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

Yeah I suppose computers back then were all a bit like that. I remember we used to have acorn ones at our school, I don't know if that type still exists now.

That's the level of examination we take here. Basically in years 10 and 11, which is about age 14 and 15, you take GCSEs which stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education and most people take around 10 of those, some more, some less. Then in year 12 you go into the first of 2 6th form years, some schools call these lower and upper 6th form but we call them '6 one' (6.1) and '6 two' (6.2) because we're different. In 6.1 you take normally 4 AS levels which are officially GCE AS levels (Advanced Subsidary or something like that) and in 6.2 you normally drop one subject and take 3 GCE A levels (Advanced), and these are normally what universities make offers with, like 'we want AAA or ABB at A level'. They look at AS and GCSE too but the final offer depends on your final A levels. I'm currently doing 3 A levels but also an extra AS in Critical Thinking (why? I don't know) so hopefully eventually I'll have 5 AS and 3 A level on top of my GCSEs.

And if you understand all of that from one read through then you're doing very well!

The best part is that isn't the only castle, there's another further round the coast and the bay there is less built up and some say even nicer. Plus the castle's on the mainland so you can visit it without getting wet or having to wait for low tide.

As for the grading system: sounds far too complicated. When I was in school, it was much more simple than it is now. The system in place now, around here, actually sounds quite similar to the one in your schools. Glad I made it out before they started to get too stupid.

They have a test now, called the WASL (Washington assumed statute of learning, or something equally stupid). It's given in 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade, and assumes that all students learn at the same rate and should be judged accordingly. Even students new to the country, who don't speak the language at home. Even developementally disabled students who have a low IQ. I always got good grades, even took high level english and maths, and even I think that's a stupid way to judge a kid, and a great way to give them a complex!

But that's just me. And on the subject of castles, I would love to see one one day. The only castle I've actually ever seen was in Japan. It was wooden and very cool, beautiful styling and all that, but not what you'd normallt think of as a castle. I'm planning to visit your part of the world in a year or two, and I'll have to make sure to visit there.

Yeah it is a bit. I'm in it though so I think I can grasp it, though some bits are just stupid. And what's more everyone's going on about how A levels are getting easier and students at that level are all rubbish really and all that, which isn't really very nice to hear when you're doing them.

I've always got good grades too but I see what you're saying about everyone not being the same. Our school teaches the lower years by set, as in the clever ones go into top set and so on, but that can lead to complexes as you said. Near the top of the school though it's mainly done by what you take rather than how good you are, but I'm not sure that's any better because then you can have such a mix of abilities in a class that whatever pace the teacher goes either someone's being left behind or someone else's going frustratingly slowly and not using their head enough.

What is really stupid though is when I hear about 9 year olds taking GCSE's because they're Oh So Clever. Yes, if you teach a nice year old how to do maths they'll get a good grade. It's not proving anything other than that the course works and it doesn't say that it's getting easier because that nine year old did one subject and the teenagers taking actual exams are doing 10 subjects or more, all at once. I'd like to see those magic nine year olds do that and keep their sanity. Plus it's going to give them a serious complex and/or serious social difficulties. So no, it's not just you.

Castles are cool. At the moment though I'm really missing the sea. Today it was raining and dreary and I heard a seagul going off and I just thought that I really wanted to be at home near the sea and the waves and all that. Driving in England I find really weird because I'm always expecting to see the sea every time we go over a hill.

And yeah, the islands are definately worth a visit. Sark's very good, it's piddley and they don't have cars so it's brilliant for cycling or walking. Check out my entry on them. A6959208

I was born in a neighborhood of Seattle, called Ballard, right down on the water. I grew up around the smells and sounds of it (though not actually a sea, still a part of it). Now, I live way out in the country, which I love, beautiful views of the mountains and all that, but I still miss the water. So I can empathize with you.

I guess there really is no way to please everyone in a large school system. Everybody beig differant, how can you? Most places just try their best and cross their fingers, I think. What else could they do?It's when they all (the administrators) start to take themselves too seriously that it all goes downhill fast. Did I mention that both of my parents were teachers? So I get to hear about a lot of stupid stuff.

Good job on the grades. That kind of thing can only make your life eaier in the long run.

Hope you had a nice weekend.

Seattle? So you live in the US? I was under the impression you were an Englander, not sure why.

Yeah there's always going to be flaws in the system isn't there. Our headmaster is a tw*t at the moment, he's banned all school trips because they clash with lessons even though they're to see plays and things that the kids are studying. It wouldn't be so bad if he was consistant but he's really not.

My parents are both teachers too.

I suppose. At the moment though I'm in a phase where I can't work. No, actually that was yesterday and today I've tried but I keep getting interrupted. Not good with so much coursework to hand in next week.

Too bad you couldn't go on a school trip to refresh yourself.

At least you can wander around hootoo and gain some perspective! Sorry to hear you're having trouble getting things done. Is that because of other people in your dorm (or whatever you call it there)?

Yes, I am from the U.S., but please don't hold that against me.

What do your parents teach? And did you ever tell me what you are shooting for in school? Like what kind of profession you are working towards.

