Merry Christmas to One and All! I hope you all got what you wanted for Christmas :) I certainly did!
I got an iPod iTouch, quite a few DVDs including Princess Mononoke, a few games including Trainz Railway Simulator 2004, and a large poster detailing the inside of the USS Enterprise-D.
Brilliant!
The week before Christmas took a wonderful turn when on Saturday, we went down to the Honda garage and they announced the car had arrived! It is available to be picked up on Friday, so I will have a new car for Christmas too!
I have been quite busy during the week, doing some work for work and Uni, as well as playing EVE a lot. On EVE, I bought a new Thorax and an Iteron IV (a Cruiser and a Trading vessel) with the Thorax being a great EVE Christmas present!
Anyhow, I will finish off this bizarre blog post by adding that over the next couple of days I will be online on MSN, so if you want to catch me you can.
Wednesday 26 December 2007
Monday 17 December 2007
Christmas Hols: The Beginning
Long time no post, I know... but the weeks after Operation Gold were extensively busy. For starters, I had two assignments to deliver by Tuesday last week. One was a Database systems coursework, and another was a Data Communications assignment.
The Database coursework was mostly easy, if long, except for two particular questions that were designed to be extremely difficult, and a challenge for even those skilled at SQL. The Data Communications coursework involved analysing PING packets sent to ten different hosts in South Africa and the Middle East (supposedly) and took a lot of time to complete to perfection.
Add on top of that the biggest Java lab of all (GooChristmas), as well as all the other stuff that goes on, and things just got in the way.
The Christmas holidays began early on Friday after the Java lecture was cancelled. The day after was spent mainly out in Guildford at the LaserQuest (and Burger King for lunch) for my brothers late birthday party. Saturday evening, my brother hijacked my laptop for a 'through-the-night' gaming session, that ended at midday the next day. As would be expected, he has since slept for the past two days.
Sunday's highlight was a trip into Redhill to visit Honda. I planned on getting a new Honda Civic Hybrid, but when comparing it with what the original Honda Civic offered, the latter was chosen. Other then that, Sunday was quite a relaxed day, and I found out that our Corp had been declared war on in EVE. Magical!
Today I went for a test drive of the Honda Civic. It drives beautifully; feeling like a manual car turned auto rather then an ordinary automatic. In that respect, you get to feel the gear changes the car makes, and Honda's intuitive 'paddle sticks' on the steering wheel, in conjunction with the gear stick, allow you to switch between controlling the gears manually and letting the car do the hard work. Not to mention the car looks like something out of, say, Star Trek... and I love the 
dashboard! (Similar but not quite right picture). Enough said!
Tomorrow is also going to be a busy day, but that's for a future post!
I also want to announce here that I intend to release GooChristmas on my website over the next few days, as well as put more work for my group up on the dotProject site, do some work for work (my job), and carry on playing EVE. So the fun never stops!
The Database coursework was mostly easy, if long, except for two particular questions that were designed to be extremely difficult, and a challenge for even those skilled at SQL. The Data Communications coursework involved analysing PING packets sent to ten different hosts in South Africa and the Middle East (supposedly) and took a lot of time to complete to perfection.
Add on top of that the biggest Java lab of all (GooChristmas), as well as all the other stuff that goes on, and things just got in the way.
The Christmas holidays began early on Friday after the Java lecture was cancelled. The day after was spent mainly out in Guildford at the LaserQuest (and Burger King for lunch) for my brothers late birthday party. Saturday evening, my brother hijacked my laptop for a 'through-the-night' gaming session, that ended at midday the next day. As would be expected, he has since slept for the past two days.
Sunday's highlight was a trip into Redhill to visit Honda. I planned on getting a new Honda Civic Hybrid, but when comparing it with what the original Honda Civic offered, the latter was chosen. Other then that, Sunday was quite a relaxed day, and I found out that our Corp had been declared war on in EVE. Magical!
Today I went for a test drive of the Honda Civic. It drives beautifully; feeling like a manual car turned auto rather then an ordinary automatic. In that respect, you get to feel the gear changes the car makes, and Honda's intuitive 'paddle sticks' on the steering wheel, in conjunction with the gear stick, allow you to switch between controlling the gears manually and letting the car do the hard work. Not to mention the car looks like something out of, say, Star Trek... and I love the dashboard! (Similar but not quite right picture). Enough said!Tomorrow is also going to be a busy day, but that's for a future post!
I also want to announce here that I intend to release GooChristmas on my website over the next few days, as well as put more work for my group up on the dotProject site, do some work for work (my job), and carry on playing EVE. So the fun never stops!
Monday 3 December 2007
Operation Gold: Result!
Operation Gold (that of my grandparents 50th Anniversary surprise party, (yep that's right, 50 years married)) was a huge success! People who I haven't even met before came to celebrate and enjoy the company of everyone else who came, and we've got some fantastic pictures to share soon!
The theme of the party was Only Fools and Horses, and we saw some interesting stuff! My family (and by that I mean my close family) all dressed up in clothing to represent the theme, complete with hat, jacket and bling!
We had a huge banner in the hallway which contained the text "Congratulations! Shirley and Bill! Only Fools and Horses Last 50 years!" and a rather digitally enhanced (you could say digitally edited) picture of the two standing together against a rather picturesque background.
For food, we had a huge buffet that included simple foods and Indian snacks, and when evening came had curry too! And for drink, we had everything, even a small bar filled with all sorts of spirits and stuff!!
Everyone enjoyed themselves, and even my grandparents (despite their dazed shock; they thought they were coming to Christmas dinner!) who couldn't stop smiling as they met old and current friends alike!
Overall, super!
Will post a separate blog entry containing pictures.
The theme of the party was Only Fools and Horses, and we saw some interesting stuff! My family (and by that I mean my close family) all dressed up in clothing to represent the theme, complete with hat, jacket and bling!
We had a huge banner in the hallway which contained the text "Congratulations! Shirley and Bill! Only Fools and Horses Last 50 years!" and a rather digitally enhanced (you could say digitally edited) picture of the two standing together against a rather picturesque background.
For food, we had a huge buffet that included simple foods and Indian snacks, and when evening came had curry too! And for drink, we had everything, even a small bar filled with all sorts of spirits and stuff!!
Everyone enjoyed themselves, and even my grandparents (despite their dazed shock; they thought they were coming to Christmas dinner!) who couldn't stop smiling as they met old and current friends alike!
Overall, super!
Will post a separate blog entry containing pictures.
Friday 30 November 2007
Operation Gold
In my last blog, I stated that I was working on a secret operation that involved my close family. This is Operation Gold (and Operation Flashpoint that was within Operation Gold). The results of these two ops are coming to fruit tomorrow, with the surprise party of the golden anniversary (50 years married) of my grandparents!!
Obviously, to be a proper surprise party, it's not on their anniversary, but sometime after...
Anyway, what have I been up to the past half-month? Well, University, Work and Personal Life have been all crushing in on me and demanding more and more attention. What with Operation Gold tomorrow, the end of the school term in two weeks, and the creation of my EVE Corp's website (Chaos Industries), I've had more and more things to do.
For EVE, I've finally reached 40 Mil ISK; I'm planning on reaching 100 Mil by Christmas, but we shall see!
For Uni, I've got three assignments to do; one of them is a group project managed by my good friend Rohan Sherrard, the other two are data communications and database systems (the latter being longer then the former).
And of course, we're finishing off Java as well (for Uni). My favourite subject!
Well, sorry to everyone who hasn't been able to read my blog lately. Hat's off to you! And a special mention to Luis Kals, I know he'll want to be somewhere in here (with his famed GOO Cube!)
I'm back to blogging! :)
Obviously, to be a proper surprise party, it's not on their anniversary, but sometime after...
Anyway, what have I been up to the past half-month? Well, University, Work and Personal Life have been all crushing in on me and demanding more and more attention. What with Operation Gold tomorrow, the end of the school term in two weeks, and the creation of my EVE Corp's website (Chaos Industries), I've had more and more things to do.
For EVE, I've finally reached 40 Mil ISK; I'm planning on reaching 100 Mil by Christmas, but we shall see!
For Uni, I've got three assignments to do; one of them is a group project managed by my good friend Rohan Sherrard, the other two are data communications and database systems (the latter being longer then the former).
And of course, we're finishing off Java as well (for Uni). My favourite subject!
Well, sorry to everyone who hasn't been able to read my blog lately. Hat's off to you! And a special mention to Luis Kals, I know he'll want to be somewhere in here (with his famed GOO Cube!)
I'm back to blogging! :)
Tuesday 13 November 2007
Reading Week Part 2
The end of reading week has come and gone and I'm now back at Uni. Last week went by quite quickly, and because of a lack of a charger for my university laptop, I was unable to do very much university work.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, therefore, was spent playing EVE or working on my Java projects for work. Friday was spent playing EVE in the morning and working on Java in the afternoon.
Saturday and Sunday were quite unique days in that among my spending time on EVE, I also worked on two secret operations that my close family is working hard to perfect. Although I cannot talk about this (yet) on my Blog, suffice to say that only my family will be affected by the operations. And they aren't medical (the operations I mean, lol).
Monday (yesterday) was slam-dunk back into University. Monday's are always the longest, and yesterday was no exception to that rule.
Oh and I want to add that on EVE, Saturday and Sunday were filled with Mining Ops that I attended. I hoped to be able to stay on for longer then I could, but I had other priorities... Still, they were good fun! And last night, I finally went over 15 MIL Isk. For those of you who play EVE, it's not very much; but I still feel rich!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, therefore, was spent playing EVE or working on my Java projects for work. Friday was spent playing EVE in the morning and working on Java in the afternoon.
Saturday and Sunday were quite unique days in that among my spending time on EVE, I also worked on two secret operations that my close family is working hard to perfect. Although I cannot talk about this (yet) on my Blog, suffice to say that only my family will be affected by the operations. And they aren't medical (the operations I mean, lol).
Monday (yesterday) was slam-dunk back into University. Monday's are always the longest, and yesterday was no exception to that rule.
Oh and I want to add that on EVE, Saturday and Sunday were filled with Mining Ops that I attended. I hoped to be able to stay on for longer then I could, but I had other priorities... Still, they were good fun! And last night, I finally went over 15 MIL Isk. For those of you who play EVE, it's not very much; but I still feel rich!
Tuesday 6 November 2007
Reading Week Part 1
This week happens to not only be my brothers birthday, it happens not only to be the week all my brothers break up from their half-term holiday and go back to school, but it also happens to be the week I temporarily take a break from University to work at home instead. Funny that...
So welcome to Reading Week, the zaniest week in the University term.
To start the week off, let's talk about the past weekend. Saturday was, of course, my brother Andrew's birthday. We lounged around in the morning and afternoon, taking a break to open presents. Then we went to lunch/dinner at Pizza Express, and finished the evening out with a bonfire and fireworks display.
The bonfire consisted of a 45-min walk around the village (not the one where I live thought) holding torches, led by a marching band, which of course we didn't take part in. Once the people had returned from their walk around the village, they all gathered around the bonfire and lit it with the torches (which by that time had a nice Guy Fawkes on the top). This was followed by a great fireworks display, which included themed elements and a whopping 250 fireworks fired all at once which literally lit up the sky.
After that we returned home and finished the day off with a movie of Spiderman 3.
Sunday was a day where we just simply stayed at home, and I played EVE Online. EVE Online is an MMORPG with a difference (they all mostly are, aren't they, lol) but EVE has a single living vibrant server and the most unstructured way to play ever. You are basically put into this living world, and told to go on your way. What you do from there is up to you! (I intend to become a trader). Brilliant game!
Monday was spent doing very much the same thing, except I also did some Java work for work and did a little of an assignment.
Until next time!!
So welcome to Reading Week, the zaniest week in the University term.
To start the week off, let's talk about the past weekend. Saturday was, of course, my brother Andrew's birthday. We lounged around in the morning and afternoon, taking a break to open presents. Then we went to lunch/dinner at Pizza Express, and finished the evening out with a bonfire and fireworks display.
The bonfire consisted of a 45-min walk around the village (not the one where I live thought) holding torches, led by a marching band, which of course we didn't take part in. Once the people had returned from their walk around the village, they all gathered around the bonfire and lit it with the torches (which by that time had a nice Guy Fawkes on the top). This was followed by a great fireworks display, which included themed elements and a whopping 250 fireworks fired all at once which literally lit up the sky.
After that we returned home and finished the day off with a movie of Spiderman 3.
Sunday was a day where we just simply stayed at home, and I played EVE Online. EVE Online is an MMORPG with a difference (they all mostly are, aren't they, lol) but EVE has a single living vibrant server and the most unstructured way to play ever. You are basically put into this living world, and told to go on your way. What you do from there is up to you! (I intend to become a trader). Brilliant game!
Monday was spent doing very much the same thing, except I also did some Java work for work and did a little of an assignment.
Until next time!!
Saturday 3 November 2007
Happy Birthday Andrew!!
I would like to wish my brother Andrew a
MOST HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He is 17 today! Hip hip horray!!
MOST HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He is 17 today! Hip hip horray!!
Tuesday 30 October 2007
The Beach
Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 5: The Beach
The Beach is different from quite a lot of Avatar episodes as in the most case it is pure character development (with a little fight with the Gaang behind it). The Beach involves Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai all going down to the beach, then to a party, then to the beach, and finally back to the party where they trash the place. In between all of this, we get to learn more about their past, as well as see the kind of people they really are; and of course the Gaang fights the Combustion Man.
Due to the lack of any real progress made in the storyline, some people may think that the episode gets a little boring. But I see it as necessary progress that really needs to be put somewhere. The episode clearly shows Zuko's transition from being confident with who he is, to realising that even though he has sorted out the Avatar he is still angry and confused. It shows Azula's attempt to fit into a normal life, even though she is clearly crazy. And it shows the reason why Ty Lee and Mai are who they are.
