Sunday, July 31, 2005
I mean, wow!
Well, its been a long time since my last post, but its been due to an exceesive amount of work, not to mention an inability to connect to the net at home and hence not update this site. life has been good in the interim - worked a 12 hour shift on friday, and potentially saved my company 1.084 million dollars. So ups an downs.
Reached the semi finals of an inter-P&G badminton tourney last week, so quite happy with that. Though am now saddled with a LOT of stuff (incl. a new badminton racquet) - and am wondering how i am ever going to get it all home! :-) not to mention i have rediscovered the joys of squash as well. so sportswise, i am looking in good shape!
also joined a mailing list comprising of cambridge chem engers who are working for other chem eng internships - we have rob T, Chris PK and Dave B at BP, Lorri and Ed at AstraZeneca, and good old Mike Hepworth at Kellogs (no, not the cereal but the contracting firm). And of course Sam at Avecia, busy making a database of all thier projects. Its a brilliant list - i arrive at work, and check my emails to see at leats 10 already in my inbox. Topics range from the fact that BP (the second largest power company in the world) recently had a power crisis in thier London plant and no work could be done (oh the sweet irony), to whether the M25 can be used as a go-karting circuit. Riveting stuff, I assure you.
i had the best meal i have ever had in my life the other day. it wasnt bcos of the food, or any occasion. it was bcos i was seated at a dinner table, with 6 others, and each of us was from a different country! what are the odds of that! it was truly awesome! :-) there was me from india, and a guy from russia (he studies Moscow State University, and I thought that only existed in Tom Clancy books :-) ), and a girl from mexico, greece, brazil and france. Truly awesome, it was the best example of diversity i had seen. cheers guys!
I dont think I have yet expressed my appreciation of the newcastle night life. I mean, its incredible, what 40-somethings (or as they prefer to call themselves 20-20) will dress as to return to thier youth. As some of you may know, I have a bit of a stance towards those who dye thier hair blonde - and trust me, you see these guys and I bet you will come over to my side. And then theres the female attire - brilliant viewing for us males. Like the lady who wore a white top that had as much on the front as on the back. That doesnt sound too bad, I know, Except the fact that the top was backless. See my drift? :-) But newcaslte is brilliant - cant have picked a better place for an internship.
I visited a close mate in Darlington yesterday (30 mins by train) - and that was a great day. Was soo good to get away from it all - especially since i had just completed a marathon 12 hour shift at P&G the day before. We went and saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - and that was fantastic. Big bright colours, very cool characters, and Johnny Depp was awesome. No 2 ways about it. Definitely a film to be recommended. I know some of you might find it "sacrigligeous" to see this film - however, I cannot explain enough how good this film is. Trust me.
I also saw Fantastic Four - now that was slightly less fantastic than Charlie et al, but still a darn good film. Just what you need. And no swear words, no blood, only 2 kisses in the entrie film - and very obvious bad guy and good guys (and gal). Perfect for the kid in me. Switch off brain and have some fun!
I dont know what the pearly gates will look like - but i betcha i know what the soft glow emanating from it will look like! Last week, I had faced the prospect of walking into the flat at 6ish, from a long day at work. And the fridge would be empty. Well not completely empty, but I myself had no food with which to feed myself. My supervisor himself had shown concern that I would have to go to KFC or somewhere nasty like that again. But as I stepped off the tube and made the dreaded walk to KFC, I noticed a glow at the doors to Marks and Sparks. They were open! For some reason, on a thursday, they stay open till 8. Every other day they close at half five. It was as beautiful sight as I had ever seen. Never again shall I look down my nose at glass doors with tube lights stuck behind them - on thursday, the 28th of July, well, lets just say I was in a much better place :-)
Right, am off to actually do some work, and prove that my formula will work and save P&G a million dollars. Will be terribly disheartening if the run proved to be a fluke, but heres hoping.
Makre sure go to see Charlie and the Chocolate factory though. As Depp says, "I mean, Wow!"
Bring on the Oompa-Loompas.
Reached the semi finals of an inter-P&G badminton tourney last week, so quite happy with that. Though am now saddled with a LOT of stuff (incl. a new badminton racquet) - and am wondering how i am ever going to get it all home! :-) not to mention i have rediscovered the joys of squash as well. so sportswise, i am looking in good shape!
also joined a mailing list comprising of cambridge chem engers who are working for other chem eng internships - we have rob T, Chris PK and Dave B at BP, Lorri and Ed at AstraZeneca, and good old Mike Hepworth at Kellogs (no, not the cereal but the contracting firm). And of course Sam at Avecia, busy making a database of all thier projects. Its a brilliant list - i arrive at work, and check my emails to see at leats 10 already in my inbox. Topics range from the fact that BP (the second largest power company in the world) recently had a power crisis in thier London plant and no work could be done (oh the sweet irony), to whether the M25 can be used as a go-karting circuit. Riveting stuff, I assure you.
i had the best meal i have ever had in my life the other day. it wasnt bcos of the food, or any occasion. it was bcos i was seated at a dinner table, with 6 others, and each of us was from a different country! what are the odds of that! it was truly awesome! :-) there was me from india, and a guy from russia (he studies Moscow State University, and I thought that only existed in Tom Clancy books :-) ), and a girl from mexico, greece, brazil and france. Truly awesome, it was the best example of diversity i had seen. cheers guys!
