Friday 26 December 2008

Do they know it's Christmas time at all...

I am watching the Spengler cup on TV whilst reading about Wright's F statistics on Wiki.

I'm currently recovering from far too much food and chocolates on Christmas day and a really nice day all round. I got lots of exciting presents, mostly kitchenware, which makes me feel a very modern man. =P

We had a lovely day despite being made to get up at 8am. Christmas dinner was fantastic and Mum and Dad loved the photobook JB and I made for them. I got sexy new boxers and lots of toiletries to stop me scrounging off them during the year (hehe). JB got Mariokart which is hilarious to play with him as the controls, whilst intuitive, are somewhat difficult to being with. I now have my own profile on Guitar Hero III which is entertaining and I am slowly working my way through the easy setting because I'm not very good at it. I need to keep practising ready to try to be almost as good as Karen.

Karen arrives tomorrow which is the cue for much funness! I want to bake something because its entertaining; in fact as I type Kazz has told me that a muffin tray and loaf tin have been purchased ready for baking madness at her house or back in Sheffield. I am trying to think of things to do at my house, walking shall occur and probably a trip into Durham too! Apart from that I do not know maybe Mum and Dad will think of something.

I'm looking forward to NYE at Kazz's, I can't wait to see her new room and Chippa! Hopefully we shall go for some nice walks and have time to relax and get some work done too.

I am looking at getting a new bag and tripod with my Christmas money but they stuff I want ti proving to be far too expensive which I deem rather inconsiderate. My camera is great fun! I can't wait to shoot some sport with it though as the advanced autofocus settings will be incredibley good if I can get it work properly. I hope Kazz is looking forward to playing with it too!

Friday 19 December 2008

I am who I wanna be, but you could be anything, just be anything here with me...

It is KarenandSimon Boxing day today and I am meant to be packing to go home but I am far too excited about getting my new camera tomorrow and seeing peoples tonight.

I got cool presents yesterday and am no super impatient at wanting to go to Morocco. Karen loved her puppet too! Its so cute to see her with RiverDance the otter (lol). We had an amazing lunch at Bia Hoi and had cocktails too which is always fun (and manly =P). We watched the Hairy Bakers and wanted to bake! Then watched Russell Howard and I am sure I haven't ever heard Karen laugh that much ever!! Even though my jokes are hilarious. =P

Tomorrow is going to be hectic what with much coming and going and eating but I am really looking forward to seeing my family and hope that Karen has a really good time too! =)

Anyway I should go pack up now.

Monday 15 December 2008

I've heard there was a secret chord, that David played to please the Lord...

Last week was incredibly hectic and I can't really remember what I did.

I know that on Thursday I had a minor panic that I wouldn't get my camera because Dixons apparently didn't have one but Karen's dad managed to sort it so that's good! It arrived at home today so hopefully Mum and Dad will be persuaded to bring it with them on Saturday.

Last weekend was great fun! We had a kids party at church which was just insane, being a geek in the drama was most entertaining! I took a few (155) photos, some of which shall hopefully be used on the website! On saturday Karen and I went to Opal and watched LotR:RotK and the Xfactor final and I had my second pizza in two days and felt really fat! We had hoped the European market would be in the town centre but unfortunately it wasn't so we were sad about that. We had a right laugh watching the film and chilling out. Sunday was lovely, last kids team service of the year and we coped with an injury and a lot of games! In the evening Karen and I went to Carols @ Crookes which was absolutely fantastic! Lots of singing and mince pie related fun, we really liked the punch too, I am currently trying to find out the recipe for us to use some time!

I can't believe that this term is almost over, its crazy to think that three months have disappeared. I do have a lot to show for it though, there has been an awful lot of work and learning done. Not just uni stuff too, I really feel like I have grown a bit (not height wise though!). Leading at church has really got easier and now that I have a much larger team this should develop nicely. Karen made a point that I was actually doing teaching and I sometimes totally forget this so its nice to be reminded. I do feel a bit scared about the responsibility but my friends at church and most of all Karen are so incredibly supportive it makes it all very easy.

I have learnt that I have an interest in molecular ecology and that I shall hopefully investigate a career in this sort of lab. I've learnt that I want to get so much better with my photography and that I can't just do that with better equipment, it has to be me pushing the shutter in a better way. I've learnt that its a scary thought not knowing what you will be doing this time next year but that if you have someone to share the journey with it doesn't matter. I have learnt that Tanzania and Kenya count as East Africa. I have learnt that it doesn't matter what you know in science its still possible to have an opinion and voice it in a constructive way.

