Must…do…work… October 31, 2008

Still only two slides to write. I’m getting there, honest.

I’ve started my second piece of coursework. I can’t say what it’s about just now, due to the fact some people I have recruited as participants may read this blog and know what it’s about, which they can’t. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who taken the time to participate so far. It’s very appreciated. This coursework has to be in in 4 weeks. We were only told what it was about on Monday. 3 days after that coursework is in, I have another piece of coursework to be in. And then about 6 days after that my fourth, final piece of coursework from the term has to be in. I’m going to be a busy bee.

I’m quite amused by this whole Russell Brand and Jonathon Ross furore. I don’t think it’s funny what they did to Andrew Sachs, he’s old and it wasn’t really fair. However, I do think the reaction to it is a bit over the top. Since the news and the papers have latched onto it, there have been even more complaints. There wouldn’t have been so many complaints had they just ignored it ‘cos people wouldn’t be hearing about it over and over again. I bet most of the people who have complained don’t even listen to Radio 2 and have heard about it from papers like The Sun, who are so obviously biased in their reporting it’s unbelievable. They absolutely condemn the actions of Jonathon Ross and Russell Brand and therefore most of their easily influenced readers also condemn it, despite not actually hearing it when it was broadcast. The prank may have been in poor taste, but people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. There are much more important things to be worrying about.

That turned into a bit of a rant, it wasn’t supposed to be one.

To end this blog, I’ll give the answer to the puzzle in my previous blog. A few people got it. Well done to them. “The Roman numeral IX stands for 9. Using only one line, change IX to look like 6.”….simply add one line to the front of IX….to make SIX. Ta-da.

Elbows in October 29, 2008

Presentation nearly finished. Two slides left to write. All is good.

It snowed yesterday. It amuses me how child-like people become when it snows. I was sitting in the hairdressers, reading Pride and Prejudice….as you do….when one of the employees came up to me and said “Hi! I don’t know you….but it’s snowing outside! How exciting!” It was indeed snowing outside. Quite heavily. Which looked lovely and wintry, whilst I was nice and cosy inside. About an hour later it was still snowing heavily and I had to venture outside. I no longer thought it was lovely as I proceeded to freeze to death. This morning, it was frosty, some snow remained and there was lots of ice around. By the time I had walked to Uni I was an ice cube. In conclusion, I think the cold weather is lovely…when I can be indoors in the warm.

My seminar today consisted of job anaylsis. It wasn’t too bad. I couldn’t see much psychology in it, but never mind. At the end we did a problem solving task. Well, we did two actually. Both infuriated me. I shall post one of them here:

The Roman numeral IX stands for 9. Using only one line, change IX to look like 6. Enjoy.

Eeeeepa October 24, 2008

I’m very tired. I’ve spent 3 days and many hours trying to work out how to make my research proposal work. How to make it fit a statistical analysis. I’ve finally cracked it. Hurrah!

Uni is tiring me out. Study week is ages away. When I was very confused over my coursework, I was convinced that I shouldn’t be doing a degree or thinking about a doctorate. Now I get it, I think none of those things. I’ve been going into the faith centre quite a bit this year, as opposed to never last year. It’s nice in there. It was weird seeing the FP there, but also nice. At the moment she’s nearly convinced I’m going to die of an asthma attack since learning about asthma in her lesson today. I’m not sure why. She’s such a FP.

I’ve worked jolly hard today. So as a reward…like I need an excuse….I’m going to watch The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe….I’ve not seen it in a while you see. And Lost in Austen…seems to be Lost in the Post. Damn you Royal Mail. If they lose Prince Caspian or Mamma Mia…I will sue.

Blogging = Procrastination October 17, 2008

I am procrastinating. I have done all my background reading for my first piece of second year coursework. Lots of notes have been made. Now all I need to do is plan and put them together to form a 12 slide presentation plus notes. It has to be a research proposal. I don’t actually have to do the research mind. I’m planning to do it on whether attachment issues in early childhood correlate with personality disorders in later life. We had to do it on developmental psychology see…and I find that quite a dull subject area…so I paired it (with inspiration from the FP it must be said) with something quite interesting. Just to make it easier to do

In other news….Uni is wonderful, I love being back. A lot. I love the work, I love my new shiney textbooks. I had a temporary job. That’s over now. As I quit. For a number of reasons, the main one being it was a two person job but my work partner didn’t do much work, so it felt like a one person job. There also weren’t enough hours in my days to get it done, as my Uni timetable is rather packed. I was stressed and it was getting me down. Now I am neither.

