Assorted Rants, Raves and odd Brillant Idea

frazerpenman @ 2009-07-22T11:20:00

2009-07-22T10:52:56Z

Since I have been ignoring livejournal of late here is a brief summary of what has been going on in my life of late. The big one is I am now off my thrice damned medication which appears to have mostly worked, though I have been given some topical lotion since my back is still not playing ball. Unfortunately the 4 months of being unable to do hard exercise and snacking during exams has left me as a fat bastard, as this isn't acceptable to me I will be trying to run many times a week for the foreseeable future. At the minute I'm pleased that I'm less sore after completing each run as the first was an absolute bitch. I passed my exams this year though not as well as I would have liked, though I now technically have a degree to my name now. Still a bit pissed that I didn't get the last work placement I was interviewed for, the reason given was they were concerned about my troubled start at uni since I switched from a harder course to a simpler one. Oh well since I know the other guy had better grades than me i'll take it has a positive that they had to go for a BS reason rather than something I did wrong to make their choice. Also had an interview for a job in a lab at Grangemouth which I was outgunned for experience wise. Had a pleasant week a fortnight ago when my aunt was over from Canada which consisted of much eating out and admiring my folks stupidly huge TV and my aunt lamenting my cousins choice of bride. I came 20th out of 43 at the UK masters which I'm pleased with having opted to play my dumb army and making a few idiotic mistakes in the last game. Have spent most of the last few weeks painting trolls in anticipation of this weekend's toy soldier event I'm going to in Preston.

04/06/09

2009-06-04T10:47:15Z

Didn't get the work placement I was interviewed for last month which is a bit of a bummer, since I didn't do anything obviously wrong and I'm really not convinced the other guy was a better candidate than me, but life must go on. As an added bonus me being a spazz I lost my phone on the train and some twat has made off with it. Spent the last week and a bit trying to find a new flat to live in, without result yet but hopefully I'll find somewhere in the near future. If nothing else finding a place to live will at least allow me and mum peace from my dad's attempts at planning with no hard facts, irriating habit of his. Once that's done I get to do my favourite thing in the whole world job hunting which is just plain depressing in my experience, though my brother has put in a good word at his work so fingers crossed. I was also pleased to hear that my employer last year (who works with my dad) would have loved to offer me a job this year but current financial buggery means it's not possible, oh well wouldn't have been able to do it anyway silly medicine.

Recently celebrated my 22nd birthday which was a very quiet affair the only thing I really did was go out for curry with the folks in a new restaurant in Aberdeen. Amazingly got given a non-black t-shirt I actually like as a present and alot of cash which as so far only been converted to some new books to read. It was very pleasnt to spend some time and throw a rugby ball around with my wee brother, next year I really must actually find one of the less serious rugby teams in the Uni and start playing again. I'm off to the UK masters for warmachine tomorrow warmachine which should hopefully be quite fun. Looking forward to being off my lovely meds so I can actually start trying to get fit again.

What I've been up to of late

2009-05-08T20:07:04Z

Been a while were to begin, lets go with exams. My original revision plan for this year's exams was a simple one revise one subject a day from the start of April proved a flawed one, as I forgot about the 2 lab reports that needed doing and my brain going on strike demanding down time. Switching to doing 2 subjects a day worked alright for the first 2 exams, kinda went a bit tits up for the second lot as an exam cold played havoc with my revision schedule. This resulted in me not revising statistical thermodynamics or retro synthesis properly as both were subjects I could (in theory) avoid and would require far more effort to comprehend than the alternatives. The gamble backed fired badly in one exam and sort of worked in the other. It was nice however to get an extra 20 minutes in one exam for a bunch of zero consequence typos in one question. This is the first year I've really hidden away during revision time and bothered to revise (for the most part) alot more thoroughly, though I do still badly suffer from tunnel vision when revising concentrating exclusively on the next exam. I'm not especially worried that I've failed or won't be allowed to do my masters though I do think I'm going to miss out on B this year.

I have one last chance to get a work placement for next year as I have an interview for a placement studying novel materials on the 20th of May. If I'm honest the timing could hardly be worse as it means I can't guarantee I will be staying in my room in the flat I currently let or really look for jobs anything other than half heartedly. At least my little brother has said he will put a good word in for me at the tesco he works at in Aberdeen so hopefully I can get a decent enough job if all else fails. Although I suppose no matter what I'm probably going to have to face the horror of moving after having spent 2 years collecting more crap since the last time.

Now geekiness was off to the student nationals in the April to defend my championship. After a bit of indecision I settled on taking my cryx stuff as they weren't played last year at all. This was a mistake as this actually required me to paint stuff and 3 out of 10 players were playing cryx and no one was playing my other faction Khador. I didn't mange to keep my title unfortunately losing 2 out 5 games but somehow still blagged 2nd place netting me a bright orange certificate and a model for a faction I don't play. However it was a good laugh and a needed break from study. Will probably also be taking part in the UK championship at the start of June if all goes well.

Will enjoy a few more days off before getting on with that highly recommended but non-compulsory full lab report and looking for a job amongst other things.