As for the Gaang, they finally meet the Combustion Man,
and I am really not too sure how that guy manages to shoot fireballs from his mind. It must be like focussing fire bending through a precise point in the body; although how that is achieved is unknown and not shared, yet. The Gaang of course survive, and Aangs dive through a rock pillar (which was seen in the trailer) turns up in a context which I wasn't expecting (again), as I expected it to be achieved in the invasion or after battles.
Anyhow, an average but necessary episode with some funny moments.
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 5: The Beach
The Beach is different from quite a lot of Avatar episodes as in the most case it is pure character development (with a little fight with the Gaang behind it). The Beach involves Azula, Zuko, Ty Lee and Mai all going down to the beach, then to a party, then to the beach, and finally back to the party where they trash the place. In between all of this, we get to learn more about their past, as well as see the kind of people they really are; and of course the Gaang fights the Combustion Man.Due to the lack of any real progress made in the storyline, some people may think that the episode gets a little boring. But I see it as necessary progress that really needs to be put somewhere. The episode clearly shows Zuko's transition from being confident with who he is, to realising that even though he has sorted out the Avatar he is still angry and confused. It shows Azula's attempt to fit into a normal life, even though she is clearly crazy. And it shows the reason why Ty Lee and Mai are who they are.
As for the Gaang, they finally meet the Combustion Man,
and I am really not too sure how that guy manages to shoot fireballs from his mind. It must be like focussing fire bending through a precise point in the body; although how that is achieved is unknown and not shared, yet. The Gaang of course survive, and Aangs dive through a rock pillar (which was seen in the trailer) turns up in a context which I wasn't expecting (again), as I expected it to be achieved in the invasion or after battles.Anyhow, an average but necessary episode with some funny moments.
Sokka's Master
Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 4: Sokka's Master
Sokka's Master is the well anticipated fourth episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and is extremely good character development for Sokka. It also shows that although Sokka may not have that much bending (OK, none at all!) he is still a very important member of the Gaang, and obviously key to their success.
In the episode, Sokka decides he is unworthy of the Gaang, who have all this bending, and goes to train with a master; Swordmaster Piandao. The Swordmaster trains Sokka in the art of wielding a sword, and also lets him create his own sword! That part I found really cool, as Sokka crafts a beautiful dark
black and shiny sword, and made me think of slight similarities with Jedi, as they create their own lightsabers.
The end of the episode ends with quite a twist (with the Pai-sho tile), and as was pointed out on one of the forums I read, Toph uses the space earth to mold it into the Nickelodeon logo!
Overall, an extremely good episode in my opinion!
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 4: Sokka's Master
Sokka's Master is the well anticipated fourth episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and is extremely good character development for Sokka. It also shows that although Sokka may not have that much bending (OK, none at all!) he is still a very important member of the Gaang, and obviously key to their success.In the episode, Sokka decides he is unworthy of the Gaang, who have all this bending, and goes to train with a master; Swordmaster Piandao. The Swordmaster trains Sokka in the art of wielding a sword, and also lets him create his own sword! That part I found really cool, as Sokka crafts a beautiful dark
black and shiny sword, and made me think of slight similarities with Jedi, as they create their own lightsabers.The end of the episode ends with quite a twist (with the Pai-sho tile), and as was pointed out on one of the forums I read, Toph uses the space earth to mold it into the Nickelodeon logo!
Overall, an extremely good episode in my opinion!
Sunday 28 October 2007
Fortnight Beginning: Mon 15th October 2007
What a week (x2)!!
The past two weeks have been quite busy, doing Java, watching Avatar and Heroes, and playing quite a few games on my new game manager, Steam!
Java: I have made many a Java program using GOO (Graphical Object Oriented, a couple of packages from my lecturer), as well as worked extensively on my Java project at work.
Avatar: This weekend was a bumper surprise special - 4 episodes in one weekend! Which was awesome to say the least!! I am hoping to write an Avatar Review once a day all this week, so stay tuned!
Heroes: I have finished Season 1 and have reached the current end of Season 2 (it's still being released). So I know everything that everyone else does now!
Steam: Wicked program! I have quite a few games that I downloaded through Steam, including Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2 and Railroad Tycoon 3 (which I have been playing a lot lately).
Haloween: Haloween is fast approaching, personally my worst public holiday event of the year. Although the day after Haloween I will write the Avatar review of Avatar's Haloween special (following the one Avatar review a day rule), I may also put something up about Haloween on Wednesday as well.
Rest of my Life: My brother's birthday is this Saturday, so keep in store for a special blog post then!
That's all for now!
The past two weeks have been quite busy, doing Java, watching Avatar and Heroes, and playing quite a few games on my new game manager, Steam!
Java: I have made many a Java program using GOO (Graphical Object Oriented, a couple of packages from my lecturer), as well as worked extensively on my Java project at work.
Avatar: This weekend was a bumper surprise special - 4 episodes in one weekend! Which was awesome to say the least!! I am hoping to write an Avatar Review once a day all this week, so stay tuned!
Heroes: I have finished Season 1 and have reached the current end of Season 2 (it's still being released). So I know everything that everyone else does now!
Steam: Wicked program! I have quite a few games that I downloaded through Steam, including Half-Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2 and Railroad Tycoon 3 (which I have been playing a lot lately).
Haloween: Haloween is fast approaching, personally my worst public holiday event of the year. Although the day after Haloween I will write the Avatar review of Avatar's Haloween special (following the one Avatar review a day rule), I may also put something up about Haloween on Wednesday as well.
Rest of my Life: My brother's birthday is this Saturday, so keep in store for a special blog post then!
That's all for now!
Tuesday 16 October 2007
The Painted Lady
Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 3: The Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is the third episode in the Gaang's journey's through the Fire Nation and involved them arriving to a village that was being oppressed and ignored by the Fire Nation. It showed the kind of future many people would face if Aang failed to defeat the Fire Lord, and was quite a bleak thought in itself.
The village itself lacked food, medical supplies, and sat on a very polluted river from a Fire Nation factory nearby. During the episode, though, the Painted Lady turns up and helps to bring the village's freedom, together with the rest of the Gaang (and you'll know what I mean by the rest of the Gaang if you've watched the episode ;))
There is also a well known line that Katara speaks from the trailer that I did not expect at all in the context she spoke it in, and I loved the way the Gaang conducted the Painted Lady's final appearance and battle. Brilliant!
Overall, quite a good episode, but not one I would consider a favourite.
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 3: The Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is the third episode in the Gaang's journey's through the Fire Nation and involved them arriving to a village that was being oppressed and ignored by the Fire Nation. It showed the kind of future many people would face if Aang failed to defeat the Fire Lord, and was quite a bleak thought in itself.The village itself lacked food, medical supplies, and sat on a very polluted river from a Fire Nation factory nearby. During the episode, though, the Painted Lady turns up and helps to bring the village's freedom, together with the rest of the Gaang (and you'll know what I mean by the rest of the Gaang if you've watched the episode ;))
There is also a well known line that Katara speaks from the trailer that I did not expect at all in the context she spoke it in, and I loved the way the Gaang conducted the Painted Lady's final appearance and battle. Brilliant!
Overall, quite a good episode, but not one I would consider a favourite.
Sunday 14 October 2007
Week Beginning: Mon 8th October 2007
This week has been extremely hectic. Monday and Tuesday were filled with Goldsmiths, Wednesday and Thursday mornings were filled with organising my car to be fixed, while during the day I was organising for my Java App to be fixed (still not there with that).
My car was taken in Thursday morning and was ready by the afternoon, so I got a train down to Epsom. South-West trains have a wonderful colour-scheme that should be placed in a kids cartoon series. Their trains are bright red, with yellow around the doors and bright blue doors. Inside the carriages are spacious, with the same colour red on all the bars and seats visible. It's quite vibrant!
Friday was the day of Java at my Uni. I spent the morning at work working on my Java App again, and then spent the afternoon at Uni. The lecture had moved so I had to hunt around the school to try and find it.
The Java lecture was awesome. We got introduced to GOO, the Graphical Object-Oriented package we were going to use for learning advanced Java techniques. I think this term in Java is going to be a breeze!
This weekend was also hectic. Friday night I played and finished Portal (wicked!). Saturday was mainly spent browsing the net and watching the new episode of Avatar (Sokka's Master, more on that later).
Today we went down to Bognor Regis to visit my Nan and Bill. The sun was hot, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and it was a brilliant clear day at the beach. Wonderful!
More on Avatar later this week... hopefully ;)
My car was taken in Thursday morning and was ready by the afternoon, so I got a train down to Epsom. South-West trains have a wonderful colour-scheme that should be placed in a kids cartoon series. Their trains are bright red, with yellow around the doors and bright blue doors. Inside the carriages are spacious, with the same colour red on all the bars and seats visible. It's quite vibrant!
Friday was the day of Java at my Uni. I spent the morning at work working on my Java App again, and then spent the afternoon at Uni. The lecture had moved so I had to hunt around the school to try and find it.
The Java lecture was awesome. We got introduced to GOO, the Graphical Object-Oriented package we were going to use for learning advanced Java techniques. I think this term in Java is going to be a breeze!
This weekend was also hectic. Friday night I played and finished Portal (wicked!). Saturday was mainly spent browsing the net and watching the new episode of Avatar (Sokka's Master, more on that later).
Today we went down to Bognor Regis to visit my Nan and Bill. The sun was hot, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and it was a brilliant clear day at the beach. Wonderful!
More on Avatar later this week... hopefully ;)
Tuesday 9 October 2007
Broken Again!
Once again my Car has decided it has had enough of life and broken down. It broke down last only two weeks ago (although I didn't post about it at the time). And this is at a time when I am going to get a possibly large lab sheet to complete for CIS224 and that I need to fix the J2ME App I am working on, which is also broken.
Oh well, looks like a couple of busy days ahead of me! I will try and get the Avatar Review out soon when I find some free time.
And that was probably my shortest Blog entry ever!
Oh well, looks like a couple of busy days ahead of me! I will try and get the Avatar Review out soon when I find some free time.
And that was probably my shortest Blog entry ever!
Sunday 7 October 2007
Season 2 of Goldsmiths Uni
So, my second year of University is upon me, and I have already completed the first week! So, as promised, I will be writing about the various course units that I will be doing this year!
CIS220: Graphical Oriented and Internet Programming in Java
Fridays
This course is my favourite! It involves more intense Java programming then the previous year, and may also touch on some new areas of Java I don't already know. The book they are using I used in the previous year, and it is extremely good, so I have high hopes for this course. We will be doing Graphical Oriented programming in the first term, then Internet Programming in the second.
CIS221: Data Communications and Website Design
Mondays, Tuesdays
This course is also divided into two parts, with the first part being Data Communications and the second part being Website Design. Data Communications teaches networking; the physical and logical way of diagnosing, setting up and fixing such networks. This looks to be extremely useful for the future! The second part involves the design and construction of websites, and so looks to be equally useful!
CIS224: Software Projects: Software Engineering and Research
Tuesdays
This course goes through the successful way to research and engineer software projects on a much larger scale, and also shows us the bad ways of doing projects. It does show examples in Java, but the ideas presented in this course are designed to encompass all programming languages in general; although Object-Oriented Programming is stated to be the better way of programming.
CIS225: Database Systems
Mondays
With the first part of term doing the backend of a database (using PostgreSQL) and the second part of the term doing the frontend (using Oracle), this course covers using Databases and how to connect them to your Java programs in a nice easy to fit package. As I have done an A-Level course in Databases, I understand the basics behind this course so I hope to do well.
Well, that's it folks! Hope you enjoyed the run-through of my initial thoughts about each course! And stay tuned for a review of the latest Avatar episode, coming soon to my blog!
CIS220: Graphical Oriented and Internet Programming in Java
Fridays
This course is my favourite! It involves more intense Java programming then the previous year, and may also touch on some new areas of Java I don't already know. The book they are using I used in the previous year, and it is extremely good, so I have high hopes for this course. We will be doing Graphical Oriented programming in the first term, then Internet Programming in the second.
CIS221: Data Communications and Website Design
Mondays, Tuesdays
This course is also divided into two parts, with the first part being Data Communications and the second part being Website Design. Data Communications teaches networking; the physical and logical way of diagnosing, setting up and fixing such networks. This looks to be extremely useful for the future! The second part involves the design and construction of websites, and so looks to be equally useful!
CIS224: Software Projects: Software Engineering and Research
Tuesdays
This course goes through the successful way to research and engineer software projects on a much larger scale, and also shows us the bad ways of doing projects. It does show examples in Java, but the ideas presented in this course are designed to encompass all programming languages in general; although Object-Oriented Programming is stated to be the better way of programming.
CIS225: Database Systems
Mondays
With the first part of term doing the backend of a database (using PostgreSQL) and the second part of the term doing the frontend (using Oracle), this course covers using Databases and how to connect them to your Java programs in a nice easy to fit package. As I have done an A-Level course in Databases, I understand the basics behind this course so I hope to do well.
Well, that's it folks! Hope you enjoyed the run-through of my initial thoughts about each course! And stay tuned for a review of the latest Avatar episode, coming soon to my blog!
Tuesday 2 October 2007
The Headband
Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 2: The Headband
The Headband is the second chapter in the Gaang's attempt to hide out in Fire Nation territory. Due to the attempt by the Gaang to blend in with the local Fire Nation populace by acquiring new clothes, Aang is mistaken as a school kid and taken to Fire Nation school. Here, he attempts to provide a greater freedom to the children's education by throwing a secret dance party. Meanwhile, Zuko confronts his Uncle on his actions at Ba Sing Se.
This episode is truly a gem in the Avatar collection. It has everything Avatar fans could possibily want, and provides a much brighter atmosphere then the Season premiere did. Aang's dance ends up with a dance similar to the special couple at the school ball, where the two dance around together while being watched. Thus, Aang and Katara have a fantastically animated dance which is extremely well done. There is also a fight between Aang and a bully which shows Aang's skill in defeating his opponent despite not laying a single finger on him; something not to be missed!
