The Chrisography

I'm on holiday, it's very nice. Why can't these come more often?

Laters, Chris.

I have been incredibly busy these last two months, working full time, applying for PhDs and also travelling the length and breadth of the country either visiting friends, on a course or at an interview. So busy, in fact, that February and March really seem to have completely passed me by!

I am on the reserve list for a PhD at Leeds, so whilst I didn't get a studentship straight away there's still a possibility and I'm hopeful. I have submitted my Nottingham application with a proposal that has been rated as very good by a number of people here and there, and am awaiting a response to that application which I'm very hopeful about. I'll also probably get the ball rolling on applying with Durham again as I did last year in early April, and may apply to King's College London who I'm talking to at the moment.

Hopefully I'll nail one this time, it's all up to God. He has been working amazingly in my life recently and really broke through in a very personal area recently which has been amazing. He's also provided me with more time this week to spend with my good friends from church and elsewhere, which is great.

Laters,

Chris.

Finally got my photos developed from the trip to Snowdonia in January, here they are:
http://dur.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2096780&l=25f86&id=61207103

Just at the end of my lunch break now. Today and yesterday I've been marking exams for the first time - it's good experience and really revealing about the difference in people, as to who 'gets' the subject and who doesn't. It's first year geography and degree level, so it should be easy, but some people just haven't done well. I'll also be lecturing in remote sensing in a few weeks too, and the PhD proposal with Nottingham is going well - other projects are being advertised now as well and I need to keep a beady eye out.

I'm also off to London a week on Friday to see my good friend Matt Cook from Durham, and hopefully a few more guys who I know there. Then the Friday after that I'm going to Dundee for the weekend to catch up with everyone there, then on to Edinburgh for a few days for a course. All is going well at church too, and I'm sure I'll be doing things with the guys there too.

The knee is healing up gradually. I have Chondromalacia Patallae, or "Runner's Knee", but I only need to strengthen one of my leg muscles to sort it, then I can go hillwalking again which is good as we're doing Snowdon in March/April time. I should also get to Spain to do some research around then.

In the meantime it's Baltic here, and it's finally going to snow tomorrow morning. Eranu!

...this blog. Turns out from looking at my archive that I started this on January 13th 2004, and so the blog is three years old. Bit of a surprise, that.

Things are definitely busyign up again, work is good and busy at the same time (strange, isn't it?), I'm off to London and Scotland on successive weekends next month, Spain at Easter, I may have to go to the doctor's because of a knee problem (though that will be getting prayed for and I believe in healing), and I'm putting together a PhD proposal with a guy at Nottingham University. Other things are happening too, some are too personal and others aren't that exciting, but I'm going to a driving range on Saturday which I always enjoy. Huzzah.

Chris

Drought causes village to resurface
20 Jan 2007

A drought has caused a village that was flooded 30 years ago to create a lake to resurface, Reuters reports on January 19th.

According to the report, the water in the lake, which feeds the Fierza hydroelectric plant, is just seven metres (23 feet) above the level at which turbine operations must cease.

"Some people started working the land they lost to the lake in the 1970s," said Kukes resident Fatime.

Villagers are already complaining about water rationing and it could continue further as only a third of the normal amount of rain fell between September and December. The report adds that this makes it the worst dry spell since 1915.

www.met-office.gov.uk (and Reuters)

I came across this just now, and thought it'd be nice to display my travels to you. Distinctly European, especially if Turkey joins the EU, but the one thing I'm disappointed in is that they don't have the Canary Islands on there - my one trip into the midlatitudes is to be uncharted???



create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Now and then you see something which you just have to pass on. This time it's Osama bin Laden's favourite toy, Taliban Barbie!



I'm not out to have an all-out laugh at muslims here - I get far worse about Jesus every day which I take in my stride.

This is rubbish, but I have been uber-busy over Christmas and the new year, hmm. Think I'll have to do a namesakes update soon...

Good, because the cricket has gone from marvellous to atrocious in a couple of weeks and I rather need something else to occupy my thoughts!

Finished work at 2 today, since I spent half of Tuesday and Wednesday evenings playing with sand in the lab. That was fun and having Friday afternoon off is like watching Monty Panesar take figures of 5 Overs 5 Maidens 6 Wickets for 0 Runs if he ever gets to play against the Aussies - a dream!!!

So, after starting work 4 weeks ago, I finish for the Christmas holidays on the 21st, the small matter of 13 days away. :D

For any users of Wikipedia this site should be a good read. Even I laughed at the satirical description of geography!

http://uncyclopedia.org

There are also informative, topical articles:

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/UnNews:Supreme_Court_declares_global_warming_unconstitutional

Hmm, that's about it for now, I'm hungry. Laters...

