Senses Fail Club Academy Gig Review 25th April 2009

Went train hopping to Manchester for last night's Senses Fail gig at Club Academy, supported by Deaf Havana and My Emergency (click links for their MySpaces!)

Before the Gig

We had the time to get a pint in at the Lass O'Gowrie after briefly revisiting the memories of Weston Hall - Titanic Stout for myself. All was looking up as Manchester United were losing 2-0 too.

Ended up at the gig early enough to sit outside Jabez Clegg for a sit down and discovering United had reversed the score to 5-2 by the end of the match! - I had the fortunate honour of being hit on - twice for lighter and where to get cigarettes. The girl was going to some Chav gig in another one of the Academy rooms, and looked a right tit since the way she said she came she had to pass a shop. More for my ego, I suppose.

Despite the epic queue stretching as far back as Coupland Street - 2 gigs on, so no joke here - I used my university connections to get in via the side entrance at the Union pub. I'm sneaky, but get away with what you can.

The Gig

It was all broadcasted on my Twitter, but I thought I'd put a blog here too.

My Emergency - typical scene band, but listenable.




Deaf Havana - the better of the three - a bit more like Senses Fail of old, with sscreamer lead vocal and singer/guitarist, nice 4 set.




Senses Fail - the band practically everyone came to see. As I was warned, they were your typical studio band. Having stood in front of the stage by the amp, could barely hear the voices in the songs. Some classics like "You're Cute when you Scream", "Bloody Romance", "Martini Kiss" were all played, and well as their newer, more whiner stuff.

The singer was incredibly dense. He told us that he was an American Cub Scout and there was some documentary of him or something on some channel in America, something about something called "Oxygen" (the channel I think), and to watch at 2AM GREENWICH STANDARD TIME. Tit. Anyway, we are on British Summer Time.

Also, he tried telling us stories of swimming pool parties - thinking we would all understand and that we all have swimming pools. We don't.

And for comical measure, despite admitting he was not a comedian he still saw something humourous in that Mayo squeezing out of a bottle had a striking resemblance to semen. I suppose it was fitting as I and Renate were probably the oldest there - too many 13 year old scene kids drinking WKD by the looks of things.

There was something good though - some guy at the front got kicked out for throwing people over the safety barrier - and plenty of crowd surfers tried to get to the stage but failed. The singer almost got pulled in too. Fun times.

In in all, gig was not too shabby and it was a nice leveller to have someone in Manchester with me who loves it as much as I hate it.

After the Gig

After the gig it was time for Relentless and the treacherous walk through Canal Street. Much to my dismay there wasn't any men in leather, but many uniformed army gays and dykes you could easily mistake for men, and men you could mistake for flat chested ladies. I managed to make up for the experience after though, and a 4 hour wait called at the National Express cardboard box awaited.

We managed to witness a coach driver getting near assaulted by drunken passengers, police coming in and some racially incited banter between some passengers or something trying to go home to London. It's amazing how absolutely leathered people get on a night out!

I had a rude awakening and encounter with the security guard when I went for a cigarette who was probably expecting me to be rude back - but he had a hard night. A short stop at Keele services for photo processing and a walk home ended the night.

I give the night a ***/5 - * for getting away with so much and the entertainment of people getting in trouble with the policia, * for the gig being bareable, * for the shits and giggles.

Ren & I (at Jabez Clegg)
See full Facebook photo album of the night here

Fun with my friend, but I'm tempting to just let my beard grow all Karl Marx like - I never get served like this and its embarassing! I'm 20 for crying out loud!

Tomorrow - essay hand-ins and Eddie Izzard in London. Roll on.

Fin.

Essays and Referencing

It's madness in my poor, little, insignificant life right now. Well, insignificant to the point I am only one person and there's much worse out there.

But, as I finish typing a political essay on the Attlee Governments and Democratic Socialism, I've realized a real bugbear when it comes to essays - necessary though annoying.

As you probably guessed from the title - it's referencing and bibliography.

As boring as it is, it is also tedious as those academics among you will realize. To help with the speed of my essays, I have merely referenced in the text shorthand (I use Harvard), and now I need to shift through and write them out, long hand and get my bibliography set up.

With this being one of 4 essays due in in the next 10 days, I have also made a similar (mistake) approach to one of my essays due in a week on Monday.

