Thursday 29 November 2012

I traded Polar night for this?

I return to England to find the weather you would expect, grey and drizzling. I enjoyed the cold of the Arctic better than this, because though it is colder, it isn't as depressing. But anyway, rewind a bit...

Last Tuesday I wake up very early to catch a train into London, only to catch a different train back north to Stansted airport. Why? Because the buses don't run that early. Worse, the train cost as much as my return flight to Oslo! Madness. I arrive in Oslo around Noon, checked into the hostel then went for a wander. Unfortunately, it was overcast in Oslo so I couldn't see much scenery, but I did see many cool things. Notably, two Outland (like forbidden planet) stores within a few blocks of each other, chock full of geek stuff. Also, cool architecture and interesting sculpture. I begin my finance-induced diet and reduce to one meal a day.

Wednesday I caught the bus (as ferry doesn't run in winter) to museum island (actually a peninsula and visit the Viking ship museum, Fram museum, Kon-Tiki museum, Maritime museum, and the Norwegian Folk museum. The Viking ship museum had three large burial ships that had been excavated, along with some relics. Very intriguing to see that the Viking carvings are quite similar to Maori designs.
The Fram museum was very interesting, with exhibits on expeditions to both poles. Cool fact, everyone thought Amundsen was going to the North pole when he surprised them by turning south. Also, he arrived with more huskies than when he left. The Fram itself is a ship with a reinforced and rounded hull. Why? As what Nansen did was sail it towards the North until it got embedded in the ice. He then drifted with the Ice across the Northern ocean for a few years! Later (after a refit), it was the Fram that took Amundsen south to conquer Antarctica.
The Kon-Tiki museum told the impressive tale of Thor Heyderhals life and his expeditions aboard balsa and reed rafts. I was definitely inspired by his method of adventure science. The boats (or replicas) are all there in the museum and look cool.
The Maritime museum had all sorts of exhibits on various aspects of boats and maritime issues. Some interesting examples of hull design for instance.
The folk museum had exhibits on various aspects of Norwegian culture, but the more impressive aspect is the hundreds of houses from different times and regions scattered about the grounds.

Thursday I took the opportunity to go to the Akershus castle (which was closed) but I did get to see the Norwegian resistance museum and the armed forces museum. The resistance museum was an interesting insight into a part of world war 2 that many people do not know much about. The armed forces museum had a large variety of different weapons, which I enjoyed immensely.
I then visited the Museum of Natural history, first the zoological institute then the geological one (because dinosaurs). The zoological one started off as expected, stuffed animals from various parts of the world. But then I came across a Dire rat. Then a giant snake. I finally went 'WTF' when I saw what appeared to be a baboon dog from the moon wearing torn sport socks! I have no idea what this section of the museum was about either as all the signs were only in Norwegian! You can see pictures of these weird creatures on my Facebook page. The geological museum had the excellent dinosaur skeletons, including a T-Rex (which I don't think they had in London).
I then took the train up into the hills to try and get a decent view. I was defeated in this because the hills happened to be immersed in clouds. So I returned to the city. I then visited the Museum of cultural history and saw some very cool things from around the world before the sun came out so I raced down to the ferry pier for a boat ride. Once again, the weather disagreed with my plans and it clouded over.
About this time, I decided I should have a break from walking so returned to the hostel for a rest. Later that night I went to a metal bar for a few drinks and good music.

Friday I met up with a friend for breakfast (first real meal in Norway) before I caught my flight (just) North to Tromso. The flight up had some very scenic views when the clouds occasionally cleared. I landed in Tromso at what appeared to be sunset with the moon rising on the opposite horizon, however a quick check of the watch revealed it to be noon. So I promptly checked in to the hotel then went for a wander. Later that night I jumped on a bus tour to try and find the northern lights. Unfortunately, the clouds were out again so I didn't get a brilliant show but I did see a dancing washed-out rainbow in the sky. I was also impressed to see the pole star appearing very nearly overhead.

On Saturday had a very large breakfast (including caviar and tropical fruit!) then I went for a visit at a Husky farm. First we played with the puppies for a bit (one ate my bootlace!) before we learnt about the dogs (not pure huskies, but crosses) and how the sled worked. once again, weather conditions denied me and we couldn't go sledding, but we did take the dogs out for a hike with snowshoes and had hot dogs cooked on a camp-fire  Much fun was had indeed. Later that night I sat on the rooftop balcony of a rock bar and enjoyed the northernmost brewed beer while watching faint aurora above the city.

Sunday I my epic journey back to London, first of with some wandering around Tromso getting lots of photos before waiting at the airport for several hours, then the Oslo bus station for another few hours, finally arriving back in England early Monday morning, I then spent the day doing various things while still wired on caffeine before finally crashing out 38 hours after waking. A new personal best I believe.

