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

Focusing on what your good at would be nice Follow your "element". How are you supposed to be happy if you're stuck doing a job you hate?

Sorry. Bad week. If a load bearing wall did come down on me today I don't think I'd try and stop it.

It was something I really noticed moving from school to college, I walked into the room terrified and was confronted with a group of people who were like minded and passionate about art and design and that was lovely. I just always felt out of place at school and when I hit college and uni, I felt like a fitted in better.

A cocktail would be nice around about now. If I knew I didn't need to go to the shops for something for tea I'd probably just sit with big drink and enjoy what little warmth and sunshine is around today.

Inconsiderate parents are awful. It's always your fault, never theres, which I assume is the same with teaching. An overlap with optics would be the best example. Where parents who have children who aren't performing quite as well as they expect come in expecting you to diagnose dyslexia, as though it was as simple as giving them a plaster for poor grades.

In some respects I'm glad I was never given the label at school, I would rather repeat struggling through lessons and feeling like I really pushed myself than just flashing a card as an excuse. Not that it is, I don't mean that dyslexics are just using it as an excuse, just parents use the label as an excuse when they've not been diagnosed. I'm not explaining myself very well today. Sorry.

Awww honey... Things won't always feel like that, I'm sure. I certainly hope they don't.

I know what you mean - when you're with people who have the same interests as you, and have made a conscious decision to study them, it's far easier to relax and be comfortable.

Hope you did manage to enjoy some sun yesterday, it looks like it's going to be a bit wet tomorrow... Nice weather for ducks, and all that. So much for the drought...!

Oh yes, it's very much the same for teachers. It's always somehow our fault when their kids aren't well disciplined or rude or misbehave or... The parents seem to absolve all responsibility!

Labels like dyslexia can be good or bad. It's all too easy to see the label, and infer what that means someone can or can't do, without bothering to look at the actual person. And yes, there are certainly kids who say 'I've got such-and-such diagnosis, I can't do this' and don't even bother trying. Things were much simpler (though perhaps less fair) before all these labels got given out...

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you

just feel a bit rubbish right now, maybe it's the birthday blues finally catching up with me, along with the idea of being 27, still living at home, no boyfriend, a job a hate and no idea how to get to the career I want...and on here I just feel like I'm 16 again, because my problems are exactly the same and that's really pathetic. I've not been on here for all those years and I'm still the same. Boring and predictable and alone.

I'm sorry, I should be whining on here to you. Shall go back to weather.

It was quite good today, bar the wind. Hate the wind. It's so destructive. Had a quiet day and watched the tennis (well, played games on the ipad while my sisters watched tennis). Wonder how quickly Federer will take Murray to pieces on Sunday? Probably not as quickly as he'll go from British to Scottish again when he loses.

I would really recommend reading (as a teacher) The Element by Ken Robinson. One of the nice things in his book is quite often he talks about how people have used their diagnosis's to their advantage. Such as people with ADHD who can't sit still who are natural dancers or sports people, or people who can't write being able to explain and communicated through drawing or music. Which is true. I can draw you a picture or make you a model far which would explain something far more comprehensively than I ever could trying to verbally or textually explain it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html

The first Ted Talk is about how schools kill creativity by putting more importance on the traditional hierarchy of subjects than natural ability and the second is about why there should be a paradigm shift in terms of the education system.

Sorry if I bang on about this guy a lot, he's just the first person I've every heard talk who makes sense about school and about how education should - in a very idealistic world - work. It also reminds me a lot of the difference between school and university.

Hope you have a good, and not too wet weekend!

Ah... I usually get that sort of feeling at New Years. All through school, college, university I didn't know what I wanted to do. I just kept following what seemed to be the best options at the time. Still don't really know what I want to do - and I don't think I can see myself teaching for ever.

Don't worry about whinging and whining, it often does you good to at least share your thoughts with someone else. Problem shared, problem halved, and all that.

I've not watched much of the tennis this year. I've never particularly liked Murray (not sure why really), and I just haven't been bothered by most of it. Especially when the BBC (in their wisdom) muck around with the schedules just because one of our home-grown players is on court. Why do they think they need to swap channels? Why do they need to extend the coverage? They know beforehand what's likely to happen, they should stick to the scheduling they've published.

Sounds interesting, I shall have to take a proper look at those links sometime. Right now I think I need to sort out Norton, which has just decided to crash. Wish me luck...

That's the problem, the path through school was to get to college, the path through college was to get to university and through university to postgraduate studies...then leaving you the plan was to get on with making, to sell online, sell at work and then either progress to selling or go back and go for teaching. My ideal job being that of my favourite tutor at uni, Craig, who was part time, came in to teach the 2nd years stone setting, ran classes through his studio and had a shop of his own. He taught me most of what I learnt in jewellery in the space of a term (plus chattering) and gave me my first job (outside the opticians) at his shop. If I could do that, I would be so happy, but my design brain has died since losing the structure of university.