This coming Wednesday - Philosophy of Logic essay - I'm intrigued how this essay is going to turn out...

then a week on Monday:

Extended Essay [Politics] (which requires BINDING) I've not even started researching, never mind writing.
Germany Politics Essay (needs referencing properly)
UK Essay (just conclusion and referencing required)

So just 3,000 words for the Logic essay now, and a further 5,000 in me for the Extended Essay.

I am on a tight schedule to get all this done, so apologies for lack of interesting blogging in the meantime.

I do miss it. But I'm sure you understand.

Rant over.

Twitter, Facebook, Status Updates & Blog Traffic

There hasn’t been a lot of blog activity this past month - and much has contributed to it, mainly illness and other commitments (What other commitments? - Those close to me may ask) but the past few days, with the latest iPhone OS 3 being announced and me becoming more immersed into the actual workings and potential of Twitter (Installed TweetDeck today and found out via Twitter that actor Ron Silver has died, rest his soul) - I have come to wonder about the purposes of Twitter v. Facebook status updates, particularly since the new Facebook layout was announced (‘What is on your mind’ seems a bit more Twitterrific). What’s more, I too, have wondered given the success of my blog in recent times whether this would impact on my Blog Traffic.

I am not going to get into a debate about the delicate nature of what status updates are meant for on Twitter, or on Facebook - but be a part of either and you will soon get the idea. That is not the point of my little ‘wonder-ment’ here. Instead, I am going to take these little thoughts in my mind and as of today, my Twitter-syncs with Facebook will be suspended until ‘come what May’. (I get the feeling that isn’t the right idiom/description to use here but whatever!). Indeed, come May, I will write back, maybe, just maybe get into a little talk about what my feelings are on both (status updates-wise) and whether there is indeed a place for Twitter and Facebook statuses being together, in one place, rather than apart. It will be interesting to see in the meantime, whether this will impact on my blog traffic.

If you don’t have Twitter but ‘fear’ for my Facebook statuses probably never really, if ever, changing; you can see my ‘Tweets’, or Twitter updates at the LucasWeatherby.com homepage - www.lucasweatherby.com - or on my Twitter - www.twitter.com/lucasweatherby

This bit of contemplation is all striking me as a little bit weird now - its strange what your mind can do to you sometimes when you really, really should be doing something else - Like University essays and research. That, is something you can be rest assured I will be doing if you see little blog action at www.lucasweatherby.com, but at least, still you will be kept entertained by my Twitter updates…

Why I won't vote Labour at Student Union Elections

The University of Manchester Student Union elections are on Tuesday 10th March until Thursday 12th March. You might ask, even the politically active among you - what the point is in voting at a Student Union election. There is a fundamental point. Without the student representatives at your student union, many things that happen during your time at University would not come to fruition - including the landmark (and extremely helpful from a personal standpoint), 24 hour opening library times at the University Library during examination periods. The hard work of these students working on your behalf benefits your own university education in more ways than one.

There is however, another point to make. Yes, it is an election, so you could be forgiven for getting all political at a time to exercise a democratic right to vote in such an election. But the work of the student union is about education, not politics. It is about pragmatics, about doing what is right and what is going to benefit your education the most. It is not a place for party politics and to choose a candidate on the basis of what political party society they have their endorsement. In the West Wing, Season 6 at the Democratic National Convention, candidate Matthew Santos argues: “Choose someone who shares your ideals, your hopes, your dreams” - much like Barack Obama in his campaign for ‘Change’ in 2008. That is what voting should really be about, in general elections and student union elections.

More importantly, we should reward the campaigns of those candidates that fight for the student cause: better tutor-student contact, better libraries, ‘friendlier’ student unions. Those that work hard to win your vote are the ones that deserve to win, not the ones that will get ‘block voters’ from those of political party societies.

Every vote counts in these kind of elections with such a small electorate, and even more so with the introduction of online voting. Like in a general election, the main political parties that appeal to their base and yet conquer the middle ground are usually the victors. In student elections, it is easy to vote for somebody because they are a ‘Labour candidate’, without knowing what they are actually going to do for you. Party affiliations in such elections are therefore merely cosmetic, and they are not important in the grand scheme of things.

