Now I’m not saying that I’ve never had a drink, most of you who have been out with me will know that already, but there are loads of reasons why you don’t need to drink to enjoy yourself on a night out. Cost, damages to your health and in some cases the embarrassment the next day of all those photos you can’t quite remember being taken are just a few examples.
I’ve actually found that watching everyone get wasted around you is just as funny as getting drunk yourself, especially if YOU have the camera. I think most people actually appreciate at least one person being sober just in case someone goes a little too far or maybe just to fill in the gaps in their memory in the morning.
If you’ve ever been out with me before you no doubt will have heard about my favourite non alcoholic drink, soda water and black currant (or just ‘black’ if you want to sound cool when you order it) and although it may seem like the drink of a 12 year old, it tastes really good, has a good little sugar kick and, most importantly, I think the most I’ve ever paid for it is 50p! So for the price of one £3 treble in The Shed I can get six drinks and still be quite sober while everyone else is getting worse at pool by the mouthful.
I’ve found a lot of people, probably including myself at times, will drink just to give them a bit of Dutch courage. You can all no doubt name one, usually quiet member of your group, who you’ve seen dancing like a maniac after a few drinks. However, it’s not just the quiet ones who need a little boost. Even the most confident people may drink just to give them that little edge and loosen their inhibitions.
Peer pressure can be quite a significant factor on a night out too and you may feel almost obliged to drink because others around you are. Having the confidence to say no is hard, it took me a while, but I then realised nobody actually cares. I figured if everyone else is drunk and falling about the place, then I can be an idiot too and be stone cold sober.
There’s no question that drinking in excess will slowly but surely pickle your liver, and it having that wonderful ability to repair itself, it won’t hold out forever. So in my opinion, as long as you don’t go crazy, AND can have the confidence to say no at times, I don’t see any harm in getting ‘bungalowed’ every once in a while.
It’s becoming ever more apparent to me that this is the time of year when students become increasingly strapped for cash. Coming to the end of the year on bad terms with your bank manager is not uncommon in the land of students with loans spent on food, alcohol and various other frivolities. So as you can imagine, it’s always a pleasant surprise to go to a cash machine and find you have a little more money than you thought.
You’re filled with a sense of freedom as the collar that is your overdraft loosens once more and endless possibilities flood into your mind. Unfortunately, this euphoric feeling is only ever short lived as you wake up the next morning with a throbbing headache and an uneasy stomach because you drank yourself silly; either that or your bank manager finally caught up with you and attempted to beat you into a coma to stop you spending money. None the less it was a nice feeling while it lasted.
Luckily for me, I came into a little extra money today and I can say that I was more than pleased, and although the euphoria began to take hold, I was reminded of a story my parents told me when they were trying to encourage me to save money.
It was about my Father’s cousin Hue. From a young age he was very careful with money, not wanting to spend it unnecessarily. As a teenager his saving system consisted of jam jars with labels on them stating all the different things he wanted to save for. He would put the same amount in each one each time he was given, or earned, a little money. He was then able to purchase all sorts of wonderful things and still have some money left over. Now obviously he didn’t save using jam jars all his life, the novelty will have worn off long before he hit his twenties. However, in using that simple system he was able to set a precedent for the rest of his life, he’s now a successful property developer and is doing very nicely thank you.
Unfortunately I can’t tell the story quite as well as parents, it always sounded so much more inspirational, but you get the general gist. It made me think how simple things like that can save you a lot of bother in the future, especially financially. It might be worth putting jam on the shopping list…
“..and the hope that one day I’ll be able to dance with my words, and be able to play with lexis the way Monet did with paint.”
I have just pulled this wonderful little anecdote off my friend Jess’ blog. It’s strange how such a small string of words can inspire such a mass of enthusiasm
When I first began thinking about the prospect of university, I had always envisaged myself taking a course that involved my first love, music. I first picked up the guitar when I was just 12 and ever since then I was adamant that that was what I wanted to do with my life.
