Basically, we’re looking at either a complete day of games, at £13 a person, or however many games at £5 each per person. I will make sure there enough places for all of us going (about 21 people have been invited) on whatever day is decided and if necessary, I’ll book places.

Is everyone free in July and willing to come along and shoot each other wirth laser guns?

If so, please let me know on here, or fb.

More info:

Weblink:  http://www.quasarelitehemel.com/page8.htm

Well,

Where to begin? First of all, I want to say that I had the most wonderful time in Paris at the weekend. The weather on Saturday was fantastic. I was on the top of the Eiffel tower in just a t-shirt and a baggy short sleeved jumper, it was so warm. It was a little colder on Sunday but we still enjoyed a tour of Paris on one of those open top buses and it was a great way to do a bit of sight seeing. We visited the Notre Dame and also the Louvre (although I could easily have spent longer in both places!).

But the best bit was on Saturday evening. To set the scene: I had been told that the trip was as a result of a buy one get one free offer on lastminute.com. My sister Adele and her friend Paula had been sent an email saying that if one couple paid for travel, one night’s accomodation and a meal that another could get it all totally free. We only had two weeks notice but it was enough time and the best bit was that Damian and I only had to take spending money because everything else was paid for.

Fast forward to Satuday night. We got a taxi from the hotel (with my excellent French skills coming to the fore with the driver!) to the Seine as the meal was going to be on board a boat. We had all dressed up a bit as it was our first time in Paris and we wanted to make an effort but none of us, or so I thought, expected it to be that posh because it had been a last minute deal. When we got there, it was amazing. All the tables were laid out beautifully, the lighting was perfect and there was a live band and a singer. The food was lovely. I had scallops with leek and truffles for my starter followed by sea bass, a cheese board and a chocolate praline dessert. Just before the main course, Damian pulled a little box out of his jacket pocket, presented me with a beautiful diamond ring and asked my to marry him! And I said yes!

So, we are now officially engaged and getting married in the spring next year. Afterwards, I realised how many signs there had been that he would propose but it was still a total surprise. For example, as soon as I heard about the  ‘deal’ (which of course didn’t exist and Damian had spent months planning it and paying for it!!), I immediately pointed out that Damian had always wanted to be the first to take me to Paris and I thought he would object to somebody else doing it instead but he seemed strangley compliant! Also, he was really uptight and, at times, grumpy when we were travelling there on Saturday to the point when I snapped at him to lighten up. Now, I understand he was just nervous. It was also really sweet to learn that he had booked tickets in advance for us to get into the Louvre to avoid queueing, only for us to find out that it is free entry for eveyone on the first Sunday of the month! Still, the tickets didn’t have a date on so we can use them another time.

So, that was my weekend and we are both very happy now. I hope everything is going equally well for everyone else.

xx

I’ll preface the story with >this link<. Better you read it first, it’s not very long.

Despite what the story would have you believe, I was up last night playing computer games (2:30am, bad I know) when two housemates returning from mad ravez in the city caught my attention by throwing stones at my window. I fluffed the curtains at them, but they were not appeased, and the stones grew larger. I thought it was a joke at my expense when they said there was a ‘massive fire’ down the road, so sluggishly put clothes over my PeeJays.

Rolling back in time a bit, earlier in the day I’d borrowed a mid-range video camera from uni to try to learn how to use it, just overnight. I got some silly shots of housemates and some thrilling sequences of water dripping into mugs. Truly I have reached my creative pinnacle.

Skipping forward again to me being dressed, I grabbed the video camera and my stills camera and headed off. Turns out it wasn’t a joke at my expense, and much filming ensued! Quite an epic blaze, the biggest fire I’ve ever seen up close. All the firemen were very helpful, telling us where to get the best angles and shots. And as we were following their advice, wading through the acrid smokes and trying to stay out their way, some NHS folks approached us. ‘Who are you?’ he said. ‘John’, said I. ‘That’s not good enough’, said he, at which point he said that he didn’t know how we got here but if we didn’t leave he’d call the police. As tempted as we were to tell him how we got there (walking up the road, receiving directions from firemen) we left. I wonder who I should have been that would have been good enough? Attila the Hun, perhaps. I digress.

