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

Urban Hymns is good but A Northern Soul is better

Hi Mark -

You're probably gone by now, but at least I found this spot!!! Do you mean we can talk about ANYTHING over here??!! I always seem to have to learn the rules the hard way; so a sentence or two of pointers from you might not be amiss, about any hard and fast boundaries I shouldn't cross. Please delete any of my posts to you on the other boards that are a problem for you. I wouldn't intentionally cause you problems for the world!!! I think you know that, don't you, Mark? Not in a million years. Not such a sweetie-pie as you. What is your sign, by the way?? I have been dying to ask, but felt like I was already in the doghouse as it was.... Are you a Libra, by any chance? That's a wonderful sign, and it sounds just like you.

I'm glad you'll still be around till Wednesday. I'll bet you can hardly wait to hop on that plane. I loved Greece when I was there. I had just flown in from Rome, and it was so different in Athens!! In Rome, I'd be on a crowded bus, jammed in so I couldn't turn around or even move. And suddenly I would feel hands caressing my backside!!! I couldn't even shift an inch to move away, or turn enough to see who was doing it so I could tell them to stop!!! God!!! Then in Athens on the bus, people were reading the newspaper and minding their own business. Such a refreshing change.

Okay, I will take Urban Hymns back and order Northern Soul (the CD I got was the only verve cd they had.) Gotcha! I like the title of the latter. It appeals to my interest in all this accent business and the differences between the north and south of England.

I feel like I can breathe more freely over here. It's nice. And, btw, conversation with you could never possibly become mundane. I can just tell that you are a really fun person, besides being a sweetie. No worries there, mate!

Carol

Okay, I just went and read the house rules, and they seem almost the same as W/C. All the same restrictions. Or am I misinterpreting?

Oooo! This is fun! Not having to worry about how much I write!

I guess it's just that when you and Steve were talking about him, the person I pictured was so ordinary, really. So it was a shocker to see those delicate cheekbones and that beautifully-sculpted face. Plus, he has a great voice; not the gravelly voice of some singers. Like I said, it sounds like dark honey flowing...so sensually...Mmmm. I was smitten.
It'll wear off soon; I can tell. But along those lines: he doesn't look like he comes from 'working class' stock, do you think? Those look like what I would think of as finely-drawn, aristocratic features. Am I way off base on making such a statement, Mark? You do know what I mean, though, right? And wouldn't you agree with that statement?? I mean, look at the other guys in the group!!! It's like a different planet, in comparison!!! Don't you think????

No propositions yet? I AM surprised. You come across as so innocent (that's a high compliment, Mark!!) and sweet (females LOVE these traits!!!!) but extremely capable, judicious and balanced (a PERFECT combination of the former and the latter!!!). And you write just beautifully!!!!!...A bright and shining intelligence behind those words. They are TRULY a pleasure to read...especially when you are talking about philosophers and scientists of the past. It knocks me out!!!

Assistant producer!!! Totally cool, Mark. I AM impressed! You said once before that you probably wouldn't always be with the BBC. Have you had thoughts about some other kind of career endeavor for the future? Not that it's any of my business, of course!

Hello Carol
Welcome to the wonderful world of DNA - that's the bit of kit that runs these community websites, such as WW2, H2G2 etc.
The main difference about House Rules, is that in DNA you have a journal where you can talk about pretty much anything - which really you aren't supposed to do over on the W&C history board.

Carol, I know you wouldn't cause me any problems! I just worry about the others on the site who have to read what I think are my favourite songs! Poor things, it must be tough for them when really they've just come for a chat about World War One or something. But please don't feel like you're in the dog house - far from it!

What is my sign? I'm intrigued you think I'm a Libran - what are their good and bad points? I will tell you my sign now - I was going to make you wait, but I'm off work tomorrow for a wedding, and I couldn't make you wait the whole weekend now, could I??? I'm Tauro, the bull! I think our main trait is being stubborn - I prefer the word 'loyal'

I really can't wait for Greece - it has such a laid back approach to life, and all I'm going to do is lay around reading books, swimming and eating Greek salad and pizza. Bring it on! I haven't been to Italy since I was a kid, but I've heard many stories about wandering hands - I gather that they aren't flustered by a firm brush-off and just move onto to the next. So brazen!

Urban Hymns - before you go rushing back out to the shops on my account, it's considered a modern classic album over here. I just happen to prefer A Northern Soul. It's like Oasis, everyone raved about What's the Story, but I prefer Definitely, Maybe. The Manic Street Preachers' best album was supposedly Everything Must Go, but their first two albums again are much better. And Metallica too - their 'Black' album is supposed to be another modern classic, breakthrough album, but Master of Puppets is far superior

As for Ian Brown, I've always thought he was, well, 'distinctive' looking. I can see what you mean about his sculptured features and all, but can you not see a certain ape-like quality too? As for his voice, I have to confess, I don't think it's very good. What you think of as 'dark honey flowing' (which is really very descriptive), I think of as just being a bit rubbish. I saw him live at a festival last year (he's done a couple of albums of solo stuff which aren't bad), but to be honest I couldn't tell you if he was any good at singing live, I was a wee bit tipsy. Apparently the Roses played the Reading Festival in, I think, '95 or possibly 96, and by all accounts were awful. Then they broke up.
Don't you just love the guitar on 'Made of Stone'? And the lyrics to Sally Cinnamon just rock. Reminds me of when I worked in a bar. That was a good summer!

