Perfect, except the last message which was a12c4, which means a un de ces quatres, apparently!

Today was bad. Went to a tutorial, and while all the others have been fairly balanced, good and bad, today my tutor basically told me I needed to rewrite the whole thing, and, while trying to be kind about it, tried to teach me some things that I learnt (I thought) at the age of five. "An opinion is not an argument" and "It seems like you're just writing down your own dislike of the characters". I had used lots of secondary critics to support my opinions, as well as the original text, but was told that Jane Austen critics are by nature, too opinionated. Apparently the whole point of the essay is based on an opinion, and he's not even really sure how I can fix it without rewriting it all. Thing is, while I knew it could be argued, I thought my 'opinion' was basically an accepted fact, and the criticism I read reinforced that. Now I don't know where to start fixing it.

Then I cried on my friends' shoulders, and we had a goodbye tea, which was nice, but then they left. Now all my friends are gone, and the three month break is official.

Oops I'm stupid, and I was tired... I missed that one but wouldn't have got it!



The break will be over before you know it so I wouldn't worry too much (it's scaring me how quickly this year is flying by!). I'm sure you won't have to rewrite the whole lot though, more some rewording? Maybe take a step back from it for a bit? You do come across as being very self-critical and are probably a bit too hard on yourself... It's not the end of the world, and the sun will rise tomorrow

It's a full quarter of the year though! I'm not sure I ought to wish that much time away but...

Euck, maybe I'm critical of myself, yeah, but today my tutor was too. My friends said that it'd been the same for them, but I know they were just trying to make me feel better.

The sun will rise tomorrow... and I'll be inside tearing my hair out and rereading Mansfield Park.

Don't wish it away, just find some other stuff to do I guess Do you not have local friends who you can go see stuff with? Or is it really like you said before, where your parents have chosen to live in some sort of sequestered spot in the middle of nowhere?


To be fair, it's their job to try and ensure you get the best marks possible, so I wouldn't take it as a dig, more of a nudge in the right direction as they want you to do the best you possibly can



LOL... read something new

Yeah I'm seeing friends on Sunday, but I have to travel to them, so we don't meet up a lot. We do live in the middle of nowhere!

Don't worry, I don't blame my tutor, I appreciate him telling me, and I do want the best mark possible. I'm just a bit demoralised.

I have three months - I'm going to forget about my essays for a while and go back to them in a bit.

What probably drives you mad is something I really appreciate... working in London and living in a busy area means I love getting out to the countryside You definitely need a balance between the two, however. I'd go mad not being close to somewhere I could see concerts, shows and the like.

Good, good You'll be fine

That would be my approach, enjoy yourself for a bit and get stuck back into it when you're in a better frame of mind for essay-writing

**Apologies in advance to doctors and nurses**

GRRRR.
A friend of mine was knocked off his bike on MONDAY, and broke his hip, taken into hospital as an emergency etc...it's now FRIDAY and he's still waiting for a scan and the op to fix it...been in hospital all week in agony, flat on his back, waiting, being told it'd be today, then tomorrow, then the next day, then the next, and he's got a 3 month recovery period that he can't start till they fix it!!!

I know it's probably not the fault of the nurses/doctors at all, but what on earth is going on?!?!?! Just makes me so cross that they can leave him like that, and keep putting him off without explanation.

And I was about to complain about cutting my fingers on a stupid cardboard box

Ouch, that's like a giant paper cut!! not nice!

Chev, I hope your friend can begin treatment, very, very soon. It was on a much less awful scale, but when I was in hospital they had me fasting for days and then putting off doing whatever procedure they had been planning, and doing that over and over again the whole time I was in. I hope you're bearing up ok too, you must be very worried. *hugs*

Oh my, Solairi - that has got to hurt!

Lucy, if I could suggest something I would, but I can only think about how horrible a thought it must be. If you ever have any time off work, feel free to come and visit Scotland. *hugs* Look after yourself. xx

And my own argh is trivial, but I put my foot in it soooo badly at work today. Oops. *feels stupid*

It's such a nightmare, I've had similar experiences with procedures and ops and things being put off for a few hours/days/weeks, but only with planned admissions, which isn't so bad really...well, being made to wait in hospital for over two weeks for an op isn't fun but at least I knew I was going to be in and things were in place for my family and as it was a biggie I was kind of glad they were waiting until they did have enough time to do it properly...I was just annoyed that I'd been given a time they were supposed to have had enough time, and then they didn't! Just frustrated that he's in so much pain and just exhausted, his wife is upset and their young twins are distraught

Oopsy, what did you do?

