Busy Bee

Well everything is going well at university. I am keeping busy with work, sports and social.

Dance sport: I am getting better at dancing now which is good as I have put myself down for competition in Warwick in November. I am very nervous and I need to go shopping for some dance shoes and clothing. I have a brilliant partner who puts up which my foibles and every one in the society is awesome and mad and I love them all :). I do fit in well with them. So stay tuned to see my results.


Fencing: On Saturday I took part in the novice fencing competition with five others. During the day I didn't lose a match, to which I was shocked, but the final is on Tuesday. I am nervous about it as everyone else will be there for training but I will give it my best and hope I win. 


Football: Football is going well had our first proper match today which didn't go brilliantly. Hopefully our next match will go a little better. Definitely a good way to wake up though.


Uni: Got a few assignments handed out that are proving to be fun and a few more to be handed out. Got one on WebGL creating a model solar system and one to write a report on agile and another on vision.


Social: Well after a few comments on a post in our computer science page on Facebook I have become the social representative for computer science. So looks like I will be organising the socials for a while, which I am not to fussed about. Hopefully, more people will turn up.


SSCC(Staff Student Consultative Committee): I have also joined SSCC which means I will be a representative for my subject and year. So people who want to raise issues then I can report them back to people higher up who can sort them out and improve things or help out at the time if possible.

Some work and some play

Well It has been a bit more than a week since I last updated this but it has been very busy. I have signed up to a few sports and I am fully into my lectures after a bit of module switching.

So first up uni work, well after swapping Space robotics for Computer vision I have more or less settled in nicely. A few assignments/tasks have been handed out and they look really fun and...awkward. I am having a bit of trouble with one of my modules as it involves a lot of maths, such as matrix transformations. All the rest are really interesting and hopefully should all go well.
Now for the extra curricular activities...
First up I have joined the Aberystwyth robotics society to work on various bits and bobs. One main area of interest is quad-copters and other flying machines. I am also soon to start looking at a Reprap 3D printer to try and help get it working.

I am also a part of the Digs football team, F.C. Beaver. First training session didn't go brilliantly and it chucked it down with rain mid way. Should get better :). I have my first friendly tomorrow against Ivory Toast so should be fun and shall see how that goes.

I have also taken up fencing which is very fun but tiring and stressful on the legs. I have learnt a few moves such as lunge, disengage and circle parry and a few others. It also works up a bit of a sweat wearing all the gear. I am however considering putting myself up for vote to be novice representative.

Finally I have also taken up ballroom dancing. This is brilliant fun and shows me how much I know about my right and left. So far learnt the basics of Waltz, Cha, Jive and Quickstep and a few little bits such as the new yorker. I have also put myself down for competing at basic level which could be interesting so lots of practice.

Well that is it so far, I am keeping busy and loving every moment. Stay tuned for more news. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MentalMarriott

Start of University... well 3rd/4th year

So final year has started and I have done a little reading on my subjects at hand and I have started work on some tutorials. I am also still having a social life but my sleep is a little bit reduced. I am looking at taking up some dancing and football as well as continue my archery. I was asked if I wanted to got to a knitting club of which I would have loved to if I hadn't made previous arrangements. Need to look at going though should be fun.


I am trying this year to not only get round to doing more social activities and improve my grade, to hopefully graduate with a first, but also looking at developing more technical knowledge in areas outside of my modules. I have spoken to some of my friends and we have spoke about a few projects such as a wearable technology. Also kinda on the technical side we are already planning the raft for next years charity raft race at Glengower hotel.


Lastly as though I probably won't update my blog a lot I will try to keep you all informed of whats going on or any topics I find interesting. So look forward to hopefully some interesting reads.

Finally got round to this

Well it took me long enough to getting round to writing this so here it goes.

I have finished my industrial placement at IBM and it was the most amazing year I have ever had. I did things that I never thought I would be able to do such as teach, I lead a team developing an educational activity and learnt so much that I look forward to taking into my final year. Not to mention some of the amazing people I have met while being there who I wish all the best for their future endeavors. Now I have to wait to hear if I have got the graduate position and apply to tons more graduate positions.


So currently I am at my parents home for a couple weeks before heading back to Aberystwyth for my final year *trembles with fear* which should be, interesting and very busy. While at home I am sorting through all my stuff and catching up with my friends back here which is nice as I haven't seen them in ages. Been playing football with them on Tuesday evenings which is good as I am trying to keep my fitness up. I need to go for a run but that is a problem for future me.


