Thanks nicki, maggie and Susie!

Ah, Susie, you could just be right - I didn't get a break at Easter at all, really (well, just a couple of days) and I've felt very jaded ever since, even though my workload hasn't, in the main, been enormous.

Not going on holiday this year...but I hope to have a lovely chilling-out summer at home (mostly attacking the PILES of stuff in my study ).

thanks noodle - it did and it was great a lovely chat just delightful.
things are looking up. Well they have been for a while now... since I made a big mistake in April... big blunder...

so probably shouldn't be in this thread

Hmm I suspect some of us know where youre coming from SaxFan !
Hope its looking good again !

do you think so?


I think it could be genuinely good this time...
... involves a strange coincidence.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggh
JUST realised that Piano Grade 8 scales are NOT in groups
My STUPID scales book that my teacher gave me is SOO old
So I have to practise 4 new keys in 4 days for my exam
And seriously sort my aural out
Aaaaaaaaaaghhh
*cries*
*goes to practise*

I had some furniture being delivered by Sharps this morning - they told me it would be between 8am and 12pm. So at 7.15am I am thinking to myself that I need to get out of bed in order to be awake and dressed by the time they arrive, if they're early.

As I'm lying in bed thinking these thoughts, I hear the *beep* *beep* of a reversing lorry (I live in a cul-de-sac). Ah, I think, that's either the bin men or the builders' lorry working on the house opposite.

A sudden, horrible suspicion dawns on me just as the doorbell rings - at 7.16am...

ARGH!!!

AAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!

Today I took a backing track for a song I know to my singing teacher. The one I've spoken about on the viva voice thread. We practised, after warming up, for the WHOLE lesson! I was surprised to find out it was MUCH easier than I'd thought. By the end, although there were lots of things to polish, I basically had the words, the notes, and the rhythms down pat.

I went to my music group, sang all evening, got to the end, and asked our musical director to play it for me... He started, and suddenly I was worse than ever before! I lost the ability to pitch even the simplest notes - the accompaniment was exactly the same one I knew, and yet I just couldn't do it at all! I went so out of tune - God knows how when I know the song like the back of my hand now! I lost my place a million times, croaked on every note above an A on the stave - without exception, and just completely lost my head.

ARGHH!!!!!

Aaaagghhhh computer. Aaaaaaggghhhhh!!!!!!!!

For further details, please read my comment in the random comments thread...

AAaaaaaargh

I was just talking about universities with my parents, and my dad told me I was making too big a deal out of it, and that i should just choose whatever and live with it. I pointed out that it's important because I need insurance choices in case i don't get into Cambridge. To which h said 'I think it's unlikely that you'll fail so astronomically' or words to that effect. So basically, if i don't get in, he will count me as a complete failure

That's not true - lots of incredibly intelligent people don't get into Cambridge every year - obviously some people are better than others, but so many people apply every year that they can't take even everyone that's completely qualified and capable. Don't worry about it - if you get in, that's fantastic, but there are so many other options, and if you don't it doesn't mean your life is over.

I was rejected from Oxford, and I'm still looking forward to next year (though of course I'm a bad example since I am still behind on knowing where I'm going!)

It's your choice anyway, and it's lovely that your dad has faith in you, but I'm sure he'd get over it if you didn't go to Cambridge. Good Luck if that's where you go in the end, but there are other places too!

That is what I spent the whole evening trying to explain to him, but he won't accept that it is quite possible that i don't get in, and anything else counts as failure

Maybe he truly thinks he's just being supportive and believing in you... That's what my dad was like for a bit, until I actually didn't get in, and then he reverted to "well that's their loss anyway don't worry about it".

Hopefully he'll change his mind a bit sometime soon.

looks like daddys not masterd the art of using his brains

well I hope you do get in 123 and we all know your not a complete failure

Very doog.

Parents, gah! My mother still hasn't mastered the art of saying things which aren't incredibly hurtful - she doesn't mean it that way, it's just she is extremely thoughtless in her phrasing of things, and some things that are meant nicely are just terribly expressed

Not getting into Oxbridge isn't the end of the world. Far from. You can get just as good a degree from other unis.
I decided not even to apply to Oxbridge because the course just wasn't right for me. That was for Music though. Also, walking round Oxford, it was a gorgeous place, but I couldn't actually imagine myself studying there. It seemed a bit too surreal.
Also, if you want a real student experience, Oxbridge probably isn't the best place. It's a very different experience I imagine.
If you really want to go to Cambridge because that's where YOU want to go, then go for it!!! And good luck! But don't apply because it's expected of you. And if you do apply and don't get in, it's NOT a failure, whatever your Dad says!