So recommendations. Defintely Tromso, that place is just so cool. Oslo is a very neat place. I definitely recommend the Oslo pass, I made up for the cost of the 48 hour one in day one. Anker hostel was a decent place to stay and most of all cheap. The Rica Grand hotel was very nice but for a cheaper option I heard the ABC hotel is good. Arctic adventure tours and Arctic guide service were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable about what they do. The Tromso and Oslo visitor centres were very helpful too.

*photos here and here.*

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Counting down.

Two things made my time at Hemel Hempstead school rather pleasant. The first was that most of the students were relatively nice, and particularly better than I had been led to believe about Hemel. Second, was that right from day one I had a finish point in sight, and knowing you are only going to be there for a short time before a long holiday is a good way to find a smile. Overall, it was a good experience, expanding my knowledge by teaching physics. If I had been staying in the country longer I probably would have stayed.

Since finishing at HHS in late October, I have been attempting to sort out my life in preparation of emigrating home. I have four boxes ready to be shipped off to NZ, a lot of my possessions have been sold or given away, I have reclaimed tax for various years (and waiting for money), closed various accounts and payments, and generally just streamlined things.Now it is just a case of enjoying my last few weeks here before I fly out.

How am I going to do that? Well so far I have been into London a few times, variously for touristy things or partying. Went to see Nightwish after a day at the Natural History Museum. Things I learnt there: Dinosaurs are cooler in person, their domestic sheep does not look like a sheep (neither is their Red deer red), prehistoric armadillos are weird, they put a lot of detail into decorating that place. Nightwish were as expected, awesome. On the sporting front, in TKD I have progressed to red tag and won a silver pattern trophy and bronze sparring trophy at the BUTF Open tournament. My final LARP event was damn cold and not much got done but it was enjoyable overall. Legion are better as a larger group though.

Next week I am going to Norway for a week. First to Oslo for a few days then up to Tromso to try and catch the Northern Lights while out dogsledding one evening. Should be fun, albeit expensive. That will be followed a few days later by my leaving shindig then the multistop flight home. Fingers crossed my bank account holds out for the final few weeks.

Sunday 16 September 2012

I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome I am.

After one week of 'Why haven't the agency called yet? I really need the money' and getting down to under £50 in my bank account, I had a job interview on Monday. I went in to the interview around noon, and was working at the school 10 mins later. Also managed to swing a nice pay increase out of that. Nothing outrageous mind, just the rate I should be getting paid as an experienced teacher, rather than the NQT rate other schools had been screwing me with. I have already had students telling me they have learnt more in the last week than they did in the last term, and have had other staff members asking me for advice on using the network. Is that winning or what? Granted, I am still damn poor, but that will change as soon as I get paid. The school itself is pretty good, with relatively well-behaved students. Just a shame I am not getting any A-level teaching. But never mind, It will provide me with enough funds to see out my time in the UK. Maybe even enough for a quick Eurotrip before I go.

Living primally is continuing in a reasonable shape. My diet is staying mostly Paleo, and the intermittent fasting (fasting between 8pm and noon) has become natural and I don't miss breakfast. Now I have a routine I am managing to exercise properly and regularly. Mostly bodyweight stuff and callisthenics. This combined with TKD is keeping me healthy and in good shape. However, always room for improvement. I will soon be increasing the cardio side of things to get me up to standard for when I rejoin the army.

On the horizon there is the Goth boat cruise tonight followed by Slimelight. Should be a lot of fun with good music and people. Then there are several weekends of Duke of Edinburgh expeditions so hiking and BBQ in South Wales. Late October is the Viper faction event, which has a large number of Legion attending so that should be a laugh. This will be followed up by a month of getting myself ready for emigrating home so sorting out baggage, property, taxes, etc. With maybe some small trips thrown in.  It will be a busy few months but should be good. Then come December, my epic flight home, followed by getting to know the homeland again. I'm excited.

Friday 31 August 2012

Planes, trains and automobiles.

Quick math quiz for you. If a flight from London to Auckland via Vancouver costs £800, Why does a flight from London to Vancouver cost £900? Also, Why is a London to Auckland return even cheaper at £750? The mind boggles.

Such is the trials I went through in attempting to book passage home. Long story short, For around half the cost I get home via a meandering route which gives me a day in each on Reykjavik, Seattle and Vancouver. Interestingly, I arrive in Seattle 15 minutes before I leave Reykjavik. Yet somehow the flight from Vancouver to Auckland takes 3 days. Gah! Timeyness! Regardless, as of the 2nd of December I will be leaving the UK and returning to the glorious homeland of NZ, just in time for an old mates wedding. Oh, and this year I get two summers. Winning.

Final Lorien Trust event for me was a bit of a mixed bag. I had some absolutely epic moments of camaraderie and shenanigans with the Legion crew. However there was some shitty weather and some douches who don't know how to play nicely with others that put a damper on things. I am definitely going to miss the Legion crew.

