One of the problems with Rapid Prototypes is that they come in a case of wax which has to be melted off in order to reveal the product, not unlike waiting for Otzi to defrost from the glacier. The only upside of this (like with the majority of processes on my course) is a really good smell. Usually they are a bit more potent (P38 and Metal In A Tube) but in this case it smells of marzipan and if you had walked into the kitchen of number 67 this afternoon you might have thought it was the week leading up to Christmas.

My initial attempts to melt the wax off were cut short when the department turned off the power two days ago and so I had to take my sticky, half-molten product back home where, ever the professional, I tried to boil off the excess in a wok. It worked to some extent but left giant sheets of wax all over the wok, the cooker, the sink and me. Oh yeh, and it left that smell too.

Today I tried a new approach. I needed a new method where I could contain the water and let it run away naturally. Phase two; the shower. I found myself, my shampoo and three rapid prototypes all getting wet, but not losing the desired wax. Approach number three was required and that is how I spent my afternoon; baking my RPs into the grill tray in the oven.

In between all this I was phoning up NTL to complain about the phone bill. Once again we have received a ridiculously large additional 'bonus' to the substantial amount we already pay, and upon enquiring, I discovered that NTL had put us on a package we never asked for. Very annoyed but unable to prove anything we just readjusted a few things, including ordering the itemised phone bill, but I'm still not satisfied. I think Jono is going to give it a go tomorrow.

I ploughed on with dissertation today. I have had a number more responses from the questionnaire (I still need more!) but I was really chuffed to find that my plea for help to several well known faces in all-things-web was answered by one of my favourite well known bloggers and Britpack member on my blogroll. I am hoping for some responses from others too, but I can't wait too long as I need to start putting something concrete together on paper.

Tomorrow I am off to Brum. Nick is doing some promo work at the Bullring for Diet Coke or something and he's said he can give me a lift over. Good stuff. It will mean I have a few hours to kill before the Multipack Meeting later in the afternoon, but I can manage that. I think. More complexing however, is my need to either get my computer home or to get back to uni. I have arranged to meet with Jon this week sometime, but it just doesn't look practical right now as all my useful stuff is up here. That said I could always bundle things together on my USB drive and do it that way, but working at home just isn't that inspiring, although I would have the benefit of the company of the cat. It's at times like these that I wish I had my Macbook Pro already - yep, that's right - I think that's where I'm headed. I've been pining for a Mac for years, and if they launch a 12" version I could see it as the next critical purchase.