Early Risers.

[Robert]

I didn't do very well in my A-levels (partly due to choosing the wrong subjects, partly of my own doing) and it was at that point that I came to the conclusion that the only way for me to actually do what I wanted to do was to take an HND course, and it was the best thing that I ever did.

 

Due to my rather questionable results, I was limited as to where I could go, but I got offers at Thames Valley College, and Middlesex Poly.  I ended up going to Middlesex because I could transfer to their BEng programme having completed the HND, and being an accredited degree it had its advantages.  I was somewhat lucky, in that one of the lecturers at Middlesex was prepared to stick his neck out for me and accept me on the Electrical and Electronic Engineering HND that I actually wanted to do - whereas Thames Valley would only take me on Business and Information Technology.

 

I am thankful to Middlesex University (as it became in my second year) for the Education they gave me - I got 14 Distinctions and 12 Merits on the HND, and left with a 2:1 in Electronic Engineering and am now a Chartered Engineer.

 

I couldn't comment on what they are like now - but they still run various BEng programmes.

[skipepsi]

Now, I'm a level-headed chap. I know my limitations. I'm not daft but ask me about nuclear physics or fashion and I glaze over. I fully accept that there are millions of people out there that know more than me about lots of things and I'm fine with that. Trouble is I've met most of them this morning and they've all taken great delight in telling me I know nothing. I assume beating somebody to a pulp with an Encyclopedia Brittanica volume is still frowned upon? Thought so. Need coffee. Grump over.

 

Edit: Sorry... morning all! It's actually 1pm but whatever...

People who feel the need to belttle others they judge inferior haven't the ability to get the beam out of their own eye let alone do something useful with it thereafter.

In other words the more you know the more you know you don't know..........

[Tony_S]

Now, I'm a level-headed chap. I know my limitations. I'm not daft but ask me about nuclear physics or fashion and I glaze over. I fully accept that there are millions of people out there that know more than me about lots of things and I'm fine with that. Trouble is I've met most of them this morning and they've all taken great delight in telling me I know nothing. I assume beating somebody to a pulp with an Encyclopedia Brittanica volume is still frowned upon? Thought so. Need coffee. Grump over.

 

Edit: Sorry... morning all! It's actually 1pm but whatever...

I get a bit annoyed when I don't know something, ask someone who I think does and then they belittle my ignorance. I tend to not ask again. Aditi asked one relative about 20 years ago about the roles of the different hormones in HRT . She just got a tirade about being stupid and surely a doctor's daughter should be aware of such things etc. Aditi hasn't asked her sister about anything medical since.

Tony

[The Lurker]

I didn't do very well in my A-levels (partly due to choosing the wrong subjects, partly of my own doing) and it was at that point that I came to the conclusion that the only way for me to actually do what I wanted to do was to take an HND course, and it was the best thing that I ever did.

 

Due to my rather questionable results, I was limited as to where I could go, but I got offers at Thames Valley College, and Middlesex Poly.  I ended up going to Middlesex because I could transfer to their BEng programme having completed the HND, and being an accredited degree it had its advantages.  I was somewhat lucky, in that one of the lecturers at Middlesex was prepared to stick his neck out for me and accept me on the Electrical and Electronic Engineering HND that I actually wanted to do - whereas Thames Valley would only take me on Business and Information Technology.

 

I am thankful to Middlesex University (as it became in my second year) for the Education they gave me - I got 14 Distinctions and 12 Merits on the HND, and left with a 2:1 in Electronic Engineering and am now a Chartered Engineer.

 

I couldn't comment on what they are like now - but they still run various BEng programmes.

Whereas I did quite well at my A levels but had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. So I did a history degree because I found History interesting and therefore something I could do. I chose Leeds because it meant I didn't have to study Hitler again - but I could study Vikings and Genghis Khan and Marco Polo - and this was reinforced by the neon sign outside the station in Leeds proclaiming " Real Ale 52p a pint". Even after I grew up, I had no idea what to do so I did what everyone else did and became an accountant (and specialised in tax).The best part of 30 years later I still have no idea what I want to do - although winning the lottery holds a certain career path attraction.....

[AndyB]

Tony, that reminds me of a close relative that thought she had significant medical knowledge as she was married to a Dr. 

Dinner time conversation at their house must have been scintillating! 

[iL Dottore]

I failed my 11+ (when I lived in the UK), then I moved to Italy with my family and I was dumped into the deep end aged 13 (local secondary school, ONLY in Italian and me not [then] speaking a word of Italian). I had to repeat a year and then, just as I was getting ready to apply to the University of Bologna, my parents moved to the US where my age put me into the last year at "High School". Having been through the (then excellent) Italian secondary school system I coasted through "High School" and drifted into university in the US

 

In many ways, I like the general US approach to University, if you meet the the minimum requirements - whch vary from university to university - you can get in, but whether or not you finish and get your degree, that's another question. The freshman class (year one) is always much, much, larger than the senior class (year four). I struggled through 2 years then suddenly blossomed (academically, that is) and went on to graduate school and got a masters and a PhD.