Carol, I don't think I write beautifully at all - I never (well, hardly ever) set about my messages in a planned manner, it just kinda all comes out, and then I get caught out by all sorts of clever people on the board. But that's something I love - the chance to debate with some really, really clever people. And all this talking about history stuff has really made me want to get back into learning formally, I have an undergrad degree in history with a minor in philosophy. I really enjoyed the history of ideas stuff I did and the philosophy courses. Think I should at least get myself some simple books and ease my way back into it. Aaaaah pipe dreams, will it ever happen? I doubt it, I like the easy life too much

As for my career, well, I've been here for four years now, so it might be time to move on. It's difficult. I love my job. I get to read history all day, speak to the audience about it through the message boards, then discuss with, and commission, history experts to write about their specialist field, and I get to put it on the web. And I get to make 'movies' (which aren't really movies as such, they are Flash movies) too (I'll add the URL to the First World War movies I produced last year, I really like them, at the bottom of the message. You need the Flash plug-in, and wear headphones too). But I wonder if it's time for a new challenge? Part of me thinks I should go off to do the website of a museum or other public institution (I love the public-sector ethos, even if it's for public-sector pay), and part of me thinks, nah, go and be a plumber, they're minted! And then part of me says, go and be a teacher. Decisions, decisions.

Well, that's far too much about me. Your turn... And we should get Steve over here too

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwone/launch_ani_wwone_movies.shtml

I've just remembered you said you were a Leo. The Lion, of all things. I had to look it up - "Proud, jealous (sibling rivalry starts here), vain, bullying, pompous, snobbish, intolerant, dogmatic, stubborn, patronising, egotistical, conceited."

Where as I am "Warm, practical, sensual, reliable, patient, persistent, solid, determined, industrious, strong willed, affectionate, warm hearted, trustworthy."

Carol, I'm teasing you. Actually: "Taureans at their best are typically strong and silent, but often appear ignorant and wilfully obstinate to others.

Lazy, possessive, self-indulgent, dull, inflexible, unoriginal, unimaginative, greedy, stubborn, resentful, hidebound by routine."

Whereas "Leos are creative, generous, enthusiastic, organized (if bothered), broad minded, expansive, dramatic."

Source: Astrology UK

HI Mark!

Oh, this place is wonderful! We should have come here long ago. A Taurus!! I would never have guessed in a million years! But then, I'm terrible at guessing. I suppose it's just a matter of having enough pertinent tidbits of information about someone; and over on the other board, only the 'sweetness and light' side of you comes through.

Well, Libra, the scales of justice, looks on both sides of every argument in the interest of fairness. I had a Libra boss once, and she was wonderful (mainly because she thought I was wonderful!! ha ha!). But she was the best boss I've ever had. So fair; an important quality in a boss, don't you think? The one I have now is not fair,IMO, and he has caused me grief. He's a major control freak, and wants everything HIS way. He's also anal retentive. But,OTOH, he and I have had some wonderfully friendly conversations. Of everyone where I work, he and I probably have the friendliest relationship. But that's when he's in his 'human being' mode, as opposed to his control freak mode. Ooops. I WAS talking about YOU, somewhere back there. It's fun to be able to get sidetracked and not have to worry about it, apart from the risk of boring the heck out of YOU!

Taurus. I think 'loyal' is a good alternate word. (smile) Which is a wonderful trait. However, taurus is an earth sign, and earth puts out fire. I'm a fire sign, Leo. Earth and water signs put out fire. It seems like the guys I know almost always end up being earth and water signs. Don't know why that happens. I was married to an earth sign for a few years - virgo. As I've mentioned elsewhere, we got along sooo well after we were divorced, and had the best times together. But being married adds expectations, doesn't it? I think expectations can be the downfall of any relationship. And I was immature at 21, because I'd never really been on my own as a person in the world. I am VERY independent now, and only the most amazing individual could ever possibly tempt me to give up my freedom. Well, I could never REALLY give up my freedom. It's too much a part of me. I live and breathe freedom, every moment of every day.

"I was going to make you wait." Ah HA! A little bit sadistic, are we, Mark, my friend!! Now the true Mark starts to seep out a little! (heh, heh) But you didn't make me wait; maybe there's a bit of Libra in there somewhere after all! So are you stubborn, Mark?? Tell me. I would love to know. You don't seem like you are on the boards. Maybe you could give me an example of a time or two when you were noticeably stubborn?

When I read the leo stuff in the astrology books, I never much like what it says. But some of it is really true. Leos, like taurus, are also extremely loyal. I am very affectionate, generous, loyal, open, sunny, courageous. No point in mincing words, is there? (ha ha) I prefer to tell it like it is. I also have plenty of faults. No point in going into those now, unless you want me to. I am certainly aware of all those and will freely admit to them, not without chagrin, of course!! But I do work on them. Procrastination is my worst fault. A life-long battle that will be, indeed!