As time went by though, my naivety of the world came crashing home. I began looking at things in a far more adult way, looking ahead to what a career in music may bring. It turned out that unless you made ‘the big time’ it’s not a lot really, all you get is sweaty band members moaning at you and a crap pay check, not as glamorous as my young mind had once thought. So after months of deliberation, looking at dozens of other courses and even contemplating not going to university, I settled on journalism.
When I’d studied English at school I had always enjoyed the tasks where we had to write in the style of a newspaper, just pretending to be a journalist, but I’d never thought any more of it. I’d never had the same passion for writing that I have for my music, not until now anyway.
On arriving at university I was worried that everyone else was going to have masses of writing experience and just be better at writing in every way. With hindsight I now know that I wasn’t the only one thinking that but at the time, I was none the wiser. Anyway, while studying I’ve wondered about whether or not I will actually go on to be a journalist when I leave university, I have been in two minds about it more recently for some reason too. However, strange and slightly stupid though it may sound, when I read those words above, I suddenly made up my mind.
I want to be a journalist.
I drew the same enthusiasm from those words that I do from a chord sequence on a guitar or a piano. It hit me in exactly the same way inspiration for writing a song would, which I thought would be impossible to match. I want the words I write to be my music and for everyone to sing my songs. For this inspiration I thank you.
I think every student feels the strain of University fees, be it during or after their time at Uni. They leave with a large overhang of debt that looks like it’s there to stay, quite a burden at a relatively young age. So are the universities charging us fairly?
As it stands now, the cap on University tuition fees is set at £3,500 a year. This means, including accomodation costs of a similar amount, you’re looking at a debt of around £20,000 when you leave uni, what a nice congratulatory present that is…
Despite this, a new survey carried out by the BBC was published today showing that two thirds of Vice- Chancellors want yet another massive increase in tuition fees! Some figures suggested have been in the region of £4000 and £20,000 a year, a quite frankly ridiculous idea.
Now although this won’t affect those of us University at present, the younger members of our generation will certianly be in for a nasty surprise when they come to apply for a university. The most likely outcome will be that students will be deterred from applying to higher level education and persuing another route.
The last increase in fees also sparked off massive protest from thousands of students nationwide. Many had complained that with increasing fees there was less value for money from their course, a very valid point when you break it down.
Each course has its own set timetable of lectures and seminars that is considered adequate to teach the student all they’ll need to know to pass their chosen course. However, the amount of hours actually timetabled varies considerably from subject to subject.
Some students have just 9 hours a week of timetabled lectures AND seminars whereas others work closer to 25 hours a week. Now personally, I don’t believe that it costs anywhere near as much money to run a course that has just 9 hours a week compared to one with nearer to 30, but as we’re all paying the same amount, it’s pretty obvious who’s getting more value for money.
With news of the latest proposals, members of the National Union of Students are now planning a lobby of the House of Commons on Wednesday in a protest against increasing fees. Backbench MPs are also starting to motion opposition and even the education secretary who brought in the first tuition fees, David Blunkett, now says it would be “unacceptable to lift the cap and have a free-for-all across universities”.
Lincoln’s night life has to be one of the best in the country. Considering it’s not the biggest of places, it’s certainly got plenty of pubs clubs and bars crammed in to it and there’s somewhere to suit everyone. From Rnb and dubstep to indie and electro, Lincoln’s got it all so here’s a quick round up of the hottest spots in town.
The Shed
Situated on the University Campus, just a five minute walk from the student village, The Shed is an essential for all students. Whether you just want a quiet drink or a first stop for a night out, there’s always a great atmosphere as students gather to take advantage of the bars signature £3 trebles and pool tables.
Spread across two floors, there’s plenty of room including a balcony seating area for you to chill out with your mates. You can get comfy on the sofas and sit down for a meal too.
