(no subject)

It occurs to me, after 9 days of abstention, that this is probably the longest I've been without alcohol since 1992. For most of the last eleven years I probably drank 30-40 units a week; for the last year and a bit, at least 50 a week. The probably-withdrawal symptoms (uncharacteristic headache, occasional random nausea and cravings for alcohol in the evening) seem to have passed now. Which is good. Frankly I'm surprised the effects haven't been worse.
I've been very productive recently: tidying up mess around the flat that hadn't been dealt with for months; sorting out all my leftover OU stuff; sending off my final OUP report; applying for jobs; finding jobs for G to apply for; dealing with jobcentre hassle; making gnocchi (a very time-consuming process, I find); doing other necessary housework and shopping. Oh, and being entertained by aiwendel's fascinating psychology quizzes :-)

(no subject)

There was an emergency at the UL today. I'd just spent about 40 mins walking there, to pick up a book and an application form for a job there, and as I was approaching along Burrell's Walk, I heard a remarkably loud siren. It got louder and louder as I neared the library, until I realised it was coming from the UL itself. People were just starting to emerge from the main doors and hang around expectantly on the steps. A sign had been placed outside the doors saying "Emergency in Progress. Remain Outside". After a bit, _three_ fire engines arrived and parked. About six firemen in full equipment entered the library (which, I should point out, showed absolutely no sign of being on fire). The crowd outside the doors hung around getting colder and colder. A few of them drifted away; others arrived to join the wait. I wondered if I could see anyone I knew, but there was only the elderly Mongolian specialist who I met at a Basque class six years ago, and who I've seen every single time I've been to the UL since. I think he lives there.
At last, the sirens were switched off. There was a smattering of applause, and everyone moved a bit closer to the doors in the hope of getting inside. After another five minutes, two firemen emerged, got into one of the fire engines, and departed. A couple of minutes later, two more came out and left in another fire engine. We surged still closer to the doors, which were now being guarded against unauthorized entry by two nervous-looking library staff, huddling behind their emergency notice like a shield. Finally the last pair of firemen left, and after a mysterious pause, the staff in unison took the sign away. A tidal wave of cold academics rushed towards the doors...
And so it was over. All quite exciting really. Definitely the most exciting thing I remember happening at the UL.