All entries for November 2005

Local sport

Went to see Coventry City football team yesterday, at the brand new Ricoh Arena, followed by Coventry Crusaders basketball team, at Coventry sports Centre. Both were really entertaining, since I haven't watched any live sport for quite a while.

I was amazed at the sense of community abound at the basketball match. Players and fans met up with each ther for drinks after the game, the crowd was allowed to wander onto the court during half time, and the atmosphere was just so chilled out. Why can't football be like that?

For the record, the football team drew 2–2 with Norwich City; the basketball team won 103–75 against Teeside Mohorts.

Whilst I've never previously considered myself as being a passionate local fan, or someone who feels any affinity with the local team, I will now be following their respective progress closely.

Amit Sood : 27 Nov 2005 11:41 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Bleep Test

Did the infamous bleep test yesterday, for the first time ever. First few levels are really easy, basically walking to the other end and waiting for the bleep. Then as they start getting harder, you realise that you are getting out of breath on every length, and from then on its just a matter of survival. You realise that the bleeps are getting quicker; you are getting slower; and then you drop out.

Only got to level 8, which is just about par for the average man but below par for an athlete. Considering I've run two half marathons, and have entered athletics races for my university team, I would have hoped for a better performance. Perhaps the lack of recent training might have something to do with it. Next time we're gonna reach level 10…

Amit Sood : 26 Nov 2005 10:48 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Mahatma Gandhi

The goal of Hinduism is to make every Hindu a better Hindu, every Christian a better Christian, and every Muslim a better Muslim.

Amit Sood : 23 Nov 2005 00:39 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Long range Dutchman

Yesterday afternoon, on a cold football pitch in East London, four years after joining Man Utd, and a year after becoming their all-time top European scorer, Ruud van Nistelrooy finally scored a goal from outside the penalty area.

And we're up to 3rd as well. :)

Awesome.

Amit Sood : 20 Nov 2005 10:11 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Important Notice to All Students

1. Do you smoke?
2. Are you worried about passive smoking?
3. Do you regularly go out in the Union?
4. Are you a member of any sports clubs?
5. Are you a member of any societies?
6. Do you have any views on the issue of abortion?
7. Do you believe in freedom of choice?
8. Do you wish you had a Freshers' week at the start of your first year?
9. Are you an international student?

If you answered YES to any of the above, then this affects you. In a big, big way. Read on…

From Tuesday to Friday next week (week 9), the Students Union is having a Referendum on three important issues which are outlined below. Every student gets to vote on these issues, so make sure you have your say. Referenda take precedence over any other Union meetings, so what you decide really will happen, without question. Believe me, this really does matter to you.

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If you answered YES to questions 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5:

Total Smoking Ban in the Students' Union building

This is the biggest of the three motions. It calls for a complete ban on smoking, anywhere on Students' Union premises, at all times. This includes during evening Ents. This might seem a good idea at first, since the majority of students don't smoke, and there is widespread media concern about the risks of passive smoking. Furthermore, there is likely to be a national smoking ban in public spaces within the next couple of years, so it may seem good four out Union to be setting an example.

But beware! If you're a smoker, would you still come to the Union, knowing that you wouldn't be able to feed your habit? If not, think how many other people are in the same position as you, and think how much revenue the Union would lose if they all stayed away.

The Union is a charity, meaning that it depends on its own revenue to fund all of its activities. If revenue is lost from smokers not coming to the Union, it will be necessary to cut down on the Union's services to compensate. Sports Clubs and Societies will be shut down. Catering outlets will be shut down. Regular Union nights will have to be ditched.

If you think this is a price worth paying for a smoke free environment, then have your say and vote FOR this motion. If you think this is too much to lose over a relatively small cause, then have your say and vote AGAINST this motion. It's up to you.

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If you answered YES to questions 6 or 7:

No Stance on the issue of Abortion

The Union's current policy is to defend a woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. All literature distributed in the Union about the issue must be non-directional. This motion calls for the Union to adopt no stance whatsoever on the issue, meaning that no literature with any perspective will be allowed to be distributed.

If you think that no stance whatsoever should be taken on the issue of abortion, vote FOR this motion. If you think it is ok to support the freedom of choice on this issue, vote AGAINST this motion.

