The Life and Times of Miblo del Carpio

Or not, as the case may be. The health is still not quite right; granted it's much better than it has been, but the last remnants of this illness (which, nevertheless, are still fairly unpleasant) are still loathe to go. You needn't be subjected to the list of symptoms, for, since you are happily disposed to visit this blog once in a while, you no doubt have little interest in the complaints of a self-pitying scumbag, preferring such stimulating topics as philosophy, music and literature; thus it will suffice to say that it has merely been a moderate case of the flu, with a tenderness of the stomach.

And after that lengthy beginning, a list:

With luck this will be the final article of this chapter.

If so, the next article will be one introducing the next chapter on the subject of Room 101.

Many congratulations go to Andrew Strauss (right in picture) who scored a splendidly stoic century in the final Test of England's triumphant tour of New Zealand, scoring a whopping 177, after facing 343 balls and batting for a gruelling eight hours.

Congratulations also to Ian Bell (pictured with Strauss, after scoring his own century) for his 110 off 167 balls.

Ryan Sidebottom, who snaffled seven wickets, conceding only 47 runs at an astonishing average of 2.16 (runs per over) in the first innings.

And Monty Panesar who got a career best 6-126 in the second.

Mention also of Kevin Pietersen who scored the most runs of either team in the first innings, with 129.

And, of course, to the whole England team for winning their first overseas tour in three years.

Fairly recently I received Autechre's most recent album, Quaristice, but am yet to listen to it as much as Autechre deserve, due to other pressing activities (viz. studying, cricket, and ill-health).

Was unable to go and see Autechre perform in Manchester, due to ill-health, and am awaiting an article on my friend Adam's blog, for me to experience that which I was unable to attend.

Am still yet to rehearse or arrange any of my music for the impending show at OLAOS, but should hopefully attend my first rehearsal next week, health and Open University course permitting.

The illness continues, but should hopefully have evaporated in good time for me to complete studying for, and to write, next Wednesday's assignment.

Word of the Week

Century

century n. 1 a a period of one hundred years. b any of the centuries reckoned from the birth of Christ (twentieth century = 1901-2000; fifth century BC = 500-401 BC). ¶ In modern use often reckoned as (e.g.) 1900-1999. 2 a a score etc. of a hundred in a sporting event, esp. a hundred runs by one batsman in cricket. b a group of a hundred things. 3 a a company in the ancient Roman army, orig. of 100 men. b an ancient Roman political division for voting.

Definition courtesy of the Concise Oxford Dictionary

Hmm, it seems that this blog has turned mostly into a barrage of reasons and apologies for not blogging. I don't mean to say that the preceding articles are of such poor quality as to create the possibility of them being presented as evidence in a case against the art of blogging, but simply that I have been failing to blog promptly and astutely, and have provided reasons and apologies for doing so. Or do I?

Well, it is for you to decide on that point, but the case is thus again. Again I cannot blog promptly and astutely as one may like to expect, for circumstances are still against me. It seems to be the way that when one thing foul befalls a chap (or lass), a second and a third come close behind in leaps and bounds, with great enthusiasm jostling the first. One piles on another, and is in turn piled on by more.

Illness, is the primary culprit, as well you know (if you have read the previous article). And with that came a decline in working hours put into studying for the last assignment (for which I happily scored 66% - only 2% below my previous lowest score), which in turn led to the assignment being done late, and now having finished the assignment late I now have less time to study for the next one. All the while the illness still hasn't gone.

And still more things come piling on. Rehearsals for the next OLAOS show are almost up to the point of performance (more on this later, perhaps. Incidentally, I, personally, am yet to rehearse for it), a new band formed out of 3/5 of Yarema is due to come to life, and time is needing to be found for writing articles. For someone who is constantly described as 'doing nothing', being told to 'get a job', 'do something useful, you shit-head' (that last is made up, to be honest. Although it does preserve the three-part structure, so must be forgiven), this seems to be a very curious set of circumstances.

Word of the Week

Circumstance

circumstance n. 1 a a fact, occurrence, or condition, esp. (in pl.) the time, place, manner, cause, occasion etc., or surroundings of an act or event. b (in pl.) the external conditions that affect or might affect an action. 2 (often foll. by that + clause) an incident, occurrence, or fact, as needing consideration (the circumstance that he left early). 3 (in pl.) one's state of financial or material welfare (in reduced circumstances). 4 ceremony, fuss (pomp and circumstance). 5 full detail in a narrative (told it with much circumstance).

Definition courtesy of the Concise Oxford Dictionary

Right, there definitely is no time at all for niceties today. Illness has already pushed me over my deadline of last Wednesday midnight, the extended deadline is now up in under nine hours, and I'm still struggling like a madman to write about characteristic patterns of classroom discourse.

Many apologies for not blogging last week; a similar set of apologies will have to apply to today. The Word of the Week exemplifies the problem beautifully.

Word of the Week

Crisis

crisis n. 1 a a decisive moment. b a time of danger or great difficulty. 2 the turning-point, esp. of a disease.

Definition courtesy of the Concise Oxford Dictionary