I dont think I have yet expressed my appreciation of the newcastle night life. I mean, its incredible, what 40-somethings (or as they prefer to call themselves 20-20) will dress as to return to thier youth. As some of you may know, I have a bit of a stance towards those who dye thier hair blonde - and trust me, you see these guys and I bet you will come over to my side. And then theres the female attire - brilliant viewing for us males. Like the lady who wore a white top that had as much on the front as on the back. That doesnt sound too bad, I know, Except the fact that the top was backless. See my drift? :-) But newcaslte is brilliant - cant have picked a better place for an internship.
I visited a close mate in Darlington yesterday (30 mins by train) - and that was a great day. Was soo good to get away from it all - especially since i had just completed a marathon 12 hour shift at P&G the day before. We went and saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - and that was fantastic. Big bright colours, very cool characters, and Johnny Depp was awesome. No 2 ways about it. Definitely a film to be recommended. I know some of you might find it "sacrigligeous" to see this film - however, I cannot explain enough how good this film is. Trust me.
I also saw Fantastic Four - now that was slightly less fantastic than Charlie et al, but still a darn good film. Just what you need. And no swear words, no blood, only 2 kisses in the entrie film - and very obvious bad guy and good guys (and gal). Perfect for the kid in me. Switch off brain and have some fun!
I dont know what the pearly gates will look like - but i betcha i know what the soft glow emanating from it will look like! Last week, I had faced the prospect of walking into the flat at 6ish, from a long day at work. And the fridge would be empty. Well not completely empty, but I myself had no food with which to feed myself. My supervisor himself had shown concern that I would have to go to KFC or somewhere nasty like that again. But as I stepped off the tube and made the dreaded walk to KFC, I noticed a glow at the doors to Marks and Sparks. They were open! For some reason, on a thursday, they stay open till 8. Every other day they close at half five. It was as beautiful sight as I had ever seen. Never again shall I look down my nose at glass doors with tube lights stuck behind them - on thursday, the 28th of July, well, lets just say I was in a much better place :-)
Right, am off to actually do some work, and prove that my formula will work and save P&G a million dollars. Will be terribly disheartening if the run proved to be a fluke, but heres hoping.
Makre sure go to see Charlie and the Chocolate factory though. As Depp says, "I mean, Wow!"
Bring on the Oompa-Loompas.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
I went to a castle!
Hello all, hope everyone had a fab weekend, I definitely did. I went and saw banburgh castle - just about 50 miles north of newcastle by the sea. It was beautiful.
Pictures can be seen here - Banburgh Castle
Right, now to write a report on pastes. Yay.
Pictures can be seen here - Banburgh Castle
Right, now to write a report on pastes. Yay.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Its the weekend!
At last its the weekend. 48 hours of sun, shop and...Harry Potter!
Although I did shoot myself in the foot - I ordered it online through amazon (50% deal! cant beat surely) but only realized that the reception where i live is closed, so i will only get the book on the monday! :-( aaaargh
But its the weekend. Lie ins, and late(r) nights, and just doing absolutely nothing! I think we are going shopping today, maybe even to a beach. Though after living in a desert for the best part of 14 years, sand no longer excites me....:-)
But the weather has been brilliant. Although the week may have been dank and wet and really really wet, the weekends have always been sunny and perfect. Well done newkie-land! Cambridge should pay attention - there are somethings the north do quite well after all! ;-)
And let me know if you are free on the 6th and 7th of August! I will be in london then, so would be great to meet up. It would be nice to see some of you this summer - I will be on my best behavious I promise!
Right am off out. Have a great weekend everyone!
Although I did shoot myself in the foot - I ordered it online through amazon (50% deal! cant beat surely) but only realized that the reception where i live is closed, so i will only get the book on the monday! :-( aaaargh
But its the weekend. Lie ins, and late(r) nights, and just doing absolutely nothing! I think we are going shopping today, maybe even to a beach. Though after living in a desert for the best part of 14 years, sand no longer excites me....:-)
But the weather has been brilliant. Although the week may have been dank and wet and really really wet, the weekends have always been sunny and perfect. Well done newkie-land! Cambridge should pay attention - there are somethings the north do quite well after all! ;-)
And let me know if you are free on the 6th and 7th of August! I will be in london then, so would be great to meet up. It would be nice to see some of you this summer - I will be on my best behavious I promise!
