Wow, so I've been gone for 14 months...if anyone from back then is still around then hello again! (I know some of you are still here as I've briefly stalked a few people just now )

I'm just starting my second year at Bristol University, studying Geology. I've been incredibly busy over the last year with work and various personal life things and, as a result, have been completely drained poetically (if I was ever anything but), so haven't written a single thing in, well, 14 months. A few of my most recent poems have been heavily edited for content and style, and I may repost "The Birdcatcher", which seemed to be my most popular poem on here. It's much, much better now, and is, at this point in my life, the only poem I've ever written that I'm proud of.

So yes, the past year. All the hard work paid off and I got the highest 1st year result in the Faculty of Science, which they gave me a nice bit of money for, so I can afford to live a little more comfortably this year. My interests have developed and I've decided I want to go into deep Earth geochemical research (not oil, much deeper than that) or something like that once I'm out of here in 3 years time. I'm in love with another student here, called Polly (an English student, of course lol). It's our first anniversary today, after a topsy-turvy but enlightening, exhilarating and ultimately incredible year.

I've discovered a number of wonderful poets and other writers - my new favourite novel ever is 'ossession' by A.S. Byatt - if anyone here hasn't read it, it's incredible, and I'd highly recommend it. New poets discovered include John Burnside, Housman and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Check them all out if you haven't already, particularly Burnside - the man's a genius, and a living poet that I like, which is very, very rare.

For the next 2 and a half weeks I have ridiculous amounts of work to do (I'm doing about 60 hours a week at the moment) so won't be on here much, though I'll try to make an appearance from time to time. However, after that, my workload is literally halved, so will be on more and will try to find some time to write, if I can.

Anyway, off to work! If anyone from back in the day is still about, let me know how you're getting on!

Ben