Local Artists, PMAs, Baby Guinness, Design Software and Motorcycles

I've had quite a busy week!
Last week, I hunkered down and wrote my PMA (post-module assignment) for the Collaborative Product Development module I took at the end of January, just before I got Tonsillitis.  I probably put too much effort into it, but I've sent the draft to Steve and Jay to take a look at and hopefully give me some good feedback on.  It isn't due until March 19, so I have lots of time....
I went to the pub on Friday night to celebrate being done and catch up with Steve and everyone else, since I hadn't been there in ages.  Aurelie had made a nice soup for dinner, so I told her I was just going to have one pint.  I *may* have had more than that and stayed much later than I had planned.  (Made me think of this Gaelic Storm song:

Anyway, I had a good time talking with everyone in the pub about Kindles and American politics.  I chatted with a lovely local artist, Karen Pittaway, who does local artwork in Kenilworth.  (Check out her stuff here: http://www.karenpittaway.co.uk/Karen_Pittaway/Home_page.html).  I also was trying to slow my drinking down towards the end, so the bartender was kind enough to pour me a shot of Guinness (a Baby Guinness...which I am actually told is something else, that I will probably need to try soon)

My last drink of the evening...a "me-sized" Guinness

Saturday, Aurelie and I went to Leamington Spa to do some shopping (I needed to go to the Body Shop, of course).  She got a very cute top at a little clothing boutique and we stopped by her old flat to work out some bills with her former room mates.
The weather was fantastic this weekend, so one of the guys from the Formula Student team, Sagar, offered to take me out on his Honda CBR.  It's been ages since I've been on a motorcycle, so I was really excited to go.  He had a spare helmet and leathers for me, so I was very safe.  We went to Stratford-upon-Avon.  I went there in August and noticed a huge motorcycle population there, so that was really awesome.  The roads here are a bit different, more curvy.  I know some of my friends from home would love to come over here and ride.  :)
Sunday, the weather was again fantastic, so I decided to get my long run in for the week.  I ran all the way to my building on campus and back, and then went out again with Diresh and Aurelie to do another ~5k, so I think I ran somewhere between 10-11 miles.  The sun was out and I am noticing a slight tan coming on.... spring is on it's way!  Sunday evening, Aurelie and I made my Guinness Cupcakes (getting ready for St. Patrick's Day next month!!) and Diresh came over and helped.  They turned out really good, and I think I got Aurelie addicted to the recipe.  That's ok though, she's got me addicted to crumpets.
Yesterday, I met with one of the marketing people for WMG and I am going to write my first guest blog posting for the center soon!  I will let everyone know when that is up.
I've also been working on learning Creo, the design software put out by my sponsoring company, PTC.  I have a meeting with my contact there this afternoon.
I've still got lots of work to do with the Formula Student website as well, going to work on archiving old material and reorganizing it.
Post more soon!