The Shed also offers great food at great prices, two meals for £7 is one of the many deals on food with a great vareity to choose from, including vegetarian options. Into football? The big screen offers the perfect place to watch the match.
The Engine Shed
Home of the University’s student Union and Lincoln’s primary music venue. Having been host to the likes of The Stereophonics and TheTing Tings,with a capacity of 1500, the Engine Shed sets the scene for a great night out. On a gig night, the venue is perfectly sized to give a fantastic atmoshphere no matter who is playing.
An independent review said
“Brilliant sound system and the perfect size for a top atmosphere. Groove armada and kasabian were both outstanding”
The Engine Shed is also host to two of the biggest student nights the city has to offer, Fever Pitch and Essential. Every Wednesday you can expect the renowned Fever Pitch; in association with the Uni’s Athletic Union and the biggest student party of the week. With guest appearences from the likes of Big Brother’sCoolio and Toady from Negihbours, themed nights including a beach party, and all the latest tunes, it’s the perfect mid week bash.
Essential, the sister party to Fever Pitch and the only student night on Saturdays. You can party till the early hours to all the latest student anthems with drinks and entry at student prices. More celebrity guests and theme parties make for a good night out, good job you’ve got Sunday to recover!
Sakura
Mustard Mondays @ Sakura
Lincoln’s newest and classiest club. Based on a modern Oriental theme, Sakura ensures you won’t be disappointed on a night out. With a massive selection of beats and great drink offers you’ll be hitting it hard all night long. You can bust a move on the illuminationg dance floor or just chill out in the VIP area, whatever night you want, you’ll find it here.
Hate Mondays? Not anymore, Mustard is one of the two student nights held at Sakura. With quality music guaranteed you’ll find it hard to leave the floor. Drink offers include two for one on all cocktails and shots and bottles from just a pound! Wednesdays is Pick ‘n’ Mix night. You choose the tunes and entry and drinks from a pound. Sorted.
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays you can expect sets from some of the best Djs around. VIP booths can be booked in advance and you can enjoy table service all night.
To see what’s on and to take a virtual tour of the club, visit the website here
Ritzys
Pounded Lincoln - Superhero Night
Three Djs, Three clubs, Three floors.
One of Lincoln’s biggest and best known clubs, Ritzys, Pulse and JJ’s will fill your night with an eclectic selection of music from past to present. A mix of all the latest tunes, dance house and smooth R’n’B makes Ritzys one of the best places in town if you like to boogie.
Although it’s not Lincoln’s classiest venue, Pounded on Tuesdays fills JJ’s and Ritzys to maximum capacity as students once again flock to abuse the pound entry and pound drinks offers. The themed nights are massively popular and have included a UV party, pajama party and even cross dressing… Yeah that’s what I thought…
The ultimate venue for indie lovers. Every week, The Cell provides Linconians with a night to suit all tastes.
On Mondays you can expect a night of Hip hop and RnB at Bass Culture. Entry and drinks are just £1, so there’s no excuse not to go.
Tuesday’s Mellow Monkee promises to be the biggest student night of the week with a mix of all the latest indie and hip hop tunes with a bit of cheese on the side.
Wednesday brings live music back to The Cell, Indiependence. Five bands and the after party for just £3!
Thursdays is Lincoln’s most popular mid week indie night. After a recent facelift, renamed from Ctrl Alt Del, Neon Rave nowbrings all the indie tunes and new rave, brit pop and electro. Entry is no more than £2 and selected drinks are a pound. If you love Indie, you’ll love Neon Rave.
Dancefloor and seating area
Friday night is Club Night, with something different for every Friday of the month. Nights include some of the best names in clubland including Moda, Audiojak and Nouveaux. Entry from £5, don’t miss out.
Saturdays again has something different for every Saturday of the month. Wherehouse brings you some of the Uk’s best Djs playing dance house to crazy progressive beats that’ll blur you face AND entry is free every weekend!
According to Adrian 