13–18 of 71 entries from the month of:

December 2006

A variety of spices in life

December 26, 2006

Two things that I did not know previously about spices, but learned while eating white peppercorns purchased at the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, during a break from reading this evening:
The difference between black and white peppercorns is somewhat similar to the differing means by which white and red wine are produced. Black peppercorns are the [...]

{ 4 comments }

More thesis anxiety

December 26, 2006

in M.Phil thesis, Oxford, Writing

In search of inspiration, or at least a renewed sense of direction, I had a look at the brick-like Notes of Guidance and the IR Booklet to see what I could learn about the thesis on which I am working. Of the two, the booklet is more informative, though the guidance provided is sparse and [...]

{ 4 comments }

24 days down, 19 to go

December 26, 2006

in Daily updates, Oxford, Writing

The Oxford winter break is now halfway over, with three weeks remaining. Somehow, that rather changes my thinking with regards to the accomplishments so far. Having spent two of the three weeks so far in Turkey, and dealt with what limited Christmas related activities I had, I feel less bad about not having completed masses [...]

{ 5 comments }

A beautiful curve

December 25, 2006

in Daily updates, Oxford, Science, The outdoors

Sunset times for London, UK (51° 34′ N, 0° 7′ W) for the 25th of each month between December 2006 and August 2007. (Y-axis reversed)
I can’t speak for the rest of you, but I prefer to experience Mie Scattering well after 7:00pm, as well as more than twelve hours of Rayleigh Scattering each day, if [...]

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Christmas Eve

December 25, 2006

in Daily updates

Without a doubt, this was the first Christmas Eve in which I:

Cycled well over 10km
Ate chips with hummous, balsamic vinegar, and salt from a kebab van for dinner
Demonstrated my relative ineptitude in the playing of pool
Found myself in the Purple Turtle (a notorious and bunker-like student bar) at 1:30am

All told, it was almost infinitely better [...]

{ 5 comments }