It seems some firetrucks are actually imposters. One was just an oversized tea-wagon, with a stove and an army of kettles behind the red shutters. Most of the fifty firefighters at the scene seemed to just be there for the tea. I’m sure it was all part of their strategy, never fear.

Anyway, this morning I went back to the scene, only to overhear a reporter from the BBC. I told them who I was, (and was surprised when she didn’t say ‘That’s not good enough’) and… to cut a long story short. Some of our photos and a chunk of my video is now up on the BBC website. And a blink of video was also shown on the regional BBC news in the evening ^^

Funny how sometimes the pieces of a puzzle just fall into place. Just so happening to borrow the video camera, housemates deciding to go out at the last minute, me waking up late and going later than planned past the scene where I met the reporter…

Seems that life just boils down to dumb luck :happy:

_{And if my video production tutor asks ‘But where’s the concept?’ I’m going to stuff the miniDV tapes down his gullet.}

Merry November everyone.

We (Damian, Ophelia, my sister Dionne and her husband Martin) went to SW19 on the 23rd June, the first day of the tournament. We woke up at half past 4 (it was worth it) and caught the train at about 6ish. When we arrived at Wimbledon, it was about half 7. There was only one queue to get into the grounds this year (if you hadn’t bought a ticket previously) instead of two so instead of queueing up just outside on the road, we were sent to the far end of a VERY large field and about 20 minutes later, were told that we just over 3000th in the queue. Luckily, the weather was nice and we spent the next four hours queueing for coffee and doing sudoku as well as having friendly arguments with fellow queuers about who we were backing for the trophy.

After looking at the order of play, we went to court 11 and stayed there for pretty much the whole day. We saw Elena Baltacha win her first round match and Alex Bogdanovic lose his. This actually proved to be very useful as last year, I managed to get Elena’s autograph. However, I was confused as it appears to say ‘Billy’. Apparently, her family call her ‘Bally’ and we joined it screaming “Come on Bally” at the top of our voices. Then we had a real treat. The third match scheduled for our court was Martat Safin!! He is even taller in real life than on tv although that was highlighted by the fact that his opponent was Fabio Fognini who looks as if he could comfortably rest his head on my shoulders. Fee and I were so excited that we spent quite a lot of time persuading the court attendants, who had the reserved front row to leap out of the way at the end of the match so we could scramble down and get his autograph. Which we did, very successfully. Although I did feel a tad bad as poor old Marat was totally surrounded by people and he looked petrified! Who could know that a scribble on a piece of paper could mean so much?

By this time, it was about half past 8. So we wondered around the shops etc and went on a few more courts to catch the last few glimpses of live play. By about quarter past 9 we were shattered though and decided to call it a day. We got home about half 11 and were totally exhausted. We were pleased to know that we were on tv for quite some time both in Elena’s and Marat’s matches. Fee asked Elena for her autograph so we were on the highlights.

Just more, briefly, on the subject of Wimbledon. I have never been so emotionally drained as I was on finals day. Coverage started about half 1 (although they didn’t start playing until about half 2 due to rain delays) and I was glued to the tv until half 9 when the match finally finished. I was in tears before they’d even started playing, just hearing Roger and particularly Raphael give their rendition of the poem “If”. I love his Spanish accent..I went through the highs of Rafa being 2-0 sets up and the fear of knowing that the world’s best tennis player wouldn’t give up so easily and wondering what was going on and the lows when Roger levelled the match and even got ahead in the 5th. I was on my own towards the concluding stages of the match and I was so nervous and had to jump in my car and drive up the hill to my sister Adele’s house because I couldn’t stand watching it alone! But the joy (and relief) I felt when he won was immense. I used to ridicule people (if not openly, then mentally) who cared so much about sport. But it was the best match I’ve ever seen in my life and I will never forget watching Raphael drop to the ground whilst screaming at the tv in happiness..it was great.

