Explanation time.
OK First I offered you the weird magic box. Then came a sudden series of posts about Peter Hain, in Southampton University. Here is the skinny. I have left my job (Kind of). Moved back to my old University (Southampton) to do some research. Now I'm living like a student again I decide some good honest to god Union based activities were in order.
Now I've got that out of the way, I post some pictures of what I've been up to, in the UK. I attended Southampton as one of the worlds premiere Computing and Electronic Universities between 2001 and 2005. I was and am again based here.
Why the weird juxtaposed modern white (Needs a clean I know) and wooden finished lines. Well that's because shortly after I left, this happened.
Picture: John Bullas via flickr
Nothing to do with me, I followed the event via local news on the web. None the less, the bits that were left have had a new entrance, the burnt bits were knocked down and are now this...
And those working in those bits (Well most of them) are now working in places like this.
So that is where I am at the moment. I'm living back in halls again (told you the whole student experience) here is my room shortly after arrival.
Now it looks slightly more presentable,
This is where I'm cooking and eating.
Check out my very cool tri-pod speakers hooked up to my iPod (Which I now love)
Where am I staying ?
The entrance...
Some fairly tasteful modern art.
The view from my window, quite pleasant.
All up to date with that then. To return to my job. I didn't expect to leave so suddenly and I don't think my employers were too impressed. To be honest I hadn't anticipated to leave in such a hurried fashion, as such there was still plenty to do in respect of maintenance of my applications. I was very honest about this and said I didn't want to feel like I was abandoning them, which I would have felt guilty about. As such they very graciously agreed to see out the end of my contract, reduced to part time hours.
I certainly hope I will return after my absence. My employer can't guarantee this, as I was only ever on a part time contract. I think there is a fear I'll get a taste for this research lark and not want to go back. I understand where they're coming from, but I have done my best to allay their fears - come on. I've got a lovely office fairly prestigious title, and a fantastic coffee machine... to be fair any other offer is gonna have to offer all that and more.
This is in my opinion mutually beneficial, I need the money and they need the "support contract" as I have been referring to it. It's already been quite good fun only yesterday I was sat in the Union providing support via e-mail and instant messenger. I'm checking regularly with my old secretary via the wonders of the interweb and Skype.
Well enough of all that, must go and do some busy work. I will probably post in short pieces but more often. I had a blog when I was an undergraduate that some of my friends were privy to. Some of those still read this blog, and they claim it's recently lost some grit as such maybe it'll return now I'm back in the midst of academia.
And what of the magic box you ask...
Well since I was leaving work, kind of, I had a leaving do and there was a whip round and purchased me some gifts... pretty nice ones too.
I have a bit of a thing for this chap Paul Smith, makes some marvelous shirts of the finest quality. Whilst not raising enough for a new shirt, they did indeed manage to afford a Paul Smith coffee mug. Which is quite an achievement to combine two of my passions in such a way. I blogged about my coffee passion and I'm sure I've posted pictures of my in office coffee supplier before. So since I'll be living like a pauper for the next 6 months, they also bought me a Starbuck's international coffee card, which is extremely cool.
Finally... oh yes there is more... they also got me a beautiful pair of Paul Smith cufflinks.(There is that name again... oh wow I'm just imagining him and Sir J Ives, working on a project together).
That doesn't of course directly answer the question of the magic box. Before I left I was joking with my colleague, who shares the passion for fine dining and coffee, that I'd like UN style food parcels sent to me whilst I'm away. Bless her Maltese peasant goodness only went and bought me a going away gift package.
That is the magic box.
Now I've got that out of the way, I post some pictures of what I've been up to, in the UK. I attended Southampton as one of the worlds premiere Computing and Electronic Universities between 2001 and 2005. I was and am again based here.
Why the weird juxtaposed modern white (Needs a clean I know) and wooden finished lines. Well that's because shortly after I left, this happened.
Picture: John Bullas via flickr
Nothing to do with me, I followed the event via local news on the web. None the less, the bits that were left have had a new entrance, the burnt bits were knocked down and are now this...
And those working in those bits (Well most of them) are now working in places like this.
So that is where I am at the moment. I'm living back in halls again (told you the whole student experience) here is my room shortly after arrival.
Now it looks slightly more presentable,
This is where I'm cooking and eating.
Check out my very cool tri-pod speakers hooked up to my iPod (Which I now love)
Where am I staying ?
The entrance...
Some fairly tasteful modern art.
The view from my window, quite pleasant.
All up to date with that then. To return to my job. I didn't expect to leave so suddenly and I don't think my employers were too impressed. To be honest I hadn't anticipated to leave in such a hurried fashion, as such there was still plenty to do in respect of maintenance of my applications. I was very honest about this and said I didn't want to feel like I was abandoning them, which I would have felt guilty about. As such they very graciously agreed to see out the end of my contract, reduced to part time hours.
I certainly hope I will return after my absence. My employer can't guarantee this, as I was only ever on a part time contract. I think there is a fear I'll get a taste for this research lark and not want to go back. I understand where they're coming from, but I have done my best to allay their fears - come on. I've got a lovely office fairly prestigious title, and a fantastic coffee machine... to be fair any other offer is gonna have to offer all that and more.
This is in my opinion mutually beneficial, I need the money and they need the "support contract" as I have been referring to it. It's already been quite good fun only yesterday I was sat in the Union providing support via e-mail and instant messenger. I'm checking regularly with my old secretary via the wonders of the interweb and Skype.
Well enough of all that, must go and do some busy work. I will probably post in short pieces but more often. I had a blog when I was an undergraduate that some of my friends were privy to. Some of those still read this blog, and they claim it's recently lost some grit as such maybe it'll return now I'm back in the midst of academia.
And what of the magic box you ask...
Well since I was leaving work, kind of, I had a leaving do and there was a whip round and purchased me some gifts... pretty nice ones too.
I have a bit of a thing for this chap Paul Smith, makes some marvelous shirts of the finest quality. Whilst not raising enough for a new shirt, they did indeed manage to afford a Paul Smith coffee mug. Which is quite an achievement to combine two of my passions in such a way. I blogged about my coffee passion and I'm sure I've posted pictures of my in office coffee supplier before. So since I'll be living like a pauper for the next 6 months, they also bought me a Starbuck's international coffee card, which is extremely cool.
Finally... oh yes there is more... they also got me a beautiful pair of Paul Smith cufflinks.(There is that name again... oh wow I'm just imagining him and Sir J Ives, working on a project together).
That doesn't of course directly answer the question of the magic box. Before I left I was joking with my colleague, who shares the passion for fine dining and coffee, that I'd like UN style food parcels sent to me whilst I'm away. Bless her Maltese peasant goodness only went and bought me a going away gift package.
That is the magic box.
posted by M at 8:47 PM
1 Comments:
love all the piccies, seems like you have yourself well and truely settled in already. And who exactly is your old secretary that you keep checking in with?
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