ED209 TMA03 nearly there

I currently have 1,400 words not including references, intro and conclusion which I am now finding that if I write after the main body tend to sound better. Have emailed it to myself at work to get on with tomorrow. They are making me stay till Sunday although told old/new that it's till Tuesday so that I get a few days of peace and quiet or sleep and study. I am starting to link in what I am reading for ED209 to my area of interest which is investigative psychology (if I haven't already bored you senseless by now about this) and would possibly like to study attachment theory further with regards to the criminal aspect that seems to appear.

I have purchased my first David Canter book with is extremely well written after the first chapter that I read in the bath earlier.......... I suspect I'll be purchasing more including possibly the Investigative Psychology text book at £95 although maybe I should wait as there will probably be a revised version before October 2015.

Going to take a break from TMA03 and 'current study' and read and highlight the stuff for the seen question. It's interesting and it feels like a study break even though it isn't. Hmmmm, interesting bedtime reading............ my life has been taken over by the OU. darn those slave drivers.

3rd resignation since November

Well I have to say this was probably the most amusing resignation in the 3 that I've done since November. Still hoping there will be no further ones till September 2015!!

The plan was to resign after everyone had gone so that I didn't have to do the 'walk of shame' due to going to primary competitor however not all plans go to plan as such......

...... At 6pm 3 of us were called in to a meeting which wasn't helping the fact that I was bricking it big style. Boss tells us that unless £10k profit in the dealership is seen by Monday, overheads may need to be cut..... this was his way of saying that people could loose jobs although I firmly believe this is a scare tactic as he has been interviewing to replace the 5th team member. The only person that knew I was resigning sniggered at this point which didn't help. After the meeting I went in to the office, appologised a lot and handed over my resignation notice, fuel card and keys. My stepdad is waiting up the hill to collect me however........... due to shortage of staff I was told to take keys and fuel card back and that I will be staying till at least Friday......... so that is why I am not writting up ED209 TMA03 today and why I am blogging from work. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Went to the pub last night and met up with some friends......... we have decided to be sheep and follow the crazy people in 'planking'......... before you worry, we have no plans to do anything dangerous however the picket fence yesterday looking tempting but painful. Best friend has decided to leave the current era and go back to the 80's......... this was all very well till I reminded him that the mobile phones of the 80s couldn't text!!!! So we have decided to embrace both eras for a while..... now where did I put those leg warmers??????

Final notice of doom - Think from the conversations in the house that my brother is thinking of proposing to his god awful girlfriend of 11 years. This also potentially means that she will someday produce spawn which I pray turn out like my brother and not her!!!!!!!!! It will be a sad day when I hear that he's done it.

A day of dread

Ar 6.10pm today I will be resigning from my position here which means that I should be let go of on the spot for going to work for the competitor however byu the looks of it, there will only be 1 person left here tomorrow so wondering about the outcome. Am prepped and ready to be gone tonight, stepdad is preped to come collect me once the deed is done.

If the above goes to plan then it means that I will have 2 days without a car and therefore I have 2 days to blitz ED209 TMA03 (due next Tuesday (that crept up on me)) and DD101 TMA07. I am ready to see the end of DD101 now, I have really enjoyed it but now starting to see the workload involved in running 2 60 point modules together although I am doing the same again at the end of this year with SD226 & DSE212 however with no exam for SD226, I think that I might be okay.

I am stacking it about resigning today but my work buddy is going to stay with me till I've done it.

1 year review

Today is the 1 year anniversary of me starting this blog so I thought I would celebrate with a round up.

I have almost completed DD101 and am half way through ED209 which I base purely on the fact that my next mailing has appeared (a lot smaller than normal but with a 'how to revise disc' which is a little freaky)

I have changed my uni route from Liverpool to Huddersfield for my MSc for a certain reason which will become clear at some point I'm sure.

I've been in relationships with 2 guys, both are not considered long-term.

Tomorrow I will be resigning from my 3rd job in the 12 months and going back to my 1st job.............. money increase and OU priority!!! Very important

It's pretty cool when you have a diary of a year to look back and evaluate, it's been a total eye opener as to how much you can grow in 12 months and how things change in some ways and how little they change in others.

Fingers crossed that till October 2014 when I complete this degree, I stay firmly on track.

Conclusion: I'm impressed with myself.

DD101 TMA06 Results

The results are back and it is by far the worst result I've had back to the point it barely passes however it is also the best feedback because it has explained critical analysis so much better to me. Picking a viewpoint and arguing for it is not what is required. Evaluation is the key here. I'm glad I screwed it up on a course that does not affect my final result however wish I had't picked the TMA with the most weighing. Fingers crossed for TMA07.

