To boldly cycle where many have cycled before - Lands End to John O'Groats

Right.  Its official.  Having received my first donation from the wonderfully lovely Charlotte Evans yesterday there's no turning back; this August (date to be confirmed), alongside cricketing pals Ben and Jeff, I'm cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats for Breast Cancer charity Cancer Research UK!

Firstly, I'm looking forward to being able to raise some money for a charity that's trying to cure a disease that has heavily affected both my family, a close friend's family, and so many others.  Approximately 46,000 people a year being diagnosed with the illness, breast cancer is currently the most common form of cancer in the UK, and one that I certainly see as a worthwhile cause to support.
Furthermore, I'm really excited to undertake such a challenge, as I've been looking to do something like this for a while, though knowing that I'll get pushed to my physical and mental limits, have been looking for some friends to do it with.  With the trio of Ben, Jeff and myself all deciding to undertake the 1000+ mile journey, I can see it being tough, but also a lot of fun, and there aren't many people I can imagine I'd rather be by my side (or in front/behind me in this case) for such a trip.

After that, it must be admitted that a fair part of me is taken up by nerves, as considering I've never cycled for more than half an hour before, to choose such a big task to undertake as my first one is quite scary.  I've definitely got the motivation to do it, and believe I'll put in the hours of training, but I'm more than a bit worried about whether my body can take it.
Currently on my second bout of physio, just heading past the year mark, whilst my shoulders have shown some reasonable improvement, my knees aren't in much of a better position than they were when we started, giving me constant hassle and pain.  Having said that, super-physio Jo told me that, so long as I get some ridiculously expensive orthotics made, I should hopefully maybe possibly sort of be ok.  The thing that worries me is that at some point on the road from now to the finish line my knees are going to properly give out, and I'm going to have let Cancer Research UK, everyone who's sponsored me, and most of all myself down.  I guess all I can do is 100% guarantee that I'm going to give it my best shot, and hopefully, with some good pals by my side by hook or by crook I'll make it through.

So what's the next step?  We'll so far I've got the approval of Cancer Research UK from the lovely representative Benita Wright, who's going to help me with organising my fund-raising etc, and I've also taken the massive step of acquiring a cycle helmet, so that's a start I guess.  Next up is getting a bike and starting training.  Currently scouting the world wide web for transportation, I need to wait a wee bit before funds will allow a purchase of that magnitude, though I'll continue with the gym in the meantime, and have started researching how best to go about training.

So that's it for an intro really; I'll keep updating with any developments that come my way.  Fingers crossed by the next post I'll have made some in-roads (no pun intended) into sorting out these orthotics, have amassed a couple of pounds of sponsorship (hint hint lol), and lost those inevitable, cake inflicted Christmas pounds.  Until next time...

Happy Christmas everybody!!

Owen : )

Sussex Uni Mens Cricket WinTour '10 - We Sixteen of Orient Are....Off on holiday!

Term over, and it was here, finally the moment that all had been so eagerly awaiting for had arrived, yes it was indeed time for the 2nd annual Sussex University Cricket Club WinTour!

Setting off, Ben, MBK, Bobby Mac and I crammed ourselves like circus clowns into Budgie's car and arrived in Canninington, Somerset a respectable three and a half hours later at 9:30 pm.  Rolling up, true to form we were once again impressed by our Tour Secretary's Jeffrey's ability to find us a lavish abode to reside in for the weekend.

After quickly shot- gunning a spot upstairs in the regal house to ensure night-time banter with the  Strouds and the Trotts, we all went for an explore around our new surroundings.  The house itself was large and old fashioned, just waiting for split drinks and trodden mud, whilst sitting diametrically opposite to was it's smaller neighbour,  newly furnished and cozy (though with Ferg in there it also smelled worse too). 

After stumbling towards cries of anguish and elation in the dark garden, we came across some fellow excited folk in the games room enjoying the undersized pool and table tennis tables and a defenderless table football table.  Having won an epic game of table football with Neil  and established my dominance on the table tennis table whilst Now 61 provided some enjoyable background nostalgia, we all headed in and before long ended up in the Blazin' Squad's  cosy home.