Next week I have a wedding to go to that my friend has invited me to so that should be fun but the night before I might be camping with friends so it could be a busy week. I am looking forward to putting my suit back on and looking all fancy. Then off to Aberystwyth the next week to get all my stuff unpacked and get myself properly settled in.


I have already seen where I will be living and it is a lovely place and I can wait to live there. Going to try and enjoy my last year as much as possible as I am going to miss Aberystwyth when I leave, if I could I would never leave. I am planning on joining many socials and getting to know more people also need to speak to my year head to see about the possibility of some teaching experience.

One last note, if you have made it this far and you have a graduate job going or know somewhere there is a graduate job in computer science going please let me know I would be ever so grateful :) .

Soon be finished

So this past week all I can think about is it won't be long till I finish my placement. I have loved every moment of being down here but I am looking forward to going back to Aberystwyth.

Last Friday it was another farewell to a friend who I met while down here and the Friday before was another goodbye. For that Friday we went out and about drinking into one of the UK's worst nightclub which wasn't that bad. We also went Oceania which I almost didn't get into because I had the wrong trainers on but thankfully I got in and had an amazing night. On the way back home we saw a casino so we went in and played some blackjack. My flatmate ended up twenty pound up of which he was very happy about.

The next day I felt terrible so we went subway to solve that, it was the nicest subway I have ever had. I then went home and slept for most of the day. The following couple of days I had a few tasks to do at work and on Wednesday a new IT started and as such I started to train them. They seem to be fitting in really well.

This weekend I have started work on my industrial year report and finally visited the local nature reserve that I have passed so much but never actually been in. Got a few photos which I hope to upload at some point to Deviant Art so come and check them and a few other pictures and drawings of mine on http://someguywithanapple.deviantart.com/

Goodbyes, Travel and Beach

So been a very busy weekend with travels and fun. However, before the weekend got under way though, there was a few goodbyes to fellow colleagues who had finished their placement and will be going back to university soon. It is been a lot more quieter around the work place as well. Hopefully we will stay in contact and if we are both lucky we might see each other back at work as a graduate.

After the goodbyes it was off to home back in the midlands to see parents. This required a fun 4 hour train journey after which it was fair to say I was glad to be home. I then grabbed something to eat and headed out with parents to the pub. At the local had a few nice pints of bass and had a good catch up then headed home for a good rest. My body clock however was still on work schedule so woke up around 8am and had a bath which I had missed, I still wash just via a shower :P.

After a relaxing bath and a bit of lunch I set off on my second part of my travels to Wales, back to my university. I was heading here to see what my new accommodation for final year is like. This was a 7 hour train journey during with I did nod off a little a couple of times. When I got in it was a short trek to my new place which I can say is lovely, with an amazing garden/patio.

Here I met our 4th flatmate who is a PHD student who is very nice but only here for 3 months. After stocking up on a few essentials we met up with a few friends for a drink and a catch up. While out we watched bits of the Brazil Vs Holland game, which I am glad Holland won. On the Sunday it was a relaxing day sorting out some stuff for my room. I built a flat pack desk while flatmates watched frozen. Later on we watched the world cup final and it was a tense match but I am glad Germany won. After that we headed out for a midnight bonfire on the beach where had another good catch up with friends and a nice talk with a stranger who decided to join out bonfire.

In the morning it was get up get ready and go. This time a nice 7 hour trek on train back down south. People were arriving as well as this was the week of graduations, some of whom were friends of mine who didn't do an industrial year. After I got back I had dinner then relaxed as the next day I was in work.

Back to work I went after a terrible nights sleep but it was a good day as got £64 from the sweepstakes for Germany winning the world cup which was nice. With some of my winnings I brought some cake for work colleagues.

All in all a busy few days :)

Winning Goal

Tis the season for football and as per usual Friday lunchtimes it was football with work colleagues. Always a good game it being five aside, well good game when it isn't raining. Thankfully today's weather was beautiful, perfect weather for a game, warm but not too humid. As always starts off with a nice friendly just warming up trying to score as many as possible.

To start off with I went in goal where I made a few saves but let one in. However, one of the saves was of a powerful shot which bent my finger back and it hurt for the rest of the match. Still hurts a little now. So while running round the pitch I made a few tackles and lost the ball a fair bit. There was a point where I was just spinning around with the ball and had no idea what I was doing but managed to get it out to a team mate. Plus side this match was I didn't injure my knees.

There was a beautiful goal by the opposition about half way through. Gentleman ran down the right no one on him and the goal keeper came out to the edge. At that point the gentleman chipped the ball just over the goal keeper, we all watched as the ball seemed to fly through the air in slow motion. It came down so gracefully and bounced perfectly into the left hand side of the goal. It was a stunning shot.