Enough of that. Other news. Hopefully, I will be going back to college soon! I talked to my boss about the possibility of becoming a dental nurse and he said that he is happy to train me. So I have applied to a course that begins in September (as you now have to have the piece of paper as well as the experience to qualify). I have already started learning the odd few bits and pieces but I’m just really hoping they’ll accpet my application. So I’ll keep you guys posted.

Something else which I find really exciting is that our big assembly at Twickenham is coming up again. Every year we have a drama (about 45 mins long) of a Biblical scene that we can learn from. It’s always a highlight of the three days but Damian is actually participating this year! For us, it is a massive privilege to be asked and I can’t wait to see him with his sandals and tunic- plus, it’ll be great to see him a bit browner as they have to wear fake tan to be more authentic. 25,000 is pretty good for your first audience!

Hope you are all well.

Robyn.

x

 

 

 

It will no doubt be much the same as last time – gaming, laptopping and pizza eating. Although we now won’t have the use of Tim’s xbox controllers… Hopefully another meeting can be organised later on in the holidays when we will all be available, perhaps combined with a day’s airsofting. Once again it shall be held at my house.

As for now, some time in the next 2 weeks looks good, so if you could both comment with when you’ll be free that would be spiffing. It may or may not involve staying overnight, I suppose that depends on when people are free

Comment away!

I’m coming home for the summer next Thursday, and leaving again a few days later to go to France for a month. As part of my course we have to go to a French-speaking country for four weeks some time in the holiday to do voluntary work / paid work / a language course. I’m doing voluntary work in the Alps, which is a little scary, but also exciting. :happy: So I say we all meet up at some point between the 27th and the 30th. Picnic/BBQ/bowling/meal?

Loves! xxx

During this time, I also read ‘Labyrinth’ by Kate Mosse. Has anyone else read it? If so, what did you think? I have been interested in the Cathars since, even though I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read any more about them.

I went to another quiz night on Saturday but this one was organised by my sister and her husband. My team won (it was totally fair and square- no sneak previews at the questions or anything). Fee and I really came into our own on the ‘Identify the children’s character picture round’- everything from Sporticus to Professor Yaffle (20/20) and also the ‘Are You Smarter than a 10 year old’ round (5/6). I really hope we have another one because it was so much fun especially shouting out the answers to bonus questions like who Jamie Murray won the mixed doubles title with at Wimbledon last year and what Apu’s surname is.

Other than that, not much has happened. Hope everyone is getting on ok with their courses etc- We’re nearly into May already and I’ve been working full time for about 9 months (including my previous job as well). Can you believe we’ve been left school for nearly a year already?!

Please post soon.

Robyn

xx 

While I don’t have bags and bags of news, I thought I’d do a little update because I haven’t whasblogged in quite a while. After a lovely five weeks of mostly relaxation, I got back to Warwick on Friday. Term doesn’t start until tomorrow but as usual my musical activities are taking over a little. In wind orchestra we had a long rehearsal on Friday evening followed by another one the next morning, in preparation for the NCBF (National Concert Band Festival) finals that we played in yesterday.

We got to the venue (which this year was in Warwick, so not far to go for us!) ages before we were due to play, so we had a few hours to just wander around. Most people just went to listen to some of the other bands or look around the stalls, but me and Callie (a fellow french hornist) decided to go further afield. And why, you might ask? Because we had spotted a bouncy castle in a distant field. So off we trotted, and after a ten minute walk or so we came across a kid’s funfair! There was a park nearby and first of all we had a go on the swings and some of the other random modern pieces of kit they have at these places nowadays. After that we had a go on these really cool dodgems where you could shoot each other and it made you spin around. It was wacko!

