Nick Brook: Another barren spell

Well apologies again. A month since the last post. Not that I've been pestered to update you on my enthralling life. Though I noted I was asked to comment about the political situation in the UK with respect to the UK general election.

It is difficult to believe the UK have re-elected a proven liar and charlatan for another 5 years in office. Not that he's likely to last 5 years in office before he's replaced as Prime Minister by the current chancellor. The same man who took a pension system that was in surplus and turned it into defecit. God help us!

So what's happened since the last post. Well most importantly it was my wife's birthday. And I remebered it. And I sent a card from Geneva. She also got her present early at Easter. Does that earn me Brownie points - probably not seeing I've abandoned her and the kids for nearly a year now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder they say. I think it just dawning on the family how surplus to needs I am - as long as the money appears in the bank account.

The computing Technical Design report progresses. It was presented to the Technical Board of the experiment at the end of April without too many requests for improvements. And a copy was sent out the collaboration for comment this week. The final deadline for submission to the LHCC review committee is June 20th.

A trip back to the UK at the beginning of May for a PPARC project review panel meeting in Birkenhead. In case you don't where that is - it's just the otherside of the River Mersey from Liverpool. A pleasant two days in the North-West of England. It was also a Bank Holiday in the UK. My son suggested I accompanied him on a sponsored walk. A mere 22 miles - starting out from Weston-Super-Mare near thhe coast of the Bristol Channel to the Cathedral city of Wells. I was fine after the walk but my kness the day after were aching.

I was only home a few days and someone managed to drive into the car. It all happened in slow motion. I thought this guy isn't gooing to stop coming out of the cul-de-sac. He's going to drive straight into me. And indeed he did. Luckily he was only going at slow-speed so the damage wasn't too extensive but still a dent in the door and the need for the car to be off the road for 3 days.

Currently LHCb software week - always a busy week for me. The theme of this week is to try and understand the needs and requirements for aligning & calibrating the detector. Essential tasks to ensure the physics performance of the detector is maximised.

Last and not least. Huddersfield rugby league club completed a home & away win over Wigan. The first time since the 1941/42 season they've achieved this. Fantastic. Even my father wouldn't remember the last time it happened.