Renewal

The End

The Lone Wolf

This strikes a chord in me:

"A lone wolf is a wolf that lives by itself rather than with others as part of a pack. Lone wolves are typically old specimens driven from their pack or young adults in search of new territory. Instead of openly challenging the leadership of the pack leaders, most young wolves between the ages of 1-4 years leave their family in order to search for a pack of their own; though it is shown that some wolves will simply remain lone wolves. As such, lone wolves are usually stronger, more aggressive and far more dangerous than the average wolf that is a member of a pack. They have difficulty hunting, as wolves's favorite prey are large ungulates, and it is nearly impossible for a wolf to bring one down by itself (hunting on their own can be done, as lone wolves are naturally stronger and some specialise in hunting moose on their own). Instead, they will hunt smaller animals and scavenge. Sometimes, a lone wolf will find another lone wolf of the opposite sex, and the two will start a new pack.

When used to describe a person, this term is applied to individuals who prefer solitude or who work alone. In literature, the term is used to establish a character as aloof and emotionally unable or unwilling to directly interact with other characters in the story. A stereotypical lone wolf will be dark or serious in personality; he is often taciturn, and will distinguish himself through his reserved nature."

I never thought it'd come to this. I must say I'm somewhat surprised and stumped. Why do people choose as such? And when did I get so soft? Nay. On the other hand, how was I to know? I guess I should count myself lucky, to at least have found a band of brothers in years gone by; I miss that special pack washed in Red, Blue and Gold - if only I weren't the only one who'd been called down this road.

Home Sweet Home

I know I'm home because:

The fridge is stocked with a variety of drinks and fabulous food.

The toilet is clean and any hint of grime is nowhere in sight.

The bed feels firm and I can't tell how many spring coils are poking up from beneath me.

I don't have to wear slippers around the house.

I can relish the soft kiss of a breeze without worrying that its going to give me a freezing love bite.

I sit, not alone, but in the company of a little furry attention-seeking rascal.

The Arts Tower

The Arts Tower currently stands as the tallest building in Sheffield. It's a miesian tower in plan and though simple in form and facade, manages to exude a certain air of self-assurance and gentle beauty; much like the unassuming Yorkshire town in which it sits. Designed in 1961 by Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners, it housed all of the university's Arts departments at one point until overpopulation forced a couple of groups like the Historians and the Social Scientists to search for new nests.

The Architecture department stayed put and occupies about a quarter of the building – specifically Floors 14 to 18. There's a small architecture cafe on 19 which sells snacks, coffee and hot chocolate for 50 pence and is a well-loved haunt for staff and students alike.

The open plan studios receive bounteous amounts of daylight through the full-height glazing which marches around the perimeter. This atmosphere, accompanied by the panoramic views of Sheffield's undulating topography and specks of far-off, open farmland, make for a terribly delightful working space. Very uplifting and condusive in my opinion.





The most memorable feature of the building is a remarkable piece of engineering called the Paternoster lift; or more affectionately known as, the Pat. It runs non-stop throughout the day and doesn't have any doors. You hop on and off just like a ski-lift and people-watch as you get to where you want to go; a far more stimulating experience compared to being entombed in a typical elevator car. Access between the different floors in the department is a breeze, and initially (at the risk of sounding like a starry-eyed kid), a hell lot of fun!





Forty years after its completion, the tower is slated for a major refurbishment, which, given the current economic climate, will likely become a protracted affair. I count myself lucky to be among the last batch of students to occupy the tower in its original state and I honestly hope the architects on the job treat this friendly giant with all the reverance and respect it deserves.