h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Uh, well, that failed. Good grief! My last post was over two years ago!? *Smacks forehead.* Time flies, and it's clear that I'll never be able to return properly. Ah well, I'll at least reassure those few of you who might chance upon this page that I'm still alive and still up to no good.

I've finished my first degree at the University of Durham (which now insists on calling itself Durham University for some asinine reason). Henceforth, if you're so inclined, you may refer to me as:

Mr Chris Tonks MSci(Dunelm) AMInstP

Or Chris. Or Tonks. Or That Shifty Looking Guy With The Beard.

Utterly exhausted by university, I'm taking a two year break before trying my hand at a PhD, ideally in something to do with computers, cosmology and simulations. (Not that I'm picky or anything...) But no, I won't be embarking on a round-the-world trip or anything as clichéd as that. :P At the moment I'm working at a company specialising in telecomms systems (network timing equipment to be specific), testing their latest inventions. I've previously worked there helping to develop firmware for one of their older devices, and even designed the Web site for that division; which was promptly ignored by their HQ in the US in favour of one that offered little more but for which they paid umpteen thousands. *Shrugs.* Their loss. Heh, I got paid, so I don't particularly care!

I've been doing a fair bit of Web development in the past few years, which should come as no surprise to anyone. Haven't tried making money out of it before (barring the aforementioned exception), so I'm going to try to launch my own business within the next year. Not just a Web development house, of course - no, I've got something a little more unique planned. We'll see how that turns out.

Healthwise, things aren't particularly groovy. Arthritis is a pain (literally, most of the time), but at least I'm through the outer layers of NHS bureaucracy now, so things are happening to slowly change that.

I hope you're all doing well. And I apologise for all the events I've missed, the highs and lows. You probably won't hear from me again for... eh, two years going on previous experience. So I wish you all the best. Keep it real, kids!

PS: h2g2 really needs updating. Discussion forums that don't let me add italics? Good heavens.

Good to see you about Tonks. Things are very different around here, but when an old friend pops in, it's always a good thing.

It is nice to see you, Prof. You're all grown up now!

Indeed! it's so nice to hear from friends now and then. I do hope you stay in touch some how.