Cambridge and oxford just don't have the places to give them to everyone who would do well there; its unfortunate, but it isn't the end of the world if you don't make it! You'll still get an excellent degree from an excellent university if you're good enough to even apply for Oxbridge

Saying that, Sarah, I think my parents are of the same mindset...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Lucky, hope you are ok

Am on msn if you want to talk


I agree though: AAAAAAAAAAARRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!

No you're not! Do you have me blocked?!

I have you blocked, have for a while now.
It appears you have me blocked to

Oh well! Seems to be working! Haven't 'argued' in a while...

Thats a point... it is working.
Hehe someone told me you asked them if I had you blocked... then you said you couldnt believe I had blocked you
Well I have

I cannot think about anything other than tomorrow and it's doing mine, and everyone elses head in because I'm just blurting random "ARGH" "EEK" "HELP" type comments, as well as spontaneously bursting into tears for no apparent reason....Omg, I've gone insane...

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
x

Hope you are ok x x


argh.

I'm really stressed out.
Right me and a few friends wanted to organise a camping trip for loads of us after results, and I mentioned to my mum a week ago that this might be happening and she was fine about it.
So me and a friend have spent the last three days organising it and like ringing up everywhere and getting it all sorted and we finally sorted it all out today and like we have sorted out how we are getting there, where we are staying, costs, what food we will need, what clothes we will need and stuff. There will be 10 of us and we are all 16 nearly 17 and there will be one 18 year old nearly 19 so we are being really responsible and making sure we know everything. So i can home tonight and reminded mum about it and bascially she said I can't go =/.
I have left it for now cos it's late and she is working tomorrow but I have no idea how to persuade her!! Its so unfair because it's not like its a really unorganised, like everything is organised and we have maps of where we will be going and how long it should take us to walk from the train station to the campsite and all that sort of stuff and like we have this 18 year old with us who is really responsible (my mum knows who she is cos she is in my brothers year) and she was head girl and is going to cambridge and has BELA and stuff so its not like its just a group of 16 year old girls on their own.

I just, gahh, im just upset that all this organising is useless (well not for everyone else) and i don't know whether i am being really unreasonable asking to go?

Anyways, rant over!

Soph are you okay?
x

Maybe try and talk to your Mum tomorrow, remind her that you did mention it and she was fine. Maybe let her talk to the older person going with you?
I hope it all gets sorted for you soon and that you get to go!!
And, no you arent being unreasonable asking to go at all.


Ah, dont worry about me.

Thanks. Its just annoying because she always does this and says I can go and then changes her mind. Its so silly. And its not like we are camping a million miles away its only a 45 minute journey on the train!

Hope you are okay!
x

Reassure her that you will be contactable maybe, tell her your phone will be with you at all times?

This is like when me and a few friends went London...we HAD to book it and one hadn't asked their parents as they kept saying "Ask us nearer the time".... so we booked...got tickets etc...and then when they asked the week before...NO you can't go! ... Hmm...My friend then ran away from home in the early hours...but his mum tracked him to the train stattion...not good...but in the end she let him go...she was very upset though!

I think parents are like that.. Mine hate me just upping and going to town for the afternoon or something, yet when I arrange something in advance they keep putting off the decision. Or forget they told me I could go and then yell at me for pointing out I can't do whatever they just planned because it clashes.

Maybe your mum could come and watch you guys set up the tents? Might make her feel better knowing that at least you have shelter.

Thing is she wouldn't do that, it's just grr so annoying. Also, last year she let my brother go to leeds fest when he just turned 17 and i know its a bit different as there are loads of people there but he could have got drunk (which he did) he could have done drugs or something, and there was only 4 of them there and my brother didn't tell my parents what his mobile number was, whereas I am with 9 other people one of whom is this older girl, we've got everything planned, I will always have my phone on me and they have all the numbers and stuff. grr!
anyways, in a better mood this morning cos my brother got good results!
x

argh!!!