Existence of God

Now, before anyone starts a rant, I am not going to critically analyse whether or not there is a god. Instead it is purely an idea for a title which has been sparked by a comment made by Stephen Hawking in which he says that:

'There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1387478/Stephen-Hawking-Heaven-fairy-story-people-afraid-dark.html#ixzz1MWQLJ0T7

Managed to get just under 1,000 words done for TMA03 yesterday before I went out, hopefully I can get the rest done tomorrow on my day off which will be a massive sigh of relief. Been looking further at ED209 TMA04 and maybe it isn't as scarey as first thought...... I think I was freaked out by how many pages make up the assignment guide however after a little read today, a lot of it is background concepts and the report is still only 2,000 words.

Went for an Indian last night with The One who is far from perfect but is very natural company. Pretty certain there is no chance of a future between us but need to phase out Boy Toy so think he will do to hang out with.

Found out that someone I vaguely know has just finished her Psychology degree at St Andrew's and said that she will help me get my head around some of the ideas. In exchange I will be her chief revision tester which to be fair may be a win win situation for me although being in her 3rd year I think It may all go a little over my head but maybe some things will stick.

Attachment Theory

TMA03 is proving to be rather interesting, I am around 900 words in to the 2000 word assignment and have found a 'flow' with it. The first 1000 words will be from chapter 1, around 500 from chapter 2 and the rest on introduction and conclusion. I think I may have cracked it. With 3 assignments due in a 4 week period I am rather glad this is the case. I haven't looked any further in to DD101 TMA07 as would rather focus on the course that affects my final grade so will wait till I've pressed that glorious submit button for TMA03 first.

Weather seems to have taken a downturn but this is a good thing with regards to study as the temptation to be outside is not there so much.

Have decided to take the job back at my old company due to the freedom to study and go to tutorials even if they are on a Saturday which I am sure will be back for other courses. Will be resigning at 6.10pm on Wednesday after I have done 2 handovers and it will save the 'walk of shame' as the only people who will be left in the building are my boss, myself, 1 colleague and a service guy. I hate doing this but hey I should be used to it after the amount I've done it recently.

Off out to see 'The One' tonight, it's wrong I know but I have a lot of fun and can chill with the channel hopping maniac.

ED209 TMA03 Update

After doing an awful lot of internet research on Bowlby's attachment theory I have found a lot of critisisms. I now think that I have enough stuff to go in to the essay and should be able to create a fairly comprehensive arguement and now maybe think that the word count might be more restrictive than first thought. The plan is to have a stab at writting up something this weekend however my plan to do it at work on Sunday has been scuppered by the fact that I am no longer working this one as had to swap with a poor West Ham supporter who is going to the 'West Ham Funeral' on the 22nd.

Been offered my old job back in the showroom that I was at before Christmas. I left due to wages being a bit behind industry norm however changes have been made and have commission structure coming over tonight so that I can compare to the current one. I am not a big fan of working for PLCs which I am currently so the move would put me back in my comfort zone and it has been agreed that I can do OU stuff when it's quiet without backlash and I can have days off to go to 'school days'. There are pros and cons to every decision so need to have a long hard think.

Have been working alone for the last couple of days but back to full(ish) strength today and managed 2 deals, had planned for 3 but the last customer was a little too wishy washy to commit.

Night without boy toy tonight which although I haven't updated much about him recently is starting to grind on my nerves a little. Very needy, always 'hand-to-mouth' and can't see this changing EVER, jealous of everything and everyone............... I'm not certain I see a future. The thing which may have changed things a little is that I am back in contact with 'The One' who is totally perfect for me (there is a very very long story with regards to The One so won't bore anyone).

A note on The Apprentice - The girl who is a psychologist has pretty managed to rub everybody up the wrong way - how apt.

ED209 TMA02 Results, Tutorial 3 and other Stuff

Last night was tutorial 3 for ED209 and as per usual it was a god send. A little guidance was given for TMA03 which has helped massively so really need to get a start on it especially as there is a tight one between ED209 TMA03, DD101 TMA07 and ED209 TMA (which is still freaking me out a little). My tutor is a total dude with a wealth of knowledge about all the topics. It has been suggested that I should compare and contrast but still be critical and close it down so that nobody could pick holes in my arguement. I would really struggle with my grades on ED209 without seeing him on a monthly basis.......... almost educating rita.

ED209 TMA03 results have come back and I'm not unhappy, don't think I could have done much better although my tutor comments were interesting, he really just added comments about things that I hadn't thought of with regards to fine details which hadn't even crossed my mind.

Just printed the wiki entry on Bowlby's attachment theory so hopefully it will be of help in preparation. Will do some internet research on the topic whilst at work today because I'm on my own and now a little bored.

Day After Voting Day

A famous saying is that 'the only certainties in life are death and taxes', however another certainty is that my council will be under the conservatives.