Sokka is once again outdone with clever and witty jokes, including pretending to be Aang's father (along with Katara as Aang's mother) when Aang gets in trouble at school; while Zuko's interactions with his uncle (who refuses to speak) shows he is completely unsure that he has what he wants, and provides a more eerie, darker side of the plot (and still no conclusion on Zuko).
Overall, a superb episode and one that is a must see.
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 2: The Headband
The Headband is the second chapter in the Gaang's attempt to hide out in Fire Nation territory. Due to the attempt by the Gaang to blend in with the local Fire Nation populace by acquiring new clothes, Aang is mistaken as a school kid and taken to Fire Nation school. Here, he attempts to provide a greater freedom to the children's education by throwing a secret dance party. Meanwhile, Zuko confronts his Uncle on his actions at Ba Sing Se.This episode is truly a gem in the Avatar collection. It has everything Avatar fans could possibily want, and provides a much brighter atmosphere then the Season premiere did. Aang's dance ends up with a dance similar to the special couple at the school ball, where the two dance around together while being watched. Thus, Aang and Katara have a fantastically animated dance which is extremely well done. There is also a fight between Aang and a bully which shows Aang's skill in defeating his opponent despite not laying a single finger on him; something not to be missed!
Sokka is once again outdone with clever and witty jokes, including pretending to be Aang's father (along with Katara as Aang's mother) when Aang gets in trouble at school; while Zuko's interactions with his uncle (who refuses to speak) shows he is completely unsure that he has what he wants, and provides a more eerie, darker side of the plot (and still no conclusion on Zuko).
Overall, a superb episode and one that is a must see.
Monday 1 October 2007
The Awakening
Review of Avatar: The Last Airbender Episode
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 1: The Awakening
The Awakening involves Aang waking up on a Fire Nation ship after his defeat at Ba Sing Se in the final episode of Book 2. The Gaang are on their way further into Fire Nation territory in order to attempt to hide right under enemy noses. Meanwhile, Prince Zuko is working his way back home to the Fire Nation.
This episode pieces together the leftover strands in preparation of the third season of Avatar. As such, it lacks any real action and constitutes in the most part to the development of the story into a manner that is like piecing together a broken puzzle again.
Although I found the episode felt pushed together at parts (for example, was not expecting
Katara to cry at her father) it was still awesome to see the Gaang in new Fire Nation robes, and to finally see Zuko's father (was a slight anti-climax, but it'll make it more interesting in the long-run, as it makes it more realistic and down-to-earth).
Altogether, the episode doesn't completely solve Zuko's betrayal, but it does completely solve the Avatar's return, and shows the full repercussions of the Avatar's failure at Ba Sing Se. Overall, a very dark entrance into the new Season, but one which was greatly anticipated.
Book 3: Fire
Chapter 1: The Awakening
The Awakening involves Aang waking up on a Fire Nation ship after his defeat at Ba Sing Se in the final episode of Book 2. The Gaang are on their way further into Fire Nation territory in order to attempt to hide right under enemy noses. Meanwhile, Prince Zuko is working his way back home to the Fire Nation.This episode pieces together the leftover strands in preparation of the third season of Avatar. As such, it lacks any real action and constitutes in the most part to the development of the story into a manner that is like piecing together a broken puzzle again.
Although I found the episode felt pushed together at parts (for example, was not expecting
Katara to cry at her father) it was still awesome to see the Gaang in new Fire Nation robes, and to finally see Zuko's father (was a slight anti-climax, but it'll make it more interesting in the long-run, as it makes it more realistic and down-to-earth).Altogether, the episode doesn't completely solve Zuko's betrayal, but it does completely solve the Avatar's return, and shows the full repercussions of the Avatar's failure at Ba Sing Se. Overall, a very dark entrance into the new Season, but one which was greatly anticipated.
Sunday 30 September 2007
The Start of a New Era
... well, not quite... but a new year at Uni!
Tomorrow is the start of my second year at Goldsmiths University, and by the start I'm referring to the start of teaching, as that's when the year truly begins. So I will be once more enthused with new ways to write Java, and new ways to code Graphical Interface's, etc, which will be great!
I will again be taking four core units for the second year, and I will go through each of them at some time in the future. I will be working on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with a total of 16 hours of lectures or labs every week. Compared to some degrees at Uni, it's not too bad.
I have been extremely excited about the start of another new era recently as well, that of the third season (or book) of Avatar: The Last Airbender (the greatest Anime show on Earth! And yeah, I think it's Anime!). Book III consists of the Gaang's adventures in the Fire Nation, enemy territory! So it's pretty cool! I've already watched the first two episodes released, and hope to continue to watch them as they are released on a weekly basis.
I have also been playing City of Heroes a lot recently, getting my main Hero up to Level 21 and my main Villain up to Level 19 (almost 20! So close!) I have also been enjoying my time in my two Star Trek RPG's I play on the Internet, although both seem to be moving along at a snail's pace. That's RPG's for you. *sigh*
To introduce myself back into Blogging I will be posting about my summer holiday over the next few weeks. Posts will feature new pics of our newest rabbit, Bessy, who was introduced as a mate to Woody sometime back; information and pics on our trip to Lido de Jesolo (in Venice); information on my course units (as explained above); and information and possibly reviews on the latest Avatar episodes.
To try and keep myself Blogging, I am going to try and and get into a habit of visiting Blogger on a daily basis so I can think about Blogging even if then I don't post a blog entry.
Until my next Blog entry, stay flaming! (Quote: The Headband, Avatar: The Last Airbender).
Tomorrow is the start of my second year at Goldsmiths University, and by the start I'm referring to the start of teaching, as that's when the year truly begins. So I will be once more enthused with new ways to write Java, and new ways to code Graphical Interface's, etc, which will be great!
I will again be taking four core units for the second year, and I will go through each of them at some time in the future. I will be working on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with a total of 16 hours of lectures or labs every week. Compared to some degrees at Uni, it's not too bad.
I have been extremely excited about the start of another new era recently as well, that of the third season (or book) of Avatar: The Last Airbender (the greatest Anime show on Earth! And yeah, I think it's Anime!). Book III consists of the Gaang's adventures in the Fire Nation, enemy territory! So it's pretty cool! I've already watched the first two episodes released, and hope to continue to watch them as they are released on a weekly basis.
I have also been playing City of Heroes a lot recently, getting my main Hero up to Level 21 and my main Villain up to Level 19 (almost 20! So close!) I have also been enjoying my time in my two Star Trek RPG's I play on the Internet, although both seem to be moving along at a snail's pace. That's RPG's for you. *sigh*
To introduce myself back into Blogging I will be posting about my summer holiday over the next few weeks. Posts will feature new pics of our newest rabbit, Bessy, who was introduced as a mate to Woody sometime back; information and pics on our trip to Lido de Jesolo (in Venice); information on my course units (as explained above); and information and possibly reviews on the latest Avatar episodes.
To try and keep myself Blogging, I am going to try and and get into a habit of visiting Blogger on a daily basis so I can think about Blogging even if then I don't post a blog entry.
Until my next Blog entry, stay flaming! (Quote: The Headband, Avatar: The Last Airbender).
Thursday 6 September 2007
Summer's Nearly Over
Being almost a whole month since I last posted, you might be wondering where I've been. Well, I am not too sure I can remember that far back. Ah, such is life that you get carried away with it, following it through and just forgetting about other aspects. Such as this blog.
Well, this last month I've been doing a lot of Java work (both for work and personal use) which has included working with J2ME (Java for Micro Devices such as the Mobile Phones), as well as starting the design of another Java game from scratch (having decided to abandon my Guild Wars one which just got too... compressed) based on Star Trek.
I've also been reading a lot, both fiction and ethical books. I've watched a lot of new movies, and played few computer games since I got back from holiday.
Which I spent in Italy for a week (just North of Venice). Last week to be precise. I'll post a seperate post about that soon.
I've joined a Star Trek RPG and created one as well, and I've been keeping an eye on Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Countdown to the Season III Première is upon us! (Look to the right...)
So a lot has happened. Now I intend to post more often since I've got back from Italy. So keep in tune!
Well, this last month I've been doing a lot of Java work (both for work and personal use) which has included working with J2ME (Java for Micro Devices such as the Mobile Phones), as well as starting the design of another Java game from scratch (having decided to abandon my Guild Wars one which just got too... compressed) based on Star Trek.
I've also been reading a lot, both fiction and ethical books. I've watched a lot of new movies, and played few computer games since I got back from holiday.
Which I spent in Italy for a week (just North of Venice). Last week to be precise. I'll post a seperate post about that soon.
I've joined a Star Trek RPG and created one as well, and I've been keeping an eye on Avatar: The Last Airbender. The Countdown to the Season III Première is upon us! (Look to the right...)
So a lot has happened. Now I intend to post more often since I've got back from Italy. So keep in tune!
Friday 3 August 2007
Birthday and More...
Well, it's been quite a bit of time since my last blog post so here's one to cover the time lost! Again...
25th July 2007
Yep, my birthday! OK, well I spent most of the day playing computer games and generally relaxing. The evening was spent getting my presents, birthday cake and birthday wishes. I got a nice chocolate birthday cake, and a PSP and some games. All good!
28th July 2007
The day of the Jarrett's Summer Party dawned bright and early as I continued my work from Friday morning at 10am and didn't stop until about 1pm. The party then continued until late and included loads of food, crisps, sweets, bouncy castle fun, talking to and helping people around the house, and of course the creme da la creme of the party, the giant bouncy slide (that became wet in the evening to remove friction!) Overall an awesome day!
Since
Since then I've been working during the day and relaxing during the evening (most weekdays) and playing on my PSP as well as on my MMORPG PC games (of which I don't need to remind you what they are!)
Also, I have been working on the completion of the creation of a Star Trek RPG on a Trek forum. If anyone here likes Star Trek, and likes RPG'ing (which involves pretending to be a character from the Trek universe on a starship), then give me a shout and I'll tell you how to join up!
Anyway, that's all for now. More later I guess!
25th July 2007
Yep, my birthday! OK, well I spent most of the day playing computer games and generally relaxing. The evening was spent getting my presents, birthday cake and birthday wishes. I got a nice chocolate birthday cake, and a PSP and some games. All good!
28th July 2007
The day of the Jarrett's Summer Party dawned bright and early as I continued my work from Friday morning at 10am and didn't stop until about 1pm. The party then continued until late and included loads of food, crisps, sweets, bouncy castle fun, talking to and helping people around the house, and of course the creme da la creme of the party, the giant bouncy slide (that became wet in the evening to remove friction!) Overall an awesome day!
Since
Since then I've been working during the day and relaxing during the evening (most weekdays) and playing on my PSP as well as on my MMORPG PC games (of which I don't need to remind you what they are!)
Also, I have been working on the completion of the creation of a Star Trek RPG on a Trek forum. If anyone here likes Star Trek, and likes RPG'ing (which involves pretending to be a character from the Trek universe on a starship), then give me a shout and I'll tell you how to join up!
Anyway, that's all for now. More later I guess!
Thursday 19 July 2007
Goldsmiths Year 1 Conclusion
Well, after all my waiting around for my results to come through the door they were here all along, just under a large pile of papers in my dining room. So, after a massive clearout where they were found, I finally learned exactly what I got during those few weeks I did my exams way back when.
Now, I am posting my results not to boast, but to put off any speculation and questions about what I might have got. So to ensure that only the correct information gets past around, below are my results listed in the order they are presented on the paper.
Note that I got 30 credit for each of my results and of course passed all four exams.
Now, I am posting my results not to boast, but to put off any speculation and questions about what I might have got. So to ensure that only the correct information gets past around, below are my results listed in the order they are presented on the paper.
Note that I got 30 credit for each of my results and of course passed all four exams.
- Mathematics for Computing: 77%
- Introduction to Java and Object-Oriented Programming: 96%
- Introduction to Computing and the Internet: 78%
- Information Systems: Foundations of E-Business: 70%
Thursday 12 July 2007
Woody the Rabbit!
As promised, I am making a special blog post for Woody the Rabbit, the new addition to our family. Here are the pictures of Woody!
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And yes that's me handing him the treat through the bars. My brother Andrew took most of these pictures, so a thank you to him!
Tuesday 10 July 2007
The Start of Summer (with rain!)
Let me count how many weeks it has been since my last blog post. Hmm... just over 2 weeks long! That's a fortnight without a single blog post!
So what have I been up to? Well, I'll summarise it for you. At work, there is really only one thing: J2ME. That's right! Java for the Mobile Phone. More on that later...
As for at home, I've been playing City of Heroes/Villains, Guild Wars and Dawn of War; we have a new rabbit; my Mum's winebar is finally coming to fruition; and my Dad has just returned from a week in Hong Kong.
And before you ask: I still don't know my Uni results. I'm quite patient really, they will come when they will come (although if they haven't come this time next week don't quote me on my patience ^^)
Anyway, I've got to go and play on Guild Wars again, lol. I plan to post a special post on my results and another for my rabbit (with photos!). Until then...
So what have I been up to? Well, I'll summarise it for you. At work, there is really only one thing: J2ME. That's right! Java for the Mobile Phone. More on that later...
As for at home, I've been playing City of Heroes/Villains, Guild Wars and Dawn of War; we have a new rabbit; my Mum's winebar is finally coming to fruition; and my Dad has just returned from a week in Hong Kong.
And before you ask: I still don't know my Uni results. I'm quite patient really, they will come when they will come (although if they haven't come this time next week don't quote me on my patience ^^)
Anyway, I've got to go and play on Guild Wars again, lol. I plan to post a special post on my results and another for my rabbit (with photos!). Until then...
Saturday 23 June 2007
End of June
You know, I still know the same amount about Flash as I do when starting the Flash course however long ago my last blog post was. That's life for you, but I think I've found a way to change that, as I've found a really good website for learning programming languages in your own time.
Also I've recently been working on setting up a new way of displaying my external links. This will actually be hosted on my wiki, but I don't consider it ready yet so it isn't officially linked off from my website yet. Maybe in time it will... anyway, you can see what idea I have and watch it grow over the next few weeks as I add in more websites. I have also updated my Recommended Programs page to add in a few more programs.
I've also been playing a new MMORPG: City of Heroes/Villains. It is a really, really good game where you make and control your own Hero or Villain. True, it does require a monthly fee (I'm on a trial atm) but it still is a good game for creating the heroes or villains of your dreams.
Other then that I've not had a bad week (apart from feeling tired at various points this week. Bleh.) I am attending a funeral on Monday, and it's another working week ahead next week.
Hopefully the next blog post will be within a shorter time limit. So, until next time!
Also I've recently been working on setting up a new way of displaying my external links. This will actually be hosted on my wiki, but I don't consider it ready yet so it isn't officially linked off from my website yet. Maybe in time it will... anyway, you can see what idea I have and watch it grow over the next few weeks as I add in more websites. I have also updated my Recommended Programs page to add in a few more programs.
I've also been playing a new MMORPG: City of Heroes/Villains. It is a really, really good game where you make and control your own Hero or Villain. True, it does require a monthly fee (I'm on a trial atm) but it still is a good game for creating the heroes or villains of your dreams.
Other then that I've not had a bad week (apart from feeling tired at various points this week. Bleh.) I am attending a funeral on Monday, and it's another working week ahead next week.
Hopefully the next blog post will be within a shorter time limit. So, until next time!
Friday 8 June 2007
Flash Crash Course
As you may have noticed, a couple of days ago I matched my Blog to a similar template to my website. I don't think I'm going to get it to the exact same CSS template as my website (it just doesn't suit Blogger at all) so I'll keep it as this for now.
This weekend I intend to learn ActionScript, the fantastic programming language that makes up Flash. I intend to be an expert in it by the end of the weekend crash-course I'm going to undertake, but we shall see.
I have also started work on Version 2 of Jarada's Time Keepers. Keep an eye on the forums if you want to know what's going on, and of course suggest features! They may well be added in to the next version of this program.
Well, it's super late, so I'm off to bed. Until next time!
This weekend I intend to learn ActionScript, the fantastic programming language that makes up Flash. I intend to be an expert in it by the end of the weekend crash-course I'm going to undertake, but we shall see.
I have also started work on Version 2 of Jarada's Time Keepers. Keep an eye on the forums if you want to know what's going on, and of course suggest features! They may well be added in to the next version of this program.
Well, it's super late, so I'm off to bed. Until next time!
Wednesday 6 June 2007
Jarada Productions Renovation!
I have just spent the past six hours or so completely renovating Jarada Productions. Some people will be proud that there are now no more frames! It's all quite posh!
Sure, the CSS was actually made by a professional, as I am not quite up to that standard just yet, but I did adapt it a lot to my needs, and I intend to adapt my blog's page to fit in with the CSS when I get some more time to do it.
For now, it's the early hours of the morning, and I need to get up a early-ish to take my younger brother to his third and fourth exams this week. So I'm off to bed. Until next time!
Sure, the CSS was actually made by a professional, as I am not quite up to that standard just yet, but I did adapt it a lot to my needs, and I intend to adapt my blog's page to fit in with the CSS when I get some more time to do it.
For now, it's the early hours of the morning, and I need to get up a early-ish to take my younger brother to his third and fourth exams this week. So I'm off to bed. Until next time!
Monday 4 June 2007
Welcome to June
Last week was my first week at work. Didn't go too badly, actually. My work involves programming: HTML, CSS, Java, etc. Quite fun!
Also last week, I spent some time investigating the idea of updating my frames website. At current, my website will stay as it is, but I will still be investigating it's complete redesign into something with a less... frames, design.
This week, I'll be staying at home mostly, and driving my brother too and from school. I may go into work/uni's library a couple of days this week as well, and I have an Orthodontic appointment on Wednesday.
I also intend to start posting blog entries more frequently. Ah, I always say that, and then I do for a while, and then I stop and have to say it again. Oh well, that's what I call the cycle of the lazy blog poster. Because they wouldn't be a blog poster if they didn't want to post blogs regularly, lol
Until tomorrow.
Also last week, I spent some time investigating the idea of updating my frames website. At current, my website will stay as it is, but I will still be investigating it's complete redesign into something with a less... frames, design.
This week, I'll be staying at home mostly, and driving my brother too and from school. I may go into work/uni's library a couple of days this week as well, and I have an Orthodontic appointment on Wednesday.
I also intend to start posting blog entries more frequently. Ah, I always say that, and then I do for a while, and then I stop and have to say it again. Oh well, that's what I call the cycle of the lazy blog poster. Because they wouldn't be a blog poster if they didn't want to post blogs regularly, lol
Until tomorrow.
Saturday 26 May 2007
First Summer Holiday Week
Wow, a week gone since my last post. Oh well, here goes the next one!
What have I been up to this week then? Well... I've gone to see the Head of the IT Department at Goldsmiths Uni; done a bit more Java Programming (and released two versions of my Timer program); played Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Master of Orion II and Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth; finished Pandora's Star (a fantastic book, I'm reading the sequel now); and got a job.
What? A job? Yes, you heard me right. I'm going to be spending some of my holiday working for my Dad as a Java Programmer\Website Builder\General IT Intern guy. That'll give me loads of work experience for how things work in the city!
This weekend I've looked after my younger brothers throughout. There have been some ups and some downs, but they've generally been good with me in command. Tomorrow I am going to be spending a whole day with them (as opposed to this morning and this evening today, and the evening on Friday).
Anyway, that's all for now. See ya!
What have I been up to this week then? Well... I've gone to see the Head of the IT Department at Goldsmiths Uni; done a bit more Java Programming (and released two versions of my Timer program); played Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Master of Orion II and Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth; finished Pandora's Star (a fantastic book, I'm reading the sequel now); and got a job.
What? A job? Yes, you heard me right. I'm going to be spending some of my holiday working for my Dad as a Java Programmer\Website Builder\General IT Intern guy. That'll give me loads of work experience for how things work in the city!
This weekend I've looked after my younger brothers throughout. There have been some ups and some downs, but they've generally been good with me in command. Tomorrow I am going to be spending a whole day with them (as opposed to this morning and this evening today, and the evening on Friday).
Anyway, that's all for now. See ya!
Sunday 20 May 2007
Byron's Birthday Weekend
Friday
Friday morning was spent playing Master of Orion II. The afternoon was spent updating my forums with a new mod (which is huge and adds tons of features). So I spent 3 hours sifting through code, only to find out firstly that my forums were buggered up, and then on looking for how to repair it, I found out that actually the reason why they were buggered up was because I had installed an out-of-date version of the mod. The new version could be simply installed in around 10-15 minutes.
Oh well!!
Saturday
I have some kind of deal with my younger brothers. Because I don't generally buy them presents, and the fact that I am the elder brother (and so although I help them a lot I am generally more or less in control), on their birthdays they get to get their every whim answered for (I will do anything as long as it doesn't break any rules).
So today was spent obeying my youngest brother, Byron, because on Monday (his real birthday) we all had schools and uni's to attend. So much for free-will, lol!
Sunday
Byron was on a roll from the previous day, and stormed into this day eagerly. With the bouncy castle setup and the table laid for a feast, the partying began! First came the hour-long magic show (which I sat through to keep control) and then bouncy castle time, lunch, bouncy castle time.
Once the party was over, the presents were opened, and then we spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing. Ah well, good times!
Friday morning was spent playing Master of Orion II. The afternoon was spent updating my forums with a new mod (which is huge and adds tons of features). So I spent 3 hours sifting through code, only to find out firstly that my forums were buggered up, and then on looking for how to repair it, I found out that actually the reason why they were buggered up was because I had installed an out-of-date version of the mod. The new version could be simply installed in around 10-15 minutes.
Oh well!!
Saturday
I have some kind of deal with my younger brothers. Because I don't generally buy them presents, and the fact that I am the elder brother (and so although I help them a lot I am generally more or less in control), on their birthdays they get to get their every whim answered for (I will do anything as long as it doesn't break any rules).
So today was spent obeying my youngest brother, Byron, because on Monday (his real birthday) we all had schools and uni's to attend. So much for free-will, lol!
Sunday
Byron was on a roll from the previous day, and stormed into this day eagerly. With the bouncy castle setup and the table laid for a feast, the partying began! First came the hour-long magic show (which I sat through to keep control) and then bouncy castle time, lunch, bouncy castle time.
Once the party was over, the presents were opened, and then we spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing. Ah well, good times!
Friday 18 May 2007
Exam CIS109
Introduction to Java and Object Oriented Programming
Java was the easiest of the two exams, and certainly the quickest (I was in and out in 1 hour!) Still, I made sure I spent ten minutes at the beginning choosing the best four out of six questions to write about, and then I wrote it nice and slowly, checking for errors as I went along and then I read back through again checking for more errors.
I am aiming for full marks, but you always know there is a chance to lose marks everywhere, so I am probably not going to get full marks. We shall see though!
Anyway, it's the summer holidays!! So no more exams and all fun!! Yipeee!
Java was the easiest of the two exams, and certainly the quickest (I was in and out in 1 hour!) Still, I made sure I spent ten minutes at the beginning choosing the best four out of six questions to write about, and then I wrote it nice and slowly, checking for errors as I went along and then I read back through again checking for more errors.
I am aiming for full marks, but you always know there is a chance to lose marks everywhere, so I am probably not going to get full marks. We shall see though!
Anyway, it's the summer holidays!! So no more exams and all fun!! Yipeee!
Tuesday 15 May 2007
Exam CIS102
Mathematics for Computing
The exam yesterday was maths (yuk!). Overall, this was the exam I revised the least for on the two day's running up to the exam, due to the fact that I was mostly occupied doing other stuff on the weekend before the exam.
The exam went very well (I have definately passed) and although I didn't manage to complete all of the last question, I attempted every other question on the paper and I think I managed to get nearly all of them correct.
I'm just waiting to see how many minor and stupid mistakes I've made that'll bring down my results... lol
The exam yesterday was maths (yuk!). Overall, this was the exam I revised the least for on the two day's running up to the exam, due to the fact that I was mostly occupied doing other stuff on the weekend before the exam.
The exam went very well (I have definately passed) and although I didn't manage to complete all of the last question, I attempted every other question on the paper and I think I managed to get nearly all of them correct.
I'm just waiting to see how many minor and stupid mistakes I've made that'll bring down my results... lol
Monday 14 May 2007
Byron's Birthday
To My Youngest Brother Byron, who's 5 today, best wishes and a Happy Birthday to You!
Sunday 13 May 2007
Exam CIS108
Information Systems: Foundations of E-Business
Yo, forgot to mention here about my E-Business Exam that happened two days ago (Friday). Oops.
Well, usual time usual place, except that I mucked up the start by leaving my Student Card in the cloakroom. So I arrived late after waiting around outside for the exam to start, because of having to retrieve it.
None-the-less, the exam went OK. There were some parts of the questions I didn't quite get right and I think I chose a harder question over an easier one (you can choose 4 out of 6 available questions), but overall I think I'm going to pass it.
Just glad that ones over...
Yo, forgot to mention here about my E-Business Exam that happened two days ago (Friday). Oops.
Well, usual time usual place, except that I mucked up the start by leaving my Student Card in the cloakroom. So I arrived late after waiting around outside for the exam to start, because of having to retrieve it.
None-the-less, the exam went OK. There were some parts of the questions I didn't quite get right and I think I chose a harder question over an easier one (you can choose 4 out of 6 available questions), but overall I think I'm going to pass it.
Just glad that ones over...
Tuesday 8 May 2007
Exam CIS110
Introduction to Computing and the Internet
The exam was comprised of two parts. Part A was to do with Computing (how memory works, what the CPU does, etc). Part B was to do with the Internet (how IP addresses work, how webpages are made, etc).
Overall the exam went extremely well. There were a couple of parts that I didn't quite get, although they didn't take up too many marks (4 or 5) so overall I'm looking to get quite high in the results.
The exam was comprised of two parts. Part A was to do with Computing (how memory works, what the CPU does, etc). Part B was to do with the Internet (how IP addresses work, how webpages are made, etc).
Overall the exam went extremely well. There were a couple of parts that I didn't quite get, although they didn't take up too many marks (4 or 5) so overall I'm looking to get quite high in the results.
Monday 7 May 2007
Google New York to London
Something amusing I found on Flickr, pointed out by my Dad...
If you are ever in New York and want to travel back to London, don't ask Google Maps. Check out step 24. lol...
Thursday 3 May 2007
Exams
Over two weeks since my last blog post, and a lot has happened. For one thing, I'm back at Uni, and the next two weeks will be filled up with exams.
I have exams on the 8th May, 11th May, 14th May and the 17th May (one each day listed) so it's nicely spread out with days in between for intense revision.
The past two weeks have been filled with revision, as well as playing my new game Need for Speed: Underground 2, during my breaks (wicked game that).
After my exams, I have a lot planned also. For starters, Zarrain wants me to go out somewhere with him to celebrate, then I have my younger brother Byron's birthday on the weekend (19th May), and a wonderful opportunity to tidy my room free from family and uni obligations the following week.
Longer term, I will go back to Java Programming, releasing Version 1.1 of my Jarada's Time Keepers (see Programs area after following that link) that has some unannounced added features to the features listed there, as well as continuing my work on my main Java Game, and other Java program. I might also find a job to work at over my four month summer hols...
Anyway, I need to get back to revising, so just a short update there. I will keep you all posted as to how my exams go!
I have exams on the 8th May, 11th May, 14th May and the 17th May (one each day listed) so it's nicely spread out with days in between for intense revision.
The past two weeks have been filled with revision, as well as playing my new game Need for Speed: Underground 2, during my breaks (wicked game that).
After my exams, I have a lot planned also. For starters, Zarrain wants me to go out somewhere with him to celebrate, then I have my younger brother Byron's birthday on the weekend (19th May), and a wonderful opportunity to tidy my room free from family and uni obligations the following week.
Longer term, I will go back to Java Programming, releasing Version 1.1 of my Jarada's Time Keepers (see Programs area after following that link) that has some unannounced added features to the features listed there, as well as continuing my work on my main Java Game, and other Java program. I might also find a job to work at over my four month summer hols...
Anyway, I need to get back to revising, so just a short update there. I will keep you all posted as to how my exams go!
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Easter Hols: Revision
Wed 11th April
When we got back from Valencia we found that Ella, our Au-Pere, had left her keys in the house when she had went out. As she had to catch a flight, she had smashed a couple of our windows in order to retrieve them. Let's just say we weren't best pleased and leave it at that.
Thurs 12th April
A trip to London for a University Meeting...
Weekend (Fri 13th April - Monday 16th April)
A long weekend break with my younger brothers and my Dad taking Monday off to work from home. I spent a lot of the weekend working on my Java Program.
Yesterday
A trip to the cinema to see Meet the Robinsons with my Mum and younger brothers, followed by a night at my Mum's house where we watched a film called Click, which is an extremely good film I highly recommend.
Today
Today I had an Orthodontic Appointment in the morning (tightening my braces) and a much-needed haircut (trust me, it was a BIG one!)
And the future can be summarised in one word... you got it! Revision!
When we got back from Valencia we found that Ella, our Au-Pere, had left her keys in the house when she had went out. As she had to catch a flight, she had smashed a couple of our windows in order to retrieve them. Let's just say we weren't best pleased and leave it at that.
Thurs 12th April
A trip to London for a University Meeting...
Weekend (Fri 13th April - Monday 16th April)
A long weekend break with my younger brothers and my Dad taking Monday off to work from home. I spent a lot of the weekend working on my Java Program.
Yesterday
A trip to the cinema to see Meet the Robinsons with my Mum and younger brothers, followed by a night at my Mum's house where we watched a film called Click, which is an extremely good film I highly recommend.
Today
Today I had an Orthodontic Appointment in the morning (tightening my braces) and a much-needed haircut (trust me, it was a BIG one!)
And the future can be summarised in one word... you got it! Revision!
Wednesday 11 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Summary
Valencia 2007 Summary
Hotel Sidi Saler (*****)
Service: ****
Facilities: *****
Location: ****
Visual: *****
My Rating: ****
Summary: Hotel Sidi Saler has all the usual 5-Star amenities, such as two swimming pools and 24-hour room service. Although located on the beach-front, it is still very far from Valencia's town center, and its lack of a 5-Star service means this hotel's rating should be set to 4-Star.
Highlights
Best Moment: Hemisferic Film
Worst Moment: Looking for Taxis!
Other Highlights:
Chelsea 2-1 Valencia
Rest of the City of Arts and Sciences
32nd America's Cup
Overall
The trip was fun, interesting, enlightening and relaxing. Although we probably won't go back to the same Hotel, it was still a very good hotel, and Valencia is an extremely good town (with some crazy drivers!). Valencian's like to do things big, as we found out many a time at looking at the large Post Office, and other large buildings around Valencia. Our main reason for going to Valencia (the football) was both great fun and a great victory. All in all, very good!
See my Photo Album here!
Hotel Sidi Saler (*****)Service: ****
Facilities: *****
Location: ****
Visual: *****
My Rating: ****
Summary: Hotel Sidi Saler has all the usual 5-Star amenities, such as two swimming pools and 24-hour room service. Although located on the beach-front, it is still very far from Valencia's town center, and its lack of a 5-Star service means this hotel's rating should be set to 4-Star.
Highlights
Best Moment: Hemisferic Film
Worst Moment: Looking for Taxis!
Other Highlights:
Chelsea 2-1 Valencia
Rest of the City of Arts and Sciences
32nd America's Cup
Overall
The trip was fun, interesting, enlightening and relaxing. Although we probably won't go back to the same Hotel, it was still a very good hotel, and Valencia is an extremely good town (with some crazy drivers!). Valencian's like to do things big, as we found out many a time at looking at the large Post Office, and other large buildings around Valencia. Our main reason for going to Valencia (the football) was both great fun and a great victory. All in all, very good!
See my Photo Album here!
Easter Hols: Valencia Day Six
Weather: Cloudy (Both in England and Valencia)
Wake Up: 11:00 (Spanish Time)
Home By: 19:00 (UK time)
We woke up and ordered cheese and ham toasties before packing our bags for departure. The toasties arrived shortly after, and we quickly ate them before checking out, dumping our bags and taking a long walk on the beach - our final walk on Spanish soil. We then took a taxi to the airport, and boarded the plane back to the UK.
There really isn't anything left to say about Valencia, so I'll continue the rest of this day in another blog entry, and leave you with a final picture.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake Up: 11:00 (Spanish Time)
Home By: 19:00 (UK time)
We woke up and ordered cheese and ham toasties before packing our bags for departure. The toasties arrived shortly after, and we quickly ate them before checking out, dumping our bags and taking a long walk on the beach - our final walk on Spanish soil. We then took a taxi to the airport, and boarded the plane back to the UK.
There really isn't anything left to say about Valencia, so I'll continue the rest of this day in another blog entry, and leave you with a final picture.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Tuesday 10 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Day Five
Weather: Cloudy, Light Breeze
Wake Up: 09:00
Sleep: 01:00
We woke up in the morning by alarm, and went down for breakfast. We then took the 11:30 bus out into Valencia, where we browsed through a couple of markets. The first market we went to was indoors, and was huge! It was a genuine food market, and I thought it was wonderful the way local people had set up stalls to sell their goods to local Valencians. It's something I think we lack here. The second market we visited was arranged in a circle, and sold clothing, knitting items and other related bits and bobs. There was even a pet store!
Afterwards, we took a visit to the city's local Post Office, which was huge! It had at least ten desks where people thronged and a beautiful glass ceiling which had a pattern on it. As I went to take a picture, I was told by the local security guy to not take a picture of the surrounding desks, and only the ceiling.
After we had finished in the Post Office, we went for a drink and some food outside a Tapas bar before getting a Taxi back to the hotel. When we got back, it was just before 3 o'clock, so we stayed in our rooms for an hour generally relaxing, before taking the 14:15 bus back into town fully kitted out for the evening.
We had a couple of drinks in a local Irish pub, not Finnegans which was packed with Chelsea fans, and casually watched a Spanish news-reporter interview them on the Spanish TV. Then we were extra glad we weren't there! When we had got bored, we decided to walk and find where the stadium was. To get there we had to cross a bridge, except not over water, but over a park. Valencia has a central area that looks like it should hold a river, but has been turned into a large park that meanders through the city. Bridges stretch over the park as well as providing ramps and stairs down into the park.
We soon found the stadium (quicker then we expected), so we searched for a local restuarant or bar. Finding none, we crossed back across the bridge and stopped outside a small cafe, where we waited until we needed to leave for the stadium. On arrival at the stadium, we went through security, and sat at the top. It provided a nice view (from my point of view) as you could easily see exactly what was going on, although it was a little too high to tell who was doing what.
The Stadium itself is called the Estadio de Mestalla, and it is a magnificent stadium that can hold just under 52,500 people. Being away fans, we were stuck high up in the corner of the stadium, with the majority of the supporters being Valencian. On nearly every seat in the stadium were orange coloured posters, that the Chelsea fans turned into paper airplanes! Although most of them just floated around the stands, a few special ones found themselves on the pitch, much to the delight of us Chelsea fans!!
The experience was electrifying, filled with songs, cheers and determination to win. It was unlike any other match I have been to. Chelsea started off poorly, and by half-time we were 1-0 down. The Valencian fans had a drummer who was constantly drumming away to some unknown rhythm, which the Valencian fans often sung and clapped to.
After half-time, Chelsea came back with determination and soon equalised. Yet, victory was still not certain. By the 90th minute, we were still singing as determinedly (and still making paper airplanes!) and hope that we would win before extra time was fading. But in the 91st minute, Michael Essien took the ball and slammed it past the keeper.
The stadium went wild. And by the Stadium, I mean the Chelsea fans, as the Valencian sides (all three of them) were silent, including that drummer! From then on, the singing was relentless as we cheered our team to victory.
After about an hour from the end of the match (or it felt like it) we were allowed to leave, and we made our way to the nearest taxi, which took us back to the hotel. We stayed around in the bar until about 00:50, when we went to bed and slept.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake Up: 09:00
Sleep: 01:00
We woke up in the morning by alarm, and went down for breakfast. We then took the 11:30 bus out into Valencia, where we browsed through a couple of markets. The first market we went to was indoors, and was huge! It was a genuine food market, and I thought it was wonderful the way local people had set up stalls to sell their goods to local Valencians. It's something I think we lack here. The second market we visited was arranged in a circle, and sold clothing, knitting items and other related bits and bobs. There was even a pet store!
Afterwards, we took a visit to the city's local Post Office, which was huge! It had at least ten desks where people thronged and a beautiful glass ceiling which had a pattern on it. As I went to take a picture, I was told by the local security guy to not take a picture of the surrounding desks, and only the ceiling.After we had finished in the Post Office, we went for a drink and some food outside a Tapas bar before getting a Taxi back to the hotel. When we got back, it was just before 3 o'clock, so we stayed in our rooms for an hour generally relaxing, before taking the 14:15 bus back into town fully kitted out for the evening.
We had a couple of drinks in a local Irish pub, not Finnegans which was packed with Chelsea fans, and casually watched a Spanish news-reporter interview them on the Spanish TV. Then we were extra glad we weren't there! When we had got bored, we decided to walk and find where the stadium was. To get there we had to cross a bridge, except not over water, but over a park. Valencia has a central area that looks like it should hold a river, but has been turned into a large park that meanders through the city. Bridges stretch over the park as well as providing ramps and stairs down into the park.
We soon found the stadium (quicker then we expected), so we searched for a local restuarant or bar. Finding none, we crossed back across the bridge and stopped outside a small cafe, where we waited until we needed to leave for the stadium. On arrival at the stadium, we went through security, and sat at the top. It provided a nice view (from my point of view) as you could easily see exactly what was going on, although it was a little too high to tell who was doing what.
The Stadium itself is called the Estadio de Mestalla, and it is a magnificent stadium that can hold just under 52,500 people. Being away fans, we were stuck high up in the corner of the stadium, with the majority of the supporters being Valencian. On nearly every seat in the stadium were orange coloured posters, that the Chelsea fans turned into paper airplanes! Although most of them just floated around the stands, a few special ones found themselves on the pitch, much to the delight of us Chelsea fans!!The experience was electrifying, filled with songs, cheers and determination to win. It was unlike any other match I have been to. Chelsea started off poorly, and by half-time we were 1-0 down. The Valencian fans had a drummer who was constantly drumming away to some unknown rhythm, which the Valencian fans often sung and clapped to.
After half-time, Chelsea came back with determination and soon equalised. Yet, victory was still not certain. By the 90th minute, we were still singing as determinedly (and still making paper airplanes!) and hope that we would win before extra time was fading. But in the 91st minute, Michael Essien took the ball and slammed it past the keeper.
The stadium went wild. And by the Stadium, I mean the Chelsea fans, as the Valencian sides (all three of them) were silent, including that drummer! From then on, the singing was relentless as we cheered our team to victory.
After about an hour from the end of the match (or it felt like it) we were allowed to leave, and we made our way to the nearest taxi, which took us back to the hotel. We stayed around in the bar until about 00:50, when we went to bed and slept.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Monday 9 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Day Four
Weather: Cloudy, Light Breeze, Rainy Evening
Wake Up: 08:30
Sleep: 23:30
Today, unlike the other days, was preplanned a bit more precisely. We woke up by Alarm at 08:30, and made it down to breakfast by 09:00, rather then having it in our room as usual. The selection was far
greater then that offered in our room, and I enjoyed my chocolate-covered Pain Au Chocolate.
After breakfast, we got ready to go out and around 10:20 took a Taxi to "Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias" (which stands for the City of Arts & Sciences). Our first stop was to book the Hemisfèric, which was basically an iMax film centre, but we had to come back later.
So, while we had time, we visited the Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe (Principe Felipe Science Museum). The outside looked like the spikey exterior of the skeleton of a giant whale, and the inside was huge. It was a proper Science museum, with displays on Sound and Light (which was the best part, my Dad particularly liked a duck-sounding machine), Space, and it even had a Life & Genome section.
Once we had visited all the areas in the museum, we found it was time to go, so we moved onto the Hemisfèric (link to another picture). The actual Hemisfèric is quite uniquely shaped like an eye, with the eyelids on each side and the pupil in the middle. We had booked to see the iMax film called The Mystery of the Nile. The actual film itself was very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards, I probably look back on that film as the best part of my visit. It showed me some interesting things, and taught me a few things as well.
After the film, we decided to go to our final destination, the Oceanogrà fic, which was an aquarium. It is supposed to be one of the largest in Europe, but we didn't think so. It contained things like Walrus's, Fish, a Dolphin's Show, Fish, Whales, Fish, Sharks, Fish, Crabs, and more Fish. We had a great relaxing time looking around and the Dolphin's Show was, as usual, extremely good. Take a look at some of these pictures! I might put up one or two videos in the near future, so watch out for a later blog post!
When we had finished, we headed back to the Hotel where we had a light dinner of Cheese and Ham Sandwiches in the bar (no visit to Valencia) until about 23:00, where I also drank wine, before crashing in our room.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake Up: 08:30
Sleep: 23:30
Today, unlike the other days, was preplanned a bit more precisely. We woke up by Alarm at 08:30, and made it down to breakfast by 09:00, rather then having it in our room as usual. The selection was far
greater then that offered in our room, and I enjoyed my chocolate-covered Pain Au Chocolate.After breakfast, we got ready to go out and around 10:20 took a Taxi to "Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias" (which stands for the City of Arts & Sciences). Our first stop was to book the Hemisfèric, which was basically an iMax film centre, but we had to come back later.