So that was a fun bit of merriment, and after that we returned and did our stint in the competition, and got a silver award which we were all very pleased with considering we’re an unauditioned band. :happy:

And that’s my bit of news. =) I have three weeks of lectures to go and then my exams will be starting – eek! Hope you are all well.

Much love xxx

So I think the time to start will be about 5. We have some light then right? I cant say I have been examining sunset times so if any of you think that will be too late let me know

Dinner will probably be around the 7/7:30 mark (for the people who might be late ) and it will most like be stew and possibly baked potatoes which I hope you are all fine with me and mum are going to try and find something nice to make for desert as well as I have decided that to have a birthday cake on the 5th as well as the 7th would be a bit much

I am afraid my dinner party will be rather different to sophs parties because my mum refuses to help me cook and not have dinner with us so we shall be joined by mum and Theo, although attempts will be made to lock him away during the rest of the evening *nod*

Feel free to bring any gamey (as in games, not pheasants…) things/ideas with you because I am awful at organising such things

um…

John: !! Twould be so great if you could come!! If you could let me know soonish whether you can come for dinner that would be good I hope the maybe becomes a yes ^^

Ok, I think thats it Feel free to email me with any questions, or ideas of things you want to do.

J x

P.S….there will be Kettle crisps *ninja*

Student Support Services. They happen to be really good at my university. Support for disabled folks, providing equipment to those who need it to help them in their studies. Support for dyslexic persons also, and any other kind of learning disability. Of course you have to be able to prove you have a disadvantage, but then you are eligible for good things.

Now, please don’t get me wrong here, I approve of this wholeheartedly! For example. A student has bad arm or back pain, opening doors might be a struggle for them sometimes for example, and spending too long sat at a computer only aggravates the situation. Student support agrees to give this person voice recognition software for their laptop, so they don’t have to type so much, and wrist wrists to make it easier when they do. I think this is a good thing. Helping to ease their woes and not making them pay for everything when university is expensive enough as it is.

Now then, dyslexia. If I start spouting misconceptions here or saying untruths, please feel free to soundly flame and troll in the comments. As seems to be the general theme, art courses have a generally higher number of dyslexics than more academic subjects. This makes sense as those who are less able to express themselves verbally or through text will likely be better at communicating visually.

As I understand it, dyslexics have trouble with writing, spelling, reading, that kind of thing. And I’m not trying to put anyone down here either. So, if Student Support were to offer them the time of tutors who would help them write their essays, proof read them and get them ship-shape then that seems perfectly fair to me! Laptops. They also make life easier, spell checking and even grammar correction makes written work a lot easier for those who would otherwise be at a disadvantage. So if a student didn’t have a laptop (which seems to have become essential student kit) I can understand Student Support providing them with one.

Now here is my qualm. On a Photography course, if you are dyslexic you can apply and have yourself tested for learning disabilities. And, if you’re cunning, rather than acquiring a laptop it seems people can convince the university to provide them with a brand spanking new Apple Mac. After all, they are more useful (apparently) in the creative environment. And if one is on a Photography course then it would be helpful. Ah. But if it were to have Photoshop it would really need some upgraded RAM to make it run faster. So you manage to convince the university to buy you one.

Now then. How will having a brand new mac, optimised for digital imaging, help a dyslexic student who has problems with written work? In this case it seems to me that Student Support have totally failed to even address the needs of the person, but they’re getting a free and brand new computer out of it. I wouldn’t mind, but I’m paying a lot of money to go to university, and it seems all my money has gone towards is equipping my classmates with brand new computers at around £700 a piece. Maybe that explains the quality of some of the lecturers.

I’m not slagging off the person who has managed to… procure the hardware. Good on them, in a way, for getting such a lovely piece of kit! I am however rather peeved with the university over this.

_{(Edit: Yes, I am bitter and jealous)}

So, In the extract above, am I spouting tripe? Discuss. (30 marks)