Greece!!! Oh, you lucky dog. I hope everything goes so well, and that you have just the best, most relaxing time in the world! I'm sure you will. And will you think of us at all, when you're on the beach? Or will you wipe us out of your mind for the duration???

About Italy - there must be something in the air or water, because it's not just the Italians!!! I was walking through a museum, engrossed in sculpture, when some Japanese guy started coming on to me. Then,later, I was sitting on a wall, talking to an American guy, waiting for the hostel to open, when some Arab guy hops up on the wall next to me and puts his hand on my thigh!!! The American guy and I just looked at each other in amazement!

Ian Brown - well, I have two pictures. In the black and white, he looks exquisite. But in the color, I can see possibly what you might mean about slightly simian. About his voice, well, I'm listening carefully to the CD. (not at the moment) I don't want to just play it as background music now while it's all so new to me. And in some songs, his voice is soooo smooth. I really love the music. It's such a treat and a pleasure. "...rubbish." I love it!! Now that must be the taurus coming out! Couldn't tell if he was good at singing live? You must have been smashed!!!! Would LOVE to have seen THAT sight!!!! Our Mark, stumbling around in a haze. I notice I have been drinking more since I started talking to you guys!!! Well, it's all in line with the anthem, isn't it? Sex, Drugs, and Rock'n'Roll!!! You've probably never done the second; but alcohol is a drug, I guess.

Worked in a bar? I'll bet that was a fun summer job! Seeing all those people. The summer before university I had a job working in a real estate office. I learned how to run LOTS of machines, including a huge printing press. I've always loved machines. I tuned my own car once, and it ran beautifully. It took me forever, though.

The guitar work on roses is incredible. Well, the drums, too. In fact, everything about them. I read the six pages of interviews again last night. I LOVED reading what Ian and John said. Really gave me a new respect for the group to hear how bright they are, and how hard and consciously they worked on their music to make it so very very good and distinctive.

I'm going to post this now, but I'll keep on writing. SOOOOO fun.

Oh, yes, you DO write beautifully! I've read a couple of longer things of yours over on talking point; and they are perfectly expressed, with exquisite sentence structure and word choice! No, no; no point in being modest with me!!! I've been thinking about going back to school, too; but just taking maybe one history class each semester. And I wouldn't need to take them for credit, since I don't EVER plan to get a PhD; and I already have a master's in English. I just would like to be around some 'history types'; graduate students, just for the interchange of ideas in discussion. If I weren't taking it for credit, I wouldn't have to write the papers or take the exams, but I probably would anyway. After all, the point in being there is to learn!

About being a teacher. You would be great!!! I should know. I AM a teacher!!! I teach Literature to 185 thirteen-year-olds every day!!! I LOVE my students!!! They are SO fun and full of energy. We have the best time together. And because they can tell that I love them, they love me right back!!! And, Mark, I change their lives. Parents come back and tell me this. They'll tell me that before their kid came to me, he was a slug, with no goals or ambition. But after my class, he changed, and his life changed, and he is like a whole different person now. Isn't that a wonderful thing to be able to hear, Mark??? It gives me the deepest joy to hear that. But I can't explain how it happens, really. I respond to the parent that, yes, we have really good programs at our school. And they'll say, no no, it was YOU!!! So I guess I'll have to believe them. It makes everything worthwhile to hear something like that. Because I do believe they meant it. Mainly, (besides teaching the subject matter!!!), I love talking to my students. I didn't realize that I was the only teacher they had that did that, until they told me. But I talk to them about life, and the 'real' world. I teach them how to set up short and long-term goals. I try to explain the reasons they need to learn something (like irregular verbs, ha ha) for their future success. The literature I choose to teach always silently gives them messages about relating to the world in an honourable and sensitive way. And guess what? I have the first book of the Hornblower series that I meant to get to this past semester, but ran out of time! Damn! The old time problem rears its ugly head once again!

So teaching can be just wonderful. It's also, at least in the US, stressful, overwhelming, and not particularly well-paid. Thinking of the last day of school on May 30 almost brings tears to my eyes because of the kids that came up to give me hugs. I teach 7th grade. And 8th graders coming back to say how much they have missed me and my class. What an emotional last day! These kids are just the best. I love them.

My my my. Think I have got some of the real Carol here! I've had to copy your posts into a long text editor so I can go through them bit by bit and reply properly. But you're a teacher! I remember once ages ago on the board someone said they thought you were in education or something else (I can't remember what) and I definitely pegged you for education, but initially not as a teacher - your email address isn't a '.edu' - is it only universities that have that?

Plus recently you said you often had to present in front of 180-odd people, and there's no way you could have been a teacher. Our class sizes are around about 30-35 and everyone moans that they are too large already. A lecture hall would fit that many - but grade 7 is what, 11 years old? How come so many?

I would love to teach, but like in the States, the pay seems a bit crap. Although the government is finally recognising that there's a bit of a crisis in UK education - no-one wants to teach, it seems. So now they are on a big recruitment drive, you can get your student debts paid of if you do a HE (Higher Education) conversion course (PGCE - Post Graduate Certificate in Education) which allows you to become a teacher, and they've turned around that phrase, and the big media campaign is 'Those who can, teach'. It's a very good campaign, really. I can well believe that your students, and their parents, love you as a teacher. You seem to have boundless enthusiasm, which is something I like, and are very quick to praise and also inquisitive. All good stuff. And the reason I think I would like to teach is because of the teacher I had when I was 9-10. Good guy.

