So, I had a 4 day interview last week with the army, called the AOSB (Army Officer's Selection Board) and got the results through the mail today. I passed. Good news! It means that I will definitely be starting at Sandhurst in September, but it has handed me a major problem. I need to attend Sandhurst at some point during the summer for a Pre-commission briefing, which is basically an introduction to life at Sandhurst.
I put my mind to the task, and came up with a plan, an expensive plan, but a good one nonetheless. I will fly out to camp on the 11th of may for Pre-pre camp, where I will spend a month, I will then leave camp on the 15th of June, fly home for the morning of the 16th, drive down to Sandhurst, spend a few days there, drive home, and fly back to the US on the 19th of June, to arrive back at camp on the 20th. Good times eh? but at least when I get back from the US I will be able to go to Sandhurst, instead of having to wait 4 months.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Friday, 6 February 2009
Censorship
A lot has been happening in the news recently regarding censorship. Just today, Jeremy Clarkson is on the block for making what is frankly a hilarious comment about Gordon Brown. I get that as broadcasters they have an audience that listen to what they're saying, but if you don't like it, don't listen to it, don't watch whatever they're on. Neutering what people can say on TV stands for everything that is wrong with this world. When did the entire population of England become pussies? Stop whining and deal with the fact that it isnt the 1950's anymore, people aren't like they used to be, we won't hold our tongues because it makes you uncomfortable. I damn sure wouldn't watch half the comedians or read half the articles I do if they were censored. Entertainment is meant to do exactly what it says, entertain, and censoring people will definitely put an end to that.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Work.
As stated previously, I work as a swimming teacher. 2 out of the 4 days I work, I have helpers in the water, the other 2, I teach all on my own. This post is for me to vent about the former. As with most things, there are good helpers, and there are bad helpers. Good helpers understand how to teach, they understand body positioning and they understand how to communicate best with children. Bad helpers, do not. I have told some of the helpers over and over again about how important it is for them to be in the right position to help the kids, but they seem to keep doing it their way. I rant about this a lot, but if people just did what I told them to, things would run a lot smoother, I have an IQ of 160 and an analytical mind, I'm not often wrong, so DO WHAT I FUCKING SAY. /rant
Monday, 2 February 2009
I am a genius. Fact.
It's true! I am a genius, I have figured out how to ensure that even when we get 10 foot of snow, We dont need to shut down our airports. The answer is simple, Flamethrowers. I know, right? Easy! It would save a whole lot of time and effort. Why employ snowplows when you can just melt the snow right away, hell, you could even use the tanks with a flamethrower attachment that were so popular in WWII. Then, to ensure that the snow didnt re-cover the runways, you can grit them, it doesnt take long, and it would make sure that the water didnt turn to ice. So, if youre reading this, Heathrow airport's disaster planning department, invest in some flamethrowers!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Angsty kids are ridiculous.
So about 4-5 years ago, I was an angst ridden youth with too much time on my hands and I decided to start writing some poems. (I should tell you that at this time, I was the guy who wore his heart on his sleeve, and was easier to read than a Mr Men book.) I uploaded these poems to my deviantart page (http://itsekko.deviantart.com) and one in particular has been pounced upon by the new age angsty kids. I'm not going to post it here, mainly because the writing is horrific and I am ashamed of it, but also because I dont want any angsty kids commenting on my blog. I will however give you all a direct link, it's at: http://itsekko.deviantart.com/art/Suicide-18539141.
The sad part about this is that I think there are a couple of poems on my deviantart that aren't too bad, a bit rough maybe, but far superior to that one. I guess it's like anything, give a poem a name like Suicide (its actual name) and people will read it, and some will like it.
Anyway, thats all for now, please enjoy laughing at my butchery of the english language.
Drew
The sad part about this is that I think there are a couple of poems on my deviantart that aren't too bad, a bit rough maybe, but far superior to that one. I guess it's like anything, give a poem a name like Suicide (its actual name) and people will read it, and some will like it.
Anyway, thats all for now, please enjoy laughing at my butchery of the english language.
Drew
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
My life so far
So, I've decided to start writing a blog. Not for any specific purpose, just because I feel that an outlet for my thoughts is exactly what I need. I thought for a while about where to start, and figured that right now was probably the best point.
As many of you know (you should if you're reading this) I am returning to camp. That is not to say I'm not going into the Army, I'm just putting it off until September (more on this later). I love camp, it is my heaven, spending day after day in the sunny Berkshire mountains, and my job there is great, I get to solve problems and play, win-win in my eyes. I get asked about responsibility a lot, and whether or not I like it. I'll be honest, I thrive on it. Some people are better with their backs to the wall, and some are better when no-one asks them to do anything, I firmly fit into the former. So anyway, back to camp. It's just around the corner really, as of today I make it 120 days until the start of pre-camp, or to put it a better way, 2880 hours. Not a long time really. I see a lot of people are going back too, which makes things a lot easier, explaining jobs to people is much easier the second time round, and people understand what is expected of them.