Stupid isn't it? To know what you want but not how to get there...plus, having seen my parents run a business for 21 years and being able to see the worst of it, makes me terrified to try it for myself. If I could find a pair of ruby slippers I'd be asking the Wizard for not only my design brain back but some courage too.

Thank you for being kind about my whinging, I had a weep on my mums shoulder this morning, but it's difficult to talk to her about the work stuff since technically I go home at night with my manager and my boss. Bar being generally a bit low at the moment, I keep getting more and more lumped on me there and since for the past three months I got paid for half the hours I worked, I'm angry and upset about being asked to do more (which means less time for time to try and design).

Anyway. Predictably Mr. Murray lost, though he gave it a damn good try and endeared himself slightly after having a weep on telly. (Men who say it's not manly to cry are a load of jessies. Real men cry!) And yes! The shifting of the schedule is a piece of nonsense. I was so looking forward to Henry IV last night and missed the first ten minutes because they kept the tennis on. Then again I watched it and the documentary afterwards and the little Shakespeare that I am, I am watching both again tonight. I thought this one was amazing and it has cemented my crush on Tom Hiddleston.

Hope you're getting Norton sorted, it was always a little unpredictable with me, so I switched to Microsoft Essentials...not sure I like it either, but it's free so I won't complain. Good luck!

I think it's probably better to ave an idea of what you want to do, even if you don't (yet) know quite how to achieve it, than to have all the skills but not know what to do with them. I remember some English lessons being a bit like that - 'write a story' = difficult (too much choice, don't know what to start or what to do); 'write about... [x y or z]' much easier - you've got a framework to support you.

I don't envy you having to go home with the boss(es)! I take it you've got a proper contract? You should have something in writing about what hours you should be working, and exactly what your responsibilities are. I know they're your parents, but if things are affecting you this much, you *need* to talk to them about this.

I think I managed to sort Norton out - just took a reinstall over the top of the other version. Didn't even need to reimport any of the data I'd backed up (after I *finally* worked out which of the settings menus I needed to go into...) For some reason, I don't quite trust MS... I know I'm (almost) a slave to Windows, but I've not seen much to convince me otherwise!

In many respects I wish I'd done a subject where the answer was x y or z. Or at least one where there was a clear career to go into! Then again I suppose the clear career is to just making something, but there's no x y z answer for that either.

I'll get there eventually.

And as for work and going home with my parents, at least I know that if I turned around tomorrow and said I was going to go back to uni or had ideas coming out the and was going to get cracking, they'd give me the time to do it and the support. They'd probably sack me just to make sure I did it Going home with the bosses has it's downsides, working for your parents has its ups. And I will talk to them, but they're more stressed about work and the way things are at the moment without me adding too it.



I have to say I don't quite trust MS Essentials either, but my sister recommended it and so I am giving it a go. Glad you got it fixed...sounds like you're having fun with technology at the moment!

Subjects with a clear answer certainly make for easier marking Even if there is a clear progression into a career, just because you enjoy learning a subject doesn't necessarily mean you'll enjoy that particular career. Life doesn't always have easy answers! (or easy questions, come to that...)

Every situation has its positives (hopefully!) and negatives. It's all about making the most of the good things, and coping with the bad. 'S all philosophical, innit? Hope you get things worked out soon.

Well MS may actually have produced something that work as intended. The free ones that usually get recommended are AVG or AdAware anti-virus, and ZoneAlarm firewall. Technology's great - when it works!

True, but with jewellery, the bit I like is the making. Sitting all day at my bench making things and getting dirty - when I'm polishing I look as though I'd blacked up! (I'll frain from muttering about my stupid brains inability to work). I don't even mind working with the public, I just hate it at work because I have no idea what I'm talking about! At least with jewellery I do.

Life's all positives and negatives, just sometimes one seems more prominent than others.

" Technology's great - when it works!" Isn't it just! I was using AVG until my computer died last year, then I used Norton because that was the trial which was in the computer and now MS because my sister said she thought it was good...though to be honest it never feels like it actually scans! At least the other two did it noticeably.

Ah, making stuff is always good - it's just much more subjective when you have to decide how 'good' it is! Nothing wrong with getting some good clean dirt on you Hopefully over the holidays I'll have some time (ha!) to make a few things I've been meaning to make for a while.

