Being Locked Out

Well, I’ve had an interesting weekend. On Saturday morning I managed to lock myself out of my room. I then had a choice, pay £25 to get the landlord to come out and unlock my room or save £25 and just go without stuff for 48 hours. I obviously chose the latter.

The only clothes I had were chav-y looking trackies, a frisbee top, rugby socks, a hoodie, one pair of underwear and some hiking boots. So it go some interesting comments from people, but oh well. I also, luckily, had my phone and iPod, so could still contact people and check emails/Facebook. Technically I had my laptop, but the power cable was in my room, so that wasn’t much use.

I tried picking the lock with a paperclip and screwdriver, but it turns out it’s a lot harder than Hollywood and YouTube make it look, so I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be without my stuff. Luckily we effectively have a spare room in our house, so I had a bed.

As the day progressed, I started to get a headache, so I went for a walk along the whole seafront in Aber, one of my favourite things to do when I’m in a bad mood and certain people aren’t around to cheer me up. It was productive as it gave me inspiration for a poem/meditation/prayer (still yet to actually be written). As I headed back towards my house I thought, ‘I’ve had a rubbish day, and not a brilliant week, I’ll get a Hollywood Pizza to cheer myself up… oh no, my wallet is in my room!’ So instead I had pasta and cheese, not quite the same.

Sunday was better. Though I felt totally underdressed for church, the morning service was very interesting. Then I got the offer of a free Sunday Lunch with a couple from church and two other Methsoccers. The food was lovely, as was the conversation. Then music went… and OpenSpace started, which I always enjoy. As is tradition, OpenSpace was followed by a trip to the pub, and a very lovely friend bought me nachos, which made me happy.

I returned home to find a housemate and a fencer playing Rock Band, and I couldn’t help but join in. Then bed called, and I knew I would soon be back in my own room.

And now I am! I went to the letting agency and got the spare keys, and my one my big comfy bed, surrounded by all my technology on charge. But this weekend has made me realise I can live without a lot of stuff, and I actually enjoyed the experience.

Rants on Trident and the Lib Dems

Quite a bit has happened in the past week or so since I last blogged.

There has been more talk about cuts. Schools budgets (in England at least) have been ring fenced, and the MoD isn’t taking as big a cut as it thought. So much for every department taking its share. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to see schools losing money, but the MoD… Give up Trident and there is a lot of money saved.

As an International Politics student, I have thought a lot about Trident. I remember watching the Leaders debates before the election, and listening to Cameron and Brown saying that Trident is necessary for the safety of the country. The whole time I wanted to ask them one key question. ‘A country attacked the UK, would you really sign the death warrants of hundreds of thousand civilians, and press that red button?’ Because that is the ‘safety’ Trident offers. The Geneva Conventions forbid the deliberate targeting of non-combatants (civilians), so to use a nuclear weapon would be a war crime. And imagine having the deaths of hundreds of thousands on your conscious… I know I wouldn’t.

Also I have lost a lot of respect for the Liberal Democrats since the election. We had very similar views, or so I thought. Looking after students, scrap Trident, etc. They get a sniff of power, ally with the Conservatives and suddenly they are giving in to £7000 student fees, saying they won’t vote against Trident, and generally being the fall guy face of all the cuts. I hoped the Lib Dems would be the voice of reason in a tricky coalition, but instead they seem to be there just to make up the numbers. But oh well, only four and a half years to go.

But, I’m going to be positive to finish. Twice a week Methsoc, or a contingent of us at least, invade our local Weatherspoons, and usually end up chatting to one of the barmaids who’s shifts seem to match our visits. Last week she said she was interested in coming to church, so I persuaded her to try St Pauls. This Sunday she came, and really enjoyed it. So I feel Methodist visits to pubs, as it is a great place to witness.

And on that note, I’ll live you. Sorry for my rants.

Turning 21

I have had a very good week! Yesterday (Thursday) I turned 21, and for that reason my wonderful girlfriend was in Aber from Sunday (and left this morning). The early week was mainly just chilling, watching a lot of Spooks (series 4) and eating rosy apples.

Wednesday was when my birthday celebrations started. We headed to Rummers for a drink or two with lovely Methsoccers. Then the cake arrived! It was amazing and huge! Effectively a chocolate cake on top of a chocolate and cola cake, and all covered in chocolate icing, it was very very impressive. Leaving the cake, we headed up to the Union for RELOAD! I love the cheesiness of Reload, but was surprised by the lack of people. Freshers, get your act together and start going to Reload! But anyway, Reload was its usual cheesy self and I even got my birthday announced, which made me very happy.

Thursday started with a lie-in and then opening some presents. More Spooks, Gavin and Stacey, money, mugs, lots of chocolate (to name a few). Then I persuaded Rach that she did want to walk up Pen Dinas, the hill to the south of Aber. We made it to the top after stopping at all the benches on the way up except one. Then I opened a glass bottle of Coca Cola and it looked very much like an advert.

The evening saw Rach and me on South Beach with a small fire. One of my presents from Rach was ‘Mystical Fire’ (http://www.glow.co.uk/mystical-fire.html) which you put on a fire and it turns the flames beautiful blues, gorgeous greens and pretty pinks. It was so pretty, I am definitely getting more! I also had another bottle of Coca Cola. (When I was younger, one of my birthday treats was Coke in glass bottles) I was very impressed with how outdoorsy Rach was, but I know she won’t be now for at least a year…

The day closed with OpenSpace music practice. For one reason or another we only had three musicians and no vocalists, so I decided to give it a go. I have decided it isn’t for me, and I think those listening would probably agree. As is tradition, we gave our patronage to a local well-know establishment for a burger before heading home for an early night as Rach had to leave at 8am.

All in all, I had a great birthday and would like to thank everyone who made the day so special. I am now old, but old age came in style.