16/8/2017 – Wednesday
We made a good start to chalking the steps yesterday and completed them today.
“Stairy Night”PSST project - completed steps –
I heard from Jo today with last minute feedback that will have to go into the final document I hand in next week. Also, Andrew hasn’t been in contact because he hasn’t been receiving my emails. Apparently, I’ve been using an incorrect email address and sending stuff to a student with the same name as Andrew. I’ll blame the flu for messing with my head.
15/8/2017 – Tuesday
I’m not feeling the best and want to avoid going to do any chalking, but feel obligated.
I dragged myself off for the Live Art Week activity we’d organised to do. We’ll be chalking the steps to building 11 tomorrow as well with whoever is walking past that we can interest in joining us.
I had to hand in my RPR Abstract and Bio today without Jo or Andrew having seen the latest iteration. I haven’t heard from Andrew lately and haven’t been able to meet face to face because of the flu.
Previously made soaps I’m using
in the shower. The bright orange
one went a yellowish white until
the inside was revealed through
use.
17/8/2017 - Thursday
I couldn’t attend the Writing Masterclass today organised by Linda due to the aggravation of lingering flu symptoms that I don’t want to spread.
My housemate made some jam today with oranges and lemons. He used green jelly crystals as sugar. It’s a simple process of cooking fruit and sugar with water added.
Bob’s home-made jam
19/8/207 – Saturday
Soap making day with Jason even though I’m still lacking energy from the flu. He made a ‘super-luxury’ soap recipe (a complex combination of oils) and I made a simple soap made with Coconut Oil and Rice Bran Oil. I did however colour the soap for the first time using a green liquid colouring from a test pack I had purchased months ago. Jason used a new silicone mould and wooden surround for the first time while I used my usual UHT milk cartons (saved from months ago).
UHT milk carton moulds
insulated with a towel
The mould on the left has
bowed in through lack of
support…
I usually use bricks to
support them.
Severe head cold symptoms set in during the evening, making me very phlegmy and snotty. I’m trying to respond to feedback from my supervisors to improve my RPR documentation but am struggling with a stuffy head.
20/8/2017 – Sunday
I’m still working on my RPR documentation in adverse circumstances.I checked out the orange peel cleaner that I’ve left much longer than recommended. It looks a bit rotten so I’d better deal with it when I’m feeling better.
No longer covered by vinegar
(from soaking it up), the peel
doesn’t look very healthy
The vinegar level has dropped considerably. I must remember
to top up jars with vinegar.
21/8/2017 – Monday
I don’t feel the best and I’m still working on my RPR documentation.
22/8/2017 – TuesdayI handed in my RPR documentation a little late today. It was due to be handed in by 5.00pm but didn’t get uploaded till 9.00pm. I felt I could’ve easily kept working on it for another week so had to reluctantly let it go, knowing it was not completed as well as I would’ve liked. It was the fourth draft though so I’ll have to get better at improving it quicker. Being unwell with the flu over the last couple of weeks has made getting this together a painful process. Glad to turn my attention to something else… my presentation in two weeks.
23/8/2017 - Wednesday
I unmoulded the soap and used Jason’s new cutter to cut it into 12 blocks. This was much quicker and easier than my usual system of measuring and cutting.
Soap block ready
to be cut
Commercially produced
soap cutter
The soap bars have a
pleasing speckled look
from not mixing the
colour thoroughly
Jason gave me a wooden soap dish and while I was putting it in place I decided to finally remove the plastic containers that have been unused for some time.
These plastic items are not
being used and have been
hanging around my
bathroom too long
I’m also getting rid of
the soapnut shampoo
I made in favour of a
complex-oil bar-soap
shampoo
My housemate’s shampoo /conditioner/ body wash/ etc…
Note my wooden soap dish
on the right
24/8/2017 – Thursday
I attended a student representation forum this afternoon.
25th-30th/8/2017 – Friday to Wednesday
I spent the week working on my PowerPoint slides and putting together about six-hundred words to deliver in the twenty minutes I have. I am then required to respond to twenty minutes of questioning.
I continue to bury vegetable peelings but am thinking of starting a worm farm
Ready for burial
(about 15cm deep)
Post burial –
No sign of scraps
My laptop decided to die just before I give the first practice run of my presentation. It refuses to power up and the problem is not the power source. Glenn completely pulled it apart and thankfully restored it to working order. He has recommended that I invest in another as soon as I’m able as this was probably a warning sign of things to come.
I am very lucky that
Glenn (Innovation Campus
Technical Officer)could
restore power to my laptop
31/8/2017 – ThursdayI attended a gathering of my fellow PhD candidates for a practice run of my presentation with others who will be also be presenting next week organised by Su Ballard, the Head of Post Graduate Studies (HPS). My presentation went for 18 ½ minutes, which allows time for me to say a few more words to take it closer to twenty. I also received some useful feedback on slide ordering from Su.