Audience of One

The eleventh miscellany

Having just returned from the CU weekend away, I found that George Bush has a better grasp of the English language than I suspected. I also learnt a wonderful new version of Rock Paper Scissors called Cat Tin Foil Microwave. The cat shreds the tin foil, the tin foil makes the microwave explode, and the microwave… well, you get the picture. (Idea provided by a member of staff at St Ebbes who will be giving half the talks during mission fortnight.) As to the actions, the microwave has a door opening with a “ping” sound, the cat meows and claws the air, and as tin foil russles, my new friend Dave suggested something from Gladiator. Finally, the number of amusing search terms finding this site seems to have dropped – this month’s new arrival was the positively boring “blueberries”.

Matthew @ 17:22, October 29, 2006 to Miscellaneous | Permalink | Comments (9)

Babble

Scientists have made a device that gives the illusion of being bilingual.

Two issues. Firstly, why have the BBC filed it under “health”? Secondly, the Tower of Babel was when God confused all the people, giving them different languages so that they couldn’t communicate. Wrong name to give a translation device, surely?

Currently listening to Samuel Barber’s Excursions for Piano

Matthew @ 12:05, October 26, 2006 to News | Permalink | Comments (6)

Pyjamas

The medics had their three-legged pub crawl tonight, while wearing pyjamas. Which reminds me, I lent one of them some semi-slippers of mine. Hopefully they’ve not been left in a bar. (Pity I was going to church – I was invited to join them and ‘twould have been fun…)

Currently listening to Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism

Matthew @ 23:49, October 15, 2006 to Miscellaneous | Permalink | Comments (2)

Unusual

Today is the day that I have more lectures than the medics.

Given that medics normally have six hours of lectures a day, whereas I have six hours a week, this is a strange experience.

Matthew @ 18:51, October 11, 2006 to Diary | Permalink | Comments (13)

First CU meeting

The offence of the Christian message is that God does not give us what we deserve. He is not fair. He is gracious.

That was the message of the talk at the Christian Union meeting Saturday evening, and it was powerfully presented by Andy Paterson, pastor of Kensington Baptist Church (for those who don’t know what uni I’m at, let’s just say the location of this church gives it away). I met the CU president afterwards, and got recruited to play the piano at future meetings. I also had a great chat with Paul, a hall CU leader, on the way back.

I’ve used the word too much recently (I blame this hall, the new people I’ve met and Caroline’s artwork) but the CU looks like it’s going to be awesome.

Currently listening to Nick Drake – River Man

Matthew @ 08:43, October 9, 2006 to Diary | Permalink | Comments (0)

Quiz + Karaoke

Amazingly, during the entire evening of karaoke (pronounced “ka-ree-oh-ki”) I didn’t once think about the correct Japanese pronunciation (“ka-ra-o-ke”). I also ended up singing Californication by the Chilis with a guy who forgot the tune to the pre-chorus. Bon Jovi’s Living On A Prayer should be banned from karaoke for ever, unless those taking part prove their voices are high enough. And far too many people know all the words for Summer Nights from Grease. As for the quiz, I now know that tegestologists collect beer mats.

Freshers’ week has so many random things going on. Apparently the medics go on a three-legged bar crawl. I confess myself jealous. (In other news, I have been made an honourary medic and messed up my vocal audition. The former makes up for the latter.)

Matthew @ 23:49, October 5, 2006 to Diary | Permalink | Comments (0)

Definitions

in·dul·gence (ĭn-dŭl’jəns) n. Listening to music while cleaning your teeth.

friend (frĕnd) n. A person with whom one shares a taxi at ten thirty when you decide going on to the club would not be conducive to getting up for faculty registration the next day.

streak (strēk) v.intr. To run naked past every member of your old hall as the hall photograph is being taken.

ir·ri·ta·tion (ĭr’ĭ-tā’shən) n. What happens when, on getting home with two cans from Sainsbury’s, you realise you’ve forgotten to pack a can opener.

Matthew @ 07:22, October 4, 2006 to Miscellaneous | Permalink | Comments (5)

Or maybe I will

So I’ve been at uni for two full days pretty much, and there’s so many new people (of course). It’s been fantastic so far. I’m not at Oxford, but the hall of residence I’m in is just like I imagine an Oxford college to be like (architecture as well as atmosphere). It’s a great community to be a part of from what I’ve observed and heard. Already I’ve met loads of Christians (they seem to be all over the place! This hall has a Christian warden and an active hall CU – so there are loads of Christians but not too many) and got in touch with the local UCCF worker. I’ve also met the music students in my hall (they, along with the French and German students, are my hall brothers and sisters, with our non-linguist non-musician mother and a Portuguese-studying father), and there’s a load of like-minded composers (the guy directly above me has actually turned his room into a recording studio). The room I’m in is pretty huge, and I’ve got my new keyboard set up in a corner. Most of the people I’ve met are lovely, though there are a few exceptions (as there are anywhere). Generally, this place is awesome.

And yes, I said I wasn’t going to post for the next couple of months. I had twenty minutes before going out with the guys in my block and the girls next door, so I decided I’d try and keep this relatively up to date. I’m not mentioning the university or city to keep out of Google searches, so please don’t mention it if you know. So yeah – uni is great, this one in particular. The advantages of Oxford (pretty much a college, great academic reputation, good churches) and with fewer disadvantages (slightly less expensive, far larger green spaces). So yeah. I’ve said that already – and my neighbours are probably waiting.

Matthew @ 18:14, October 2, 2006 to Diary | Permalink | Comments (13)