h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Nah, broke the scaffoids on both sides of my left wrist. It was painful and a nuisance at first, but it's alright now.

Will probably be all fixed on Christmas.

slippery one off the wrist

I empathise. I reckon I broke the third toe on my right foot when I tried to insert it through a brick wall a few years back. At the very least it hurt like hell doubled in size and turned black for a while. But that's the only one, amongst various other self-inflicted injuries: I've come to the conclusion that I bounce.

its been a while so i would just check if there was any more news about your problems with the school and all that and have your attackers been brought to justice???

Gonna write a bit of a prologue to this, finished school for the year yesterday and it seems a nice time to reflect.

Having read back through this I'd forgotten just how bad this academic year has been: I guess I've tried to send a lot of this to the back of my mind and let the pain fade.

The best thing is just how unrecognisable my life is now compared to last September or December. I no longer live in Bradford, and don't have to worry about being heckled or assaulted as I walk around the streets of my home and, because I'm living rent-free, I don't have any financial worries. I'm doing a Masters next year, so whatever happens with the job I have a definite escape route next July, and real prospects. That takes the pressure right off and means I can just really enjoy my job and ignore the bad parts.

The interview for my Masters (in careers guidance) was great fun: it was like my greatest hits. For every single question they said "You've already partially answered this but..." and it put the past 18 months at the school in a more positive light; for the work I want to do, the work I'm really passionate about, the school gives me opportunities for experience I could never get anywhere else. Without the pressure, that becomes pretty exhilarating and it also makes me realise I haven't wasted my time there.

Staying at the school for another year means I get to work on the last ever Aimhigher events, which is kinda cool as I worked on some of the very first and it gives my life over the past 7/8 years a structure I've missed: I've worked constantly and consistently to help kids out. That's a nice feeling.

To finish it all off I got a card from the Headmaster yesterday, a man who I've come incredibly close to starting formal complaints against at several points and I'm gonna quote exactly what he said:

"Thank you for all your hard work this year and the very positive way you've handled yourself after a difficult time. Have a great break."

Now ignoring that he was one of the reasons last year was so hard, it still made me nearly cry. I've been *amazing* the past few months, got some great stuff done and it was lovely to get recognition for it. Compare this to how I was only 9 months ago and it's mind-blowing: I might still be a bit of a mess in some ways, but I don't have that button that tells you to give up on a lost cause. On days like today, I'm very happy for that.

If you've read this far, apologies for being so long-winded and self-indulgent but it, it's been a long year and I've earned it. Thanks for all the support and kind words over the year too.

have the scroats been sent down??

Nothing happened to them as far as I know. Police stopped calling and I didn't chase them up, mostly because I don't care enough.

How interesting, I must think on this further

Actually that sounds a little out of place, I hasten to add I have read the whole backlog

A couple of questions spring to mind - Do you feel you were specifically targeted? Racial or other reasons, or was it a random attack on a stranger?
The fact two of the assailents tracked you to the school tends to lead me believe it was a specifically targeted attack, I don't know?

I'd kicked the three lads out of school: I dunno if targeted is the right word as they didn't look for me to attack me, but when they had the opportunity they took it.

Hmmmmm, I have to ask. On what grounds were you involved with their dismissal? There are other things I have in mind, but I do like to have a good idea of the background before progressing

This is where it starts to sound really bad: they'd hit me before, when I was trying to deal with a complaint from another teacher. School was reluctant to expel them but I pushed for it.

No that's not bad at all, you were quite right to insist the school take a firm line, and it does appear they have no redeeming features what-so-ever. Nohing more from the as yet?

It's ok, I'm not playing my usual puerile games on this one. Genuine concern and interest. I abhor un-warrented violence, especially on our streets

I decided to not chase up the police because I just want it to be left in the past. I don't want it coming back and bothering me.

And norti, while we might disagree on *a lot* of stuff, I don't think you're a bad person. Just a crazy Tory

You're so right No that's me Oh bugger, think I'll just become a moderate and have done with it.