That makes it even worse. Fingers crossed it's not too much longer.

Erm... I made a snappy comment about someone, and they heard me. I *never* say anything like that, in fact I barely even think anything like it, and I feel pretty terrible. I've apologised, and will do so again tomorrow if necessary, but she's the sort of person who really does hold a grudge and is unlikely to let it go easily. It wasn't anything truly awful I said, just your standard, 'Get off my back kind of thing...'. She's worked there longer than anyone else and as thus thinks she's got some sort of authority over everyone and is always dishing out tasks for us to do - fair enough. But after I'd spent hours cleaning the dispensary and getting rid of medication that had been left in a damp house for 2 years, she started on at me to do something I'd done that very morning, and starting picking faults in it. I know she was only trying to help, but it has been a long week.

hehe, well, sometimes people like that, need to hear those sorts of things to highlight areas they might just need to change! Plus, everyone has stressed out days where people just tip you over the edge, so hopefully she'll forget about it soon

Indeed. By my usual standards, I think I'm dealing with this one ok! And it'll be Sunday soon. Yay for days off.

Yay for days off indeed! Well, it won't be for me, because it's my dad's birthday on Sunday, but seeing as I can't walk and therefore can't do much I'll make up for all my other days off by actually doing something!!

Aw, how much longer til you can weight bear again?

Miss Ross, don't worry about it. She might even respect you more for standing up to her, and no-one infinite patience. The best thing I ever did with the last boss that annoyed me was yell at him until he sorted the issue out. He was always nice to me after that, and sorted any other problems out very swiftly.

(I guess angry Tamsin must be pretty scary when you're stuck up the top of a ladder in the stock room. And yes, I did apologise for loosing my temper at a later date.)

Lucky, you're also welcome to visit me here in Bath if the need to escape becomes too bad, and you can cope with decending upon a complete stranger Remember that after this year you should be able to stay in your own house over the long summer, depending on what your contract with your landlord is like.

I'm still feeling a bit rubbish, and I need to go chasing around househunting in a city I don't know tomorrow.

Does anyone else ever feel that the Parents are the kids?! And should really just grow up sometimes instead of being absolute tools

At least another week or so...next appointment is a week on Tuesday, and they'll try for a third time to get decent x-rays, and apparently if not they'll put me under so that everything relaxes and they can straighten my leg for me without it causing me agony and locking my leg for hours...

Today has been a week since I had to have my cat put to sleep. She would have been 17 tomorrow. She died 5 weeks after I had to have my dog put to sleep and 6 months after my horse died. I'm too numb to cry and life isn't the same without them.

I can't cry so I'd like to let out the largest scream ever

Oh no... Even the mere thought of this is disturbing to me. I'm not surprised you feel numb, but I'm sure that you know the pain will lessen with time, as hard as it is now.

Chev, I hope that goes well. Ben, yes. All the time!

Oh no that must be so horrible one of our dogs had a stroke yesterday, thankfully she's ok but very wobbly...but we thought we were going to lose her and the whole family came to a stand still I can't imagine losing any, let alone all of our pets, so I really do feel for you

I hate it so much when this happens
Our 17 year old cat got ill a few years ago, and deteriorated to not being able to walk about within a week. It was horrible. We booked to have her taken in and put to sleep, but mum couldn't do it, she'd been through so much with her. She died a day after the appointment was due, but mum still feels so guilty that she didn't take her in, and could have saved her a day of suffering.

And when you can't cry too. It's so hard. I'm sorry for your loss

What a terrible time people are having with their animals .. one of my dogs also had a stroke on Monday. Luckily it was quite mild but he's still a bit confused and wobbly.

((((((((hugs)))))))) to everyone who is worried or has lost their friends

I send s too

to all of you

That sounds very judgemental, Ben! What have your poor parents been guilty of?

Thanks Miss R. I'll live I guess. Anyway, some of my friends who are still here just had a pyjama and movie night with chinese food, and that's cheered me up a little bit.

I hope your thing blows over. I'm sure it won't be too bad, it must be fairly obvious why you were frustrated!

Xx

So sorry to hear these sad pet stories...

to you all..

I officially hate cisco's packaging, it gets me *every* time (yes, I'm thick and I never learn) Last time was quite nasty and there was blood all over the place. Fortunately this time it was only skin deep

I hope your friends treatment can start soon Chev

Grade 8 piano on Monday, 3:15 PM

Oooh good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine!

Thankyou! I'm quite nervous, I could really do with a distinction, it looks good for Uni applications etc and I'd rather not retake it!

