Friday, 31 July 2009
In Bruges
After about a 3 hour train journey from Calais arrived in Bruges. First thing that struck me was the number of bicycles outside the station. I wandered about the city looking for my hostel and who should I run into but one of the teachers from my old school. Spent a bit of time seeing the sights like the belfry, palaces, statues and windmills. Discovered at certain points around the city a funny smell, I think it has something to do with the canals. Stayed at St Christopher's Inn which was quite nice with a decent bar and tidy rooms. Only gripe here is the showers, you press the button and you get 5 seconds of water. Ended up going out on the town with the people from my room. That being an Aussie guy living in Holland, an Aussie girl living in Edinburgh, a guy from Spain and a guy from Brazil. also met two guys from California but they didn't have much sense of humour, so we ditched them. Went to the park where there was a bar and stage set up and had a good time drinking, yarning, and playing fooseball with a rock.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Calais beachhead
A sleepy seaside town from all appearances, Although it had a very nice stretch of beach that wasn't very busy at all. I stayed at a pretty cheap and basic hotel across from the station on my first stop here and saw what there was to be seen. On my second stop here I stayed at the youth hostel which was quite nice. 25 Euro for a private room with shared bathroom. also ended up with a free drink and internet as I did an interview for a journalist. Didn't get to laze on the beach as I had planned though as there was a bitter wind coming off the sea from England, does not bode well for my return.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Its over!
And so my time at Verulam comes to an end. It has definitely been an experience. From arriving with all my worldly possessions in a backpack on a snowy winters day, the two snow days, the fire, all the changes at the school, things have been interesting. Wrapped the year up with a bit of a shindig, a few drinks, a few laughs. My haul from it all, a box of chocolates, 2 bottles of wine and a bottle of scotch whiskey. I am going to miss the place. Not so much the students or facilities, but definitely the science staff. Them, and having a job with such a small commute. But that chapter has now come to an end. Who knows, I may be back someday. But for now it is time to move on and find a new job. But before that...
Summer break! 3 weeks in England, 3 in Europe riding the train around France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Germany, etc. I have a vague list of places to see but mostly I will go were whim takes me. Should be a lot of fun.
Summer break! 3 weeks in England, 3 in Europe riding the train around France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Germany, etc. I have a vague list of places to see but mostly I will go were whim takes me. Should be a lot of fun.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
The epithatree told me so
Coming up on 6 months since I have arrived in England, and also summer break. So what has been happening in the past month and a bit? Not too much really. Plodding along with work, various nights out in STA, my continuing application to the British TA, and two trips into London. The first into Brixton, the second to central London where I was drinking on a boat, never a good idea. Ended up walking back from Temple to Kentish town to catch the train home, did not get to bed until noon the next day. In a word, rough, adding 2 more, but fun. I have also managed to lose 2 pairs of sunglasses. Really got to stop taking them when im gong drinking. Well, that or wait until dark before drinking.
Transformers 2. I liked it. They brought back the humour that was present in the G1 series, although at times they took it a bit too far. Plus, Jetfire as a geriatric old man? Awesome! The matrix of leadership was well done too, particularly as it was never mentioned in the trailers so a vital plot point wasn't ruined (ahem - Terminator: Salvation nudge nudge - ahem). The Fallen was a good way to keep the franchise fresh. They even set up for another sequel, not sure how far they can push it though. Although what the hell are kids wearing these days? I cant tell the males from the females anymore, and those silly ass hats! If that is what it takes to be cool, I am proud to be uncool, at least I don't look like a twat.
So 6 months. I have had good times, met a lot of people, seen a lot of things, been many places. And you know what, a lot of it, I really cant remember. So yeah, no prizes for guessing what the Epithatree told me then.
Transformers 2. I liked it. They brought back the humour that was present in the G1 series, although at times they took it a bit too far. Plus, Jetfire as a geriatric old man? Awesome! The matrix of leadership was well done too, particularly as it was never mentioned in the trailers so a vital plot point wasn't ruined (ahem - Terminator: Salvation nudge nudge - ahem). The Fallen was a good way to keep the franchise fresh. They even set up for another sequel, not sure how far they can push it though. Although what the hell are kids wearing these days? I cant tell the males from the females anymore, and those silly ass hats! If that is what it takes to be cool, I am proud to be uncool, at least I don't look like a twat.
So 6 months. I have had good times, met a lot of people, seen a lot of things, been many places. And you know what, a lot of it, I really cant remember. So yeah, no prizes for guessing what the Epithatree told me then.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Nightrunner rides again
So it occurs to me, as I am jogging back to my flat from Batchwood to keep warm, that there is far to little personal and social responsibility in this world. The amount of trash I came across during my jog and elsewhere a prime example.
