Thursday 31^st October, 2019 2045

Or All hallows eve to me, hallowe'en to those across the pond.

I know I'm a grumpy old man but it does somewhat irk me that the world seems intent on copying anything American, my own country included. Some students came up to me today and wished me Happy Hallowe'en and were stunned to find that I replied I was English and that it was in fact all hallows day, a Christian festival to celebrate the life of all departed souls, not some bloody gimmick with pumpkins and door knocking for sweets. I can't see the Mercans building bonfires on Tuesday for our particularly British celebration (which many say today should be actually be attempted again and succeed!).

I did go on that cigar hunt thinking I would return empty-handed but to my delight I sourced a fortnight's worth, breathing (or gasping) space at least.

It was freezing again in my home last night, so much so that even under a quilt I awoke cold long before my alarm went off at 0530 this morning. Imagine my thoughts when Khloe (who lives near to me but on campus whereas I am just outside) informed me that she has a nice warm flat now and then I found the classrooms I taught in had heating! Everyone was warm it seemed bar me!

I happened to mention it to Jody, who then called Brenda and I feared I had started an international incident when Jody reported back that Brenda was angry I hadn't contacted her first! It seems as though that was not the case, it would have been stupid anyway because all Jody was trying to do was help me and Brenda made some calls then emailed me. She said there were two fractured pipes, one to my building and one to the Shijia hotel adjacent. They were being repaired and my heating should be on shortly. As luck would have it, when I got the email the radiators started to warm up so although the heating isn't great, it does at least take the edge off.

Jody also asked me if I was free tomorrow evening as one of the deans (I lose track of how many bosses there are, especially teaching three majors) wanted to invite me out for dinner. I suspect the invitation was made in the expectation of a reciprocation by way of a future one to come to mine for my cooking, which is fine. Except. I don't watch much sport but I want to see tomorrow's play-off and the final on Saturday!

I may have put a nose out of joint but tough, I did however say I was free next Friday.

And to finish off on a sad ending, you remember I demanded my classes brought me stories of their daily lives on campus?

I got more than I bargained for on Tuesday. A girl related how a dog had given birth to three pups on campus a week before the incident so described and that she had witnessed one of the security guards clubbing them to death. Her description was that they “squealed terribly”. She asked the guard why he was being so cruel and was told they couldn't grow up on campus. He killed two, the mother was away, presumably foraging for food to produce milk for her babies but before he could despatch the third and final baby, a random dog – not the mother – raced up and bit the guard. Suddenly the guard shit himself and the third puppy lived to see another day.

I found it horrifying and almost wish I had been there although I could well have found myself imprisoned on serious assault charges. Or maybe with three small additions to my home which still needed mum's milk and probably would have died anyway. But I could never have simply stood and watched, the girl had no choice, the guards, as far as the students are concerned, are akin to real police.

And speaking of that, do you recall me saying about the messy dorm photos on the wall of shame? It transpires that if their dorm “auntie” catches them sleeping on their own beds during their free time in the day, their dorm loses points???? Unbelievable. These young adults seem at times to be treated like prisoners rather than sons and daughters of fee-paying parents who keep us all in a job........