Head of the River Race and EHM

I raced in the novice eight category (pictured 2nd from back), and won the race fairly convincingly which was is always nice, and backed up with a spell of really sunny weather which was nice. Should be having the presentation ceremony in a few weeks time. Did our 2k race last week and got a time of 6.35 which is a big improvement from last time.

I am reading 'Confessions of an economic hitman' at the moment, and would recommend to anyone. Basically, EHM (abbreviations) are really well paid people who go into mainly developing countries to build empires for corporates in the developed world. Sometimes, they will get loans (provided by world bank) and get top US engineering and construction companies the contracts, and then to charge them interest on the loans, forcing them to default, and then taking control of more of the countries resources/set up military bases etc. 'Corporatocracy' include banks, governments and corporates and they have an empire in the west. I now understand how the British education system works-same story-loans extended to students, force them into debt and make them work for a corporate, meanshile feeding the empire billions!

So why work for a big fancy corporate/bank? Why not go and start your own thing/help developing countries get around the greedy hand of these economic hitmen? And I think that is what I am striving to achieve.

Easter break coming up which I am really looking forward to, and then exams and summer!

Head of the

Week 7 (11)

Summer is well on its way, and its incredible how much energeting one becomes-all the winterly weather is subsiding and I can now go outside with shorts and a shirt on! Although, on the other hand I bought an expensive jacket the other day and now I'm gonna have to pack it away for another year!

Rowed in the Kingston head of the river this past weekend and came second in the novice category, but had a really bad race, one of the rowers crabbed and was generally very scrappy compared to senior 3. Anyway, had a pretty good ergo session today, have improved a lot since Christmas where I was 'stuck' on one score couldnt really get off-feel I have broken the psychological barrier and am moving down reasonably well. London head this weekend and will hopefully be a good race.

Been quite a social week-went for a pint with my macro group and turned out to be an all nighter-I find a lot that the best nights are those that are planned at short notice when you aren't expecting much, rather than those that are planned and looked forward to for ages! Had a curry with the novice rowers on Cowley Road after the Kingston race-we bought drinks first and saw they had 'Tusker' beer which I think is an alright drink, or perhaps its the fact that it is from Africa that I enjoy it! Introduced some of the guys to it and they thought it was terrible! What can Africa produce that is up to scratch with the western world!?

Was reading a paper today and saw that the average individual has lost 40,000 pounds this since the credit crisis began-including house price falls/securities etc. Government prancing around trying to stimulate the flow of credit but I really believe Britain and much of the first world will enter a long period of stagflation similar to Japan and its 'lost decade'. I would not buy a single asset here I dont think so for a long time to come! I also think its the end of the road for big flashy careers in investment banking in 'the city' for the time-being anyway-cannot believe how bankers are making huge losses and still demanding massive bonuses-I think its ludicrous-Goodwin of RBS is due to have a pension of nearly a million pounds a year, when he made the biggest loss in British history, AND had to be bailed out by the government-surely that is unacceptable greed!?

I think I'm going to cancel my trip to Malta over the Easter break as I really need to get some hours of work in before exams in May, but definitely going to try to get to Portugal for a surf trip after exams.

Oxford happenings

For the first time in quite a long time, I feel under quite a bit of pressure from particularly the academic work. There is a lot of economics and finance which is all new stuff; you cant really use your A-level/first year knowledge anymore, and it takes a lot of reading to understand. None the less, Im happy with my modules, and am sure they will be of good use when looking for a job etc...

I also obligate myself to fit in other things as part of my university life to get the most out of it, such as Oxford Union debates/business school forums, socializing and of course rowing and so I guess it is out of choice essentially that I am under a bit of pressure. Almost missed a practice assignment deadline today which was not good!

I saw Brad Rosser speak the other day-he founded some virgin brands and also the property company inside track, which I asked him about as had heard many press reports about it and I myself almost got hooked in!! Attended a development forum at oxford some weeks ago which really got me interested inwhat I intend to do with my life.

Am setting up a SIFE organization at Brookes which should be good, but watch the space for further info!

Long days and shortish nights are the order of the day here... Rowing training now, then back for shower and dinner then Bridge club tonight!

Christmas break/Oxford semester 2

Going back to Zimbabwe for Christmas was great-I arrived on the 22nd on a flight delayed flight from Nairobi and had Matthew Williams 21st the next day. It was really good fun, except for the fact that I drank a bit too much before having to make a speech!!

Christmas was spent at Ruwa which was really enjoyable and then I went to Kariba for new year. I stayed in the Mvurwi chalet and was good fun catching up with friends after a long time away in the UK.

2009 came, and I decided to do some rowing training; a bit of sculling on Mazowe dam and also weights and rowing. I did a half-marathon with Sarah and Kevin at Old Georgians which was exhausting, and had a bit of a knee problem during the run.

I played a lot of squash whilst back home and went to many braais and drinks parties which was really enjoyable and good to see so man friends again. Been asked to join an Antarctica expedition in 2012 which sounds exciting, will have to see??

I got back to the UK on Thursday and have settled down in my house, and ready to start a new semester which is going to be tough with lots of finance modules, but am looking forward to it.

Watching the super-bowl final now, and saw the Australian open final today which was incredible.

Halfway through year 2

Well, the first semester of year two has nearly come to an end-just one more exam and I'm done. I feel like a soldier returning home after a stint at the front line having been bunged up with a cold for about three weeks from this terrible weather and tendonitis in my hand (a strain caused from in my case rowing)-have taken a week off because of that and in good time, because of exams. I have to do the 2k test tomorrow though which I hope to do well in.

Saw the X-factor final last Saturday which is a really good talent, show like idols, not that I'm really into these things, but the talent displayed is incredible. I wander how many people that have great talent out there, but dont have the opportunity to use it? I think that if one believes they have a special talent in anything such as singing, speaking, writing etc then they must not be afraid to go to great lengths, in order to pursue it-success will come at a cost though and this separates winners from losers.

Leaving on Saturday and will be back on Sunday for a dose of warm weather and open space!

Pots, Parkinson, Wembley and Work

I won my first rowing 'pot' as they are called last week at the Wallingford head race (actually the town where we row). Oxford Brookes dominated all the races so much so that we were the only team at prize giving-a bit embarassing when every prize except one or two categories are won by the same club!! I was part of the novice 4 boat which raced the 5km upstream race-very wet and very cold, especially waiting at the start for 45 mins.

Michael Parkinson spoke at the Oxford Union on Tuesday and was interesting to get his views on the media, even though it is not my piece of cake.

I went to Wembley with a friend on Wednesday to watch the Barbarians vs Australia, which Australia won unfortunately!! It is an incredible stadium and so well laid out but there is a price to pay! a burger and chips is 7 pounds 60 and a pint is 3.80!! Good to be back in London again and going this weekend to see Lou and Bert, and then Caz and Bren on Sunday. Going to take the day off rowing. Had a massive weights session yesterday-5x50 for cleans, squats and bench pulls, after the run and jumps! took two and a half hours to finish.

Been working hard for exams which are just around the corner and then nearly time to go home on the 22nd!