This week is going to be good too! Our immense biology and ethics poster goes on display on Wednesday, hopefully we shall get a good mark for it! We also find our coursework marks out which I am a bit more nervous about. Thursday is Karen and Simon Christmas which I am dead excited about! Can't wait to give Karen her puppies. =P

Monday 8 December 2008

Could it be that everything goes 'round by chance, or only one way that it was always meant to be...

Today has been a pleasant day.

I spoke to a couple of potential supervisors in my department in preparation for applying for level four. I am very much liking the sound of working with sheep on coat colour and pattern and the linkage between the two. I am also looking forward to dissertation in a scary sort of way as Burke appears to be a most decent and helpful chap.

I did a bit of photo editing last night using the new colour boosting technique (Lab colour boost) and created this:


I am currently looking at programs to organise my photos, I want something that will allow me to rate and tag shots so I can look for stuff efficiently.

Karen and I are fervently planning Karen and Simon Christmas which is getting more exciting by the second! I can't wait to giver her her amazing present tehe. I should really wrap it up!

New Year is to be spent in Newton, which is great as we may well have the house to ourselves leading to fun and frolics cooking and photoing! David picks my D300 up on Thursday so I am looking forward to getting that and playing with my new toy!

Work is ticking along and is getting done, hopefully we shall have our poster done by Wednesday night at the latest.

I successfully cooked carbonara for my tea tonight which I am very proud of and I got 68 for my fieldcourse write up from MSJ which I count as a pretty good achievement considering my stats were "terrible".

Anyway back to procrastination!

Wednesday 3 December 2008

Come with me 'cause I'm a Free Faller, You hoot but I holler...

We booked out trip to Morocco yesterday! This is the one we booked. I am rather excited about it, having thoroughly enjoyed going to Egypt three years ago and am looking forward to another foray into North Africa.

I am working on my introduction for project and whilst its tough going its still interesting and I think I'd like to do my dissertation on some aspect of speciation, possibly ecological speciation specifically. I emailed some potential supervisors tonight so should probably get reading up on their research areas.

Things I need to get sorted for Morocco
  • Insurance.
  • Flights.
  • Hotel pre/post tour.
  • Camera Bag.
  • Visas.
  • Vaccines.
  • Sexy boxers that are both stylish and comfortable in the heat.
Tomorrow I hand in my introduction so I had better get up early to finish it.

Things seem to be going a lot better than last week, work is happening, Karen is happy and we are going to the Christmas market in the centre of town on Saturday so hopefully there will be cheese for me to nibble on. I may buy some salami to cook a fantastic meal for Karen and I.

Karen and Simon Christmas is only two weeks tomorrow! I had best get wrapping! Were going to have a romantic meal and then go to Buddha Bar for cocktails (which I like far too much for a straight man!). I want to take a really romantic photo of us too that'd be ace.

My gym session was good today, managed to run (1.6km) row (8.58 mins) and bike (3.5km) and do all my weights and even proper sit ups. Oh and I have apparently lost two kilos which is top notch!

Time to look at hotels!

Monday 1 December 2008

Keep your head still, I'll be your thrill, the night will go on, the night will go on, my little redmill...

Today has been a busy and confusing day. I have finally (I think) figured out what to do with my project but I have tried the stats tonight and they haven't gone anywhere. Ah well.

I took pictures in our lecture theatre today which was fun and a bit weird although I am happy to have some photographic reminder of where I have spend mornings the past 3 years.

I stumbled upon a couple of good photo sites (DPS and WeSay.com), I am getting a bit more excited about my new camera and hoping that I will be able to use it to its full potential and improve my photography as a result.

I am nervous about getting my abstract back tomorrow as I really need a good (65>) mark to give me any chance of getting near a first in this module. I'd love to be able to push and possibley sneak a first overall but I'm not sure if I have got too much ground to make up. However most importantly is my project, hopefully I shall be able to get something that I can discuss and get a really good mark in it to get on level four as I really want to stay in Sheffield as I am confident Karen will be here on the PGCE course.

I am off to be now, absolutely shattered.