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Introduce a Freshers' Period

As you will have found out when you first came here, students at Warwick don't get a Freshers' Week at the start of the first term. Many students have lectures starting in the first few days, and some even have assessments in the first week. This is in stark contrast to the policy at many other Universities.

If this is passed, the Union will lobby the University to introduce a Freshers' period which is free from academic committments. Under these proposals, orientation week would be scrapped to bring international students in line with the rest of campus.

If you think the University should be challenged to introduce a Freshers' period, then vote FOR this motion. If you are happy without a Freshers' week but with an orientation week for international students only, then vote AGAINST this motion.

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How to vote

To vote on any of the above issues, log in to the Students' Union website at www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk – you can vote anytime between 9am Tuesday and 9pm Thursday of next week. The outcomes should be known by the weekend.

If you don't have a computer, or even if you just spend a lot of time out of the house, there will be polling stations in Cholo where you can also vote. A paper voting option will also be made available for those who are completely adverse to technology.

If you're unsure where you stand on any of these issues, or you just want to find out more, then come to the Big Debate, which is exactly what it says on the tin. People campaigning on both sides, helping you to make the right choice. This Monday, 5pm-7pm, in the Marketplace.

It isn't often that students get to have the definitive say on things like this. Make the most of the opportunity. You know the facts. Now tell us what you want.

Amit Sood : 18 Nov 2005 18:43 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Workload

I have a Statistics test at 9am tomorrow morning, covering the last three weeks of the course, during which time I have only attended around 50% of the lectures. Also tomorrow morning, is the deadline to apply for a job at Morgan Stanley, which is probably one of my most wanted jobs at the moment despite me not having started the application. On Thursday, I have an interview in London with Merrill Lynch, another highly sought after position, and I'll require significant preparation in advance to avoid another cock-up like the interview I had last week. Finally, I also want to apply to GCHQ, whose deadline is on Friday and whose application form I also haven't yet started. Throw in a football match, a couple of Union meetings, and a postgrad open day, and this is clearly the busiest week I've had this term.

And yet somehow, beyond all rational explanation, I still managed to justify going to Top Banana last night…

Amit Sood : 15 Nov 2005 09:17 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Weekend

• Woke up. Found out that England were unfortunately winning the cricket against Pakistan.
• Went to Costcutters to buy loaf of bread and carton of eggs and a copy of the Guardian.
• Made breakfast with aforementioned bread and eggs.
• Brought work into kitchen in attempt to start dissertation.
• Brought laptop into kitchen in attempt to distract from work; then turned tv on in attempt to distract from laptop; then read newspaper in attempt to distract from tv.
• Ate lunch. Watched England beat Argentina; broke into hysterics at seeing one England player use another as a snooker cue to score the winning goal.
• Ate dinner. Found out that two of my best friends have ended their 30-month relationship; news of which came as a bit of a shock.
• Went to skool dayz; listened to Prodigy; danced to Faithless; went to after-party.
• Had that sickly feeling you get after drinking too much whisky.
• Trotted between kitchen and bedroom a few times.
• Copied notes from missed lectures. Had an afternoon nap which was longer than my overnight sleep.
• Scuttled between bedroom and kitchen a few more times.
• Suggested going to pub quiz, to no avail. Finished IBM application.
• Went to bed; couldn't sleep; slept; overslept.

Monday morning it is then! :)

Amit Sood : 14 Nov 2005 09:47 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Lightbulbs and switches

I've just arrived back on campus from a job interview in London, for a graduate position in a large international firm which I won't name. About half way through the interview, I was asked the following question:

You're standing outside a darkened room, with no windows.
There are three switches outside the room, and you know that there are three lightbulbs inside the room.
One lightbulb is controlled by each switch, although you don't know which one.
You are allowed to switch the lights on or off as you please; however you are only allowed to enter the room once.
Upon entering, you must correctly pair up the lightbulbs with the switches. How is it done?

The interviewer gave me a time limit of 60 seconds to answer the problem, which he verbally counted down in front of me in 10 second intervals. I have to admit I was unable to beat the clock, but do any of you have quicker minds than me? (It's taken you 10 seconds to read this paragraph, so you only have 50 left…)

Amit Sood : 11 Nov 2005 17:58 |  Comments (6) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Who needs John Terry?

Chelsea officially do NOT have the best defence in the Premiership.

Wigan do. Have it!

Amit Sood : 06 Nov 2005 13:32 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem