Monday, September 27

A set of rules.

Well, 'tis Monday people. You know what that means? It means Andrew has one lecture today. And it's at 9.15. And I can't get back to sleep. Not fun. Cause I'm bored rigid. I've even tried doing my homework... And that doesn't happen very often. Unfortunately, the chemistry department in their infinite wisdom have decided that I cannot complete this homework until tomorrow, as they haven't taught me what I need to know to do the last question. F**king geniuses...

Anyway, I thought I'd give you all a taste of the rules that I have to put up with. As a chemistry student, as a resident of Heriot-Watt and as a Pentland Ghettoian.

Chemistry student...
All lectures and tutorials must be attended. A register is taken at lectures/tutorials/lab sessions so it will be known to us if you are late. You must SIGN your name, NOT print. This is to prevent you getting your friends to mark you present when you aren't.
Well this makes me such a proud chemist. They don't trust us enough to turn up to every lecture so they keep a register. If I ever miss anything I must fill in an absenteeism sheet. If I miss 5 days, I need a note from the doctor.
All chemistry students MUST purchase a lab coat, safety goggles and rubber gloves from the department. The cost is £17.50.
That seems a bit silly to me. They have spare lab coats. They have spare safety goggles. They have disposable rubber gloves. SO WHY CAN'T I BORROW THEM INSTEAD OF WASTING £17.50! It's not like I have other things to buy...
All chemistry students MUST purchase "Chemistry" (Book) cost £17.50 from the department. Or £30 from the book shop. Only 100 copies available.
Whaaaaaaa! Well, luckily I had money on me when they dropped that bombshell. So I got it cheaper.

Resident of Heriot-Watt...
Students must obey the "noise-curfew." This is Midnight (Sun-Thu) and 1.30 on Fri & Sat.
Yes, this is to allow anyone with classes the next day a chance to sleep. I totally agree with this. However, it isn't enforced and drunk people can be heard in the courtyard well into 4 in the morning on a Wednesday.
Students wishing a guest must speak to their "hall warden." The general rule is you are allowed 3 nights a week with a guest. (This can be 3 nights with one guest or 1 night with 3 different guests) ONLY ONE GUEST AT A TIME!!
This is better than some of the rules other Universities have in place for guests *cough* Stirling *cough* and I like it. I was also told by the warden that I am not to wake him up at two in the morning to say "I'm getting lucky..." So you can get away with a lot in this department.
Rooms must be kept clean and tidy for when the cleaners come to hoover your room. Your day is a Thursday/Friday. 
Wait a sec, I have to clean my room so someone can clean it? Right, Health and Safety have had a ball on this one. Cleaners are not allowed to lift anything in your room other than the waste bin. Hmm, this is a bit stupid to me.

Pentland Ghettoian.
You must keep up the reputation of our beloved hall. For example, if you are playing croquet with a friend from Pentland and someone from another hall is approaching, IMMEDIATELY start hitting each other with the mallets.
At one point in the year, you are to take something ridiculous from another hall. For example, a fridge freezer.
You must be drinking at least one day a week. Or else.


Well, those are my rules. See if you can guess which set I made up...

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Sunday, September 26

A notification...

After long and careful deliberation (about 5 minutes eating ice-cream) I have decided to temporarily stop video blogging. This is due to the Microphone problem. Once I have "acquired" a new Mic, I shall continue vlogging. Sorry for any inconveniences.

Anyway, here's a rant. It is rant day after all.

I was heading home from Hogwarts on friday when a man sat next to me. This normally doesn't bother me. However, he stunk of smoke, alcohol and piss. He spent the whole journey on the phone to various people talking about how he was "now out of the joint" and "looking for work" and talking about drugs. Hmm, not exactly a comfortable situation to be in. So, my rant is this. This guy was in prison for some undisclosed reason. He then gets out and immediately looks for drugs. Hmm, anyone else see a problem with this? Cause I do. Yes, lots of people will say it's societies fault, placing disadvantaged people with nowhere else to go. Some will say that it's his own bloody fault and should do something about it. Well, personally, I think that a) the guy should get a job. (a proper job that doesn't involve breaking peoples legs or something.) b) He should be given a second chance, but if he balls that up, he deserves nothing. c) he shouldn't be allowed on public transport. Seriously, he stank up the whole bus. You could see that 90% if the bus was going to throw up and the other 10% were going to ask if "he had any." Life in the city is wonderful. Come and visit.

Please continue to suggest rants to me, just send me a message, I'll get it. Once the Vlog is back up, I might consider a special rant to celebrate, so I would like EPic suggestions. The crazier the better.

Anyway...
Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Wednesday, September 22

A small crisis of faith.

Right then, the exodus from Blogspot has begun. (Thats where I write this up by the way.) A long time ago, there was the key bloggers. The ones who got me into this blogging lark. Mustard has long since given up, which is a shame, and Olga, my hero in blogging, has moved to the dark side of Tumblr. Well, I'M STILL HERE BLOGSPOT!!!! I am faithful. Til the end my dear friend. However, I want to wish good luck to Olga in her new blog.

This does mean that I have almost complete control here now. So I have celebrated by redesigning the layout of my blog. Hopefully you'll find it easier to get around and will think it looks purty.

So, second rant then. Today, I suffered a small crisis. Just a small one. I had a moment when I felt that my life was pointless and that I should just give up. You know, the kind I have every second week. Well, for some reason, it felt worse today. I really did honestly consider assuming the foetal position. It was that bad. I think it may have had something to do with my "low-self-esteem" at the moment of the "Give-up-andrew-syndrome" struck. Why was I having the low self esteem issue? Well, I was doing what I've been doing the past two months. Writing out what I dislike about me and my life. And I could think of much more bad than I usually do. These include University, family, future and friends. Why are these bothering me? Mainly because I don't know where any of them are leading. Random chance is fun and all, but sometimes a bit of certainty is nice. Just to ensure you know what you're doing.

3- Extremism. Yes, yes. You all know what it is. It's Muslims taking their religion to extremes. WRONG! It's anyone taking anything to extremes. I'd class myself as a "mild Catholic." I agree with some parts and disagree with others. But some people take Catholicism to extremes too. And there are a fair majority of them supporting Celtic Football Club. They use the excuse of "IRELAND!" to do things which if they thought about, they'd shudder. Beating someone up because they are wearing the wrong colours? That's not a Football team. That's a gang. And that's wrong.
Every religion has extremists (though I would like to see an extremist Buddhist.) and I find it very hard to understand what is going through their minds. I was taught a firm sense of what was "right" and what was "wrong." I'm very ashamed of some of the stuff my religion has done. (The Inquisition, The crusades & the child sex scandal) It's these things which make you think, "Am I in this too deep?" Well, I've decided that I am a catholic, no matter what I do and that I will try to live my life the way I think is right. Not what some Millennia old rule suggests. A lot of the rules of my religion didn't come from God. They came from people. Like me. Well, a lot more strict and less tolerant version of me but I know that people can be wrong. Just look at the world. Global Warming - our fault. War - our fault. Religious wars - our fault. Poverty, disease, hunger, deforestation, extinction, eviction of Natives - all our fault. There are times when I'm not just ashamed to be a Catholic but I'm ashamed of being Human. None of us plan ahead. We're all selfish, grabbing what we can while we still can. Not much I can do about that, but I try to be generous when I can. If more people thought of others, we wouldn't have a perfect world, but we'd have a better one.

Hmm, that was a pretty deep rant. I think that's enough for now.

Any suggestions for my "Rant-day" video, please send them to me.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Friday, September 17

The Nuclear Option...

Righto, Friday. What can a student such as myself do on such a day...

Oh. Right.

TO THE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!


Anyway, I dropped economics, which means I got my book refunded. So, moneys looking better. No idea if biology wants me to buy a book or not. We'll find out soon enough.

So, the big questions then. Like why is my room so bloody hot? I leave the window open ALL of the time. It's not been shut since I got here. So why is it still hot? Well my dear readers, it is because at precisely 12 noon to 3 pm (when the sun is highest and hottest) the sun glares directly into my room. Now, my window only opens just wide enough for a pepperami to fit through, so I'm not getting much wind from there. I have no fan and my room is white, therefore, it reflects all the heat. Or in this case focuses it. Onto my bed. Not cool people.

I got my new "Chemical molecular structure helper." Also known as "Molymods" by the school. Or "little beady things" by those "unenlightened by the black art of Chemistry" - my lecturer's words. Not mine.
So anyway, as soon as I got them I started making shapes. Currently it is some kind of spiky football. When it changes again, I'll let you know.

Now, who gave me this kit so generously for free I hear you ask. Well, it was a government funded company called A.W.E. And they are involved in the Chemistry business. The boomier end of it. The part involving nuclear warheads... So, to put it as bluntly as I can, I am being helped out by one of the manufacturers of the deadliest weapon on the face of this planet. Brilliant. Now my conscience is being tormented as well as my sleeping pattern.

Also after recieving my "Model kit" I saw the A.W.E. logo on the top of the lunch box, this gave me an idea.
Thank you to a Mr G "Dubya" Bush for the idea.

So anyway, I must dash, got a party to go to. And another city to get to. And a ranty themed video to make.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Monday, September 13

Some TLC for my blog.

Sorry about the past week or so, I seem to have forgotten my roots and went video crazy. I am sorry. It won't happen again. I think I got caught up in the hurricane of web-cams, s*** Microphones and "Windows Live Video Editor". To prevent me from doing this horrible thing EVER AGAIN I have devised a cunning timetable. Here are my thought so far.

1. Sundays are now "Rant-days" Anyone following me on YouTube will know that I recently named this event. This will be one of the videos I do every week. (If you have a suggestion, place it in the comments section on my YouTube video. If you don't have an account then I guess you can put it on one of my blogs. Either way I'll get it eventually. I will pick the best using the age old tradition of picking it out of a hat.)

2. Wednesdays will be the only other day where I break out the video blog. This is due mainly to the fact I'm off on Wednesdays. Well, I say off. I have one lecture for the whole day. And it's at 9.15. So, to all intents and purposes I have a day off.

3. Rabbits look awfully like Hares to me...

4. My blog will be updated every Monday and Friday. These posts will possibly be shorter than you're used to but that's that. At least I'll do them that way.

Zog. I have a s*** microphone.

Well, all that aside. I had my first lectures today. At 9.15 in the morning... Well, to a lot of you that might be "ANDREW, I GET UP AT 6 EVERY MORNING TO MILK MY COWS!!!!!" Well, poooey to you. I have no cows. Thats why I don't get up at 6. However, I have got quite used to sleeping at 4 and waking up at 12. My body clock has run out of batteries. Or maybe it needs wound up. It's one of the two. I forget which. Anyway, what I'm getting at is to keep your watches in time. It's very useful when you need to get up to milk the cows...

I think that shall do for now.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Friday, September 10

The funny picture for my vlog...

So, becuase I'm an idiot, I can't work out how to work the editor. Anyone with any technological skills please help me. :)

Wednesday, September 8

Stepping into the future...

Whats happening peeps? I'll tell you whats happening. The first ever video of me on YouTube thats what. Well, the first of them posted by me anyway... Yeah. Take that society.
Anyway, as I say in the video, this to me is still my main blog. Maybe in the future that will change but right now. Writing is God. Not video. However, I urge you to watch the video found here as it 1. actually shows my face. 2. is an ok start (I hope) and 3. It can only get better. I hope you will go visit it and comment appropriately so that I know what I should put in the next one. Right now, it will mainly be about what happens at University but if you want other stuff in it just let me know and I'll be happy to oblige. Also, as it will be very irregularaly posted it's probably easiest if you subscribe to my you tube channel. Just so you know, I will not spam you. No one else has access to my channel. No company owns my soul. And if they did they would be awesome like microsoft... Yeah. *rolls eyes*

Anyway, I'm now into a new branch of tech. I've no idea if anyone I know does anything like it but I have given it a bash. I never knew video editing could be quite so stressful though... Hopefully it gets easier as time goes on.

So, just one last advertisement for it. Go here. Now. Watch the video and let me know what you think. Let me know how my University compares to yours. Let me know if you're scared of going to University. Let me know that you think it's s*** and you hope I die in a blazing fireball. Just let me know something peeps cause I want to know.

So, anyway, thats all I really wanted to do if I'm honest. Say hi to me next time you're on facebook.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Monday, September 6

Mini post, as ordered.

Right then, I have been ordered  told requested to do a mini blog. About Webcamming.

Well, here goes.

For me, I have suddenly realised what a great gift the webcam is. Thank you God for inventing it. I'm serious. Getting to watch Zoe eat her lasagne has quite literally made my day. Not only that, but I have been able to give my "tour" to any and all who request it. (which has been quite a few actually...) But yeah, this little eye into my life is very handy.

Anyway, all I'm saying is that without this technology, I'd have left you all behind. But through this you can all continue to be a part of my life.

Also, my microphone means you can hear me too. Which is kinda neat I guess.

V-Blog is in progress, just need to find a video editor...

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Sunday, September 5

A fresh(ers) view on University.

Well then peeps. I'm at Uni now. Yeah, big news. I am in Pentland Hall A. Room 1... I'll tell you the rest if you're nice. Anyway, I have been here for about 24 hours now. I miss home. I miss my friends. I miss getting free food from my parents. I miss getting told what to do. I have freedom here. And I don't like it. It's scary. I can do anything. And I mean anything. I have been to a gig. I have played guitar. I have watched a DVD. I have been on the internet, once we got it working... But yeah, if I want to go out, I just go out. If I want to have crisps, I just have crisps. If I want to have a poker tournament in my jail cell room, then... you get the drift.

This brings me to my next topic. I'm a fresher now. I'm back into the education system and I'm on the lowest rung again. Everythings new. Everythings scary. I'm scared. I'm worried. What if's are going through my mind like wildfire. What if I get locked out of my room? What if the fire alarm goes off? What if I run out of money. What if I miss enrolment? But yeah, if you are coming to Uni soon, be prepared for a shock. It's extremely different to life at home.

Something else. Everything costs money. Gigs. Food. Washing. Phones. Books. Yes, I now have to budget. Oh dear god help me. Well, I've done well so far. Taking advantage of the CU's free pizza meal if you went to the service was a good idea I think. If it's free, I'll be there. At least, thats my plan. Hopefully everything follows it. But as we know, my life has a way of just going terribly wrong in a matter of seconds. So, fingers crossed on that not happening.

I've met a few new people. All of whom are very nice. I just need to remember names now. I'm terrible with names. This'll be fun. I'll call Callum, Geoff. And Geoff, Christine. And Chris, Chris. Well, I've known Chris for ages. So unless he changes appearance, I'll recognise him.

Well, I've given the tour of my room 3 times via webcam. If you want it, let me know. And I'll organise a time slot for you. Also, anything for me to put on my walls would be appreciated. Posters, photos, drawings, doodles and flags are especially welcome. Let me know if you have anything along those lines, or something I haven't thought of. Cheers.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.

Thursday, September 2

To be a child...

Well then. I've done it. I've finally gone and done it. Done what? Watched "The Lion King." That's what. Anyway, that means that I'm temporarily a child. For the first time. At the age of 17. Woop! Well anyway, I'm now living out my childhood in true childishness. Playing pokemon and eating an icicle. S'all good people. S'all good. Thank you Zoe for letting me live my childhood at last.

Anyway. Yesterday was going to be my last night as an explorer. Due to organisational errors, not on my part, explorers was cancelled. I would like to apologise to anyone who this may have affected and offer them a great big hug as compensation. Or failing that you can come see me in Edinburgh. Or both. Whatever you want really.

So, organisation. Yeah, thats important in life. So how come nothing I do seems to have any hint of organisation. Explorers - none. Swimming - none. Moving out - Little to no organisation.Yeah, I'm gonna do very well at Uni I think.

Now, I just remembered about something. Yearbook. Can anyone tell me what the hell I've to do about getting one? I don't really want to bother Eva about it, cause she's like satan when it comes to these books of years. So yeah, any information would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Well, this'll do until I get to Edinburgh. My next post will be from a different county people. So enjoy.

Peace out bubs.
Andrew out.