Tag Archives: university

Unexpected advice on the cultivation of dahlias (Rousse)

As I walked across the exam room I started to argue the value of timed written assessments that comprise a compulsory multiple choice section followed by a choice of two essay questions from a selection of five. The invigilator hoping … Continue reading

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Rousse’s rubbish reunion

This was the most peculiar of university reunions. First the woman across the table congratulated me on another successful event. “I didn’t organise this!” I responded. (I secretly added “Had I been in charge this would have amounted to far … Continue reading

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Rousse’s real parents

So now I knew the reasons why I looked nothing like either of my two sisters, and my parents clammed up whenever the topic of genetics came up in conversation. AP confessed to me that back in 1962 he embarked … Continue reading

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Rousse is a proud non-practising dentist

Earlier in the day the workshop leader had referred to “the dentist” in the room. I resolved that as soon as the opportunity arose I would point out that there were actually two dentists present. Although I had never practised … Continue reading

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Beware iPad cracked screen scam (Rousse)

Now that I had secured a top job in television my friends were much more interested in hearing about my work. At a university reunion dinner GW was intrigued at how I had managed to leap from one career to … Continue reading

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Thirsty Queen congratulates academic on latest leg of jubilee tour (Rousse)

For security reasons the date of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit to campus had been kept a closely guarded secret. It was a complete coincidence that I happened to come into the office on that particular day at the height … Continue reading

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Smart – but stupid (Belle)

I was in Edinburgh studying for two degrees simultaneously – law and medicine. Despite my obvious book-smarts I could never remember the way back to my student digs. I had taken to following my flatmates from a discreet distance, hoping … Continue reading

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A cat-assisted attempt to avoid divorce (Rousse)

There was only one way that I would find time to do my own research ever again: to register for a second PhD. I considered several options. I could return to the University of Birmingham where I had studied as … Continue reading

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Hall of residence handicrafts at the University of Birmingham (Rousse)

Nobody needed any persuasion to take to the floor at the Manor House reunion disco. With the first beat of the first record it was filled with enthusiastic dancers. I mentioned to TPR that we should list all these popular … Continue reading

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Unbearable workloads: could cloning be the answer? (Rousse)

Locked away in a hall of residence room in Nantes, I wasn’t coping very well at all. I had returned to the city to take some extra courses and gain credits for a full French undergraduate degree, even though it … Continue reading

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