James Blunt

so last night Kate's very nice friend Hab took us and her bloke Gary to see James Blunt. For free. In a limo. With champagne. He he.

It was great fun getting out of the limo and watching people trying to work out who the hell we were- guess not that many limos pull up outside the Manchester Apollo :). I was people watching too- as well as `normal' people there were all the stereotypes- groups of screeming girls, lads with frigteningly over-moussed boyband haircuts, ugly men with their girlfriends, bright-eyed middle aged men... must admit I couldn't have predicted the bouncy short spanish girl bouncing up and down infront of me, with her course candyfloss hair stuck up my nostrils. We were in standing quite near the front, with a great view (of camera phones mostly).

Jason mraz provided support. He came on stage in a hoodie and baseball cap, and plugged his own guitar in (no guitar tech *gasp*!). His voice was stunning, with an excellent range (annoyingly demonstrated by operatic vocals on one song). He is also a great guitarist, lots of jazz shapes slipping in. Nice! Unfortunately, it just doesn't quite work. Tonnes of potential go in, but somehow what comes out the other in is pretty dull. Shame.

The concert was absolutely superb. I've seen Metallica, Queen, the Who, Black Sabbath, Robbie Williams, the Levellers... but this was definately up there in the top three. Below Skunk Anansie, but up there. James Blunt has an unexpected stage presense, which understandably made the screeming girls more high pitched and excitable. His voice was faultless, and the seriousness of his songs was broken both by some nice banter (`I don't remember the words to this one, and sice it's new song, you lot are no f*cking use' and 'the guys can't sing along to this one because I sing like a little girl') and an absolutely crackign version of Slade's Cos I luv you (it just needed the electric violin to be perfect).

The best moments came when James got rid of his band and sung by himself, just him and his piano. His version of Goodbye my lover made me a bit girly and weepy. As for anyone who still thinks he is just a chick-lite girly background music peddler, they should listen to No Bravery, the most convincing, angst ridden anti-war song since Imagine. And if they still don't like him then they are Tossers. Got that?

I think the biggest suprise for me though was discovering that posh can be sexy. Who'd have thought it?

Bloody supervisors...

so I've put a lot of effort into living up to my 'you only get one life' philosphy these past few months, and it has really helped- I've been enjoying myself, and I rearly get upset about things that don't matter. Today I made an exception though... I got my corrections back for another chapter. Admittedly, one I knew was a bit weak. Tim's comments were negative as ever, which I could cope with. Then I found the note he'd sent with it, in his scary, aggressive southpaw-psychotic handwriting:

'enclosed are preprints of a couple of papers, written by a PhD student, that are excellent examples of how to present a similar dataset to yours.'

Now, I know he didn't mean it, but to me this says 'enclosed is how to do properly what you are doing a piss-poor job of doing.' The lack of sensitivity really annoyed me. I know I must be a huge dissapointment to him, but you know what? I don't care half as much as I should. I have nothing to prove to myself. I've been through hell doing this phd- its stripped away every ounce of self confidence and happiness I ever had, and thoughtless critiscism is like grinding salt into a raw nerve. But I've rebuilt and become stronger... and happier. One day I might finish my thesis. On the other hand I might not. I'm not ever going back to the black hell that was my life 18 months ago. Nothing is worth that. Now this is on my terms.

Whappen?

and suddenly by accident I have interviews for 'real' jobs. 2 infact. I said I wouldn't be mercenary and do a geofiz job just for the money, but after talking to my dad I got to thinking... applying skills I already partially have, having my evenings and weekends free (wheh the thesis is written), being able to afford my own place... doesn't sound all bad does it?

I don't mean to brag but this is the email I got from one geofizz company:

Chris,

Quite the best email I have received in a long while. Shall we say we are keen and would like to get you up for an interview as soon as convenient to both parties.

It is Nick's old company though, so it doesn't exactly come highly reccomended! I quite like the 'Fine City' though.

My other interview is in Surrey. Not as cheap as Norfolk, but then they do have an office in Houston... Put the kettle on, Sam :)

Cairngorms Photos

Left: Luckily I noticed the stowaway before I packed my sleeping bag.









Right: Ben and Laura smile bravely through a nasty case of arse frostbite








Left: I'm smiling because I had no idea that in a few minutes I'd be wearing 7 mountaineers as a belt. It's ok guys, internal organs are overrated.











Right: The Highland Games gets off to a cracking start










Left: Rich doesn't think much of Ben and Helen's new winter home














Right: Snow clouds over
the ski runs





















Left: the descent




We all had a really good time. We managed to get to the hostel sucessfully, even with some creative navigating by some of us. On Saturday it was faff factor 10 as we failed to get up on time, set a new record for slowness in sandwich making and had to fight with other groups for mugs. We finally got on the hill to find some gorgeous fluffy snow to play in. High avelanch risk, but gorgeous and fluffy. Howard got us to pack the snow down more by sliding down it shouting weeee... I hadn't realised the course would be that much fun. We then learned how to use our axes to break in different positions, which cumulated in some free style hurtling down the hill, trying to avoid ripping ourselves open on the pointy bit of the axe. We also learned how to move on snow- downwards mostly in my case. On my arse. On the way back to the car park we tried out the crampons, and all set off down the hill walking like John Wayne. That night we had haggis and tatties and tried not to fall asleep face down in the food... winter walking is pretty tiring.

Sunday we made snow bollards... well, some people did while Cathy and I made a snow fish. Having realised it wouldn't hold an anorexic hamster, we spent some time decorating it with an eye and fins. Unsuprisingly, it failed. Our ice-axe anchor was a lot more sucessfuly. We also learned absailing and belaying techniques.

We spent sunday night sleeping in Glasgow ariport (even though I was getting a train. Go figure), with only colouring in and repacking to entertain us.

Everyone had an awesome time, and I have some cool pictures and squishy blisters as souvineers.

Tranmere

I got paid fifteen quid, a free hot dog and a cup of tea to watch Tranmere last night. Maybe they should bribe more fans :). I also got to wear an orange jacket and shout at children.. all good fun :)

A job :o)

Hurray, I have a job at last :o). Assuming my referees lie a bit and make me sound like a nice person, I will be starting as a part time care assistant in the very posh Caldy Manor nursing home soon. It could be the start of something great, or it could be something that I don't enjoy but at least it pays off some debts.. Who knows? What matters is, I am trying to get my life back on track and this is an excellent start.

..and, unlike the other home I had an interview in, it didn't smell of wee :o)