Who said 9 to 5 work wasn't fun?! I love my job, I'm having a great time doing it and the people here in the department are amazing. I am writing my first ever journal entry from MY OWN OFFICE (whoo!), but don't worry - I'm on my lunch break for another 10 minutes. :D

I live with two guys, one from Essex and the other from Sheffield originally but who manages a night club in Chester - he pays for Sky, broadband and a phone! Strangely though, despite living in the north west we get news for the midlands!

When I get the internet set up at home I'll post more, until then it's back to work in 10 minutes...

Take care and God bless,

Chris

I have decided to do a namesakes series, focusing on one Chris Wilson around the world each time and seeing what they do, since "googling" yourself online is so interesting. First up is the first result of my Google search, a singer-songwriter based in the land where England's cricket team are currently starting their Ashes-retaining tour, Australia:



Found at www.chriswilson.com.au, Chris has been around a bit, playing in no fewer than 12 bands since 1984 - coincidentally the year of my birth, as well as releasing a number of solo albums (such as "The Long Weekend", pictured below). He has also contributed to a few other projects and produced two albums. He is described as having been "...an essential part of blues and rock music in Australia since taking the stage with the Sole Twisters twenty years ago", from his profile here:
http://www.chriswilson.com.au/media/biography.htm .

Sadly there are no music samples on his site so I was unable to try his 'sound'. However, Chris is touring the state of Victoria in Australia and has played in the USA, keep your eyes peeled...



I'm moving to Chester tomorrow and might not be online as much, but the journal will keep going and at least one entry will be made per week.

Take care guys,

Chris

Just a quickie, there's a petition about climate change, demanding the reduction of emissions of CO2 and its polluting comrades, that I'd like you to sign:
http://www.powerdownpetition.org/

Just to add, those who know me know that I am a qualified geographer who has spent the majority of the last four years studying the science behind the recent unprecedented (in its rapidity) temperature rise and its implications for warming. I am not merely catching on to the issue, but have been behind efforts to reduce emissions for a long time! For a good review of the science go to www.ipcc.ch.

Three days until I move to Chester.

I decided this blog needed a facelift, I hope you like the new look - tell me what you think with a comment. It also needs more entries and probably a bit more humour, and so with the help of my good friend Charlie - now linked on the right, I leave you with this for today:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54667

Kim Jong-Il Interprets Sunrise As Act Of War

October 31, 2006

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA–Increasingly defiant toward international pressure since his nation's first nuclear test in early October, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il condemned this morning's sunrise, calling it "another hostile, deliberately timed act by the world community" and "a clear and blatant declaration of war."

According to North Korean military sources, the sunrise, sighted at 6:17 a.m. by patrolling officers, was not fully confirmed until an hour later, at which time Kim assessed the threat himself, and immediately released a harshly worded warning to the U.S. and the United Nations Security Council.

"The Democratic People's Republic Of Korea condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this act of aggression on our eastern border," read a statement printed in the state-run Korean Central News Agency. "If another act of this nature occurs at any time in the next 24 hours, we will be left with no choice but to retaliate with the full might and power of our armed forces."

In addition to denouncing the "imperialist invasive assault," Kim also supplied the U.N. with an extensive list of "unacceptable" international actions. According to Kim's list, North Korea will no longer tolerate the encroachment of Japanese waters onto its western shore, will view the accumulation of cumulus clouds in restricted airspace as acts of intimidation, and will not hesitate to respond militarily to any "violent and unprovoked bursts of wind."

Kim outlined further "extreme transgressions" that would be worthy of more immediate and serious military retaliation.

Kim described an "angry" North Korean army that has been "roused from its peaceful slumber" by a hostile act.

"Economic sanctions on North Korean imports and exports, the reintroduction of cuff links as a fashion accessory, a sudden drop in lower-middle-class spending habits, sporadic changes in the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies, the announcement of yet another new sports drink, a daily rise in the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher than 3.5 points, shorter hemlines, inspections of North Korean cargo in an attempt to intercept weapons or weapons parts, or the release of a new U2 album—any of these actions will be interpreted as an act of war, and force us to take drastic measures to protect our sovereignty," said Kim in a written statement, which also warned that the world's third-largest standing army is prepared to deliver a "merciless blow at a moment's notice" if the leaves begin to turn colors and fall from the trees of North Korea. "Though we desire peace, we have seen the signs of war on the horizon, and we are not afraid to act."

Despite claims from China that Kim's statements are "nothing more than hollow threats," the U.S. remains worried that the communist republic may test a second nuclear weapon in response to Sony's new line of 62-inch flat-screen television sets.

"The United States wants nothing more than to engage the North Koreans in diplomatic talks, but we will not simply cave in to these bullying tactics," said Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice, who called the Asian nation's response to Wednesday's events "politically questionable." "That said, we are carefully reviewing their demands, and believe we can find some common ground on concerns over NBC's Thursday-night lineup."