After the 40 odd minutes of a friendly, things got serious, it was the first to three goals to win. We started off strong with an belter going straight in, closely followed by another beautiful goal. The other team started pushing a bit more even having a few shots, luckily none went in. Then the ball was passed out, rolling my way down the center. I ran with it, turned, guy coming on the right of me, picked my right foot and swung. Straight as an arrow went down into the left hand side and scored, it was the game winning goal. I was so happy that of all the goals I should have scored that was the one I did.

What's been going on

Work - Well that's been a little slow lately but got new IT coming in soon so should be good. Will be up to me to help him settle down and learn the ropes, poor lad :P. Had a few meetings on what's happening around the place and sorting out new people for a event organising group I help lead.

Over the next few weeks quite a lot of people will be finishing so will be an interesting few weeks. Hopefully I can get some of my stuff sorted I want done before I leave. I have already done my IT to Graduate assessment day but flatmate has his soon, hope all goes well for him. Will be weird if we both end up coming back and working together.


Personal - Home life down south has been good this past year, met some really awesome people who I hope to stay in contact with. Flatmates have been the best I could have asked for as they managed to put up with me :P but seriously they are some of the most fun and easy to get on guys I have met. I hope all my friends do well in all their future endeavours.

Just this week one of my friends made me lunch, It was however part of a challenge. to see if I could eat the biggest portion he has eaten for lunch. It was about 1kg of pasta with steak, it was nice but very filling. He said I could have it for £1 if I could eat it in one sitting rather than £4, It was painful but I did it but felt bad so gave him £2.

Soon myself and flatmates shall depart but not before we have one last hurrah and go out on a night to remember.

Bowling and such

So today has been a busy but fun day. Started off as most work days do, getting up, exercise, breakfast, head to work. At work I had my usual stuff to do but there was a manager leaving so we all gathered to say a good bye, even though she was only leaving to a different department and would be on the floor above. Also talked had a meeting about what is needed to be done for an event that I shall be helping out with.

At the end of the day I got a lift of a friend rather than my flatmate as we were heading bowling later. However they had to nip to the dentist, so I came along and sat in the waiting room. I went the toilet while there, as when you got to go you go, the toilet was tiny. It was smaller than train toilets it was ridiculous. When I got back to the waiting room my friend showed me what they put on Facebook about me, they said "It's like being at the dentist with my dad". Hope that meant I was mature, still seems a bit off then.

After the dentist there was time to spare before bowling(pun intended). So we went for a nice meal at a local pub/eatery place, the food there was very nice. The fly though was not. After the nice meal we headed off to bowling. When we got to bowling we were still a little early so grabbed a drink and started having a little chat. Then it was bowling time. First game didn't do too well and came last as always. Second game I found my swing of things part way through but then lost it.

While waiting for the third game there were a couple of kids who looked like they were going to have a fight but one of their friends came along and calmed them down. In the third match I was doing much better, I got two strikes in a row but unfortunately missed the third. I was especially annoyed at missing the third as on a Tuesday a gentleman comes round to each lane and if that player can get a strike then they get a free game. So came to me and was my turn, bowled, one pin remained standing, I was gutted. I was happy with the third game overall though as finally managed to break 100.

Today has been a rather good day, also got my pink driving license through today. Problem is it features me with hair whereas now I am lacking most of it, ah well.

Oh and my sweepstakes team, Germany are through, just :).

World Cup: Brazil Vs Chile

Well I am writing this before penalty shoot out between the home team Brazil and Chile. I started watching this rooting for the underdogs Chile hoping they would win but with no expectation. When Brazil scored their first goal I thought it was all over. It was a good goal and Neymar has been playing amazingly.

Then Chile scored a goal, a brilliant goal, through defenders legs and just out of reach of the goal keepers hands. Placed nicely into the bottom left. The second half was very tense and thought Brazil were going to score another. Then Chile had a few nice passes and a shot that came off the cross bar. They were unlucky but now it is down to penalties to decide on who is through to quarter finals.

I still want Chile to win :)

Injury

Well as it is Friday, I played some football with work colleagues during lunch. Thankfully the weather was nice and a little drizzle cooled us down before the game but that was it. It is five aside and there are people in light coloured t shirts against those in dark coloured t shirts.

I was on the light coloured t shirt side and we started off with a bit of a kick about to warm up. Then we started to play properly, however this surface is not the easiest surface to stop on(or fall over on).

