Oops

1.26pm. We broke off for lunch about 45 minutes ago, to find no queue but Bramber House absolutely packed. Lunch was distinctly lacklustre and rather disappointing, just cold rolls, chips and salad. Still as long as the OU is getting its money's worth from Sussex...

I phoned Alan on the walk back to the computer room, and I'm ashamed to say that my emotions got the better of me and my voice cracked whilst I was on the phone. It just came out of nowhere and caught me by surprise. Completely unfair and I feel really bad for not keeping myself in better check (sorry love). At least I can genuinely say "tired and emotional" without being a euphemism for blind drunk. I can't wait to give him a big cuddle tomorrow afternoon.

Alan is stressed out at work, too much work to do and not enough time in which to do it. It's frustrating; everybody has had more than ample notice that he's not going to be there for the next four days, so why pile work onto him that they know he can't get shifted?

Back in the computer room now. Once I've finished this blog entry and had a quick peek on Facebook, it's back to it, as I need to get my contribution to the scientific poster done ideally within the next hour. Then we need to finalise our title and write the abstract and conclusion, all in time to get the parts printed and assembled by 5pm.

To make things more interesting, we have a print budget of £2.50. It costs 5p to print in black-and-white, and 25p to print in colour. It's not our money, it's the OU's money, but even so I think 25p is steep. Kirsten suggested that if we were running short we could always put the files on a data stick, walk to the library on campus, and print from there, at Sussex Uni's prices, rather than at the prices Sussex are charging the OU. Even knackered out she's still one clever bird, and I really like her.

More later, must crack on.