The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Living in Harlow gets you down. Even doing something like sitting quietly in your car waiting for someone can end up being quite a traumatic experience. That's just what I was doing this afternoon, parked quite happily on the side of the road waiting for a friend, when some utter nutjob decided that he'd start to pound on the windows of the car behind him, threatening them with death.
I've no idea what they did - I heard no noises of a crash, or an altercation until he kicked off - and it's obvious this ape didn't know who he was threatening. Yet I've never seen such wanton destruction for next to no reason - I physically cannot understand how something as pedestrian as cutting someone up or driving too close to someone can install such rage in people. The poor bloke and his wife inside were obviously terrified, and I wouldn't blame them - I was parked about 50 metres down the road, and I panicked a bit. I wouldn't care to think what I'd do in the same situation (although Bill Hicks had the right idea in his insight of the LA riots - "step on the f***ing gas, man!"). I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
It's all change at the moment. I was all set to go away to a lovely university at Bournemouth in September and although I knew there was always a possibility I wouldn't get accepted (my grades weren't exactly ideal and I applied too late), I was gutted when I got the dreaded letter on Wednesday morning, incidentally around 5 days after I quit my job. So, it was back to square one - find another course at another Uni, which isn't as easy as you might think. As it stands, I'm applying to do a good course at a Uni I'm not exactly enamoured with, again with the possibility of being knocked back. If it doesn't happen, I'll be left with no job and many debts to pay. I'll have to slink back into full-time employment when I had my heart set on 3 years of less stressful education, with occasional bouts of binge-drinking and lady-conquering. This does not instill me with a great deal of joy, and although I'm more than capable of working at the publications I yearn to work for, the people with those little bits of paper with the funny letters on them will tend to overshadow me.
Of course, if Uni falls through again, then I'll be left deflated, and still very much in Harlow. There's always the possibility of moving out and getting my own place, but there's questions of money, questions of employment and questions of roommates that would need to be answered before I can venture out on my own.
I'm babbling, so I'll cut it short - I hate this place, and most of the things in it. I'm trying to change, trying to adapt and evolve, but it keeps dragging me back in. And the worst thing is, every time I sit down and try to move myself forward, apathy just drags me back in again. I guess I really just need a new start - new job, new house, new everything.
Signing off.
I've no idea what they did - I heard no noises of a crash, or an altercation until he kicked off - and it's obvious this ape didn't know who he was threatening. Yet I've never seen such wanton destruction for next to no reason - I physically cannot understand how something as pedestrian as cutting someone up or driving too close to someone can install such rage in people. The poor bloke and his wife inside were obviously terrified, and I wouldn't blame them - I was parked about 50 metres down the road, and I panicked a bit. I wouldn't care to think what I'd do in the same situation (although Bill Hicks had the right idea in his insight of the LA riots - "step on the f***ing gas, man!"). I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
It's all change at the moment. I was all set to go away to a lovely university at Bournemouth in September and although I knew there was always a possibility I wouldn't get accepted (my grades weren't exactly ideal and I applied too late), I was gutted when I got the dreaded letter on Wednesday morning, incidentally around 5 days after I quit my job. So, it was back to square one - find another course at another Uni, which isn't as easy as you might think. As it stands, I'm applying to do a good course at a Uni I'm not exactly enamoured with, again with the possibility of being knocked back. If it doesn't happen, I'll be left with no job and many debts to pay. I'll have to slink back into full-time employment when I had my heart set on 3 years of less stressful education, with occasional bouts of binge-drinking and lady-conquering. This does not instill me with a great deal of joy, and although I'm more than capable of working at the publications I yearn to work for, the people with those little bits of paper with the funny letters on them will tend to overshadow me.
Of course, if Uni falls through again, then I'll be left deflated, and still very much in Harlow. There's always the possibility of moving out and getting my own place, but there's questions of money, questions of employment and questions of roommates that would need to be answered before I can venture out on my own.
I'm babbling, so I'll cut it short - I hate this place, and most of the things in it. I'm trying to change, trying to adapt and evolve, but it keeps dragging me back in. And the worst thing is, every time I sit down and try to move myself forward, apathy just drags me back in again. I guess I really just need a new start - new job, new house, new everything.
