What’s on your mind?

[goldmac2006]

I made it home, finally! It's good to be back after so long away. Though to be honest, I feel sad. I wish I could be in both places at once (at home and at school). I'm friends with so many seniors who are graduating, and I don't think I'll see them again. It will be a very different place when I return in the fall, on many different levels, but in part because basically all my friend group is graduating.

I’m graduating from my community college today, dude. It’s tonight for commencement ceremonies! Let’s go!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Five our journey for work. Not the best. Now sat in the hotel bar enjoying a beer. Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening. Just wish I wasn’t working Saturday.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Dinner was beautiful. Made a change from the usual chicken, rice and broccoli.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Five our journey for work. Not the best.

Indeed.

Safe travels.

Now sat in the hotel bar enjoying a beer.

Excellent - do enjoy.

Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening.

Agreed.

Just wish I wasn’t working Saturday.

There are worse things than working on a Saturday, especially if wined and dined appropriately.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Dinner was beautiful.

Ah.

Excellent.

What did you dine on?

Made a change from the usual chicken, rice and broccoli.

Indeed.

 

[rm5]

How long is your programme, three years or four?

Colleges, conservatories, universities always have a rapid turnover of a student body; this is inevitable.

However, that is no reason not to see your graduating friends again, and, moreover, modern means of communication (including social media platforms) will allow you to keep in touch with them in a way that was not possible with earlier generations.

More to the point, even when - and if - you do meet some of them again, - despite the shared past, the shared interest in music, and the shared world of working professionally in music - things will have changed; they will have changed - personally and professionally - for, the world of work is different to that of student life, and, in addition, as time goes on, some of them will find life partners who will have become, perhaps, a more pressing priority in their personal lives.

In any case, when you return to college, I daresay that you will find yourself among the seniors - and therefore, you may find yourself mentoring, teaching, guiding, advising - people studying music who are junior to you, some of whom - as is inevitable - will also become good friends.

And, given the very intense environment of a college education, where your entire day (environment, life, world) is taken up with shared activities, such as the study of what you like in the company of many others who also find this shared subject matter of study to be of compelling interest, I would be very surprised if you did not make fresh friends over the coming terms and years.

Anyway, my counsel would be to be open to the possibility of new friendships, and to be prepared to put the time into sustaining and maintaining your existing friendships, even if they have graduated.

Four years. All those guys are two years older than me. There will indeed be new first-years coming in, which will be great. Hopefully I get to know some of them.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ah.

Excellent.

What did you dine on?

Indeed.

They had run out of the salmon I ordered for a starter, so I took a recommendation from the waitress. Cauliflower something or other it was called. It was actually rather tasty.

Main was pork loin, potato wedges, and vegetables. Served with a beautiful red wine gravy.

Cheesecake for dessert. Nice, but not a patch on my mums which I’ve probably not had for 15 years.

Now I’m sat on the patio of the hotel bar enjoying my last pint of the evening.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

They had run out of the salmon I ordered for a starter, so I took a recommendation from the waitress. Cauliflower something or other it was called. It was actually rather tasty.

Sounds good - I'd imagine that it possibly came with a cheese sauce, or as a tempura with a chilli sauce.

Main was pork loin, potato wedges, and vegetables. Served with a beautiful red wine gravy.

Yum.

Sounds delicious.

I hope that you enjoyed it.

Cheesecake for dessert. Nice, but not a patch on my mums which I’ve probably not had for 15 years.

Cheesecake varies a lot, and is ubiquitous.

That means that it is now one of those dishes - pizza is another - that I will not order unless I know that it is excellent.

Now I’m sat on the patio of the hotel bar enjoying my last pint of the evening.

Excellent.

Do enjoy.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Four years.

And, you have two years already completed?

All those guys are two years older than me.

Fair enough.

However, now you will get the chance to mentor those junior to you.

There will indeed be new first-years coming in, which will be great.

I'd imagine that - if you make yourself available, or open to such things - you may well be approached by some of the brighter (possibly better) and more enthusiastic youngsters.

Learning is terrific, but teaching is - or can be - also incredibly fulfilling.

Hopefully I get to know some of them.

I would be very surprised if you didn't.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sounds good - I'd imagine that it possibly came with a cheese sauce, or as a tempura with a chilli sauce.

Yum.

Sounds delicious.

I hope that you enjoyed it.

Cheesecake varies a lot, and is ubiquitous.

That means that it is now one of those dishes - pizza is another - that I will not order unless I know that it is excellent.

