Is it really so bad that you have to burn it down?

Throughout the year we have had numerous fire alarms here at Virginia Woolf. None of us really think anything of it, the alarm goes off and we casually grab our cards, mobiles and a jumper and head down to stand around and wait for the alarms to turn off. Usually we mill around grumble about why the alarms went off, etc....
This time there was no need to wonder why, smoke was clearly visible from the bottom kitchen of A block (the block next to mine). There was also a definite smell of smoke when we walked out. Anyway so we stood around watching the smoke billow out of the kitchen windows and the vent above the main doors, a few minutes later a fire truck pulled in and a handful of firemen complete with air tanks and masks went to see about the fire. Another fireman came along with a huge sledge hammer and we of course got excited (something was about to get smashed up). He swung the hammer up and within a few good whacks the kitchen window was no more. The firemen went in with the hose pipes and I assume extinguished the fire.
Afterwards they proceeded to drag out the couch, along with all the burned bit of counter, etc...
All in all a fairly exciting Monday evening. No one was hurt as far as I know, (well there was a guy doing a bit of coughing, but a medic came along and gave him some oxygen and then the ambulance showed up and two paramedics walked off with him. Didn't seem to be to bad off though, was laughing and chatting with his friends who were having a go at him.
I do wonder whats going to happen to those that live in that flat, as they have no more kitchen and I'm sure the smoke damage is bad. Guess uni will have to put them up for a while.
I didn't have my camera with me, otherwise I would have videoed the whole thing, I did snap a few photos after they let us B blockers back in though. You can see the bits they pulled out, and the smashed up glass on the ground. Also got a photo of the firemen milling around afterwards.

Even Post Grads Get Punished

So I'm sitting here and I hear the little ping that I love so much that tells me I have a new message. I saw that it was from the accommodation office and didn't give it much thought as they are always sending something out, be it about parcels or toasters. This one I found quite amusing and goes to show that even as post grads we get things taken away. Its sort of like when your a kid and your mum takes away a toy because you've been naughty. Anyway this is what it says:

Dear Residents of Woolf College

I have received numerous complaints and reports about loud parties taking place in Woolf College Common Room. These parties have involved amplification equipment, shouting and other disturbances between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. When asked to disperse by Campus Watch, one of the participants threw a stink bomb into the Common Room. Another resident responded, 'I don't care if anyone is trying to sleep. I want to party'. This activity is making it impossible for residents to study and sleep, and will not be tolerated.

As a result, I have taken the decision to close the Common Room for a period of two weeks. I very much regret having to take such a decision. The purpose of the common room is for students to relax and to socialise. However, in all accommodation noise levels must be kept at a low level and cease altogether between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m. The Common Room is not designed for the purpose of holding parties, nor do residents have permission to do so.

When it reopens, I will continue to monitor the use of the Common Room.

The British Cinema

Who knew that the cinema here could be so different from the ones in the states. Firstly its the cinema not the theatre, the theatre is where you go to see live performances, etc.. The cinema is where you see a film. Anyway, to the point.....
Your assigned a seat, yes assigned seating at the cinema. I found it very amusing as there room was huge and there was loads of seating and the 30 of us in to watch the film are all bunched up together in the back of the room. I mean what the heck people! I like to sit in the centre of the row in the middle area for optimal viewing. But anyway :P Second difference, there is an usher that takes you to your seat. I'm guessing this is so no one sits in a seat other than their assigned one. Montserrat and I were laughing because I was sitting in her seat and she in mine according to our tickets. Had we been found out, we probably would have been chucked out of the cinema and life long ban given for sure :P
Also noticed there is a kiosk in the screen room. So I guess if a patron had any questions they could attempt to get out of their seat past the half a dozen people and walk down the stairs to ask their question. Hahaha :D
The popcorn while it was sold as "warm popcorn" was cold and was unlike any popcorn I've had at the cinema before. I miss the buttery salty popcorn of the states. You know; the kind you know is bad for you because it has all the salt and butter on it, but as the cinema is so expensive you only go a few times a year so its alright.
Overall I found the experience amusing.

Dissertation Updates

Who knew doing a masters degree could be so frustrating? Answer: Everyone who has ever attempted one.
The work goes slow, people aren't as open as I had hoped when it comes to talking about why they left (or are considering leaving) the church. I do have a new field method though thanks to my amazing friend and flatmate Jenna, she really is the guru of all things important (and not just music and movies). She recently discovered that google has a documents section that allows you to build forms. She had built a form for her work with Lupus sufferers. I have also decided to try out building a form and sending it out in hopes that I can get more information for my dissertation. We'll see how it works out. Keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Whitstable Revisited

I seem to have a liking for Whitstable as I have gone yet again. This time I went past the harbour to the beach further down. It was a quiet afternoon collecting shells and then laying on the beach enjoying the sun. I find that it is nice to go to the beach when I need to think. The sound of the waves and the sea gulls, the smell of the ocean, clears my head a bit and helps me to focus. This is only the 4th time since moving to England that I have seen the ocean. I need to go more often....

Hapy Independence Day!

There is a bit of irony in the fact that I'm spending the holiday commemorating the indepence of the U.S. from Britain in Britain. Needless to say not a lot of Brits out celebrating the holiday, haha. No picnics to attend, no fireworks, it seems a bit strange. I'm so used to the 4th of July being such a huge day of celebration, here its just another day of the week. As I don't have access to a BBQ or fireworks here I was a bit stumped on how to celebrate the day. In the end things turned out well though. Instead of spending the day as I would at home eating Gram's famous macaroni salad, I spent the day (with Montserrat) handing out food to a few of the homeless people of Canterbury.
Armed with 5 sandwiches, 5 bananas and 5 bottles of water we walked the streets of Canterbury giving the simple meals to those that needed it. The appreciation in their eyes, in their voices when they accepted was gratifying. Its quite common here in Canterbury to see people sitting on the corner or propped up against a wall a hat in front of them hoping people will give them money. It was nice to do more than give them spare coins. When asking them if they wanted a sandwich and a bottle of water, not one of them said no, they all a smile and a yes.
It just felt good to do something nice for someone else.....

Ceveche

This was my fish Ceveche, he was a very cool fish. Unfortunately he also had suicidal tendencies. His bowl sat on the shelf above my desk, it was the internal injuries from the second story fall that killed him.