Carter’s blog: Svenska dagen 2010-04-26

iBlog 3:

It is fast becoming obvious that my weekly blog has turned into a fortnightly effort. I thought I should mention this as my Dad complained that I never update it. So for your sake Dad and anybody else who simply can’t wait for my next instalment, expect new blogs to be published on a fortnightly(ish) basis. Also big thanks go to the_gaffer and steve for being the first to comment on my blog, it feels less like I’m talking to myself if people comment. So even if it’s only to insult me, correct my grammar or whatever comments are always more than welcome.

In the week following Blog 2 I was quite productive at work completing a couple of manuscripts based on my research that needed finishing. I feel like I’ve settled at work quite quickly and hopefully now I can stay productive and keep procrastination to a minimum. On the Friday of the same week my shiny new iMac arrived. To be honest I didn’t take it out the box until the following Monday as I didn’t want to set it up without somebody there who knew what they were doing. I now have Mac OS X and Windows XP running side by side. I’m slowly beginning to familiarise myself with the Mac OS so I am now a fully fledged iStephen with iPod, iMac, iTunes, iCal, iChat, iMovie, iPhoto…you get the picture.

Socially since Blog 2 I was invited to two separate events. The first was the house warming party of Linn and Eric (Linn is from my research group). The party was a particularly cosmopolitan affair with at least five major European countries represented (England, Italy, Spain, Germany and Sweden). I tried my best to demonstrate a touch of English class by getting very drunk and being one of the last to leave (no surprise there to anybody who knows me!). In the process of getting drunk I missed my last train home and had to get a very expensive taxi back to Sticksten; I can’t really remember the journey.
The next day I had a monumental hangover. The days when I could mix lager with gin, whiskey and grappa (not that I ever normally drink grappa but substitute grappa with, Sambuca, Jagermeister or vodka and you get the picture) and feel human the next day are long behind me. It’s got to the point where my body must say, “right Mr Carter if you’re going to poison me with all that crap I’m going to make you pay big time.” And didn’t my body make me pay, my hangover lasted a few days with my bowels being angry for even longer. God only knows how I used to turn up to work (albeit late) and complete a full day after drinking similar amounts of alcohol when I was younger, then go out again the next night and repeat the process!

Social event two was a lot more civilised affair you’ll be pleased to hear. One of the researchers (another Erik) in the department had his PhD viva and he invited me to his celebratory meal. The meal was an entertaining evening. As part of the celebration lots of different people made speeches about Erik. His colleagues in the lab made a small film basically taking the piss out of him, I was asked to do the narration on the film because I am a native English speaker (yeah I know!). Think Ringo Starr on Thomas the Tank Engine and you’ve got the right impression. The film was a nice touch and well received by Erik and everybody who watched it, my narration in particular receiving positive reviews. During the night I only had four drinks and got the last train home, I felt almost like a £1 million the next day (well maybe £100).

It seems that I’m being accepted into some aspects of social life outside of work now which is nice. A girl from where I live even knocked on my door to invite me to a party they were having in the building. Unfortunately at the time I didn’t have any booze so didn’t go. It sounded like they had a good time in my absence partying until it was daylight outside. They probably now think that I’m a stuck up old balding ginger bearded English bloke living in their building…nobody has spoke to me since except to say hello so it’s status quo at home.

Well I think that’s all for now folks and remember (Dad) Blog 4 should hit the streets in about two weeks.