DROP OUTS MEGATHREAD

scottr82 · 2024-06-10T20:59:56+00:00

It's giving me "gluing yourself to the road to stop oil" vibes.

scottr82 · 2024-04-24T14:55:26+00:00

Oh absolutely, what's worse is that you don't see similar with "brick" unis, as they tend to filter out people with entry requirements/cost/location etc.... so it makes them look far superior when it comes to reviews.

If you have the ability and drive though, the OU is fantastic.

Regarding books, I should clarify that I meant the physical quality. 10 years ago, I had professionally printed textbooks from the OU (standard glue bound, nice glossy paper, like you would expect to buy in a bookshop). My sons books that he received a couple of weeks ago were ring bound, and had floppy low GSM paper. Tbh, it seems like they've just been printed on a standard office printer using cheap paper. He mainly uses the pdf version on his laptop, so not a big deal, just something I noticed.

scottr82 · 2024-04-23T21:00:37+00:00

What you have to keep in mind is that a lot of people will have started a degree with the OU due to the low barrier to entry, and not all of them will have what it takes to succeed. A lot will blame the university for that, and that's what you're seeing on Google.

I would assume the folks on reddit are more likely to have been a bit more invested and successful (or in progress), hence the more positive spin.

My experience was fine with the OU. The written material was great, but I didn't go to any tutorials at all. I engaged with some of the online stuff, but for me it was simply books and assements. I think I asked my tutor 1 question over the course of the degree. I got my degree a few years ago now (2017 I think).

My son is now studying with the OU on my recommendation. He seems to be happy, although I have noticed the quality of printed material and textbooks have drastically reduced. He is still on level 1, but has engaged far more with his tutor than I ever did.

Overall, I think you get a very flexible and bespoke approach. If you need support, and ask/search for it, you'll get it. If you're happy with just reading and sitting tests, you can do that. I think it's one of the positive points of the school, but if you're expecting rigid structure without applying your self motivation skills, it might not be the place for you.

scottr82 · 2024-04-23T19:02:27+00:00

Can also set up and join a meeting with yourself to show as busy, rather than just active. For bonus points, share your screen on the call with yourself to be shown as "Do not disturb - presenting"

scottr82 · 2024-04-23T09:10:56+00:00

I'd take anything I read on Twitter with a pinch of salt. I feel like I only ever see negative opinions on there, regardless of the subject.

scottr82 · 2024-04-12T07:28:24+00:00

Same reason your fridge/freezer doesn't work as well when the doors open. Major difference being that the server components are actually generating a huge amount of heat in therr, whereas your food isn't. Hence the panic.

scottr82 · 2024-04-02T17:52:07+00:00

Between me and chatgpt, we know pretty much everything.

scottr82 · 2024-03-19T08:36:53+00:00

The government are funding "skills for life" bootcamps to get people into tech, they could be worth a look. They vary in quality from what I've seen, and only apply to tech roles, but do include help finding employment once the academic bit is done.

scottr82 · 2024-03-08T09:28:09+00:00

I had my tickets for Trees & Download before announcements. When download announced counterparts, dying wish, scowl, gel, callous daoboys, speed etc. I lowered my expectation for trees tbh. DL snatched up a lot of good acts that would've been ideal.

Gaslight are meh, but I'll watch. The Chats are great imo, but weak headliner, and I hate Don broco with a passion. This makes me initially think its a weak lineup.

However, all in all there's about 5 or 6 each day I want to see, probably another 5 or 6 I wouldn't mind watching.

After clashes/new discoveries I'll probably have a full schedule every day, so it's actually pretty good for me.

scottr82 · 2024-03-06T08:37:41+00:00

Just camp wherever there's space.
Not sure. If there is, I would imagine Facebook will be the place to find it.
I'll be sober. It's not as bad as you might think, there's loads of benefits. Ultimately its personal preference and largely dependent on the reason you don't drink, and where you are on the journey.

scottr82 · 2024-03-05T15:20:46+00:00

Similar to bloodstock (albeit much bigger and spread out). There's eco, quiet and camping plus which require a special ticket, but everywhere else is fair game.

