Favourite blogs for The Blog Of Monkey

You Are What You Eat

Now this is a show I've never watched, but since 2 people I went to school with are going to be part of this Tuesdays show I've decided to watch it for once.

Back home the news of this has been in various local papers and local radio stations to drum up further interest.

In fact the guy on it ("the boyfriend") was the guy I used to sit next to in A-Level chemistry…

You Are What You Eat, Channel 4

Tuesday 28th Feb. 8pm

: 26 Feb 2006 23:46 |  Tags: Swad Stories |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

If you don't like Man Utd – Support Burton!!! FA Cup 3rd Round Replay

Continuing with my love of the FA cup 3rd round, tomorrow night see's the replay of my home town, Burton, against Manchester United. Now I can't stand Man Utd at all, I know a lot of football fans can't, so why not become a Burton fan for the night!!

: 17 Jan 2006 18:39 |  Tags: Swad Stories |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Joys of the FA Cup

FA Cup 3rd Round Draw

BURTON ALBION vs. MANCHESTER UNITED

Fantastic draw, exactly the kind of draw non-league teams dream of, after last nights 4–1 beating of Burscough, Cloughie's (Nigel that is) boys will go on to face Man Utd in the 3rd round in January, hopefully at the Pirelli.

Come on Burton!!!

Also hopefully Derby will fare well against Burnley, at least it's a home tie for us, and good luck to Tamworth in the Staffs derby with Stoke

: 07 Dec 2005 18:51 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Fire at my old 6th Form

Well I get a phone call Friday afternoon, just before setting off for home, from my younger brother telling me about a fire at the 6th form. He's pretty pissed off as he has most likely lost all his work and notes as his bag was in the common room at the time.

Local news has suggested that the police are treating it as arson – 3 people have been arrested in connection with Friday's events, with eyewitnesses commenting on yr9/10s spraying an aerosol into an air vent outside the 6th form study area and then lighting it, the fire then spreading throughout the 6th form block – blowing the windows clean out of the common room, leaving a good proportion of the 6th block ruined, including 8/9 classrooms, with suspected damage totalling millions (according to the Burton Mail). Staff attempted to extinguish the fire themselves initially but, eventually it took around 7 fire crews and many hours for the fire to be put out completely.
Thankfully no-one was hurt, though one person did suffer an epiletic fit.

More images of the fire

In a strange way, myself and many of my friends back home, when we were talking about it found it rather sad, as the 6th form was the best part of our 7 years there and the parts that burnt down are the location of so many amusing memories.

: 04 Dec 2005 18:21 |  Tags: Stories Swad |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Atomic Hoodies

Atomic Hoodies will be available for order starting Monday of week 8, between 1–2pm in the 5th floor coffee room for £20 including your own personalisation.

As Sharon kindly pointed out on the e-mail for me, Wednesday is Admissions day so the coffee room is out of use then

See the below images for more details;

And a larger image of what the hoodie shall look like;

: 11 Nov 2005 10:25 |  Tags: Atomic |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Tyre Changing in F1

With the news that tyre changing is to be reintroduced into Formula 1 for the 2006 season, I believe Michelin have a point a being somewhat pissed off about it. The point of the one tyre rule was cutting costs and better racing as tyres had to be managed – Kimi at the Nurimburgring wouldn't have happened without that flat-spotted tyre, and Michelin excelled at producing an excellent one tyre race compound and deservedly won all the races bar the Indy fiasco.

I can't help but be skeptical and wonder if there wasn't some pressure from Ferrari to get tyre stops back for next season. The Ferrari / Bridgestone combo had won all titles since Michelin returned to the sport several years, and of course Ferrari, practically sitting in the FIA/Bernies pocket on most issues will have pushed for situations to help get back that dominance.

I just seriously hope next year its not a case of a Ferrari pulling away and the rest battling on behind, granted I am not a Ferrari or a Schumacher fan, but surely true F1 fans want great racing, and all these rule reg changes season after season can not always be helping the cause.