So, while we had time, we visited the Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe (Principe Felipe Science Museum). The outside looked like the spikey exterior of the skeleton of a giant whale, and the inside was huge. It was a proper Science museum, with displays on Sound and Light (which was the best part, my Dad particularly liked a duck-sounding machine), Space, and it even had a Life & Genome section.
Once we had visited all the areas in the museum, we found it was time to go, so we moved onto the Hemisfèric (link to another picture). The actual Hemisfèric is quite uniquely shaped like an eye, with the eyelids on each side and the pupil in the middle. We had booked to see the iMax film called The Mystery of the Nile. The actual film itself was very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards, I probably look back on that film as the best part of my visit. It showed me some interesting things, and taught me a few things as well.After the film, we decided to go to our final destination, the Oceanogrà fic, which was an aquarium. It is supposed to be one of the largest in Europe, but we didn't think so. It contained things like Walrus's, Fish, a Dolphin's Show, Fish, Whales, Fish, Sharks, Fish, Crabs, and more Fish. We had a great relaxing time looking around and the Dolphin's Show was, as usual, extremely good. Take a look at some of these pictures! I might put up one or two videos in the near future, so watch out for a later blog post!When we had finished, we headed back to the Hotel where we had a light dinner of Cheese and Ham Sandwiches in the bar (no visit to Valencia) until about 23:00, where I also drank wine, before crashing in our room.This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Sunday 8 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Day Three
Weather: Sunny Morning, Cloudy Afternoon, Rainy Evening, Light Breeze
Wake Up: 10:00
Sleep: 23:00
We lounged about in our room (having another full-English breakfast) until 12:30, when we decided to go down to the beach. A nice walk along the beach in the sun. As we reached the half-way point though, the sun went in, so we turned back and headed back to the Hotel. We then wanted to go out, but we had missed the bus and there were no Taxis, so we ordered one and went to wait.
And we waited. And waited. And waited. And finally, a taxi turned up and drove towards the hotel. And a guy came out the hotel, saundered down the steps and commandeered our Taxi!! After all that waiting!! So, we had to wait some more while the Hotel ordered another. So we waited. And waited. And then finally, after a total of 45 minutes waiting around, another Taxi that was obviously booked already, as it had people in other then the driver, came in. And we commandeered that one when everyone had got out.
We then told the Taxi to take us to the America's Cup. America's Cup is a yacht challenge that is divided up into thirteen acts. There are some twelve teams including the defender and current winner in the standings, Switzerland's "Alinghi", and the great American "BMW ORACLE", whose country has won the cup some 27 times!! Britain didn't seem to have a team there though, which was a little disappointing, but not much as we decided to support China instead (mentioned later).
Each team had their own building the size of a supermarket, and these were perched right near the edge of Valencia's port. They nearly always contained a shop, sometimes an interactive area and sometimes even a restuarant on the top of them. Of the buildings, China Team's was the most visual, as they let us look around at their yacht and sails. Take a look at how big they are! Notice that the red arrow points to the top of a large doorway!
Their yacht was also quite colourful: red with a white dragon down the sides (see in the picture above). Unfortunately though, they were last in the standings of the races that had taken place, but they were still good. We visited many of the other team's buildings as well, and I bought a shirt from Alinghi's shop (as I loved their logo!) while Andrew bought a shirt from America's shop.
We left once we had got bored of looking around, and tried to find a Taxi. But we really couldn't find one! We spent at least the next half-an-hour, wandering around Valencia's port, looking for a Taxi rank or a Taxi that could take us out of the area. It was only when we came across a 5-Star Hotel that a Taxi casually drove out after dropping someone off, which we could then thankfully commandeer.
We headed for Plaza le Reina, the small Plaza that had we had spent most of yesterday in. The Taxi Driver must of thought he was a racer though, as he sped down the roads coming up to 120 km/h in some areas! And he would slow down just enough to let the lights change before he would spin through them while they were still red!! Once we had arrived from our whistle-stop journey, we settled outside a restuarant to have a snack while we decided where to eat for the evening. Eventually, Andrew decided we should eat in Hollywood, an American Restuarant on the main Plaza (Plaza del Ayuntamiento).
We went in there and sat down. We ordered our meal (after a quick request from the waiter) and the starters came in literally a couple of minutes! The main course came a couple of minutes after that!! Really, it was fast ordering and fast delivery! Quite a contrast compared to the slowness we had experienced with the Taxis during the day.
After the meal, we wandered back to the Hotel bus and took it back to the hotel, before crashing for the evening and then settling down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake Up: 10:00
Sleep: 23:00
We lounged about in our room (having another full-English breakfast) until 12:30, when we decided to go down to the beach. A nice walk along the beach in the sun. As we reached the half-way point though, the sun went in, so we turned back and headed back to the Hotel. We then wanted to go out, but we had missed the bus and there were no Taxis, so we ordered one and went to wait.
And we waited. And waited. And waited. And finally, a taxi turned up and drove towards the hotel. And a guy came out the hotel, saundered down the steps and commandeered our Taxi!! After all that waiting!! So, we had to wait some more while the Hotel ordered another. So we waited. And waited. And then finally, after a total of 45 minutes waiting around, another Taxi that was obviously booked already, as it had people in other then the driver, came in. And we commandeered that one when everyone had got out.
We then told the Taxi to take us to the America's Cup. America's Cup is a yacht challenge that is divided up into thirteen acts. There are some twelve teams including the defender and current winner in the standings, Switzerland's "Alinghi", and the great American "BMW ORACLE", whose country has won the cup some 27 times!! Britain didn't seem to have a team there though, which was a little disappointing, but not much as we decided to support China instead (mentioned later).Each team had their own building the size of a supermarket, and these were perched right near the edge of Valencia's port. They nearly always contained a shop, sometimes an interactive area and sometimes even a restuarant on the top of them. Of the buildings, China Team's was the most visual, as they let us look around at their yacht and sails. Take a look at how big they are! Notice that the red arrow points to the top of a large doorway!
Their yacht was also quite colourful: red with a white dragon down the sides (see in the picture above). Unfortunately though, they were last in the standings of the races that had taken place, but they were still good. We visited many of the other team's buildings as well, and I bought a shirt from Alinghi's shop (as I loved their logo!) while Andrew bought a shirt from America's shop.We left once we had got bored of looking around, and tried to find a Taxi. But we really couldn't find one! We spent at least the next half-an-hour, wandering around Valencia's port, looking for a Taxi rank or a Taxi that could take us out of the area. It was only when we came across a 5-Star Hotel that a Taxi casually drove out after dropping someone off, which we could then thankfully commandeer.
We headed for Plaza le Reina, the small Plaza that had we had spent most of yesterday in. The Taxi Driver must of thought he was a racer though, as he sped down the roads coming up to 120 km/h in some areas! And he would slow down just enough to let the lights change before he would spin through them while they were still red!! Once we had arrived from our whistle-stop journey, we settled outside a restuarant to have a snack while we decided where to eat for the evening. Eventually, Andrew decided we should eat in Hollywood, an American Restuarant on the main Plaza (Plaza del Ayuntamiento).
We went in there and sat down. We ordered our meal (after a quick request from the waiter) and the starters came in literally a couple of minutes! The main course came a couple of minutes after that!! Really, it was fast ordering and fast delivery! Quite a contrast compared to the slowness we had experienced with the Taxis during the day.
After the meal, we wandered back to the Hotel bus and took it back to the hotel, before crashing for the evening and then settling down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Saturday 7 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Day Two
Weather: Sunny with Clouds
Wake up: 10:15
Sleep: 00:00
After having a relaxed full-English breakfast in our room (which was nice) we headed for Valencia on the 11:00 hotel bus. The trip around Valencia lasted the entire day, and was most enjoyable. We started off heading for the Finnegans, an Irish pub that just happened to show the Chelsea-Tottenham game, live in Spanish. A close 1-0 win.
We left the pub after a couple more drinks and headed for the major shopping road, Colon. Along the road we found a major store (similar to Harrods) which we bought a couple of shirts in to wear to dinner at the hotel (which demanded no t-shirts, shorts or tracksuits). Further on we also found a sunglasses shop (for me) before we headed back towards the Plaza where Finnegans was (Plaza la Reina).
At the end of that Plaza stood Cathedral Valencia, which had a tower that you could climb to the top of for a fantastic view. It was closed, so we looked round the Cathedral instead. A mixture of feelings from awe to shock pervaded me as I walked round. The Cathedral was huge with beautiful carvings, paintings and drawings, but also didn't feel like God's home to me, which was sad.
We then went back into the Plaza outside to sit outside a nice Tapas restuarant for lunch, where we had a mixture of hams, cheeses and bread. It was during that time that we found out Portsmouth were beating Man Utd, so we rushed back to Finnegans for the last 30mins of the game. Funny stuff, with a strange own goal and Portsmouth finishing off Man U 2-1!
After leaving the pub a second time, we walked along randomly before finding a sweet shop, where we bought some Pick'n'mix style sweets, and a record store we had found in our earlier ramblings, which we left €100 shorter and 11 CDs heavier, and with a very happy Dad.
We finally took a taxi back to the hotel before settling down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake up: 10:15
Sleep: 00:00
After having a relaxed full-English breakfast in our room (which was nice) we headed for Valencia on the 11:00 hotel bus. The trip around Valencia lasted the entire day, and was most enjoyable. We started off heading for the Finnegans, an Irish pub that just happened to show the Chelsea-Tottenham game, live in Spanish. A close 1-0 win.
We left the pub after a couple more drinks and headed for the major shopping road, Colon. Along the road we found a major store (similar to Harrods) which we bought a couple of shirts in to wear to dinner at the hotel (which demanded no t-shirts, shorts or tracksuits). Further on we also found a sunglasses shop (for me) before we headed back towards the Plaza where Finnegans was (Plaza la Reina).At the end of that Plaza stood Cathedral Valencia, which had a tower that you could climb to the top of for a fantastic view. It was closed, so we looked round the Cathedral instead. A mixture of feelings from awe to shock pervaded me as I walked round. The Cathedral was huge with beautiful carvings, paintings and drawings, but also didn't feel like God's home to me, which was sad.We then went back into the Plaza outside to sit outside a nice Tapas restuarant for lunch, where we had a mixture of hams, cheeses and bread. It was during that time that we found out Portsmouth were beating Man Utd, so we rushed back to Finnegans for the last 30mins of the game. Funny stuff, with a strange own goal and Portsmouth finishing off Man U 2-1!
After leaving the pub a second time, we walked along randomly before finding a sweet shop, where we bought some Pick'n'mix style sweets, and a record store we had found in our earlier ramblings, which we left €100 shorter and 11 CDs heavier, and with a very happy Dad.
We finally took a taxi back to the hotel before settling down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Friday 6 April 2007
Easter Hols: Valencia Day One
Weather: Mixed (Sun in England, Sun/Rain in Valencia)
Wake up: 07:30 (UK Time)
Sleep: 00:00 (Spanish Time)
After waking up, we (my Dad, my brother Andrew, and I) spent two hours preparing to leave, before leaving at exactly 9:30, right on time. We arrived at the Airport early, checked in early, went through security early, and soon arrived in the departure lounge. After a trip to a few duty-free shops (where I bought a few packets of Werther's Original and a PC Gamer Mag) we boarded our flight and set sail to Valencia.
We arrived in Valencia and the Weather was quite clear. After collecting our baggage, we hailed a Taxi and soon found ourselves at our 5-star luxury hotel that my Dad had booked, Hotel Sidi Saler.
We went and looked around our rooms, settled in, and then headed straight for the bar. After a couple of drinks, we explored the hotel, before taking the hotel bus to the City Centre.
Valencia reminded me in some ways instantly of my previous Spanish trip with some of my School friends, so it was quite satisfying walking through the streets of Valencia. We walked for about fourty minutes or so, before finding an Italian restaurant and having dinner, particularly because I fancied Spagetti Bologenise, which I then went ahead and had. The restaurant itself was quaint, if a little bizarre and very popular. It was quite nice. The evening ended with a final walk around Valencia as it started to rain, and then a bus journey home in the heavy rain before we settled down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wake up: 07:30 (UK Time)
Sleep: 00:00 (Spanish Time)
After waking up, we (my Dad, my brother Andrew, and I) spent two hours preparing to leave, before leaving at exactly 9:30, right on time. We arrived at the Airport early, checked in early, went through security early, and soon arrived in the departure lounge. After a trip to a few duty-free shops (where I bought a few packets of Werther's Original and a PC Gamer Mag) we boarded our flight and set sail to Valencia.
We arrived in Valencia and the Weather was quite clear. After collecting our baggage, we hailed a Taxi and soon found ourselves at our 5-star luxury hotel that my Dad had booked, Hotel Sidi Saler.
We went and looked around our rooms, settled in, and then headed straight for the bar. After a couple of drinks, we explored the hotel, before taking the hotel bus to the City Centre.Valencia reminded me in some ways instantly of my previous Spanish trip with some of my School friends, so it was quite satisfying walking through the streets of Valencia. We walked for about fourty minutes or so, before finding an Italian restaurant and having dinner, particularly because I fancied Spagetti Bologenise, which I then went ahead and had. The restaurant itself was quaint, if a little bizarre and very popular. It was quite nice. The evening ended with a final walk around Valencia as it started to rain, and then a bus journey home in the heavy rain before we settled down for the night.
This entry was posted on the 11/04/07 and represents today in my trip to Valencia. Please see the Valencia Summary for general information on my trip.
Wednesday 4 April 2007
Easter Hols: Preparing for Valencia
A lot happens in a week. So before I talk about the present and future, let me tell you the highlights of the past 7 days since my previous blog entry...
Last Thursday
New TVs! We have finally upgraded our TVs, one that was as old as fifteen years! So we now have a Plasma TV with Digital TV and Sky in the main lounge, a classic TV with Digital TV and Sky in the second lounge, a new VCR in that lounge, and Digital TV in the kitchen. Nice!