Signing off.
Page:
Living in Harlow gets you down. Even doing something like sitting quietly in your car waiting for someone can end up being quite a traumatic experience. That's just what I was doing this afternoon, parked quite happily on the side of the road waiting for a friend, when some utter nutjob decided that he'd start to pound on the windows of the car behind him, threatening them with death.
I've no idea what they did - I heard no noises of a crash, or an altercation until he kicked off - and it's obvious this ape didn't know who he was threatening. Yet I've never seen such wanton destruction for next to no reason - I physically cannot understand how something as pedestrian as cutting someone up or driving too close to someone can install such rage in people. The poor bloke and his wife inside were obviously terrified, and I wouldn't blame them - I was parked about 50 metres down the road, and I panicked a bit. I wouldn't care to think what I'd do in the same situation (although Bill Hicks had the right idea in his insight of the LA riots - "step on the f***ing gas, man!"). I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
It's all change at the moment. I was all set to go away to a lovely university at Bournemouth in September and although I knew there was always a possibility I wouldn't get accepted (my grades weren't exactly ideal and I applied too late), I was gutted when I got the dreaded letter on Wednesday morning, incidentally around 5 days after I quit my job. So, it was back to square one - find another course at another Uni, which isn't as easy as you might think. As it stands, I'm applying to do a good course at a Uni I'm not exactly enamoured with, again with the possibility of being knocked back. If it doesn't happen, I'll be left with no job and many debts to pay. I'll have to slink back into full-time employment when I had my heart set on 3 years of less stressful education, with occasional bouts of binge-drinking and lady-conquering. This does not instill me with a great deal of joy, and although I'm more than capable of working at the publications I yearn to work for, the people with those little bits of paper with the funny letters on them will tend to overshadow me.
Of course, if Uni falls through again, then I'll be left deflated, and still very much in Harlow. There's always the possibility of moving out and getting my own place, but there's questions of money, questions of employment and questions of roommates that would need to be answered before I can venture out on my own.
I'm babbling, so I'll cut it short - I hate this place, and most of the things in it. I'm trying to change, trying to adapt and evolve, but it keeps dragging me back in. And the worst thing is, every time I sit down and try to move myself forward, apathy just drags me back in again. I guess I really just need a new start - new job, new house, new everything.
Signing off.
I've no idea what they did - I heard no noises of a crash, or an altercation until he kicked off - and it's obvious this ape didn't know who he was threatening. Yet I've never seen such wanton destruction for next to no reason - I physically cannot understand how something as pedestrian as cutting someone up or driving too close to someone can install such rage in people. The poor bloke and his wife inside were obviously terrified, and I wouldn't blame them - I was parked about 50 metres down the road, and I panicked a bit. I wouldn't care to think what I'd do in the same situation (although Bill Hicks had the right idea in his insight of the LA riots - "step on the f***ing gas, man!"). I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
It's all change at the moment. I was all set to go away to a lovely university at Bournemouth in September and although I knew there was always a possibility I wouldn't get accepted (my grades weren't exactly ideal and I applied too late), I was gutted when I got the dreaded letter on Wednesday morning, incidentally around 5 days after I quit my job. So, it was back to square one - find another course at another Uni, which isn't as easy as you might think. As it stands, I'm applying to do a good course at a Uni I'm not exactly enamoured with, again with the possibility of being knocked back. If it doesn't happen, I'll be left with no job and many debts to pay. I'll have to slink back into full-time employment when I had my heart set on 3 years of less stressful education, with occasional bouts of binge-drinking and lady-conquering. This does not instill me with a great deal of joy, and although I'm more than capable of working at the publications I yearn to work for, the people with those little bits of paper with the funny letters on them will tend to overshadow me.
Of course, if Uni falls through again, then I'll be left deflated, and still very much in Harlow. There's always the possibility of moving out and getting my own place, but there's questions of money, questions of employment and questions of roommates that would need to be answered before I can venture out on my own.
I'm babbling, so I'll cut it short - I hate this place, and most of the things in it. I'm trying to change, trying to adapt and evolve, but it keeps dragging me back in. And the worst thing is, every time I sit down and try to move myself forward, apathy just drags me back in again. I guess I really just need a new start - new job, new house, new everything.