 

Interestingly enough, I've always been considered by relatives, teachers etc. as "bright" and I have always been a voracious reader, yet when it came to test taking, I really didn't shine until university. Strange that (mind you, I've also been considered a bit "aimless" and "lacking direction").  However, being a voracious reader (I have about 3000+ books in my library, all of which I've read) this means that I know enough about most things to ask (semi-) intelligent questions and understand the answers.

 

Personally I put my spotty academic career as down to bad genes: a decent, active, brain of a scientist in the lazy, shapeless body of an oik.

 

iD

Edited October 2, 2014 by iL Dottore

[bluebottle]

People who feel the need to belttle others they judge inferior haven't the ability to get the beam out of their own eye let alone do something useful with it thereafter.

In other words the more you know the more you know you don't know..........

 

Absolutely, Mick.

 

When Ms bb came home from school and asked me questions about this and that, sometimes I'd say "I don't know, but we've got books, we've got the internet, let's find out". Other times, I'd say: "I think that the answer to that is such and such, but we'll check on it". I think that she respected me more for this approach and appreciated my interest, while I was also learning and weeding out my own misapprehensions.

There's pleasure in learning for its own sake, and in passing on the learning and the pleasure. Those who preen themselves on their own store of knowledge and look down on others whom they regard as their inferiors forego those pleasures.

 

Edit: tweaked grammar.

Edited October 2, 2014 by bluebottle

[Killybegs]

As one who was not educated beyond A Level - and I'm sure it shows - I do find it odd that the former Colleges of Advanced Tomfoolery Technology have now morphed into Universities. I wonder who is kidding whom.

 

As one who was not educated beyond O Level, it didn't take my Technical College long (forget the advanced bit!) to morph first into Bristol Poly then University of the West Of England). We won't go into why I didn't progress to A Levels!!

 

John

[Shedman5]

Afternoon, missed yesterday so a lot to catch up on, went to attend a ex colleagues funeral, he was due to retire in March next year age 64 sadly.

 

Had to take the car back into the garage this morning, a couple of weeks ago I had it serviced and the front passenger door lock replaced under warranty as when one used the central locking whilst it locked it it made a noise like gunfire.

Yesterday on the way to the funeral it became apparent that whilst the door lock was sorted fine the window and central locking controls on that door did not work.

So took it in, was given a coffee whilst they had a look, and yes the guy who put the door panel back on forgot to reconnect the wires from the door controls.

A very embarrassed customer service agent made sure the car was washed (saved me a job) and gave me a £20 voucher towards my next service for the trouble of bringing it back in due to their fault.

Only took 30 mins to sort so quite happy!

Customer service does still exist then!

 

Will now attempt to catch up.

[Killybegs]

And don't get me started on Quality Assurance and the paperwork that goes with it!

 

On a more cheerful note I had a very pleasant cycle around the Vale of Pewsey this morning. A bit misty. Enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee in Daisy's Kitchen in Pewsey (and one of those awful shortbread slices covered with caramel and chocolate!). Sun came out briefly just before I got back! Beautiful countryside and stunningly pretty villages, even in the murk!

 

 

John

[PhilJ W]

Just collected a 'commissioned' model of a transport cafe. As it turned out the gent who makes the models lives only 10 minutes drive from me so I was able to save on postage. Well worth the £13 he charged me (it would have been £16 with postage). Look up 'scale model buildings' on Facebook.

[NGT6 1315]

So much for tolerance and forgiveness, the basic tenets of Christianity, I naively thought..... 

 

Agree with you fully that this is hardly a compassionate attitude, Ian. I had been Catholic originally, but disaffiliated myself some years ago because – in my opinion, I'd like to emphasise – the church leadership did not do even remotely enough to stop vile elements among their ranks from doing wrong to other people, and displayed too much hypocrisy (not only related to the stance they took on divorce, or relationship matters in general) for me to tolerate. But I'll stop here so as to not overstretch the "no religion" rule.

[45156]

Still no e-mail, and no target time for it to restart.

 

Also still don't know if the cottage pie is going to be pleasant, as it's in the oven heating now...(edit - it was fine, so now I can make three dinners!)

 

My academic career was a bit chequered, as I was pushed in a direction that I didn't want to go in, really, due to a punditorium involving my late father, and some of my teachers (who were some of his mates as he was a teacher as well) whereby I was "advised" to take a scientific route rather than law, which I wanted to do.  Result was that I attended Glasgow Tech University of Strathclyde, then my second year at Paisley College of Technology University,, but after two years I couldn't get my head round the mathematics.

