Run to the Hills

It's been a busy few weeks. Kicking off, roughly speaking, with Oscars' weekend - where, once again, my invitation must have been lost in the post. Some people who I vaguely recognise won some pieces of metal for some films I think I've heard of. Perhaps more importantly, the actors all had a whip round and got a takeaway (standard Sunday night in), before taking a big ol' fashioned 'selfie' on a definitely not product placement-ed phone.

During the weekdays, I've been entertaining myself with some seriously Computer Sciencey work. Well on the way to recreating I, Robot; I've been developing an Artificial Neural Network - essentially a computerised brain - which will, eventually, predict flooding. Can it write a symphony? Can it turn a canvas into a beautiful masterpiece? No. Can you?

Well, can you?

Not too long ago, I was part of the media team for the LSU Dance Competition - getting hands on with vision mixing, 'directing', and camera work. The competition sees various universities come down to the 'borough to compete against each other in categories ranging from contemporary and ballet, to 'wildcard' and hip-hop. Knowing nothing about dance myself, I can only assume the distinct lack of 'twerks' and prominence of this 'rhythm' thing were positive. Either way, it was good fun to film and at least pretty entertaining to watch - time well spent!

Under a rigorous training diet of "yep, that's food - I'll eat it" and regime of "It's quite cold outside, I'll go tomorrow", I am well on my way to setting a new personal best for the Great Manchester Run. On 18th May, I'll be taking part in the 10k run in Manchester City Centre. This is, of course, all part of the three year triathlon - 2012's Swim and 2013's Cycle will be finished off with 2014's Run.

I'll also be running the event for Cancer Research UK. In Manchester alone, more than 1,900 people are diagnosed with cancer each year and the need for research has never been greater. If you feel able to sponsor me and donate (any amount will be hugely appreciated), you can do so via the Just Giving page over at www.justgiving.com/oddbod92-gmr

You can expect to hear more about my training efforts over the next couple of months and I'm sure you're all very excited at the prospect!

"Thou shalt not make repetitive generic music, thou shalt not make repetitive generic music, thou shalt not make repetitive generic music, thou shalt not make repetitive generic music."

Ben

Better Late Than Never

Happy new year! Yes, I'm late to the party; but my Social Network Event invite must have got lost amongst all those requests to play Sweets Connect Four®, MMO Farming Simulator® and Definitely Not Scrabble® with Friends.

It was always my intention to write up a reflection on 2013, but it's pretty much 2015 now, so that's that down the metaphorical blogging toilet (the blog bog?). I may well yet get around to writing it - so keep hold of your tickets. In summary, 2013 was good, 2014 will be even better.

So far, this year has been non-stop excitement.

I've been fairly active with LSU Media, doing everything from Live Broadcast Training, to fried chicken wrangling in the snow. Most recently, I've been mixing those visions for the Bubble Debate & Live Results, as part of the Executive Elections 2014. Thoroughly enjoyable stuff.

 Look, mum, I'm on TV!

Not wanting 'final year' to be too easy, I recently embarked on an FA Refereeing course. That's right, you're currently looking at a Level 9 referee - I've got a whistle and everything! As part of this, I was duly informed by the kind folks at the Disclosure and Barring Service that I have had no criminal convictions that I wasn't aware of - success! That certificate's going to look pretty dapper next to my Pokédex completion certificate. Jurassic Park!

2014 is already the year of breaking records. I've now been to Sheffield more times in one week than I've ever been before. Granted, until that week I'd never been - but the point still stands. The most Sheffields, since records began. It all started when I took a road trip to eat KFC. We then went to watch this guy called John Newman sing some songs; but obviously the fried chicken was the highlight!

Which brings us to the weekend of that same week. I had the pleasure of manning the South Africa Challenge stand at NACUE's Student Enterprise Conference, with some of the team. There were some passionate people who came to chat us & a decent level of interest. Some lucky people even managed to walk away with limited edition signed South Africa Challenge postcards - the first of their kind! Of course, however, the abundance of free Rocky Road cakes, Love Hearts and Jelly Belly beans was not good for the training diet; but all in all, a great weekend. You knew it was off to a good start when the drive over consisted of McDonald's breakfast and German Hip Hop.

Perhaps one of the most pivotal moments of the year has been the début of the 1080p Tactical Camera (I knew it was a worthwhile investment!). I took it (along with a whole host of camera equipment) to the driving range, down in Loughborough, to showcase this golfing wizardry. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present... Tiger Who?

Well, that's all we have time for this week. Tune in next time, for the live reveal of 2014's running event - which may or may not be accompanied by 2013 in review!

"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem."

Ben