The Final?

23:19
This is my first blog in a long while, and maybe my last- here at least. It's the day before my 19th, and thought I'd write one last blog to finish the coverage of this University year. So: I think it went alright. Studies were up-and-down interest wise, mainly up (fortunately) attainment wise. But that's all secondary I suppose.

Still haven't found out exam results- next week probably.

Not sure how the blogging experience has gone- interesting, enjoyable when I've fancied it, but pretty much neglected the majority of the other time. It might become useful lots of times pretty soon- I'm tempted to blog/write online my stab at National Novel Writing Month in November (50,000 words in a month), or to use it to talk about trying to get a bit fitter this year, or for general stuff again, or as a kind of column thing or whathaveyou.

We'll see, I suppose.

But for now; a much belated wave-off.

Because I haven't in a while...

Yet another massive gap between posts, yet another set of last-minute
essays, late-night chats and LCRs. Revising for exams at the mo-
fairly interesting re-reading (or reading for the first time) texts,
especially for American Studies. Looking at individualism yesterday,
some extremely insightful texts by Ralph Waldo Emerson and David
Riesman.

Stressed about doing well in these exams, finding it difficult to
gauge the level required to garner a decent mark. Some suggestions
it's essentially the same as for normal essays, but taking into
account the fact we have to be ready to answer lots of questions at
once, that seems pretty daunting. To get the bursary I got from the
University again next year (and to put me in the running for receiving
it in my third, I think), I have to get 60%, on average, in these
exams. I think. It's all really pretty blurry- I emailed someone to
ask about it, but even they didn't seem terribly clear.

Reading 'Same Sex, Different Politics', about the various successes
and failures of the LGBT-rights campaigns, which is really quite good.
Been thinking about No Platform (triggered by NUS A/C last week), and
how it actually works on the crowd. Answer: not really sure.

Going back home for a couple of days in a week and a half, popping
into QE to talk about university, then off to NUS LGBT Conference,
then back for more revision. Back soon.

Watchedmen

Went on an outing to see Watchmen tonight- after much hype from those
fans of the graphic novel that are my friends. It had stunning
graphics in parts: some astounding effects (mostly centered around
violence) and a first-rate sound track. But other bits, namely the
long-shots of Dr Manhattan, looked like the kind've effect that might
well have passed in the 80s, when the film is primarily set, but just
didn't make the grade now.

More importantly though, the dynamics between the characters
(especially Silk Spectre II and Dan), felt tired and under-explored.
If you'd read the graphic novel, it may well have made sense. But for
those of who haven't, it felt like you were missing out. There were
too few characters running around all the time, too little exploration
of the background to the Watchmen (or the Minutemen), and the sheer
one-dimensionality of half of the characters.

All-in-all, it just felt a bit self-indulgent. Like 3-odd hours of
Robin running around, watching how much he can blow up, and how almost-
like he can imitate Heath Ledger's Joker- always coming up that little
bit short. Let's hope they don't make a sequel.

Tagging

Using delicious (which I worked with on a University assignment last
semester) to bookmark, describe, tag, and archive some of the
interesting sites I use- and ones to recommend: www.delicious.com/onlineontime
- D

More weeks.

It's Week 7. I've been and gone to Belgium (Brussels is an odd city-
not as metropolitan as I thought, it felt a bit like Washington DC,
where the only thing of any purpose or vitality is the politics,
everything else seems standard, odd for a capital, Leuven is a very
cool place). Getting some work done now, IR essay on Sino-US relations
due Thursday. It's close to being the last minute, but i've been
reading about it for what seems like months, so I really hope I can do
this in the exam as well.

Scary that over half of the semester has gone. Union nominations been
and gone, still thinking about whether I want to stick with this
course here next year. Oh, and all the D stuff.

That's it for now- watching SATC, but need to get another half an hour
of IR done tonight, just refining things a bit before properly
drafting things tomorrow, then amending Thursday. Shattered- agreed to
do ambassadoring tomorrow, procrastination as motivation, hope that
between that, washing/Shoosh (oh, the glamour), can get a good amount
done-

D

Some decisions, some more questions

Wow, two posts is as many days- it almost looks like I'm actually
trying to make a go of this blogging lark. Had a nice Valentine's Day,
sent an ill-advised FB message (or two), but that was yesterday. We've
had Friday 13th, St. Valentine's Day, and now it's just 'Sunday'. Got
to make waves with IR China/US essay today, seeing as floating off to
Brussels this weekend means that it needs to essentially get written
this week- or at least thoroughly, thoroughly planned. Nerd.

Read Drew Ferguson's 'Screwed Up Life of Charles the Second' today-
pretty trashy, entertaining, but nigglingly formulaic. I keep thinking
about books with gay characters ('gay books'?), and if it's ever
possible to pull if off. All the books of this kind I've read fall
into the trashy box (I oddly really want to read 'Last Chance' by
Sarah Dessen- a throwaway book I read in school, and couldn't throw
away). Apart from maybe 'The Line of Beauty'? There it's all wrapped
up in politics, class, zeitgeist, and whatever- and was thus
successful. TV adaptation better than the book, for once. And even if
the author goes the other way- a more serious tack- the gaiety looks
either tokenistic, or it's about rent boys.

(Sort of) decided about elections- sod it, learn more about how it all
works, run a society, get more involved, both as members and committee
officers in societies, be active in Union Council- University
committees maybe. Work with the people I know, esp. those up there.
And then next year, go for it. If I stay for a PGCE (and/or a
Masters), it cancels out this (wasted) year anyway.
- NO2ID- President
- Union Councillor: active, proposer/seconder/speaker, committees
- Writing for Concrete, go to socials more...
- HKF, CND, School Governor, party membership?