Can't remember who it was said it, but 'may all your ups and downs be in bed'

Ah, that's understandable. I can't remember how long I've used Norton for - must be at least the ten years I've had the current PC. I've seen other people complaining that it gobbles up system resources, but I've not had a problem with it (so far!)

Hope you have a less wet weekend than mine currently is!

I think the fact that I had lots of fun with the window last months is why I'm down this month. I've gone from being happy and creative back to doing nothing but filing and useless office work

what are you planning on making? Is that you off now? I miss school holidays (university ones in particular since you're off from May until September)...I don't really get holidays from work, just the occassional long weekend when my parents are off...and then I usually have to go in at least once

'may all your ups and downs be in bed' - dirty!

A ten year old PC, lucky boy, my last laptop died at the tragically young age of 4. It's still technically working, but needs a new hard-drive or something, otherwise it just crashes every time you switch it on. Shame. The one before that is still working actually, mum and I swapped when I started my Masters because it was huge and a pain to take back and forward to uni and now it's at work being used by the locum optom. I think it is probably about 6 since I think I got it for my 21st birthday, many many moons ago. Would probably still be using it...very good laptop

I don't know what the weather's going to be like this weekend, we've avoided too much of the downpour so far, but it's been at a constant drizzle for a week. I miss sunshine! Have a good one

Mmmm... I can see that would be something of a downer. How often do you change the window displays?

I'd like to get another set or two of my Munchkin counters made - I've got a set for the original 'fantasy' game, one for Star Munchkin and one for Munchkin Fu. (I think there are some pictures on FB) I'd like to make a set for Axe-Cop and Munchkin Zombies as well. Maybe adapt it for Zombie Dice as well. And Martian Dice... I may well try and make some of the things I've downloaded from http://www.robives.com/ - I just need space to be able to put them once they're done!

Not finished for the summer quite yet - another few days to go. Then it'll be the (relatively) easy life! For a few weeks, anyway.

Your mind must be at least as dirty as mine then

Yeah, it's taken a bit of looking after - I think most of it has been upgraded at least once! I've been planning building the next one for a couple of years now... Still not got any closer to actually ordering any bits for it! In part because I got myself a laptop, which has kept me going for a while.

After a torrential downpour last night, today has been warm and dry (so far) - it's going to take a lot more of this for everywhere to dry out properly though! Enjoy yourself!

Well, we used to change the windows every month, but my sister and I finally convinced mum and dad that that was insane seeing how long it took to make them. Plus then we started doing all three, so it should be seasonally, so 4 or 5 times a year (need two at Christmas as you can't leave it in after the 12th day). I have to try and do one before the Olympics (Olympic themed you see), whilst working full time for the next two weeks because Ann, one of the dispensers, is on holiday not looking forward to it. And will mean wasting one of my days off next weekend installing it Bad enough I already lose one to writing up the clinics...I'm really annoyed that I keep getting given extra things to do seeing I have to do those at home already, when I should have enough hours to do it at work.

What are Munckin Counters?

I always forget that Scottish schools come off earlier. The kids here are about to go into their third week off and what a lovely holiday they've had so far! Soggy, soggy, soggy! You got plans to go anywhere once you are off?

Well, I may have a dirty mind, but I grew up with the internet and Channel 5, so it's not surprising

You've probably got an entirely new computer by now! I admit, I miss a tower because - generally - they're more reliable and last longer, but I love laptops. I like being able to sit with it on my lap and be able to take it with me to work or wherever. Just need to get some more memory in this one and it will be a grand.

So what was your St. Swithin's Day like? We had rain, sun, wind and warmth...so basically everything bar snow. And this week is meant to be a bit nicer, which will be nice. I'm so tired of rain, just makes me more depressed!

So how have you managed to embrace the Olympic theme? You're certainly being kept busy! How many hours do you think you put in to making/installing an 'average' display? [Not that they *are* average, if you get my meaning]

Well... Munchkin is a (very silly) game. You get everything you need to play it in the box, except something to keep track of your level (and gender, but that tends to be less important, in a manner of speaking). The rules suggest using things like counters or coins; I created some cardboard counters. Essentially two wheels (one for your level, one for your gender) with a front piece which has holes to read the relevant value through. But decorated with artwork from the game. And styled to match the box artwork as closely as possible. To the extent that the 'original' set went through several iterations to get the optimum relative sizing for all the bits, and getting the artwork/colouring how I wanted it. Which isn't to say it couldn't still be tweaked...

Ha! That's why we've been having such great weather then! No major plans really, just relax and enjoy the break. Maybe do a bit of forward planning for next year. I'll probably visit one or two friends at some point, but no major holiday as such.

