All entries for January 2006

Parental visit

My parents came up to visit yesterday, which was nice since it was the first time they had done so in the three years I've been at uni (previously the onus has been on me going to see them). It's interesting how they never thought of paying a visit in previous years, yet they do within six months of my sister movinig to uni, but I guess that's just as well given the shithole I was living in last year. It was also the first time they've seen the place in which I'm currently living on campus, and I think they were vaguely impressed, so staying up till 3am the previous night to tidy the place was (arguably) worthwile.

Went to the Bullring, although looking back on it I don't think we came out having bought anything as far as I can remember. I certainly came back with my hands empty, but having never previously been to the Bullring I would still say it was an afternoon well spent. Got to stuff myself with food twice in one day at the expense of my dad's wallet – that certainlly doesn't happen too often these days so I made sure the opportunity wasn't wasted!

All in all a rather pleasant day out, despite the cold weather and the fact we were in Birmingham. Smiles all around.

Amit Sood : 30 Jan 2006 18:17 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Sleep demand

This is getting silly now. My body is now demanding NINE hours sleep a day from me. I don't have nine hours spare each day to fulfill this demand, and hence we end up in difficult situations such as this morning, where I awoke in my bed seven minutes AFTER the start of my first lecture, having planned to get up two hours prior.

I shall attribute the deep sleep to the kilometre swim I did yesterday, as well as to the energetic ice skating in the evening. Moral of the story: don't exercise at any stage during the day before a 9am start.

Amit Sood : 26 Jan 2006 10:43 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

A new low

Union democracy reached a new low this evening when fewer than 80 people turned up to the AGM. The AGM is in some respects the centrepiece of the Union's democratic calendar, and as a Union Officer I feel embarassed by what I've seen tonight. It's long been an opinion of mine that motions should only be taken to General Meeting if they genuinely warrant it; failing which they should be taken instead to the next Council meeting. This frees up the AGM to explore in more depth the central issues of the Union's accounts, auditors, aims, objectives, strategy, and general well-being.

I believe that many more people would be interested in an opportunity to examine and scrutinise the Union's financial records and its strategy, than are interested in discussing academic freedom in Iran. This is no disrespect to the proposers of the motion referred to, which incidentally I voted for, but merely a reflection on where the priorities ought to lie in a General Meeting (as opposed to in a Council meeting). My growing concern is that motions are brought to General Meeting purely for the sake of it; this dilutes the essence of the meeting and distracts from the true objectives of an AGM.

The focus is in the wrong place. I have five months left in my position on the Executive Committee, and I will do everything I can in this time to redress the balance outlined above, and ensure that no future Executive Committee has to suffer the embarassment I felt this evening.

Amit Sood : 24 Jan 2006 22:35 |  Comments (53) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Policy #1 – Use of evening time

Amit Notes:
That he has been out drinking on eight of the last nine nights.

Amit Believes:
That his project may have suffered as a result of his recent commitment to a social life.

Amit Resolves:
To work on his project for eight out of the next nine nights.

Amit Sood : 21 Jan 2006 18:35 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Takin' it easy

I have decided, after much thought, that I am NOT going to stand for Sabbatical election. This is the earliest I have made such a decision when it comes to running for a Union position, what with it being Thursday today. In the past two years my decision to stand has been made at around 11am on Friday morning, prior to the noon deadline.

Reasons for my decision:

• Sabbs get a lot of shit from students which they often don't deserve.
• I'm in the rather nice position of already having a graduate job.
• A stronger personality than myself is required to be a successful Sabb.
• The remuneration to cover Sabbs' living expenses compares unfavourably with a graduate salary package.
• I think I would find it hard being on campus when everyone I've known during my time at uni will have left.
• I've already had a chance to be involved with the Union and someone else out there probably deserves that chance next year.
• I'm not entirely convinced that I have the spare time/energy/resources to run a successful election campaign in a week's time, remembering how much effort I had to put into it last year.

So I'm just gonna sit back, put my feet up, and watch the nominations come in, the posters go up, the votes be counted, and the winners be announced. Watching at a safe distance. Knowing that I could have got stuck in, but deliberately opted not to.

If anyone wants to stand in the elections, you've got 24 hours to inform the Democratic Office in Union North!

Amit Sood : 19 Jan 2006 11:36 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Housemates in plastic bin–liners

Amit Sood : 17 Jan 2006 19:47 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Marathon Update

Bloody hell that was difficult! I've just finished an EIGHT MILE run, my longest so far in my marathon training schedule. It took me just over an HOUR AND A HALF, including two "breather periods" when I walked for a minute or two before running again. Eight miles is just under a third of race distance, so there's a long long way to go still.

Currently my legs hurt. My lungs are also not loving it at this stage. Got some speed sessions planned for next week, hopefully that'll mix things up a bit, before another long run next weekend. I think it's just a case of recovering quickly so that I'm ready to go again for the next run. I'm kind of banking on my recovery time improving as I train more.

Thanks to all the following people who have agreed to sponsor me so far. It's a good start towards meeting my fundraising target, but as always the more the better:

• Monica Chawla
• Rishi Patel
• Sarah Lickorish
• Rajdeep Kandola
• Lucinda Neal
• Sean Wheeler
• Eleanor Martindale
• Kavita Masi (sorry – can't remember your surname)
• Sunil Chhita
• Seema Sangar
• Harpreet Kang
• Nitin Sood

And while I'm thanking people, thanks also to my Mum for cooking the chicken which I eat after every run. Yum! ;)

Amit Sood : 14 Jan 2006 14:07 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

What has happened to Fridays?

Fridays have suddenly become crap. Totally rubbish. There was a time when they used to be my favourite day of the week, and until now I was not aware that this had changed. However on this occasion I find myself stuck at home with nothing good on tv, nothing going on around campus, and no-one I know doing anything exciting. What happened to the days of a killer tv lineup, a nice free weekend to look forward to, a Friday night meal, an evening off work etc…

On the bright side, I have still got a recorded version of the Series 1 finale of Lost, which I haven't watched yet. If the reviews I heard on the radio on Thursday morning are anything to go by, then I've got something to look forward to!

Amit Sood : 13 Jan 2006 21:00 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Just what I need at the start of an allnighter :)

Bryony makes the best tea ever. FACT.

– Observation of the moment, on a busy Sunday evening with a coursework deadline looming.

Amit Sood : 08 Jan 2006 23:26 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Marathon

It is now official. On the 23rd April this year I will be running in the London Marathon. Twenty six miles on the road, from Greenwich to Green Park, all on my own two legs.

I've run two half marathons before, and it's always been an aim of mine to run in a full one. This is the chance I've been waiting for. Certainly it'll be a challenge of the highest order. Then even if I give up running immediately afterwards, at least I can say I've done it.

At the same time, I'm also raising loads of money for Oxfam and the Samaritans.
So if anyone wants to sponsor me, drop me a comment or let me know – every penny counts!

Amit Sood : 06 Jan 2006 08:57 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem