Archives
March 31, 2005
March 24, 2005
Hiding
Jack's starting to watch films and DVDs, so I bought the Stuart Little box set a while ago (remember the mouse?) He loves both films, and must have watched them 20 to 30 times each. I didn't understand why he kept asking for the second film though, rather than the first. True, Stuart Little is probably a rare example of the sequel being better than the original, but Jack's not that fussed.
I put the first film on yesterday, because it was handy, and he sat down to watch it with a little protest. In the film Stuart is brought home from the orphanage for the first time. Jack gets up and starts to slowly walk towards the stairs, while still looking at the screen. Hmm. This reminds me of me and Doctor Who when I was a kid and the Cybermen or Daleks were about to appear. ("I'm off to bed now mum", but sat peering around the door to see what would happen). True enough, the family cat in the film jumps onto the screen with a loud sound effect, and Jack jumps out of his skin. Tears, cuddles, etc. He knew it was coming, but it still made him jump, and he didn't like it. He loves the rest of the film, it's just that bit that puts him off.
I wonder how he'll be with the new series of Doctor Who... ;)
March 23, 2005
March 22, 2005
Student Loans
Clearing out my paperwork this morning, I discovered that I finished paying off my student loans this month! Yey!
I finished my first degree in 1996, and elected to begin paying off these loans sometime after coming back to the UK and starting work as a post-doc. I remember not earning enough to *have to* pay them off, but started anyway. I guess that was 5 years ago. Coo, I've done a hell of a lot in 5 years. It doesn't feel that long ago, and yet it seems a world away from where I am today.
I should finish paying off the debts from my PhD this year too.
March 21, 2005
Holiday
By the way, for all that don't know, I'm now on holiday! I'm going to try and relax for a week or so, so nobody mention the word "work" to me. To this end, I won't be checking my email much, so if you don't hear from me I'm not ignoring you.
March 20, 2005
Wkend
Congratulations to Wales on winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations! I have to admit, even though I'm not a Wales supporter, I was nervous for them on Saturday morning. Thank God they won.
We spent the weekend in sunny, sunny Devon, to see Rhiannon and Robin get married. Top weekend, good weather, good beer, good location, good ceremony and party. Photos are up on the photos page.
March 17, 2005
Chain
How the hell have I done this?
Do you see the bent link? I broke my chain on my way to work. No chain tool in my bag, so lots of walking today. I'm on holiday for a week or two from tomorrow, so I'll give the thing a full service.
March 16, 2005
Marmot
Marmot, the outdoor kit company I like so much, just sent me their Spring catalogue. It's full of the usual gorgeous pictures of people having fun in the great outdoors, making me ask, "what the hell am I doing slogging it out in the infinite thankless task that is my job, and not out there with all the muddy happy people in colourful gore-tex?".
The Marmot catalogue always has this effect on me (and you might say it affects many people like this), but usually it spurs me to plan a new expedition somewhere high and steep. Many a time I've been inspired and gone away for a week and climbed something. Anyone want to go outside and play?
Dr Who Radiophonatron
Have you got speakers? Headphones? Get the sound on and waste some time with the BBC Sound Department's Dr Who Radiophonatron.
March 15, 2005
Doctor Who in Wales
Geek link to the BBC's new Doctor Who website.
I'm mostly linking because I know it was put together largely in Cardiff (a mate was working on it).
Star Wars ep3
There's hope for Star Wars ep3 yet.
Link.
The trailer looks good too, but then, they always do. (By the by, I'm not hoping the Revenge of the Sith is going to be poor, just lowering my expectations to help me enjoy whatever I'm given).
Photos
Oh, by the way, I rewrote the "Photos" page, and you can now go and look at galleries of pics instead of one huge, huge page of moblog photos.
Exam
It's another exam day today. We've staggered the exams for the medicine course throughout the first year, so that the students have a smattering of assessments rather than blocks. I don't know which is best, & there are arguments for both. At the end of their preclinical years they will have a solid block of exams before they can progress.
As soon as you mention the word "exam" or "assessment" there's a change in the mood in the lecture theatre. Slumbering students stir, eyes open, pens appear. I should probably just randomly blurt out, "exam!" during lectures like an academic with Tourette's to ensure they stay awake.
March 11, 2005
New Camera
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me. A bit early, but what the hell? I'm going to a friend's wedding next weekend and I want to take photos. It's a Nikon D70 digital SLR, so I'll need a bit of practise.
March 10, 2005
User
He's only 2 years old. I think I need to watch out. And keep practising.
Books
Just a pile of books on my desk at home. A bit of a strange range.
Comment Spam
Sorry about adding login whotsits to the commenting system, but I was getting comment spam coming out of my ears, and this was the best fix available. You only have to sign up once and then you're done. It's a good service, honest.
I may take it off in a couple of weeks if things die down.
March 09, 2005
Nightmares
This link's for Kim.
"Researchers at Swansea University need your help in finding out just what causes nightmares and why some people are bothered by nightmares while others are not."
"We are looking for volunteers who have at least two nightmares a week to help us with this research."
Link.
March 08, 2005
Visions of Science
Take a look at the Visions of Science Photographic Awards from 2004, particularly the people section. Great images.
The competition for 2005 has opened, and is sponsored by Novartis and the Daily Telegraph.
No trains
Again, some poor soul stepped onto the line in front of a train early this morning, so the trains to Swansea were halted and I couldn't get into work. Not really a problem for me, as it happens, so instead of sitting in Cardiff Central for 4 or 5 hours waiting for the police to finish their investigations and clear the line I went back home. Biscuits, tea and laptop. Mmmmm.
March 05, 2005
Jack's Kitchen
OK, maybe he'd like to cook his own tea.
Wkend
It's just me and Jack this weekend. Kim's gone on a hen weekend in St. Davids in Pembroke, where she'll be coasteering and kayakng as well as getting blotto. I wonder how wet they'll get. It's boody freezing.
What shall we do...? We've got some errands to run this morning, and we'll pop round to see a few people. We'll do the usual thing of going to the park and then to Danescourt station to see if we can see any trains (2 year old trainspotter). I think we'll go for a walk down the Taff Trail or through Radyr woods too. I suppose I have to do the mundane things too, like work out what to do for Jack's tea. Chicken madras?
March 03, 2005
March 02, 2005
March 01, 2005
iPod Camera Connector
iPod Camera Connector Picture. Real? I hope it won't just be for the iPod Photo.