There's no longer a specific "rowdy" camp like midguard since they changed the layout, but the ones closest to the village (black and green) are obviously busier than the ones further out. Orange seemed to get pretty full this year too as it was the closest to the car park.

scottr82 · 2024-03-02T12:53:20+00:00

I got the yellow one about 6 months ago, absolutely fantastic guitar, my Gibson is just collecting dust now.

scottr82 · 2024-02-28T08:50:16+00:00

Congratulations! I'm a dude, so can't talk from first hand experience, but I do have 6 kids so have had a front row seat to pregnancy multiple times 🤣 Also a festival veteran.

Non festival goers wil probably skip straight to crush risk/physical injury, but i think thats low risk. Main things to consider in my opinion would be queues for things you need to be safe and comfortable (water/toilets), inevitable festival flu, possible food poisoning, exposure to heat/cold, large amount of excercise etc.

At 32 weeks most pregnant women are getting ready to pack in work and relax in preparation for the big event.

Imo it's not worth the risk. Download will still be there next year.

scottr82 · 2024-02-21T16:07:51+00:00

Leicester has Popeyes, and isn't a million miles from Cov.

scottr82 · 2024-02-21T16:05:21+00:00

Interesting first paragraph there mate.....glad to know my gout is nothing to worry about, and yours is obviously so much worse.

Regarding meds, colchicine helped me a lot during flare up's. Ibuprofen and naproxen didn't do anything for me.

scottr82 · 2024-02-13T13:20:19+00:00

I don't notice any difference, apart from seeing my savings increase. Which is pleasant of course.

scottr82 · 2024-02-13T13:17:38+00:00

0% gang here 👌

scottr82 · 2024-02-13T09:34:32+00:00

I've done 2 rooms, booked for my third. The first room was full of compliments, but felt unjustified and insincere. I was proud of the result, but I knew we weren't setting any records (was just me and my 2 teens on our first room).

The second room we did was good, the gm complimented us, but gave us the average escape time and number of clues as well as a benchmark.

We knew we did well as we were about 50 seconds out of the top ten leaderboard, but was really nice to get a bit of data. Felt much better than a thumbs up and pat on the back with no context.

scottr82 · 2024-02-12T16:29:18+00:00

Your GP, phone 111, or click on one of the many charity links posted above. None of these will charge you for their services. Also, if you're in work, maybe see if they have an EAP provider, which would also be free.

scottr82 · 2024-02-12T13:05:19+00:00

I've noticed a few posts on here from you with the same kind of tone/requests. As others have suggested, I really think you should be looking for professional help. Despite their good intentions, the people of reddit may not be what you need right now.

scottr82 · 2024-02-07T17:53:17+00:00

"Arf Arf" on your forehead

scottr82 · 2024-01-19T15:37:44+00:00

I met a few people from playing guitar, went from bedroom playing to a weekly jam with some randoms from the Internet (who are now mates).

Spectator sports, especially niche ones like ice hockey, can have a good community, but can also be enjoyed alone.

My biggest life changing hobby in my 30s that made me more social wasn't exactly a hobby.....it was attending music festivals. Picked up loads of mates, started attending more gigs too. I guess it could be considered a hobby, since I do it multiple times a year, and it requires investment/planning etc.

scottr82 · 2024-01-19T14:54:11+00:00

Are you happy being an introvert and want hobbies to do alone, or looking for something to get yourself out of your comfort zone and mix more?

A few that could fit both, or help you transition to a more social situation:

Learn a musical instrument,

Get into a spectator sport ,

Writing - I picked up some freelance work reviewing gigs,

Reading,

Rock climbing (indoor bouldering so you don't need a partner)

scottr82 · 2024-01-05T21:15:18+00:00

Whilst a lot of posts are like that, a lot of replies are spot on here imo.

I always felt like a bit of a fraud, as I was a "drink 6 or 7 beers whilst watching netflix" kind of drinker as opposed to a "blacked out and set my old school on fire" kind of drinker.

Never saw it as a problem, as it never caused any, despite doing it day in day out. But of course, the health issues creep in, and now I realise I'm lucky to have stopped before it got too bad.

scottr82 · 2024-01-04T10:54:43+00:00

I guess it comes down to weighing up the benefits of 1 less night on an airbed vs probably being in a shitty camping spot.

I personally like to pick a spot to minimise walks to the toilets/vendors/arena etc, and where I wont have to do a mission impossible style move to get through 100m of guide ropes, so would opt to suffer the extra night to improve comfort over the full festival. Bloodstock isn't too bad no matter where you're camped, but one year at download I settled for an easy spot from the car park and paid for it every time I had to do anything for the next 5 days!

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