It was only after writing today’s to-do list of revision that I realised it may come across as rather ambitious:
To-Do
Today (well, yesterday) was just one of those happy, fun days you have without particularly special or exciting happening. (It’s probably got quite a lot to do with food, actually.) It was Oliver’s birthday, so we gathered in his room in the morning to present cards and gifts. I felt slightly competitive after Abi and Oliver pulled out all the creative stops on my present last year, so naturally my card had to be in extended video form… but never mind, it all went down well. Then it was off to the Copper Kettle for English breakfast before heading to Caius library to work. And I know this will sound ridiculous to everyone but me, but as I was sitting there, just reading (Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy) without bothering to take notes – sun streaming in through the window on my face – I actually caught myself feeling like I was on holiday. After all, don’t you read a lot on holiday anyway? Machiavelli isn’t exactly stereotypical beach material but he’s a lot more palatable than the others thus far, and I felt strangely relaxed despite the essay deadline looming round the corner.
Despite said reading I am still slightly behind, due to having volunteered on the shadowing scheme this year, but it was a pleasure to do and I felt I should repay the debt anyway. Basically, you’re assigned a state-school (or some other target group) Sixth Former who ‘shadows’ you for a couple of days, in order to give people a taste of everyday Cambridge life and dispel some myths at the same time. I joined up a fair amount with my two fellow Caians who also had shadows this week, so got to know three shadows show them around together, despite the picturesque if cold snow! It seems to have gone pretty well, and I for my own personal touristy checklist I can also say that I’ve (a) been inside King’s chapel and (b) seen a Footlights performance now. Success!
As promised, now that I (finally!) have proper Internet access I can blog a photo or two…
Sorry about the mess!
The, ur, antechamber
Although there has been a lot going on, I wish to pick one amusing highlight from the last week (aside from, y’know, the Continuing Collapse Of Global Capitalism (TM)) – the moment when I was walking home and passed a guy handing out leaflets for Henry V. (Not in a belated act of campaigning, you understand, but for the play.) He was also, at the same time, reciting lines from said play in grand Shakespearian style. Being a Londoner I put on my best ‘no I don’t want another London Lite’ face and tried to walk on by before the guy stopped me, looked directly into my eyes and declared – in the same Shakespearian manner – “but we Ken Livingstone supporters must stick together!”
It did take me a moment of wondering whether I was inadvertently wearing some giant badge before I realised that I’d campaigned with him back in April 
Genuine enthusiasm time: 2008’s Caius May Ball – City Lights – was one of the best experiences in my entire life, ever. Sure, we’d heard that May Balls were something special to look forward to. The eye-watering ticket prices do suggest that it’s going to be big. But it’s impossible to fully describe what they’re really like: extravagant, amazing, luxurious, decadent, wonderful. We arrived at 8pm for champagne before dinner at 9pm… and by ‘dinner’ I mean a fabulous five course meal lasting two hours accompanied by white wine, red wine, dessert wine and port. And then, armed with a beautifully designed programme, we had the entire night to explore what was on offer in the college grounds and rooms. Which was more than anyone could possibly take in over just one night! From bands such as Supergrass and British Sea Power playing on stage to burlesque, jazz and blues performances. Magicians, clairvoyants, comedians and mind readers. Classic interwar films in a cinema, rides, games and dancing. And all through the night, unlimited – and free! – food and drink: martinis, Pimm’s, beer, larger lager, wine and much else besides – including tea! – alongside crepes, seafood, candy floss, doughnuts, ice-cream, chocolate fountains and, again, just about everything you could wish for. We partied all night until the survivors’ photo at 5.30!
Hurray! Rides! See more in the photo gallery!
There are so many magical moments from last night, a few of which are captured in my photo gallery which will be accompanied by Facebook photos shortly. It can’t tell the whole story, however, of how wonderful it was to enjoy such an amazing party and round off a year of uni with so many good friends – and Lucy. So if you ever get the chance, don’t turn down a ticket to a Cambridge May Ball!
Because everyone will rave about the main bands playing, I thought I’d share a little glimpse of my own personal little highlight from the night: Kitty La Roar and Nick Of Time. Here they are performing a mashup of Shaggy and Robbie Williams… great fun 
Oh, and I’ve just turned 19! Hurray
Cheers, Owen!
Phew. I have just enjoyed the most rewarding shower, a lovely long, hot and strong affair. The Garden Party – which has been causing Abi and I great stress over the past week with a particularly hairy ‘we have no barbecue?’ few days towards the end – came off without a hitch. Despite a weather forecast of showers the rain held off, albeit threatening us with drops once or twice before deciding to be generous and give us sun. Many thanks are in order too: to Abi, obviously, to Owen, who did a fantastic job as head chef behind the barbecue despite not even being a historian, to Oliver and Joe who gave us loads of time rather than standing back and watching us struggle, to Sophie for her (wifely) moral support, to Tom, Felix and Richard for lending us their expertise gleamed last year – and, in Richard’s case, mixing our Pimm’s! – and to GCSU and the porters for everything. And to everyone who came, too! Hurray!
And everything turns out alright
Sorry about the poor quality photos, but they’re better than nothing and – as Owen put it – we wanted something to prove that it happened. Event management is hard though. I don’t know how my mother – or Nic – does it 
In fact, it wasn’t until it was all over that I suddenly remembered that it was Doctor Who tonight! So now Abi, Oliver and I have our evening’s entertainment all planned out too yay!
Helen on It’s (waiting) time.: “Fabulous news, congratulations to you both! X” Jun 8, 21:51