Update

2009-03-25T15:07:32Z

Enjoyed the rugby over the weekend immensely. The France vs Italy game was a predictable whitewash for the French team but I was glad to see Parisse get a well deserved try, he has been outstanding all tournament. The England vs Scotland the game was a bit painful to watch as clearly england were the stronger team and the usual scotland knock on at key moments was present. The Wales vs Ireland game was probably the best game of the tournament going right down to the last kick to see if Ireland would get the grand slam. Was a good atmosphere in Teviot and having adopted Ireland as a second team (several years ago) was edge of the seat stuff. Pity the rest of the weekend was a bit shit getting stuck for something to do on saturday evening so was a good little geek and built a small selection of little plastic men. Sunday was probably worse as my brain refused to let me do useful work and I started playing pharoah(really boring once pyramid building starts) again as I can't find my age of empires cd. On monday something amazing happened I actually managed to shoot straight with a bow and arrow scoring a 10,9,9 not bad on as they describe it a "piece of shit". The rest of this week will mostly consist of trying to finsih up my physical lab reports since I've one tutorial left this week and then its on to exam revision proper. As a wee treat to celebrate the end of the teaching year I get to compete in a what is looking likely to be a 4 man warmachine tournament, oh well at least i shoul place.

Final thoughts I miss Beer stupid drugs

Some good news some bad news

2008-11-08T12:00:59Z

Bad news first I won't be doing my placement with Aztra Zeneca next year kinda put a damper on my morning.
The unholy alliance was awesome and got 3 free pints into the bargain. The bruises were definitely worth it.
Will be in Cumbria on Thursday for another work placement interview tragically at present I'm looking at a 4:30 start.
On the subject of work placements I can see myself getting rather annoyed as missing lectures is bad missing labs even worse.
Not to mention the sheer time absorbing qualities applying for placements seems to have.

Work placement interview

2008-10-30T07:01:02Z

Yesterday was my first interview for my year in industry placement with Aztra-Zeneca down in Leistershire not, sure how I've done yet since the interview was friendly and they didn't give much away. The journey down was a bit of a screw up failing to get off at the correct station (damn folk with big bags and narrow corridors) my fault really . After a bit of mental acrobatics and phoning round I manage to cancel the taxi I'm about to miss and let Aztra-Zeneca know I'll be late and back track my way to the correct place. Oh well I did get to pass through some of the areas I used to run/crawl around in with the army happy memories. Trying to get back to Edinburgh also fun times as the taxi back to the station I'd thought had been cancelled since I was running late had been waiting 90 minutes for me, 20 of those being used trying to organise another taxi oh dear. Just to add insult to injury I arrive just as the train I was supposed to get pulls away. This means I end up missing the last train to edinburgh by a handful of minutes ,might as well get as far north as I can then. After being delayed for an hour or so because kids had been smashing up track side equipment make it to Newcastle. Now what to do I'm in a city I don't know in the dark and not espically warm. After some faffing about I elect to try and find a cheap place to crash for a few hours, acquire directions to a hostel get a few hours sleep. Get on first train to Edinburgh where I'm writing from, still can't believe theirs no way of getting cheap tickets at the station. Soon be able to get out of my monkey suit and get a shower.

In other news I'm fine chemistry is keeping me busy and I managed to finally beat my arch-nemisis at warmachine.

frazerpenman @ 2008-06-24T19:29:00

2008-06-24T18:38:33Z

My Granda is doing alot better and has been released from hospital a day earlier than planned so he can't be doing all that bad and my Granma has finally accepted she needs help to look after him so hopefully he won't relapse to soon. Job is going alright though I'm still surprised their's things to do at the site I'm on, as their can't be that many more holes in the floor we need to redo as the plans are shite. Begining to miss the social aspects of edinburgh as I can't find any warmachine players and the town and friends being farther away is becoming a drag.

Me 21st Birthday

2008-05-30T07:59:43Z

For those not in the know yesterday I turned 21 years of age. Reasonably pleasant day spent packing, coffee with nicky and watching the fifth element on the way back home on the train. Best moment of the day a surprise trip to the local(ish) curry house courteous of the parents and I suppose the courier arriving with the last of my mum's gifts to me at just the right time. Still don't get what the big deal is though. Oh well start work next week will be nice to be busy again.

And the Fat Lady has Sung

2008-05-13T09:24:39Z

Well thats my exams over with for now I think they went okay so hopefully I won't need to do resits for once. Been having some trouble sleeping of late which kinda screwed up my revision for the last few though but being outsides 40% will be fine. I now get to enjoy 2 and a bit weeks of free time before returning to Aberdeen for the summer to work as a construction labourer, since my slightly more relevant to my degree job prospect seems to be a failure. On a lighter note me and group of friends have actually managed to organise a holiday for later in the year to europe which will make a pleasant get away I'm sure. Will be 21 at the end of the month but heading back to Aberdeen on the day or the day after so will arrange something before hand for those friends of mine in Edinburgh that care to join me in marking it.

Student Nationals

2008-03-31T10:53:58Z

That was a great weekend (well apart from the bus trip), great games and good company.
I managed to win all my games by a large margin so I'm now the student champion for Warmachine.