This is why you should look at the greater picture - not by examining manifestos but knowing that who you vote for will do their hardest for you because they worked hard for your vote, and you know from a glance, what they are for. This is why I will be voting for Cat Taylor (pictured, above) for Humanities General Council Member (University of Manchester), among others. Not out of friendship but because she personally took the time to win my vote. Party ties are insignificant at such a personal and intimate election where change can happen. Your vote at your union, at your university, counts.

Cerebral Palsy - I; A Personal History

I got news this week that I am due for, quite possibly my last ever treatment at the Nuffield Orthopedic Centre. I figured this merited a blog, least so I can express my views and give insight on what it is to have Cerebral Palsy, originally known as Little's Disease. For why it used to be called Little's Disease, please refer to the Wikipedia entry here.

A history lesson

For those of you that don't know, I was born 11 weeks early, on December 10th, 1988. I guess as a baby I didn't like my mother too much and just desperately wanted to get out, eager to experience the world! (joke) Cerebral Palsy can occur shortly before, during birth, or shortly after birth. Being born so early I was whisked away by doctors from my mother and put into ICU (Intensive Care Unit), where I remained for some time. My mother has told me stories that she noticed a difference in my leg length difference. Some two days after I was born, I had a 'bleed on the brain', causing a stroke at just two days old.

(Years later, my mother would join the stroke crew and from observing my disability-inspired adaptation techniques, would cope during her rehabilitation period taking a leaf out of my book!).

This stroke affected my left side, mostly my left arm and leg, causing mobility difficulties in walking, and impaired use of my left hand - much like Jeremy Beadle in a sense. I would through my baby days, go through many operations including a Shunt operation leaving a visible scar. This being something I would not see myself for 20 years, after my Britney inspired episode:

I also went through many operations, and the future for me was unclear - whether I would be mentally intelligent was not certain, whether I would eventually walk, permanently require a colostomy bag, and the question eventually rose in a battle whether to send me to a Mainstream school. I feel as if I have confounded expectations, but according to one Philosophy student, this is questionable. The Question for him, however, is can we ever be sure of anything? There were also times the late Dr. Hope had broke the news to my parents that I had gone to live with the angels. It would also appear, that I am immortal, or for those Metal Gear Solid enthusiasts amongst you, have increasing, incredible healing powers on a par with the character Vamp.

Obviously I survived, and I have surpassed any expectations anyone ever had of me - including being nominated for the Global Young Leaders Conference in 6th Form, a University Interview at the University of Oxford: Keble College - 3As at A-Levels despite having the worst attendance of all time, receiving awards for my excellence at College for my work in History and Religious Education, being elected for a student at a high school where I was quiet obviously an outcast - at Painsley Catholic College. So you think everything looks rosy for me, no?

Despite my achievements in life, things seem as an 'epic fail' at times. Things have gone downhill as of late with my choice of University, attempting to live at University and not perserving, but that is the story of my life, really. My disability impacts most aspects of my life whether it is visible to others or not. The knock on effect of Cerebral Palsy from birth has meant I have gone through extensive, frustrating physiotherapy in my childhood, a loss of physical prowess with my peers since adolescence, and ongoing, admitting continuing problems with personally accepting the disability as a part of me. Usually with a disability there are additives that are undesireable, disabilities rarely come on their own. I am actually required to wear hearing aids but for cosmetic reasons and paranoia, I don't. They just don't look good and well, I don't want to be seen as an invalid. I feel like one at times, but in my mind, I know I'm more than that. There are some people who like to acknowledge my difference to others, maybe they are old-fashioned and comparing me to somebody else, or just ignorance and see me as an easy target.

I have been the target of bullying in my school years because of my disability, particularly at Painsley Catholic College and my primary school, St. George & St. Martin's. In the first case, in a typical South Park-esque "cripple fight" fashion, the bullies befriended another disabled lad seemingly to use him to be spiteful and pick on me. I would later learn, years later, that they turned on him after I left. I left because of the trauma I suffered from the bullying and missing my true friends from Primary School - who I later rejoined at St Margaret Ward. Much can be said for the difference between the two high schools, Painsley being academically better and it has been supposed I would have a better education had I gone there. But at Margaret Ward, I made friends - ironically enough discarding most of the original friends I had gone to rejoin. I also become vindicated in my efforts in 3As after following on into their college, so the education question of Painsley became irrelevant at that point.

