Thanks DC.

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGG

I have just put 63 invites to my exhibition preview in the post (first class) and I've just realised I left off a vital date!!!

WHAT AN IDIOT!!

I'm so cross with myself for being such a butterfly-brain

I can't possibly send out another mail-shot (too embarassing). The gallery are sending 290(!) invites and I bet they've forgotton too...

WHY ME!!!!!!!!!

katyjay, I hope your father is ok. Lottie, don't be too harsh on yourself; these things happen.

No-one needs to read this, I'm just so het up about it that I guess it *might* help... I'm sick of my school - well, it's my former school now - being so generally useless. Today I had an Advanced Higher Music exam, which would have been ok had my teacher told me that the format had once again been changed. But no, she didn't, and so I turned to the last 2 questions to be faced with 25% of the marks which I had no idea how to go about getting. There was another question too where I basically had to muddle through. Why hasn't she taught us? I'm not over-exaggerating when I say that the 'help' she has given me this year basically amounts to pointing me in a reasonable direction with my composition and giving me a few singing lessons (in which she told me that it was obvious that I wasn't a brass player). 6 years of music and for what? Not even knowing how to answer the questions in an exam. It's bad enough what's being done to the Music courses by the SQA; I just can't help feeling that I should have and could have done so much better today.

On Monday I had to re-sit 3 Latin end-of-topic exam things because they had been lost. My teacher took early retirement back in March, and naturally a replacement was never found. Before that, he had lost most of the coursework our French class had done.

What really gets me though () is that there isn't even anyone in authority who seems to care. When my parents spoke to the headteacher about similar things before he ended up commenting on how it didn't matter because I'm 'not particularly talented.'

</rant> Sorry!

Actually, no! I tried to send a text to my boyfriend after the exam today and the predictive texting application changed 'rant' to something else... Then I managed to shove my hand into the glass window of a cabinet at work, thinking there was nothing there. That was rather funny though...

Don't blame you AT ALL for this rant...what is UP with our wonderful education system???

BAH.

And a from me.

I have a red blotchy heat rash (I think) from the top of my legs now to almost my knees after sitting in the hot music room all day Friday.

Feel free to ignore this, but I am starting to feel rather stressed. I have two exams per day nearly every day next week, and I'm trying to complete my revision, but I haven't felt "right" all week, and I'm just finding it impossible to take anything in. I don't know what to do - if I keep taking time out from it and going back to it when I feel better, I'm never going to get anything done at all, but if I just keep sitting and trying to no avail, I'm not getting anywhere either!!!!

mwl1, don't know if any of these tips from exam-o-rama land here in Japan will help, but...

...it may be worth telling yourself that at a minimum, you need to do X amount per day (making it a real minimum, not setting yourself punishing goals), and sticking to that. Then if you want, you can dangle carrots in front of yourself such as "I really want to get 5 more marks in this subject so I'll do 30 more minutes".

Don't fret about whether you've learned it well or understood it or not, just do the donkey work! Eventually it will repay you. Surprisingly enough, revising the basic stuff really thoroughly often repays you better than struggling to deal with the most challenging questions you are likely to encounter. Working on the basics not only enables you to answer basic questions, it gives you a deeper understanding that lets you look at difficult questions in different ways - so you get a kind of "two for the price of one" benefit from your study!

I find that sons reluctant to study do best if study is 1) broken into periods the same length as a school period, 2) taken to a coffee shop or some place where there aren't quite so many distractions, but which are pleasant environments, 3) broken up with some gentle exercise, even just a short walk or stretch/dance break!

Regarding boys and fires, most countries have penalties for fire-setting which are much more severe than for, say, breaking and entering, vandalism etc., because of the danger that fires pose in built-up areas - it may be worth pointing this out to anybody who seems likely to benefit from that information!

That's terrible!

My school are kinda like that too though, they only pay attention to you if you're getting A's all the damn time and making them look good or if you're being a complete ###### and making them look bad but if you're in the middle they don't care. That's why I love the music department because they always have time for you whatever the problem is.

But surely being at a high standard on violin and piano is the music equivalent of getting A's in other subjects! All you are really saying is that you're good at music but average at some of the other subjects.

That's the kind of thing that people quote gleefully as they accept their Nobel Prizes. Don't fret over it, treasure it!

I seem to have lost my mobile...

*sob* *scream* *panic*

I've had to say bye to someone really close to my heart. Bad week. Signed in.

Er...I just found it in a box of tissues in my bathroom cupboard...




Sorry to hear this, Daley .

I do that kinda thing all the time.