In other news I'll be in Aberdeen from tomorrow till Sunday as I'll be attending a funeral and should stick around to see the parents.

Easily Amused

2008-03-19T18:46:27Z

Small amusements of my day:

Being told I've scored higher in my maths assignments than 7 people who only did 2 of the 10, go me

Letters demanding we buy a TV license or else despite having a letter telling us we won't need to prove we're not watching TV for another year at least.

Geekery :-)

2007-11-04T11:07:57Z

Yesterday I was at a warmachine tournament and was awarded the prize for having the best painted army which I'm pleased with. Though my actual placement in the tournament. could have been better (2 wins out of 4).

photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/17891164@N04/sets/72157602901268431/

I also for the first time fell asleep on the train to Glasgow and found myself heading back to Edinburgh oops.
In other news possibly the dumbest experiment ever- what does LSD do to elephants it kills them.

Life in the small galaxy known as Wibble

2007-10-20T09:30:39Z

Changing my degree course to chemistry certainly has seemed to be a good move as the work is less stressful, even if their still is alot of it. Home life is better than it has been for the last two years which is another big plus. Have come second again in the Wednesday elg warmachine league bah maybe next time. Last but not least on the god side rugby world cup final this evening hopefully the hyper active england fan won't be their this evening, annoying just isn't the word. Bad stuff my gran has breast cancer though it appears to be easily treatable so no need to panic. The post office is starting to irritate me thanks to their magic disappearing parcels trick, all I want is my small plastic men damnit. Last complaint why does everything have to be on a Wednesday?

frazerpenman @ 2007-03-27T08:40:00

2007-03-27T07:42:37Z

Can anyone recomend a good jobs agency to me as I don't want to be unemployed again this summer.

Thaanks

2 doses of Hell in one Day

2006-12-05T19:33:00Z

Had my first two exams today Maths and chemistry.
I think I've probably done alright despite much headscratching.
Could have done with a bit more time for maths something I'll have to raise at the next student staff meet.
Really tired now.

Right now time to endure six days of boredom till the ext one most likely.

Some Pictures of my Dark Angels

2006-11-13T21:10:41Z

http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~adrian/gamers/wh40k/013army8.jpg Roll Call
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~adrian/gamers/wh40k/015leader4.jpg Gabriel
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~adrian/gamers/wh40k/040knock_knock.jpg Impolite
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~adrian/gamers/wh40k/049arch.jpg Why tanks should obey low bridge signs
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~adrian/gamers/wh40k/036comms_centre2.jpg Its all going to plan I assure you

All courtesy of Adrian Hurt

Selling Post

2006-10-18T15:15:25Z

I have a tyranid army for Warhammer 40K I wish to sell.
Seeing as I have not found anyone who wants a nid army does anyone:
a) know someone who would be interested
b) Willing to sell on ebay on my behalf as I own no digital camera and have no experience with selling on ebay

Any help appreciated

Is annoyed

2006-09-30T15:38:22Z

Can't withdraw money from my account till Monday(at earliest)

Oh well at least I know my bank takes Security seriously.

The Good news

2006-09-17T09:52:04Z

Exams results in Maths failed by 6% Chemistry passed

My DoS has allowed me to enter second year and carry over the exam

Now all I need to do is get my proof of funding from Saas

frazerpenman @ 2006-08-25T13:45:00

2006-08-25T12:51:55Z

Right exam yesterday could have gone better so I'm not 100% sure I'll pass it.
If worst comes to worst though I'll only be redoing first year for a very good reason.
As much as I keep telling myself it can't be that bad I just can't shake this feeling of crapiness.
Oh well time to occupy oneself until term starts again.

From russia with Love

2006-07-22T08:52:47Z

Mmmmm...... have just had a marriage proposal from a russian via email.

Somehow I think this is either a scam or a mistake.

Oh well it wouldn't have worked anyway.

Teddy Bears

2006-06-20T09:51:56Z

Back from visiting my aunt and uncle in Alberta Canada. Whom I've only met once before hand.
Though my aunt looks rather similar to nickys.
In short I really like Canada though lack of curry kinda sucks.
Oh and I got to see a real life Black bear.

Blame Canada

2006-06-14T05:56:36Z

Right flying to Canada sucks I believe I watched Narnia something like 3 times.
Going back I'll be worse.
But on the plus side it is good to see family members I haven't seen in an age.
Thus far have fleeced a pair of shoes from parents :-)
Been to a dinosaur museum which was ace and running up hills in the bad lands today yay.
Saw my first proper lightening in ages as well.

Cold turkey is over

2006-06-08T08:22:33Z

Finally have a working internet connection in the flat
Now going back to get my ebay and livejournal fix
Once again a quiet uneventful birthday typical
Oh well off to Canada for a week on Saturday.

frazerpenman @ 2006-05-31T13:35:00

2006-05-31T12:40:12Z

Hate it when LJ doesn't get checked for a few days as I really can't be arsed reading the backlog.
Must get internet at home soon!
Birthday wasn't bad at all have a few new things to waste time on including a bass guitar (I will try to learn to play the thing but I'll probably fail horribly).
Must find work so I have some more £