Signing off.
Sorry to hear about your traumatic experience matey.
It's simple, as you said move house to somewhere half decent.
It's simple, as you said move house to somewhere half decent.
Although I may have been a stupid nonce to you in the past, I've got to admit - I know how you feel.
Manchester isn't the nicest of places. Beside the gangs that hang around in the park next to my house, and the ritual burning of cars, it isn't actually that bad, and i actually feel safer here than I did in my native Bradford.
And, as far as the qualifications go, it's the predicament that fear that i'll fall into, or one which is the complete opposite - I'll either fail to get any qualifications whatsoever and not get a job, or i'll get qualifications and no employer will give a damn.
I fear for the future.
Anyways, adieu snuggly, and all the best for the future, mon ami.
Manchester isn't the nicest of places. Beside the gangs that hang around in the park next to my house, and the ritual burning of cars, it isn't actually that bad, and i actually feel safer here than I did in my native Bradford.
And, as far as the qualifications go, it's the predicament that fear that i'll fall into, or one which is the complete opposite - I'll either fail to get any qualifications whatsoever and not get a job, or i'll get qualifications and no employer will give a damn.
I fear for the future.
Anyways, adieu snuggly, and all the best for the future, mon ami.
Yah, change seems to be the hardest bloody thing. Unless you're pretty much always changing and moving, it's hard to pull yourself out to make a major change like that.
I guess it's human and animal nature really, you settle in a place, even a really crappy place, and you find it difficult to move because well, it's home.
So well, I suppose trying to enforce change is completely against your nature of wanting to sit around in your little part of the world and feel all warm and cozy. It's um, quite a difficult thing to fight.
So don't give in. Change is as hard as hell but sometimes you most definitely need it. Get out there and conquer, Snuggly.
I guess it's human and animal nature really, you settle in a place, even a really crappy place, and you find it difficult to move because well, it's home.
So well, I suppose trying to enforce change is completely against your nature of wanting to sit around in your little part of the world and feel all warm and cozy. It's um, quite a difficult thing to fight.
So don't give in. Change is as hard as hell but sometimes you most definitely need it. Get out there and conquer, Snuggly.
Mr Snuggly wrote:
> I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
Genius, anyway good luck with your future.
> I just sat dumbstruck as this gorilla pounded away his frustration before driving off, probably to stab a policeman before having underage sex with a criminal gypsy.
Genius, anyway good luck with your future.
Littlest Brother wrote:
> It's simple, as you said move house to somewhere half decent.
Without wanting to sound like a miserable git, it's not that simple. Have you seen property prices? Even renting is pretty expensive in decent places.
Having said that, I kind of know how Snuggly feels. I only live in a town, but by god it's a sh*thole, one of the things that spurred me on to be in education so long, when all but threeof my friends packed it in after GCSE was that I knew that unless I got some decent qualifications I'd be stuck here doing some crap job forever. Luckily I live with parents on what is probably the best estate outside of the town so that's okay - living in the town would be a nightmare.
One thing I would say Snuggly, and I know you probably don't think much of my opinion, is do not go to a University you don't like just because it has the course. You'll spend a good 50-80% of your time with little work in the first year (depending on course obviously), and even in the other years you'll have free time. Parties and clubs are okay but they sure take up the money - several uni friends have gigantic debts incurred just from stuff like this, let alone the student loan.
I'd say a degree is still worth it though, and one thing you have Snuggly, which you'll find many many uni students don't have, is work experience. You must have worked for SR a good couple of years and that is something which will be great when you do finally graduate because many students only do meaningless part time jobs or have like two weeks work experience from A Level. The annoying thing is, that from my experience, that a degree only actually gives you so much in terms of new skills. The management trainee stuff I'm applying for now? All my experience and knowledge comes from my actual work, sure, on the CV I talk about teamwork, time management etc, but that's all padding. I mean teamwork, in Uni? Please. Everyone just goes with mates everytime - I've worked with the same people all 3 years. That's not teamwork. Time management? I do coursework over a week/weekend and average about 9 hours a week actual time at Uni.