So if you've finished school now are you having a long holiday from work? Teachers here get 13 weeks over a year, including 6 weeks in the summer. My brother's wife (more info for you there!) is a teacher, in maths of all things (I wasn't very good at maths, should never have taken it at A Level!), and a couple of friends too, and whilst they love it, they do find it hard work, long hours and stressful - but as you say, supremely rewarding. Successive governments have allowed the profession to become devalued, both financially and in terms of respect, but I have nothing but respect for people who teach - little is more important than teaching the next generations, instilling values, ambition and self-belief, is it? But I read in a paper a year or two ago, they had conducted some comparative survey, and to have the level of 'quality of life' that a similar couple had in the 70s, a husband and wife teaching would need to earn about £90K I think, that's probably about $150K! Right, enough politics from me

I'll try and actually answer your posts now in a separate message!

Taurus, yes indeedy. And I'm all sweetness and light! Actually, 'sweet' isn't really a word chaps like too much - like cute - it's a bit soft. I mean, I *am* quite soft, but you don't need it pointing out do you

Fairness is a very important quality (especially in teaching, I used to hate injustices at school), but you haven't bored me yet with your digressions! Earth puts out fire, you say. Oh dear. Like you, my g/f is a Leo! Although that website I was on earlier said Taurus was 'most compatible' with Leo (although the Leo page didn't mention Taurus)! Oh well.

I certainly do think marriage adds expectations to a relationship. But I think in the right relationship you get the right balance between independence and partnership, no? Or maybe you don't feel (I mean 'one doesn't feel', not you in particular) you crave independence so much if your wants, needs and goals coincide?

Am I stubborn? Carol, oh my God yes! I am incredibly stubborn. And bloody-minded too. I frequently argue against someone (in a debate) even though secretly I agree whole-heartedly with them, or take an antagonistic stance. I think it does them good to make sure they know not only what they are talking about (which I frequently don't, I'll often argue a point on limited knowledge as you may have seen), and that they have properly considered all sides of the problem. That's something I'm quite good at, is seeing both sides of an issue - often in meetings I'll be the last to speak as I like to hear what everyone has to say so I can give a rounded opinion. Then I'll wade in with a gem and solve all the world's ills. Maybe I should have been a teacher! An example? Not really an example, but my boss once told me that I need to 'pick my arguments' more carefully - as in, I should be more choosy what I make a stand over. Some things just aren't worth the hassle. I can't help it though

Carol, we all have good and bad points - if you wish to tell me what yours are I'm happy to listen (well, to read them) but equally I don't wish to pry, and this isn't exactly a private place to cleanse the soul. It is the world-wide web, after all. But I figured on 'procrastination' - you accuse yourself of it a lot on the Messageboards!

Greece - Will I think of you lot whilst I'm on the beach? Maybe you guys - I'll miss the interaction - but hopefully I won't think of the 'work'. And Paul made me laugh today - if I read that book of his, Terrible Beauty, I'll be thinking of you all.

You can go to Google and perform an 'image search' on Ian Brown. The first picture that came up when I did it was a monkey! That's true. Erm, but actually, yes I was smashed when he was on stage. He does this strange dance when he's on stage, sort of marking time but in a very Manchester way, and we were mimicking him. But the guitars on any Roses track - John Squire - are truly wonderful. Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. Carol, I'm sweetness and light. I've never done any of them...


Oops - on being a teacher - you did say your students were 13! I really must pay attention. Aha - that's why you asked Steve what he was like as a 13 year old at school isn't it? I can't see me ever getting a PhD either, but maybe some kind of diploma in history and/or philosophy wouldn't hurt. If I can be disciplined enough with time and money - courses aren't cheap, are they? And I should have had you pegged as an English teacher - you know what a preposition is and you write well.

Well, I guess that's me until Monday now, off to that wedding tomorrow... Have a great weekend.

PS - Did you ever email Condi Rice?

PPS - 'Our Mark' is very Manchester. You're catching on

PPS - 'Our Mark' is very Manchester. You're catching on

Mark -

I didn't even come here at first, because I thought my last posts were after you had already left yesterday. Imagine my surprise to find your replies when I wandered over today, just for the heck of it!! What a treat! And so nice and long! Did you wait around after hours or something? We liberal arts majors are a talkative lot, don't you think? Communication is such a wonderful thing! Just can't beat it.

Gosh, Mark, I would have thought that 'the real Carol' had been rampaging through your messageboard quite flagrantly for lo' these many months, by now. I feel like I have laid bare my soul for all the world to see on more than one occasion. But yes, I didn't want to
tell the board I was a teacher; because then I would feel that I might be seen as somehow 'representing' my profession. That any outrageous remark I might make might be seen as 'more' shocking because I AM a teacher. It's a tricky job to have, at least over here. Over here, teachers can't act like just a normal member of the public, even on their own time! So I have been slinking around a bit to keep that under wraps. It was especially difficult when trying to talk to Steve about any 'system abuse' I may or may not have committed somewhere along the line. So I tried to speak as 'obliquely' as possible. It's tricky. And Mark, I'm sure you have done all those things (S,D,R&R)in vast and abundant quantities!!!!!
(smile) ....sweetness and light or not!!!!