Since University, things went rather sour and my disability to me became really apparent, with having to adjust to living alone without assistance. Like most students, it's quiet the transition period but for me, more so. I had to cope with shopping on my own - lugging back a weeks worth of shopping (including my week's cola addiction!) was quiet the feat but things were tough. My body is not quiet geared up on the level my mind is, and it is something that is natural and a part of having a disability. Going to lectures, coming back, not sleeping brilliantly in my 3/4 length of a single bed and having to do the work, plus the regular household tasks - being clean, cooking, washing was all a bit too much. Like most students in halls I have to cope with cohabiting with many people. In my case at the University of Manchester it was with 8 people in my flat, I have heard reports at other Universities it can be as many as 30 to a kitchen, and at my university some 500 residents at Weston Hall (where I stayed) would have to share just 8 washers and dryers (ample, maybe but there always seemed to be quiet the queue). Stress, tiredness, frustration became the norm because I couldn't keep up and could rarely find energy to go out. It has meant, by proxy, my disability is the reason I have not made many friends at University - and my social choices and co-dependence on the few people I had at that time (not any more, sadly) - meant my involvement in the Philosophy Society has grinded to a halt as I had moved home in December 2007 and it became an inconvience to take part because I required time to study.

I have not, as a consequence, had your average Student life. Though it does give me some comfort that there appears to be many people who do commute and keep their network of friends from school when they go to University rather than seek out new frontiers. All these difficulties that I have had are many reasons why I find it hard to socialize, make new friends - not to mention some people's strange reactions that a stranger is trying to talk to them when I say hello (It's all a bit weird, I think).

Though I think that my experiences with my disability and all the extra dimensions it takes on could merit an book, this is it in a nutshell. It is not insignificant therefore, these important operations, including the next and possibly the last one to come up, because it gives me a sense of increased self-esteem and sense of renewed identity - see my defence of my name change here on 'philosophical grounds'. What I have offered here in this blog, is some empirical reasons, some factors that have led to this.

So what about the operation?

What I mentioned above some of the operations as a direct consequence of cerebral palsy. However, since then there have been a few procedures to help me retain my independence and standard of living. I remember when I was younger of going through an operation on my voicebox - I spoke like Rod Stewart because I shouted a lot - with a Bart Simpson doll in tow. (I wonder whatever happened to THAT!)

Also there have been other procedures, including botox on my thumb joint that was unsuccessful when I was 11 years old, and at the age of 14, major-level surgery to address the leg length difference to bring my leg lengths to a parity with one another. All this, and many appointments on the side with Brain scans, leg x-rays, have all been under the care of the doctors at the Nuffield and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where I was born. This operation to come will address the unsuccessful botox operation and address the "spasticity" of my left hand/wrist. Cruel to use that word perhaps, but this is the medical term.

A bit of useless knowledge for you - SCOPE was originally known as the Spastics Society until Spastic became somewhat a derogatory term. SCOPE is an organisation for those with Cerebral Palsy mainly, but also a charity to help those with other disabilities as well. So the term spastic actually applies directly to Cerebral Palsy, which is why I won't take that word lightly or any derivative of it, even if used in haste.

Back to the matter - with those operations, I am now at my final stage of physical self-realisation as I can possibly acheive - with an operation on the hand. I have overcome having to wear special shoes with a built-up heel on my left foot from pre-leg operation years, and now with this operation, I will be able to walk and hopefully not hide my left hand in public out of a sense of shame.

What's next?

So the Operation is pencilled in May 28th, provisional of course as it slots right into my summer exam period so there are things still yet to consider but things will become clearer as the results for the Spring Exams are released this coming Friday and then later in April with the publication of Exam Timetables. Still all things considering, I feel as if the operation will take precedence and I will take any possible affecting exams as a first sit in the resit period in August.

What will happen, I am told, is that my wrist will be set into place, and hopefully the thumb joint forced into place, all to be discussed at a Pre-Operative Assessment appointment in early May, complete with blood tests, urine samples and then afterwards, sampling the Real Ale of Oxford! So all looks promising.