Last Weekend
Friday was a lazy day at home. Saturday included a trip to Curry's to get a new Freezer and last minute things to sort out the TV delivery. Sunday included an earlier-then-usual Easter celebration with an Easter Egg Hunt, lots of chocolate, and a Sunday Roast, followed by an evening movie of Superman Returns.
Monday
My cousins came round on Monday, and we had a relaxingly active day. If that's possible. And a more relaxing evening. I have to say, heads up to my cousins, they rock!
Yesterday (Tues)
A trip to the doctor's for a minor operation. For what? Oh, you don't want to know... you do? Well, if you don't look to the next paragraph now. I had my toe cut open and an in-grown toenail taken out. Trust me, the worst thing about it was the needle for the anaesthetic.
Today (Wed)
Today so far, I've gone for a redressing at the Doctors, got the new freezer from Curry's, and I plan to go to Chessington Theme Park to pick up my brother and his friend. So a mostly relaxed day really...
The Future
We have a trip to Valencia this Friday - next Wednesday, so I may not be posting blogs. If I can't, I plan to keep a small diary and update you when I get back. Plus, I seem to not be that good at posting blogs anyway...
Last Thursday
New TVs! We have finally upgraded our TVs, one that was as old as fifteen years! So we now have a Plasma TV with Digital TV and Sky in the main lounge, a classic TV with Digital TV and Sky in the second lounge, a new VCR in that lounge, and Digital TV in the kitchen. Nice!
Last Weekend
Friday was a lazy day at home. Saturday included a trip to Curry's to get a new Freezer and last minute things to sort out the TV delivery. Sunday included an earlier-then-usual Easter celebration with an Easter Egg Hunt, lots of chocolate, and a Sunday Roast, followed by an evening movie of Superman Returns.
Monday
My cousins came round on Monday, and we had a relaxingly active day. If that's possible. And a more relaxing evening. I have to say, heads up to my cousins, they rock!
Yesterday (Tues)
A trip to the doctor's for a minor operation. For what? Oh, you don't want to know... you do? Well, if you don't look to the next paragraph now. I had my toe cut open and an in-grown toenail taken out. Trust me, the worst thing about it was the needle for the anaesthetic.
Today (Wed)
Today so far, I've gone for a redressing at the Doctors, got the new freezer from Curry's, and I plan to go to Chessington Theme Park to pick up my brother and his friend. So a mostly relaxed day really...
The Future
We have a trip to Valencia this Friday - next Wednesday, so I may not be posting blogs. If I can't, I plan to keep a small diary and update you when I get back. Plus, I seem to not be that good at posting blogs anyway...
Wednesday 28 March 2007
Easter Hols: Duke of Edinburgh Gold
For those of you who don't know about the Duke of Edinburgh Award and want to know more, or those who want to read about my experiences with that award, see my Web-page here on my experiences during the Gold section.
This morning dawned at 7:30am, half an hour to late according to my Dad later on. I got showered, and dressed up into my suit, complete with red tie and my Gold DofE Pin. Then, my Dad and I set off to the train station. We caught the 8:57 to London Bridge, and then got to Charing Cross by 9:50am.
After a delightful breakfast of a ham and cheese croissant, which we were happy to have had afterwards, we headed for St James's Palace at a relaxed place, walking down the road "The Mall" (said The Mal, as in Malware, not maul, is in what a bear does, as I found out!)
On arrival at the Palace we were sorted into groups and gradually let into the palace, showing our identification to the police on hand. We then took our seats and, with minor interruptions here and there, sat there waiting for an hour. Trust me, the wait was worth it!
Around 12:00, we were told to marshal into the groups we were put in, and then His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Edinburgh (ie Prince Phillip) himself walked through the door. He asked a couple of us questions, congratulated all of us and made the occasional joke as he walked through the room. It was a real honour to have met him.
After that the official presentation took place, with a special guest, the Chief Councillor of West Sussex, giving out the certificates. We assembled in our groups and were called up one by one to receive our certificate. A couple of speeches later, and it was all over.
We then walked through the remainder of the rooms of the palace, and I will do my best to describe them. All the rooms were covered in a rich, royal red carpet, that really spoke the word "regal" out of the colour. The wall in the presentation room was also the same colour red, and had large paintings on the walls.
The next room we walked into had red, gold and white walls, and similarly large pictures hanging on the walls. It had a high ceiling, also white and gold rimmed. The lights on the walls were gold-coloured electric candle lights, and they really brought an antique feel to the room. It was truly spectacular.
Which made the next room even more so. The red carpet was removed for a more grey carpet, and was the only room to have this in it. The walls were covered with paintings. And I mean that in a wallpaper sense, the entire wall was a painting! It was almost one continuous painting around the entire room, with some weird events going on in the paintings! It was quite interesting compared to the previous room's regal feel.
The next and final room returned to it's red carpet and red walls. But hanging on the walls was the largest stash of weapons I have ever seen hanging on a wall!! They swords, and guns, and more swords, and more guns! On every face of every wall in that room were weapons. There was even two rows of guns arranged in a nice circle and all pointing inwards towards a hat. It was quite spectacular!
We left the palace, and then went to the pub, followed by a walk around London (which was very interesting as I got to see the more touristy parts of London!), finally followed by a trip to a restaurant called Maxwell. After a final half-hour trip to Waterstones (where I bought 3 books, one of them being 3 books in 1) we took a train home.
And now I have an evening ahead of me which looks to be quite relaxing. So, I'll end my blog here. Feel free to comment!
This morning dawned at 7:30am, half an hour to late according to my Dad later on. I got showered, and dressed up into my suit, complete with red tie and my Gold DofE Pin. Then, my Dad and I set off to the train station. We caught the 8:57 to London Bridge, and then got to Charing Cross by 9:50am.
After a delightful breakfast of a ham and cheese croissant, which we were happy to have had afterwards, we headed for St James's Palace at a relaxed place, walking down the road "The Mall" (said The Mal, as in Malware, not maul, is in what a bear does, as I found out!)
On arrival at the Palace we were sorted into groups and gradually let into the palace, showing our identification to the police on hand. We then took our seats and, with minor interruptions here and there, sat there waiting for an hour. Trust me, the wait was worth it!
Around 12:00, we were told to marshal into the groups we were put in, and then His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Edinburgh (ie Prince Phillip) himself walked through the door. He asked a couple of us questions, congratulated all of us and made the occasional joke as he walked through the room. It was a real honour to have met him.
After that the official presentation took place, with a special guest, the Chief Councillor of West Sussex, giving out the certificates. We assembled in our groups and were called up one by one to receive our certificate. A couple of speeches later, and it was all over.
We then walked through the remainder of the rooms of the palace, and I will do my best to describe them. All the rooms were covered in a rich, royal red carpet, that really spoke the word "regal" out of the colour. The wall in the presentation room was also the same colour red, and had large paintings on the walls.
The next room we walked into had red, gold and white walls, and similarly large pictures hanging on the walls. It had a high ceiling, also white and gold rimmed. The lights on the walls were gold-coloured electric candle lights, and they really brought an antique feel to the room. It was truly spectacular.
Which made the next room even more so. The red carpet was removed for a more grey carpet, and was the only room to have this in it. The walls were covered with paintings. And I mean that in a wallpaper sense, the entire wall was a painting! It was almost one continuous painting around the entire room, with some weird events going on in the paintings! It was quite interesting compared to the previous room's regal feel.
The next and final room returned to it's red carpet and red walls. But hanging on the walls was the largest stash of weapons I have ever seen hanging on a wall!! They swords, and guns, and more swords, and more guns! On every face of every wall in that room were weapons. There was even two rows of guns arranged in a nice circle and all pointing inwards towards a hat. It was quite spectacular!
We left the palace, and then went to the pub, followed by a walk around London (which was very interesting as I got to see the more touristy parts of London!), finally followed by a trip to a restaurant called Maxwell. After a final half-hour trip to Waterstones (where I bought 3 books, one of them being 3 books in 1) we took a train home.
And now I have an evening ahead of me which looks to be quite relaxing. So, I'll end my blog here. Feel free to comment!
Tuesday 27 March 2007
Easter Hols: Introduction
The Weekend was spent relaxing around not doing much. We had a couple of barbecues and a day of computer gaming.
Monday was a little more constructive. I got some work done (including sorting out my dry-cleaning of my suits) and sorted out the shed completely, clearing what was a most chaotic shed!! The difference is amazing, and we can now walk in the shed!!
Today was also quite good. It was my Mum's birthday, and I had bought her a Dell Computer to go into her house. I also collected the dry cleaning that I put in on Monday, and then went down to New Cross Gate for a Loom of Tales meeting. That was very interesting and I got some proper feedback which I can work on.
Anyway, I'm gonna play on the Sims 2 now, so until tomorrow...
Monday was a little more constructive. I got some work done (including sorting out my dry-cleaning of my suits) and sorted out the shed completely, clearing what was a most chaotic shed!! The difference is amazing, and we can now walk in the shed!!
Today was also quite good. It was my Mum's birthday, and I had bought her a Dell Computer to go into her house. I also collected the dry cleaning that I put in on Monday, and then went down to New Cross Gate for a Loom of Tales meeting. That was very interesting and I got some proper feedback which I can work on.
Anyway, I'm gonna play on the Sims 2 now, so until tomorrow...
Friday 23 March 2007
I would like to welcome... my ONE MONTH EASTER HOLS!!
The past ten days have been busy. I have handed in my Computing and the Internet (CIS110) Assignment 3, and that has taken up most of my time. I've also been working hard on my Java project. And finally, I had a Maths test today.
But that's the past, let's look to the future!! A month-long Easter holiday!! Although it will be filled with lots of revision, throughout all four-weeks, it will also be filled with relaxation, and a trip to Valencia over the Easter weekend.
So it's really looking up. Well, that's the end of this post, but expect to see more of these over the Easter holiday.
But that's the past, let's look to the future!! A month-long Easter holiday!! Although it will be filled with lots of revision, throughout all four-weeks, it will also be filled with relaxation, and a trip to Valencia over the Easter weekend.
So it's really looking up. Well, that's the end of this post, but expect to see more of these over the Easter holiday.
Tuesday 13 March 2007
One Test Out, One Test Back
The weekend was kinda relaxing. Saturday was spent around the house, doing work (well, Java Programming mostly, all day), eating from the BBQ (first day of sun), and then just played games and the like in the evening.
Sunday was much more structured. Did some real work (Business revision and CIS110 assignment), and also went bowling with Ella and my younger brothers...
Monday was our usual business day, complete with a Test in the afternoon lecture. That went pretty well. Spent the evening at Zarrain's house chilling, and eating the interesting meal he cooked, with a meeting with a Goldsmiths professor in the middle of that.
Today was the usual learning day of Maths, except for the fact that it really was quite lousy in general. I set off ten minutes early in a rush to catch the train (because I thought I was late) only to reach the station and realise that actually I wasn't late. Then I realised I hadn't packed my Maths book. On my way back it was just as bad, I missed both the possible trains I could have got, spent ten minutes at London Bridge, another twenty at East Croydon, and it took me an extra hour to get home because I chose the wrong trains (although it would have taken me an extra half-hour with the right trains, that's the price you usually pay for missing the train)...
Still, I got my maths test back today that I did last Friday. Got 20/30 on it, and that was what I consider to be the hardest Maths test so far. Luckily this next one looks much easier.
Oh well, at least I've got the admittance tickets for St James Palace on 28th March, to pick up Duke of Edinburgh Award. Now that is gonna be fun!!
Sunday was much more structured. Did some real work (Business revision and CIS110 assignment), and also went bowling with Ella and my younger brothers...
Monday was our usual business day, complete with a Test in the afternoon lecture. That went pretty well. Spent the evening at Zarrain's house chilling, and eating the interesting meal he cooked, with a meeting with a Goldsmiths professor in the middle of that.
Today was the usual learning day of Maths, except for the fact that it really was quite lousy in general. I set off ten minutes early in a rush to catch the train (because I thought I was late) only to reach the station and realise that actually I wasn't late. Then I realised I hadn't packed my Maths book. On my way back it was just as bad, I missed both the possible trains I could have got, spent ten minutes at London Bridge, another twenty at East Croydon, and it took me an extra hour to get home because I chose the wrong trains (although it would have taken me an extra half-hour with the right trains, that's the price you usually pay for missing the train)...
Still, I got my maths test back today that I did last Friday. Got 20/30 on it, and that was what I consider to be the hardest Maths test so far. Luckily this next one looks much easier.
Oh well, at least I've got the admittance tickets for St James Palace on 28th March, to pick up Duke of Edinburgh Award. Now that is gonna be fun!!
Friday 9 March 2007
Week Beginning: Mon 5th March 2007
Hmm, I have really got to post more often in order to remember what happened. Let's see...
Monday was a usual day of Business (CIS108) until Zarrain Shah showed up, which was a huge surprise because I hadn't seen him for WEEKS! He had been away sorting out Goldsmiths, whom he is having serious problems with.
Tuesday was a usual day of Maths, with a quick trip to Zarrain's dorm. It has an external metal staircase up to his flat, and his room is at the top with quite a nice view.
Wednesday was a lazy day spent Java Programming and MSN'ing, got really far!
Thursday I had a Java tutorial (CIS109) where I showed my personal tutor my program, and then I went round Zarrain's again for a couple of hours to really catch up on those missed weeks! Finally, my Mum and younger brothers came round for dinner and we had Chinese.
Friday was a Computing and the Internet lecture (CIS110) in the morning for two hours, a maths test after that (on matrices, yuck!) and then after an hours break, a short one hour Java lecture on Exceptions. Then home for the evening to drive around on petrol trips and the like, a meeting with my Aunt Shirley (who I only barely remember) and Pizza.
Thank goodness it's the weekend!
Monday was a usual day of Business (CIS108) until Zarrain Shah showed up, which was a huge surprise because I hadn't seen him for WEEKS! He had been away sorting out Goldsmiths, whom he is having serious problems with.