As far as I can recall, this world works on the principle of you do your part, I will do mine, and the rest will sort itself out. Kinda like Starship Troopers. I'm doing my part, are you? In fact, this is one of the foundations of society. We all come out better off if we work together. Therefore we give up some of our freedoms (e.g taking what you want by force, killing, speeding, basically the things there are laws against) so that the group as a whole benefits. This idea is all well and good, but what I have found in my travels are that people are by nature selfish and, well stupid really. Of course you could say this is just genetics, the organism is driven to reproduce so it only focuses on itself. But that argument can only account for so much.
The way I see forward of this, and it is a solution many I know agree with, some do not, is one of universal national service (or global, depends on how ambitious we are being), a centralised and compact leadership group, intensive surveillance, and full transparency throughout. I know what you are saying now. You cant do that, thats facism, communism, a police state, everything we fought against in the past. But thats the thing, in the past, these ideas were driven by corrupt dictators who wanted control. Put into place properly, my idea is a form of socialism. Everyone is a part of the system, from leadership down to the unemployed (who now work for their country). So everyone is doing their part (obviously bar those who are incapable of any form of work at all), everyone reaps the benefits. With everyone earning, people will still be spending, which would get rid of this recession business.
more to follow
As far as I can recall, this world works on the principle of you do your part, I will do mine, and the rest will sort itself out. Kinda like Starship Troopers. I'm doing my part, are you? In fact, this is one of the foundations of society. We all come out better off if we work together. Therefore we give up some of our freedoms (e.g taking what you want by force, killing, speeding, basically the things there are laws against) so that the group as a whole benefits. This idea is all well and good, but what I have found in my travels are that people are by nature selfish and, well stupid really. Of course you could say this is just genetics, the organism is driven to reproduce so it only focuses on itself. But that argument can only account for so much.
The way I see forward of this, and it is a solution many I know agree with, some do not, is one of universal national service (or global, depends on how ambitious we are being), a centralised and compact leadership group, intensive surveillance, and full transparency throughout. I know what you are saying now. You cant do that, thats facism, communism, a police state, everything we fought against in the past. But thats the thing, in the past, these ideas were driven by corrupt dictators who wanted control. Put into place properly, my idea is a form of socialism. Everyone is a part of the system, from leadership down to the unemployed (who now work for their country). So everyone is doing their part (obviously bar those who are incapable of any form of work at all), everyone reaps the benefits. With everyone earning, people will still be spending, which would get rid of this recession business.
more to follow
Saturday, 11 April 2009
What is your zombie plan?
So the rest of term? Humdrum sums it up nicely. Just the same ol grinding away at the wheel trying to get the boys to learn in the face of gross indifference and arrogance. As someone once said, its a hard knock life. However I am currently greatly enjoying one of the perks of being a teacher. You guessed it, holidays! I am in Malta until Sunday and have spent my time here walking around old cities, drinking more than is sensible, scuba diving, and basically enjoying being away from teenage boys. Oh and B-T-Dub, all-inclusive is key. I spent the extra I had to pay for it in my first 2 nights drinking. Nothing like being able to eat or drink whenever you want.
So day-by-day you want huh? Ok, day one, Saturday, got up at 3am, caught the train, then plane and got here around 11am. Arrived at the hotel then went for a wander around Qawra, Buggiba and St Paul's Bay, the 3 linked towns where I am based. Saw some towers, visited some shops, realised I was not in the youngins part of Malta. Surrounded by aging Britons who do nothing but laze by the pool and get sunburnt, just like in the tv shows. Went to a few pubs but didn't see many people and didn't stay out too late.
Sunday I met the Chevron Holidays rep and organised some tours, got the name of a dive company. Then I caught the bus to Valletta (0.54 Euro!) and saw the firing of the cannon, the walled city, fort St Elmo, and the Malta experience, which goes over the history of Malta. Then I came back to Qawra and this is where the trouble began. Dropped into the hotel bar (All-inclusive remember) and sunk a few or a few too many whiskies. Then I went to the head of Tourists street and followed it towards my hotel drinking in every bar I came across. I remember meeting some young Britons on holiday, then blank, then the zombies attacked.
Now this part could be delusions as I had just finished reading World War Z, a book about the zombie apocalypse. But I clearly remember barking at a dog (go figure), being on a rooftop, climbing walls and dealing with barbed wire. I assume I tried to take a shortcut as there are many streets here that go in the direction you want and then stop. So me in my wisdom thought, fuck that, I'm going over. My jeans, shoes, and body attest to the difficulties I had. I had to repair a rip in my jeans, there are sandstone scuffmarks on my clothes, and I have a gash on my leg from barbed wire and grazes reminiscent of wall-climbing. Needless to say, I awoke in the hotel room with fuzzy memories. Monday I visited the dive shop to tee up some scuba, then did some souvenir shopping. didn't go out this night, wonder why?
