Nick Gibbins

Seasonal mixed messages

As mentioned yesterday, we’ve been told that the University is going to be closed on Monday (the Highways Agency have nabbed our grit, so campus is likely to be pretty treacherous). The mail from the Registrar read as follows: Please be aware that the University will be closed on Monday 11 January. This decision has been taken, due to safety concerns arising from a depleted supply of grit. […] Please be assured staff will not lose any pay or leave as a result of this closure day. On the other hand, the mail from my Head of School read: The… Read More »Seasonal mixed messages

Video killed the radio star

Soon after the was born, a little over three years ago, sent me out with a shopping list, as follows: Lansinoh Cotton wool I decided to get these from the big John Lewis in town, on the ostensible grounds that it was marginally closer to the car park than Boots. This also meant that I could browse the AV department. One thing lead to another, and I ended up leaving with the following items: Lansinoh Cotton wool A Humax 9200-T PVR Apart from making a shopping basket that clearly shouts “new dad” (nipple cream + superfluous technology), the PVR has… Read More »Video killed the radio star

The sky at night, tonight

Very clear sky tonight, so have actually managed to see the Geminids despite the skyglow and the floodlights in one of our neighbour’s gardens. A couple of very bright meteors and about another four or five lesser ones, all in ten minutes or so. If you have a clear sky where you are, now would be a good time to step outside for a quarter of an hour – look to the east. Briefly contemplated waking the up to show him the best sky that he’s yet had an opportunity to see in Southampton, but thought better of it. I’ll… Read More »The sky at night, tonight

At home with the Garks

As is now traditional we’ll be having an ‘at home’ on 29th December in lieu of doing anything for our wedding anniversary! Please pop in for as little or as long as you can. When: Tuesday 29th December When: from noon until late Daytime will be more family-focused as you’d expect. Throughout the day there’ll be piles of mince pies, canapes and, all things going right, a baked ham lest you be fading away from Christmas under-nourishment and of course mulled wine (and mulled apple juice for the drivers).

More Wave invites

So, Google gave me eight invites. I’ve used three this afternoon. They’ve now given me *another* eight. Please, take them!

I heard it on the radio

Young has used up about two minutes of her fifteen minutes of fame, talking about laundry (and being tumble dryer-free) on today’s Women’s Hour. You can heard her here (for the next seven days). The laundry segment starts at 31:00, and she’s on first (and third).

Doctor Who

The distinctive “chirp-boing” noise of the proximity sensors on the roof of the module appears to have been lifted from 2001: A Space Odyssey; it’s the noise of the proximity radar aboard the EVA pods on Discovery One. My, I’m a geek.