Nearly finished with my first module

by Matthew

Yup, that’s right. I’m getting closer. Been writing up TMA 6 scared it’s waffle though! I’m desperate to reach my own targets which I set myself each time for the next TMA 🙂

I’ve been amazed by the Olympics. The opening ceremony, the events and just how amazingly well team GB has been doing! Its hard to concentrate on anything else. It’s hard to keep up with blogging too.

I’m ready to start two new modules over the next two months DD203 power, dissent, equality and protest and AA303 Exploring Philosophy. Ive ordered a book on western philosophy from Amazon that’s recommended for the course. Its taken two days to dispatch must be the new policy with their free delivery. In the past the free delivery rivalled first class! :p

Can’t wait to see the modules go. It will be sooooo hard fitting the time in. I struggle now and I’m lazy. Let alone with two level 2 modules. I’ll post a photo when I get my book and read the intro. Maybe you’ll see it on my instragrams.

I’ve wrote this using my iPhone WordPress app so apologies for any typos 🙂

Take care readers. Enjoy the Olympics the soon to be Paralympics and/or whatever else your doing!

My learning journal will be here

by Matthew

Categorising and valuing migrants

I really need to stay focused. I’m falling behind in terms of my studying so I’ve decided to make my blog my journal. I intended it to be that way anyway… Just not been updating it!

So far my first module with the open university is going as expected. I’m going to start my sixth TMA soon. Time has flown by. My assignments are going well apart from the last but at least I passed.

I’ve been studying migration and making national identities this week. I’ve always thought migration and immigration was clear cut. I never really thought of benefits to the economy that increased migration brings. However since studying these two weeks it really has opened my mind and made me think differently and understand things 🙂

I really need to get on with doing the online activities and selecting what question to answer for TMA 6. I can’t believe I’ve almost finished the module to be honest. More updates to come 🙂

Is there too many shops of one type on our streets?

by Matthew

Having studied the streets in my social sciences module. I’ve become a little more interested in streets. One I am interested in is Enfield Highway (Hertford Road) and how it’s changed over time. I randomly stumbled on a video of a local cafe owner talking about how the street has changed.

One thing he mentions is how many supermarkets are now on the road. Compared to the past. The problem is supermarket domination of a different kind! It’s not large supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsburys, or Asda with their locals and express stores. It’s the large amount tailoured to one community. There are is a large amount of Turkish supermarkets (and restaurants) and not much else really 🙁

Nothing really caters towards anyone else. That’s possibly how people may feel.

I have a lot more to say on this but I have lots of studying to do. Being behind again 🙁
Love all my loyal readers I will try and update this soon!

What makes you happy? How do you measure success?

by Matthew

Not posted in a bit had a lot to do. Had my third uni assignment to do. It was terrible in my eyes, rushed and unstructured. I didn’t understand a lot of what I was supposed to do!!

Then my car needed a MOT and tax. Then I needed to submit company accounts (submitted two days late do I got a penalty notice). Ah, feel so stressed and peeved out right about now. This isn’t even to mention a friendship with a best friend broke down over the past week 🙁

Trying to put that behind me and just focus on studying. In a bit behind again and just trying to be happy.

Anyway I’ve diverted from the topic of my blog post. It was more about something I heard on question time this week, and from Piers Morgans interview with Jason Donovan that got me thinking. How do others measure success??

Piers Morgan's Life Stories: Jason Donavan

I know some people will think entirely from a cash sense here! I don’t think greed is a good answer for such a question. I have a friend who is well off, and may consider the fact that her next generation (children) will not need to work or the next. Is this success for you? Is this what makes you happy? Worryingly it seems most people in this country would agree.

I’m not saying it’s greedy to want loads of money, by some means that’s fine, but that’s what’s trashing our country. Ask any young person what they want to do in life. You won’t often hear help people out in blah blah, or become a blah blah. Increasingly you here it become money related. As if money is the key to success. Maybe this culture has been imposed on use little people by the big bankers?

I’ve always wondered where this stems from. Greed has taken over this country from the top down. Bankers who need that extra £1,000 bonus to the people out on the streets last August helping themselves to goodies 🙂

Still the core question goes unanswered. What is success? For someone it could be doing a cleaning role in that hotel. Which their family classes them as a failure for doing. Success is something very much measured by the individual. Sometimes it gets clouded up.

For this who are wondering what I was referring two in the two TV programmes. In question time a young “entrepreneur” mentioned the higher rate of tax and that it might/will make him consider learning a new language and taking business abroad. Another gentleman right after explained to him that it says more about then our tax system. To which he got a clap from the audience. Who’s in the right there? The young person who wants to pay less tax so he gets to keep even more of his money? Well, if our greedy politicians can do it why can’t the general population? Examples need to be set for society to follow again.

Regarding Jason Donovan, he mentioned after his drug abuse the new outlook he had on life. How does one measure success? He felt he had it all until his drug abuse. He mentioned for some it’s surviving cancer, making it through the day, getting their chosen job, or making that next single number one. Interesting points.

I’ve wrote quite a lot here but I believe I have a new outlook on success. I don’t take it is seriously as I do now and just seek for happiness. My success would be getting my degree if I ever get there 😛

If its difficult to read its because I’ve wrote this from my iPhone WordPress app. Sorry!

On that note I love you readers and please use the comments box for thoughts. I know theres a few lurkers out there! 🙂

Probably one reason why I don’t like football…

by Matthew

A fight during a match between Bradford and Crawley

The players attitudes. The on the pitch spitting, swearing, constantly arguing with the referee. That’s not even including the frequent fights/personal injury caused them on the field. It’s called the beautiful game but every time I watch a game I see something that makes me sick.

It’s not just limited to players. The fans too sometimes have similar attitudes (I am trying hard not to generalise in this post!). Probably following the acceptable behaviour of their favourite player on the field.

Granted not every fan or player is like this but the those that are really show the sport in a bad light.

Some of them just aren’t worth their money. To behave in such a way is unacceptable. Obviously passions run high and a moment of madness can be tolerated from time to time but it’s just so frequent in footy 🙁

It’s not just me a quick google search will reveal similar thoughts too. I wonder why?

Beautiful weather = Lazy mixedmatt

by Matthew

Nice sunny day!

I just got my marks for my second assignment today. Very good. Same as the first!!However it was much tougher then the first. I needed to put together an essay plan and structure. As well as select he most appropriate parts of what I had studied, to answer the essay question. I will dissect it and look at my tutors comments later on. Even more detailed comments this time and praise!

Today has been such a nice day again! 😀

I’m kind of saving for another Clio. Really looking for a 04 or 05 when I have the cash. I hate taking buses and travelling around slowly. I will do my research this time.

I’ve been having a tricky time of late and no doubt will have a even trickier one next month but one person has helped me through things a little. Shes even tried to help me gain confidence to talk to the person I like (even if I’m still to shy to do anything face to face ). Really strange thing is despite the fact she went to my university we haven’t met yet. Hopefully we will soon 🙂

Nobody gave me music in my last post. I know I have a reader base out there even if it is small! Give me some good music!! My iPod really needs updating.

On a separate note I can’t express how much I hate how iTunes handles all my iPhone music. Having no drag and drop is nonsense and I don’t want to sync to a playlist either!

ECU problems leave mixedmatt carless…

by Matthew

All in the title really.

It drove fine the day before driving me to and from work. Then Sunday morning came and nada. Nothing engine was just turning over but no ignition it wouldn’t move off the drive. I had to get my mum to give me a lift to work. Next day I called out britannia rescue to get the car to the garage. Was horrible having to see my baby car on the back of a tow truck. Anyway, Next morning after my university tutorial my worst fears where confirmed. The ECU was not responding to anything. Common fault on Renault Clios of this age 🙁

I’m not 100% sure what I’m gonna do yet. Really hate taking buses to work and around. Have to leave so early to go anywhere and I’m addicted to a car now! Having taken the bus yesterday to work and having to leave so early it just gets me down. When I get a new car I would like it to be another Clio in Black. Just gonna make sure it’s a better one 😉

Better get back to writing my essay.

Oh by the way, Pleaseee can someone list some tunes in the comments below that I can stick on my iPod? I’ll love you forever. I got old crap on here and it’s really boring.