[Ian Abel]

...Thank goodness the human equivelant (a vasectomy), only involves a few snips and one or two sutures!...

 

"a few snips"???? That's as maybe, but as the recipient (many years ago now) of said few snips, I can attest to the fact that it's not the snips that are the bother, it's the excruciating pain that followed for rather longer than I expected or wanted, that had a tendency to p*iss me off!!

 

 

The excuse given to me by the case Officer was that other people in mum's road had responded to the letters sent to them. So, it might be that it wasn't delivered to the one address most affected by the new build......!  

Andy, maybe you should ask the "case officer" if they recognise b*u*llsh*it when they step in  deliver it, because I certainly do!!! What a crock! I am amazed the individual had the b*alls to offer that sort of response/suggestion <sigh>

 

Sherry/Ian - amazing how sometimes these folks in controlling positions like to shove their weight about, and especially disturbing when they both disregard the contributions already made, AND continue to push 1950s attitudes! Possibly the guy is getting pressure from some old farts in the congregation and he needs to grow a pair (Shotty could have delivered!!) and stand up for what makes sense...

 

BIN day here - traffic volumes sky-rocket in our little quiet/peaceful "no outlet" neighborhood on Thursday as the relentless procession of garbage trucks work their "magic"

 

14 and overcast with patches of fog apparently - not venturing out so I'll not know or care...we're in for 4 days of November-like weather starting tonight as we won't get above 10 again until probably Tuesday - suggestions of some SNOW FLURRIES this weekend in northern Minnesota, eat your heart out all you temperate climate dwellers...

[Smiffy2]

Afternoon all. Now safely in France listening to the song of the birds and the buzz of the insects. To be precise the wasps that seem to have taken over downstairs and the cluster flies in the bedroom...

 

Apart from that, silence.

 

Not a great drive down, I was knackered and uncomfortable, but all done in under five hours.

 

Decided not to go out tonight, but bought a ready Hachis Parmentier, so our first meal back will be shepherd's pie...

 

Now please excuse me whilst I eradicate that bloody loud wasp!

[45156]

 

 so our first meal back will be shepherd's pie...

 

 

Seems I can make that too now!  I never knew.

[Ashcombe]

 

 

On a more cheerful note I had a very pleasant cycle around the Vale of Pewsey this morning. A bit misty. Enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee in Daisy's Kitchen in Pewsey (and one of those awful shortbread slices covered with caramel and chocolate!). Sun came out briefly just before I got back! Beautiful countryside and stunningly pretty villages, even in the murk!

 

Sunshine.jpg

 

John

 

I was born in Wiltshire and lived in Upavon until I was five; I still have an aunt in Devizes - a town worth visiting; they filmed Hardy's "Far From The Madding Crowd" there.

 

(edited to remove the word 'there' from being part of the film title - duh!!)

Edited October 3, 2014 by Ashcombe

[Tony_S]

I failed my 11+ (when I lived in the UK), then I moved to Italy with my family and I was dumped into the deep end aged 13 (local secondary school, ONLY in Italian and me not [then] speaking a word of Italian). I had to repeat a year and then, just as I was getting ready to apply to the University of Bologna, my parents moved to the US where my age put me into the last year at "High School". Having been through the (then excellent) Italian secondary school system I coasted through "High School" and drifted into university in the US

 

In many ways, I like the general US approach to University, if you meet the the minimum requirements - whch vary from university to university - you can get in, but whether or not you finish and get your degree, that's another question. The freshman class (year one) is always much, much, larger than the senior class (year four). I struggled through 2 years then suddenly blossomed (academically, that is) and went on to graduate school and got a masters and a PhD.

 

Interestingly enough, I've always been considered by relatives, teachers etc. as "bright" and I have always been a voracious reader, yet when it came to test taking, I really didn't shine until university. Strange that (mind you, I've also been considered a bit "aimless" and "lacking direction").  However, being a voracious reader (I have about 3000+ books in my library, all of which I've read) this means that I know enough about most things to ask (semi-) intelligent questions and understand the answers.

 

Personally I put my spotty academic career as down to bad genes: a decent, active, brain of a scientist in the lazy, shapeless body of an oik.

 

iD

Aditi arrived in the UK aged six and didn't speak English. Her mother (Aditi's father was already in the UK) hired a tutor to teach Aditi and her sister English but they were so naughty he only managed to teach them how to make paper boats and hats.  Not ever intending to settle here they had been brought up only speaking Hindi and some Punjabi. However once they were all in the UK, Aditi's Dad said they should only speak English even when it was just the family together. A couple of days after landing at Tilbury in Nov 59, Aditi and her sister were in the infant school in Knaresborough. In those days having Indian children who didn't speak English was very unusual in Yorkshire. By Christmas they were speaking English and in the Nativity play as "children from a foreign land" visiting the baby Jesus. Aditi still has a very slight hint of Yorkshire accent, even though the family moved to Nottingham (via Derby for a while) . They moved just after she had passed the 11+ in Yorkshire and Aditi went to 3 secondary schools in one year. When she finally arrived at Nottingham they promoted her a year as she had already done everything. This was a slight problem however as she had missed so many different bits of the maths curriculum she was always struggling and unlike the nice maths teachers one has nowadays asking for help in maths was a sure route to be called stupid. Strangely enough I always got the impression that Aditi's family didn't think she was very bright, her sister was always the "clever one" and Aditi was the "nice one". I think it is because she isn't mathematical or scientific, though she did teach statistics to first year undergraduates (though I suppose some would say stats are not maths or science anyway).

 

Tony

[shortliner]

"a few snips"???? That's as maybe, but as the recipient (many years ago now) of said few snips, I can attest to the fact that it's not the snips that are the bother, it's the excruciating pain that followed for rather longer than I expected or wanted, that had a tendency to p*iss me off!!

 

I'm pleased to say that when my snip was done many years ago - at RAF Nocton Hall, by a surgeon whose previous job that day had been a double mastectomy, I did as advised and took a pair of tight underpants with me, and drove the 40-odd miles home afterwards with no pain whatsoever - My only problem with the procedure was that the self dissolving stitches didn't, and eventually had to be removed by a very pretty young nurse at the medical centre with a scalpel because they were, by then, so tight that the "snippers" (can't think of the correct term) wouldn't fit between them and my skin

 

[Jock67B]

Afternoon all,

I fully agree with Mick B, no-one has the right to belittle another human being whether it be on the grounds of educational achievement or social/financial position. Those that do have little self esteem in my opinion. The worst offenders are often those that attained their position from the largesse of others, rather than any special skill of their own! Due to the aforementioned indulgent parents, I have been lucky enough to have a long and varied education but (and I hope to my credit) I've never felt the need to append the various letters awarded to my name! I can speak from experience when I say that I've actually learned more from the 'school of hard knocks' which is life in general!

One thing that a clever physics teacher taught me was that it is impossible to know everything but very important to know where to find the answers!

If nothing else, I've been able to help all the children and grandchildren with their studies, although I have to admit that as I get older, the retrieval system gets harder to access! 

As Pete(Trisonic) has on his signature - do what you can with what you've got.

Enjoy your evening all,

Kind regards,

Jock. 

[trisonic]

 - suggestions of some SNOW FLURRIES this weekend in northern Minnesota, eat your heart out all you temperate climate dwellers...

What did I say? I’m not gloating because we usually have one snow storm prior to Christmas.........Deep Joy.........

 

Best, Pete.

[Killybegs]

I was born in Wiltshire and lived in Upavon until I was five; I still have an aunt in Devizes - a town worth visiting; they filmed Hardy's "Far From The Madding Crowd There".

 

..and home of Wadworth's beer!

 

I wonder what the incentive was to film FFTMC in Wiltshire as opposed to across the border in Dorset. Films set in Scotland are often filmed in Ireland or vice versa and films set in both countries get filmed in the Isle of Man. I guess the 'Spaghetti Westerns' are another outstanding example. I suppose it probably comes down to money at the end of the day.

 

John

Edited October 2, 2014 by Killybegs

[trisonic]

Morning all

 

 

 

Sherry has had a bit of a personal reverse, with the vicar suddenly clamping down on some of her (voluntary) church and school activities - because she is becoming divorced. Apparently if we marry she will be kosher again. Bless. So much for tolerance and forgiveness, the basic tenets of Christianity, I naively thought..... Sherry will seek an alternative place to worship. At least her flat really is going to complete tomorrow - woohoo!

 

Man! Anthony Trollope still roolz OK?

 

I’m going to start my own Church - s’quite easy over here - I should be a Billionaire in 2 years. All Welcome! (Bring Cash)!

I’ll be employing this chap:

 

 

Once he is released.

 

Best, Pete.

Edited October 2, 2014 by trisonic

[45156]

Spot the spaniel

sorry about quality, but it was done on a basic camera with the flash disabled so as not to spoil the moment, but you get the idea.

 

ps - e-mail started working about ten minutes ago - don't know why I was so concerned as all that I had waiting was a load of spam

Edited October 2, 2014 by 45156

[The Stationmaster]

..and home of Wadworth's beer!

 

I wonder what the incentive was to film FFTMC in Wiltshire as opposed to across the border in Dorset. Films set in Scotland are often filmed in Ireland or vice versa and films set in both countries get filmed in the Isle of Man. I guess the 'Spaghetti Westerns' are another outstanding example. I suppose it probably comes down to money at the end of the day.

 

John

Most of the locations were in Dorset - I suspect the big problem they had was finding a suitable town centre which had the right sort of buildings in the juxtaposition the Director wanted and which the art dept could back date.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061648/locations