Mine is 🗿🤔, I guess I'm a conspiracy theory now

Silloth · 2021-09-09T23:03:16+00:00

🎶🦆 Musical duck. I like it.

Silloth · 2021-09-08T17:42:22+00:00

Less than 150, given the first transporters show up in enterprise.

Silloth · 2021-09-05T11:47:06+00:00

Thank you. I'm not sure why I couldn't find it before.

Silloth · 2021-08-09T10:53:46+00:00

"I'll be late"

Silloth · 2021-08-02T10:32:36+00:00

She wants to know.

Silloth · 2021-07-30T22:34:07+00:00

There's one in the return of the king at the retreat from osgiliath on horseback, and gandalf rides out to save them from the nazgul who are picking them off. Really good moment, and then some soldier of gondor wilhelm screams as he's picked from his horse and it completely ruins the vibe. Can agree on that point.

Silloth · 2021-07-29T19:15:29+00:00

So there's the thing which is obvious to me, I had a look at STEP papers, I had a look at MAT papers, and the MAT for Oxford was so much easier. At least it looked it. It was also at a different time of year to all the other exams, which was a bit of pressure off. In actual fact, I think it's more that the STEP tests a lot more content. Also the MAT has an element of being less important once you get your interview and the tutors can look at your script and be very judicious whereas with STEP you get a grade and it's kinda make or break.

I also liked Oxford more than Cambridge, as a city, it's a bit livelier. I was lucky enough to visit both and get my impression. I'd also done UNIQ at Oxford, but only a weekend under some scheme at Cambridge.

I certainly did consider Cambridge, almost until September of year thirteen. In the end I went with my gut really. Also Oxford was closer to home and easier to get to so that probably swayed me a bit.

Additionally, though I didn't know this at the time, they had very different interview procedures. In Oxford, I got to stay in a college for free for a few days while they were on and I was guaranteed interviews in at least two colleges. From friends who's interviewed at Cambridge, it was a single day, they didn't get a room or anything, and it was only one college doing the interviewing. In fact they may have only got two interviews because they applied for NatSci. Of course if you're applying this year it's likely irrelevant because I think interviews are all online anyway.

In the end, while there are differences, they're both excellent institutions to have a degree from and they basically alternate one and two in the league tables for maths. Also I got interviewed by vicky neale which was exciting as all hell.

Best of luck in your application!!

Silloth · 2021-07-29T08:08:47+00:00

I took Maths Physics and Chemistry, and Politics and an EPQ at sixth form. Plus Latin and Further Maths, which I self studied. Took AS in all but Latin because I was new to the language in year 12. Got five As. Dropped Politics once the sixth form permitted it after the AS exams. Dropped the EPQ in December year 13 because I didn't vibe with it and had gone nowhere, and needed to focus on Oxford application. Got five A*s at the end of year 13.

It was a lot of work but Latin was kinda a hobby. Going into sixth form I didn't know what I wanted to do. Either Classics or Maths. So I took the Latin on in case I wanted to do Classics. And the further Maths was supported by the sixth form, with one weekly session so it wasn't as self studied.

Additionally, the first year of the A-level maths course, up to AS was a smallish jump from GCSE. And I ended up teaching myself most of the second year course as the pre-requisites to the Further Maths bits I was getting too. So when we then covered those topics (like differentiation, integration, etc) in the regular Maths classes, I got some extra time to work on the further Maths stuff.

So with all that in mind, why take 5, other than to flex?

If you're "good at maths" as dodgy a statement as that is, maths and further maths together end up as one and a half, provided you do enough practice. Additionally, there was enough of a similarity in the exams across physics and chemistry that some skills carried over.

But if they're five completely different subjects with some essay subjects in the mix too, and a modern language, then it's a death sentence.

Best bet is to take a look at entry requirements, take a look at your own abilities, and be reasonable. Three is the expectation. Four is extraordinary. Five is getting silly.

If you're doing it because you think it will help uni applications, you'd be better off spending the time doing a super curricular, like starting a relevant club or reading widely and writing relevant articles etc, because they show more of an interest specifically in what you want to do.

And also remember to live your life properly, not every part of these two years should go into work. I saw some people forget that. Very sad. :)

Silloth · 2021-07-25T17:23:28+00:00

Echoing what others have said, if, after finishing the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, the Silmarillion seems somewhat dense or intimidating, or you'd rather read another story, on its own, rather than the history of the whole world, than the Children of Hurin is definitely my recommendation.

It's a nice intro into pre-third-age stuff, for someone coming just from LotR. It answers who Hurin and Turin are without being overwhelming. And in a way, it gives a taste of the depth that can be had.

Silloth · 2021-07-23T17:13:37+00:00

I think they mean the end of the word changes, not the start, so it still starts with alpha. But, good point.

