Bachelor of Arts...
If I've understood the complicated qualification regulations correctly, then I need 120 points of unique study at level three to gain a BA (Hons). I'm fairly sure of the two courses I want to take, but I still can't decide on which one to do first. DD304 Understanding Cities looks a really interesting Social Science course that explores various World Cities, and the problems associated with urban life. I've been reading the existing course conference, and someone has posted a review of their recent visit to China - I was fascinated by her account and I'm seriously thinking of doing the same trip - a cruise along the Yangse with Voyages Jules Verne in the future. This course seems the safer of my two choices, and I will definitely do it at some stage, but I'm also strongly drawn to a Literature course.

A300 - 20th Century Literature: Texts and Debates is a new course starting in 2005. There is no course conference to get student opinions of the course, but I have started reading some of the set books. I started with Pat Barker's The Ghost Road, a 1995 Booker prize winner, which seems a slightly uncomfortable, but compelling read.

I need to make a decision soon, but I intend to read some more of the set books before I finally decide.

- posted by Bill @ 2:30 PM

 
Back pain...
For the first time ever I've been signed off work - due to back pain. I think I've pulled something by training too hard at the gym. The doctor has told me to take Ibuprofen and do stretching exercises, but I can hardly move at the moment and I've walking around hunched over as if I need a zimmer frame.

I didn't sit my geology exam, as I couldn't concentrate on revision with my back problem. I felt guilty at first, but have come to terms with it now. I didn't need the points as I was doing the course as a one off, to try out science. I've enjoyed doing geology and got a lot from it. I'm looking forward to next year's OU courses, but can't decide on which course to do - it's between DD304 Understanding Cities and A300 Modern Literature. I'm reading some of the Literature course set books before I decide.

My 1MB broadband connection is working well - I went for the Wanadoo upgrade from my existing 512K service. I'm using a tool called DU meter to kept a total of my usage and I seem to be well within the 2GB limit I've signed up with, and it's twice as fast and £10.00 cheaper. Google have released a new desktop search tool that indexes your whole PC - it seems useful, although there could be security issues for shared PC's.

- posted by Bill @ 6:09 PM

 
Exam stress...
My S260 Geology exam is fast approaching and I feel really stressed about it. I don't need the points, as this course isn't going towards a qualification, but as a matter of principle I really want to pass this exam. Nothing seems to sink in despite going to the OUGS revision day and my final tutorial. It's annoying because it's a really good interesting course - maybe it will all come together on the day.

I've been working hard at the gym, I'm trying to go every day now, apart from the weekends when I go swimming. I've joined the British Triathlon Association , and after my exam I hope to join a local club. The events calendar comes out at the end of January, so I will be able to choose the ones I want to enter for 2005 and do some more specific training.

Back to geology revision...


- posted by Bill @ 5:06 PM