She tried........but could have done better

I've just been having an email natter with Sandra (Scribbles) about our early schooling. Like me, she was advanced with her reading but, also like me, not good with 'sums', as we used to call them. For me, the sheer persistence of junior school teachers ensured that certain things just suddenly 'clicked'.

Mr. Coom threatened to throw me out of the recorder band if I didn't pay more attention to learning my times tables. Actually, he also threatened to throw me out the window but the only person who believed him was me! That was probably the clincher! Believe it or not, the instant the five times table took root in my mind, telling the time was the glorious blossom which rewarded me. There were only clocks with hands then so you had to learn it. And to this day I know my tables and I can add up and take away quite successfully. Once Mr. Skinner explained that division was only 'sharing' things, that mystery was cleared up too. I do have a bit of pity for those kids today who are not taught these things in case they get bored. Not much though.

When I was having the Great Filing Cabinet Clear Out last weekend (was it?) I came across all my school reports from age 7 to 17 when I left. I haven't looked at them for years. I always thought science subjects were my Achilles Heel but I was surprised to see several comments in Chemistry throughout Grammar School that "Angela tries very hard even though she finds the subject difficult". Fancy that now! The chemistry teacher was an Irishman and I could barely understand what he was saying, never mind "try hard"! It becomes very clear that when they say "She does her best", what they really mean is "I'm afraid she's doing her best". But Maths and Physics were by far the worst. It was in the physics lab where my lifelong hatred of the smell of Bakelite began. I can't even remember why that was but there was something on each bench made of bakelite and I hated it. When I first worked at British Steel in the late 60's my office phone was bakelite and I used to squirt it with all sorts to mask that smell.

I went to my sis's yesterday and she put a colour on my hair. I was supposed to have had it done at the hairdresser's on Tuesday but they wanted £52 for the job. It was £42 last time I had it done just before Christmas so I thought a £10 increase was a bit much. I just had it trimmed. They charged me £17 just for that! I dont know what other places charge, maybe £17 is quite reasonable, but when you think how many of those they could do in an hour...........

We were supposed to be going to Lincoln today but when he saw what a pig the weather was Keith decided to do a Great Scrub of the cooker instead. That put paid to the Easter biscuits I was going to make. Can't do them tomorrow either because that is the Great Scrub of the kitchen walls. Oh, we shall be so clean and sparkling by Monday I'll be able to take tonsils out on the kitchen table!!

See you soon,

Written by faveanti Blog about this entry

This entry has 10 comments: (Add your own)

#10 Comment from sylviam4000
23/03/08 20:43 | Permalink

I've had the same experience with hairdressers - they charge what they like - gone are the days when a large notice was displayed in all "salons": Trim 2/6d,
Shampoo and set 4 shillings, Permanent wave £2. Keep laughing.
Love Sylvia
#9 Comment from susanebunn
21/03/08 21:34 | Permalink

I was not good at Maths but think I'm pretty good at teaching them. I know how difficult it can be and have the patience of Job when I do it. I've been cleaning today too!
Love,
Susie
#8 Comment from amy122389
21/03/08 15:07 | Permalink

aurgh! math. I hate math. I really really do.

My daughter jokes when anyone asks her a math question "I'm too pretty to do math." :-P

~Amy
#7 Comment from mariealicejoan
21/03/08 07:07 | Permalink

Ohhh, maths are my biggest weakness. Thankgoodness for calculators! I can do up to my 7 times table in my head, but after that my brain begins to fail me and I have to do it on paper!!! I hated chemistry, all those formulas we had to memorize. I just could never get the hang of it all. We didn't have a very good teacher either. He just didn't inspire me. The last time I went to the hairdressers, which was before Christmas it cost me £90 and that was for a trim and some foils. I have been scared to go back and it's guite overgrown now like a garden that's gone wild! I do need to go, but the expense keeps me away! Have a lovely Easter Angie! Try to relax for some of it!
love,
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/
#6 Comment from jeanno43
20/03/08 20:11 | Permalink

I could never do maths, I got thrown out of the maths class for the last year of my schooling. I could do the basics and that is all I have ever needed. Reading was my thing and always has been. Happy Easter to you and yours.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Show all comments (5 more)

Can you all hear me at the back? Public Blog
Back to Blog	Archives \| Alerts x Entry Alerts Comment Alerts \| Feeds

Can you all hear me at the back?

She tried........but could have done better