Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 1,301-1,350 of 5,020

[Kristie, Moderator]

I hadn't heard about this. :'( I'll have to go watch the news.

I also hadn't considered that connection, Peggy. I wonder if they will end up being related or, as you wondered, a coincidence.

[KimeyDiann]

I just saw a headline that said 4 dead including 1 officer. So sad.

Hmm, that is an interesting thought Peggy. It may not be a coincidence.

[Sarah]

Mental! That's all I can say right now.

[Janice, Moderator]

It sounds like pandemonium. The report says that 4 people were killed.

[Sarah]

Yes up to 4 now plus 20 or so injured. Someone was pulled from the river. I'm guessing they either jumped or were knocked off the bridge. They think the guy was acting alone and he's dead now. So they've let everyone out of Parliament.

[Lisa]

Sarah wrote: "Yes up to 4 now plus 20 or so injured. Someone was pulled from the river. I'm guessing they either jumped or were knocked off the bridge. They think the guy was acting alone and he's dead now. So t..."

Sadly, I think the death toll will rise further. Of the 20 or so people injured, 6 are in a critical condition. The woman that was pulled from the river had severe injuries, so I reckon she was hit by the car and the impact threw her off the bridge. Apparently an MP, Tobias Ellwood, tried to resuscitate the police officer who was stabbed.

[KimeyDiann]

Sarah wrote: "Yes up to 4 now plus 20 or so injured. Someone was pulled from the river. I'm guessing they either jumped or were knocked off the bridge. They think the guy was acting alone and he's dead now. So t..."

One of the reports I saw said it was 2 separate acts that occurred at the same time. The man with the knife that stabbed the officer inside parliament and then the driver that was mowing down pedestrians on the bridge.

[Sarah]

I was of the understanding that it was the same guy who did both, the bridge, crashed in to parliament, stabbed the police officer. The earlier reports were not clear and made it sound like two separate incidents but now it looks like they are saying it was the same. But who knows. Things haven't been all that clear here.

[Peggy]

At some point there was also a mention of there being 2 people in the car. Last I read was that there were many witnesses saying that, but there's no indication that was really the case.

[Lisa]

Peggy wrote: "At some point there was also a mention of there being 2 people in the car. Last I read was that there were many witnesses saying that, but there's no indication that was really the case."

That's what I heard too, Peggy. On BBC news this evening, they said witnesses reported seeing two people in the car. I also read a report online a bit earlier that suggested police are now looking for a second suspect, but it's not been confirmed. I don't think anyone really knows what happened and I reckon it will take a few days (at least) for the full picture to become clear.

[Travis]

Just looked at my news said they had the attacker. Clicked on link and top of article basically said. Nope we're wrong it wasn't him after all.

[Lisa]

The latest news is 5 people have died, a further 40 were injured and the attacker was apparently known to the police.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I do hope everyone is okay in YLTO, along with friends and family. Absolutely horrible.

I just booked my hotels in London last night, sent a message to my London friends to let them know, and went to bed. Woke up this morning feeling awful, so went back to sleep and missed it all.

First thing I see waking back up at midday, is that my friends haven't messaged me back, and I'm like "well fine then". Log on to the computer and first post on Facebook was from one them who is still in lockdown in her office in Westminster. To which I rush to turn on the tv and check the online news. Way to make me feel like a jerk!

[Sarah]

Just woke up so I'm off to catch up on the news in a bit. I wasn't worried about any of my family as they don't live or work near there but my cousin was there for work yesterday apparently. She was in the tube station and they were told to get on the next tube out or something like that. Too close for comfort. She did the facebook "I'm safe" thing and I was like "why bother? when you weren't there. That's stupid.", and then it all came out. So I felt a bit of a jerk too.

[Peggy]

You couldn't know!

My supervisor is in London this week for a conference, she's staying only 2km from the Parliament. She retweeted something about it on Facebook very soon after it had happened, so I was sure she was okay.

[Lisa]

A friend of mine works across several different hospitals in London, including St Thomas which is just metres away from the attacks and where they sent a lot of the victims. Luckily she wasn't working there yesterday, she was at another hospital.

[Lynn]

A horrible day yesterday, but this photo did make me smile :)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh wow. Glad everyone's okay!

I just saw that on twitter Lynn, it made me laugh! I always like checking out those signs for every now and then a bit of British snark, and that one was just perfect.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

This one also made me laugh:
"You’re not even in our top five worries, Londoners tell extremists"
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/so...

[Sarah]

I had seen the image on FB but not the bit from the dailymash. I like it!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

And another tube sign. When the tube signs stop being snarky, we know to panic.
https://twitter.com/AngryExile/status...

[Sandra, Moderator]

Thanks for sharing some British humor, which I always enjoy.

[Sarah]

I'm feeling really chuffed as I just managed to get all up to date with my coursework. Well I wasn't behind, but I now have done what I wanted to for my own deadline of sorts. At the last weekend of my course, the lecturer said that if we had submitted all our coursework and case studies we could get our certificate on the last day of a course along with a photo opp! Now he's said that, I've set that as my deadline as I really want that. Technically we have 6 months to submit after the last weekend of the course. For my first 2 modules I got 100% on my questions and I've set the bar now and so I will be a bit disappointed if I get anything less on the remaining modules. I am my own worse nightmare sometimes. Nobody has ever placed expectations on me as high as I have placed on myself.

So now I've done all the written work, I can concentrate on catching up on all the course reading.

I had work this afternoon but all my clients have cancelled. I went from being basically fully booked to not having to go in at all. Crazy. It does give me more time to get stuff done but I miss out on the money unfortunately.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I love the people that were like get in line, I have plenty of other stuff to worry about first. Great attitude towards the terrorists.

Sarah, I'm the same way with setting expectations high for myself. I did the same thing with my entire masters program. I got A's in my first few classes, then had to get A's in the rest because the bar was set and I knew I could do it. Yet, I tell others not to do that because it can be too stressful and is often unrealistic. Sounds like you will push yourself to accomplish that goal though and I'm sure you'll do well. Congrats on getting all your written work completed!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Slightly annoying your clients have cancelled Sarah, but enjoy the study time. I understand about the bar being set too. I'm more laissez-faire, but definitely understand the principle!

[Sarah]

Good to hear I'm not the only one Kristie. I think I set these goals for myself because I know I can achieve them but it really isn't necessary. Anything above 70% is fantastic. Oh well. I don't feel pressured by it and I'm enjoying doing the work so I guess having that goal is fine. But it's not a nice feeling when you don't reach it. Fingers crossed. What was your Masters in Kristie?

[Kristie, Moderator]

Exactly, Sarah. I know it's not necessary, but I can't help myself. I don't expect that type of performance from anyone else though, just myself. It helps when you enjoy the work. Masters was in counseling and psychological services.

Rusalka - There have been times where I have been a bit laissez-faire, but I have to actually tell myself to let it go. It does not come naturally to me. I wish it did. You'll probably be healthier because of it. (I'm not sure that it even counts as laissez-faire if you have to tell yourself to do it.)

[Laura (Lclwags)]

Lynn wrote: "One of the best book parodies I've seen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zcI..."

Haha! That's pretty good! I may have this stuck in my head all day now.

[Sarah]

Yes it is a bit annoying but at least they all gave me notice so I didn't have to make the commute in for nothing.

Ah you'd be able to ace my coursework easily then Kristie.

I haven't always been this way. At school I just worked normally, achieved normal grades. If a teacher told me I was going to fail though, then I would do everything in my power to make sure that didn't happen. I was predicted an E in French at GCSE and ended up getting an A. Geography I was told I'd get a D, I ended up getting a C. I was told to drop Statistics at A-level as I would probably get an E, I carried on and got a C. Those teachers weren't very supportive but they got the job done! I think this might have sparked it all off. Bloody teachers!

[Sarah]

Laura wrote: "Lynn wrote: "One of the best book parodies I've seen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zcI..."

Haha! That's pretty good! I may have this stuck in my head all day now."

Gotta love an earworm. Or not...

[KimeyDiann]

My parents never pushed me to make high grades in school, they just wanted me to do my best. But I remember when I got my first C, I cried and thought I was going to be in trouble. I was in 5th grade, so probably around 11 years old. I've always pushed myself more than anyone else. I had a lot of very smart friends that I felt I needed to be on par with as a child, I think that is what set my self-expectations so high. I still push myself even though I'm not in any sort of school program any longer. I hate when I make mistakes at work and beat myself up much more than my bosses ever would.

