Tag Archives: University of Birmingham

School reunions: beware the ex (Rousse)

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Dreamaticus

It was difficult to establish my role at this reunion. For example, when KP and I disappeared to the ladies for an hour we felt terribly guilty, believing that we would be missed. However, when we emerged again afterwards, nobody … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged auditorium, bathroom, Birmingham, Birmingham University, car, cashmere, classmate, classmates, driving, film, friend, Hoppings, house, jersey, jumper, ladies, movie, Newcastle, Oxford, pupil, pupils, reunion, school, sweater, teacher, teachers, Town Moor, TPR, university, University of Birmingham, University of Oxford | Leave a comment

The Apprentice’s Natasha Scribbins vainly attempts to save Rousse from expenses claim hell

Posted on June 5, 2011 by Dreamaticus

The domed railway concourse was packed. I sat on a bench surrounded by a mixture of old friends from the University of Birmingham, as well as a couple of school friends. In conversation it emerged that KM (now KC) had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Apprentice, bikes, circuit training, cycling, cyclists, Devon, dome, expenses, Glasgow, Natasha Scribbins, papers, railway, running, running club, TPR, train, University of Birmingham, York | Leave a comment

Rousse’s qualifications quandary

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Dreamaticus

I spent almost an entire academic year pining for TPR in a tiny hall of residence room at the University of Birmingham, with only my Mac for company. Permanently logged into e-mail, I lived for his messages from the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged assessment, Australia, BA, class, degree, e-mail, exam, hall of residence, MA, Mac, Muirhead Tower, PhD, scooter, TPR, University of Birmingham, walk, Worcester University | Leave a comment

Rousse roller-blades, writes proposals, and collects cast-offs

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Late for work, I struggled to roller-blade uphill over the cobbles of Edinburgh’s Old Town in pursuit of the overweight female folk singer. The early morning street cleaners were a further obstacle, especially when they took pleasure in “accidentally” spraying … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bras, cast-offs, Edinburgh, editor, fish. fish tank, folk, grant, handbag, hose, iPhone, journal, mattress, Old Town, pregnancy, pregnant, proposal, ribbons, roller blades, roller-blading, singer, street cleaner, test, underwear, University of Birmingham, water | Leave a comment

A late resolution to train for the Olympics at London 2012 (Rousse)

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Dreamaticus

It felt like a University of Birmingham reunion. In reality we were gathered together to celebrate the birthday of the youngest person in our year. HW (now HJ) was finally 40. Everyone was there for the party: Spotted for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 40th birthday, birthday, blonde, boat, brunette, car, claim forms, clothes, expenses, father, forms, London, London 2012, mice, money, mouse, narrow boat, office, Olympics, party, poison, rat, rats, shoes, steal, stolen, suitcase, thief, TPR, University of Birmingham, workmen | Leave a comment

Rousse nets £25 million research grant, and mends her glasses

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Dreamaticus

The bad news at work was that I couldn’t shake off the ranting member of library staff from the University of Birmingham. It was unclear why she felt that she had to tail me all day, but I wished that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Birmingham, boss, glasses, grant, library, optical, research, spectacles, surgery, University of Birmingham, veterinary | Leave a comment

Kevin McCloud advises Rousse on housing law

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Kevin McCloud wandered into my Edinburgh flat just at the right moment. His knowledge of housing law would deal with the squatting Spaniards. I had never heard of this strange ancient tradition that, they claimed, gave them the right to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged babies, bedroom, Birmingham, chicken, children, death, Dorset, dream, flat, hospital, Kevin McCloud, kitchen, Life on Mars, lunch, Manor House, mice, mouse, paper, party, pen, rescue, Sam Tyler, seaside, Second Life, sofa, Spaniards, Spanish, table, teeth, University of Birmingham, wasp | Leave a comment

Gordon Brown’s sexuality questioned by single straight man (Rousse)

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Dreamaticus

News of AR’s impending visit spread fast. Those who came to see him included friends from Birmingham University SC (now SL), CP (now CA) and HJ (now HJ). AR’s fame even reached school friends keen to meet this eligible bachelor … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bottom, computing, denim, diplomat, driving licence, essay, Gordon Brown, hair extensions, Hartburn, invitation, nutrition, pepper, scandal, school, Scotland, sexuality, sister-in-law, Stockton-on-Tees, tabloid, TPR, University of Birmingham, wallet, Yellowcraigs | 1 Comment

Rousse falls foul of fake friendships

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Wherever I went I felt unwelcome. Even so-called friends gave me the cold shoulder. For example, when out walking across moorland with SS on the Isle of Lewis she feigned friendship, yet always ensured that she kept several steps ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bar, bath, hug, Isle of Lewis, students' union, University of Birmingham, Warwick University | Leave a comment

Dissertation deadline dilly dally (Rousse)

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Dreamaticus

Romana left my office carrying three enormous sheets of flipchart paper covered in red writing. My message “Your dissertation won’t write itself” buzzed through her brain. Earlier in the day she had arrived with a stack of empirical data, an … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A38, bed, bedroom, Birmingham, car, data, daytime television, dissertation, driving, Edinburgh, flipchart, Ford Granada, Friday, literature review, Manor House, marker pen, office, red, school office, silver, television, University of Birmingham | 1 Comment