: 02 Nov 2005 10:43 |  Tags: Formula1 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Nothing Unusual

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.4
Mind:	6.8
Body:	6.4
Spirit:	5.9
Friends/Family:	5.3
Love:	1.4
Finance:	5.2
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

: 31 Oct 2005 18:19 |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

More Overtaking in F1??

Well that's what the experts are saying this wing design could well lead to;

Somehow it just doesn't seem like an F1 car to me, hmmm

: 24 Oct 2005 19:31 |  Tags: Formula1 |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Musical Talent, or lack thereof

I've been playing guitar for around 4 yrs now, have played in a band and done some fund raising, but I still pretty much suck at playing guitar (the other guitar player in my old band had some interesting names for my musical talent/lack thereof)

I'd love to be able to listen to song and just play it, but then having to work so hard makes it rewarding on the rare ocassions I get it spot on, I miss playing guitar during term time as it's back at home – it can be so relaxing when stressed.

: 23 Oct 2005 21:56 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Meeting Minutes and more shameless promotion of Atomic

Greetings all from the Atomic Secretary, just to note that meeting minutes (for all interested) are online here; minutes

And to add to the already shameless amounts of promotion by my fellow exec members I present you yet again with;

Socs Fed members - Join Atomic for free today!!

: 22 Oct 2005 20:24 |  Tags: Atomic |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Football Derby

Now what football fan out there doesn't love a local derby, there were many this weekend alone, but forget for one second the London derby or the Birmingham derby, easily the most important one this weekend (to me at least) was the East Midlands derby; Derby County – Nottingham Forest!!

We thrashed the forest 3–0, come on the rams!!! Now to just beat them again in Feb and Leicester in March and us Derby fans can be happy – providing there is no relegation scrap yet again!!

3–0!!! 3–0!!! 3–0!!!

: 12 Dec 2004 18:42 |  Comments (7) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Kate's 19th Celebrations

Oh what a night!! Great turnout, was so cool to see so many people again – all together at the same time, almost all the old group reunited (with a few notable exceptions missing) Nathans shock arrival was just that – a massive shock – none of us were expecting to see him til Christmas!! A few freaky flashbacks to a year ago and some history most definately repeating itself!! Copious amounts of alcohol were consumed by many (not me, I was driving) and muchos 'bad' dancing in Barracuda as always.
All in all an excellent night out and glad I decided to go what with everything going on I needed some resembelance of my life back for a night and it was worth it!!
Happy Birthday Mate!! I know you had a wicked time and enjoy Grease that Rob's taking you to.

: 28 Nov 2004 23:22 |  Tags: Swad Stories |  Comments (6) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

The Return to Spoonies….

It's the morning (well technically afternoon) after the night before, seems a little weird to say that when you were a) stone cold sober and b) designated driver. Last was so much fun, back at good ode Spoonies; 3 uni students and 2 rowers had a good laugh.
Sadly Sam's gran had died earlier yesterday so she was unexpectedly home and in need of a night out (or to get pissed more like). I'd place money on the fact that she was already pretty drunk when I picked her up from her house though she swears blinid she hadn't been. I've seen a Drunk Sam enough times to recognise her me thinks. Anyway we met Nathan and Dowell in the Sir Nigel (after I again got stopped at the door for I.D. – I was even wearing a Warwick hoodie for God's sake!!) for a while before Dowell had to leave and Kenny – complete with shocking Paisley shirt from the leavers prom – arrived tanked up on a half dozen or so Stella's.
So the drinking commenced and I, once again, was stopped at the Bar, for looking underage – am getting totally sick of this!! Now I know this wasn't just because I was drinking coke only but Kenny didn't seem to shut up at all, if it wasn't rowing or pumpkins he was talking about then it was pumpkins or rowing!! I must have caught Nathan rolling his eyes a good twenty odd times!!
I got introduced to Strawpedo – at which was Rob was mightly impressive with a Reef. I don't think I've ever seen anything drank so quickly including Nathan downing his trademark DVRB in less than 15 secs!! Then later in the night as we walked down the High Street Kenny started doing cartwheels in his intoxicated state – how he didn't end up flat on his arse I shall never know!!
After Spoonies had closed them came the enviable task of trying to get these pissheads home; Kenny insisted on walking so Rob went with him to make sure he actually got home, Sam on the otherhand wasn't too willing to go back to the car as she didn't seem to want to go home. Eventually, after lying on the floor outside the Sir Nigel and 'pole dancing' around a bollard (at which a pervy taxi driver flashed his lights) Nathan and I had managed to get her back to the car to go home.
All in all an excellent night – who says you have to be drunk to have a good time and that being the only sober one is no fun!! Pictures most definately to follow…