Unfortunately, the recovery-hospital period is set for 3 days but I hoping since it is just my hand that I can be out sooner (I live one handed anyway!) so I can resume studies for any pending exams and celebrate with ridiculous amounts of alcohol in my Real Ale Haven, the Coachmakers Arms. As for the full effects to be shown and realised, I am not sure, probably a matter of weeks.

So this is all a moment, a day and a time for me to look forward to, I have been waiting 20 years for this, but as for the wider scheme of things, life in general, there is still the matter of University, and I'm setting a personal goal to pass my driving test in the summer so I can have a car ready for the September kick off of my final year at University of Manchester. The operation, though promising and something to look forward to and be finally at peace with, is just the beginning of a new chapter and a long journey.

Stay Tuned.

Northern Trains

Without Northern Trains I probably would not be able to make my 9am lecture on Wednesdays for German politics. Maybe a good thing. But to get there on time I need to get the 7:17 from Stoke-on-Trent.

Northern Trains, by comparison to XCountry and Virgin, are god awful to boot. The trains are like Arriva's, it's a cardboard box with tiny toilets, no desks or power sockets. And it takes a full hour to get to Manchester because Northern like to stop at all the little stations like Kidsgrove, Congelton, etc. What's the point when the pull of trains is that it's faster than a car? If I had a car I'd probably get there quicker than a Northern Train!

And that's a sad thing to contemplate. Not to mention the ridiculous times I have to wake up just to get there for 9am.

Most people are still asleep at this time. So for me, it calls for a blog, some relentless and reading the news on my iPhone.

I guess, putting it that way it's not all bad....


-- Post From My iPhone

Self-Consciousness

Yesterday I had a Philosophy of Mind tutorial, on Cartesian Dualism. This blog has a slight personal touch to it, as you will soon see. Most of us hadn't done the reading but the conversation nevertheless kicked off philosophically on whether we can have self-consciousness.

First we argued on the basis of animals, and I brought up a story of my own showing that animals do not have self-consciousness because their natural instincts are supreme - those of you who might know think of my first dog mickie and the car accident, where he went to die but when he was rescued to be treated, he bit the person that picked him up. This as I see it, as proof.

One person in the class, whether he disagrees personally or not is up to debate, but he used the analogy of disabled people to question, ponder the possibility whether disabled people (he didn't specify so naturally I take this in most general terms) like animals, whether they are capable of self-consciousness. In his defence, I understood what he really meant but there is an element of ignorance on his part where he failed to specify what he means. People will, mainly take things as given and this is an implication that is ludicrous and evidence to show that clarity of expression is paramount. Never mind the fact that philosophically speaking he was arguing for the sake of arguing. There is a fine line between thought and intent. Had I not known any better I'd have cried fowl. But this is not a minority crying wolf, even though I think it such a thing said in print SCOPE would have a field day. Look no further than Jeremy Clarkson's recent comments to see what I mean here.

For arguments sake it should always be said that when making a point there is no intent to offend. Otherwise people simply will, whether offence was intended or not.

On the topic, I would suggest that even the very definition of what a self-consciousness is. It would appear from the philosophical quagmire of yesterday this is unclear among students.

I know full well what I am and I know, also believe that the very notion of CP on a piece of paper or mind can illicit the most stereotypical of responses. I am not your average, conventional, stereotypical Cereal Palsean. But the very notion that any persons being any different is an affront to any idea of equality of persons in the basic sense, any idea of fairness among persons. It smacks of pure ignorance.

For anyone who doubts my position, I would invite you to read the US Declaration of Independence, the Social Contract ethic that is the foundation of social morality today :

"All men [peoples] are created equal"* (Thomas Jefferson)

*NB: The use of language is understandably gendered, cultured to the time. It is now universally understood that 'men' in this context is to extend to all humankind. Think of the iconic Star Trek opening credit declaration as an example - From 'no man' (TOS) to 'no one' (TNG).


This is unequivocally a truism. Black, White, Gay, Straight, Transexual, Hermaphrodites, Disabled and non-disabled, everyone, we are all equal. And not just in the eyes of God, but in the depths of our soul and understanding of humanity. Any advocate of inequality of this scale is contradicting themselves - it would always be possible then for them to be the supressed, the weak, and not the opressors and the strong.

