Monthly Archives: July 2008

Infestation or a brief invasion

Now I am not sure how to write this with much delicacy but the population of Cambridge has been through two big changes in the last two weeks. The first is the infestation of high school aged people – my college looks like an American High School – in one corner the geeks, in the other the cool kids, the other the sporty kids – it is lucky there are lots of corners! As there seem to be 100s of cliques.

However this week we had another invasion. Although this one slightly more pleasing! A break from the floppy haired and intellectual lecturer types which this year with a few exceptions have not filled my world with joy!

It would seem that one of the worlds largest consultancies is holding a development week in Cambridge. And that means because of the demographics of this industry there are suddenly loads of men in there thirties getting around Cambridge in what appears to be a casual uniform. That is more than 70% are wearing jeans, brown boots and shirts of the check or striped variety – so they are easy to spot. They also come with blackberry’s and mobile phones of every persuasion – again a novel sight in Cambridge.

So while it seems like a bit of shock when you see them arrive on mass on a Tuesday they have kindly provided me with a visual break!

Networking

One of the most memorable definitions or play on words I have heard of late is that Network = not working.

I would like to challenge this……it is bloody hard work, requires great skill and dexterity of communication! Plus an obvious love of coffee…. I had one day last week with “3 coffees” planned – by the end I was definitely a little on edge!

The MBA does try and help you with developing this skill but the networking events always feel like a feeding frenzy. As one poor consultant is surrounded by highly ambitious, driven individuals asking often inane and I suspect not very original questions. It is not a pretty sight. I have also heard rumours that some of the less scrupulous have competitions about the number of MBA student business cards they can collect. Not very nice…

Anyway, I am trying to network at the moment, playing along with the idea that the majority of positions are not advertised. hmmmmm…. then I guess the next one will be the interview…… will it never end!!

Slow release

This weekend we have had more going aways, see you later’s and good byes. Fortunately the weather has been hot-hot-hot so it has all been out door – so lovely.

However, it is all starting to feel weird and I guess it had to happen sooner or later.

I feel like a balloon slowly loosing its air….It’s as if this year my balloon was always being filled with busyness, people and things – lots of external stimuli. And as we edge into summer and I type another word of my thesis a little bit of air also escapes.

I guess that is a flowery way of saying I don’t really want to go back to the real world. Actually that is not true I am quite looking forward to stepping back into work (in what ever guise it appears in, in the next few months).

However, there is absolutely no way I am going back until I have a mighty sleep!

coffee blobs the perfect addition to a white skirt

I have one friend who I remember meeting for the first time.

She was this vision in white – white shirt, white shorts – well it was the 80′s! And to this day I remain completly in awe of her ability to carry off this vision in white.

I have one white skirt that I love – and today the sun is out – so why not stick it on – right?

Within 1/2 an hour I have managed to add blobs of brown – just a little bit of slightly, milky, coffee down it! Excellent!

Back to denim……. the completely indestructible!

Illegal immigrant sting in Cambridge!

Great headline huh! And in fact it appears to be all true. Dojo, the haunt of many cash strapped MBAs, the place that guarantees you some yummy asian soup has been busted with quite a few Chinese without the right to remain in the UK. Whoops!

This is clearly a disaster for the people of Dojo and some others who are likely to be heading back to their home country. However, it is also going to be a problem for next years students if this handy little place does not reopen!

Actually, it is quite amazing the stuff you can learn over your breakfast. The local paper is amazing and paints quite a scandalous city, full of danger at every turn. There are drugs hauls in Pubs, burglaries and old age pensioners who can not take a bath because of some failing or other of the council.

Just one intrigue after another in this little town!

Bowels of the Tate

Sounds rather grim doesn’t it – but it was actually quite interesting.

I am a member of the Tate, which even now I am in Cambridge I quite like going along to.

And as part of their member management – I guess – they offered to show us into the yet to be converted parts of the old power station. They are planning a new whizzy version and are going to use the now disused oil containers as gallery spaces.

It was rather exciting to don the old hard hat and reflector jacket and venture into the spaces. All dusty, smelly and echoey as they are.

Anyway, I am not sure that I will be here in 2012 when the new gallery opens but it was fairly cool have a look before they become beautiful!

A cuppa with the Queen

As I strolled through the front gates of Buckingham Palace with a hat perched on my head, newly purchased from John Lewis just for the occasion. It did occur to me quite how bizarre this afternoon was likely to be. Fancy going along to the Palace for a tea party with the Queen, Duke, Charles and Camilla! I mean really how odd!

As much I would like to claim a tete-a-tete I was in fact there with a couple of 1000 other people. However, they were honestly the most well behaved crowd of people I have ever been with. And goodness do those royals earn that cup of tea in the end. The Queen especially, looks completely and absolutely engrossed in each of the numerous conversations that she has with people. Camilla makes Charlie look a little bit old and the Duke appeared to be a touch on the cranky side. But who can complain when they are all but a few meters from you!

The tea, sandwiches and little cakes were just yummy and you do feel very privileged to be wandering about the grounds of Buckingham Palace for a couple of hours in the sunshine. Particularly when you realise that many of the people there had done something clever to get the invitation – unlike me who just filled in a form and had a few friends purger themselves in letters of recommendation!

Pretty toes

I have such pretty, pretty, oh so smooth feet tonight after a little splurge on a pedicure. Happiness can be found at the bottom of a nail polish pot – who would have thought.

Fortunately, it has coincided with a spot of sunshine so flip flops here I come!

WALL-E

Well he is pretty cute – in that kind-of-ET like way. Big eyes compared to his head…..WALL-E is the latest Pixar creation and stars in his own film – not bad for a previously unknown robot some would say!

However really it is a chick-flick in disguise…. Robot falls in love with another Robot – who takes a while to get on board with the love thing – there is a daring battle to save human kind from some crazy Robots using a plant, a near death experience and well…. it is not to hard to figure out how it all ends. There is also some pretty interesting commentary on the future climate, recycling and CSR stuff – but maybe I am reading too much into what is actually a rather lovely film!

Naked streets for safety!

Sounds intriguing and maybe just a little bit fun…

Most certainly it would generate some seriously funny headlines in the tabloids.

However, apparently it is a super serious proposal to improve safety in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. And sadly it doesn’t mean that next time you wander down the high street that cute fella will have his gear off…. some would say this is good news anyway. As with everything there is a flip side which means that those of us who have had more exposure to gravity will also not be naked! Phew.

What they are proposing is the removal of many of the normal impediments that separate people, bikes, cars, buses and taxis. Apparently the Dutch are right into it and it works! Less accidents and a general low level amount of anxiety for everyone. Personally I think it is fab – removal of those pesky railings that make J-walking tricky but doesn’t actually stop it and anything that makes people look out more for cyclists is also great.

So while I am a little disappointed to miss out on the hilarity that would ensue if people did get their gear off to go to the post office in Kensington, I think that less rules is generally a better thing.