Voting night was the usual special occassion with the odd giggle.

Firstly - I took a car to a customer after work and left my house keys in my other car at work. My family decided not to come home till 7.15pm so I ended up waiting in the pub next door for them to come home. Boy toy was there for a friend's birthday..... apparently because we hardly spoke to each other everyone seems to think we have split........ people, people.

Secondly - The local council election allows you to vote for up to 3 people so stepdad teased mother saying that he bet she had ticked all three......... the stupid fool had missed a vital candidate thinking there were only 2 possible options...... apparently if the counciller who writes our parish magazine doesn't get voted in then my stepfather is to blame. ha ha.

Thirdly - Voting day is special because it is the only night that stepdad buys lots of beer for us without moaning (he moaned a little when he only got 10p change out of a tenner for 3 pints). I decided to continue on in to the evening in the other pub which I had been in whilst waiting for the parental units to return home and let me in. Boy toy had left due to lack of funds however the birthday celebrations were still in flow. Birthday boy had far too much to drink, threw up in front of the bar then passed out in the toilets and had to be dragged in to a car by a rather strong lad......... I bet his head hurts today (even his other half told him to make his own way home after the shots started because 'he's always sick on shots'.

Must admit I am feeling the hurt of the 'bootleg' beer which my local serves.. the headaches are horrid.

Off to play a few rounds of Tiger Woods golf tonight with boy toy and finish the chapter on national identites and the other on Young Consumers for ED209. Not a totally lazy night.

Voting Day - NO to AV

Tonight is voting night which is a family thing in my household.

My stepfather is a firm believer that if you don't vote then you have no right to complain if things aren't good. This kind of actually fits in well with the ideas for DD101 TMA07.

Tonight we will be visiting the village hall to vote 'No' then off to the pub for the celebratory beer.

DD101 TMA06 Submitted

Phew...... had panic attack all of yesterday thinking that the cut-off was at midday however DD101 still has midnight cut-off so managed to get it in at 7pm ish.

Time to make a start on DD101 TMA07 which after re-reading the brief, isn't going to be as problematic as first thought. It is only 1 chapter in the book which is important and not all 3. I have read through the transcript 'Citizens and the state' which has been very worthwhile as it has got my head around what the question is asking for. Now it is just a case of putting and arguement together.

ED209 TMA03 is due sooner so really need to blitz through these. I have a couple of Sunday's at work to get my head down on these but need to get some notes down first and get my head around it all. Erika Cox's booklets could prove rather invaluable for this TMA. I really want to get both these assignments done ASAP. I can't cope with the feeling of panic of leaving these things to last minute and I am looking at ED209 TMA04 with a complete blank.....................

DD101 TMA06 Completed

I managed to finish TMA06 on Sunday, it is now in the hands of my stepdad to make better English out of what I have written. I am pretty pleased with my assignment and hope tutor sees it in the same light. This is also my first critical analysis so hope I got that bit right too. I am hoping that critical analysis actually means picking a view point and finding evidence to back it up............. fingers crossed I am not way out.

Just took mum to Crazy Bear for lunch.......... expensive make-up for forgetting her birthday............. would have just been cheaper to buy a card so should teach me for next year.

Have started notes for DD101 TMA07 and ED209 TMA03......... hoping not to leave these to last minute.

Will be submitting TMA06 later today.

DD101 TMA06 Update

Thinking back, I actually started work on this assignment back in December when I was in my last company so based on that it has taken me over 4 months and I still have left DD101 TMA06 to the last minute to complete!!! This is not a good sign however since then ED209 started which has taken a fair bit of time. To be fair it is purely the write up phase as I think I have read the chapter so many times that it is almost commited to memory.

TMA system is down on Tuesday which is a pain as the TMA is due on Wednesday and boy toy's flat doesn't have internet access but I'm sure I can work around it.

Forgot mum's birthday last week so I'm in bad books however I am making up for it by taking her to The Crazy Bear for lunch, she's been wanting to go for ages because I used to go a fair bit and all her friends have been. Set lunch £14.50 is okay, larger at £6 a bottle is less okay. I suppose it's my fault for forgetting.

Erika Cox booklets have arrived and think they are going to be very handy especially for ED209 TMA03.

Have been thinking about DD101 TMA07 and making a few notes but I have to admit that the content isn't flowing too well in my grey matter and I'm struggling to get my head around it so doing a lot of googling about legitimate authority of states.

Back to DD101 TMA06 I suppose, 400 words done, only 1,100 to go, referencing and a self refelction to go. Arghhhhhhhhh

P.S. Royal Wedding - ended up watching it, actually enjoyed it and think they are a lovely couple. Also watched the Wills & Kate Love Story (I know, I know) but although it was a little cheesy, it actually was watchable.