Rundown of October

After passing M140 (Introducing statistics) with a distinction (hurrah), started M248 (Analysing data) in October. It’s a level 2 stats module so a step up from M140. So far it’s interesting, but indeed quite challenging. Will need to adopt a more constructive attitude than I did with MST124, e.g. as in this interaction with a practice quiz question earlier this year:

Have been having fun with the Duolingo language learning app to revise/learn some Dutch. Bart seemed unimpressed with my admission that Ik spreek geen Nederlands was about all I could say in the language. Charmed to see from this that it’s an enlightened sort of app:

Went on a ‘Heidi Plus Advanced’ training day on the 12th at Imparando (UK) Ltd, located way out on Commercial Road. Quite a trek. Learned that the excellent Dan Kidd is leaving HESA shortly, which is a shame.

Ordered myself a new table and chairs (‘Jerry’ chairs and ‘Lance’ table) from Habitat and, more surprisingly, managed to assemble it by myself over the course of a weekend in MK. Love it so far. Pretty easy to assemble though the table top was quite heavy.

Boxes

Finished product

Advertised the old set on the Wolverton Park Facebook group and, very conveniently, a young couple from a few doors down wanted it and duly came along to relieve me of it. How’s that for karma?

Managed to make Book Group again in October, this time at Lesley's house to discuss Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Most of us had liked it, apart from Helen, who thought that the boy Oskar wasn't plausibly autistic (not that autism is ever actually mentioned in the book) before going on to say that people on the autistic spectrum annoy her anyway, a view apparently influenced by watching The Bridge.

Booked the afternoon off on Tuesday 31st to meet up with Ray for some Samhain celebration. We started by going over to Furzton Lake and having a walk around. It was a grey day, as the photo suggests, but we collected some berries and autumn leaves for my seasonal display.

Furzton Lake

Took a detour at Ray’s request to walk around some of the perimeter of the National Bowl. Not really sure what the story of this venue is – it has apparently hosted some big names in the past, but these days has a distinctly abandoned air. As if to underline this, a rat ran across in front of the entrance gates shortly after I’d taken the photo below.

The National Bowl entrance

Rusty-looking perimeter fence

We later had dinner at my flat and lit candles for friends and relatives who have died - we did this last year and have adopted it as being quite a nice little ritual.

OU noticeboard again. This gets straight to the point:

Also OU noticeboard. So, are naughty steps like a thing that you can buy?