The Sun rises in the east to the production below, it’s warm rays breathing life into the soil. And from that dependable ground stems the trials and tribulations, the triumphs and failures of the life-forms that depend on it. The Sun is eager to rise, as the excitement of every indistinguishable day keeps it aglow, keeps it alive.

On this day, great warriors did battle, and the sun set upon a ground littered with sweat and tears and paint. Each footprint violently rammed into the wet soil, onwards, marching towards a foe yet to be vanquished. To the east, a mighty legion, dwarfing their opponent, suppressing them to the far corners of their kingdom’s computer room. These men seek knowledge: what is the dance of an electron in silicon and how on Earth does an Op-Amp work? To the west, the small group of men (and a woman) huddle together. A patriotic sense of pride stained to their core, united in their goal to be bigger, to be recognised and to take down the legion before them. They are a resourceful lot, how the universe works is not necessary, they take the cards at hand and play them as best they can. They are a people of machines.

"The wait before the battle is the hardest part"

A battle that began long before iOS, long before Android, long before Windows XP or the gcc compiler. Back when UNIX and Basic ruled and the mysteries of flash storage were still to be discovered. The mighty students of electronics against the proud minds of systems in a duel that would decide who stands dominant in the EEE department, on a stage where numbers count for nothing. And so to the paintball arena we went.

40 hearts audibly pounded against cold ribs, 40 paintball guns belted outwards propelling small pellets towards a cowering enemy. 40 lungs bleating: “Forward!” and 40 minds crying: “Backward!”. Paint splattered across arms, chests and masks; deep bruises marking skin like medals, for those who gave it all for their course. 6 games, 12 rounds and 120 points up for grabs, each side with 20 foes obstructing their way to this treasure-trove.

From the first trigger, ISE pushed their way toward EEE with a raging zeal. Extinguishing all who branded the EEE team colours with no remorse, in both rounds of the first game. This pattern became a trend, as game by game, restriction by restriction, rule by rule, EEE fell to the able hands of ISE. Unmerciful bullets whisked through the air, certain to find the chest of a man of electronics.

As 4 games passed and a demoralised legion glanced at the scoreboard, they could already see the battle was won. The small feline they jeered, now brandished it’s claws. With two games to go, and only pride at stake, EEE pressed forward. An eruption of speed and accuracy flooded the battle field as they attempted to overwhelm the victorious Systems Engineers with blind rage. This was not enough. A resolute ISE did not cower, did not retreat, did not wilt. Their steady hands firing with the vitality they had flaunted all day. Men fell into the cold ground with every shot and by the suns retreat, the damage had been done.

Final score: EEE – 37, ISE – 92.

The Victorious Team

With that, I end my horrific attempt at war-poetry. In summary, we had an amazing game of paintball within our department and the tiny ISE course managed to thrash EEE, by scores equivalent to a first and a fail, respectively. Massive congratulations to everyone on the ISE team, we couldn’t have done so well without every single person giving it their all; and if anyone had any queries as to which course is superior, I hope this was the criteria you were looking for

Thanks for reading,

Chris xx

There’s a very long list of things I like about student life. So long, in fact, that I’ve found compiling a list of what I dislike about real life a far more palatable task. In the interest of time and readability, let’s take one of the things on the initial, aforementioned list and see if it can spawn a satisfactory blog post.

What I most* like about student life (*all adjectives subject to change), is the spontaneousness of it all and the way in which amazing plans can be sprung upon you without any prior warning.

I grew up in the suburbs of London, and commuted for 30 mins on the tube, to be educated in Central London (Holland Park to be exact). It is a very nice way to live, as the tube system here isn’t the worst thing in the world and I was able to quickly access a superb level of Catholic education, in the heart of one of the most important cities in the world. All the while, coming home to a lovely house with a very sizable garden, that my parent’s didn’t have to pay for using their left kidneys.

What stunted me with this arrangement was the way in which it impacted on my social life. I was never popular and had never (nor have I ever) mastered the social constructs involved in acquiring a large number of friends (Facebook friends, of course, don’t count). This led me to the methodology of finding a small group that put up with me and sticking to them, which worked great. I still keep in touch with them and while our interactions weren’t as watchable as a certain TV Sitcom, they remain the best friends I have ever had. What was lacking what that surprising call or that sudden knock on the door people get inviting them to immediate events. Admittedly calls did happen on occasion, but because of the pre-Madonna style early notice I needed, I would often have to disappoint.

Then comes university and my newfound student status. As expected, halls broke the distance between me and friends allowing for spontaneity and abrupt changes of plans all around. A brief trip to the kitchen for a glass of milk can quite easily become an afternoon of chatting, an evening of raving and a morning of regretting. Just when you think boredom and revision is the way forward, a light patter at the door can lift up your spirits and interrupt your tedious schedule.

image by Jørund Myhre

This doesn’t stop at halls. Last Saturday I was donning my comfortable indoor clothes with a cup of tea in hand ready to hit the books until they began making sense (if that failed I would have proceeded to read them). All of a sudden I get a call from Aimi, who some of you will know from EPOD, telling me she has a spare ticket to see Ellie Goulding, and my numerous professions of love for said artist made her think of me. Had I been still living at home, while I’m sure I’d be far more well fed, I would have had to decline and resume the disappointment that distance brings. Being in Hammersmith means I could drop everything, run to the tube station and see one of my favourite artists strut her stuff on stage, all with no notice whatsoever.

Student life is more dynamic than I think my calendar can ever accommodate. There’s no telling what might happen this evening or who you might meet tomorrow and how that will affect the rest of your year. My year has certainly been kicked off in a very positive way by the freshers I’ve met and some of the veterans I’m being introduced to. Where would I be without that student status I secured 2 years ago? From the looks of it, bored and unemployed.

Thanks for reading,

Chris xx

Hey All,

Here is the exciting conclusion to me, Alex and Mini getting lost 100 miles from Imperial, trying to make our way back with no money, phones, food, water, shelter and an increasing sense of insanity.

Thank you to everyone who has donated money to Barnado’s. I wish I could hug each and every one of you (which I probably could, given some prior arrangement, so e-mail!). Please give anything you can to help the cause and keep the Christmas spirit alive in the thousands of children this charity helps.

Donate Here

Thanks for reading,

Chris xx

Hey All,

Today I’m being dumped somewhere far away and desperately trying to get back to the salvation that is Imperial College. Along the way I’ll be collecting money for Barnado’s Childrens’ Charity and would really appreciate anything you can spare to help a great cause, especially around Christmas.

www.justgiving.com/alexcathalchrismini

Thanks for reading,

Chris xx