Tuesday was my first day diving, and who should I meet? Another bloody Kiwi. Not only that, but she was also a teacher living in London on holiday in Malta to do some diving over the break. I don't know the odds of that but they cant be high. That first day we went to Cirkewwa reef, a nice sheltered bay on the West coast. Saw some fish, got my bearings and saw a statue of Madonna underwater.Got in 2 dives here and visibility for both was excellent.
Wednesday we went to Valletta and dived on 2 wrecks in the harbour, the X131 (Carolita) and the HMS Maori. The Maori was a tribal class destroyer sunk during WW2 and the gun bases are still visible, along with part of the superstructure. The wreck lies in around 6 metres of water. The X131 was a lighter (barge type boat) from WW1 and is at a slope from 5 to 22 metres. Not much to see as she has a pretty clean deck.
Thursday I went on a tour of Gozo. Saw the citadel and walled city, took a boat ride to the blue grotto and saw the prehistoric temple at Ggantija. The temple was impressive considering it is older than Stonehenge (3600-3000 BC), has pretty large liths and has weathered pretty well. Gozo is a very nice island and much greener than Malta.
Friday was my last day diving. First we went back to Cirkewwa where I bimbled around behind a lesson and really depth-tested my camera. 19 metres, well exceeding the stated 10 metre limit. Although to be fair it did stop working and only resumed functioning when I came higher. Next we went to Popeye village and did a cave dive. Kind of spooky to be swimming around in the dark and all enclosed, Guess it would be worse without scuba though.
Saturday I took a tour of Malta itself. We went to the old capital of Mdina. This is another walled city and has some interesting history and architecture. Then we went to the craft villages and saw glass-blowers and filigree workers. Glass blowing is damn impressive. I watched a guy make a horse out of glass by pulling on it with pliers and turning it. After this we went to the South coast for lunch and then visited Mosta dome, the 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world. For such a tiny country there sure is a lot to see here, would of liked to have had more time but never mind aye. Spent Sunday at the movies as I had to check-out at 11am and didn't fly out to 2125 and being Easter Sunday, most places were shut. The flight back was relatively uneventful, getting back home at 2am.
So reflections on my trip. Malta is a really interesting country with friendly people. If you are going for the nightlife then head for St Julian's, thats were the young people hang out. Did my diving with Aquatica in St Paul's Bay. An excellent company with good knowledge of the dive sites and a relaxed way. Bella Vista hotel Qawra was nice, well stocked bar, decent and plentiful meals and in a quiet but handy location. Chevron air holidays handled my flights and accommodation and offered good advice on attractions. Overall had a great time and would definitely recommend Malta.
So day-by-day you want huh? Ok, day one, Saturday, got up at 3am, caught the train, then plane and got here around 11am. Arrived at the hotel then went for a wander around Qawra, Buggiba and St Paul's Bay, the 3 linked towns where I am based. Saw some towers, visited some shops, realised I was not in the youngins part of Malta. Surrounded by aging Britons who do nothing but laze by the pool and get sunburnt, just like in the tv shows. Went to a few pubs but didn't see many people and didn't stay out too late.
Sunday I met the Chevron Holidays rep and organised some tours, got the name of a dive company. Then I caught the bus to Valletta (0.54 Euro!) and saw the firing of the cannon, the walled city, fort St Elmo, and the Malta experience, which goes over the history of Malta. Then I came back to Qawra and this is where the trouble began. Dropped into the hotel bar (All-inclusive remember) and sunk a few or a few too many whiskies. Then I went to the head of Tourists street and followed it towards my hotel drinking in every bar I came across. I remember meeting some young Britons on holiday, then blank, then the zombies attacked.
Now this part could be delusions as I had just finished reading World War Z, a book about the zombie apocalypse. But I clearly remember barking at a dog (go figure), being on a rooftop, climbing walls and dealing with barbed wire. I assume I tried to take a shortcut as there are many streets here that go in the direction you want and then stop. So me in my wisdom thought, fuck that, I'm going over. My jeans, shoes, and body attest to the difficulties I had. I had to repair a rip in my jeans, there are sandstone scuffmarks on my clothes, and I have a gash on my leg from barbed wire and grazes reminiscent of wall-climbing. Needless to say, I awoke in the hotel room with fuzzy memories. Monday I visited the dive shop to tee up some scuba, then did some souvenir shopping. didn't go out this night, wonder why?
Tuesday was my first day diving, and who should I meet? Another bloody Kiwi. Not only that, but she was also a teacher living in London on holiday in Malta to do some diving over the break. I don't know the odds of that but they cant be high. That first day we went to Cirkewwa reef, a nice sheltered bay on the West coast. Saw some fish, got my bearings and saw a statue of Madonna underwater.Got in 2 dives here and visibility for both was excellent.
