New Blood: The People
This is intended to be an outline of some of the significant characters in NB: that is, their position within the society and their personality (if any). Of course, due to the ever-changing nature of school, the people who have been immortalised here tend to be the founding, original members. As time goes on, of course, the younger speakers - the new blood - will gradually make it here. If you have been left out, don't take it personally. Just think: attend and contribute regularly and your name could be here, in lights. Well, not in lights. Probably the main person in NB, David reinforces his authority by spending considerable amounts of free time dreaming up such trite catchphrases as "dont' cross the boss", "don't give the chief grief" and "don't slander the commander". A regular judge in NB, David is also the organiser and is responsible for most of the theatrical 'plotlines' that the society (suffers\benefits) from. On an unrelated note, after debating with me for 4 years David still can't spell my surname. David has now left to study History and English at Oxford University.As the creator of this website, Andrew decided to put himself second in the hierarchy (because he can). He is also David's debating partner in the external debates. Although endlessly coding in HTML and writing speeches in English, Andrew rarely confuses the two and has only once attempted to deliver his arguments in source code. Furthermore, he likes to judge NB debates, because it gives him a wonderful opportunity to shout very loudly at people and explain to them just why they are wrong. Andrew has now left to study Law at Oxford University. Chris is Jonathan's partner in the junior externals, and, like Jonathan, is very promising. Chris is developing his own humorous yet intelligent style to complement Jonathan's serious take on issues. Unfortunately, our cynicism has rubbed off on Chris already, but it's not too late to save him. Jonathan is one of the first young speakers to have risen through the ranks of NB. He currently partners Chris Lowe in the junior external debates, but is still very involved in the school debates. We have high hopes for Jonathan; I am sure that (with so much experience) he will soon be an even more outstanding speaker. It is nice to see a debater who has not yet become bitter and cynical like me. However, it should be noted here that Jonathan is very, erm, confident; he is the only person who has ever asked me to change his profile. Jonathan's own 'suggestions' included phrases such as "Jonathan is the future of debating in the school", "a very talented individual", and "well known by the ladies of Glasgow". Quite. Self-proclaimed moralist Andrew is a dedicated follower of the ethical teachings of Laurence Kohlberg. He regularly quotes his idol in floor speeches, which he delivers at all of the team's competitions. Of course, we appreciate his continuing support. . .but sometimes we really wish he would be quiet. Andrew has now left the school, although elements of his "humour" live on in the floor speeches. Andrew has now left to study English at Glasgow University. Mark deserves a mention here because of his mastery of the double entendre and his talent for twisting any motion to allow infinite numbers of smutty jokes. His speeches do liven up NB events, but ensure that we can never refer to them as "debates". It is worth noting that he and Andrew McIntyre came very close to making a competitor faint in one of their rare appearances together in an external. We don't let Mark speak outside of NB because of his twisted sense of humour. Let's just say that he idolises Patrick Bateman and leave it at that. Mark, too, has now left to move on to greater things - specifically, Medicine at Glasgow University. Roseannah is distinguised primarily because, compared to the rest of the people on this page, she is quite normal. She holds all of the qualities of an excellent debater but none of the disturbing idiosyncracies. However, because of this, it's really hard to write much about her, except that after her gap year in Tanzania she is now studying English at Oxford University. Tony is an able debater and excellent public speaker but likes to deliver rants (albeit very funny rants) from his own far-left point of view. He is very competent with computers and the Internet and often engages me in discussions about "putting a Flash animation on the homepage". It is probably fair to summarise him by saying he knows the etymology of the word 1337 ("leet"). Tony has now taken a year out; but frankly, I'm not sure what he's doing. He was, I gather, fired from his recent job in the banking sector for leaving 30 minutes early each day and justifying his actions by saying that "he worked extra hard during the rest of the day". Last I heard, Tony had become an amateur wrestler (I swear I'm not making that up). Brian is witty but doesn't like preparing for debates; thus New Blood is the perfect forum for him. We are regularly presented with "Brian Unplanned", which was funny at first but is now just a pathetic excuse not to do any work at all. Which is fair enough. Catriona is a loyal supporter of the St. Aloyius' debating team. She also attends all the NB events and always takes extensive notes; however, it would probably be demeaning to refer to her simply as a "secretary". It is thanks to Catriona that we have our list of humorous quotes. However, she rarely speaks unless berating either Andrew or David. Or both. Catriona has now left to study Latin at St. Andrew's University and we wish her the best. And of course, there are plenty of other regulars to whom we are most grateful but who I don't yet know well enough to comment on.
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