Illness, Education, Cats and Doctor Who
Avril's been ill over the last week or so, feeling dizzy and sick, and generally unable to function, so I've been doing what I can to look after her; been out to get the shopping, been cooking all week, tidying up when I can, prescribing non-prescription drugs courses, the usual.
Anyway, she's... BLOODY BLACK CAT! BLOODY BIRD-EATING BLACK BLOODY CAT!
There's a black cat that's turned up of late; it likes to climb trees and jump at birds, or sit in our garden and pounce at birds, and I've just seen it pass through the back of the garden by the downed fence panel (courtesy of those strong winds a few months ago, not put back up courtesy of our landlord). When it first met me it obviously didn't think much of it; it was up a tree, and I came out of the back door and walked up to the fence beneath it. It just stared at me with its yellow eyes (actually, I'm quite worried that it will grow up to be a panther and eat me, but we'll deal with that when it comes), not bothering to do anything but sit up there and watch. That's when I threw the heavy box of Turkish delights I was holding. Cat got out of that tree fast, I can tell you.
Well, a few days passed, and then it came back; in the garden, this time, pouncing at something in the grass (probably a mouse or shrew) - so out I march again, having grabbed my small and aerodynamic torch. Again, it just sits there, staring at me. Until I throw the torch, at almost point-blank range. My aim's a bit off, and it bounces just before its intended target, but as the cat's decided now is a good time to run it arcs back up and smacks it in the arse.
I've seen it a few more times, but the bugger's got the good sense to run whenever it sees me now, so the birds in our garden are safe for the moment.
Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, being ill. Avril's starting to recover somewhat, although she's still very shaky. I've felt something coming on for a while, but two days ago my body decided that, yes, it would rather like some of what she's having. So my oesophagus has swollen up something although and I'm finding it somewhat difficult to breathe, let alone talk.
Due to these turn of events, I am now left in a somewhat unenviable situation. You see, I have decided that I would like to do another year of education. Seeing as the University of Birmingham (my current Institution - note the strategic use of capitals) does not offer an MSc that I want to do, I am left with a few choices; Bristol, Royal Holloway or Cardiff.
Royal Holloway has a few advantages; the course is 75% project, and I excel at projects. It is also situated forty minutes from my parents, and I know the place is lovely (it was my reserve choice when I was looking at degrees three years ago). However, I won't know anybody there. Bristol, however, comes once again with a large project part of the course, a well-respected institution name and the possibility that I'll meet up with Gary, an old grammar school friend who's looking to do a Computing MSc there. That said, I'm not sure I'd really want to live in Bristol (although the same sort of goes for London and Cardiff...)
Ah, yes. Cardiff. Cardiff's an interesting one - a more exam based course (not my favourite sentence in the world), and one dealing more with environmental details than Palaeobiology. Although I fully intend to go into some environmental-type work (I'd love to work as a report-writer for the Forestry Commission, oddly enough), I'm not sure the Cardiff course appeals so much. I am first and foremost a Palaeontologist/Geologist (after being a narcissistic writer, of course). Marc, who I am currently working with for my degree at Birmingham, has his eye on Cardiff, so I'll know somebody there as well. There are a few more particular problems associated with Cardiff, however - it's just one the wrong side of the border, and there's nothing there except for cheap beer and Torchwood.
So I'm filling in the various forms and badgering people for references; I'm sure my actual choice will be dictated by which institution will actually accept me.
In a round-about way this leads me to my final topic of the day: Doctor Who. Who else feels that the newer series are lacking something? That they feel somewhat unfulfilling? I may have the answer.
It's the fact that every story is wrapped up in forty-five minutes. Gone are the three-four hour long multiple episode story arcs. It's a shame. They were good. Now we have single-episode stories that, while good in their own right, just don't feel the same. The other thing I dislike is the amount of one-use, throw away aliens we're getting these days. Part of this is brought about by the fact that I'd hoped the Judoon were actually the Sontarans making a reappearance... but take for example the Krillitane. You create a new species, with obvious back story, and then... kill them all off? And never mention them again? COME ON! Show me how they came to be! Let us see them invading other planets. Have some more things like that, and you've got a brilliant series, not just a bloody good one.
Oh, and on a last note...