Yeah I suppose, though I might just get drunk on the weekend instead.

Yeah I like being around here, there's always something to interest me. I can be on here for hours, though that doesn't really help with the work situation does it? With that it was me but after I had a day off so to speak I was working and I kept getting interrupted by people coming in. I have my own room but that doesn't stop people coming in and I'm too nice to tell them to off. Though I think I did that last night after watching a tc episode on my laptop and the guy watching it with me said lets watch another and I had to get up early. So I kicked him out and now I think he's probably not talking to me.

I won't hold it against you, don't worry, I was just wondering because I thought you lived over here. Looking back I'm not sure why, I think it's one of those internet assumptions everyone makes, like 1) the internet is for porn, 2) everyone on it is male, etc... There's an official list for that somewhere.

My dad's a headmaster (at my old school) and he teaches maths and design technology (woodwork stuff), and my mum does history and sport. I'm hoping to do law at university but I don't know yet if I want to do it as a profession. I don't think I have to decide though until I come out of uni because I can use a law degree for a lot of stuff. What did you study for at uni?

What did I study for at uni? Well, nothing, actually. Barely went, in fact. Well, that's not quite true, I did go, but then, one day, I found this great fishing spot on a river way back up in the mountains. That was kind of it. I ended up needing to get a job to pay for...well, life, I guess, and didn't have time to w*rk, fish and go to school. I wasn't doing anything at school and had no idea what I wanted to even study towards. It all worked out, though, because the job I took started me down the path to what I do now, and I love what I do now! (Did I mention I have my own construction company? Not very big, but I'm the boss, and I get to build stuff everyday!)

I know what you mean about getting ideas about the people you talk to on the internet. This is actually the first site I've ever chatted on, but it's funny the ideas you get about the people you talk to. The running joke here is that you think you're talking to some young blond woman, and it's actually some guy named Bubba sitting in his cellar. I try really hard to just see the words, not a mental picture of Bubba!

Yes, you could do many things with a law degree, and most of them pay well! Sounds like a good idea. Way back in my schooling, I had thought about that, too. Amongst other things, of course. Like fishing. (Did I mention I love to fish?)

And getting drunk on the weekend would have been my first recommendation, but I wasn't sure how that worked for someone your age over there.

Well at least you know what you want to do, and better still you're doing it. For ages I didn't know what I wanted to do and I don't think I still do, for my career at least. So I've stopped worrying and am trying to enjoy the now because these are the best years some people have and I don't want to waste them anymore that I have already.

Yeah, every girl you meet is gorgeous on here because you can't see them. And everyone looks like someone you know in real life. This was the first I chatted on too, I think the only other one is a forum that discusses a book trilogy but I haven't been on that in ages, and it's not like I thought it would be. You can talk about anything and have privacy because no-one knows who you are unless you tell them, and you can be who you want to be without the preconceptions that cling to you with your friends in real life. I don't think many people pretend to be something they're not though, not on here, because this isn't the sort of site where you'd meet someone online and then see them in real life looking for something to happen. It probably does happen but that's not the point of it, that's why this site is so great.

Yeah they pay well but that's not what I want. I've read stuff in papers about lawyers who are stressed and hate what they do and all that keeps them there is the money and eventually they go mad. On even killed himself, I think that was what prompted the article I read. I want to do something that I enjoy and that I can earn enough to live on comfortably doing. If that's not possible straight away I might do the slog for a while, save up, then quit and look for something that suits me while I can support myself on my savings.
My other option was architecture but that never really got anywhere because I didn't study art or design technology very in depth, and when the time came to apply they all wanted portfolios and stuff so I couldn't really do anything for that.

Well I'm 18 so the pubs will let me drink, it's the school that has the problem. People do it though, I was drinking in school from when I was 15 until now, never heavily but enough to have a good time occasionally. Isn't the drinking age over there 21? That must suck. Over here they're thinking about moving the driving age up to 18 which is really stupid. Yes, let them legally drink and legally drive all on the same day. Brilliant!

At your age, I wouldn't worry too much about planning your life out in too much detail. It very rarely ever works out the way you plan, and if it does, it's too boring anyway. Enjoy the freedom to dream that you have now, and take some time to do so. Sounds like that's what you're doing anyway, just thought I'd give the pep talk, just in case.

I would have loved to do architecture, but I'm just too hands on. The cool thing is that I do have a good eye for designing things, so actually get to do some of it anyway, even if I don't have a degree in it. Would be fun to take some classes in it someday, though.

What is the drinking age there? I think it's funny that you can vote here at 18, but can't drink until you're 21. Which is actually the more important decision?

I try not to but sometimes I do. It's not a major thing though, I try to enjoy myself as I go whilst making sure I'm on a good path concerning my future. It was weird today though, we were talking about a trip we're taking after we leave school and someone said about having goodbyes in the airport afterwards and everyone went quiet and emotional. It's going to be weird saying goodbye to people and not having a definate time of seeing them again.

