London Ninja

Word: Gutted
Definition Extremely shocked or disappointed.
Usage: I’m gutted that my arm took damage from my surge protector cannon experiment, being a master ninja, but any regular bloke out there would have lost an eye. or #2: I’m absolutely gutted that Japan was destroyed in the Rugby World Cup, thinking that four foot tall ninjas stand a good chance against 6 foot tall blokes.

So I haven’t done any formal science projects since electrical engineering courses in school. While wiring some capacitors and resisters to create an analog multiplexor was interesting, I’m definitely more of a Computer Science guy like all mah ninjas. But since electronics are still an interest to me, I decided to conduct an electrical experiment.

So from your science class days, I’m sure you are quite familiar with the scientific method:
1 Understanding Characterization from experience and observation
2 Analysis Hypothesis: a proposed explanation
3 Synthesis Deduction: prediction from the hypothesis
4 Review/Extend Test and experiment

My Experiment:
1. Understanding: US voltage = ~120. UK Voltage = ~240.
2. Analysis Hypothesis: If you pump 240 volts into a 120 volt device, you will blow that shit up. (in scientific terms)
3. Synthesis Deduction: If I plug American shit into a UK socket, it will blow up.

We’ll leave it there and conduct our experiment now. The subject will be a surge protector. These things are created to withstand a huge surge of electricity and cut off the circuit if the surge is at levels greater than what your equipment can handle. The test is simple. Plug that bad boy in and see what happens.

4 Review/Extend:
a. Attach a UK adapter to surge protector.
b. Plug it in.
c. Take note of buzzing noise
d. Observe loud boom directed at my arm, like being in South Central (where I used to hang as a ninja gangsta, beeyotch)
e. Observe natural ninja instincts of dropping surge protector and screaming like a 8 year old girl who just saw a sewer rat.
f. Observe the aftermath of the surge protector

g. Observe the aftermath of my arm.

Conclusion: Plugging 120v American electronics into a 240v UK plug is a bad idea, which may be hazardous to your health. Not recommended to anyone without proper ninja training.

In my first excursion out of London, we hit up Bath. Bath is known for a few big things:

1. Roman Baths. The Romans, when trying to conquer the world, stopped here and discovered natural springs so set up camp here.
2. Stonehenge. It is basically around 45 mins to an hour outside of Bath but all the tours kick off at Bath.
3. John Wood’s Royal Crescent.. Architecture.

You can get to Bath from London on the train or the bus. The bus takes roughly 3 hours to get there whereas the train only takes 1.5 hours. The train is roughly 30gbp whereas the bus was half that. I think you can guess which route I took. You get what you pay for I suppose. The bus ride was a long but just I just imagine being on a Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Flight…except you don’t get food, drinks, massages, and there’s a toilet next to you.

River running through Bath

The first thing you notice in Bath is how quaint it is. It’s a pretty nice looking town with a lot of character. It is also next to a nasty river just like London. I do enjoy bodies of water whether it’s the ocean, lake or a river and ultimately I guess water is water…except this one has fecal matter floating on top.

I won’t cover Stonehenge or Lacock, both of which have been mentioned. Lacock being my favourite of the two names, of course. I will mention the other two impressive sites here:

1. Roman Baths

Main postcard Roman bath pool. Shot for 3 seconds of exposure.

You have to see the Roman Baths if you are in Bath. It’s the site where they have excavated old Roman Bath ruins that were built on top of natural hot springs. The water is sort of nasty to look at and it has a sulfuric smell. By sulfuric, I mean like farts, with a hint of arse if you will. And by fart, I mean the kind after a lot of dairy products. At the end of the tour, you get to drink a cup of the natural spring water apparently with 40 different minerals in it that are good for you. It smells and tastes like fart…if you’re into that kind of thing.

2. The Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent is a notable residential road of 30 houses, laid out in a crescent, in the city of Bath, England. It was designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774. It is amongst the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I listed building.

Basically a big building that is pretty impressive to look at. My recommendation for photographers is to go there at dusk when nobody’s there and you’ll be able to capture pictures without cricket bats and Britons everywhere.

Royal Crescent with entertainment

3. Hike up Bathwick

Those are basically the highlights of Bath. On the last day we took a hike up through Bathwick to check out the city from a far, which is also very worthwhile.

Bringin Gangsta Back

All in all, I think Bath is a worthwhile overnight experience away from London. Stonehenge and the Roman Baths you will see in all the literature so it was worth hitting up. It’s a nice weekend trip away from the London lights. One to two nights max.

Where else in the world would you get to taste fart in liquid form?

Yes, there’s something about this pub that is lovely.