Starting my exit procedures early which means sorting out my life and liquidating my assets. I have so much crap it is not funny. Considering I arrived in the country with a single backpack I have picked up a lot of junk over 4 years.Some of it will be shipped home but I imagine I will be selling off the rest.

School term starts next week, so hopefully there will soon be some work for me, as my funds are once again reaching a depressingly low point. Good thing I should be getting a small pile of money out of selling my car, the flat bond, and a tax refund.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Rock and Roll!

Another month passes, time seems to flash by here and drag on there. The G.E.F LT event was fun, despite 24 hours of continual rain. Had some drinks, some laughs, a slight bruising to the head, but otherwise fine.

Download festival was awesomesauce. Many (too many to see all of them) excellent bands, friendly people and interesting times. Standouts for me were Nightwish, Slash, Corey Taylor, The Mission, Tenacious D, Steel panther and of course Black Sabbath. Metallica came on 40 mins late, which was just disappointing and encouraged me to see someone else. Just a shame the weather was so awful to start with. The mud was so thick in places people were just abandoning their footwear. Oh, I also went on my first real amusement ride; some twisty thing that spins you through the air upside down and backwards. So that is two things from the list checked off this weekend.

Back to work now for 'start' of the academic year. A policy I do not agree with, but there it is. Only six weeks to go before summer. Hopefully I get some work lined up for after otherwise I am going to be a poor panda.

Friday 18 May 2012

May it be...

May (or maybe late April, time is confusing) have been rather busy. Let's see, had two job interviews which I didn't get one, not so fussed about. The other, a bit bummed out about. But On the bright side I actually got some useful feedback from that one and they even referred me on to another school, so that is something. After resignation date (may 31st) there should be a few more posts. But unfortunately, if I can't get one locked in before mid June, I will no longer be able to teach after January. Leaving my options as; A) Get a none teaching job, B) Get a job at an independent school, or C) Go home. Time will tell.

Attended my first Lorien Trust event at the beginning of May. It was a lot of fun and quite different to Maelstrom. Much more combat, opportunities to do monstering, and for me, no more mask. Next one is in 3 weeks, which will be closely followed by the Download festival, then there are some bands I want to see later in June so it will be a busy month. Let's just hope I have the money for all this fun stuff.

Saturday 21 April 2012

April

Age of Seekers event 2: The Toy maker of Prospero Valley, was a huge success. 30 odd players with half that again as crew, excellent site, embedded NPCs equaled a lot of fun and excitement. It wasn't without its flaws but that just gives us something to work on for the July event.

My Easter break was a mostly relaxing fortnight where I didn't get up to much, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing as I am now a bit short of funds and waiting for payday. I did get down into London for a night out and had the event organisation to keep me busy.

Back at work this week, and given the previous weekend was the event, I have been tired from day one. I think a quiet relaxing weekend is in order, as I know the following ones are going to be anything but.

Monday 26 March 2012

Maybe this time...

Oops, six months huh? Oh dear. One day I'll be regular with this. Here come the dots...

  • Moved flats again. Upsides; Larger room, closer to town, fewer flatmates, double bed! Downsides; Car insurance is now stupid high, parking is rubbish. A new move may be in order once contract is up.
  • Lost job at Marlborough. Apparently teachers shouldn't confront misbehaving students, who knew. For the best. I wasn't enjoying it. Did a stint as day supply which was always interesting if a bit financially unstable. Now semi-permanent at Bushey Meads School. Also, government have finally accepted that yes, I am a qualified teacher. So that is good.
  • My adventures in the Goth scene continue thanks to my guides Russ and Maz. Attended two Antichrist events which were blurs of fascinating images and sound. Also been trying to be a regular at Inferno and hit Invocation this weekend. Two visits to Slimelight have left me somewhat disappointed, apparently not as good as it used to but still OK.
  • Taekwondo suffered a setback this month with a failed grading. Destruction with the off foot is not easy if you haven't had the chance to practise for three months. So, I have been kicking walls with my heel and stretching to ensure the next one goes without a hitch. But other than that, all good.
  • Began using the Paleo diet this month. No more breads, grains or cereals, severe reduction in sugars. Plenty of fresh meat, vegetables and nuts. Combined with an altered workout plan this has started to show some improvements, particularly in the back. Pull-ups are key to this. Go figure :P.
  • Travels. currently stalled due to finances. But key places to go before exfil are Scandinavia, Egypt, and maybe a few others. Maybe in summer, although I would rather do Scandinavia in winter to try and see the Northern lights and go dog-sledding.
Guess that is it for now. Easter break is imminent and have a LARP to help run during so should be busy. A with any luck I will remember to update this again. But don't hold your breath.