I'm currently working in MSSL, nestled on the side of a hill in the Surrey countryside. I'm supposed to be here for 5 weeks (although I'm being funded to work for 8 weeks, heh), and I just got here on Monday. MSSL is in an old Victorian mansion which some rich old person donated to UCL, which did the most obvious thing: turn it into a space science lab. Anyway it's a very nice location, if slightly out of the way. The view is a stunning vista across the fields of Surrey and almost all the way to the coast. And the old Victorian architecture here gives an ambience of poshness which scientists aren't very used to in general.

I'm staying with one of my supervisor's post-docs, Curtis. Before I came here, he warned that his flat is crammed with things his family sent him which he didn't need, and that he has the habit of working strange hours. When I first arrived at his flat, I saw that he wasn't exaggerating about his flat being cramped. Before saying anything else, I should mention that Curtis is the epitome of a Star Wars fan. I consider myself a fan, but I do not own 98% of all Star Wars publications nor a third of the toys (Curtis' own estimate). His storeroom, where I was to put up, was filled to the ceiling with boxes of Star Wars toys. We moved about half of the stuff to his living room, just enough for me to put my inflatable mattress. As a result, his living room, which already had stuff scattered all over the place is now packed to the brim with all manner of boxes and miscellaneous objects.

When I opened the window in my room (i.e. the storeroom) to ventilate it, he said, 'Oh good, that'll let in some insects for my carnivorous plants'. Cue awkward pause from me. He does in fact have carnivorous plants hanging near the windows around his flat, although they don't look as menacing as I'd imagine. He also has a couple of tropical plants in his bathroom, with several sun-lamps permanently shining on them. This has the unintended effect of turning his bathroom into a sauna.

He then mentioned to me, 'I hope you brought some plates of your own, because I have only one plate'. I did in fact bring along with me my tupperware and cutlery, but that was more with the intention of using it to cook instant noodles than for holding its own as my only utensils. He also didn't have any dish-washing liquid ('Ive never bothered, because I never entertain visitors'), so I had to buy some to clean up after I eat.

In spite of this situation, things are actually quite fine. Curtis is a bit eccentric to say the least, but he's pretty nice, and the fact that he seems to like working late means that we don't get into each others' way so much. His flat is a bit too cramped for my tastes, but there's an endless supply of Star Wars comics and books to keep me entertained, and my inflatable mattress is actually surprisingly comfortable.

The only slight quibble left is the fact that I have to walk about 40 minutes as part of my daily commute to work, This is a bit of a drag, but at least I get plenty of exercise.

Life is good here.