A final note to finish on with the general bracketing of disabilities. The response I've given, I argue to quote Brian Barry, is the only intellectually honest one. Second, PVS or not (which I believe is what he really meant to refer to), using disability in a general context equates not just Cerebral Palay to Persistant Vegetative State, but obesity and even left-handedness which can be considered amongst those as disabilities. It is also debated whether those with PVS are without a self-conscious if this is the argument to make and it is known I am assured that people can come out of PVS.

There are degrees to disabilities, stereotypes and brackets are undeserved and ignorant.

And to say that people with disabilities, or anyone with anything beyond average, as not having a self-conscious - which is centre to self-realisation and being? Heaven forbid.

-- Post From My iPhone

Examination Period January 2009 Overview

Examination period for January is over today. For me, it was over yesterday, a tough week and tough times revising, and the usual exam stress, sickness and delusion that usually comes with it!

Unlike most though, I only had 2 exams this period, compared to my 4 I will have in the summer.

Semester 1 : France under the 5th Republic (Tuesday) & Freed and Equality: Contemporary Debates (Thursday)

Semester 2: Philosophy of Mind, Philosophical Logic, Britain: From Blitz to Brown & The National Politics of Germany

There is also an exteded essay to do, 5,000 word research project for which I am centering on Republicism. The topic and the question it takes I am not sure yet, hopefully I have get my tutor to sign off on the following:

Is an Elected Head of a State a Human Right? Discuss with reference to the United Kingdom

This brings in for me, the Republicanism aspect of which I am interested in terms of my own domestic politics and personal convictions, and researching political human rights as I have so greatly enjoyed reading the works of Rawls.

But back to the topic at hand that I am discussing in this blog: The examination period is over. Stressful times, but a huge sigh of relief. Not much revision done for the second exam but by comparison,I found it easier in exam conditions (Freedom and Equality), thean in my other exam. French politics. On Tuesday morning it wasn't a case of not knowing enough, it was knowing too much. That and the exam being just an hour - the shortest exam I've ever had of any real significance - it was harder to get into the groove and there was a feeling that I felt a bit rusty, despite not being away from writing as I have been writing academic-esque, journalistic blogs over the past two months.

As regular readers may recall and other fellow students, I cocked up on the Freedom and Equality essay earlier in the year. I have considered, and shall attempt to take action take what I feel is an injustice. Ironic, considering the course module, it largely concerns Justice to a degree! What is unclear is whether I will have my marks substantially reversed, though I do feel that I was harsh;y penalised over my bibliography, which was no different from previous essays. Indeed, the feedback I got from such essays were comments that my bibliography was "good".

My other essay for French politics went really well by comparison and I was pleased in comparison with the mark. Having said that, the exams in question were a reverse really (though hopefully not as bad!); I felt I did better on Freedom and Equality (1700+words per question compared to 1300 for French politics). It's not the words but the content, but the word amount to an extent explains for me that I struggled with my frame of writing and articulating my ideas.

Still, I am more than confident to have passed, and with regards to French politics be very suprised to have got a 2:1, where I more than likely expect a 2:2.

Freedom and Equality on the other hand is a different issue. By the exam I hope to have safely passed the 2:1 mark, that I will be pleased with and regardless to the situation with the essay I will have passed the course, and ended up with a respectable 2:2 in that as well. Unless, by some miracle, the second marker sees my essay in a radically different light, a 2:1 is out of my reach (unless of course I have mastered the exam). A course colleague has also informed me that an good showing on my exam will mean that my essay mark will be bumped up on account of better reflecting ability to write. I am not so sure if this is true, but perhaps if it is then perhaps a borderline 2:1 is not impossible (I would hope).

But then, I never know with university exams. I was unable to get a 1st in any of my essay-style exams though in Introduction to Logic I got above 80, and came close in Comparative politics with a good 67. So there is no reason to beleive I do not have the ability, but results and time, will tell. I hope that I have passed and done well to help cure my disillusionment with the University of Manchester and my course as of late. Unfortunately I think I will have to wait some 6 weeks before I find out the provisional scores. Until then, I need to pull my socks up and get something going with the extended essay which is due in April, not to mention the extra workload of 4 course modules this semester as well.

For now though, this weekend at least and for the introductory week of the semester starting on Monday, I am going to relax, enjoy myself, and ease my way back into the scheme of things. The number one thing to look forward to is Chiodos on Tuesday night at the Sugarmill.

