Pool and a Few Last Things

I'm nearing the end of a semester in York and also of a long and stressful three weeks of final papers and exams. Well, one exam, to be honest, but more final papers than I've ever had to write in so short a time. English universities, this one at least, have next to no assignments throughout the year. "Homework" is a foreign word – although they do have something called "supportive open learning," which are basically optional assignments intended to guide you through the new concepts. As far as I can tell, no one does these optional assignments, and at least for me, I haven't learned any new concepts. Sorry, York St. John. That's the way it is.

But life in York is pleasant as usual. Spring has finally arrived, bringing a canopy of vibrantly green leaves over the older section of campus and an array of flowers. It's finally gotten to a comfortable temperature – coats are merely a good idea now instead of necessary.

On our excursion to Edinburgh two weeks ago, I and my friend Kyle decided to play a game of pool in the basement of our hostel. It was the beginning of a new era. As of last night, we've probably played about twenty games. It's an exercise in humility. Either I'm not used to the lighter weight of the cue balls over here or I'm beginning to realize how much of a loose cannon I am, but whichever it is, I've lost about fifteen of those games. On a cultural note, the layout of the billiard table and balls is a little different than in the U.S. There are no markers on the shoulder of the table, so when the other player scratches, the cue can be placed anywhere on the table (like in 9-ball, Hope and Luke) and you are awarded two shots. The pool balls are all solids, seven yellow and seven red and one black 8-ball. This limits the types of games that can be played, but that's probably for the best considering all of the tables I've come across have been in pubs and drinking and complex analytical don't mix very well.

So, York is beautiful, I'm on the last leg of my assignments, I'm not very good at pool, and there are eight days until we all fly back to Grand Rapids.

Thanks for reading!