Kim Jong-Il decried Rice's remarks, the side to which her hair was parted, and the fact that she was wearing blue, calling each an "indisputable and highly charged admission of war that North Korea will not be cowed by."

Right, sorry for the three week gap guys, it's just that absolutely nothing has been happening...until now!

I have just accepted an offer of a job working at the University of Chester as a research assistant in their geography department for the next year! In the absence of a PhD as yet this is perfect until I can hopefully get a PhD next autumn, and will involve fieldwork in Spain and possibly Norway in assisting the reader there in his research, as well as working on a local carbon reduction scheme and doing some teaching duties. All good!

They want me to start on the 13th and I do too, so I need to find a flat quickly!

Laters,

Chris

So very sorry, it's been hectic for a while. I'm now back home job hunting and hoping to get a PhD next year, didn't get one this time. Anyway, I went to Germany from Thursday to Monday, and here's my account:

I LOVE GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had an absolutely awesome time over there, being carried by the fine airline that is British Airways to Stuttgart (Tubingen, actually) via London Heathrow, the international departure lounge of which being bigger than the entirety of Newcastle International Airport. So here's the abridged version of what I did, with photos to come ASAP:

Thursday
- Flew there! Marvelled at Heathrow Airport, despite all its pollution.
- Ate at a Turkish restaurant near my friend's (Markus) house.
- Watched The Shawshank Redemption with Markus to educate him about great films.
- Muttered embarrased German phrases (all weekend).

Friday
- Walked up to the Hoher-Neuffen castle in the Swabian Alps, at 753m. Drank tea and fought wasps.
- Went to the hot springs/saunas at Neuffen, felt a million dollars.
- Watched England U21 beat Germany U21, with Germans! Huzzah!
- Drank whisky, bleurgh.

Saturday
- Went into Tubingen, visited the riverside, the castle (Schloss Hohen-Tubingen) which hosts the Universitat Tubingen, the market and the streets of Tubingen, bought gifts for the parents and nephews. Found lots of English-speaking Germans, phew.
- Watched March of the Penguins, to adore penguins. It's a favourite hobby of mine, they are the toughest creatures God made.

Sunday
- Went to the Alps, in Austria, at 180kph along German motorways! (Built by Hitler, boo!)
- Climbed the Hoher Ifen, from 1240m at the base to 2229m at the summit. Passed a sheer drop and momentarily went pale, became a man and overcame it to reach the summit, which is the Austrian-German border, from where you can see Switzerland and the Borgensee.
- Conked out asleep upon getting back to Tubingen.

Monday (Today)
- Flew back, got delayed, sighed. Realised I was getting used to BA planes, wanted to go on one again soon...

Auf widersehen, pet. Tus.

Until I print my thesis, COME ON!!!

Until then, I have sad news that it is not yet Friday:
http://www.isitfriday.net/

Rats, I had hoped it was.

Hey guys,

Worry thee not, I have not gone AWOL and left this to stew, I have just been really, really busy of late. Of course, the thesis is coming to a head now as it's about 4 weeks/30 days to the deadline, and since the research duration is 5 and a half months that means we're in the endzone,as it were! It's going well, though, and I'm about to write my conclusion and finalise my first draft tomorrow. That leaves me time to edit it a bit to cut out some unnecessary words and rethink some of the earlier stuff which I wrote a while ago, whilst making sure the stuff I've just written in the last few weeks scrubs up! Once that's done it's a case of putting the separate chapters together, adding page numbers and a contents list, an abstract, declaration and acknowledgements. Then I'll get it printed (twice), bound and handed in! Hurrah!

As well as that I am applying for a job at Leeds. The PhD at Durham fell through as I missed out on the studentship, but it clearly wasn't what God had in mind and I plough on, thanking him for guiding me. The job at Leeds would allow me to do a part time PhD over 4-6 years whilst also teaching 50% of the time. It's an ideal setup, and although it's not megabucks I'd still be a bit better off than this year which is good. Anyway, I have just about finished the application, written the covering letter and updated my CV ready to be checked my my lecturer here. I also have to submit a rough research proposal which I've developed with a guy at Leeds, which will be to do with outburst floods. I am excited at the opportunity and the topic, and am praying that everything is sent off in good time and that I get an interview, and then we'll see what happens!

So here goes. I'm a bit nervous but trusting God about this few weeks and the future.

Take care guys,

Chris

Hi guys

Sorry I haven't updated in two-ish weeks, I have been very busy writing things, doing fieldwork and worrying about the state of my project one minute, then being optimistic the next. Will update more soon as I'm expecting important news, which is late.

Chris