It's the American dream

"Another week has nearly come and past, the innocent will never last. Wake me up... "Ahem, anyway. Although, its not completely irrelevent, September has absolutely flown by and now we encroach on october and realise it isnt long until Christmas and the opportunity to do some much needed travelling.

Tuesday i had my first proper exam in America, thursday i got the marks back at 94.5% which i dont consider to bad. Monday and wednesday we had the last of the oil companies coming in to give some speil about why we want to work for them and how good they are. This time it was Conoco-Phillips and Exxonmobil respectively, both of whom i was pretty impressed with although the chances of getting an Internship (with Exxon atleast) are minimal. They like to hire people from the country they work in so i wont get into the USA section and the UK area is going to be tough since they like to recruit people directly from their University presentations rather than via phone or similar. Ive still got Conoco, Chevron, BP and Schlumberger plus loads more smaller oil and mining companies. Whats more, ive got loads of freebie's sitting on my desk including 2 almost identical geological timescale cards. One from Chevron and one from Exxon about 50% bigger! A little bit of inter-company competition there!

Yesterday evening we sat down and watch abit of "quality" American TV, the first ive seen since being out here. The new series of CSI Las Vegas started with a cracking episode. I dont confess to being a big fan but it wasnt too bad; except for the inumberable adverts, dumb victims of crime, lack of action, endless flaws (like someone spotting something really small through binoculars and then only running 20ft to it!) and unrealistic portrayal of FBI agents or whatever they are! This was followed by the 'Late show with David Letterman' which was actually quite amusing in sporadic surgers again with way too many adverts but did contain a funny bit about similarities/differences between President Bush and Iranian President, Mahmood Armadinnerjacket or whatever his name is.

Armadinnnerjacket: Speaks in poor, broken English

President Bush: Speaks in poor, broken English

This was followed by the Late Late Show hosted by some weird Scottish guy whose favourite pastime's seem to be welcoming people as "my favourite little naught ponies" or whispering in his guest's ear trying to "escape from his captives who make him do the show". It was crap!

And so comes forth the weekend. Rent to pay, a little homework to look at but not much, mountains to walk! Whoo! Cya

Arctic Monkey's LIVE in Tucson!

Yep, thats today's headline! Saturday night brought the Arctic Monkey's down to Tucson as part of their western USA tour, and they rocked! The support act (Foxtrot) sucked. They had technical difficulties and didnt really produce a performance that warrented having 5 band members. There was always someone doing nothing and the lead guitarist even broke one of his strings but carried on playing for several songs sounding abit crap tbh.

Anyway, everyone was there for the monkey's and what a set they put on. The Rialto Theatre is only a small venue, i reckon only 1000 or so people were there, but it came alive into raptuous "singing" and moshing all through the Arctic's set. 'I bet that you look good on the Dancefloor' was undoubtedly the best song but the band presented a variety and depth which amazed me considering they only made it big a year or 2 ago. Overall, an awesome night out!

Now, however, ive got some work to do and an exam to revise for on tuesday! Furthermore, we have 2 more oil companies coming in this week (Conoco today, Exxon Wednesday) which promises more opportunity to apply for internships and the all important free food. Laters!

Careers and constellations

Schlumberger, Chevron-Texaco, Rio Tinto, Cleveland Cliffs, Newmont and Asarco are just some of the geology related companies that have been on campus this week. The list is huge and it really puts Leicester's careers efforts to shame. They also like taking people out for dinner aswell, which is awesome! Honestly, who could refuse free food from the likes of BP, schlumberger and Chevron. Whats more, weve got Conoco and Exxon-mobil coming in monday/wednesday of next week respectively!

So its a busy time sending CV's here and there, trying to convince people that i am remotely employable and would really like to do more than perfect my coffee-making skills. Lets see what happens! I might even get so far as to tea and biscuits!

In geology related news, a "new" meteorite crater has been formed in Peru. Measuring some 30m across and 6m deep, local residents report seeing a "fireball falling from the sky" before impacting with the ground forming something of a tourist attraction. Ironically, people have falling ill due to the poisonous waters and gases which now fill the hole. But still they return!

And finally, yet another exam of America's gun crime problem. A teacher in Orogen has sued for he right to bring a gun with her into the classroom. What kind of kids does she teach???

Tucson Mountains

Just realised i havent 'blogged' in quite a while so thought id send up a brief note.





Went into the Tucson mountains last saturday on another of my "crazy" biking trips. Its only 10 - 12 miles up to the top car-park but its pretty steep, very hot and frankly incredibly hard work. It was well worth it though, the views down to Tucson and across the next valley were amazing. It took considerably less time to free-wheel back down, taking care to avoid the dead rattlesnake on the road.

Saturday night we had yet another free party courtesy of Dr Paul kapp and the SESS (Geology Society at the UA). Ironically, it was something of a traditionally English BBQ - it actually rained briefly!

Up and coming next weekend - The Arctic Monkey's are coming to town! Yes, to Tucson! I was amazed when i found out so defo going to get a ticket later today or tomorrow! There only $25 or so a pop aswell - wouldnt beat that in the UK would you!

Anyway, ive got a lecture shortly and a busy afternoon. Take care now y'all.

After BP - not just another free meal!

What a quality afternoon/evening BP provided for us yesterday! They started with an hour long discussion presenting the company and showing what they have to offer (which in itself is very impressive) before taking about 25 of us to dinner at the local Marriot Hotel.

The talk was essentially an advert for working at BP, and a good one at that! It seems theres endless possibility to expand your knowledge through training courses (which BP pays for!), capacity to move both laterally and up the career ladder as you please. Opportunity to work across the world (Aberdeen, London, Houston, Anchorage, Moscow to name a few) and the pays not bad either. Its also an encouraging sign that the CEO of BP is infact a Geologist!

The after-presentation dinner was something of a luxury treat. The Marriot hotel in Tucson is exquisit and the food was quality. BP footed the bill for everything (including the drinks i had before the BP people arrived!) and it must of cost them over $1000. But whats that for the worlds 4th largest company with revenues in the $10's billion?

Getting an Internship in the USA is going to be difficult for us Brits, not only because there only offering 35 in total but because of VISA issues. However, the chap will forward my details to the relevent people in the UK - a nice little contact there me thinks!

So thats the low-down on my latest free dinner (the best yet). I dont think the other companies coming in are being quite so generous but ive got another free party on saturday with food to go to so im not complaining.

Anyway, g2g and find out about this Rugby squad!