Tuesday was a usual day of Maths, with a quick trip to Zarrain's dorm. It has an external metal staircase up to his flat, and his room is at the top with quite a nice view.
Wednesday was a lazy day spent Java Programming and MSN'ing, got really far!
Thursday I had a Java tutorial (CIS109) where I showed my personal tutor my program, and then I went round Zarrain's again for a couple of hours to really catch up on those missed weeks! Finally, my Mum and younger brothers came round for dinner and we had Chinese.
Friday was a Computing and the Internet lecture (CIS110) in the morning for two hours, a maths test after that (on matrices, yuck!) and then after an hours break, a short one hour Java lecture on Exceptions. Then home for the evening to drive around on petrol trips and the like, a meeting with my Aunt Shirley (who I only barely remember) and Pizza.
Thank goodness it's the weekend!
Saturday 3 March 2007
Week Beginning: Mon 26th Feb 2007
Oh my! I've not updated my blog since last week!! Now that is what I call Lazy Blog Update-itus! OK, well let me catch up on this week. This is going to be a long blog, so I'm going to rush through the normal days of Monday (which had Thursdays Java Programming stapled in a 4-6pm slot), Tuesday (Maths), Thursday (in which I travelled down to London especially for a 1hr Lab), Friday (CIS110 and CIS109 Lectures), and Saturday (a relaxed day at home playing Age of Empires II: The Conquerors and doing Java Programming).
So what of Wednesday? Oh what a day! It's was a laugh!! OK, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin... (Note all links below utilise Google Earth .kmz files - requiring Google Earth 4).
It all began Tuesday evening. I began planning my trip to ATCAD, an Art exhibition I was going to on Wednesday, for which I might be a Java Programmer for a section of the exhibition that needed one. First, I checked where I have to go to: Frogmare Mill in Apsley. Then, I check what time I have to get there: 12pm. So I begin planning a train route. I entered Aspley on the train website and saw that the train station, Aspley Guise, was near Milton Keynes. OK then, my Dad says, get a train direct to Milton Keynes and a cab from there to Aspley Guise, just don't forget to take the directions to the Mill.
Wednesday arrives, and I get up early. I set out to the train station to realise once I've got there that I had carefully left the directions to the Mill in my room. In my carefully planned day, I didn't have time to go back and get them. It was to be my utmost downfall. A train ride to London Victoria, tube to London Euston, and I soon find myself on a nice trip up to Milton Keynes eating Cheese on Toast and drinking fresh Apple Juice. On arrival to Milton Keynes, I hail a cab and we set course to Aspley Guise.
We get to Aspley Guise and the taxi guy doesn't know where Frogmare Mill is. Neither does he know where the train station is. Weird, I think, so I ask him to drop me outside the local Post Office, give him the £20 due and after a short consultation with the Post Office, who also don't know of Frogmare Mill, set off to the train station. It can't be that far, right? Ten minutes walking later, I am a bit worried, so I knock on a door of a house and ask. Right, only another five minutes to go. Five minutes later I arrive at Aspley Guise train station. Oh my goodness, I think, this is the smallest train station ever! It's comprised of two small wooden platforms, one either side of a level crossing, and a small wooden cover. Nothing else. The time is 11:45am, and I'm supposed to be at Frogmare Mill by 12.
Now at a complete loss, I ring up 118 118 and manage to get the telephone number of Frogmare Mill. After a short talk, they state that actually there aren't in Aspley Guise, nor are they in any place called Aspley. As I stated at the beginning of this blog, and as was written on the directions sheet, they are in Apsley! Well! That makes all the difference!
I call up 118 118 again and get a local taxi firm. A walk back to the Post Office and fifteen minutes later, I'm in another cab back to Milton Keynes. I pay the taxi guy £20 and get on a Virgin train back to London Euston. OK, time out...
I have to tell you about Virgin trains!! They are unique from any other train I have ever been on. The first thing I noticed was the doors. Instead of having two double doors down the middle, as most of the trains I have been on before, Virgin trains have a single door at either end of the carriage. This leads into a small area with doors to the next carriage, and to the inner part of the carriage you are in.
I got on the train, only to realise that I was in an entire carriage of first class seats!! So I had to walk right through the carriage and into the next before sitting down in a seat and getting ready to leave. As we begin to pull out of the station, the driver's voice comes through the speakers. "Hello, my name's (can't remember what he said his name was) and I'm your driver. Welcome to all the new customers who have joined us at the last station on our trip to London Euston. I would like to remind customers to please ensure all your mobile phones and electronic devices are switched off for the duration of this trip.", or something like that, but you get the jist of it. Astounded, I completely ignored the bit about the mobile phones. Who heard of not being able to use electronic devices on a train! I half expected to see two stewardess's walking down the aisle handing out refreshments or something!
And that's when I did see two stewardess's walking down the aisle pulling/pushing a trolley and calling out "Refreshments? Anybody want refreshments?" I stared in amazement. I'm on an Airplane! I looked out the window expecting to see clouds, but saw train tracks and fields instead. Guess not.
We soon arrive at London Euston and I get the right train to Apsley this time. On arrival to Apsley, I get out and try and make my way to Frogmare Mill using my memory of the directions I have. Fifteen minutes later, and standing outside Sainsburys, I call up Frogmare Mill and ask where they are. They say I'm going in the wrong direction, so I turn around and follow their directions. When their directions don't add up, and I end up outside a pub called 'The Paper Mill', I call up again and they say I have to walk further past Sainsburys in the opposite direction, ie the direction I was going in the first place! So I walk all the way back to Sainsbury's, pass by and go into Apsley town. I get lost in the town, ask at a shop, and navigate further into the industrial side of town. I find Frogmare Mill!
Delighted, I am about to go in when I realise it can't be the right place. This is a paper mill! A real paper mill, not some building where normal people can meet up and have an exhibition or something! Knowing I'm close, I begin exploring the surrounding area...
After a further twenty minutes, I am completely lost and am almost giving up hope. I have walked back and forth, and decide to try one last corner before calling up and admitting defeat - again. I turn the corner, and almost jump with joy! On the door of the building opposite is written the words "ATCAD". I had arrived!! Only two hours and fourty minutes late. Not too bad!
The rest of the day was filled with going through the Art Exhibition, which was all about electronically generated art of some kind or the other, helping them pack up the exhibition, and then a nice pub trip with dinner later on! After that, a successful train journey home and straight to bed.
Moral of the story: remember to take your directions with you - they are vital!
So what of Wednesday? Oh what a day! It's was a laugh!! OK, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin... (Note all links below utilise Google Earth .kmz files - requiring Google Earth 4).
It all began Tuesday evening. I began planning my trip to ATCAD, an Art exhibition I was going to on Wednesday, for which I might be a Java Programmer for a section of the exhibition that needed one. First, I checked where I have to go to: Frogmare Mill in Apsley. Then, I check what time I have to get there: 12pm. So I begin planning a train route. I entered Aspley on the train website and saw that the train station, Aspley Guise, was near Milton Keynes. OK then, my Dad says, get a train direct to Milton Keynes and a cab from there to Aspley Guise, just don't forget to take the directions to the Mill.
Wednesday arrives, and I get up early. I set out to the train station to realise once I've got there that I had carefully left the directions to the Mill in my room. In my carefully planned day, I didn't have time to go back and get them. It was to be my utmost downfall. A train ride to London Victoria, tube to London Euston, and I soon find myself on a nice trip up to Milton Keynes eating Cheese on Toast and drinking fresh Apple Juice. On arrival to Milton Keynes, I hail a cab and we set course to Aspley Guise.
We get to Aspley Guise and the taxi guy doesn't know where Frogmare Mill is. Neither does he know where the train station is. Weird, I think, so I ask him to drop me outside the local Post Office, give him the £20 due and after a short consultation with the Post Office, who also don't know of Frogmare Mill, set off to the train station. It can't be that far, right? Ten minutes walking later, I am a bit worried, so I knock on a door of a house and ask. Right, only another five minutes to go. Five minutes later I arrive at Aspley Guise train station. Oh my goodness, I think, this is the smallest train station ever! It's comprised of two small wooden platforms, one either side of a level crossing, and a small wooden cover. Nothing else. The time is 11:45am, and I'm supposed to be at Frogmare Mill by 12.
Now at a complete loss, I ring up 118 118 and manage to get the telephone number of Frogmare Mill. After a short talk, they state that actually there aren't in Aspley Guise, nor are they in any place called Aspley. As I stated at the beginning of this blog, and as was written on the directions sheet, they are in Apsley! Well! That makes all the difference!
I call up 118 118 again and get a local taxi firm. A walk back to the Post Office and fifteen minutes later, I'm in another cab back to Milton Keynes. I pay the taxi guy £20 and get on a Virgin train back to London Euston. OK, time out...
I have to tell you about Virgin trains!! They are unique from any other train I have ever been on. The first thing I noticed was the doors. Instead of having two double doors down the middle, as most of the trains I have been on before, Virgin trains have a single door at either end of the carriage. This leads into a small area with doors to the next carriage, and to the inner part of the carriage you are in.
I got on the train, only to realise that I was in an entire carriage of first class seats!! So I had to walk right through the carriage and into the next before sitting down in a seat and getting ready to leave. As we begin to pull out of the station, the driver's voice comes through the speakers. "Hello, my name's (can't remember what he said his name was) and I'm your driver. Welcome to all the new customers who have joined us at the last station on our trip to London Euston. I would like to remind customers to please ensure all your mobile phones and electronic devices are switched off for the duration of this trip.", or something like that, but you get the jist of it. Astounded, I completely ignored the bit about the mobile phones. Who heard of not being able to use electronic devices on a train! I half expected to see two stewardess's walking down the aisle handing out refreshments or something!
And that's when I did see two stewardess's walking down the aisle pulling/pushing a trolley and calling out "Refreshments? Anybody want refreshments?" I stared in amazement. I'm on an Airplane! I looked out the window expecting to see clouds, but saw train tracks and fields instead. Guess not.
We soon arrive at London Euston and I get the right train to Apsley this time. On arrival to Apsley, I get out and try and make my way to Frogmare Mill using my memory of the directions I have. Fifteen minutes later, and standing outside Sainsburys, I call up Frogmare Mill and ask where they are. They say I'm going in the wrong direction, so I turn around and follow their directions. When their directions don't add up, and I end up outside a pub called 'The Paper Mill', I call up again and they say I have to walk further past Sainsburys in the opposite direction, ie the direction I was going in the first place! So I walk all the way back to Sainsbury's, pass by and go into Apsley town. I get lost in the town, ask at a shop, and navigate further into the industrial side of town. I find Frogmare Mill!
Delighted, I am about to go in when I realise it can't be the right place. This is a paper mill! A real paper mill, not some building where normal people can meet up and have an exhibition or something! Knowing I'm close, I begin exploring the surrounding area...
After a further twenty minutes, I am completely lost and am almost giving up hope. I have walked back and forth, and decide to try one last corner before calling up and admitting defeat - again. I turn the corner, and almost jump with joy! On the door of the building opposite is written the words "ATCAD". I had arrived!! Only two hours and fourty minutes late. Not too bad!
The rest of the day was filled with going through the Art Exhibition, which was all about electronically generated art of some kind or the other, helping them pack up the exhibition, and then a nice pub trip with dinner later on! After that, a successful train journey home and straight to bed.
Moral of the story: remember to take your directions with you - they are vital!
Sunday 25 February 2007
A Long Day
Today was a long day. I woke up at quarter-to-eight and spent the remainder of the day looking after my younger brothers while finishing off two business lab sheets and doing a lot of work on my Java Project. I also watched a Star Trek TNG in the afternoon and helped escort one of my younger brothers home.
In the evening, I did some more Java while listening to the Guild Wars Officers Meeting that was taking place. Ah the fun of a great debate!!
Now I'm just preparing for the day tomorrow, and the interesting week I'm bound to have ahead. I just have that feeling you get when you know it's gonna be another one of those weeks again... goodnight all!
In the evening, I did some more Java while listening to the Guild Wars Officers Meeting that was taking place. Ah the fun of a great debate!!
Now I'm just preparing for the day tomorrow, and the interesting week I'm bound to have ahead. I just have that feeling you get when you know it's gonna be another one of those weeks again... goodnight all!
Saturday 24 February 2007
So Much To Do...!
OK, let's think back... Thursday was Java (yay!) then I came home and my younger brothers came round for dinner, as well as my Mum.
Friday we had TCP/IP lecture in the morning, then a Maths test on trees, then an hours break, then a Java lecture on Classes, which was the best Java lecture so far!! Came home to find my younger brothers there and completed the remaining Avatar episodes that I hadn't already watched. Now just to wait for Book 3 and see what happens from the cliffhanger of the season finale... Then I finished off the evening with Guild Wars before heading off to bed.
Then today was Guild Wars and... more Java Programming! I have found throughout the past two weeks that I have enhanced my Java project I'm working on more and more, fixing minor bugs by the bucketful (both in design and code), and implementing vast numbers of features. I'd say I'm over halfway through the 'turn-based' combat mode (not including the text-based story mode that makes up the other half of my Java program).
OK, well that was a really short run-through of the past three days. I really should write on a more regular basis, but you know how it is... there's always so much to do!!
Friday we had TCP/IP lecture in the morning, then a Maths test on trees, then an hours break, then a Java lecture on Classes, which was the best Java lecture so far!! Came home to find my younger brothers there and completed the remaining Avatar episodes that I hadn't already watched. Now just to wait for Book 3 and see what happens from the cliffhanger of the season finale... Then I finished off the evening with Guild Wars before heading off to bed.
Then today was Guild Wars and... more Java Programming! I have found throughout the past two weeks that I have enhanced my Java project I'm working on more and more, fixing minor bugs by the bucketful (both in design and code), and implementing vast numbers of features. I'd say I'm over halfway through the 'turn-based' combat mode (not including the text-based story mode that makes up the other half of my Java program).
OK, well that was a really short run-through of the past three days. I really should write on a more regular basis, but you know how it is... there's always so much to do!!
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