But as Snuggly says, employers still insist on these degree certificates for most decent jobs, which is sad really. It's unlikely to change so there's little option but to go with the flow if you want to get anywhere...
Find a Uni you like Snuggly, if you're not happy then 3 years stuck in another place you hate will mean you won't (probably) get the best degree you can get.
> It's simple, as you said move house to somewhere half decent.
Without wanting to sound like a miserable git, it's not that simple. Have you seen property prices? Even renting is pretty expensive in decent places.
Having said that, I kind of know how Snuggly feels. I only live in a town, but by god it's a sh*thole, one of the things that spurred me on to be in education so long, when all but threeof my friends packed it in after GCSE was that I knew that unless I got some decent qualifications I'd be stuck here doing some crap job forever. Luckily I live with parents on what is probably the best estate outside of the town so that's okay - living in the town would be a nightmare.
One thing I would say Snuggly, and I know you probably don't think much of my opinion, is do not go to a University you don't like just because it has the course. You'll spend a good 50-80% of your time with little work in the first year (depending on course obviously), and even in the other years you'll have free time. Parties and clubs are okay but they sure take up the money - several uni friends have gigantic debts incurred just from stuff like this, let alone the student loan.
I'd say a degree is still worth it though, and one thing you have Snuggly, which you'll find many many uni students don't have, is work experience. You must have worked for SR a good couple of years and that is something which will be great when you do finally graduate because many students only do meaningless part time jobs or have like two weeks work experience from A Level. The annoying thing is, that from my experience, that a degree only actually gives you so much in terms of new skills. The management trainee stuff I'm applying for now? All my experience and knowledge comes from my actual work, sure, on the CV I talk about teamwork, time management etc, but that's all padding. I mean teamwork, in Uni? Please. Everyone just goes with mates everytime - I've worked with the same people all 3 years. That's not teamwork. Time management? I do coursework over a week/weekend and average about 9 hours a week actual time at Uni.
But as Snuggly says, employers still insist on these degree certificates for most decent jobs, which is sad really. It's unlikely to change so there's little option but to go with the flow if you want to get anywhere...
Find a Uni you like Snuggly, if you're not happy then 3 years stuck in another place you hate will mean you won't (probably) get the best degree you can get.
You could try freelance writing (send a mag a synopsis to give them an idea of what the article would be about). If they like your writing you could get a permanent job out of it without the need for a degree.
I'm assuming when you say 'publications' that you mean magazines but a synopsis should work with book ideas, science journals etc.
I'm assuming when you say 'publications' that you mean magazines but a synopsis should work with book ideas, science journals etc.
Aye, change is tough, and apathy's a killer.
I've been thinking about quitting my job again recently, but with a five figure debt and a family, I can't afford to quit, as I can't earn as much elsewhere, even if I was doing something I'd enjoy.
As it happens I'm being shifted about within my job, so I'll be performing a different role, so maybe it'll get better, but the key is to not rely on that and to focus on something you want to do in the future.
I may only have a couple of hours a week to get on with important things, but I make the most of them. In the couple of weeks I've sent a couple of short stories into competitions, and sent in 50 pages worth of sketches to a new ITV sketch show. All of this could lead to absolutely nothing - but that's just a could had I not have sent it in it could be a definite.
Next thing to work on is a comedy pilot and proposal document to send into the BBC. If they don't like it in it goes to the independents whilst I work on another.
I've read stuff you've written, and without doubt you have talent. Do you know for sure that those publications won't take you on without a degree? Send them all letters on the off chance. Send them stuff you've done to show that you have the relevant experience to not need those stupid pieces of paper.
At least at the moment you have the advantage of knowing what qualifications you have got. Most people that go on to University don't until their A-Level results come out in August - if they don't get what they want there's still time to find another course. You have time to try a few different Universities - at least by now they have an idea of how full their courses will be. Don't undersell yourself either. Think about all you've done in the last few years and express it in a way that will impress.
The only other thing I can say is don't give up. Apply to Universities even if you want to go to even if you don't meet the requirements - you'd be going in as a mature student anyway, and experience is more important.
Good luck in your future adventures.
