And they just muv!

This is the proof. What a storyteller she is. This video clip is from the Graham Norton Show and Courtney Love is so amazing. Watch it.

Today Simon has:

Listened to some Alanis Morissette
Read some in the Airline Business by Rigas Doganis
Noticed that he has made new friends at the School Rep course

French for beginners (and how the run went)

Sorry if I have kept you waiting concerning my performance in the Great North Run. I still have traces of the cold left and so I had on Sunday. I managed to get in on 2h 1min 37s. Which means that I am very pleased with myself and that I am already looking forward to next year's run.

Today I have had my first class in French. I never thought that I would volunteer to learn the basics of French. I am usually not the shy person and I always give English words a go even though I might not be 100 % sure how you are supposed to pronounce them. But French seems to be very tricky.

I really need to practise a lot on my own to get a good start. Because I know that if I do not get a good start then I will loose confidence and fall behind. This afternoon I actually got quite upset with myself as I doubted my ability. This is where the stubbornness comes in as I am, in fact, not a very linguistic person. Just determined. Or as a Swedish saying puts it:

'If you aim for the stars, you will end up in the trees.'


I am aiming for the stars.


Today Simon has:

Listened to two tutors
Read a few texts
Noticed that Royal Mail is on strike

The Run of My Life?

I am just about to tell the world, or at least anyone who reads this, that I am about to go to bed. The last night before the Great North Run (my race no. is 24477). I have almost shaken off the cold. So I think that I will be able to reach the finish line. I will not push myself though unless I feel really well health wise.

So it is likely that it might turn into the Great North Walk. Or maybe the Great North Bus Ride. Because if I feel unwell, I will break the race.

If you have not bought the Tori Amos Greatest Hits CD called Tales of a Librarian - go and buy it. It is indeed well worth listening to.

Finally, I hope that I will be able to participate in the Great North Run many times in the future. It could be a very good reason to keep coming back to Newcastle. Wherever in the world I end up.



Today Simon has:

Listened to random MTV-like channels
Read Great North Run info
Noticed that 'Who do you think you are?' is one of the best TV-series ever made
Eaten a lot

Winter (or give me a Bösendorfer)

Welcome talk was the event of the day. Our programme leader explained to us few second yearers who turned up what the university expect from us all during the upcoming academic year.

Personally, I always feel inspired and motivated when something new starts. I just hope that I will carry that motivation throughout the year, cause it is honestly not of much use before the studies start. And while I am at it, the new building is awesome and definitely worth some praise. All because of the infallible combo of Sir Robert McAlpine, NBS and our tuition fees.

I have found a new favourite artist to add to my list. It is Tori Amos and her greatest hits compilation is available for a fair price. And I think that I have to live with the fact that she wants to "smash the faces of those boys, those beautiful christian boys"...

Anyway, read on wikipedia (the ubiquitous ever-reliable source) that she composed some tunes of her own with lyrics at the age of 5. She plays on a Bösendorfer Grand Piano. I want one.

Today Simon has:

Listened to Tori Amos (check out the tracks Winter and Angels)
Read The Undercover Economist by Tim Har(wood?)
Noticed that it is getting colder inside

iKent

First of all I would like to tell how happy I am that you found your way to this blog post. I hope it will light up your day a bit. Or at least offer something...

Freshers week start on Monday, and I am involved in it a bit which I look forward to. Interesting to see what new people who will turn up at the uni. My timetable starts the week after on the 24th.

Tomorrow I have been in the UK for one month since I left Sweden. I have very high expectations on my second academic year which is the second out of four as I am doing a sandwich degree.

Last, but not least, I would like to send out a general thank you to all of you who made my 23rd birthday a day to remember. And do not worry if you did not know or totally forgot. According to Jerry Seinfeld a birthday is only to celebrate that a person has not died since last time he or she was celebrated...

Today Simon has:

Listened to Kent (Vapen & Ammunition och Du & Jag Doden)
Read and responded to various e-mails
Noticed that life is always tricky