Wednesday we went to Valletta and dived on 2 wrecks in the harbour, the X131 (Carolita) and the HMS Maori. The Maori was a tribal class destroyer sunk during WW2 and the gun bases are still visible, along with part of the superstructure. The wreck lies in around 6 metres of water. The X131 was a lighter (barge type boat) from WW1 and is at a slope from 5 to 22 metres. Not much to see as she has a pretty clean deck.
Thursday I went on a tour of Gozo. Saw the citadel and walled city, took a boat ride to the blue grotto and saw the prehistoric temple at Ggantija. The temple was impressive considering it is older than Stonehenge (3600-3000 BC), has pretty large liths and has weathered pretty well. Gozo is a very nice island and much greener than Malta.
Friday was my last day diving. First we went back to Cirkewwa where I bimbled around behind a lesson and really depth-tested my camera. 19 metres, well exceeding the stated 10 metre limit. Although to be fair it did stop working and only resumed functioning when I came higher. Next we went to Popeye village and did a cave dive. Kind of spooky to be swimming around in the dark and all enclosed, Guess it would be worse without scuba though.
Saturday I took a tour of Malta itself. We went to the old capital of Mdina. This is another walled city and has some interesting history and architecture. Then we went to the craft villages and saw glass-blowers and filigree workers. Glass blowing is damn impressive. I watched a guy make a horse out of glass by pulling on it with pliers and turning it. After this we went to the South coast for lunch and then visited Mosta dome, the 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world. For such a tiny country there sure is a lot to see here, would of liked to have had more time but never mind aye. Spent Sunday at the movies as I had to check-out at 11am and didn't fly out to 2125 and being Easter Sunday, most places were shut. The flight back was relatively uneventful, getting back home at 2am.
So reflections on my trip. Malta is a really interesting country with friendly people. If you are going for the nightlife then head for St Julian's, thats were the young people hang out. Did my diving with Aquatica in St Paul's Bay. An excellent company with good knowledge of the dive sites and a relaxed way. Bella Vista hotel Qawra was nice, well stocked bar, decent and plentiful meals and in a quiet but handy location. Chevron air holidays handled my flights and accommodation and offered good advice on attractions. Overall had a great time and would definitely recommend Malta.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Oderint Dum Metuant
Inconsistency, thy name is Peter. Seems as though life is starting to slow down, or at least the eventfulness that has been my life is easing off. Where were we last? Oh right, Second day back at work after the holidays and some fucktard decides it would be a good idea to set the school on fire. After the evacuation it comes out that the fire alarms in the school are faulty so Wednesday was plagued with fire drills and then at the end of the day we were all told the school would be closed for the rest of the week. Didn't help they told the students this at the start of 6th period, made teaching even harder. Turned out to be quite convenient as I had a friend coming to visit so we had more time together.
Apart from that first week the rest of the term has been pretty standard. Going through the usual routine of work, gym, eat, tv, sleep, with a night or two on the town thrown in. I will have to make up for this lack of excitement and adventure during break. At the moment I am looking into diving in Cyprus or Turkey, supposed to be lots of wrecks and ruins in the sea there. I did go to see Watchmen last weekend. It was pretty darn good with lots of healthy violence and a nice cynical view of the world. I am definitely not the film aficionado I once was however.
I also just finished reading the Starship Troopers novel by Robert A Heinlein for the second time. For a novel 50 years old it has some pretty innovative ideas. It also echoes a lot of truth on how the infantry roll. The ideals of Honour, Duty, Courage from the novel, The Octus Canon from Gears of War, 3CI from the NZDF, the knights code of old, the way of the Spartans. Seems the way of soldiers haven't changed in millenia. Why? because they work, and as the saying goes, if it ain't broke...
Apart from that first week the rest of the term has been pretty standard. Going through the usual routine of work, gym, eat, tv, sleep, with a night or two on the town thrown in. I will have to make up for this lack of excitement and adventure during break. At the moment I am looking into diving in Cyprus or Turkey, supposed to be lots of wrecks and ruins in the sea there. I did go to see Watchmen last weekend. It was pretty darn good with lots of healthy violence and a nice cynical view of the world. I am definitely not the film aficionado I once was however.
I also just finished reading the Starship Troopers novel by Robert A Heinlein for the second time. For a novel 50 years old it has some pretty innovative ideas. It also echoes a lot of truth on how the infantry roll. The ideals of Honour, Duty, Courage from the novel, The Octus Canon from Gears of War, 3CI from the NZDF, the knights code of old, the way of the Spartans. Seems the way of soldiers haven't changed in millenia. Why? because they work, and as the saying goes, if it ain't broke...
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