It's elemental, my dear...What, son?

You can all chide me for terrible title, but I think it's funny so tough stuff. There is a point to it, actually. If I'm completely honest, over the years there have been a few people I call my close friends, and they've stayed with me, but quite seriously a lot of the people I know just aren't that interesting. It's not that nothing happens, I'm sure lots of things happen to them that they find interesting; it's just more that the things they find interesting, I find boring. So, perhaps they're more acquaintances than friends.
Anyway, one friend I've kept in contact with is 22 23 8 3 (look at the title and figure it out if you can). We got along for ages and then there was this long break when 22 23 (for short) got into trouble with drugs and alcohol. Anyway, it seems she's out of that phase, which is great because she was such a lovely person before, she just made some daft choices and that led her down a treacherous path. Thank god she fell off it, though. I talked to her today and she sounds better.

Anyway, yesterday I was walking home and I saw 22 23's older brother (the older older one, not the younger older one). He's much more focused on work now as well, and it's nice to see that a year or two makes such a huge impact on somebody's life. Of course it does. Even catatonic people must experience some tiny fragment of change over two years.

I've been wondering for a while whether I want children (totally unrelated subject to the above), and what kind of lifestyle I want to lead. What do I want to do? Will I get married? Will I have children? What will I be doing in ten years' time? Will I be happy? I think that's my main worry. It's not what I'll have, it's whether I'll appreciate it. I see so many people here in England who spend their time complaining... Of course, sometimes bad things happen and you can feel a little down, but most of the time I think it's much better to see the good side. Walk away from depression. It doesn't have legs, it'll take a very long time for it to catch up with you if you're content.

I'm still reading this cracking book (The Vampire Lestat) by Anne Rice. I've also fallen even more in love with a band I'm interested in. If you don't already know them, I highly suggest you youtube Rizzle Kicks. Sylvester and Rizzle are amazing (not their real names, I'm sure you've guessed). They mix rapping, remixes, instrumentals of well-known tracks, and singing. They are ACE.

Not particularly good if you want to concentrate on homework though. I have a classical music playlist for that.

Questions welcome on any aspect of this post or any other post, as always. I doubt I mentioned it before, but I like questions.

Happy reading, folks!

P.S. I'm trying to work out what my worst habit is. I'll report back when I find it.

AS Results

Well, I was very nervous for the AS results. For those readers who don't understand AS and A2, in England we take A-Levels. these are for two years, the first being AS (modular exams, two modules per subject) and the second being A2 (again, mod, 2mod/sub). I've just finished my first year. AS results are as follows:

Sociology A
German B (8 marks off an A, so frustrating!)
Law B
Critical Thinking C
Government and Politics E

I'm pretty happy with that. In fact, I'm very happy, because Crit and Politics, I'm dropping (hate both) so it's brilliant that the grades for my other subjects are good. This sets me up for a pretty successful (if I work!) A2 year. Whooooooooooooop!

I did a lot of jumping around and such. A friend of mine got five As. Bastard, but well done nonetheless.

Welp, I'm tired. So, g'night!

Also...Reading a book on genetics. On the misunderstanding of the inheritance of acquired characteristics: "In every society, part of the point of self-improvement is to pass on the benefits to one's descendants. Unfortunately, biology is not like real estate."

Happy reading, folks!

LEARN

I've had an idea which I hope will really take off come September and the new year.

I've always had quite good grammar and spelling-literacy and numeracy in general, to be totally immodest... But I know that for many children this is not the case. While they are somewhat tested and truly helped regarding basic issues at primary school, once pupils are in year seven and above they may sometimes receive little or no help in these areas, and when they do receive help it can be a bit fleeting-for the following reason.

Teachers often don't have the time to help with these skills. I've always felt that teachers have it hard- we dislike them generally (even the nerds do at points) because they set us homework and they often set us to work with (often) a focus on their subject and the homework associated. Some students/pupils don't think about is the effort that teachers put into helping them succeed. Teachers mark everybody's work-you only do your own. They have twenty times as much work to do as you. During school holidays, they're planning lessons and trying to catch up. As a result, they can't always help us. The problem is that sometimes between a teacher and a pupil there isn't the most friendly relationship.

So, my idea is called "LEARN". I figure there are lots of pupils who want help but don't want to ask for it. Teachers can be very condescending, leading to a lack of enthusiasm in the pupil to learn and to go to lessons. In my time in secondary school I've seen huge amounts of truancy and many people with attitudes that are (at best) less than productive.

So, I'm not a teacher. I'm a pupil. And I want to help the others, for free, in order to help them with their GCSEs. If children are willing to learn but haven't been able to, for whatever reason, reach their full learning potential. I'm not an authority. I'm not above them. I'm just in possession of more knowledge and willing to share it for free to anybody who wants it.

What do you think? I hope to start the first LEARN group in September. I'll be focusing on speaking, writing, reading- spelling, grammar, and diction.

Happy reading, folks! Comment with your suggestions if you like.

A room with a review

Well helloo! Once again I have updates. I've just been to an art exhibition (surprised I could make it as I fell on the ice yesterday and hit my head) and I have to say that after much consideration it was rather good! The YAAC (Young Arnolfini Artists' Collective) are staging their collaborative artwork in the centre of town, opposite the Apple store, all weekend. I have to say that even for someone who isn't that into art I could blatently see their talent! They've done very well particularly on the raising money front.

It costs nothing to go and see the works of art, which include laser-cut wood and a wonderful back room (I'm not telling you what's in there for two reasons- one, my words won't do it justice and two, I want you to goand have a look yourselves). My friend Connel, whom I have known for six years now, has toiled over this for a solid three weeks. I know it may not sound like very long but when you've got exams and new work to juggle at the same time things can be very challenging! Congratulations to all those in the YAAC for their fantastic work.

I've had a good day, one of those days where you feel you've genuinely achieved something (however small). This feeling was reached after two and a half hours in subway with some friends. Once again, all male. Henry, John, George and Tristan (the last of whom wears sandals every day to school because he doesn't see the point in buying a new pair of shoes just for the sake of education) are all lovely, if a little opinionated (George! :D ) Nevertheless it is a wonderful feeling to be able to argue and chat genuinely and openly every now and then.

I think I might go to Canada for my gap year, if I do choose/become forced to have one, as the country is lovely and one of those places I've always wanted to visit. The weather here has been quite lovely and I look forward to the weekend. Also I've just found my phone charger (euphoric moment!)

Happy reading, folks!