Gobbledigook

4 HOURS. 30 MINUTES.

That's how long I have to wait until I get my degree classification. After much thinking, I'm certain that I couldn't possibly get any lower than a 2.1. I got a first, a 2.1 and a 2.2 last semester, and I'm pretty much set on another first, and as far as I know (according to one of my lecturers) I got a 2.1 in Film Music; and I probably got either a 2.2 or 2.1 in Musicology. With 2 firsts pretty much guaranteed and 2 2.1's guaranteed, I think I'm pretty set on a good solid 2.1. For those not in the know, a 2.1 is a mark between 60 and 69. If I get a 2.1, it would mean that me and my brother once again have even marks (we got virtually the same grades at GCSE and A Level exams too).

This weekend and today has made me think a lot. Was uni really worth it? What did I gain from it? Well, socially I gained a lot; I know that if I went to Queens or didn't go to uni at all I wouldn't have been able to party nowhere near as much as I did, and gain independence and social confidence as much as I did when I was in Derry. Educationally, I didn't really learn all that much from the lectures themselves; I did learn a lot regarding my drumming, although not really from lessons from the first 2 years. I noticed that in uni, you have to do all the work yourself: if you want the most of it, you have to do it all on your own, with virtually no help from the lecturers who are meant to be there to help.

I'm unsure if I agree with this system - whilst I fully embraced some form of independent research myself, I always felt that I was perhaps reading the wrong things, or including the wrong content in my essays - and I knew that with even a little help from lecturers I would have fared off a lot better. Unfortunately, uni lecturers are "too busy"; although I also question that as many of the lecturers I seen just walking round the uni campus with nothing better to do (I could be wrong though; they may have been drinking coffee at O'Brien's for an important business matter..)

Now the reflection is on paying this student loan back; and the overdraft. It's a depressing thought, but I knew I would have had to do it. It's frustrating, however, because I'm really wanting to save as much money as possible so I can move to America as fast as possible - ideally in the summer of next year once Colette graduates. Of course, this all depends on the fact of if I find an appropriate job in America - and I'm actively looking through sites for jobs music related. And I know once Colette gets back to America she'll be fully scouting out places/people for me to work in/with.

Anyway, on to some what I've been up to updates. Well, on Saturday I did indeed go out, to Lavery's in fact. And, it was actually a great night - was great to meet up with Laura, Leah and Amy again after 6 months of not seeing them, and Jenny who I hadn't seen since the Smashing Pumpkins gig in February. And, the cool thing was, it felt like old times again. The number had certainly shrunk since our days of leaving school; but I dunno, there was the old vibes back again. And I think it's because we've all grown up a bit and are still friends, and also because some of us are graduating, and it feels like a free summer again - I'm not going back to Derry, Laura isn't going back to Stirling etc. And it's good! I do have the impression that is going to be one of the best summers yet - despite the fact my girlfriend will be miles away from me.

On Sunday, I had a band practice with the new band - and it was the first time they heard me drumming, and it actually went really well. The music is very unique, lots of different influences coming together, and I think a lot of you are going to be impressed by what we have to offer. Hopefully we'll be gigging soon. And today, I met Adrien in town for the first time this summer, and then we went to Laverys for a while where we met Laura and Leah, and a big chat was had about old times. Was good fun.

As for the rest of the week; well, all I know of is a dole interview on Wednesday, possibly going out tomorrow night or Thursday, and hanging out with the new band on Friday, oh...and THOSE results.

Iain