Excellent.

Do enjoy.

Well I was. Then it started to rain! Retreated to the bar to finish my pint. Then I’ll head to my room.

I could easily order another, but three is enough if I’m working tomorrow. My 18 year self thinks I’m a lightweight! Heck my 15 year old self would drink me under the table!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well I was. Then it started to rain! Retreated to the bar to finish my pint. Then I’ll head to my room.

Yes, quite dark, threatening rain and overcast, here, too.

I could easily order another, but three is enough if I’m working tomorrow.

Yes, three is pretty much my limit as well, if I am working the following day.

But, the second and third go down so sweetly, while the first drink of the evening, in such a setting, is pure nectar.

My 18 year self thinks I’m a lightweight!

Indeed.

I hear you.

While I was still pretty sober, abstemious and industrious at 18, that didn't last through the myriad temptations of my student years.

Heck my 15 year old self would drink me under the table!

Well, I wasn't out drinking at fifteen (my parents - who permitted a glass of wine with dinner at home - would have been rather disapproving. In fact, none of us were out drinking at 15, not even Decent Brother, who started - at 16-17 - earlier than Other Brother & I. We were pretty - actually, very - studious at that age).

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yes, quite dark, threatening rain and overcast, here, too.

Yes, three is pretty much my limit as well, if I am working the following day.

But, the second and third go down so sweetly, while the first drink of the evening, in such a setting, is pure nectar.

Indeed.

I hear you.

While I was still pretty sober, abstemious and industrious at 18, that didn't last through the myriad temptations of my student years.


Well, I wasn't out drinking at fifteen (my parents - who permitted a glass of wine with dinner at home - would have been rather disapproving. In fact, none of us were out drinking at 15, not even Decent Brother, who started - at 16-17 - earlier than Other Brother & I. We were pretty - actually, very - studious at that age).

Well I was ‘blessed’ with always looking older than I was. So I used to drink at the pub from 14. I used to help myself to my dads beers he kept in the shed from a much younger age.

I’m fighting the temptation to enjoy a forth. But shall resist. Especially as my iPhone is on 7% charge.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well I was ‘blessed’ with always looking older than I was. So I used to drink at the pub from 14. I used to help myself to my dads beers he kept in the shed from a much younger age.

I’m fighting the temptation to enjoy a forth. But shall resist. Especially as my iPhone is on 7% charge.

Well, the voice of temptation here suggests that you have a think about that fourth......

I think the problem is that it is only 20.00; if it was 22.00, it is far easier to forego that fourth.

Anyway, what delightful beverage have you been imbibing?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

On the subject of beer, I find that I am almost completely out of it, although I am still amply supplied with wine; I shall have to remedy that deficiency over the week-end.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Well, the voice of temptation here suggests that you have a think about that fourth......

I think the problem is that it is only 20.00; if it was 22.00, it is far easier to forego that fourth.

Anyway, what delightful beverage have you been imbibing?

Amstel. But I’m now back in my hotel room. Yes it is early, but the problem with a fourth is I’ll ‘think’ a lot less about a fifth once I’ve had it! Better to quit while I’m ahead. Breakfast starts at 7 which is later than I’d like. So I need to be up and ready to go before then. Ideally with a short run under my belt.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Amstel.

Excellent.

Hope that you enjoyed it.

But I’m now back in my hotel room. Yes it is early, but the problem with a fourth is I’ll ‘think’ a lot less about a fifth once I’ve had it!

I know that feeling, all too well.

The third drink is the fulcrum drink for me, the drink that may alter - entirely - the course of an evening.

Now, I have no issues walking away after one, or two, - and no problems with any after effects the following day - and, while I dearly love a third (which I can also walk away after it, but with greater reluctance, and yes, you are right, with increasing difficulty).

Better to quit while I’m ahead.

I hear you.

Breakfast starts at 7 which is later than I’d like. So I need to be up and ready to go before then.

Fair enough.

Good luck with it.

Ideally with a short run under my belt.

Enjoy.

 

[Clix Pix]

Enjoying a nice cold beer (Corona Extra) right now as I'm catching up with this thread! It is very hot and humid here in the DC area this afternoon. I agree with you guys: three is the limit, as after that I'm no good for anything! AND, the few times that I have overindulged I've definitely not been a happy camper the following morning! It's good to know and to pay attention to one's limits.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Enjoying a nice cold beer (Corona Extra) right now as I'm catching up with this thread! It is very hot and humid here in the DC area this afternoon. I agree with you guys: three is the limit, as after that I'm no good for anything! AND, the few times that I have overindulged I've definitely not been a happy camper the following morning! It's good to know and to pay attention to one's limits.