Right am off out. Have a great weekend everyone!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!
Or in my case, crazy ass pedestrians who decide to cross the road in the dumbest of places, JUST as i am learning to drive. Honestly :-) heres a tip: NEVER do a stupid road crossing in front of a learner driver!
In spite of my adventures in the BSM learning car, I think i can safely say that it will not need any major repairs (maybe a new transmission, and the handbrake could do with a reworking ) - but its been good to drive. You learn so much more about a city when you drive around its outer reaches, its quite exciting. Although there are drivers out there who are far far worse than me - its not fair they have a license and I dont! :-)
Workwise, its been quite interesting this last week. Meetings have been quite cut throat - especially when needing to book the plants multimillion large scale pilot plant to run experiments! I managed to get 2 days in August, and thats no mean feat let me tell you. It was like having to deal with tigers in suits and/or low cut tops (cunning move I thought!). So not prepared. I was screaming inside my head to be loud, and yet all I could manage in the room was a whisper. Ye gods.
I also got my own pair of safety shoes, steel toe caps and all, which I will definitely be bringing back to Cambridge - girls, I am sorry if i stamp on your feet! Also got my badge, photo and all - so am now officially a P&G monkey. Scary feeling really... But, to be honest, I am quite excited. Now the real fun starts.
Went and saw War of the Worlds last night - now that was an interesting movie. Quite scary, but quite well made I have to confess. I dont like Cruise, but he was quite watchable. Though I did find it hard not to notice his platform shoes :-)
ALso saw madagascar - now thats a cracking animation. Got one of the best songs I have heard in a while. "Physically fit, physically fit...." Ok, so maybe its not the best song ever, but definitely the most off-the-wall song I have heard in ages. Soooo good :-)
Walked by my kitchen today, and saw a traffic cone propping it open. Which was cool. Until I got back later today and saw an even bigger cone competing for being the biggest in the kitchen. *Shakes head* - this is going to get ugly!
And for the prerequisite sports update - the Australians have finally found thier form - bummer. But still, you never know :-) fingers crossed!
Not to mention that Lance Armstrong is in the lead again in the Tour de France - unbelieveable. Awe-inspring, thats the word. Or is that two words? Anyways, where was I. Yes. Awesome. Lance Armstrong. Like he said in dodgeball, dont give up. No matter how many times you stall the engine in the middle of an intersection, or try to drive on the wrong side of the road, or mount the kerb, or completely not see the pedestrian crossing and almost run over an 80 yr old grandma - i had to peer over the wheel to see her cross! So yes. Never give up.
I also get a free flight to London for a tour of the manufacturing plant in a month or so. I fly on a Thursday, and the conference ends Friday - and the best bit is that I get to stay back in London for the weekend and fly back on the Sunday night! So if any of you guys in London are free, EMAIL or TEXT me NOW!!
Right back to being sociable and that kind of thing...
In spite of my adventures in the BSM learning car, I think i can safely say that it will not need any major repairs (maybe a new transmission, and the handbrake could do with a reworking ) - but its been good to drive. You learn so much more about a city when you drive around its outer reaches, its quite exciting. Although there are drivers out there who are far far worse than me - its not fair they have a license and I dont! :-)
Workwise, its been quite interesting this last week. Meetings have been quite cut throat - especially when needing to book the plants multimillion large scale pilot plant to run experiments! I managed to get 2 days in August, and thats no mean feat let me tell you. It was like having to deal with tigers in suits and/or low cut tops (cunning move I thought!). So not prepared. I was screaming inside my head to be loud, and yet all I could manage in the room was a whisper. Ye gods.
I also got my own pair of safety shoes, steel toe caps and all, which I will definitely be bringing back to Cambridge - girls, I am sorry if i stamp on your feet! Also got my badge, photo and all - so am now officially a P&G monkey. Scary feeling really... But, to be honest, I am quite excited. Now the real fun starts.
Went and saw War of the Worlds last night - now that was an interesting movie. Quite scary, but quite well made I have to confess. I dont like Cruise, but he was quite watchable. Though I did find it hard not to notice his platform shoes :-)
ALso saw madagascar - now thats a cracking animation. Got one of the best songs I have heard in a while. "Physically fit, physically fit...." Ok, so maybe its not the best song ever, but definitely the most off-the-wall song I have heard in ages. Soooo good :-)
Walked by my kitchen today, and saw a traffic cone propping it open. Which was cool. Until I got back later today and saw an even bigger cone competing for being the biggest in the kitchen. *Shakes head* - this is going to get ugly!
And for the prerequisite sports update - the Australians have finally found thier form - bummer. But still, you never know :-) fingers crossed!
