psyche

I can’t remember the stuff that’s happened, but I’ll quickly outline what’s happening with me: AAB offer from Warwick (computer science), awaiting response from Edinburgh (maths with computer science), interview at Southampton on 22nd (computer science), interview at Imperial on 5th (joint maths and computing [4 year]), awaiting response from Cambridge (computer science with first year 50% maths, Trinity - hopefully invitation to interview sometime in December).

Expecting rather technical interview from Imperial, not sure about Southampton but will try to have wits about me. Trinity will likely sit me in a room with an hour long test and then discuss it with me for the duration of the interview. Trying to ignore uncertainty. Went to a Bat Mitzvah today where the golden girl namechecked my mother (she’s golden girl’s science teacher) and launched into a fatalistic (wasn’t trying to be, just the way she put it was depressing - she acknowledged this and pointed out lulz of networking, but I couldn’t shake the feeling) talk about global warming. Jokes included drinking water of Athabasca Glacier to look ten years younger (have done that, incidentally) to which her mother responded with retorts about turning taps off after showers etc.. Strange experience overall - nice people, I couldn’t understand singing or prayers, all speeches were surprisingly insightful. Awkward shoe twisting ensued as enthusiastic family friends tracked down Cambridge graduates to “convince” me to go there (?) but overall everyone seemed to have good intentions.

When I got back, to compound global doom and gloom, saw this - maybe Gavin Starks touched a nerve.

Never looked at school references; don’t want to. Had enough of that. Oh, incidentally golden girl’s father is a Watchmen fan - asked him to convince parents to read. He agreed on the merit of my fabulous (not ashamed to say it) skinnier-than-you-thought-possible red tie.

Got some fun mini-reports as well: Mr Slay politely said my mechanics preps lack focus while in fact I am simply behind. Mr Rokison interestingly commented that I lack “intuitive grasp” of material that I had last year, by which he means I did badly on “can you remember what we’ve learned” paper whereas last year I generally did quite well (no intuition involved - learned facts, this year failed). I suppose the general point here is that my talent is always rather forced - important to remember, maybe.

Dr Bullett points out a change in attitude to prepared work required. Short comment is that he’s right - I give up too easily sometimes, and not easily enough at other times. However, I do know what to do.

I’m certain that everything will work out acceptably. Global problems will have to be addressed somehow, or they’ll change into different problems. Interesting. Remembering Metroid Fusion, which told me that experiences are limits of consciousness. Must find a way to experience war, death etc. more so can appreciate horrors of global catastrophes. Am still a child in that respect. No understanding of suffering. Tempting fate?

I’ll post anything useful I learn during interview process.

I just remembered that golden girl’s mother is the one who recommended my counsellor, who I need to get back in touch with to end phase. Good times, as they say*. Good times.

Pax

* Now, is that what they say?