The drinking age here is 18 which in some ways is sensible and in some ways really isn't. My school lets us drink before though because we have a student bar which introduces it in 'a responsible environment' and all that. It's quite good because you can use that as an excuse to get really drunk. Aside from that it's just bl00dy good for blowing off steam.

Voting or drinking? I don't know, I haven't voted yet. I haven't bought a lottery ticket either and I've been able to do that since I was 16.

Through the years, I've kept track of three friends, and still get to gether with them at least a couple times a month. One I've known since middle school (about 13 years old), one since 1st grade (about 7 years old), and one from the time I was born. The point is that we've been friends no matter how far one of us was from each other. I can totally understand the emotions, but all amy not be lost.

Good job on trying to make the most of your time. A lot of people I know have some regrets about not living as fully as they could before settling down (not me, I was plenty unsettled!).

A good cirtainly is good for blowing off steam. So are several. Just don't combine that with voting or playing the lottery. Who knows what would happen. (Actually, I think that combination may actually clear up some lingering questions of mine about our current political leaders and situation. Hmmm...)

I've kept track of 2 or 3 from my old school who I see in the holidays and through them I've recently met a bunch more people back where I live (though I haven't seen them since Christmas because I haven't been able to go home). As for here, there's a fair few I can see myself keeping in contact with. And after the holiday we're definately going to be seeing each other again at a birthday party later in the summer. Plus I may be going to the same Uni as 2 or 3 of them.

I try to but recently I have too much work on to really live it up. Though Saturday night was ok.

Current political situations eh? I certainly get your drift there.

Sometimes, the friends "who know where the bodies are buried" help you get through the tougher times as we get older.

As long as you get some "living" in with the necessary life stuff, you'll do fine.

And don't get me started on our current political situation. Every time I see that d*ck on the TV, I instnctively shake my head. It's a sad thing, really. We have such potential, yet squander it on puppets and actors. Thomas Jefferson is screaming in his grave!

I'm not sure what you mean by the bodies thing.

Yeah I'm trying to keep up the living. Hopefully in the easter holidays I'll be able to but I'm going to have so much work and stuff on it's not going to be funny! Summer holiday's looking good though, I'm going away twice, though one is only to an island a few miles from mine, and I'm sleeping in a tent probably. Should be awesome!

Yeah I know. What do you think of Tony Blair? I think he's not actually as bad as some make him out to be, even though he has his moments of utter stupidity as most do.

The "bodies" thing refers to an old joke: "Of course you're my best friend, you know where all of the bodies are buried", Meaning that you have a checkered past with this person, and wouldn't want them telling others of some of the more interesting times. Kind of like having skeletons in your closet.

I think that anytime you can get away and do some camping, it's a good thing. Even if you're just yourself. I have great memories of camping as a younger man, and I'm fortunate that I got to do a lot of it.

I really don't know much of Tony Blair, but he's seemed, at least, to be a more genuine person. I really don't know that much about your politics over there I'm sorry to say. The crap here at home in our own government is very distracting! Perhaps I'll run for president. I certainly couldn't make it any freekin' worse!

Oh, now I get it.

Yeah camping's really nice. I remember doing it with school mates a few years ago, we went to someone's farm on a trip with a really cool teacher and stayed up for ages just talking around the fire. There's something about campfires isn't there? You can sit by them for hours and just talk.

I'm going to go for Prime Minister over here just for fun. I was going to do that as one of the Monster Raving Loonies but they're not a party anymore. I think they disbanded but they were a real party and I thought I'd support them because the others are too similar and generally rubbish. Plus the Loonies had some good policies, like 99p coils so no annoying change, and if politicians are caught lying then they'll be fired across the channel in a high velocity circus cannon.

Their polocies sound right up my alley! Too bad I couldn't join!

I can totally sympathize with your thoughts on campfires. My folks own some property up in the mountains. My friends and I used to spend as much time as possible up there, sitting in front of a campfire (often times with a bottle or two) just talking. I miss that a lot, and am happy that the tradition is being carried on.

what does it take to legelly run for PM? Here, you have to be 35 and a lifelong resident of the US. But they'll let anyone be a governor. Witness Arnold ("I'll be bach") Swartzenaggar. What a country!

Yeah me too. I heard they've faded away somewhat but I'm not sure.

I don't think I've ever done a fire at home but last bonfire night here (november 5th) it was a Sunday and we had a massive fire out the back of our boarding house and half of the school came down to see it and chat. There were fireworks coming from one of the other ones too, and we had some, and it was like the world had stopped so we could all unwind by the fire. It was really cool too because it was really misty and I think a full moon, or near enough, so it was rather spooky. And someone had a guitar so we stayed up singing stuff until late. Good times.

I don't know but probably similar guidelines to those in terms of age. I don't know if you have to be a lifelong resident here and if you do I don't know if I count growing up in the Channel Islands.

Yeah, what's with Arnie? I saw the beginning of 'True Lies' a few days ago and all I could think was 'is he really a govenor now?'. The mind boggles.

By the way there's a susprise party for a guy called Raven over in F44375?thread=3979174&post=46700386#p46700386 if you want to join in. Invite as many people as you like, we're trying to make it a big one.