You'll have to excuse that poor french translation. I was having a conversation with a friend about todays BP presentation and it descended into a series of ludicrous french accents and sayings.
So BP are coming into the department today, looking to recruit people and generally show off their business. I'm rather hoping to get some work experience next summer off them or similar companies who are coming in over the next month (Schlumberger, Rio Tinto, Exxon-mobile and Barrick Gold to name a few!). It should be awesome! BP are taking "interested students" out to dinner at the local Marriot aswell. I'm not sure what they mean by "interested students" but im certainly interested in a free dinner!
We had our first Regional Tectonics lecture with the actual professor yesterday (he was away the first 3 weeks so they were done remotely) and it has to be said he's a rather uniquely weird guy! So much so, he's got his own box on this blog (look down the right: "Ducea randomness"). He comes out with some class remarks which it seems are intended to keep you awake in his lectures. Anyway, check them out.
Wildcat Rugby Club (The UA squad) are recruiting and im thinking of joining. Ive been 5 years or so out of the game and have had the urge to go back for most of that period. Theres a meeting tomorrow so ill find out more. Its a multi-national squad aswell so looking forward to bashing some Aussie's about if i sign up!
S'all for now, got some more fun fun Geochemistry to conquor!
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Monday, 10 September 2007
Riding out of this ol'town
on our (me and Russ) bikes yesterday was quite an experience. Firstly, the suburban metropolis area on the edge of Tucson is clearly not frequently visited for some of the signs and roads were pure comedy.
On friday night, the geology department decided to throw a welcome party for everyone which we dulely attended for the free food if nothing else. although i must say i under-estimated the affair. It was at the lovely setting of the Tucson Botanical Gardens with a traditional hot mexican buffet. We also had a new experience of a private performance from a Mariachis band (a type of noisy music with violins, horn things and silly little acoustic guitars). I was well impressed to start off with but soon joined the locals in considering it annoying and intrusive. You simply can't hold a conversation with that racket going on!
At a junction with a poorly tarmac'd road: "This road is not maintained by the city!"
You don't say!
On a busy road outside a school: "Warning! Deaf AND blind children crossing"
God help them!
On the same road adjacent to a golf course: "Warning, killer golf balls!"
Ok, so the last one might have said something slightly different but you get the jist of it. Besides the fits of laughter at various forms of bureaucractic stupidity, it was an awesome ride. We gained quite a lot of height heading into the mountains completely surrounded by Saguaro (a type of cacti unique to this area) covered desert with nothing for miles and awesome views back down to Tucson.
On friday night, the geology department decided to throw a welcome party for everyone which we dulely attended for the free food if nothing else. although i must say i under-estimated the affair. It was at the lovely setting of the Tucson Botanical Gardens with a traditional hot mexican buffet. We also had a new experience of a private performance from a Mariachis band (a type of noisy music with violins, horn things and silly little acoustic guitars). I was well impressed to start off with but soon joined the locals in considering it annoying and intrusive. You simply can't hold a conversation with that racket going on! Kind of like this but bigger and noisier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDtJmMWbDd0
Aside from that, it was a good night. Met a local Tucsonian from the department with whom we discussed at great length Anglo-American issues and the like. You'll be glad to know he isnt George Bush's biggest fan either! He did, however, let himself down on a simple fact regarding the television drama, 'House'. It is unfortunately the case that a lot of American's don't know that Hugh Laurie is English! Well he is, so get used to it!!!
The only other thing of note from this weekend is another encounter with local wildlife. Upon leaving the Botanical Gardens quite late at night (we were the last to leave, literally!) our path was blocked by a mini-plague of enormous cockroaches (i kid you not!). They were red in colour and easily 3 - 5cm across and since i didnt really want to get one on the underside of my shoe, the normally mundane path was turned into an assault course.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
A topsy turvy week
Its coming to the end of my 3rd week of classes, and what a weird week its been. Geochemistry and Geology of the Solar System problem sets are pretty darn hard but on receiving the marks for one of my Geochem one's, it proved to be mid range which isnt too bad all things considered.
Outside of academia, someone got murdered on campus on wednesday morning. Aparently, a brawl broke out between 2 women in one of the residence halls with one ending up being stabbed, the other arrested. See http://www.arizona.edu/home/news-alert.php. Obviously my condolences goes out to the family and friends of the deceased, its a tragic thing to happen in what is suppose to be a happy and enlightening university environment but it is all too common in America. Just 5 years ago, the UA had its own gun massacre. A student who failed his course took out 3 of his professors before commiting suicide. Outside of the UA, everyone remembers Columbine and, more recently, Virginia Tech.
On a lighter note, someone im sharing the apartment with won a TV the other day! (not that American TV is much to write home about) im just looking forward to watching the Simpson's on Fox and hunting around for abit of the Rugby World Cup.
And finally, to finish with some slightly odd news from Poland. Wroclaw police arrested a Polish author after it was found he commited a murder that had been described in one of his novels. I know a writer might struggle for ideas for his next best seller but doing practical experiments is taking it abit too far!
By the way, if your thinking of going to Kazakhstan for your holidays (like you do), look out for the Lion which literally just walked out of Kazakh zoo. A gate keeper accidentally left the door open so the Lion took to a little exploring.
S'all for now folks. Got work to do, people to see.
Outside of academia, someone got murdered on campus on wednesday morning. Aparently, a brawl broke out between 2 women in one of the residence halls with one ending up being stabbed, the other arrested. See http://www.arizona.edu/home/news-alert.php. Obviously my condolences goes out to the family and friends of the deceased, its a tragic thing to happen in what is suppose to be a happy and enlightening university environment but it is all too common in America. Just 5 years ago, the UA had its own gun massacre. A student who failed his course took out 3 of his professors before commiting suicide. Outside of the UA, everyone remembers Columbine and, more recently, Virginia Tech.
