Thursday, 16 December 2010
The End
Apologies for the lack of posts. The tuck shop in the zoology museum has re-opened, rendering all chocolate machines on campus defunct.
Friday, 6 August 2010
2. The Graham Kerr Building
The Graham Kerr Building is arguably the best building on campus.
This building has everything going for it. A museum, endorsed by Sir David Attenborough. Cool animals, dead (RIP Elwood) and alive. It's where legends dwell and beards prosper. Gary Tank Commander filmed an episode there. So did I.
Unfortunately, there's one thing that really brings the GK down. And here it is:
Location: 3/5 - in the porch between doors, so quick exit/entry but very drafty; no space for queuing - punters may feel pressurised into making hasty decisions about their chocolate
Stockage: 2/5 - poor; some of the stock isn't even accessible (items are placed two rings from the front which means paying twice to get what you want!)
Diversity: 3/5 - reasonably diverse but not in things that you'd want to eat....a bizarre choice of crisp flavours: tomato ketchup, roast beef & yorkshire pudding and TWO separate rows of quavers. The chocolate selection is decidedly mediocre.
Value for money: 1/5 - 70p for Trebor mints (who eats those?!); 70p for a boost; 90p for chewing gum; 70p for a can... most chocolate bars are at least 60p
Comments: Chocolate, crisps, juice and cans? This machine is trying to do too much and scrimping on quality. Better to do one snack and do it well! Also, I didn't actually buy anything from the machine this time round (too skint) but last time, the chocolate was really cold. Not pleasant, unless you like your confectionery refrigerated. Melt-in-the-mouth/room temperature is my optimum.
Total score: 9/20
In short: this machine stinks more than the Zoology Museum. AVOID!
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| How to find the Graham Kerr Building. Kerr-ful you don't get lost now! |
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| John Graham Kerr knew a lot about lungfish. |
This building has everything going for it. A museum, endorsed by Sir David Attenborough. Cool animals, dead (RIP Elwood) and alive. It's where legends dwell and beards prosper. Gary Tank Commander filmed an episode there. So did I.
Unfortunately, there's one thing that really brings the GK down. And here it is:
 |
| Disappointing. |
Location: 3/5 - in the porch between doors, so quick exit/entry but very drafty; no space for queuing - punters may feel pressurised into making hasty decisions about their chocolate
Stockage: 2/5 - poor; some of the stock isn't even accessible (items are placed two rings from the front which means paying twice to get what you want!)
Diversity: 3/5 - reasonably diverse but not in things that you'd want to eat....a bizarre choice of crisp flavours: tomato ketchup, roast beef & yorkshire pudding and TWO separate rows of quavers. The chocolate selection is decidedly mediocre.
Value for money: 1/5 - 70p for Trebor mints (who eats those?!); 70p for a boost; 90p for chewing gum; 70p for a can... most chocolate bars are at least 60p
Comments: Chocolate, crisps, juice and cans? This machine is trying to do too much and scrimping on quality. Better to do one snack and do it well! Also, I didn't actually buy anything from the machine this time round (too skint) but last time, the chocolate was really cold. Not pleasant, unless you like your confectionery refrigerated. Melt-in-the-mouth/room temperature is my optimum.
Total score: 9/20
In short: this machine stinks more than the Zoology Museum. AVOID!
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Kelvin Building in Price Hike SHOCKER
Today, after a disappointing review of the Graham Kerr Building (coming soon), the universiteabreak team headed to Machine 1 of the Kelvin Building for some post-lunch treats.
I bought my usual KKCC, stuffing the change into my pocket without a second thought. Tom inserted his 50p and selected a 'Double Decker'. This is what we saw (dunno how to rotate the video, soz):
He tried something else. Again, not enough credit. I immediately checked my change (I'd bought the KKCC with a pound coin). 50p. That's a 25% price-hike, less than 24 hours after I posted the Kelvin Building review.
They're onto us.
I bought my usual KKCC, stuffing the change into my pocket without a second thought. Tom inserted his 50p and selected a 'Double Decker'. This is what we saw (dunno how to rotate the video, soz):
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| Kelvin Building chocolate machine: THE PRICE LABELS ARE GONE! |
He tried something else. Again, not enough credit. I immediately checked my change (I'd bought the KKCC with a pound coin). 50p. That's a 25% price-hike, less than 24 hours after I posted the Kelvin Building review.
