29/12/2007

Don't I know you?

Events have got me doing quite a bit of thinking these past 24 hours.

Today I was visiting my aunt in the shop where she works, when someone who was my closest friend, my companion for two-years, walked past the window. I shamefully looked away. But the worst thing is that I know why.

Last night a group of us went out for dinner for Bryony's birthday/my birthday/Christmas/New Year and a good friend of mine from secondary school, someone who helped make it all a little more bearable and who I haven't seen in four-years, came along. And it was just like 'old times' with all of us. And again, I know why.

But what I can't figure out, no matter how hard I try, is why the people who we're closest to and care the most about, are the very people we don't stay in touch with when thing's go awry, no matter how much we might want to, and are the very people we're most awkward and uncomfortable around when our paths cross again, even years in the future.

And now I've sat here for 30 minutes wondering why I've written this entry, whether it's an attempt at some sort of redemption, while hovering over the 'publish post' button wondering whether I should push it.

22/12/2007

A Birthday Casualty

A year ago I almost ended up spending my 21st birthday in Asterdam's Schipol airport after England rather inconveniently fog bound itself. Fast forward a year and I find myself having spent a portion of my 22nd birthday in the Casualty department of the local hospital.

The receptionist didn't seem to pick up on the significance of the occasion when she asked for my birthdate, and I replied "Today, but 22 years ago". Fortunately the nurse did and wished me a 'Happy Birthday' while bending my knee in all sorts of improbable directions. Unfortunately the end diagnosis was about as ambiguous as the reasons for me being there in the first place. After waking up in the middle of the night on Wednesday with a rather acute pain in my left knee, I woke up on Thursday morning unable to bend said knee. A whole day with a hot cushion on my knee made little difference, and walking on it, or bending it, produced a sensation which felt like what I would imagine stabbing the back of my knee cap with a hot knife would feel like. Unfortunately yesterday brought no improvement, and neither did this morning, so I had to concede defeat and follow my parents' advice to go to Casualty. Apparently I may have (a) a bit of cartilage/bone 'free floating' behind my knee cap, (b) a torn something, or (c) a random imflamation. I'm holding out for the latter, although a bit of keyhole surgery for the former would certainly be exciting.

Unfortunately the upshot of this was that I was ordered to rest and not put weight on my knee, which put paid to my plans to go ice-skating, karting or walking today, and instead meant I've had a rather quiet birthday at home - although I'm now suffering Strictly Come Dancing. Hopefully, after Schipol last year, and West Cornwall Hospital this year, it won't end up being Guantanamo Bay next year.

Thanks to everyone who's sent their birthday wishes today; it's been lovely to get them :).

01/12/2007

School's Out for Winter

It's that time of year again. It hardly seems possible that a little over two months ago I started my final Michaelmas term, but true it is. Last night was Selwyn's SnowBall and this weekend almost everyone packs up to return to their other homes for Christmas. But not me. I'm staying around for another two weeks. The upshot of this is a very quiet College, the downside; the lack of people. Coming down the stairs earlier today I noticed a rather sad sight - everyone apart from me being marked as 'OUT'.


Obviously there was a party and I just wasn't invited, but at least it should mean that I get some work done these next two weeks - provided all the conference attendees and interview candidates don't prove too distracting. Which I imagine they will.

Last night though was the SnowBall and jolly good fun it was too.


This year with people who graduated last year coming back for it, and it being the last one while I'm still here, I had a change of heart and decided to go along. And I'm glad that I did. It's not a May Ball, but it's not meant to be either. There's something much more personal about the SnowBall, but having said that, the use of a strict one-way system meant that I actually saw shamefully few people to talk to properly. The only other one that I've been too in 2004 didn't really capture anyone's imagination and I'd been in no hurry to go back, but 2007 was certainly a much better affair. It's nice to be able to 'go out' with a better Ball.