I got a missed call this morning from the AOSB (Army officers selection board) and an email followed shortly after, offering me a place on a main board coming up soon. I have applied for one in mid february, and am just waiting to hear back from them. It's nice to have a focus date though. I workout all the time, but now I have a specific date in mind, I can focus on that and make sure I am in good enough shape for it. I also now know that I have a certain amount of time to get my general knowledge and current affairs back in order, as well as knowledge about the army. The main board is a 4 day affair, it consists of mental, physical and social tests all designed to put you under pressure and see how you cope. They aren't looking for the finished product, but someone who has the makings to be what they need. I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't nervous, but its those good nerves, the ones that make you want to do things, the ones that trigger the good thoughts in your head. There's a certain euphoric feeling to these nerves, They tell me I'm not good enough yet, but it helps me focus, and it helps me get into my own head.
Hrmm, what's next? Lacrosse. It's been a mixed season really, coupled with out of this world performances and really bad ones. Were currently 7-6 and 4th in the Northern Division 2, which is really pretty good when you consider that we got promoted last season, and everyone thought we'd be going straight back down. It looks like I'm going to be forfeiting my place on the 1st team from now on though, theyre safe in the 2nd division, and the captain wants to build a cohesive defensive unit for next year, and with me not being around, I cant be mad about it.
I'm currently teaching swimming for a job, at 2 different companies, and when I say different, I really mean it. One of them is the company I've worked at for many years, Its old fashioned stand on the side and yell at kids style teaching and for a long time, I really thought that was the only way to teach, until I started my new job. The new company I work for have centres all over the country, teaching from the butlins to private pools, and it's all in the water teaching, starting from as young as 2 years old. The class of the children are completely different too, my original job is teaching middle class kids, the kind you get in every day schools, whereas my new job looks at kids who are, well lets say above middle class. They're all very smart, and somewhat spoilt, never in my life have I had kids say 'no' to me so much.
'Lets go for a swim on our backs'
'No'
'How about our fronts then'
'No'
'Well how about you just stay here and float whilst the others swim'
'No'
It really is that bad sometimes, but I guess I need to break into the social dynamic a bit more, and teach these kids that people don't really get to say No to me, especially when theyre 3. Saying that, I really love the job. There was a point, when I got back from America last summer, that I really wasnt enjoying teaching, but now with this new job and a change of scenery twice a week, it has invigourated my love for it.
Anyway, It's been a long first post. I promise my future ones will be shorter.
As many of you know (you should if you're reading this) I am returning to camp. That is not to say I'm not going into the Army, I'm just putting it off until September (more on this later). I love camp, it is my heaven, spending day after day in the sunny Berkshire mountains, and my job there is great, I get to solve problems and play, win-win in my eyes. I get asked about responsibility a lot, and whether or not I like it. I'll be honest, I thrive on it. Some people are better with their backs to the wall, and some are better when no-one asks them to do anything, I firmly fit into the former. So anyway, back to camp. It's just around the corner really, as of today I make it 120 days until the start of pre-camp, or to put it a better way, 2880 hours. Not a long time really. I see a lot of people are going back too, which makes things a lot easier, explaining jobs to people is much easier the second time round, and people understand what is expected of them.
I got a missed call this morning from the AOSB (Army officers selection board) and an email followed shortly after, offering me a place on a main board coming up soon. I have applied for one in mid february, and am just waiting to hear back from them. It's nice to have a focus date though. I workout all the time, but now I have a specific date in mind, I can focus on that and make sure I am in good enough shape for it. I also now know that I have a certain amount of time to get my general knowledge and current affairs back in order, as well as knowledge about the army. The main board is a 4 day affair, it consists of mental, physical and social tests all designed to put you under pressure and see how you cope. They aren't looking for the finished product, but someone who has the makings to be what they need. I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't nervous, but its those good nerves, the ones that make you want to do things, the ones that trigger the good thoughts in your head. There's a certain euphoric feeling to these nerves, They tell me I'm not good enough yet, but it helps me focus, and it helps me get into my own head.
Hrmm, what's next? Lacrosse. It's been a mixed season really, coupled with out of this world performances and really bad ones. Were currently 7-6 and 4th in the Northern Division 2, which is really pretty good when you consider that we got promoted last season, and everyone thought we'd be going straight back down. It looks like I'm going to be forfeiting my place on the 1st team from now on though, theyre safe in the 2nd division, and the captain wants to build a cohesive defensive unit for next year, and with me not being around, I cant be mad about it.
I'm currently teaching swimming for a job, at 2 different companies, and when I say different, I really mean it. One of them is the company I've worked at for many years, Its old fashioned stand on the side and yell at kids style teaching and for a long time, I really thought that was the only way to teach, until I started my new job. The new company I work for have centres all over the country, teaching from the butlins to private pools, and it's all in the water teaching, starting from as young as 2 years old. The class of the children are completely different too, my original job is teaching middle class kids, the kind you get in every day schools, whereas my new job looks at kids who are, well lets say above middle class. They're all very smart, and somewhat spoilt, never in my life have I had kids say 'no' to me so much.
'Lets go for a swim on our backs'
'No'
'How about our fronts then'
'No'
'Well how about you just stay here and float whilst the others swim'
'No'
It really is that bad sometimes, but I guess I need to break into the social dynamic a bit more, and teach these kids that people don't really get to say No to me, especially when theyre 3. Saying that, I really love the job. There was a point, when I got back from America last summer, that I really wasnt enjoying teaching, but now with this new job and a change of scenery twice a week, it has invigourated my love for it.
Anyway, It's been a long first post. I promise my future ones will be shorter.
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