1 I may be outnumbered, but that aint bad.
Also I have been introduced to a fantastic new restaurant called Hans. Its chinese cuisine at its very finest. Reasonably priced and fantastic no matter who you go with. Definately a reason to wear those trousers that are a little too large.
Finally for tonight... In just under a week I will be in Huddersfield seeing Speedy Reedy. Looking forward to this alot, always nice to get drunk in new places.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Number Magic
Tell a person to think of their birthday...and that you are going to guess it.
Step 1) Have them take the month number from their birthday: January = 1, Feb = 2 etc.
Step 2) Multiply that by 5
Step 3) Then add 6
Step 4) Then multiply that total by four
Step 5) Then add 9
Step 6) Then multiply this total by 5 once again
Step 7) Finally, have them add to that total the day they were born on. If they were born on the 18th, they add 18, etc.
Have them give you the total. In your head, subtract 165, and you will have the month and day they were born on!
Step 1) Have them take the month number from their birthday: January = 1, Feb = 2 etc.
Step 2) Multiply that by 5
Step 3) Then add 6
Step 4) Then multiply that total by four
Step 5) Then add 9
Step 6) Then multiply this total by 5 once again
Step 7) Finally, have them add to that total the day they were born on. If they were born on the 18th, they add 18, etc.
Have them give you the total. In your head, subtract 165, and you will have the month and day they were born on!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Rondomise!
Bit of an all over post today. As its been one long day...
Started at 9:30 working in the student training cafe (Pilgrims)
Prep until 10:30
Cruise Ops Meeting 10:30-11
More prep until 12
Service Starts until 1:30
Clear Down until 2:15
Lunch 2:30
Leave Pilgrims 2:45.
Go into town to post office, come back via starbucks... 2:45-3:45
Lecture 4-6
Come back and do washing, and clean the room 6-6:45
Sit down and write this... and people say students are lazy!!!
Started at 9:30 working in the student training cafe (Pilgrims)
Prep until 10:30
Cruise Ops Meeting 10:30-11
More prep until 12
Service Starts until 1:30
Clear Down until 2:15
Lunch 2:30
Leave Pilgrims 2:45.
Go into town to post office, come back via starbucks... 2:45-3:45
Lecture 4-6
Come back and do washing, and clean the room 6-6:45
Sit down and write this... and people say students are lazy!!!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Busy
Right so im back at university, and coping with the new mountain of essays that seemed to have sprung from no where. There nothing quite like coming back and finding that, that essay deadline isnt 3 weeks away but 3 days... oh well.
Here some things for you to enjoy.
Here some things for you to enjoy.
| You Are Rowlf the Dog |
 Mellow and serious, you enjoy time alone cultivating your talents. You're a cool dog, and you always present a relaxed vibe. A talented pianist, you can play almost anything - especially songs by Beethoven. "My bark is worse than my bite, and my piano playing beats 'em both." |
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