We're going to take a short meal break....

Nom nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

London Film and Comic Convention

Off to Earls Court 2 we trotted....

We knew we were heading in the right direction when we saw the stormtroopers....

We definately knew we were in the right place when we saw Spiderman....

Yep, all geeks unite for the London Film and Comic Convention. YAAAY. Earls Court 2 full of stalls selling geeky stuff and people in all kindsa Sci-Fi costume. Truely awesome.

I got to hug a Stormtrooper and watch random people from Heroes, Star Wars and Harry Potter be questionned by the audience.

There were many Darleks, and the odd remote control R2D2 hanging around, as well as hundreds of Jedi Knights and Stargate Soldiers.

If I hadn't reached my blog photo limit there would be many pictures.... :(

We got badges that said "Team Jacob", and I got a beautiful copper notebook for Mum for her birthday, which was Harry Potter themed. I think she will really like it :)

Next year anyone??

UKCAT

I'm planning on applying for medicine for next year, so this means apitutude test time!

Most of the universities I'm planning on applying for want the UKCAT, so I decided to take this one.

So off I trotted, down to the Pearson Education education centres, which happened to also be the DSA testing centre, which I had visited a few weeks ago to do my Driving Theory Test. I can't imagine many people end up on the 5th floor of the Venture tower in Portsmouth twice in a month :P

To be honest, I didn't do much preparation for the test, you wern't supposed to. I had done a practise on the net but thats about it (and they don't give you the answers :(... not useful). Some people are given months of private tuition and study for weeks beforehand, but I think this is just unecessary. Either you got it, or you don't....

The test comprised of 5 sections, the first four tested the way you thought, so there was a pattern recognition, a mathematical one, verbal reasoning and a decision analysis. The fifth was a non-cognitive test, and gave you a print out with an analysis of your personality.

It turns out im good with numbers, and making decisions (although a number of people would argue this), but sometimes I can be overconfident... meh....

The test wasn't as bad as I thought, and I found sticking to the time limit the most hardest part of the whole test.

Lets hope it's good enough for Medical Schoo huh??

Top Gear

Another interesting duty to really top up this week's duty hours, providing first aid duty at a recording of Top Gear.

Sitting in a hanger in Dunsfold Aerodrome (which I drove to...YEH!!) we watched the three boys do their thang!

In the morning we watched the rehearsals, and watched the Stig and celebrity go round the track numerous times, then, after lunch of course, we watched the show being recorded. Unfortunately we didn't make it onto the show or get to talk to any stars, but it was still a good experience!

I'm still finding the packets of biscuits lying around everywhere :P

Guilfest 2009

I am a member of St John Surrey, therefore I went to Guilfest :P

Instead of doing nightshifts, as I did last year, I decided this year I would do the earlier shifts. So for three days I was there 1000-1800. It was a pretty uneventful duty for us really, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with other members, and also to see some random bands and to look around the stalls.

One thing I did see however was a Abba tribute band, a heavy metal Abba tribute band, which was special. I also saw Toploader, which was awesome!

Same again next year??

My Review of the SDU

[I'm catching up on blogs, so these are a bit over-due]

As a member of St John Ambulance in Hampshire (somewhat temporarily..but meh) I got picked to trial a new uniform for duties. I had three months to trial it, and I did my best to wear it out and test it to the max. It was an interesting experience. I've never had so many people stare at me, point out there was no writing on my arse and fondle me in public (especially when my flies were undone on Southend Sea Front). And I'm from Essex...

So, after three months, this is my opinion -

Shirt - I like the green shirt, especially as it is to be worn open collar with no tie. Its a good colour, but the material was a bit thick and hot during the long day duties. I couldn't bring myself to wear the long sleeve version much, it was mainly worn just for trial purposes. The pockets were useful, and I got used to having a pen pocket on my sleeve. As for the printed writing, it didn't seem to come off like the new white shirts but then I only had it for 3 months.

Overall - Thumbs up!

Trousers - I liked the pockets and the design, but unfortunately I don't think they were cut right for my body shape. They could have been longer, and not up to above my belly button, but I guess these are just fashion preferences. The top pockets, however did go all the way down to my knees, which could have been cut better. I liked the side pockets, with the pockets within them, and think its a great alternative to a belt pouch. However, one major flaw. When tuff cuts are in the designed pocket, and I knelt down, the tuff cuts poked their way out the top of the pockets and fell out when I stood up. Fial.

Overall - Good design, maybe a bit more style guys!!

Belt - Belt was good, nice design but had one major design flaw. When the plastic/leather/black stuff heated up it became safe, and the adjustable teeth design failed and the belt fell apart. This nearly resulted in casualties being knocked out, so this one needs a re-think.

Overall - After a re-design, thumbs up!

High Vis Hat - I can see the practical use for this, but no, just no.... After a few uses on the black side the high vis side became dull, and the front visor bent into shape.

Overall - No

Beenie Hat - I liked the design, but unfortunately didn't get to wear it much, as the trial took place during the spring, but I would have worn it during the winter, so all is good :)

Overall - Good :)

Reversible Fleece - LOVE IT - I miss it so much. Was lovely and fleecy on one side and waterproof on the other, with zip pockets. They better keep this in the uniform!!!

Overall - WOOP

Parker Jacket - Again, I didn't get to wear this much, but it was a nice thick coat, which will do anyone well for those artic condition winter duties! With hundreds of pockets on the left side, and 2 on the other, I thought it was kinda swung towards the righties but they were very useful!

Overall - Good for winter :)

Jumper - I didn't get a jumper in my pack, but I'm not sure I liked the round neck jumper look, I would much prefer just the fleece with a shirt.

Overall - hmmmm

So thats it, I miss it already, and I wait with anticipation as to what national have to say! Bring it on, I think it's going to be a great improvement for the image of St John Ambulance, with a much smarter uniform (thats actually a uniform) which is much more practical for the work we do.

MJ (the lack of)

The death of Micheal Jackson, very unfortunate, and I wish his family all the best at this tough time. He will be sorely missed.

However, why are people so shocked that he has died young?? He gave his body so much abuse, no wonder! OK, I'm surprised he died THIS young, but still!!!

Also, I don't really understand why it is so necessary to play MJ excessively on the radio. EVERY OTHER SONG!!!! I love MJ's music, and don't mind hearing his songs frequently, but seriously...

On Tuesday I was listening to the radio (Heart, formally Ocean FM) for 5 hours....bet you can't guess how many MJ songs I heard... Answers on a postcard....