Comes with the territory, I suppose. University life, people scatter all over the world. It wasn't an adieu though, fortunately I get to see her again in October when I go to see Queen & Paul Rodgers in London. It's not the same though, is it? Long distance friendships, I mean.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Its 4.04am and I have been lying in bed since 10.30 trying and failing to fall asleep thanks to my dads snoring.
I am sooo soo tired and feel like complete and utter p00p(for want of a better word). I can't remember the last time I actually had a good nights sleep.


<--I wish!!!!

I have to be up at 6.45 as well.
Anyway, just needed to vent.
x

I feel for you, maddielou. I had a similar problem last night (though no snoring - just couldn't get to sleep), and nearly came on the forums at around 4am myself (I read a book instead). In fact I reckon I had about an hour's sleep all night, but I seem to be functioning OK at the moment, so I'm not worrying about it!

Hope you feel OK today too.

Heyy.
Think I got about an hour too last night. Getting up this morning was difficult, and i nearly fell asleep in the shower! Most of today I was okay, but not as sharp in music lessons which wasn't good. Trying to do some revision before exams tomorrow, but none of its going in! And yesterdays revision was pointless because you need at least 5 hours (is it 5?) to remember and process work you've done in the day (according to my science teacher!).
I really need an early night tonight, but dad's already started snoring downstairs.
I go to sleep every night with a dvd on in the background, ear plugs in and a pillow over my head, and the window open to try and cover the noise but it doesn't work.
x

learning to deal with a few home truths seems to have been a bit of a shock to the system.
life should come with a warning sticker.

Tell me about it. I read yesterday: Life's a game with no rules, yet you're expected to win.

How true!

AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!
Why did i even think I could apply for a job!
When i cant even fill in the application form?

Aaaaarghhh! The accompanist we had hoped to employ for son's diploma is now going to be on holiday in diploma week! Not surprised, as the same thing happened to us last year for his grade 8 (not the same lady, it has to be said). The trouble with good accompanists is that they are always in demand, so tend to suddenly decide to take on other work or go on holiday even though they've led you to believe they may be around. The trouble is that you are only offering 2 hours work (including travelling), plus a bit of rehearsal time, which is not enough of a draw!

At least she has given us 6 weeks' notice, but son has been practising off and on with her for a while, so it's a bit of a nuisance to say the least. His teacher has suggested a programme which demands a lot of the accompanist, too, so we need to sort something out soon. It would help if we had an actual date, rather than an entire week!

Aaaaarghhhh!

All the best with finding an accompanist - it's a real head-scratcher.

Arrgh! Can't sleep. Again. Third night in a row, but the first that I've visited the forums. sigh.

Argh! I've left my lunch box at home.

OK, it's not a big argh, it's just really annoying. I was intending to get the bus from work in to town at lunchtime anyway, so I can buy some lunch when I'm there. It's just now I can't have a mid-morning snack. Well, I can, it's just to use the canteen here at work your money has to go on a card, and the card machines only accept £1s and above, and I do have small change which it won't take, so the only other option is the £10 note I have, which will keep me in snacks for the whole of June, BUT I needed a bit of that £10 note when I go in to town to do the stuff I need to do at lunchtime. So if I put the £10 on my foodcard that means I have to get more money out of the bank and I'm not sure that I can do that until the cheque I am going to pay in (at lunchtime, when I'm in town!) has cleared

good one that.
If there are rules, you find that other people change them

Warning sticker in hospital delivery wards ~
"Abandon Hope all Ye who Exit Here"

Well that's clear then

Good, I expect there will be an exam question based on this !!

Pah to you all!

I have made it through to lunchtime without a midmorning snack, thus negating all my 'what do I do?' concerns regarding money on lunchcard.

I will go in to town and spend my money there, while additionally spending some more of it on my lunch...

GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate essays!!!! Although its partly because I have no motivation to write it!

Application forms are evil! So is working (least, working in a supermarket is) but the end of the month is nice Email me if you need a hand - I must've done something right to get my job!



Essays... I was most annoyed to discover we had a 4000 word essay to write for physics! It'll get done eventually

My Grade 2 recorder players have their exam in two weeks and I have never had such dreadful playing and they were cocky with it.I saved the scream for this thread but I desperately wanted to scream at them - and I am usually very patient and encouraging. If they play like this in the exam all three will fail.

Poor Lucky - it must be the stress. I hope you don't have too many more exams to go. Pleasant dreams tonight!

Thanks Rosemary

If it isnt one form its another... now trying to fill in my provisional driving licence

I need a scream too! We have just had a lovely new kitchen installed I was out of town for work so my husband supervised the installation with the workmen. They put a cupboard so close to a wall that you can't open the drawers properly as they bump into the door frame. Apparently, I should have told them that I wanted to open the drawers!!

mmm just appalled at manners, people who think they can send a provocative message, then close you out.. they think they are so clever
best left to their own devices huh.

