Maybe technology almost likes me

For various tedious reasons, most of which relate to my irritating habit of fainting like a fey fiction heroine when it gets the slightest bit warm, I need to reduce the amount of stuff I carry to university. Accordingly I have purloined a netbook to see if that make things easier.
And my verdict after one day? Yes. Yes it does. It's not a perfect solution the battery life is dire and the power cable weighs as much as the netbook. However, being able to take notes on slides without killing a whole forest. Actually being Aw to work in the library without having to lurk around like some kind of stalker until a computer is free. Awesome.

Also awesome, and this ruins any cool nerd kid credentials I might have had, Microsoft OneNote. I know, I know liking teh evul windoze is not on. But. seriously that thing fucking rocks. No it doesn't make up for the awfulness that is publisher, nor for the annoying but ubiquitous Excel, but damn this is actually good. I can have all my stuff for each module together and well I like...

Now all I need is to win the lottery (which is unlikely because I don't play) and heye one of those write on tablet pc dooberries.

And breathe

My actual grading marks, for the subject wot I áv nivvr done before, I got a B in both. Which is a hundred types of awesome and frankly I'd have been happy with a scraped pass. I have another computer assessment in that which represents 15% and an exam in January which represents 40%.

My formative assignment she said she would have given me an A- if it was marked, which is great, but a little bit pressurising since I can't really do less than that on the real thing can I now?

Which probably means I should get back to doing said essay and the second essay I have as well. Eeep.

Scary gradeness

I get some grades this week...and I'm afraid. Really afraid.

On Thursday I will get back my formative essay score (ie the essay for which there are no points), which is in itself a little scary. Because the focus is on feedback. However, it isn't a point contributing essay so if I have utterly messed up it isn't something that can't be rectified.

The other two scores. The other two are properly scaring me. Firstly because between them they represent 45% of one unit's grade. Secondly and far far more scary, the grades are going to be online. No private shame. No chance to mumble a reply and divert attention.

This I am not fond of. Not a jot.

Technology is mine enemy

I've just done my first online assessment for a module (second one week after next). And goodness what a faff. Not really the most accessible thing ever, on account of having to download extra software to run it. Which both my computers objected to in quite strong terms. I think they were on the verge of having a Mrs Trellis of North Wales moment.

However, it is done. And now I'm scared. I am reasonably confident with the essay for this module that I haven't totally fucked it up. And frankly for the first time ever I am actually in two of my current modules entirely satisfied if I get a D. really truly, not normal me. But they are linked and while the one for the exam/essay is quite good, the other is awful hellish and makes me want to kill myself every Wednesday night. So I am doing a get through this year. And then Zoology goes back to being major and no more do I spend money on freezing my bum off.

Also slightly scared that I just realised I have two big essays about to be set within three days of each other...I will be locking myself up in my secret bolt hole, with books n'stuffs.

The why yes I really am f***king annoyed post

I understand that not everything on field trips will go to plan. I know that you can't predict for injuries and traffic. You can however, take the 40 minutes you planned for to look at item 1, rather than the hour an half you did take. And the subsequent twice as much time for the other places. You have watches.
Also you did know that your workplace, the place at which I study, had rented out the car park for the evening to several thousand people for an event that ended at the time our coach due to arrive back in car park. So a little foresight might have told you that getting back was going to involve some problems. Like maybe that we wouldn't be able to park in the car park, or even allowed in, and that we'd have to drive endlessly around the city centre like very swish vagrants.

Because gentlemen, some of us live in places where buses only operate between ten and four on Sundays, and so have had to call in very many favours to get to and from university in the first place, and people are not happy when they get messed around doing people favours.

It was cold. Very very cold. I am annoyed.

Zoom, just one look...

Or: OMG I want a scanning electron microscope...

Practicals that involve being near very brilliant (and very expensive) equipment are awesome. I could have been totally happy without the practical on calibrating a light microscope, but the electron ones oooooh. Nice.

Reason number 300 to come to university: They have big toys. With buttons and gold plated ladybirds (not for decorative purposes, its for viewing through the scanning microscope). I got to see bacteria on a ladybird's mouthparts, which sounds vaguely like something you would do on date five, and the hairs on her very dead legs.*And a fly, which seemed to have died from having his head drop off, and someone in the class' hair, and a bullet.



*I have absolutely no idea what gender said bug was clearly but its a ladybird, so we'll assume its a lady-bug...