Also want to get back into writing- I miss it. Short stories maybe.
Keep thinking that if we always moan about the fact that (first)
novels are always autobiographical, should just give it up, and write
mutilated diaries....and go to the gym...

Quick blog...

UEA was occupied, it all ended peacefully (thank God, I had some
horrible feeling something bad would happen- totally irrational(?)).
Everyone's a bit mixed up it seems like- there's so much chatter about
the occupation, about the future, about British Water for British
People, and all that kind've thing..

U.C was pretty interesting, J.D spoke astoundingly well, considering
what he'd been up to previously. Questions about University censorship
of those giving out leaflets was unanimously opposed- it was just
surprising that they'd gone that low, undermining people's freedoms-
whether or not you agree with the occupation itself. And I think a
block of the Tory bloc walked out...whilst their man was waiting to
make a speech...strange times...

Other busy weeks>>>

Yet another few manic weeks- I genuinely cannot believe that it's now
week 5- almost half of the term has gone already. And I don't feel
like I've read anything. About anything.

Found a lovely house though, Bury Street off Unthank Road- a good
distance away, excellent amenities, well decorated, bloody good price,
all in one fantastic house. [Which, incidentally, came to us by
accident- the landlord dashed up to me as we were viewing a Saw-esque
house two doors down].

Mentoring going well, getting in to it. Liking other Ambassador things
too, good to give back.

Just trying to get back into the swing of things. Food, work,
everything just feels like it hasn't really clicked into place since
getting back. But I think I'm getting back on to it now. Lovely day
today, getting stuff done, finally.

Just a quick one...

Strange couple of days: been back since Wednesday night, didn't sleep
properly the first couple of nights, hurt my chest going a bit mad
with the gym, met the new housemate in E (Nikki, from Colorado), went
to the Returner's LCR...

Sorted out room finally now. Not quite sure why I have so many books;
never get a chance- or take the chance- to read them, so boxes and
stuff everywhere. Ready for classes to restart, intrigued to meet new
Seminar leaders and groups, and to finally bloody get to see what the
courses involve. Also, will hopefully get the remainder of essays from
last semester back.

Off to dinner at Wagamama tonight, a kind of sane welcome back affair.

Realise that this is a pretty random, erratic post. Just wanted to get
something down, to do something. Explain later.

Dan is '09

It's the new year, 2009 is here.
Haven't posted for ages, and as I oh-so-frequently say, a lot has happened: end of semester essays, Christmas dinners and parties, France, Christmas, and now the New Year. Most certainly action-packed.

Hoping to try and get a bit more organised this year, exercise more, try to eat a bit more healthily, and all those other New Years' Resolution type things. Actually miss University, miss my room, looking after myself, and the work. But simultaneously, relaxing at home and seeing the family, esp. the twins, is a nice change of scene. Getting some reading done (B.O's 'The Audacity of Hope' was excellent, got his other book for Xmas, so that should be good. Two books finally got my hands on, from the Summer- 'The Working Poor' and 'Savage Inequalities' pretty scathing analyses of American poverty and public education respectively).

So that's probably it for now, need to avoid the lovely Rasberry/Lemon Curd pavlova we made to try and stick to some semblance of a healthy diet. Happy new year, all.

The Last One...

For now!

It's the end of term: the last week of the first Semester has gone,
it's five to seven Saturday morning, and I'm getting ready to go to
St. Étienne / Lyon / Paris to see some of the lovely French folk I met
this summer. Absolutely shattered- didn't get to bed until late, and
then the wind was bizarrely loud, so didn't fall off for ages. Will be
alright though...

Hope traveling today goes okay, will be busy, lots of waiting around,
but I think everything's going to be good.....

To forget?

Look time, no blog. Don't really know why that is. The trite 'I didn't
have time' again falls down- of course I've had time, I just don't
think i've wanted to try and write something,

Extremely excited about going to France next Saturday, arrangements in
place, just have to buy a few things, pack, and off I go. Well, that
excludes the shocking pile of neglected Uni. work I've left to do. I'm
blaming the backlog on being ill the other week: it's partly the
cause, but also I've just been thinking about one of the essays for so
long, trying to work out what to argue (and now, the more I analyse
the argument I'm making, it becomes weaker, more superficial and full
of holes).

At D's tonight, the end of a gathering where all I did was eat Skips,
read Charles Taylor, and take photos, but for some reason I feel like
it's the end of an LCR. Really want to have a decent day tomorrow, get
the first draft of my SPT Essay done and a decent plan for the silly
Glob. World essay done, and some decent revising for SPT test on Monday.

Don't really know what to do now- might stay up and work for a bit, or
might throw in the towel. Been sleeping so much lately tired of it.
Annoyed, a bit sad, just want to have a break for a bit now. Role on
next weekend...

Horrible Daze

Oh God. Feel absolutely terrible. Been stuck in bed since a fire alarm
at 5 bloody am Friday morning, dizzy, not eating, coughing my lungs
up. Not good at all. Really hope feel better tomorrow so can get to
lectures and be reasonably sentient, and get back to work on pile of
essay etc.

Fed up of being ill, don't like not being able to do anything, and
makes me feel pathetic- like a child. Really, really, looking forward
to France and Christmas, just got to get through these assignments
first- a ray of light it would seem.

PRINT

Daniel Youmans
dan.paul.youmans@gmail.com