Try leaving a written copy of your schedule with your parents, so they know you've got yourselves organized? I know YOU know you're organized, but do THEY know?

(Thinking of all the irresponsible junkets I've let my kids go on....wave them off with a smile, and then pace for days with the phone in my hand! )

*Ready to strangle a colleague...*

I'm in need of a stiff drink.

I have. We've made/are making folders with all the information in for any parent who wants one and are taking like all directions and maps and medical info and all that stuff in a folder with us. Hopefully going to try and persuade her tonight.
x

Speaking as a parent, I know I have to let go, which is why my 9 year old is at the park and I am not, but if he is late back...

The relationship has to be built on trust. You as a young adult want wider boundaries, we as the silly emotional beings who bore you and looked after you whilst you could not would rather know you are not taking any stupid risks so:

Making sure you leave a list of the whole groups mobile numbers with every parent is good (that way if one battery goes flat and you find no place to charge it you still can be contacted) Giving the parent and itinerary and sticking to it, or if you deviate find some internet cafe and sending an email with amended details or phoning is a good idea.

Make sure you don't run out of money. Never telephone home when drunk or stoned. Don't get yourself arrested and arrive back in one piece and on time and you'll keep them happy.

As parents we remember what it was to be teenagers... that is half the problem! However if you can negotiate the bargain in the first place and stick to the arrangements you'll keep us lot happy.

I hope that when my kids get to the stage of going to teenage parties they will always know that mum will provide the taxi home when the ring for her. I'd rather have a couple of drunk teenagers in the back of my car smelling mildly of weed than what happened recently around our way when two lads pegged it and ended up getting hit by a lorry. The lads survived... with serious head injuries. Now that might me sound unusual for a mum, but as long as my boys keep their noses clean, and keep doing well at school, what I don't know about at a teenage party won't hurt me.

Wish you were my mum hehe.
Thanks for the advice, and we won't be stoned or drunk! At least I don't think anyone will be, we're all good girls
Will tell you all what happens when I ask again x

Is it really only Monday?

I was stressy this morning as needed to make a vet appt for one of the rats, try and find a last minute cattery space (my mother - usual cat-sitter - has just booked a holiday to clash with ours), while trying to do some work involving building some screens urgently, fixing a bunch of not-working-right code, devising a project plan and providing templates to quality management.

Made the vet appt. Found a cattery. Built the urgent screens. Booked out time tomorrow to do the project plan and templates, and can look at my code in the afternoon. Phew!

Got home, got out of the car, and my husband came out of the front door. Not a good sign. Big hug...and "you can put your car away, you won't be going to the vet". Segretti-rat had died during the day - clearly very relaxed, gone to sleep, and drifted off, which is nice (having had pets euthanised, having had them die suddenly at home, having had them had all sorts of nasties, drifiting off to sleep is the nicest way for a sad thing to happen).

Big breaths, calmed down, OK, let's go off to the woods and find her a resting place.

Noticed cat sitting on patio, amongst a pile of feathers. Haha, what's she done. Open back door, progress a little...entire patio is covered in feathers as far as we can see. Carry on looking...and there tucked in a corner, are the remains of a pigeon. Until my husband gets close up, and sees that - despite being able to see more of its insides than is desireable - it is still breathing and blinking.
Spend 10 minutes working out a way to put it out of its misery (husband very bravely does this).

Finally set off for the woods, but now with two deceased creatures in tow. Say goodbyes.

Come home via supermarket for some chocolate.

I think I need a sleep now...

Hope you feel better soon x x x

Aw, Maizie, what horrible things to happen...

*sympathises*

Thank you all.

Today is much better, after a sleep. Work is busy, but good-busy not stressful-panic-busy. Segretti-rat still makes me sad, but it wasn't really all that unexpected and at least we had a huge big cuddle on Monday morning which made me later than usual for work

The cat is still in disgrace; we know she's just being a cat, but if she could have just done the job properly it would have been much better.

indecision, indecision....







no, not me, I've made up my mind

Argh.

??
not too bad I hope

(count 1-10 and try to calm down)

Nope,

being texted !





so that sounds odd? silly texts really
perhaps I should just chill and ignore, delete and ignore





watch this space