Grr! Why is it so difficult to get people to pay for their ticket for our grad ball? when we've been asking for the money since feb?! I know their students and probably dont have much money but the rest of us have managed! ARGH! Fourth years are on the hunt they will pay!!!!!!!!!

My daughter has a solfège (theory/aural) exam. I have spent about two months working on rhythms with her, getting her to say them to "ta" while keeping a steady pulse beating with one hand as they were being taught to do in lessons. She has improved beyond recognition and both she and I were confident that she should get a good mark in this part of the exam.

She had the written part today and the oral part (including the rhythm bit) is on Friday. She came out of her lesson today (after the written part) and said the teacher has changed her mind. Instead of saying the rhythm to "ta" they have to tap it. According to the teacher this is easier but they have never practised it this way My daughter is right-handed and was using her right-hand to tap the pulse, she is not a pianist and so there is no way that in 48 hours I can get her used to tapping the pulse with her left-hand while tapping a rhythm with her right.

Why can't they examine the children on what they've actually taught them

Just played in my local music festival and messed up in the middle - ARGH!!! There is a passage that is all double tongued and as I hadn't been able to get a run through with the accompanist, we were both going at different speeds and she didnt change so my tonguing went to pot. ARGHH!!!

AAARRRRRRRR

I should be in bed getting some sleep instead of reading these forums....


... but who can resist

Oh dear! How very frustrating! I do hope they are going to come back and remedy this - you haven't paid them yet, have you? My policy is never pay up until you are satisfied with the work. I hope it's put right soon.


I do think accompaniments can be difficult. It's great if you have a really good friend or relative who will guarantee to play for you as and when needed, but for most of us accompanists are flighty creatures, never there at the right times. And it makes such a difference to a performance to have had plenty of practice together. So sorry to hear that things didn't work out for you on this occasion - better luck next time!

Why would a teacher do that so soon before the exam. Surely they know that is not advisable for a young student. how annoying.

I resent that implication!

ok - my scream - I have a 7 year old pupil whose family take her off on a cruise each school holiday - where she has - Yamaha piano lessons.

absolutely...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!

*We really need an upset smiley!*

My brand new recorder has got a great big crack in it, going half the way down the headpiece! AND I've been really carefull about not playing it too much and looked after it really well. This is really not fair!

It would be a disaster at the best of times, but I have my exam in 2 weeks and really need to practice. As for whether i can get it fixed/replaced by the exam...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGH!!!

...and it's not even Friday 13th yet!

Haven't contributed to this thread yet, but have had a bad 7 days:

- last Thursday husband tells me his company is having to 'let go' 600-900 people. He's only been there a year so it might be 'last in first out'. He'll know in a couple of months time. This won't be the first, or the second or the third time this has happened and I think I'll scream if it happens again!!!

- last Friday bought a chair in a charity shop to go into cottage - nice chair, just right for the cottage.

- Saturday - couldn't get chair into cottage however we tried.

- Monday - hit a cat when taking dogs to beach in the car for their walk

- Tuesday - dog bit one of my piano pupils!!!!!!!! Said dog is a stray we found wandering in the Welsh hills a month ago so we don't really know her background - has been mild and affectionate with us, but is very timid and we think she's probably been poorly treated. Anyway I've always let my dogs greet my pupils and they've always been made a fuss of, and in 18 years of doing this I've not had an ounce of trouble. The stray has been allowed to say hello (under supervision) to my pupils too since we've had her. But this time I was holding on to the stray's collar while my pupil came into the house and as he passed she just reached out and nipped him on the leg. I rang mum immediately pupil had finished his lesson, and apologised and luckily she was okay, but stray dog will be banished to the back room from now on when my pupils come for lessons.

- Wednesday both my dogs attacked while out on their walk. One ran away and hid, the other ran round and round in circles not wanting to go too far from me, while attacking dog ran after her. I burst into tears cos I didn't know where dog no.1 was. At least it made the other dog's owner feel absolutely awful.

Oh Sarah, how very disappointing. I think you've been very unlucky, though I know it does happen sometimes. I do hope you can get another recorder quickly for your exam.


Poor you! That wasn't a bad week, it was an unbelievably awful week! The only consolation is that the next one must surely be better. Let's hope all the bad things have come together, and you'll have a trouble-free month now. And there were some good points - the bitten pupil's mother could have been much worse.

aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Just been told I have to get a new boiler The old one is only 27 years old - how dare it leak.

ARGHHHHH!!! Exam today was interesting.... :S And I still have FOUR left..!!!!

ARRRGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
x