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Varsity Boat Race 2007

Cambridge are favourites for the big race this Saturday. Oxford have won four of the last five encounters but Cambridge lead the series by 78-73, since 1829 with one dead heat.

The showdown happens on April 7th at 4.30pm. Come on Cambridge!

Tags: Cambridge, Oxford, varsity, boat race

[14:32][comments 1]

23

Hat dobbing... and Latin

Having managed luckily to avoid jail in the seven years since I started at uni, I was allowed to go back up there last Saturday and collect a free MA. This is some Cambridge scam but I'm not complaining. As my friend Alex quite rightly pointed out, because we'd already got Master of Engineering degrees when graduating the first time, surely a Master of Arts degree would make us Masters of the Universe! Most people tended to disagree.

Anyway, the whole day is about a pretty strange freemason/Priory of Sion-esque ceremony and I thought I'd demystify it with the aid of some Lego men. Maybe you're about to go through this collecting-an-MA malarky in which case let me tell you some of the tips I picked up...

You've eaten your lunch at college, you've caught up with old mates, you're all wearing ridiculous outfits hired from Ede & Ravenscroft and worked out what all the different gowns and hood colours mean. After an age the yeargroup is lined up in fours about to parade down Trumpington street. They check your socks now...

Tip 1) Earn yourself a pair of plain black socks free of charge. Because you're not allowed to wear socks that have any type of logo on display in the Senate House, wear your favourite Simpson's ones and College will give you a pair for free. They certainly won't want them back after you've worn them! Actually don't do this because it's just cheap. Tip 1) is actually bring a packed lunch of your own or eat out!

You've paraded down Trumpington Street. Now for the main event.

Below is roughly what it looks like in the Senate House. The yellow thing is the kneeler. The Praelector (Lego cabbie), Vice Chancellor (astronaut) and Proctors (policemen) are all in those positions more or less.



Tip 2) Don't drink too much at the college lunch. You may have to wait for a while, especially if your name is something like Zack Zeppelin. David Butler is not so bad.

Tip 3) EBay your guest ticket. Parents usually go to your main graduation. MA graduation sees far fewer parents and we all only got one ticket each anyway. Tourist demand for a seat at a Cambridge MA ceremony may be high... who knows!

When it's your row of four about to face the music Latin, the Praelector reaches out his hand and each person in the row takes a finger with their right hand and some Latin is said.



Tip 4) Do use your right hand! Using your left hand is definitely an offense that will incur a fine. You won't have to pay anything personally but the college (so I've been told) coughs up a bottle of red wine for each fine that goes towards the Proctors' party.

Your name's been called out and you're kneeling down. You have now to put your hands up in a prayer-like position, then he puts his hands around yours and says more Latin.

Tip 5) Look at the old geezer's eyes. If you look too humble, any photos of this moment may depict you staring at his crotch. Also raise your hands high, you don't want him to have to stretch too much, and feel around your groin for those prayerful hands.



Tip 6) Get up carefully as you're about to bow. MA gowns are a bit longer than the ones worn at graduation the first time around so try not to trip.



Tip 7) There are two little steps between you and the door so as you leave after taking the bow, again, make sure you don't trip up!



Your photocopied degree (no expense spared) is given to you at the door. That's it! See the photos here.

Related: Cambridge, MA

8

Last weekend I was in Cambridge, this weekend it was the Dark Side. Am I scouting and plotting revenge for the varsity rugby match this Tues? No, I was invited by Oli to a Merton MCR dinner. Any excuse to dust off the old DJ and be Bond-like (apart from the fact my DJ is hole-ridden and Bond can put on a proper bowtie).

For Oxford people Oli's mates seemed quite normal though. Well, those in the hockey team apparently broke three noses in one game the other week so I tried to behave myself. Got sat next to a very rude Rhodes scholar who talked about herself throughout dinner. However, I have to admit, Oxford is quite nice. The dinner followed by pub and then JCR bop (!?) were all fantastic. I think I went to the wrong place!

See also: Oxford, Cambridge, Merton College

[09:21][have your say]

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I was back in Cambridge visiting friends last night and my walk to catch the train home reminded me of a previous trip down that way in which I luckily found a five pound note on the ground. It made my day! This has inspired a new poll. How much money found on the ground would it take to stop you and pick it up? Don't be shy! Vote, make comments! Downing College's local, The Fountain, used to weld a 50p piece to a manhole cover outside the pub window so that everyone could have a good laugh at the person picking it up... Yeah, how immature... but still funny...

Tags: Cambridge, Downing College

[18:01][comments]

8

Rob and Sarah's Wedding

Rob and Sarah got married at StAG in Cambridge yesterday. It was fantastic. Rob looked like the most chuffed bloke on the planet and Sarah looked very pretty indeed. The wedding, reception, speeches, ceilidh and food were all brilliant... but maybe not some people's dancing... Anyway, many congratulations! The photos are here.

Related: wedding, Cambridge, photo

19

I am a master!

Went down to the Senate House to see that I haven't failed my exams but have got my M.Eng. Yeah baby!

See also: Cambridge