On a lighter note, someone im sharing the apartment with won a TV the other day! (not that American TV is much to write home about) im just looking forward to watching the Simpson's on Fox and hunting around for abit of the Rugby World Cup.
And finally, to finish with some slightly odd news from Poland. Wroclaw police arrested a Polish author after it was found he commited a murder that had been described in one of his novels. I know a writer might struggle for ideas for his next best seller but doing practical experiments is taking it abit too far!
By the way, if your thinking of going to Kazakhstan for your holidays (like you do), look out for the Lion which literally just walked out of Kazakh zoo. A gate keeper accidentally left the door open so the Lion took to a little exploring.
S'all for now folks. Got work to do, people to see.
Labouring on Labor Day
Even though it was only 2 weeks into the semester, we got last monday off so American's can have a BBQ and relax etc blah blah blah. Well i decided to go for a walk!
It was another boiling hot day, with a light breeze so i thought i'd head towards the nearest mountains and just do about of scouting around. I was walking mostly on roads except for abit along a dried river bed, which was a haven for wildlife. Spiders, Lizards, Ferret like things - you name it, i saw it (except Rattler's due to the heat). I went up to the foothills (about 3000ft) and looped back round and finished with a long, boring 7 mile dead straight walk along 1st Avenue back to the apartment. It was nice but i learnt 2 things:
1. I really shuda frozen my drinks before hand. Warm, squash etc isnt nice when your thirsty.
2. Wear walking boots instead of "outdoor trainers". They make all the difference and havent got holes in the bottom either!
Aside from that, it was a great day.
It was another boiling hot day, with a light breeze so i thought i'd head towards the nearest mountains and just do about of scouting around. I was walking mostly on roads except for abit along a dried river bed, which was a haven for wildlife. Spiders, Lizards, Ferret like things - you name it, i saw it (except Rattler's due to the heat). I went up to the foothills (about 3000ft) and looped back round and finished with a long, boring 7 mile dead straight walk along 1st Avenue back to the apartment. It was nice but i learnt 2 things:
1. I really shuda frozen my drinks before hand. Warm, squash etc isnt nice when your thirsty.
2. Wear walking boots instead of "outdoor trainers". They make all the difference and havent got holes in the bottom either!
Aside from that, it was a great day.
Saturday, 1 September 2007
It's Labour Day Weekend
Or should that be 'Labor' Day? Another conflict of English language verses Americanism's. I don't know or really care what it "commemorates", i just know its celebrated with some typical American BBQ's and the like.
We shot a video yesterday evening, the start of the Americana Olympics with the first event; "The Ice Cream Challenge". This consisted of me "eating" a gallon tub of ice-cream in record time. Infact, the tub was nearly empty when i started but the video reaches its climax with me in the grasps of asphyxiation and collapsing on the floor (rather realistically if i may say so myself!) I might try to upload the video sometime but it is rather stupid so im reluctant to do so. Naturally, footage of me making an arse of myself wouldnt be in demand anyway!
NEW PHOTO ON BLOG - my gorgious new Gibson SG and Marshall 30w Amp. It plays like a dream, really enjoying it. I'm sure a full report will follow in due course.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League with a 6 v 0 thrashing of Derby at home, further confirming their status as title contenders. Man United on the other hand aren't doing so well, with just one win in the last 6 games! My predictions for the coming season are as follows (I accept no liability for incorrect guesses! These are all guesses and of course, Liverpool are going to win everything (i wish!) but we must give our "friends" in Manchester and London some hope!)
Carling Cup - Chelsea
FA Cup - Arsenal
Premier League Champions - Liverpool
Relagation - Sunderland, Derby, Fulham
UEFA Cup - Who cares?
Champions League - Liverpool or Barcelona
All shall be revealed in due course. Naturally we can't forget the Rugby World Cup which is due to kick off next week on September 7th. England play their first game against the USA on the 8th. All ive got to do now is find some way of watching it over here! Hmmm...
We shot a video yesterday evening, the start of the Americana Olympics with the first event; "The Ice Cream Challenge". This consisted of me "eating" a gallon tub of ice-cream in record time. Infact, the tub was nearly empty when i started but the video reaches its climax with me in the grasps of asphyxiation and collapsing on the floor (rather realistically if i may say so myself!) I might try to upload the video sometime but it is rather stupid so im reluctant to do so. Naturally, footage of me making an arse of myself wouldnt be in demand anyway!
NEW PHOTO ON BLOG - my gorgious new Gibson SG and Marshall 30w Amp. It plays like a dream, really enjoying it. I'm sure a full report will follow in due course.
Liverpool are top of the Premier League with a 6 v 0 thrashing of Derby at home, further confirming their status as title contenders. Man United on the other hand aren't doing so well, with just one win in the last 6 games! My predictions for the coming season are as follows (I accept no liability for incorrect guesses! These are all guesses and of course, Liverpool are going to win everything (i wish!) but we must give our "friends" in Manchester and London some hope!)
Carling Cup - Chelsea
FA Cup - Arsenal
Premier League Champions - Liverpool
Relagation - Sunderland, Derby, Fulham
UEFA Cup - Who cares?
Champions League - Liverpool or Barcelona
All shall be revealed in due course. Naturally we can't forget the Rugby World Cup which is due to kick off next week on September 7th. England play their first game against the USA on the 8th. All ive got to do now is find some way of watching it over here! Hmmm...
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