Not to mention that Lance Armstrong is in the lead again in the Tour de France - unbelieveable. Awe-inspring, thats the word. Or is that two words? Anyways, where was I. Yes. Awesome. Lance Armstrong. Like he said in dodgeball, dont give up. No matter how many times you stall the engine in the middle of an intersection, or try to drive on the wrong side of the road, or mount the kerb, or completely not see the pedestrian crossing and almost run over an 80 yr old grandma - i had to peer over the wheel to see her cross! So yes. Never give up.
I also get a free flight to London for a tour of the manufacturing plant in a month or so. I fly on a Thursday, and the conference ends Friday - and the best bit is that I get to stay back in London for the weekend and fly back on the Sunday night! So if any of you guys in London are free, EMAIL or TEXT me NOW!!
Right back to being sociable and that kind of thing...
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Ai maan....
Thats me trying to say Ay man in the most geordie way i can :-)
This weekend has been awesome. I feel quite happy - saw an awesome concert (for free) on sat night - the Live 8 concert! It was an amazing concert. Awesome Awesome Awesome.
As cynical and un-caring as my first line sounds, i did find it to be a very effective performance in terms of bringing the plight of the africans to our minds.
Will it change anything? Debt is but a number on paper. Sure, if debt is cancelled, more money will be available to the country. But the trickle down effect is so poor that it will render this increased aid meaningless in the poorest countries.
But i dont think we are looking to change the world overnight (if we are, well then i guess we need a Captain Planet or something). The concert(s) has placed poverty at the forefront of peoples minds, and its a great first step.
And after all, its better than doing nothing.
So to the concert itself. We had:
U2
Sting
Bob Geldof
Scissor Sisters
UB40
Robbie Williams
Madonna
Green Day (seen via screen as they performed in Germany)
Joss Stone
Razorlight
Snow Patrol
the list goes on. It was phenomenal :-)
to the more mundane of topics, i have now started my internship at Proctor and Gamble. I am working on some paste (no its not worth knowing what that means, believe me!), and its part of Ariel washing powder. Its alright, but its quite hard. I knew zilch about this on Monday, and i was asked to do a presentation about it on Friday! Talk about being thrown in the deep end. It passed ok though thankfully - got stuff sorted out and am sort of maybe kinda on top.
But Newcastle is a wicked place. Very different from Cambridge though :-) For one thing, no bikes! Lots of cars, and a great feel to it. And the metro is awesome - you can breathe in it! It should be a good summer......
And Australia and England tie the Natwest Series. Setting up to be a cracking Ashes series - we might actually win a test, or 2. Watch out aussies :-) [yes i know i will regret this, but what the hey. got to take the risk]
Anyways, back to a mass balance on this paste thingy. Blah.
Thought of the moment
"Growing up is hard to do" - Garfield
Yes Garfield is the source of all wisdom. No he is not just a cat. Duh.
This weekend has been awesome. I feel quite happy - saw an awesome concert (for free) on sat night - the Live 8 concert! It was an amazing concert. Awesome Awesome Awesome.
As cynical and un-caring as my first line sounds, i did find it to be a very effective performance in terms of bringing the plight of the africans to our minds.
Will it change anything? Debt is but a number on paper. Sure, if debt is cancelled, more money will be available to the country. But the trickle down effect is so poor that it will render this increased aid meaningless in the poorest countries.
But i dont think we are looking to change the world overnight (if we are, well then i guess we need a Captain Planet or something). The concert(s) has placed poverty at the forefront of peoples minds, and its a great first step.
And after all, its better than doing nothing.
So to the concert itself. We had:
U2
Sting
Bob Geldof
Scissor Sisters
UB40
Robbie Williams
Madonna
Green Day (seen via screen as they performed in Germany)
Joss Stone
Razorlight
Snow Patrol
the list goes on. It was phenomenal :-)
to the more mundane of topics, i have now started my internship at Proctor and Gamble. I am working on some paste (no its not worth knowing what that means, believe me!), and its part of Ariel washing powder. Its alright, but its quite hard. I knew zilch about this on Monday, and i was asked to do a presentation about it on Friday! Talk about being thrown in the deep end. It passed ok though thankfully - got stuff sorted out and am sort of maybe kinda on top.
But Newcastle is a wicked place. Very different from Cambridge though :-) For one thing, no bikes! Lots of cars, and a great feel to it. And the metro is awesome - you can breathe in it! It should be a good summer......
And Australia and England tie the Natwest Series. Setting up to be a cracking Ashes series - we might actually win a test, or 2. Watch out aussies :-) [yes i know i will regret this, but what the hey. got to take the risk]
Anyways, back to a mass balance on this paste thingy. Blah.
Thought of the moment
"Growing up is hard to do" - Garfield
Yes Garfield is the source of all wisdom. No he is not just a cat. Duh.