My name is PI James Lamsdell, and I desperately want to see the last episode of Life on Mars. Will I work it out in time? Will I end up in a coma? Or will I just go mad?
Anyway, she's... BLOODY BLACK CAT! BLOODY BIRD-EATING BLACK BLOODY CAT!
There's a black cat that's turned up of late; it likes to climb trees and jump at birds, or sit in our garden and pounce at birds, and I've just seen it pass through the back of the garden by the downed fence panel (courtesy of those strong winds a few months ago, not put back up courtesy of our landlord). When it first met me it obviously didn't think much of it; it was up a tree, and I came out of the back door and walked up to the fence beneath it. It just stared at me with its yellow eyes (actually, I'm quite worried that it will grow up to be a panther and eat me, but we'll deal with that when it comes), not bothering to do anything but sit up there and watch. That's when I threw the heavy box of Turkish delights I was holding. Cat got out of that tree fast, I can tell you.
Well, a few days passed, and then it came back; in the garden, this time, pouncing at something in the grass (probably a mouse or shrew) - so out I march again, having grabbed my small and aerodynamic torch. Again, it just sits there, staring at me. Until I throw the torch, at almost point-blank range. My aim's a bit off, and it bounces just before its intended target, but as the cat's decided now is a good time to run it arcs back up and smacks it in the arse.
I've seen it a few more times, but the bugger's got the good sense to run whenever it sees me now, so the birds in our garden are safe for the moment.
Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, being ill. Avril's starting to recover somewhat, although she's still very shaky. I've felt something coming on for a while, but two days ago my body decided that, yes, it would rather like some of what she's having. So my oesophagus has swollen up something although and I'm finding it somewhat difficult to breathe, let alone talk.
Due to these turn of events, I am now left in a somewhat unenviable situation. You see, I have decided that I would like to do another year of education. Seeing as the University of Birmingham (my current Institution - note the strategic use of capitals) does not offer an MSc that I want to do, I am left with a few choices; Bristol, Royal Holloway or Cardiff.
Royal Holloway has a few advantages; the course is 75% project, and I excel at projects. It is also situated forty minutes from my parents, and I know the place is lovely (it was my reserve choice when I was looking at degrees three years ago). However, I won't know anybody there. Bristol, however, comes once again with a large project part of the course, a well-respected institution name and the possibility that I'll meet up with Gary, an old grammar school friend who's looking to do a Computing MSc there. That said, I'm not sure I'd really want to live in Bristol (although the same sort of goes for London and Cardiff...)
Ah, yes. Cardiff. Cardiff's an interesting one - a more exam based course (not my favourite sentence in the world), and one dealing more with environmental details than Palaeobiology. Although I fully intend to go into some environmental-type work (I'd love to work as a report-writer for the Forestry Commission, oddly enough), I'm not sure the Cardiff course appeals so much. I am first and foremost a Palaeontologist/Geologist (after being a narcissistic writer, of course). Marc, who I am currently working with for my degree at Birmingham, has his eye on Cardiff, so I'll know somebody there as well. There are a few more particular problems associated with Cardiff, however - it's just one the wrong side of the border, and there's nothing there except for cheap beer and Torchwood.
So I'm filling in the various forms and badgering people for references; I'm sure my actual choice will be dictated by which institution will actually accept me.
In a round-about way this leads me to my final topic of the day: Doctor Who. Who else feels that the newer series are lacking something? That they feel somewhat unfulfilling? I may have the answer.
It's the fact that every story is wrapped up in forty-five minutes. Gone are the three-four hour long multiple episode story arcs. It's a shame. They were good. Now we have single-episode stories that, while good in their own right, just don't feel the same. The other thing I dislike is the amount of one-use, throw away aliens we're getting these days. Part of this is brought about by the fact that I'd hoped the Judoon were actually the Sontarans making a reappearance... but take for example the Krillitane. You create a new species, with obvious back story, and then... kill them all off? And never mention them again? COME ON! Show me how they came to be! Let us see them invading other planets. Have some more things like that, and you've got a brilliant series, not just a bloody good one.
Oh, and on a last note...
My name is PI James Lamsdell, and I desperately want to see the last episode of Life on Mars. Will I work it out in time? Will I end up in a coma? Or will I just go mad?