After some initial topical "chat" about the current tuition fee debacle, the tone of the conversation suitably declined more to our usual level as Ming and Fungus introduced us to the world of Ogg. 

Whilst this may sound like a doobie induced hallucination, it was in fact a word game, and one which tormented a select few for much longer than their intellect levels would suggest (or possibly not).  Once most had achieved enlightenment and Stoddy had finished off a funnel and become the first ever cricketeer to become officially "initiated" into the club (due to general disagreement with the practice), to ensure sleep precluded daylight we all headed off up to our comfy beds, leaving Linguist graduate Stroud to ponder the quizzicality of Ogg .

   

Up earlyish the next day, most of posh house headed over to sample the delights of the pool house, leaving Don Dom and co. to snooze.

Entering what was a pleasingly warm greenhouse, we were greeted by a large, toasty pool, with adjacent hot tub and sauna tucked away in the corners.

In that description we have pretty much the list of activities undertaken during daylight hours, childishness easily displacing the planned cider tour.  After clambering up and sliding down the slide in various ways (many receiving lacerations in the process ), vaguely teaching Kendall to dive  and Mikey to swim, and extensively enjoying the hot tub and sauna (where Stroud finally worked out Ogg, who then elatedly bewildered us by taking us up Sunshine Mountain), it was time for handball.  A closely fought match in which Stoddy, Ben and myself managed to pip Stroud, Kendall and Jippy by 10-9 (Creepy officiating), though apparently this was largely due to some under the water aggression by Stoddy - sore losers I say.

             

The rest of the afternoon consisted of a bout of FT which put the boundary rope at the MCG to shame, some spiffing games of Chess, Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit, and a lovely Spag-bol in front of the TV .  Noting at this point what "lads" we were, it seemed appropriate to share our pleasant banter with the world, and so we sleepily acquiesced to the obligatory night out. 

Once the troops were roused from their chlorine induced sloth-like state, before long we were all Jonny (Buzzing) for it, and headed out into the night (though not before I smashed the self proclaimed table tennis king Stoddfart at table tennis)

Arriving at the place which Ming was to later tell me had been recently busted for drugs and had stabbings there, most of us (appart from Dom who felt at home) were mildly uncomfortable.  The amount of chavs that appeared constantly angry at the world was staggering, and woe betide any boogier that should accidentally nudge one of these creatures without apologising profusely.  Having said that, it was a fair bit of fun with a number of highlights, primarily MBK getting a great vid of the team performance of Swanny's Ashes Sprinkler.   Charlie also impressed with his inner stud coming out and wooing girls both single and attached (even persuading me to slow dance with him), whilst Calypso put MJ to shame with his silky moves.  I enjoyed a little dance with Dominic on the balcony before recklessly and dangerously doing a handstand on the railings, though the flight long fall serving me right for my recklessness as we descended the stairs.

Not long after later witnessing a scuffle and for no apparent reason nearly having one of our own, we decided a prudent move would be to head back home whilst the night was still enjoyable, only Mikey managing to get left behind.

Back at chez WinTour we had some enjoyable conversations before hitting the hay, whilst unbeknownst to us Stoddy's initiation was apparently continuing in the form of the remainder of the bottle of vodka, and receiving a double helping of the "Sweeting Spear" from Ferg - though karma had Stoddy's back in crippling Ferg's arm in the process.

Waking up a wee bit later than the previous day, bleary eyed we all stumbled downstairs and back out to the welcoming warmth of the pool.  After a brief stint of handball, we subsequently all became expert gymnasts, performing a myriad of jumps/belly flops (Jippy/Kendall/Neil) and dives (Stoddy/me/MBK), catching balls (all), breaking frisbees (MBK), and coming inches away from face planting a back flip (though as it was it turned out perfect.....just).

After the mandatory naked hot-tubbing, we decided to leave Dom, Ferg and Wane to plough through the remainder of their crate and headed back inside to chill, factions of the house enjoying the contrasting films of Zombieland or American Beauty whilst observing with wonder the house Peacock outside.

Post film and quick tidy up, it was time to head off into town for our Xmas meal.  A lovely little pub with friendly bar staff, we were served up a truly hearty Xmas dinner with all the trimmings - and a delicious Cheesy Leek sauce, that, alongside the fudge/cheese cake adequately sated us all prior to watching Matt Cardle's deservedly win Xfactor (controversial!).  Unfortunately however, the amount of brussels sprouts that were consumed by a one Mr Ben Denton caused flatulence and smells on levels previously unknown to man. 

 After waddling back home as fast as we could to get away from Ben, it was time for the super-fun game of, you guessed it, hide and seek!  Unfortunately the house didn't offer as many places to hide as the labyrinthine EasTour house did, but nonetheless it was  a good performance all-round from Jippy, Neil, Stoddy, Bobble-head-Kendall and myself.  Notable places were Jippy's filthy escapade into the attic, and my spot underneath MBK and Budgie on the sofa.

                         

After this an epic game of Pictionary was undertaken, Jeff and Neil just pipping myself and Dom to the winners post, with Wane doing very well to get even one of Kendall's drawings correct, and Stroud and Charlie making a superb last-ditch sprint to the finish line after an initial late-joining handicap. 

Not wanting the fun to end, we then continued to an enjoyable game of Articulate whilst I exercised, which involved much genius, creativity and stupidity in equal measures.

Conscious of the early start, the games eventually petered out, the rabble gradually filtering off to bed, leaving only Mikey to enjoy Babestation, which entailed [no description needed here].

The following day saw the end of WinTour '10, all sullenly leaving our little break from reality to head back home where coursework, lab reports and dissertations sat smugly on our desks, awaiting our return- apart from our sole first year Stoddy, bloody Fresher!

As a final point, all joking aside a big thank-you must be said to all involved in the creation of WinTour as without them this wouldn't have gotten off the ground: Jeff, Stroud, Ben..Wane?.....You know who you are. 

Also a big thanks to all who drove, Charlie, Budgie, Nodding Dog Kendall etc. As without you we'd have had to hire a minibus which would've rocket up the costs no end.

Penultimately a big thanks to everyone who came, I certainly had a top time and I think everyone else did too.  It's a great way to get to know new faces and have a top time with the ones you're already familiar with.  If you're reading this and didn't come, shame on you, but you have the chance to make up for it with EasTour in April so it's ok.

Finally, a big thanks to Bobby Mac, just for being him.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody

Owen : )

P.S. I don't know when this happened, but this must be Wane's planned rape of Budgie......

The Usk: First White Water Experience

In true fireworks night style, the trip accordingly started with a bang, the alternator belt shredding up and leaving 12 of us stranded at the side of the M4, playing with sparklers.  however, after about an hour  wait, a nice AA man came and squeezed all of us into his less than accommodating cab before towing the van to the nearest rest stop.

Whilst quaffing cups of hot chocolate and the odd beer (and 15 little tubs of milk), Dunc managed to negotiate our way to getting us taxi rides the rest of the way to Wales, hooray!  On time, two of the three cabs arrived at midnight, and we bundled most of the kit and people in, leaving Dunc, Josh, Wayne and myself patiently waiting for the shortly arriving taxi.

Unfortunately this supposedly short wait ended up being standing in a car park until 2 o'clock, drinking beer and waxing lyrical about the stereotypes of Wales, with the added bonus of finding out that my brother-in-law-to-be is actually Dunc's boss, and that consequently he now must do everything I say.

Once the completely inept taxi driver had eventually collected us and tried as hard as he could not to follow his sat nav (and I'd had a great snooze), we eventually met up with the rest of the now heavily drunken rabble at 3 a.m., only 11 hours since the meet.

Whilst all drinking as quick as we could, there was no catching up the likes of (of course) Lee, and Matt Ball - who'd had a little to much and was making as many little vomcanoes as possible in our bedroom.