I've been thinking about quitting my job again recently, but with a five figure debt and a family, I can't afford to quit, as I can't earn as much elsewhere, even if I was doing something I'd enjoy.
As it happens I'm being shifted about within my job, so I'll be performing a different role, so maybe it'll get better, but the key is to not rely on that and to focus on something you want to do in the future.
I may only have a couple of hours a week to get on with important things, but I make the most of them. In the couple of weeks I've sent a couple of short stories into competitions, and sent in 50 pages worth of sketches to a new ITV sketch show. All of this could lead to absolutely nothing - but that's just a could had I not have sent it in it could be a definite.
Next thing to work on is a comedy pilot and proposal document to send into the BBC. If they don't like it in it goes to the independents whilst I work on another.
I've read stuff you've written, and without doubt you have talent. Do you know for sure that those publications won't take you on without a degree? Send them all letters on the off chance. Send them stuff you've done to show that you have the relevant experience to not need those stupid pieces of paper.
At least at the moment you have the advantage of knowing what qualifications you have got. Most people that go on to University don't until their A-Level results come out in August - if they don't get what they want there's still time to find another course. You have time to try a few different Universities - at least by now they have an idea of how full their courses will be. Don't undersell yourself either. Think about all you've done in the last few years and express it in a way that will impress.
The only other thing I can say is don't give up. Apply to Universities even if you want to go to even if you don't meet the requirements - you'd be going in as a mature student anyway, and experience is more important.
Good luck in your future adventures.
You can live with me
East Kilbride is probably only a bit better though
East Kilbride is probably only a bit better though
I know what it is like to live in a place you hate, to want to get away and start again. Been there, done that.
All is not yet lost. Possibly. How old are you Snuggly? I'd guess you fall into the 21+ category, in which case you could apply as a mature student. That would make grades less relevant and in some cases entry is decided on the basis of an interview. Obviously though, each university is different.
I agree with Bell when he says don't go somewhere else just because they have the course. I had a couple of mates who did that, they ended up loathing uni. Some just quit and went to another uni the following year, some just endured it and hated every single moment.
What was the course? Unless it was a fairly rare, specialised kind of course, a lot of uni's will do it. Consider other places, go and visit them. Also, in the summer at some point, after results time I think, the papers up here in Glasgow have a supplement with all the unfilled places in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Glasgow Caley and maybe Paisley. Point is that they have unfilled places and let them go a lot easier after results time to keep the numbers up. They try to fill all their places so that they get the same budget for the next year.
You also mentioned publications, well I don't know what field they are in, but as Meka has shown you don't need to be an English graduate to be allowed to write things. Well maybe he is, but that's not the point. Goatboy mentioned that he had been doing some freelance writing before he started. There are ways and means of getting published. The more outlandish suggestion would be to go on I'm a Celebrity and get everyone from the forums to vote for you. That way you get to sell your story...
What ever you do, I hope all goes well.
All is not yet lost. Possibly. How old are you Snuggly? I'd guess you fall into the 21+ category, in which case you could apply as a mature student. That would make grades less relevant and in some cases entry is decided on the basis of an interview. Obviously though, each university is different.
I agree with Bell when he says don't go somewhere else just because they have the course. I had a couple of mates who did that, they ended up loathing uni. Some just quit and went to another uni the following year, some just endured it and hated every single moment.
What was the course? Unless it was a fairly rare, specialised kind of course, a lot of uni's will do it. Consider other places, go and visit them. Also, in the summer at some point, after results time I think, the papers up here in Glasgow have a supplement with all the unfilled places in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Glasgow Caley and maybe Paisley. Point is that they have unfilled places and let them go a lot easier after results time to keep the numbers up. They try to fill all their places so that they get the same budget for the next year.
You also mentioned publications, well I don't know what field they are in, but as Meka has shown you don't need to be an English graduate to be allowed to write things. Well maybe he is, but that's not the point. Goatboy mentioned that he had been doing some freelance writing before he started. There are ways and means of getting published. The more outlandish suggestion would be to go on I'm a Celebrity and get everyone from the forums to vote for you. That way you get to sell your story...
What ever you do, I hope all goes well.
Page: