New things I tried in October ’17

This month its been hard to find new things to try. October has kind of run away with me and I think in general, this part of the year is one I struggle with. I definitely don’t suffer from SAD but I do find myself getting more tired at this time of year as the evenings draw in and it becomes difficult to find the time to do… well, anything really. Including blogging (hence the lack of posts over the past few weeks). Trying new things takes a bit of a back seat.

That said, I have managed to motivate myself once or twice. So here are a few things I actually did manage to do this month.

1. A European Patent Opposition Proceedings in Munich

 

Image credit: Wikimedia commons

 

This was an amazing experience for my new job, even if I could only be of limited help. My boss was kind enough to bring me out to Munich to the European Patent Office so I could help out with an opposition. Mostly my job was to take notes and try to find copies of documents before my boss did when he needed them, but just being there to understand how these things are run was really great. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to do more and one day, when I’m qualified, I’ll get to be the one taking the lead with some new trainee there to help me.

2. Reading a law book

Ok, yeah, a lot of this month has been focussed on my job. And yeah, this is a bit of a stretch for a new thing. Still, I’ve been reading Penny Derbyshire’s English Legal system from the Nutshells law series and it. is. great. I’ve read a few Patents and IP specific texts but nothing about law more generally and it’s actually hard to imagine a better introduction. I genuinely think anyone with even a vague interest in law should pick this up – the world would be a better place if the average person had a decent understanding of their country’s legal system.

3. A dinner party in the (not very new anymore) flat

 

It was at least this fancy. Honest. Image credit: Pixabay

 

It took us just slightly over a year to feel ready to throw a dinner party at our place in Falkirk but we finally did it! The lovely Rhys and Louise joined us for roast beef and Yorkshire puddings followed by chocolate cake. We stayed up late into the night chatting and drinking too much wine and I can’t wait for a chance to do it all over again.

4. Seeing Stenhousemuir playing away

 

I’ve decided that I think football at night is weird.

 

I went with P and our friend F, who will basically watch any football, no matter the quality, to see Stenhousemuir play (and beat!) Edinburgh City FC at their grounds just outside the centre of Edinburgh. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous match but it was still fun (if freezing). Seriously you guys, I am this tiny team’s biggest fan now.

5. Revitalash

This was a gift from my mother. It’s a product that is supposed to make your eyelashes grow longer and it’s certainly worked for her – she looks almost like she’s wearing false lashes most days now. The only downside is that it takes a while to work so you can expect a review in a few months. So far, I can’t see a difference but I am bad at remembering to use it and it’s still super early days. Watch this space.