: 06 Nov 2004 14:28 |  Tags: Swad Stories |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

F1 Countdown…

Only 124 days until Melbourne – I can't wait, Webber in a Williams should be interesting.

119 days 6/11/04 Hakkinen NOT returning to F1 next yr

: 01 Nov 2004 21:50 |  Tags: Formula1 |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Top Gear

I wanted to write this last night, but I couldn't add to my blog for some reason :(

Quite simply Top Gear is one, if not the best, kept secret on the BBC. The brilliance the show delievers each week is simply awesome. Its not a show thats advertised to death or talked-up, but simply goes about its business each Sunday on BBC2 while its legions of fans tune in to see comical brilliance of the 3 guys.
Who else but Rich Hammond could make a Porsche 911 obsession both amusing and worth-watching? Jeremy Clarksons sheer arrogance at times over the 'Cool Wall' – though of course the DB9 does deserve its own fridge and I agree with him over the Ferrari Enzo (the F1 fan in me is so anti-ferrari) but some cars he just has wrong!!
The attempts to destroy the land rover (edit: sorry pick-up truck my mistake) , the caravan target practice and theice cream vans over the bouncy castles make this show worth watching all on its own.

Top Gear, proof that a car show doesn't have to be serious or boring!!!

: 01 Nov 2004 21:48 |  Comments (5) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

"What type of learner am I?" from all the way back in week 1!!

You have a low preference for being an Activist
You have a strong preference for being a Reflector
You have a strong preference for being a Theorist
You have a strong preference for being a Pragmatist

Your strongest preference was found to be: Reflector (74%).

Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from different perspectives. They collect data, both first hand and from others, and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to any conclusion. Because the thorough collection and analysis of data about experiences and events is what counts, they tend to postpone reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible. Their philosophy is to be cautious. They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possible angles and implications before making a move. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get the drift of the discussion before making their own points. They tend to adopt a low profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant, unruffled air about them. When they act it is part of a wide picture which includes the past as well as the present and others' observations as well as their own.

How reflectors learn best
Reflectors learn best from activities where:
They are allowed to watch/think/chew over activities.
They are able to stand back and observe; observing a group at work, watch films/videos, etc.
They are allowed to think before acting and have time to prepare.
They can carry out painstaking research, investigation and probing.
They have time to review what has happened, what they have learnt.
They are required to produce carefully considered analyses and reports.
They are helped to exchange views within a structured learning experience.
They can reach a decision without pressure within their own time.

Advantages of being a reflector
See new ways of doing things
Come up with creative solutions see long-term implications of things
Can see the total picture
Are unhurried, don’t get in a flap
Listen to others and share ideas
See connections between different subjects being studied
Present work in novel and artistically appealing ways
Are good at coming up with new alternatives
Pinpoint important new questions

Disadvantages of being a reflector
Can’t see the ‘trees for the wood’ – forget important details
Wait too long before getting started
Can be uncritical of ideas
Don’t organise work well
Don’t like work or revision timetables
Only work in bursts of energy
Forget to bring key books, etc. for homework
Are easily distracted from the job in hand
Don’t rework notes or classify material
Are too easygoing, not assertive enough with friends or teachers

: 29 Oct 2004 20:03 |  Tags: PDP |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem