1 - 10 January

This action-packed time was pretty much spent working, staring moronically at a computer screen that I wanted to rip wire from wire, getting more and more frustrated with Xia Hong's surprisingly evil assignment, the first one I've completed since starting the course. But, having properly slaved over it for far too long (I was planning to finish two over the break, but it basically monopolised), I am pretty pleased with the result. So we'll see how that goes. Maybe I'll keep you posted. Maybe I'll forget. Maybe I'll be too embarrassed.

These few days have been one of those rare times when I would be quite happy to just forgo my life for a while. As in, just skip to the 13th and ignore everything inbetween. Surely everyone gets times like that? Like when you're revising and it's beautifully sunny outside. In this case, Emilie gets back on the 13th, and I think it's safe to say I'm missing her.

New Year's Eve

Went to a living room party at Tim's, which mostly consisted of blowing latex gloves up as big as we could and drawing on them and tings. Also a couple of half-assed games; perudo, spelunki and name that choon - none of which got off the ground nearly as well as a pair of inflated latex gloves.

Christmas Eve/Day

Well we had a bit of a massive family argument (I guess Christmas wouldn't be complete without it) on the Eve so, whereas we have had a family meal every other Christmas Eve since the beginning of time, instead it was called off last minute and we all went out to get pissed instead. Which I did marvelously - a few pints whilst we were out, and then most of a bottle of port when we got back really did the trick quite well. I was sick in my sink and had a bit of a fall-out with Andrew to cap it all off. Merry Christmas!

But then the next day it was (barring my physical condition) all much better. Andrew had put a Christmas card under my door to apologise (which was much appreciated), and things seemed to have quitened down on the family front. But my head was seriously bearing a grudge on behalf of my liver, which wasn't helped by Paul firing a Party Popper at me, and far too many bottles of wine constantly in my field of vision. I managed less than a plateful of Xmas dinner, which I was pretty disappointed with. However, I was still pretty drunk so it was all quite amusing.

I got a load of good presents from everyone, especially Triolet (a bit like Scrabble but with maths), surfboard 'soft straps' for my car, a Mogwai album, some good books. Opening a bottle of Port made my stomach lurch slightly, but I know i'll appreciate it in the long run.

18th December

Emilie left me.

To go to Canada for a WHOLE month. How rude is that? I mean, ok, she has family there and stuff, and it's Christmas, but still, how inconsiderate can you get?

15th December - Vanderpump and Wellbelove

Today saw the dawning of a new era in Popular Music. Yes, that's true, it's finally happened. The long awaited first practice of the critically acclaimed three-piece "Vanderpump and Wellbelove" (me, Emilie and Nicky) happened in a now historical practice room near Reading centre. Yes, I know it's hard to be critically acclaimed before your first practice, but I guess we're just that good.

Even though Nicky was playing a keyboard that decided of its own accord whether or not to actually make a sound upon the pressing of a key (so I guess we're a four-piece, with a saboteur), and even though I hadn't played the drums in something like 5 months, and even though I was singing (a musical faux-pas in anyone's books), somehow we muddled through most of Neil Young's "Winterlong" (although we're playing it more like the Pixies do).