Oh, you managed to get reception for channel five, did you?

yeah, although I don't think it could really be called 'new' any more... It's been quite a while since I had to change anything on it, come to think of it. About the only thing that hasn't changed is the motherboard (and the case, but that hardly counts). Next time something goes, I'll probably go for a completely brand-spanking-new machine.

Yesterday was fairly reasonable. Don't think we had much in the way of rain until the evening. Seemed fairly warm, but this was from the comfort of 'inside'!

Embracing the Olympic theme...um, with olympic rings and cut outs of people apparently. It was mum who came up with it and my dads business partner who wanted it. Honestly I would have let the Olympics pass without any pomp. I'm in no way interested in it. As for hours, anything from a long day to a good couple of weeks. Depends on the theme. I try not to count. If I did it would probably be ridiculous. So we get paid a set fee which does go up and down dependant on how much work has gone in.

Let me guess, Munchkin is the kind of game that there is the serious potential for obsession?

Yep, the Scottish school holidays are actually the main controls of the weather Relaxing sounds good, and seeing friends. I miss my friends. Everyone lives so far away now.

We only got five once freeview reached Scotland, before that we were a pure an innocent nation!

I wonder if this is how Cylons got started? First we want computers that last forever next we have flying toasters trying to kill us all (Yes, I'm a Battlestar )

I think yesterday was actually colder inside than out! I was freezing all day.

Ah, so not quite as complex as making models for (some of) the different events? I don't know how much of it I'll watch - might try and catch some of the athletics, maybe a bit of the rowing. Like you, most of it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[Ahem] Whatever gave you that idea?

Excuse me while I have a coughing fit... I don't think you can have 'Scotland' and 'innocent' in the same sentence without at least an 'isn't' between them! All that alcohol, for one thing...

Flying toasters? Wouldn't that make it more difficult to put the bread in? [And more unpredictable as to where it would land, if it had a really strong spring]

You should get out of the fridge then Silly girl...

No, not quite that complex and frankly, given the budget and time scale, there was never going to be anything complex. That and the Olympics are on for what, three/four weeks, at which point I will have to have made something to go in to replace it! (This is of course why I hate themed windows. You spend ages making things and they're only there a few days to a couple of weeks before they need removed.)



Hey we're not just a bunch of alchies! We're perfectly lovely I'll have you know!

Flying toasters would probably make breakfast entertaining.

Stop calling Scotland a fridge!

Yeah, topical/themed things are a good idea at the time, but have a very limited usage period. Much like most of the Olympic facilities, perhaps... What plans have you got for it then?

I didn't say you *were* 'just' a bunch of alchies... And I'm sure you can have lovely alchies... you just don't tend to see them out on the streets!

Yes, entertaining would be one word for it. You'd have to make sure you had a decent length extension lead as well, otherwise you could end up with power problems!

Alright. You should get out of the *freezer* then

You'll love this. Last night my dad discovered that you are not allowed to advertise using any olympic symbolism. No coloured rings, no rings in any similar formation, no use of gold, silver or bronze...and the list goes on!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-flooded-with-brand-police-to-protect-sponsors-7945436.html

Isn't that ridiculous? So, the window is kaput. We need to come up with another idea. Which is annoying seeing I go to work in the morning at 8:45 and don't get home until 18:30/19:00 for the next two weeks. I'm so annoyed too, given the olympics is supposed to bring business to the UK and boost our economy? Or is it just McDonalds and Coca-Cola who get to make money from it? Given I didn't really want to do one in support of the olympics, I don't know why I'm annoyed, but I am. It just seems pathetic that, for example, a cafe who made a bagel olypmic symbol as support of the games, has been told to bin it. I think it's awesomely simple!

rant over.

Imagine how long that would have been if all us Scots were alchies

Awww, imagine you could have a flying toaster as a pet! Take it for walkies and feed it bread and it would leave you toast as presents! That's far better than the dead bodies our cats left (Though seeing we lost the last in March, I'd gladly return to to have them back.)

I don't like the freezer! I want sunshine! And the gulf stream to move a bit further up, give us all an indian summer and piss it down over London for the next two weeks

What a load of As if life isn't complicated enough, businesses aren't allowed to even show support for the Olympics? At least it (hopefully) simplifies things for you a bit! I wonder if we're going to see a black-market trade in things like olympic bagel rings... You can always eat the evidence!

You mean you're *not* all alchies?

No, you couldn't take a flying toaster for walkies! The clue is in the name - it's a *flying* toaster, remember? You'd be taking it for flyies... or something... And if it really were an animal, if you fed it bread, and it gave you back toast... That'd be like toaster sick!

A bit of sunshine would indeed be nice, just so long as it doesn't get ridiculously hot. Don't want to go overboard with this 'nice weather' malarky...