All entries for December 2005

Road Tax

I have just discovered today that the road tax disc on my car expires in two days time. Incurring a hefty fine from the DVLA if I do not pay for a new one immediately. So I now need to delve inro my pocket and find 120ish spare pounds for the mere privelige of being able to place my car upon a UK road.

In the event of my inability to find said amount of cash in said time-frame, I will simply have to suspend my car with some strong cables from some imaginary overhead support outside my house. Or alternatively park it on the grass.

To conclude: Bugger.

Amit Sood : 29 Dec 2005 12:20 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Progress update

An update on the progress of my 4th year project, which has been stalling for much of the first term…

Well things are looking much better now. The two weeks on capus after the end of therm were put to good use, and I came home for Christmas with over 5000 words written, most of them good words as well. After a few days working at home, I've now passed 6500 words, and my work spans an almighty 27 pages of A4, although this is of course subject to reformatting, shuffling etc.

There are four main sections in the project; I have covered one in its entirety, made a small start on another, made significant headway on the longest section and have yet to begin the last. Given that one month ago I had not started anything, I think we're doing rather well.

And there are only four days left till Xmas. Woohoo!

In other news, the Multimedia coursework hasn't started yet, I've secured a place to run in the London Marathon next April, and hopefully my post-university employment situation ought to be resolved within the next week or so. Watch this space!

Amit Sood : 21 Dec 2005 19:13 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

I'm off home

Today is my last day on campus until the new year. In about six hours time I will be leaving for Bristol. And to mark the occasion, the sun has made a rare appearance in the sky to salute me goodbye – I couldn't have wished for a better day!

Much packing to be done before I leave though…

Amit Sood : 17 Dec 2005 10:59 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Gerrard

Not content with the restrictive conventions in today's game,
Steven Gerrard has taken football to the next level by learning to
dribble the ball with his nose.

Amit Sood : 12 Dec 2005 17:28 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Daytime

Why is it always sunny in the mornings, when one is either asleep or two lazy to venture into the outdoors, yet it clouds over and is dull every afternoon, when one has mustered some energy to do something useful with the day?

Discuss.

Amit Sood : 11 Dec 2005 11:49 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

World Cup Predictions

Ok so the draw's been made for next summer's World Cup. It's now time to go through the ritual of predicting the outcome of the tournament, and guessing who will play who in the knockout stages. Here's my take.

I reckon that each of the groups will finish in this order:

Group A
Germany top, then Poland, Costa Rica, and Ecuador

Group B
England top, then Sweden, Paraguay, and Trinidad & Tobago

Group C
Argentina top, then Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro, and Ivory Coast

Group D
Portugal top, then Mexico, Iran, and Angola

Group E
Czech Republic top, then Italy, USA, and Ghana

Group F
Brazil top, then Croatia, Australia, and Japan

Group G
France top, then South Korea, Switzerland, and Togo

Group H
Spain top, then Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia

Then the last 16 knockout stages:

Germany will beat Sweden
England will beat Poland
Argentina will beat Mexico
Netherlands will beat Portugal

Czech Republic will beat Croatia
Brazil will beat Italy
France will beat Ukraine
Spain will beat South Korea

Then onto the quarter finals:

Argentina will beat Germany
England will beat the Netherlands
Czech Republic will beat France
Brazil will beat Spain

And the semis...

Argentina will beat Czech Republic
Brazil will beat England

Finally...

Brazil will beat Argentina

I know a Europe vs South America final would be nicer than an all South American affair, but the bottom line is this; if Argentina get past the Netherlands in their group, I really can't see anyone stopping them all the way to the final. France would have a chance, but I somehow see them slipping up against the Czechs. In the other half of the draw, I think England would find it hard going in a potential semi against a Brazilian side playing at their best

Argentina vs Netherlands is the key game; if the Netherlands win, it mixes up the draw and will probably lead to an England-Argentina quarter (with the winner playing Brazil) and Holland facing the Czechs or the French in the other semi. I'd still bank Brazil to win either way.

Of course, if the last World Cup is anything to go by, none of this will actually happen, and the Ivory Coast will probably win the trophy…

Amit Sood : 09 Dec 2005 22:35 |  Comments (395) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Game, Set, and Match

Braved the cold this afternoon, and played tennis for the first time in about 10 years. It may have been only eight years, but we'll call it ten since ten is a nice round number. Back in the day, as an early teenager, I used to play on the local school tennis courts down the road from my house. I never thought of myself as being very good, but I had a decent serve and could play from the baseline relatively comfortably. Considerable game-rust has set in since that time.

Played half-court today with my flatmate, underarm serves. Had a top rally of 48 strokes although average was probably below 20 strokes. Moved to fullcourt and averaged about 5 strokes; the movement just wasn't there, the power just wasn't there, the range just wasn't there. Finished up with some overarm cross-court serves, skied the first two attempts out of the surrounding fence. Managed to get one in at the umpteenth attempt, whilst they came flying in thick and fast (and often unplayable) from the other side of the court. My opponent has clearly had more practice than I have. Still a very enjoyable hour though.

I'll blame it on the cold. That's it. I'm a warm-blooded animal. I play better when it's sunny.

Amit Sood : 07 Dec 2005 16:53 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Pub Quiz

Pub quiz, in the Graduate, on a Monday evening. With a few others from the Claycroft Crew.

Who was the leader of the Confederate States during the American Civil War?

That I could not answer this question came as no surprise; I am not a history student after all. The irritating thing is that this very question came up less than an hour earlier when I was testimg myself with Bryony in our kitchen. Having been given the answer then, neither of us could remember when it came to the crunch.

Such is life. Grrr.

Amit Sood : 06 Dec 2005 13:07 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Smoking Ban

Many people I know on campus have approached me in the last few days to ask me about the Union's smoking ban. This is understandable, given my position within the Union and given the controversial nature of the situation regarding the smoking ban.

To save me having to repeat myself to everyone separately, please read the statement released by the Executive Committee for further information.

Amit Sood : 01 Dec 2005 15:51 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Glad it's December

This has easily been the hardest week I have had this term. The last three days must be the most difficult set of three consecutive days I've had in a long long time.

Discovered yesterday that investment banking is clearly not my thing. Had an assessment day at another big firm, which went really well on the whole, but still didn't result in a job offer. I think the time has come, after four such outcomes in as many days, for me to accept that this is not my destiny, and perhaps that I ought to turn my attentions elsewhere.

The local supermarket will soon be receiving a phone enquiry regarding employment opportunities for next year.

On the bright side, I spent a most enjoyable evening with a fellow "Old Bristolian", who treated me to dinner at her lovely new London flat. There is also tonight to look forward to, with the first ever use of the Union's late license, as Pressure hits the Cooler 'till 3am…

Amit Sood : 01 Dec 2005 15:42 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem