I'll try not to go off on a rant...

r · Post by r » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:20 pm

... as I do only have 9 minutes to type this.

Recently I've become clinically fed up with almost everything. The root of this is that I am more or less alone in Birmingham, which I've finally decided is a God-awful place. There's not really anything to do in the city and everywhere outside the city centre is a hellhole - I could probably describe it best as comparing it to a rugby team's post-match bath after they've got out of it - emptiness surrounded by scum.

Look, I'm doing it already! Anyway, my two housemates, my girlfriend and most of the other people I know don't start lectures again until the 28th whilst my faculty for some reason started on the 7th. Yes, there are other people on my course (not many, we've been narrowed down from an astronomical 21 at the start of last year to 12 at the start of this year) but they all have their own little groups of friends and all live miles away, having decided to uproot and move to one of the very few nice parts of Birmingham. Now why didn't I think of that? So, no housemates so no-one to talk to or go out with, no girlfriend because she decided to go home for another week after what I can best describe as a very minor disagreement. And how far away is the 28th? By my reckoning it's 2 weeks.

All my other mates at various unis around the country are having a ball. That's because they're all at campus universities, where everyone lives within a drunken stagger of each other and everyone starts back at the same time. So I can now give you one of r's Top Tips. If you're applying for university, find one that's a campus, not several colleges spread around a city like mine is or you'll have a [&@%!] miserable time there.*

To make matters worse I've been off uni ill for the last 2 days and I'm terrified my illness is going to develop into a case of the outbreak of what is best described as dysentry that's currently doing the rounds in the Midlands.

Still reading? Amazing. I'm going to get to the point now.

I consider it good forum etiquette to warn people if you're a bit under the weather, so I'm doing it now. ArotosMarkos did it in a slightly roundabout way in his thread. If I snap at anyone over the next few weeks, I'm very sorry and I probably don't mean what I say.

That's about it, and with a minute to spare! Please note that posting 'Too long, didn't read' or any abbreviations forthwith will be considered a hostile act.

* Another tip - Trying to put up a poster but run out of Blu-Tak? I find that a couple of strips of gaffer tape does the job just as well, if not better.

weka · Post by **weka** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:25 pm

All I can say is that I hope you find something to feel good about soon. Your recent posting had already kinda indicated you might be feeling this way.

ArotosMarkos · Post by **ArotosMarkos** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:27 pm

Do any of you expect anything less from me? A YouTube link, of course!

Deandra · Post by **Deandra** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:32 pm

tl;dr

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

I hope things improve for you soon! What are you studying that has so few people? I'm sure things with your lady will work out soon, the holidays can always be a little hard on everyone's patience.

*hands you a plate of toast and a bowl of broth*
Get well soon!

ArotosMarkos · Post by **ArotosMarkos** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:46 pm

I apologize for the briefness of the previous post, however my internet was about to reboot itself (Technical issues).

Anyways, after fully reading that, I can tell you one thing.

Life is sometimes a b****, ain't it?
Things'll be rough for a while, but y'know what is nice about life, however?
It's getting better all the time

Good luck!

Edit: My apologies. I was being a bit redundant.

r · Post by r » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:58 pm

ArotosMarkos wrote:Do any of you expect anything less from me? A YouTube link, of course!

Haha, thanks! Surely the greatest song ever written.

Bear · Post by **Bear** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:13 pm

I like the links Arotos!

I have had my fair share of the blues lately so I will elaborate. After I had my shoulder incident, I was not even able to be on my computer for very long. Most everything I did caused some pain for a good 3 to 4 weeks and I felt like I was in my own little world. Sure, even my girlfriend would ask me if I needed anything so that I didn't have to move myself much, but all the while I felt as if I was neglecting everything that was part of my normal routine. I am not one to sit around and have people wait on me hand and foot, I take pride in being able to do somethings whether they be small or large tasks. Near the end(and I am still not fully healed, unfortunately), I started getting back to my normal routine anyway, because I felt the need to be useful again. I have had similar feelings back when; I was in college and as much as recently I still feel the loss of the comraderie I had there. Many people have come and gone in my life, many places I've lived and left, many memories that I long to have that chance at again! Lives take on something different everyday; and it's the understanding that whether we end up going back, or find ourselves able to move forward in the current situation, we still have gained the knowledge from the situation to know whether it was right or wrong. Moving and being without your everday companionship is huge, and should feel like such. There are still some places and some friends to share this kind of experience with, so all is not a total loss.

I read your fanfic when you first joined, and know most of what you've said since. That alone is good enough for me to consider you a friend!

Most wouldn't go out on a limb like this and give up something so personal over a message board! I'm glad you did! Here's to you!

r · Post by r » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:24 pm

Thanks mate, that helped a lot. You're a good friend too.

I should warn everyone now that on most messageboards I post at I'm infamous for long, rambling posts like the original.

spovz · Post by **spovz** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:51 pm

Awe r, sorry things are rough for you. I'm just coming out of a rough time in my life. The road is difficult and the the best advise tends to be what you hate to hear "give it time" "all in good time" "it takes time" or "time is the best medicine". However, time really is on our sides! Keep on keepin' on, things will get better.

Masser · Post by **Masser** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:18 am

I can sympathize. I had Ulcerative Colitis for the last few years and had a colectomy a year ago. Now I have an ostomy and will be reconnected within the next few years. But on the flipside, I feel better than ever. Its hard,but you just gotta pull through. It'll work out.

r · Post by r » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:32 pm

Sorry but I'm going to go off on one again. It's about my lady. I really don't know what to do. Having previously told me she'd be back here either tomorrow or Tuesday, she's now not coming back until the 23rd. Whichever way you look at it, that's quite far away. I'm about 92% sure (rather a vague estimate, I know) that she's seeing someone else behind my back. When I was round at hers on Wednesday, a) she was acting a bit funny all night and b) she was getting texts and replying to them all night. I know girls text each other a lot, but once every ten minutes for an entire night is still a bit much. She also seems to be skirting round the issue that we're in a relationship at all - we were texting each other today and when I sent her a text that said something along the lines of "Can't wait to see you again, I miss you" along with some other banal crap about how I'm no longer ill and will be in uni again tomorrow, and all her reply said was stuff about how she's glad I'm feeling better. This is the same girl who a few weeks ago, I was waking up every morning to drunk texts sent at 3am saying "I miss you so much", and as we all know the truth comes out when you're drunk.

I really don't know what to do. I'm tempted to call it off because I don't want to be [&@%!] around, but she really is special. She not only fulfils all 5 qualities I look for in a partner*, but she just feels so right for me. And before the holidays things were going really well, and now they've just gone bad.

To make it worse, she's just texted me now, saying that they're playing Radiohead in the pub she's in (best band around at the moment, if you disagree you're wrong) followed by 4 kisses, meaning I now feel incredibly guilty about writing this. Que sera sera.

On the plus side, I have written a song about it which combines busy foot-stomping folk rhythms with Damien Rice-esque tender acoustic shenanigans. It will go on the album that I'm very slowly writing and haven't even started recording.

Still reading? I'm even more amazed. If you have any advice I'd love to hear it because my solution to this problem so far extends as far as a deep bath, a large glass of Bell's whisky and a few episodes of Family Guy to cheer me up.

* For your interest, these are....

1) Compassionate
2) Unpredictable
3) Punctual
4) Must appreciate the genius of Radiohead, Beck, Pink Floyd, the post-rock movement or all of the above
5) Doesn't snore

Yes, an unpredictable yet punctual alternative rock fan who doesn't snore is very difficult to find. I think you now see the extent of my problem.

Edit - I must be more of a lightweight than I thought. The aforementioned glass of Bell's has meant it's taken me 3 attempts to post this with no typos.

ArotosMarkos · Post by **ArotosMarkos** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:34 pm

Well, if you truely fancy her, you would trust her. Trust is the most important part in any relationship, and there doesn't seem to be much of that here if you think she is cheating on you.
I don't mean to insult you, but perhaps it is simply paranoia.

She may also be seeing someone else, however if she really wanted to leave you, why doesn't she? You aren't married.

If I were you, I wouldn't be worried one bit. Just relax and wait to see her again.

Good luck, r.

The Old Alchemist · Post by **The Old Alchemist** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:20 pm

You're already drinking, so I have no more practical advice.

Therefore, I must eschew the practical and delve into the realms of impracticality.

1) Compassionate
2) Unpredictable
3) Punctual
4) Must appreciate the genius of Radiohead, Beck, Pink Floyd, the post-rock movement or all of the above
5) Doesn't snore

1) I find that compassionate people are easy to manipulate, so good on you for that one.
2) & 3) Unpredictable and Punctual? Does that mean she shows up randomly early? Egads! She must wait for you all the time. That's going to tax her compassion.
4) Better that she enjoy loud stadium rock or blaring metal. If her hearing remains excellent into old age, you'll never be able to get away with 'old man muttering.'
5) Yet. Yet. She will snore, and snore like a buzzsaw. So will you. This is why you want alter her musical tastes. Better that you both sleep well, snoring deeply.
6) You missed this one: Leaves liquor cabinet stocked and unlocked near an open window.