[Travis]

I was always like well if I can maintain a solid b+ or higher without trying why work harder. So I didn't. My wife finished 7 years of college in 6 years and a PhD finishing with an overall average through the years of 3.9+. What a suck up. Lol

[Mariab]

Rusalka wrote: "Then we will go down to Prague ..."

Beautiful (and somewhat sinful) city

[Mariab]

Glad everybody is safe. Horrible thing that in London

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Mariab wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Then we will go down to Prague ..."

Beautiful (and somewhat sinful) city"

Sounds perfect!

[Mariab]

Rusalka wrote: "Mariab wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Then we will go down to Prague ..."

Beautiful (and somewhat sinful) city"

Sounds perfect!"

I was too short time there... (sighs nostalgically...)

[Peggy]

I just received the first rejection letter for one of the jobs I applied for. I feel a bit sad and demotivated already ;-) Obviously I didn't expect to be hired for the first job I applied for, but this was one that was almost a perfect fit to what I've done before, and now I'm thinking if I can't even get an interview there, how will I ever find something?

[Sarah]

That's a shame Peggy. I know how it feels to get a rejection especially when you feel so suited for the role. But don't take it personally although i know it's difficult not to. You have no idea how close you came to being picked for an interview. I know that's probably no comfort. Just because you haven't got one for this role, doesn't mean this will continue to happen. I know you know that deep down. Just it's hard when you first hear and it can be demotivating. Onwards and upwards though. There will be more roles out there for you, ones which also suit you well, that you will get the opportunity to interview for. I am sure of it.

[Peggy]

Thanks Sarah :) And you're right, I know those things, but it's sometimes a bit hard to believe in them. I try to tell myself that this does not mean I would be bad for the job, but that there were probably people who had more experience in one specific part of the job and perhaps the recruiters found that most important.

It's so frustrating when you're sure you would love a job and know you could do it well, but don't even get the chance to prove it.

[Lisa]

Sorry to hear that, Peggy. I completely agree with what Sarah said, it's never nice to be rejected, but that certainly doesn't mean the same thing will happen with every job you apply for. Someone will snap you up for sure as you have a lot to offer.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh I'm sorry Peggy. But don't let it get you down, I agree with the others. But understand that it gets you bummed, particularly when you think you'll be a perfect fit (less than a month since my rejection!).

Also, good on them for sending a rejection letter. Here that's fallen out of practice unless you get an interview. You end up in a stupid limbo land of maybes. Just rude.

[Lisa]

Rusalka wrote: "Oh I'm sorry Peggy. But don't let it get you down, I agree with the others. But understand that it gets you bummed, particularly when you think you'll be a perfect fit (less than a month since my r..."

Rejection letters seem to be out of favour here too, Rusalka. I think it's really bad practice. After all, it's not hard to send out a quick letter or pick up the phone and just say thanks but no thanks.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

At my work, like most large employers, everything goes through a recruitment system. So it wouldn't be hard to have the system at the end of the process, send an automated email to all non-shortlisted/interviewed candidates saying "thanks, no thanks". At least people then would know.

[Peggy]

Thanks all :)

I also got only an automated standard email, but I agree, companies should do that. It's only a small effort and doesn't leave applicants to wonder. Oh, and yes, not doing it is rude.

[Peggy]

My day just keeps getting better. Had a workmeeting at a university 2 hours from here, but half way in and there's an announcement that no more trains go in that direction for the next couple of hours because of some disruption. So I waited for half an hour and now I'm on my way back home.

[Sarah]

That's a bit crap. I hate having to rely on public transport. It can be so disruptive when things like that happen. Sounds like you need to do something nice to make your day better.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Reading day with hot chocolates/schnapps and lots of blankets in order, me thinks.

[Peggy]

Sounds like a good idea Rusalka, except it's sunny and 22 C here today. So instead reading my colleague's dissertation in the garden in the sun with a cool drink sounds is the plan.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

How is it 22? It's winter.

K, so lying in the sun with something gin based is the plan instead.

Lucky I come prepared with all weather plans.

[Peggy]

It's Spring! It's been between 18 and 20 since some time last week, tomorrow will be cloudy and only 15 degrees, but Thursday and Friday again sunny and 22. And of course the weekend will be cold and rainy..

I love it. This wonderful weather with the daylight savings that started on Sunday makes all the bad stuff of today not seem so bad. I would have been in a very bad mood if it had been middle of winter and cold and grey and rainy today.