With that. I'm going to listen to my favourite song of theirs - Baby, You Wouldn't Last a Minute on the Creek (lyrics here):

All nighters

Exam in the morning. Luckily I have this for the night:





Here's hoping it helps for tomoro French exam, keep all things fresh in mind...
-- Post From My iPhone

Blogs versus Essays

I got an essay back today for French Politics and I passed this time doing much much better than what I did in my failed essay I reported on a few weeks ago.


It would appear my style in essay writing lacks a certain, clarity of expression.

My essay, though received a far better mark, still to this criticism.

And it came to my mind that my form in blog writing is much better according to some observers so its something to learn from.

Perhaps then I can do better when it comes to my next essay and also my project on Republicanism, a research project of 5,000 words that I need done. Need a question though. Hopefully I can go full steam with this soon, get something going. I mighht well write some features as items in the news comes up.

Also thinking of some ideas and perspectives to give this blog a bit of direction and readership. Stayed tuned on that one...

Sleeping Vs Life

Sleeping has prevented me from going University so no updates on the bad essay marking scandal!

And I still need to return Friends DVDs to HMV... it's not right when 2/3 Cds do not have disc labels! Shocking.

I'm in Christmas spirit now - plenty of brain food, and no Manchester til Jan 27th. Heaven!


-- Post From My iPhone

A Sabbatical, A Challenge

Part of it is advice given to me, but I think I'm going give it a full, serious go and give Facebook and MySpace a complete rest (no status updates or checking it), and only going on if I'm emailed a message.

Weirdly enough, it constitutes a challenge since I'm addicted to technology and the computer.

But hopefully I will come out of the feeling fresh. And in the meantime, I can earn some serious gamerpoints on the 360 and get playing MGO on the PS3.

Win, win.

Tomorrow is a big day, seeing the lecturer for my course at the University of Manchester about that appaling essay result, apparently my sources tell me the marker has been noticed for dropping unnecessary marks. So Hopefully, here goes! And maybe my trip to University will be more productive than today where I was there for all of 20 minutes to hand in some paper.

Commutiung is ridiculous! (Stay Tuned for more...) I'm off to paint the town blue...

I'm a Virgin

I'm Virgin Trains best customer today, not to mention Boris' messenger boy on the TFL.

Travelled to Manchester to hand in an essay and leave...! And now on my way in the opposite direction to the capital. Before heading back sometime this evening for £1 V&C at the Underground!

I worked out it's about 400 miles I'm clocking up today, probably more.







Yes, I take pictures of myself on the train! Gangsta! ... Not to mention there's a couple sitting opposite!

Hooray!

Sam Mead was right - I'm an idiot!
-- Post From My iPhone

Clarity of Expression

Liberté. Égalité. Fraternité.

I need to provide clarity of expression this time, since I did so dire on my last essay (More to come on that, like I said).

I have less than 7 hours to write an essay on whether the French Constitutional Council has come to serve as a 'third legislative chamber'.

Its interesting in its own way, but I fall asleep at every opportunity reading the research.

And the French Constitutional Council is a halfway house between our courts and the US Supreme Court.

Except, no appeals system, and they don't "create" laws, merely say whether they are legal or not.

So, basically, no, its not a third chamber, though it is very powerful in its own way. Now to translate this into 1,500 or so words.

Blogging has become my #1 Procrastination activity.

Its fun to write, even if there's no point behind it all.

Absolutely furious

On the verge of using foul language, but I shan't. Any essay I wrote that I thought was good, as did a fellow student and others who read my essay, has been slated by my marker:

Inadquate referencing
And an apparent misunderstanding of the question
Among others things but I stopped there because it's clear that the marker is the one that has misunderstood the essay.

If a question is not too explicit, then the essay will take direction from the interpretation of the author - and it is clear my marker does not like my argument so marked me down accordingly.

So much for anonymous marking schemes to provide impartiality.

I'll elaborate more on this later. Phone calls, emails etc to get on with!

And I beleive I am not the only student at the University of Manchester who thinks the teaching and marking is inconsistent, too uninformed, and dare I say, ridiculous.

More later. Stay Tuned!


-- Post From My iPhone