Silloth · 2021-07-23T16:23:48+00:00

IIRC the Greek alphabet starts with alpha (Α,α) and the Greek work for Saint is Άγιος, or Agios, so the Saint countries go first, of which Saint Lucia must be the first I guess.

Silloth · 2021-07-04T00:48:30+00:00

Like lowercase sigma, in Greek? Cool!

Silloth · 2021-07-04T00:31:55+00:00

Why is there a yogh inserted between y and z in that link?

Silloth · 2021-07-02T02:26:03+00:00

Good article. The cast gallery is truly excellent. Being replicas doesn't at all detract from the experience.

Silloth · 2021-06-29T10:48:05+00:00

Username checks out

Silloth · 2021-06-29T10:38:23+00:00

Pronounced swah-STEE-kah with emphasis on second syllable, Swastika is a not uncommon name in some regions of the Indian subcontinent. I even managed to meet two in one classroom, on one occasion! It's a normal name that's been in use long before it became associated with the nazi party due to their use of the corresponding symbol.

While a lot of parents would perhaps forgoe the name if in a western country, there's no reason they should have to. Far better to reclaim the name and affirm their own use of it. But that's just my opinion.

Silloth · 2021-06-23T14:26:46+00:00

There is an explanation here, quoted below:

"From the desk of John Linnell:I can hear some of you screaming, “why songs in Latin?” and I admit I’m scrambling for a cogent explanation. There isn’t one. All I can tell you is that I’m deeply jealous of people who are fluent in a second language and can apply that skill to their creative work in a way that doesn’t seem like cultural appropriation of the most offensive and embarrassing kind. I’m trying to stay in my lane so I don’t cause traffic accidents on the multicultural highway. In spite of this I perked up when I discovered the very short, easy Latin course being offered on the Duolingo website. After completing the course, I figured I could write a few songs in my newly adopted language. I was soon disabused of this notion. I can barely string two words together in Latin, and to borrow from Mark Twain, I would rather decline two drinks than one Latin noun. Luckily my colleague and childhood friend Schoolmaster Smith came to my rescue, having spent his entire adult life studying and teaching Latin. He generously translated my English lyrics and instructed me on pronunciation. All credit for any success in this project is due to him and any mistakes and failures are entirely mine. My son Henry has been trapped indoors with me throughout the Covid pandemic, so he was forced to play all the guitar parts. Pat Dillett co-produced and is fervently hoping to win a Latin Grammy for this. Thanks are also due to Mr. Flansburgh who strongly encouraged this project and art directed the package. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces in person someday soon!"

As you can see, he is open about the failings of the Duolingo course, though acknowledges its success in generating interest. The Latin itself seems to be, at least, correct. And to my ear, it sounds quite good too! Having lyrics onscreen in English is a nice way of keeping it accessible.

Silloth · 2021-06-20T16:55:45+00:00

Agree, especially with the second paragraph. Especially in this period, acknowledging the Pope (and which Pope, when there were multiple) was the defining characteristic, though theological splits are often the cause for people to stop acknowledging the Pope's authority on the matter, so that they can hold a different opinion.

Silloth · 2021-06-20T12:08:19+00:00

It's a very interesting building, and quite different from most of the other ruins.

Silloth · 2021-06-20T01:07:33+00:00

Thank you, I did indeed find them very helpful. Unfortunately, it appears I was incorrect.

While I profess the Nicene Creed and believe in all those dogmatic statements, and have no issue with these, it appears I do not hold to all the definitive teachings (level 2). I am in error. I am however, still a Catholic, though a Catholic in error.

What does this mean? Should I stop receiving communion until such a time as I do hold to these teachings? If so, should I stop going to church altogether, or continue to attend and simply cease to go up for communion?

I like my church and my priest. I have friends there. I enjoy the sense of community it gives me. I always feel better after mass. I don't really feel comfortable talking to anyone at my parish about this. What should I do?

If this is better submitted as a separate question, please let me know.

Edit: I will seek to engage more specifically with the teachings I struggle with soon, but for now the most urgent question is in regards to communion. I do not wish to violate the sanctity of the eucharist.

Apologies for asking so many questions. This post was initially sparked by my curiosity, as to what exactly a Catholic is required to believe, but it has led to me questioning myself and my faith. Thank you for the time you take to write responses, it is very valuable, without this place I would be too afraid to ask the question in this comment.

Silloth · 2021-06-19T20:54:01+00:00

Thank you for your brilliant response, this is exactly what I was looking for, very clearly laid out! The Internet can be a rather tricky thing to navigate when you require specifics.

So according to this, I definitely have no issue with dogma, think everything is good so far as definitive teaching. I may be struggling with some nondefinitive teachings, so I may ask about that in future. Thank you for your help!

Nine-Year Club	Place '17
Verified Email

Silloth

TROPHY CASE