Yes, Roger guessed, and I did want to tell him. He seems like such a nice person, with a great sense of humour; and I enjoy talking with him when he's around. But he's almost never around. The '.edu' I'm pretty sure is just for universities. I did wonder about you looking at my email address. And sure enough, you were! You do have a good memory, Mark. Roger was making those guesses ages ago...January, maybe?

"I pegged you for education...but initially not as a teacher." Do you mean you thought I was a student, then? (smile) I do feel like a teenager much of the time, actually. And since I spend so much of my time with them, it's just that much easier to feel that way. (SO totally awesome, man!) Btw, can you see why I love being on the boards and being able to speak with intelligent adults for part of every day??? It's like ecstasy for me, it really is, Mark. You'll never be able to get rid of me! Sorry about that, but it's true!

I enjoy talking with my fellow teachers; but, as you might imagine, it's a lot of shop talk, and I've heard it all before. We do get to laughing hysterically in the teachers' lounge from time to time, though. Our librarian was out walking in a nearby creekbed a while back, and suddenly came across a naked teenager in flagrante delicto, enjoying himself 'immensely'. The kid was about 15 (not one of ours!!!). She got a lot of mileage out of telling that story over the next few months. I think the jokes the rest of us made about the incident were the funniest part, though!

If students had any idea what goes on the in teachers' lounge sometimes, they would just die. I shouldn't really tell you this next bit, but obviously I'm going to anyway. About three years ago, I was on a team with four other teachers, 3 guys and another female; and all of us were single at the time. We met as a team daily in the lounge for an hour; and for an entire school year, we talked about nothing but sex. I still can't believe it when I think about it. We talked about EVERYTHING. Even though I had massive amounts of work that I needed to be doing in that time slot, I wouldn't have missed those conversations for the world. It was just unprecedented. Never before; never again, will it happen. Needless to say, we know almost everything there is to know about each other now. (smile)

Well, the 185 people thing is the total of my students for six classes of Literature. My biggest class is 33, because I can't fit any more desks into my classroom than that. At the beginning of every year, the class sizes are sometimes all screwed up, so that for a few weeks I might have 38 in a class! What a nightmare that is! Bodies everywhere, and not enough books. But one does soldier on!!!

And when I mentioned doctors, lawyers and CEO's, that's because at Open House at the beginning of the year, all the parents follow their student's schedule through all his/her classes. Since I teach in a VERY affluent area, many of the parents are as stated. We have US senators' kids, the whole bit. Which makes it interesting, to say the least. Those parents, as perhaps you might guess, are often quite troublesome, and like to throw their weight around whenever the thought occurs to them. Actually, I have always rather liked getting to know the parents. Especially when they say nice things to me! (smile) That's one of a Leos favorite things, Mark. But it's meaningless unless you know they are being truthful and not just sucking up! (When the kids do that, I ask them if they are sucking up; and then we both have a good laugh...because they probably were! They're so fun!)

Well, we are having a double crisis over here, Mark. The economy sucks because of 9/11 (Bin Laden would be glad to hear); and the states' budgets are consequently a disaster. Plus there was a major teacher shortage. My school just gave pink slips to 6 teachers, because we had to cut another $200,000 from our site's budget over what we had already cut! God. Wonder what this fall will be like? (cringe)

Didn't manage my time well today, because I didn't know I had your posts to answer! So though I will have to quit in a few minutes, I will continue on tomorrow.

There have been recruitment drives over here for a few years, too; and it seems to be attracting people from other professions to switch over. I think a lot of people would like to teach. Almost everyone had at least one special teacher that had a big impact on them at an impressionable age. It's funny, because though I can remember most of my teachers, I can't really say that any particularly influenced me in any noteworthy fashion. I'll have to give it some thought, though.

What age group do you think you might like to teach, Mark? Obviously, that's an enormously important consideration. I'm a secondary teacher, so I'm certified to teach grades 7-12; though I was seriously thinking about teaching college this summer, and will probably do that eventually. I even downloaded the application forms and read through all the classes for which they were hiring teachers at the junior college near my house. My friend teaches college night classes throughout the school year. I don't know how she does it. She teaches 8th grade Language Arts during the day at my school, and then college three nights a week. God!

The first kids I ever taught were seniors in high school, so I was just a few years older than they. The class was called Senior Composition. I was a student teacher at the time. It was a wonderful experience. I loved those seniors. They were terrific.

About the seniors. I remember so much about student teaching, but one of my favourites is the first time I told a joke and the whole class really cracked up. They weren't just laughing politely, either. I thought, Wow! I should take this act on the road! I can see how comedians get addicted to this wonderful and spontaneous response.

Thank you for the very nice compliments! Can you hear this Leo purring all the way across the Atlantic? About praise. I AM quick to praise, but only when it's truly warranted. False praise is such a fraud. Any kid would recognize false praise in about two seconds. They are really very astute. And I do respect them as the completely unique individuals they are.

I also have to be intimidating sometimes. I give a few warnings, and then I explain what will happen if they persist in fooling around, talking, etc. What will happen is a fate worse than death. I will kick them out and into the corner of an 8th grade classroom where they have to stand the whole period and probably take some verbal abuse from the 8th graders when the teacher isn't looking. This is extremely effective, and I try to do it right at the beginning of the year to get the point across. Then, for the rest of the time, I can be all sweetness and light, too!

Yes, I have June and July off, and go back August 6. Students arrive on the 11th. The summer does fly by, and I have all those things I procrastinated about all spring to do now! I guess we have 13 weeks off per year, too, though I had never actually counted it that way. I would rather have more time off during the school year, the way you have it. Some schools here do that.

Ok, I won't call you 'sweet' anymore. And, Mark, the strangest thing is that you seem SO different here! It's incredible! On the board you are so polite, helpful, sunny and courteous that it makes you seem, well, very sweet and innocent! But here you seem just like a regular guy. I guess that's because you ARE a regular guy! It's like two completely different people! I just can't get over it. The other Mark is like a snuggly teddy bear. This Mark is not so sweet and innocent, but more a real person, somehow. I like both of you, but I like this one better!!!

Math is not my favourite subject either. I think I could have been good in math if I'd ever had any decent teachers who could have answered my questions. I always wanted to know WHY is it done this way. I'm sure there must be an answer to that question; but I was never able to extract it from anyone. So I just memorized HOW to do it, and did it; but didn't necessarily understand the concept behind what I was doing. Steve said he just always understood. Must be nice.

I cannot believe this. I just opened a zodiac book to the taurus-leo pages, and my eye caught this line near the end of the article: "Whatever age the bull may be, he's a teddy bear at heart." Can you believe that, after I just wrote what I did??? Amazing! This is a great book. It's called Linda Goodman's Love Signs, and it pairs up all the signs. I read this section once, but I need to read it again.

Taurus - normally sincere, genuinely sympathetic, charming, easy-going and amusing with a comforting, earthy sense of humour. You create an aura of relaxation around you that others respond to with warmth. More later.

Summary: With Taurus and Leo, the tension starts like this (Goodman says): leo is too self-centered to give the strong silent bulls the devotion and obedience they need most of the time. Taurus is too stubborn to give leos the affirmation they need continually.

Well, what do you think about that statement, Mark? I think it sounds like the immature person I was when I was 21, with the expectations I placed upon my virgo. I single-handedly ruined that relationship; though after we separated, he was desperate to get me back and kept giving me 6-month deadlines, LOL. I did need to be cherished a little. Even a little would have done the trick. But just because he knew that's what I needed, that's what he wouldn't do! Total resistance. I still say it was my fault, for having the expectation in the first place. "Expecting" love from someone is the wrong way to get it. He was/is a great guy in a thousand ways. And a MAJOR, major hunk! God. Brilliant and incredible-looking. But I'd never want him back. That's water under the bridge. However, I'm SO different now. Expectations are anathema to me! I've grown up, I guess. I do so love the way I feel; because I TRULY feel that way; it's not just a 'good idea' to me. And the best part is that when I encounter every relationship with no expectations, I feel completely free, and open-hearted to whatever IS there, freely given and freely accepted. It makes life and love so much easier.

I did slip a bit in one relationship, however; it was one of those relationships that could never be; and I knew that from the beginning. But when you love someone so passionately, those obstacles are brushed aside without a glance. I have just recovered from that emotional extravaganza. I wouldn't have missed it for the world, though. (He was a Capricorn. Another earth sign!!! GOD!!!)

Anyway, I think leo and taurus could get along if they approached the relationship with conscious awareness ( I guess that's redundant. Who cares!) If they were consciously aware of the likely pitfalls and if they were really committed to the relationship, I think they could make it work.

Now I probably REALLY have bored you! And I still haven't answered all your posts!!!!

The way you talked about yourself in meetings is wonderful. I try to picture it, but I'm having trouble; because that's the "real" Mark - the Mark I have just met! And I'm not used to him yet! Coming in at the end and saving the world doesn't sound like something the sweet, innocent Mark would do. He would be sitting there radiating warmth and courtesy!!! And being all snuggly and squishy!!! I wish I could see the real Mark in a meeting. I can just see you sitting there with your arms folded, taking it all in, and ready to save the world. But that's great when you think about it. Problem-solving is a number one skill in demand everywhere. And people who are good at it, rise to the top poste haste. (At least, that's what I tell my students when I am getting ready to give them comprehension work to do on 'drawing conclusions and making inferences'. Of course, I really do believe it, or I wouldn't say it!!)

And right out of the Goodman book is almost the same example, but it's a Taurus at the workplace with a leo boss. The leo boss is ranting about a business deal, and making a shambles of it. He calls in his trusty young bull, who speaks with the Aries proposing the deal and puts everything right after a few moments of frank conversation. Just like you said!!!! This stuff amazes me.

The thing is, leos are so affectionate and caring. And the bull loves affection and care, it says. So that part seems like a winner, don't you think?

Taurus loves to acquire the finer things in life. Leo loves to enjoy them. Taurus is happy to work hard and determinedly for his goals and worldly gain. Leo is good at finances and could be successful financially in her own right. I don't know. All that sounds pretty good to me. Whaddaya think???

I forgot to mention that I am VERY adventurous. That's my favourite of all my traits. I like that more than anything, really. I positively LUST for adventure. That's why I love to travel and meet new people. My bad traits I'll glide over for now. Who cares about them anyway!

I haven't emailed Condi Rice yet. But I did email the Attorney General of the US!!!! John Ashcroft. I emailed him at the Department of Justice. And I know that he got it, because I have ESP!!! First his subordinates read it (aides), and then passed it up the line with all the other piles of stuff they pass up the line. Then my email and few others were brought up at a meeting when they were trying decide about the next measures to take in the interests of the security of our country. I really do have some ESP, Mark. It's very handy to have. It's certainly not infallible. But it works often enough to be a treasure.

When I was smashed the other day, I wrote a poem while I listened to stone roses. I thought it was just great. When i read it later, I just couldn't believe what rubbish it was. I mean really stupendously AWFUL!!!!

Btw, when you answered me late the other day, were you at your brother's house, or a friend's house? I just couldn't picture you sticking around the office after being there all day. I'm not online at home either. When I'm not at work, I go to public libraries or the university library. If I'm really desperate, I'll go to a copy place where they charge 20 cents per minute. Extravagant, maybe. But hey, I'm on holiday, too!!!!

Hey Carol
Well, where to begin?! I just copied your latest posts into a text editor so I could print it off and go through it bit by bit and reply properly. All three and a half pages of it!!!

I was still at work when I posted those messages. I like to tie up loose ends before I head out of the office, even for a day (I was off on Friday), and it will make rounding things up today and tomorrow easier before a fortnight in the sun.

Teaching is one of those professions, isn't it? Always on call - and so always on their guard! I guess you have to be careful - if any of your students saw you at a vulnerable moment (after a few ales, perhaps), it provides them with too much ammunition doesn't it! Although it's good for them to know that teachers are normal people, you do need a professional distance too, right? It's like having a line manager who would becomes too pally with their subordinates - makes it so much harder to sack them if you're mates! And as for speaking obliquely, well, I'm sure you can understand why I do that in my areas of responsibility. Here in DNA, in my space, I can talk as me, although again I have to be aware that it's all recorded for the world to see. But if I was posting messages to the WW2 forum or the History Messageboard then it's all work-stuff.

I'm not a stalker by the way - I didn't seek out your email address! As 'Host' of the board, when I log in, everyone's mail address is visible to me. It's handy for when we get 'rogue' members. From time to time we do get people in flooding the board and generally making a nuisance of themselves. That's why House Rules exist. I know some people get frustrated by them, by they are written in a genuine attempt to make the boards a pleasant forum for debate.

We have a TV series over here, that has run for two seasons, called 'Teachers'. It's kind of comedy-drama I guess -but not 'sit com' comedy, more wry, sideways, intelligent wit. But with many laugh-out-loud moments. Do you get 'This Life' over there? It's very much in that vein, and stars (well, the first season did anyway) one of the same central characters, Andrew Lincoln. Anyway, it's mostly staff room and after work in the pub stuff, but also so classroom activity too. My teacher friends tell me it's remarkably accurate. So now British students *do* know what goes on in our teachers' staff rooms! But I'm sure it would bug me if parents threw their weight around. Why is a senator's child more important than a road sweeper's?

I had this one teacher, when I was in my second year at middle school (so I would have been 9/10) who made a lasting impression on me. Most probably because he was Australian (he was on a job swap with our regular teacher for a year). But he helped me realise that I can go far if I apply myself. I forget that sometimes, and when I look back I regret not applying myself as much as I should have, but we make our choices and have to live by them don't we?! But if I were to teach, I don't know what age group I would take. I used to think post-16 as they are there because they want to be (well, some are), but more recently I've been thinking about a younger age-group. I imagine you could have more of an impact on them? It seems I'd like to be a teacher like the one I just mentioned above! But then again, you can have more of a conversation with the older ones can't you?

Carol, yes, I'm a regular guy, but you get my 'work' persona on work threads. But yeah, I like kicking back and relaxing, going to the beach and swimming, having a beer with my mates, reading a good book, playing football. All that normal stuff. Um, yeah, a 'teddy bear at heart'. hmmmmmm. I think I'd agree with easy going. I think it annoys my g/f sometimes, as much of the time when things go wrong I'm like 'oh well, never mind, it can't be helped'. Not quite Panglossian, but why fret over things that have either already happened or I cannot influence? Unless it's something I'm passionate about, then I get all shouty!

Everyone likes to be cherished a little, don't they.

Your description of me in meetings made me smile - I do do that whole 'sitting there with arms folded' thing, especially when things are being said that I don't like! I'm told it's a very aggressive/defensive body language position, but it's comfortable too! I can be warm and courteous of course, but it's a two-way street and if I'm going to get stitched up then surely the gloves come off? Actually, that makes me sound a bit too assertive. I'm not like that. I prefer a powerfully persuasive argument that cuts to the quick rather than brow-beating and testosterone. Although I can loose my cool of course.

As a Tauro, I may be happy to work hard for my goals, but I'd much rather win the lottery and head for Cuba on a big yacht. But I'm not really very adventurous. Although I plan to travel - which is adventurous as I get - I'm a coward at heart

Did John Ashcroft ever email you back? Or did he have one of his minions do it? Or not even bother? ESP is weird. I'd have settled for a delivery receipt on that email

I wouldn't worry too much about your poetry. So many songs sound wonderful. But have you actually read any of the lyrics without the music? Complete hogwash! We dress it up and say it's all arty/drug-induced/'well you're too much of a philistine to understand'. Rubbish! 'I am the walrus'? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease! Sally Cinnamon tastes like cherryaid? Give me strength!
You're on holiday now - any danger of you going away or are you hitting the word processor and knocking out four or five of those books?

BTW - that Roses song is 'Made of Stone' - the one I love so much with the amazing guitar on it. "sometimes I, fantasise, when the streets are cold and lonely and the cars they burn below me". I'm listening to it right now.

Hey Mark –

Well, I know it was a lot; but most of it was answering YOUR posts! I’m not the most concise person. Why use one word when you can use 15or 20!! (I guess I was one of your loose ends, huh?)

I just hate seeing ex-students when I’m out and about. I mean, I love seeing them; but they ALWAYS say to me, “Do you remember me? What’s my name?” God, I hate that. Because I can NEVER think of their name. I can remember absolutely everything ELSE about them: conversations we had, how well they did on particular assignments, how well they did in sports, etc; but I just can’t come up with the name on the spur of the moment.

A few weeks ago I saw one of my absolute favourite students of all time at a fast food place. He had on his baseball uniform, and had obviously just come from a game. I guess he’s 16 now. Just couldn’t think of his name! But I remembered everything else! It’s so frustrating. We talked for a while, standing in line together. It was wonderful to see him.

And thinking of him reminds me of how cute the boys are when they get crushes. After the bell rings at the end of class, they’ll find some reason to be the last one out of the room, mostly by having a great deal of trouble getting all their books back into their bookbag! I have seen this so many times, and it’s always the same!!! I guess they want to be in the room alone with me, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I imagine every teacher has this kind of thing happen; though I’ve never really asked anyone about it. Once I was a chaperone when we took the whole 7th grade to a water park at the end of the year. At the end of the day, we were sitting on the bus waiting for stragglers, when this kid got on the bus and practically leapt into the seat with me! I would NEVER have had the nerve to do that as a 7th grader if I had a crush on a teacher! He was so brazen. It was funny.

I did have one kid this year who must be as tall as Steve was in 7th grade (or whatever you guys call it). It’s hard to think of them as ‘boys’ when they’re 6’4”!!! He could hardly fit in the desk, poor thing!

Speaking obliquely. If you only knew how many times I’ve tried to figure out: “What is Mark REALLY trying to say here?” over on the boards. I have to confess that I’m not very good at taking a hint (in case you hadn’t noticed!!!). You pretty much have to hit me over the head with a 2x4 (a thick board) for me to get the message. You’d think someone with ESP (smile) would be more perceptive; but it doesn’t seem to work that way for me. You pretty much just have to spell it out for me in no uncertain terms, Mark. So when you are being polite to me over there, but seem to be trying to tell me something, I start to get nervous; because I’m not sure how far to carry what you’re telling me. By the way, is a moderator reading these messages, too?

I certainly didn’t think you were a stalker, Mark! If I were a host, and curious about someone, I would certainly look up their email address. I don’t think that’s particularly invasive. I mean, the BBC trusts you as an honourable person. I figure I can, too!! ~ Well, if you’re not a teddy bear, that’s ok. That could probably get to be too much of a good thing. And as I said, even though I do like the ‘work’ Mark very much, the ‘real’ Mark feels much more comfortable, somehow. It’s hard to explain the difference, and how that mask dropped away from you on that very first message you wrote me here. It’s kind of like when my students run into me at the grocery store. They are dumfounded that I actually shop, and thereby must have a kitchen, and consequently live in a house, just the way they do!

‘Easy-going’ is a wonderful trait. It appeals to me very much. I am easy-going too, which is lucky for my students. I take things in stride and don’t make a big deal of stuff. I feel exactly the way you do about when things go wrong. No point in getting all bent out of shape now, because it’s already happened. I do everything I can in advance to keep things from going wrong; but when they do, I know that it couldn’t be helped and I don’t worry about it.

You get shouty! I would love to see that. I guess I’m still kind of used to picturing the other Mark. Can’t picture him all shouty. Like what might you get shouty about, if that isn’t prying too much? At school, I’m always so calm and easy-going with the kids. But once every so often I’ll shout, and they are so incredibly shocked. Terrorized, really. It’s kind of like marshalling your resources for battle and saving the big guns for when they’re really needed! One thing that has always amazed me, is that they do what I tell them. Especially at the end of the year, most of them are taller than I am. Many are lots taller. And all these big boys, when I escort them to an 8th grade corner (not a fun time), they always come along and do what I say. If they only knew how easy it would be just to NOT do what I say!!!