Jacob.

Best not to worry too much about a distinction. If you want it too much, it could be counter-productive at this stage, as it will make any little slip seem enormous to you. Just resolve to play your best, enjoy the music, and accept that you may or may not get the magic 130.

We are all rooting for you here and hope it goes really well on Monday!

A bad half week so far - the gas supply to the whole area was cut off on Wednesday! A water main had burst and water has got into the gas pipes causing automatic shut down as the liquid reached peoples gas meters. We have had a large number of utilities vehicles and personnel working 24/7 digging up the road and, having located the fractured water main by today, pumping thousands of gallons of water out of the system. Latest information is that we should have a gas supply re-connected by early next week. We are not allowed to turn it on ourselves but have to let them complete safety checks in every property before supply is turned back on.
As we rely on gas for cooking and heating water it's salads, strawberries, and cold showers for us (not good at my age - TOO invigorating). The gas company have offered hot plates for cooking and, as I write, ours has just been delivered. We are lucky really as the local catering businesses (chip shop, Chinese take-away, Pizza parlour, cafe, etc., etc..) are all closed and have no trade.
p.s.
Just had an update from an engineer. We will not have gas before at least Tuesday as, apparently, not only water but gravel and other debris has found its way into the gas pipes which will all have to be thoroughly flushed out before supply can be restored.

Urgh, just went to music shop to get this flute piece I've been dying to get for ages (Ok, so I can't play it yet, and won't attempt to yet, but having the music will give me a kick up the behind to get me practicing so that I can play it! (It was Poulenc flute sonata, if anyone's interested. I've been listening to it for ages, and out of the blue my teacher says I should listen to the 2nd movement of a piece we might start working on in a few months and it's that one! Exciting stuff!)

I thought maybe I should get something for the piano too, just done my grade 2 exam, unlike flute I'm not having any lessons for something like 8 weeks (my teacher teaches at a private school, so her holidays are the same as theirs) she told me to learn the rest of the grade pieces

But I thought I'd get some music to really enjoy playing. Got a few "really easy pieces for piano" books which had film and pop music. They looked about right when I flicked through then, and the songs are great.

I got home and started playing them- the most boring arrangements ever! In the majority of the pieces, the left hand plays one note for 8 bars, then will switch to another couple of notes, the right hand plays the tune, with a couple of easy peasy chords a few times. I could sightread most of them. Grrr.

I'm going to take them back and swap them for maybe a nice jazz book, or that flute pirates of the caribbean book I was looking at.

Unfortunately for copyright reasons you can't take music back unless it is misprinted
You could however always put them on eBay / amazon

Ah, but you can at this place. We have done in the past.
Well, you can exchange it. Or get it put on your store card.

That sounds miserable I'm afraid it does remind me of Flanders and Swann's The Gasman Cometh (I love this version: - oops, link doesn't work - it's the Lego version on Youtube) though I do hope your experience doesn't go on as long as this.

PHOOOOEEYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The email hasn't come

Which had the first half of my essay in

Which is due in on Monday

And now I've got a chance to start on it properly, while it's too late at night do to any practicing for fear of upsetting the neighbours.

And it's not theeerrreeeee!!!

So all the work I've done is for nothing.

And I can't do any tomorrow because I'll be spazzing out and worrying, then will have a few hours after the exam.

But I've still got to paper mache this stupid thing that none of my friends could be bothered to do "Do I really have to? I've got two music exams and an essay this weekend to do" "Yeah, but I'm not carrying that thing with me on the bus" I had to walk home with it!

AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT. AND NOW I'M KICKING MYSELF
Why did I have to go and buy that stupid music? Why couldn't my sisters clean out the guinea pigs and rabbits? Why was I so damn lazy and haven't finished it yet?!

I hate myself sometimes.

I really like this piece! I heard it towards the end of last year, and thought that just maybe I might be able to play the slow 2nd movement. My teacher agreed I should try, and gave me a copy. I got stuck into it and bought my own copy of the complete sonata to have a look at some time in the future.

But I found the slow movement quite difficult - not so much getting all the right notes in the right order, but getting them to sound as beautiful as I had heard it played on the radio. It was then that my teacher told me it was a Grade 7 piece.... .

I am sure you are going to enjoy learning it.

I saw a really serious smash on the motorway while I was on my way back home today... despite complaining about stuff on here, it really puts what are actually trivial things into perspective..

One of the lasses on my corridor has started making a fuss about me playing my flute in my room.

I have checked with her several times over the course of the year whether she minds me playing my flute in my room, and she has always said that it doesn't disturb her at all. Each time I discussed it with her I have said that if there are times when she's got a lot of work on and doesn't want me to play at all then she should let me know (and I have followed the same pattern with everyone else on my corridor). I deliberately practice at the time of day when she is generally at the other end of the house cooking and then spending time in the common room and her boyfriend's room in order that I am not disturbing her at a time of day when she works.

I discovered when I got back from church after lunch that she's been complaining to other people for a couple of months that I'm upsetting her by playing. She has said to the others that she's told me that my playing is upsetting her and that I have ignored her feelings about this. She has NOT told me anything of the sort.

We (the people who mentioned it to me and myself) have established that I have actually had a conversation with her since she started complaining to other people, and she said in this conversation that my playing didn't bother her at all.

I'm not going to bring the issue up unless she says something to me, because I've always left it open that she should let me know if she has a problem with me playing at particular times. She has a history of spreading things about people to create arguments through which she can then become the poor little victim whom everyone is treating unfairly and it has already created no end of problems for other people.

This is not what I need 2 weeks before the Stalybridge concert. My chances of being able to wangle the use of a university practice room will be virtually zero now that the conference season has started. Do I pull out of the concert, or do I still try to play even though I may well not have played my flute for 2 weeks.

This is not what I need 2 weeks before the Stalybridge concert. My chances of being able to wangle the use of a university practice room will be virtually zero now that the conference season has started. Do I pull out of the concert, or do I still try to play even though I may well not have played my flute for 2 weeks.
[/quote]

Don't worry, and don't pull out unless you feel you really must. I've been practising the accompanyment up to crochet = 55 now and will be practising all this week. Then, I am at the Ribble Valley Piano week before going direct to Stalybridge on the Saturday morning, so I won't get any practise for the week leading up to our concert. Hopefully, we will get enough time to rehearse on the morning of the concert.

This.

She sounds like an attention-seeker who wants the sympathy. Don't let her ridiculous behaviour ruin your performance, she's had plenty of opportunities to object

I hate selfish people like this

I wouldn't put it in quite the same way as Solari, but my sentiments are similar. You've given the girl every opportunity to tell you whether your playing bothers her, and she's said nothing, so I'd carry on as usual. There's no reason why you should take notice of a third party if you've been assured by the girl herself that you are not bothering her.

LOL.. I'm not quite as diplomatic as usual tonight, but I've met plenty of this type of person in the past. They relish stirring things and also crave attention under the pretence of being a victim

Flossie: Practice all you like and blow the audience away come performance time You won't have to put up with the aforementioned person for *that* much longer as a proportion of your life so who cares? Maybe ask again if there is a problem and see what she says face-to-face?

You lot seem to have got her sussed. Obviously I don't want to make people unhappy, and I don't want to unsettle the house dynamics (which in a hall with 25 people is an important consideration). This is the first time I personally have had problems with her, but there have been a whole string of problems between her and other people in the house and between her and the uni - all of which have been created by her for the purpose of becoming a victim and gaining attention and sympathy (sorry if that sounds unsympathetic). People are really sick of this behaviour, which is why there is such a danger of it now destablising the whole house. I appreciate that her behaviour is likely to be caused by deeper unhappines, and that her lying and problem creating is probably a coping strategy for this. However, her approach of upsetting other people and making them unhappy in order to make herself feel better is very destructive for the rest of the house, and telling lies about people in order to turn other people against them (which she has tried several times) is frankly not acceptable.

What has really annoyed me is her lying. I have no objection to re-negotiating practice times if she wants to do that, but I DO object to her telling other people that she has told me not to play and that I have refused to listen - because this is quite simply not true. If she has a problem with my playing then she should talk to me, rather than spreading lies around the house.

Oldnotes - I'm going to see how things evolve before I make a decision on Stalybridge. I know you've put a lot of time into the accompaniment and I would feel realy bad pulling out. However, If I haven't been able to play my flute for two weeks at that point then there is no way I'd actually be able to get through the piece.

It's only really the next two weeks which are a problem because from late July until the end of August I'll be looking after a friend's cats and guinea pig and will be able to practice there (without any close neighbours to disturb), and I'm looking to get a 1st September let for wherever I live next. It is unfortunate that the next two weeks are vital in terms of preparation for the Stalybridge concert.

AAAAARGH, just opened the 'fridge, and a whole punnet of blueberries fell out and rolled all over the floor.
Some I accidentally trod on and squashed !


Thats my 5000th post !