After much banter, Twister, Jugs of Doom, songs, and general chit chat in our pretty nice bunkhouse, we put our heads down at about 6, in order to at least get some shut eye prior to our 9 a.m. wake up call.

After a stereotypically delicious fry up, improved  by the Honey Club's (Dave, Kate and myself) upgrading of buttered toast, we managed to squeeze all of us and the kit into the cars that had driven up, due to the current situation of being sans a minivan.

After unloading at the Usk, the rush for desired kit, and a safety talk in which we learnt taht rocks are apparently friends and trees were not, we got into our groups for our first venture onto a river (me being with Doug, Sarah and Sammy).

After being taught about eddying in, I watched on as Dave managed to fall at the first hurdle and go over, but low and behold he managed to roll!  This was something that had been plaguing him at the Gower, and he achieved it within the first 2 minutes on a river, so sort of a great start for Dave.

After all of us  subsequently eddying in successfully and gotten used to the bumps, knocks and rocks that inherently accompany a river, we came to our first feature, a smallish weir after a tight right hand bend in the river.

After getting out for a look, and seeing Matt Ball swim - blame the hangover, and pretty much everyone else cope fairly well with their first feature experience, it was our time!

Going round the bend a little too tightly and getting a mouthful of tree, the drop was upon me, and after following Doug's motto for the day "lean forward and paddle like fuck", I found myself out the other side with surprising ease.  The same couldn't quite be said for Sammy, who had his first (and not last) swim of the trip.

All the newbies already feeling much more competent and confident on the river, we all bobbed along a bit further before going straight down a slightly easier but higher feature ledge generally without much issue, our lead Doug using some poor hand signalling that I'm sure the missus would tell him off for if she knew.

At the third feature of the day, there was split opinion as to go to the safer left and risk looking stupid getting stranded for a while (as Anne Mai did), or risk life and limb on the recycling left side.  In true maverick style we threw caution to the wind (and not really understanding the fairly small risk entailed) and opted for the cooler left side, again employing Dougs PLF technique whilst a few 12 year old chavs watched from the bank.  Unfortuanetly it didn't quite work this time, and I got my first taste of river water, though managed to mimic Dave and successfully roll up - Very pleased (though looking back at the video, the seemingly super turbulent water that threw me over  was merely me rocking the kayak after a dodgy entry, not as cool as intended).  Sammy did an awesome high brace to stay afloat behind me and Sarah as usual went down as though it wasn't there. 

After sticking around to watch everyone else successfully negotiate the drop, and Rosie paddling in a half sunken boat (it had a leak apparently), we had a shortish paddle before it was time to get out into the freezing cold and head off back to the bunk house. 

              

                                         

After showers etc, we headed over to the pub, where a tiny little old lady miraculously produced about 20 pies for about 1p each, though on the downside they tasted terrible, wallpaper paste appearing the main ingredient. 

After much darts, X Factor, getting 7-balled by Simon at pool, and flipping of 18 beer mats, we headed to another pub where we had further drinks, and David scared another victim's (Rosie's) parent's into thinking she was stuck under a fridge - how he does it I have no idea.  Whilst most of the people there looked as though they wanted to kill all of us, we had a laugh, even getting more sparklers and seeing one of the guys that tried to break into the house the previous night.

People being fairly tired, we soon headed back to the bunkhouse and got an earlier night than thought, ready for another day at the Usk, and the challenge of Millfalls.

Breakfast eaten and cars almost loaded (we had to come back later, such a pain), we headed off on our second and last day on the Usk.  Everyone feeling pro, it all got under way pretty smoothly, enjoying watching Cardiff uni doing their warm up before undertaking some lunges and going for a quick pre-kayak jog with Ricky to stave off the brisker weather for a few extra minutes.

After laughing at Cardiff's terrible attempts to eddy in, we all headed off, getting a little taste of our own medicine with a couple, including Sammy from Team Awesome swimming.

After a fairly long stretch of calm water, we came to what appeared a simple little bend with a tree sticking out a small way.  Planning to easily navigate around it to the right, I quickly changed my mind when I was my lead - who I was told to always follow, sharply turn and go the other side.  Frantically trying to do the same, I didn't quite make the necessary adjustments, and ended up with a face full of tree.  Doing exactly what we were told not do, and going against the Rocks are our friends , trees are our enemies thought process, I tried to bat it away with my paddle (and possibly my hand), and quickly found myself tangled, and subsequently upside down in what was much colder water than that which I'd previously experienced.  Luckily I again managed to roll, but as this visit to the fishies was a lot more unexpected and foolish, and left me a both bit miffed at myself, and more than a little cold.

After eventually catching the others up and practicing some more eddying in on some quicker water whilst  Dave sat on the bank complaining about his chunky thighs, we then foud nourselves at the big one, Mill Falls.

Upon getting out and watching, I saw Dave and a few others negotiate it successfully, before Beth ended up swimming after getting bashed over by her ever helpful lead, Ricky. 

After picking our line and having our pep talk from Doug, I psyched myself up and had another one of my many Boost bars.  

Eddying out slowly, I almost went the wrong side of the first rock and had to PLF to not be completely screwed.  As a result, I ended up going down a pretty poor line (though I blame Doug), and it was a series of panicked high braces that just about kept me upright.  After all of us making it through unscathed, all of Team Awesome bar Sammy went for another crack, as it was the only feature of the day, and I thought I could do better. 

After lugging that bloody heavy big Ken precariously back along the rocks all the way, seeing Doug swagger quickly past us along a previously unseen walkway to my left, we went for it again. 

The second time was much better, ferrying across to get a better entry line at the beginning playing a large part.  Heading down I felt a lot more in control and confident, wishing that it was the second run that had been caught on camera and not the first.  After finding Sammy and doing terribly at a spot of surfing on a little wave, we eddied out, caught up the others and before we knew it it was time to leave our first river trip - though not before getting changed in front of an angry man's house.  

Overall, I think all the newbies did really well, everyone improving both in ability and confidence immensely over the two days.  However, this is in no small part to the help that we all received, I can't thank  Doug and Sarah enough for answering all my questions and helping me out (not so much Sammy - but if I want to watch sculling for support I'll look him up).  My deadlines having been moved to week 8, it now looks like I'm able to head to the Barle, so we'll have to see whether these learned skills will indeed pay the bills - or just add to my student overdraft.

N.B. Special mention must be given to Wane's mate Steve, who drove a minibus all the way from Brighton for us to drive home in, without him we would have been well and truly screwed; cheers buddy!

Kayaking First Trip: The Gower Oct 2010

So, having been to three pool sessions, three other newbies and myself were brave enough to venture on the first Kayaking trip to the Gower Peninsula in Wales, for a spot of sea kayaking with the pros before taking on the Usk River in a few weeks time.

We'll after an extortionately long and cramped minibus trip (in which I got none of my planned work done), we arrived at our 4 person chalets, cramming in all 18 of us and quickly de-stressing with a well earned drink.  This well earned drink rapidly became a drink-ing binge, involving doing far to many rather of Lee's rather pleasantly tasting "random shots", resulting in much general merriment, rude sing-a-longs (something I wasn't expecting) and general "banter".

At about 3:30, I was spent, and stumbled off to the second chalet for a comfy snooze on the hard floor, equally eager and nervous about getting into a kayak without the benefit of warm water and a lifeguard to my rescue.

And so judgement day came, sink or swim, live or die, it was all going to be decided on that fateful, hungover Satruday morning - but not before a spot of deliciously cooked, committee made breakfast.  After said deliciousness, amid a series of hungover groans from various people (Matt), we did eventually trundled off to the beach, the sun filling us full of optimism that surely it wasn't going to be that cold - In October.  In Wales.  In the sea.  Surely not.

Unfortunately for us, try as we might we could not elude the stereotypical Welsh weather - though the water was pleasantly much warmer than expected (but that doesn't mean it was warm), and after the arduous task of unloading, suiting, booting and carrying, I was sufficiently silly looking to take the plunge as it were and enter the sea.

When, after much shimmying and being dragged I eventually got into the sea, I was expertly told by James to - when going over a wave, lean back and put my paddle out the way in the air in order to go over it, consequently meaning it took about 10 minutes to paddle out as many meters, as this could not be more wrong (according to Marco).

Having been on the water for what was probably only about five minutes, I felt like a pro, even managing to miraculously squirm back upright after my first  topple, though God knows how it worked.  Alas, this is not a tale of aquatic omnipotence and very soon after I succumbed to the oceans strength and was very much sent arse over tit.  This resulted in a state of mild panic, increasing rapidly to moderate with a lungful of water, before realising that I should stop being a pillock, and just get out the kayak. 

Post successful pull of spraydeck and lengthy drag of the water-filled kayak to shore, I stood and watched the others for a while, impressed at general level of ability, and in their ability to remain upright for extensive periods (Sophie impressing many, especially considering it was her first time).  After this brief bout of neoprene voyeurism, I was plonked by Marco in the front end of the enormous and infamous Duo.  I say infamous, as speaking to everyone after being in it, it turned out to be common knowledge that whilst in the Duo, at the front you spend an equal amount of time in/under the water as you do above it, Marco at the back cresting the waves in a Poseidon-like fashion whilst I got more salt down my throat than the lead in a very dodgy film.  That said, it was pretty good fun, and the most time I spent in a boat the entire weekend.

After all was done for the day and everyone had had enough of numbness, we wearily headed back to our glamorous chalets for a shower and (for some of us) a nap, before heading off for food and drink.  I had what was possibly the best pie in history, James eventually agreeing, but only after he eventually got to eat his an hour later, sulking on a table in the corner whilst we dutifully threw things at the loner.

After much merriment and more "random shots", we headed back home, finding Danny on the way, who'd foolishly crushed his arm at sea and had unfortunately spent his afternoon at the hospital getting little actual help - you just can't beat the NHS can you?  Back home, further drinking and shots ensued, with a fantastically infantile bout of throwing glass beads at each other ensuring that a fair few drinks got spilled, coming primarily from efforts to avoid Sammy's hilariously overzealous attacks on his comrades.  After everyone was tired of bead-slinging, it was again time for bed, this time managing to steal Darth Vader sounding (when asleep) Sammy's pillows and fashioning a little bed for myself.

After another course of committee breakfast, we all packed the van up (our chalet being much easier to clean as we'd spent all our time in the other one, meaning we got to sit and watch X-factor) and headed of for another go at this Kayaking malarkey. 

After reluctantly squelching back into some horribly cold and sandy wetsuits, we trudged the long trek, kayaks slung awkwardly over our backs, to the slightly calmer and more pleasant sea.

Dave super apologetically in his soothingly calm voice managed to blag the kayak from me, and thusly I was left stranded for a good while, initially happy and watching alongside Josh and Vic, before getting a bit antsy that I wasn't going to paddle again.  After a good while however, I managed to nab one of the few kayaks that was both going spare and that I could fit in, and off I went into the blue, slightly worried and expectant that I was going to be tugging the water filled kayak back within seconds.  Ten minutes later however, I was happy as Larry, just chilling out at sea enjoying not falling in, and was even more pleased when Ricky agreed to teach me and Dave how to roll, so as to avoid our previously frequent visits back to land.

After Dave had had a couple of unsuccessful attempts it was my turn, and after reluctantly capsizing, to my surprise I soon found myself upright again unaided.  Assuming this to be a fluke, I attempted another, and another, succeeding without fail (apart from one time when I got confused and attempted it on the wrong side accidentally), happily succeeding and watching on as Dave flailed and floundered upside down whilst Ricky played rescue. 

Additionally to that, I even managed to catch a couple of waves, and only when we went in did I finally fail to roll successfully - though granted I'd only done it once in a actual situation before and that was partially due to being in very shallow water.

Once everyone was back out the water and dry (Dave, Rosie and myself managing to find some lovely hot showers) and the van packed, it was time to head off on what was - bar a large amount of flatulence, a fairly uneventful and sleepy trip home, before unloading at the kit at campus and duly heading off to our respective houses.

Overall, I pretty awesome first trip, getting to know a fair few more of the lovely kayaking crew, and hopefully improving a little bit along the way - but we won't know that until the next venture to the River Usk...

Applications

Having spent the past few weeks being as creative and innovative as possible, thinking of clever and evaluative answers, today, I received my first grad scheme rejection letter.  Whilst Leo Burnett apparently "enjoyed very much reading my form" - as I'm sure they did with everyone else, It seems I wasn't quite quirky and out there enough to warrant an interview.

  

Whilst right now I'm a bit miffed, as I thought that was probably my best application of the bunch, I can't help but feel that I should have expected the familiar pangs of application dissapointment that I got hit with after my law appliactions.  I remember the feeling of mild optimism at the fact that I'd tried really hard with each application and couldn't have done it better, whilst knowing it was a super-long shot of getting anywhere with these applications, the companies being inundated by amazingly clever, friendly yet sociable people that in their spare time managed to save a Third World Country.  

In my opinion, the hardest thing to do is to get that foot in the door.  Even if you have to cut it off and throw it in over the top of the Oxbridge favourites waiting politely to be pleaded to work for these places (not that I'm bitter at all), if you can show people who you are and what you've got, you're in with a shout.  

At my legal work experience over the summer I witnessed this first hand when, after twisting someone's arm at Royal Mail Legal dept., I managed to wrangle a brief stint at top law firm Olswang LLP (which was awesome btw), a place that I never would have gotten close to if I'd applied there.  After just two days there, I was being offered application help both with them, and with people and friends they had at other firms that had previously turned me down flat.  Whilst in my head I though "awesome!" my heart sank at the fact that I was becoming one of the people I'd previously envied.  That being said, with the strength of competition nowadays, its an opportunity you just can't turn down, leading me to what I believe to be the key to application success...networking.  

If you can name drop or be remembered by any employees by doing anything possible -  I even gave a Partner £40 for his charity cycle ride, do it, as in my opinion unless you have the letters "Oxf" or "Cam" at the beginning of the box where it says "what University do you attend?" You're starting off with a handicap and need something to level the playing field.

So, my advice with regards to applications is try not to get disheartened if it doesn't happen, as you probably aren't a bad candidate, nor not appropriate for the organisation, just be brave enough to go to events, speak to people, steal their card and call them if you have to, but just get your face out there!

Badger Article on joining new societies

o you have to be a Fresher to join societies?

Last week I decided to explore whether Freshers Fair was indeed just that; for Freshers, or whether later on in your degree it was still possible to become integrated and accepted into new societies and sports.  This was prompted by a feeling that I’m sure a lot of you non-first years have felt upon arriving back this October - that I didn’t do enough last year.  As a third year Law student, my time to be able to try out and participate in new societies and activities with similarly aged and minded people is drawing to an end, with the world of employment and early nights ominously looming next July. 

As a result of this mild societal panic, I headed off alongside all the bright eyed and bushy tailed Freshers, to see what Sussex University had on offer.  Upon slowly shuffling round the labyrinthine maze of stalls at the Fair, I was amazed at the plethora of societies that were available this year.  From Ultimate Frisbee to the Assassins Guild, I would challenge anyone to have wandered round and not been drawn in by at least one of the super-friendly recruiters.  Getting caught up in all the positivity and amazing sounding opportunities, I adequately whored out my e-mail address to enough societies to fill my entire week,

Having previously enjoyed the delights of the Cricket and Squash Teams, Fencing, Badminton and Concert Band (all of which I’d really recommend, especially Cricket, Squash and the Concert Band – still being part of them), I thought I’d sample the more obscure, ending up choosing to try out the three K’s of Kayaking, Kickboxing, and Kung Fu, the two T’s of Tennis and Table Tennis, and also Life Drawing, Golf and writing for the Badger – hence this article.

After a very busy last week, I can definitely attest to all of the above society’s brilliance, all being as fantastically welcoming to myself and other similar minded older lads and lasses as the newbies, regardless of ability or previous experience.  Having already been persuaded to head off to Wales next week by the Kayaking crew, been given the workout of my life at Kung Fu (my legs ached so much the next day), and come out on top after a titanic England-German World cup revenge Table Tennis battle, I can honestly say I’m hooked. 

As a result of this, I truly urge all of you to go out, and just try something, ANYTHING new, as the majority of the people at these clubs did exactly that at some point, and found they loved it.  As the saying goes, “if you don’t try it you won’t know if you like it” (or maybe that was just my dad, but still it’s true).  See if it’s Choir, Sussex Snow, Poda Poda or Women’s Cricket that floats your boat, if not, go off and try something else.  I know many of you will be sitting there thinking about work, but let’s be honest, before summer term how many of us do work after seven o’clock at night.  Even if you just go occasionally, you’ll then have the experience to work from in the future.  So go on; just take out an hour or two a week and you might just surprise yourself with what you end up loving.

Bon voyage to Izzy Dickenson

Last night was the official farewell do for a Miss Elizabeth Dickinson, consisting of an evening of drinking, laughing, chatting that was enjoyed by all.  Waking this afternoon I was met by house cohorts Ben and Tutku, with a bleary eyed, orange topped Londoner Alistair completing our  post evening gathering of reflection  in my room.  Throughout the day Ben and Alistair gradually departed, leaving Tuts and I to head to Wagamamas for a traditional last "supper" (as Sophie was there too (as was Shaun)).  After a lovely bowl of noodles we headed to the beach where we partied on the Pier's Dancemat game with Dan and Alex until the gym and some media applications called me away...

On such days that I've experienced, you always have the same feelings that run though you.  The whole day is the same as any other, apart from the sole fact that during every sentence you utter, every joke said and every place you visit, you're ever conscious of the fact that it's the LAST day.  The last time you will do all the most common day to day activities that you've done together for ages, and the last time you'll see that face and hear the whiny "ohhhhh" that has become so endearing to you.  When the moment that has been miles away for so long is suddenly upon you, you stand there, mouth full of cotton wool, and don't quite know how to act.  Its not like  the films you've watched, the books you've read, or generally at all how you'd pictured it in your head.  Instead..... it's awkward.  You stand there as others watch your embrace, see you say your mumbled goodbyes of how you'll see each other again, how you'll miss them etc, and you just have a feeling of emptiness and sadness inside.  Turning to walk away seems to take for ever, and as you look back and see that pretty smile one last time, your feet become heavy and you wish you didn't have to go, the last image of your friend etched in your mind.

As I trudged home today after such an even, I realised just how much I'm going to miss little Miss Izzy Dickinson, and how important she's become in my life.........Then I realise that flights to France are cheap, so I'll probably use her in a couple of months for an excuse for a piss up and some brioche - wahey!!

Love you lots Izz : )

Owen's Blog, Earthdate number 1.0

Right, here goes.  My first blog.  It's something I've never really considered doing before, but after a media application I was perusing recently asked for a link to any profile or blog, I thought I'd better jump on the bandwagon and get involved in the oxymoronic world of publicising a diary.  Sitting here writing this invokes a sense of discomfort within myself, at the knowledge that this could potentially be viewed by anyone, and it leads me to wonder how often such posts cause rifts between friends or issues with colleagues - though I guess if you're too stupid to proof read for any offensiveness then you deserve what's coming to you?  In any case, I'll take solace in the possibility that the words "see my blog oven121@blogspot.com" on an application may help set me aside from Joe Bloggs in the perpetual search for post-educational employment, and what the hell, who cares if I irreparably destroy some friendships along the way eh?

Blog no. 1 = finito : )