They're onto us.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
1. The Kelvin Building
The first leg of our UniversiTeabreak challenge brought us to the Kelvin Building, which houses the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
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| Print this map and find the Kelvin Building for yourself! |
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| The arse end of the Kelvin Building: it's quite nice |
I don't know anything about physics or astronomy. One time, I thought the sun was the moon (it was a really cloudy day). I can't wire a plug. I can find Orion's belt though. And Brian Cox is sound.
The Kelvin Building is difficult to navigate. Luckily, we had a guide: Mr Tom Deas. Mr Deas works in the Kelvin Building full-time, making ice cream and running across rivers of cornflour. He's a regular user of the vendies: "There are two machines in this building," he told us, with some authority.
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| Mr Deas: the world authority on chocolate machines in the Kelvin Building |
The first machine is located in the main foyer (on the left as you go in), beside a drinks machine (handy if you're in the mood for a can of fizzy juice rather than tea):
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| Machine 1: worth a punt |
Location: 5/5 – very easy to find, and beside a door for quick entry/exit
Stockage: 3.5/5 – good, a few missing rows though
Diversity: 3.5/5 – good
Value for money: 5/5 – 40p for a KKCC, can’t argue with that
Comments: I bought a Kit Kat chunky caramel. Actually, I bought a Twix first, by accident. I gave it to Mr Deas and Yellow Laces. The KKCC was in good condition and a pleasant temperature.
Total score: 17/20
The second machine is on the 5th floor, in the staff room. It's a bit of a trek. I don't think we would have found it without Mr Deas. We passed this on the way:
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| Aren't physicists funny? |
Chortle chortle! Anyway, here's the second machine:
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| Machine 2: a bit of a (Star?) trek. I'm funny too. |
Location: 1/5 - very difficult to find unless you’re in the know. And involves ascending a moderate number of stairs. I’ll probably never be back. The staff room was really nice but everyone stared at us as we went in. Physicists are not accustomed to outsiders.
Stockage: 4/5 – one of the best stocked machines we’ve ever seen (probably because it’s so hard to find)
Diversity: 4/5 – excellent, both mint and original Aeros represented; Lion bars; all varieties of Kit Kat; even shortbread (positioned between the four-fingered KitKat and the Yorkie, sorry for the flash reflection)
Value for money: 5/5 – same price as the first machine
Comments: Pretty much the same as the other vending machine but in an awkward location. If you want to work up a sweat or hone your orienteering skills, this vendie’s the one for you.
Total score: 14/20
This concludes our review. As you can tell, we were very impressed with what the Kelvin Building had to offer. I would strongly recommend a visit there on your next tea break.
Until next time....
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Welcome
Greetings!
It is with great pleasure that I introduce universiteabreak, an exciting new resource for tea-breakers and procrastinators campus-wide.
Ever spent 65p on a KitKat chunky?
I have.
Ever spent 65p on a KitKat chunky, when what you really wanted was a KitKat chunky caramel?
Yes. The caramel ones are so much tastier.
Ever bought a bourbon biscuit (or equally mundane chocolate bar) from the tea room, only to discover that they sell Lion bars in the vending machine next door?
Guilty as charged.
Ever wondered what the chocolate selection is like in the chemistry building? Or the botany building? Business? Philosophy? Do medics eat chocolate?
It's all I can think about.
Looking for new and creative ways to avoid writing your thesis?
I think you know the answer to that one.
This. Ends. Now.
Our panel of experts are about to embark on one of most exciting projects this university has ever seen. If you would like to contribute, we can discuss it over a tea break. Speaking of which....
It is with great pleasure that I introduce universiteabreak, an exciting new resource for tea-breakers and procrastinators campus-wide.
Ever spent 65p on a KitKat chunky?
I have.
Ever spent 65p on a KitKat chunky, when what you really wanted was a KitKat chunky caramel?
Yes. The caramel ones are so much tastier.
Ever bought a bourbon biscuit (or equally mundane chocolate bar) from the tea room, only to discover that they sell Lion bars in the vending machine next door?
Guilty as charged.
Ever wondered what the chocolate selection is like in the chemistry building? Or the botany building? Business? Philosophy? Do medics eat chocolate?
It's all I can think about.
Looking for new and creative ways to avoid writing your thesis?
I think you know the answer to that one.
This. Ends. Now.
Our panel of experts are about to embark on one of most exciting projects this university has ever seen. If you would like to contribute, we can discuss it over a tea break. Speaking of which....
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