About half way through the game the ball was passed to one of the opponents, it was heading deep in out half. I ran for it, I got there and reached out with my foot just managing to pass it to the goal keeper then continued to slide. Down I went onto my hands and knee.

Now just two weeks ago I had reached a bit to far for a ball and rolled over it, slid rather impressively on my other knee and ankle and rolled and got up. This hurt a fair bit as the surface is covered in sand. This time however was not as bad, but of course there was the other player right behind me coming for the ball. Now as I said stopping isn't easy and at this point I had my foot out stretched, kicking the ball.

Well over he goes, me joining him, we all stop play and make sure we are ok. After a couple minutes we get back in the game then our team precede to win the best of three game at the end. I walk off with a scuffed up knee to match the other side.

I will learn eventually, got IT vs Foundation game soon. Should be good as me and a flat mate are IT's and my other flatmate is a Foundation. He is really good though.

As always thanks for reading.

Weekend is here

Well the week is coming to a close and the weekend is upon us. I hope you all have some fun events/activities planned for the weekend, mine will be a little relaxing and a little work.

I will be queuing up a load of YouTube videos and trying out a few new things with my awesome new microphone. I also have a podcast now so if you prefer to listen rather than read then head over to Podbean (will provide a link at the bottom).

Also I am now a member of Netflix so there goes most of my weekend and my sleep. I was looking through it last night and found out I have watched a lot of stuff. There is also a lot of stuff I still need to watch. If anyone has a recommendation of a film of TV series I will put it on list of things to watch if I haven't seen it before. Might start reviewing some films on here as well.

As always thanks for reading :)

Podbean

New Microphone

Woop! Finally got my new microphone through so my videos should start sounding a little more professional, just need to work on my self sounding professional :P.

The microphone I went with was a Samson Go Microphone which is a nice little portable thing and has Omni setting to pick up sounds from all around, bidirectional to pick up sound in front and behind while ignoring sounds to the side.

The one I find myself using most though is Cardioid which picks up sound directly infront of the microphone. This is the best for me as I use it for my lets plays and possibly for some future talky stuff. If you feel like hearing my voice through my new microphone stay tuned to my YouTube page.

Thanks again for reading :)


YouTube page is https://www.youtube.com/user/GamingMarriott

Video Woes

Afternoon, well it is where I am, anyway in m previous post I mentioned I had a YouTube channel that I am trying to post  to more regularly.

Issues, my first problem with uploading videos was that my screens resolution is 1440 x 900, which when kept at that resolution and uploaded to YouTube it cause black borders to appear, this didn't look very professional. Also using my headset mic doesn't seem to make my voice very clear and makes it sound monotone(it's not, honestly). As well as this I also have an issue with my home internets speed being atrocious so takes forever to upload.

I have been getting better and now have my resolution set to 720p so no more horrible black borders. I also have ordered a bettter mic that should 'hopefully' make my voice clearer and much nicer to listen to. Just got to get my gaming skills up so I can be a bit more entertaining. It's all in good fun and is helping my presentation skills so I can't really complain.

Introductions

Well this is my first post(On my new blog, all the posts before this were imported) so I think I should introduce myself a bit. My name is Chris and I am 24, won't give you too much on me, stops you tracking me down :P

A little bit about myself. I am quite crazy and very talkative, tall at around 6' 2", love to have a laugh and travel. I don't play games that much as I am not brilliant but I have been doing more since restarting my YouTube channel. I love watching TV and Films and could talk about them forever.

I am currently on my industrial year down south which will becoming to an end soon, this makes me sad. I have learnt loads while down here and hopefully can come back as a Graduate. I have met some wonderful people here who I hope to remain friends with for a long while and hopefully see them again at some point in the future.

In a couple months time I shall be heading to my parents hope for a brief stop and relaxation and then it will be back off to university for my final year. I go university in Aberystwyth, which if you are not familiar with, is a lovely coastal town in Wales(Lovely when not being destroyed by waves, no seriously check the past news reports). My time there has been fantastic and amazing, the people I have met there will be friends for life, some of whom I would even go as far as to call my family. When I get back I will be living with two other friends who do computer science, which is what I do by the way. I am not looking forward to the large amount of work that needs to be done but I am looking forward to being home.

Before I go I shall leave you with some handy links :)

YouTube - Ignore the first few videos, the channel is still going under changes and I am getting used to some video editing settings.

Twitter - Feel free to follow or message me on here and I will also try and get back to you if you ask a question. If you have any topics you wish for me to talk about please don't hesitate to ask.