Mot something I was good at in my teens. These days it’s very rare for me to over indulge.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Ok, it has been an absolutely crap day. Nothing serious. Just other people. And all of my socks have divorced and one partner moved out to who knows where.

So, the only known cure is kitten photos. Herewith --

View attachment 2518740. View attachment 2518739

View attachment 2518743 View attachment 2518745

View attachment 2518746

This is the look my cat gives me, not when the bowl is empty, but when any part of the bottom of the bowl is visible. There might be 3 days worth of kibble in there, but if 1 square millimetre is visible, I am promptly informed that the situation is not satisfactory.

Haha, I love these. Thank you for sharing

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Ah, divorced socks.

This is something with which I am (or, have been) familiar.

An adjacent problem to divorced socks - not least, because the outcome is the exact same - are sock situations where the relationship has become terminal, in that one partner is unable to continue because of something such as a hole in an unfortunate (and profoundly uncomfortable) spot, such as a heel, or a toe.

These days, mine are mostly black or navy, (there are a few in sandy shades, too), and several pairs of each are bought at a time, which means that fresh partnerships can readily commence without too much inconvenience or a sustained assault on one's senses.

I like fancy socks. Weird socks fill my drawer and with that many have had their partner go to sock heaven. So I wear mismatched socks to work from time to time and if I ever get asked about it, I just say I let my boys choose my socks that particular morning.

Gets a smile every time.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Mot something I was good at in my teens. These days it’s very rare for me to over indulge.

I played music for about 20 years so naturally got very good at drinking the free beers and occasional shots that got pushed up to the stage. Nowadays, the rock has stopped and naturally I have greatly toned down the alcohol with 3 little boys (1.5-5-7y/o) running around but if I & my wife do choose to partake a bit more in some holiday cheer, my tried and true next day treatment holds firm. Before bed, I drink about 48-64 ounces of water, take 6-800mgs ibuprofen and sleep at least 6 hours. When I get up, I eat a big, fat green chile cheese and egg breakfast burrito with a diet coke or some coffee and Im usually good to go.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I played music for about 15 years so naturally got very good at drinking the free beers and occasional shots that got pushed up to the stage. Nowadays, the rock has stopped and naturally I have greatly toned down the alcohol with 3 little boys (1.5-5-7y/o) running around but if I & my wife do choose to partake a bit more in some holiday cheer, my tried and true next day treatment holds firm. Before bed, I drink about 48-64 ounces of water, take 6-800mgs ibuprofen and sleep at least 6 hours. When I get up, I eat a big, fat green chile cheese and egg breakfast burrito with a diet coke or some coffee and Im usually good to go.

Agree about the water intake; these days, whenever I drink, I will have a large glass of (sparkling) water per glass of wine, or beer, and I find that this works well for me.

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Bringing up divorced socks again.
I attended a boarding school run by Patrician Brothers (a basically Irish order) in the second half of the 1960s. While most of the brothers were Australian, a few were Irish.
One of the Irish brothers went back to visit his family during the Troubles.
He went for a walk one day and was promptly bailed up by an British soldier and told to go home immediately before he got shot.
His crime?
Wearing one green sock and one orange sock. It didn't matter, somebody was going to shoot at him...

 

[Apple fanboy]

I played music for about 20 years so naturally got very good at drinking the free beers and occasional shots that got pushed up to the stage. Nowadays, the rock has stopped and naturally I have greatly toned down the alcohol with 3 little boys (1.5-5-7y/o) running around but if I & my wife do choose to partake a bit more in some holiday cheer, my tried and true next day treatment holds firm. Before bed, I drink about 48-64 ounces of water, take 6-800mgs ibuprofen and sleep at least 6 hours. When I get up, I eat a big, fat green chile cheese and egg breakfast burrito with a diet coke or some coffee and Im usually good to go.

Oh I drink plenty of water if drinking. But I function a lot better the next day if I stop at three. As for sleeping I rarely get six hours unbroken sleep. It’s nearly 3 am and some noisy guests just woke me up. The joys of stopping in a hotel.

 

[MakaniKai]

Stressed, impending doom and I don’t know why, and missing my friends from college. Sorry to be a downer, that’s just what’s on my mind. Oh and I’m eating a maple donut so that’s a positive 🍩