Ooooh there are a number of things I’m looking forward to, I must mention them. Christmas time is the main one. I love Christmas. The togetherness. The dark cold nights. The special food that comes out. (Not forgetting the most important thing of it being the time we celebrate a special Someone’s birthday, although He may not have even been born then…) Also, I have a few DVDs on order; Mamma Mia and Prince Caspian. They’re not out til next month, but I ordered them now just incase Play.com want to send them a bit early. And I’ve ordered Lost in Austen….just ‘cos I love it.

I suppose I should get back to homework. I need to write my CV, I’m going to try really hard to get onto the clinical placement. Fingers crossed.  

Chivalry October 7, 2008

The term chivalry can be to do with knighthood or as this blog focuses on, more to do with high-minded consideration towards women. Although knights and stuff are really cool. In my opinion.

I was talking with a male friend about chivalry. Well actually, first of all I was moaning that when males ‘come of age’ as it were…they automatically change from being ‘Master’ to ‘Mister’….but females stay a Miss until they get married. Although of course they have the option of putting Ms….but it doesn’t change automatically. I feel that’s unfair. But on the other hand…I am really old fashioned when it comes to men being considerate towards women. So in some ways I’m all for equality..but in others I think I have that princess complex that wants men to be gentlemen.

When I was discussing it, my friend did say he agreed that men should hold doors open and protect women etc. I agree. He also said that if a situation arose in which a woman should hold a door open for a man, she should. I agree with that too…for example, I don’t go around not holding doors open for men just ‘cos of their gender. I’ll hold a door open for anyone. When it comes to men protecting women…if I saw a man being attacked, I’d like to think I’d go and help, regardless of gender and I think men should do the same for women. However I think if you’re in a group of males and females and get set upon by some fool, then the men should try to protect the women. Some women would find that patronising. I wouldn’t, I think it’s charming. I miss how people behaved in the olden days, like in Pride and Prejudice. All the manners and wonderfulness.

I do think chivalry is dying out though. Big time. Because of equality between the genders and everything. Which is fine if you find the whole concept of chivalry patronising and out dated, but it’s ruined it for those of us who don’t think that way.  Nowadays I think chivalry has boiled down to a boy asking a girl if she fancies sharing a bag of chips after a quickie down the park. I find that poor.

My views are way outdated I feel. So sue me.

A knight, a woman, I don't know how it illustrates the chivalry in my blog...

Busy busy bee October 6, 2008

Back at Uni. Second week now. I’m already feeling very stressed. My timetable is pretty horrendous but I’ll live. My work load is quite large. I’m expecting a lot of myself this year and I know the Uni is expecting a lot too. I just hope I can do well. I have quite a lot of work to do already but I’m not sure where to start. I sat down to do some earlier, then decided to get a drink before I started. I sat back down and then I decided to have a little wander around the house to get me motivated. Sitting back down I decided to oragnise my folders and now…I’m blogging. I think I’m very tired and should start my work with a fresh mind. It’s been a long day.

I ordered my textbooks. They’ve cost me a fortune. Well over £200. 4 have come. I’m waiting for another 4. And deciding whether to order another two. To cheer myself up after that awful amount spent on books I got some DCs…mainly because my Converse have a hole in and they’re not very suitable for the winter. I also got some smart shoes, trousers and a top. Because….I got a job An Electoral Role Canvasser is what I am, for the next few months anyways. It’s only temporary. Before I do my work experience module, to get some money for Christmas.

I’m now going to go prepare food for the longest day ever tomorrow and get a really early night ready for a really early morning. The FP is very down at the moment. She does too much. I’m taking her to lunch soon to try put a smile back on her face