Sorry about your dream job Nearly. At least you know not to apply - which is far better than facing "what ifs" in the future, had you not inquired.

I'm not at all qualified to give advice on your current query, but it sounds like a generic request for experience, not requiring anything in particular. Almost every job I've ever applied for have required that I demonstrate excellence in something or other (i.e. from my undergrad days: "must be able to demonstrate excellence in customer service" which simply means a good record of experience). If you can sell your experience of research and teaching in a very positive way, then you'll be "demonstrating excellence". I know this isn't particularly helpful, but I suppose my point is not to be too worried about what it means. If something like HEA or PGCHE was actually *necessary*, the ad would say.

Best of luck! :-)

Does anyone really think that there is a perfect time for having a baby?

I agree with what Satchi said - it depends on your circumstances (support, financial situation, what kind of research you do). I don't have any children, but very much want to. As much as I want to be an academic for the rest of my life, having a family is a priority for me, and it is possible to have both. So even though it would be difficult, if my circumstances allowed I would go ahead (if I wasn't anticipating a better time in the foreseeable future).

As for your boss, who knows; depends on what type of person he/she is. There is no doubt that having a baby will impact your work. But if you think you can still make the project a success, then maybe you can convince your boss. After all, there's more to life than work - most people understand that.

This is one of those situations in which it is difficult to be a woman!

He may be a weirdo... but then isn't everyone in at least some ways. It seems to me that the main reason you think he's a weirdo is because he's interested in you and you don't find him remotely attractive (you seem repulsed, in fact). I think it's all too easy to think of someone as weird if they've shown an interest in you romantically and the idea repulses you. I've been there and it's not flattering... it's simply uncomfortable and icky, and I tend to resent people who make me feel that way.

So don't think of him too harshly (well, I don't know him- perhaps he is a complete nutter -but there's nothing in what you said to cause alarm). Besides, relating to people in a 'normal' manner isn't that easy for everyone - especially when there's sexual attraction involved (on his part only, of course).

I think you're right not to pursue any kind of relationship with him though. You clearly aren't particularly attached to him on a friendship level, there's no point in spending time with someone who makes you uncomfortable, and he'll never get what he wants either. :-)

Well done Charls :-)

My my, you really are a keen bean! My husband's a fitness fanatic - really wish I was too, but it's a bit of a chore to me. Love the results, hate the work! If you get any amazing tips on how to get double the results with half the effort (and a hefty chocolate consumption allowance too), send em my way :-)

Haha, I remember first attending the gym and feeling like an unfit idiot amongst the type of hard-core, committed individuals who relish the opportunity to wake up at 6am to go for a jog in the rain! That only lasted a couple of days though :-) Ask again - they're use to it.

Yeah, when I first went on the cross trainer I thought it was a killer, but I watched so many people do it with ease. After a week or two, I found it much, much easier, but it does take a bit of persistence to get to that stage! For me, it's certainly easier than a stepper though - I always feel like my thigh muscles are growing into beasts on those things!
Didn't you have an induction? My gym wouldn't allow me to join without having some guy show me around all the equipment. You could also ask your gym to create a workout for you.

I'm glad you've found your way forward, and you seem relieved. Also, on the job front, it's great that you've decided to write up what you've done to get something positive to put on your CV.

Good luck with your job search :-)

You seem a similar size to me. I worked on my arms a LOT for my wedding day - I didn't want them all muscley, but they were the only part of my body on show and I needed them toned. I used the cycle thing with water in (I've no idea what it's called but it's like bicycle peddles for arms!). It worked really well. Also, I found the cross trainer the best bit of equipment at the gym. In fact, after the 'I've-just-joined-a-gym' enthusiasm wore off, they were the only equipment I'd use most days, and I was happy with the results after a couple of months.

Running is great too for all over toning. I ran (well... completed) a marathon a couple of years ago (you'd think I'd be better informed about gym equipment!), and they were happy times on the toned bod front. But I couldn't always be bothered running. On the cross trainer you can vary between a difficult workout and a light workout whereas, if you take it easy on a treadmill, you're just walking (which is good, but not as effective as the cross trainer IMO).

(sprout)

Congratulations :-)

Well done Moonblue! :-)

I've never had bedbugs but I sympathise - it's my worst nightmare. I've had fleas before and that drove me mad, but bedbugs are incredibly difficult to get rid of. Washing absolutely everything (clothes, towels, teddies etc) whilst trying to finish work would just be awful, but I would find it absolutely necessary.

How unlikely that you said David Bowie! I almost did - I was listening to Under Pressure at the time. I've been listening to Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars, Space Oddity and Starman repeatedly recently. In fact, apart from being a fan of Labyrinth (ah sweet childhood), I've never really been interested in his music before, but all of a sudden I can't get enough of it. I can't believe all these years wasted!

Still, on balance, as a supervisor I don't think he's for me. Same problem as the Zachary Quinto version of Spock :-x

My father-in-law had these same emails sent from his account. He was alerted when a friend called to find out what was going on. They had changed his password so that he couldn't even access his account. He finally managed to access his account but his contacts had been deleted to prevent him from warning those contacted. It was very embarrassing for him to think that there are people he doesn't know particularly well thinking that he's asked them for money.

He remembers providing his password in an email, which is possibly how they got your friends' details. Unless you've given your password out (to what seems like your email account provider but isn't), your account is unlikely to be compromised by this problem.

Sounds like a very positive day overall and one to be very pleased with! Well done (up)