figure it out – gardenerscardiff.co.uk

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:05:02 +0000

Thomas asks…

need your help: is this apology letter appropriate? Warning: kind of Long.?

Just to fill you in on my situation, I recently decided to drop out of an acting program after having spend 3 months in the class. I didn’t say a word to any of my classmates or teachers, and after dropping out I regretted it and tried to get back in to the class. but i went about it the wrong way and just ended up showing up to class on the first day back from spring break. The teacher (Tom) didn’t let me back in.

But anyways, I just felt the need to apologize to my classmates because it was the first day back and was the first time they were doing scenes together with a partner and I felt that me showing up might have been a distraction to what was already a big day for them in class. I also felt bad about how i dropped out without saying anything, so i felt the need to write this letter to them explaining myself and apologizing.

But i wasn’t sure if it was even appropriate I write this or whether I was just further being presumptuous that I even had to apologize. Also please see if the letter makes any sense of if there are parts where it doesn’t seem like it.

Thanks.

Here’s the letter:

Risking the fear that this is presumptuous of me, I feel the need to apologize. I’m sorry if my presence in Monday’s class was in any way a distraction. I’m also sorry if I seemed closed off but I only acted that way because I was embarrassed about how I had left things with you guys.

After I missed class a couple weeks back and decided to drop out, I had severe regrets, was a mess and talked to Tom begging him to give me another chance after he already had offered me a 2nd chance that I had refused. But, I guess I was still ambivalent about the whole situation because on the one hand I didn’t feel like I was ready to make the commitment to the program or whether I even had the will and desire to really pursue acting; but on the other hand, I also didn’t want to lose my purpose for coming out here, and also was unsure if maybe I was just doubting myself because I was afraid to fail, or just embarrassed to go back and that I should fight through it and continue in the class.
But this ambivalence made me indecisive and cowardly and I still wasn’t sure what I was going to decide, so I never called Tom days before Monday’s class like I should have. Then Monday came, and when I woke up at 5:45pm because I had worked the graveyard shift the night before, I had received an email from Tom (sent around 5pm) asking me where I stood since we last spoke. And because the time was so close to the start of class, and because I knew Tom would be in class teaching, I didn’t have time to think really, so I replied to his email telling him I was going to the studio, and I hopped on a cab, and headed to class in the hopes of being able to attend. In that moment, I was just worried about not missing another class if there was a chance, however remote, that I would have been allowed back in.

In retrospect, I realize that was really dumb of me to assume, even selfish because I wasn’t really thinking of the effect that me just showing up would have had on others. I’m sorry, I panicked. I wasn’t thinking clearly and haven’t really through this whole thing, and I guess this latest incident just reinforced to myself that I’m not ready, or at least not deserving of another chance, and how it was unfair for me to continue to use up Tom’s patience and good graces.

What can I say? I’m human and make mistakes. I’m just a fucked up person trying to find his place in the universe. Maybe it’s acting, maybe not. Who knows? But I have to figure it out on my own and without involving others in my own uncertainties.

In a way, I feel like I let you guys down. We were growing together as a family, and I left without even saying a word. It was selfish and inconsiderate of me and I was ashamed about it. I couldn’t even really look any of you in the eyes on Monday because I felt that if I did I would burst into tears in acknowledgment of all of my wrongdoings.
Good luck to all of you and I will miss each of you deeply. I have nothing but admiration for all of your courage, dedication, and talents. As for me, don’t worry about me. I’m fine, and will continue to study acting on my own. I’ll still be in the city indefinitely, so if anyone ever wants to hang out or just talk about movies or acting or anything really, I’ll still be here.

GardenersCardiff answers:

No, it really isn’t, it’s very odd. It seems terribly self-conscious and a bit desperate and needy. Please don’t send it. No apology or contact at all is required. It’s all over with now.
Please be mindful of the fact that while all this seems like a ‘big deal’ to you, the re-emergence of a fellow student they had only known for three months will barely register as noteworthy to these students who have spent the intervening period concentrating on their own studies and friendships with one another.
Just move on and try to resist that impulse to explain your every move to those people who have crossed your path, however fleetingly. It isn’t Facebook!

Mandy asks…

Warning: kind of Long. Need your help: is this apology letter appropriate?

Thanks.

Here’s the letter:

What can I say? I’m human and make mistakes. I’m just a ****** up person trying to find his place in the universe. Maybe it’s acting, maybe not. Who knows? But I have to figure it out on my own and without involving others in my own uncertainties.

Good luck to all of you and I will miss each of you deeply. I have nothing but admiration for all of your courage, dedication, and talents. As for me, don’t worry about me. I’m fine, and will continue to study acting on my own. I’ll still be in the city indefinitely, so if anyone ever wants to hang out or just talk about movies or acting or anything really, I’ll still be here.

GardenersCardiff answers:

OK, first impression: did you really form a close enough bond with all of these people to warrant this kind of a generalized response? I think your teacher, Tom, is deserving of a formal apology on your part, but maybe the rest of the class (unless you have some specifically close friends or acquaintances that you can see yourself continuing a relationship with outside of class) doesn’t need to be included in such a letter. Including the rest of the class sounds incredibly grandiose.

In my opinion, the “As for me, don’t worry about me. I’m fine, and will continue to study acting on my own.” line sounds like something from a really, really bad movie script–No offense. I wouldn’t include that in any way shape or form. It’s in poor taste and makes you look like a wreck who’s perhaps a little self-pitying. I mean, did you have a nervous break down or something? Do you normally speak this candidly with everyone you come in contact with? Life happens, you were indecisive and thought you wanted out of the class. Enough said, don’t break down into this long expressive gesture. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’ll make people a little uncomfortable.

Ken asks…

I saw this on somebody elses answer yesterday & feel it should be on here in its own right?

1. Bifocals Barbie. Comes with her own set of blended-lens fashion frames in six wild colors (half-frames too)! Neck chain and large-print editions of Vogue and Martha Stewart Living.

2. Hot Flash Barbie. Press Barbie’s bellybutton and watch her face turn beet red while tiny drops of perspiration appear on her forehead! With hand-held fan and tiny tissues.

3. Facial Hair Barbie. As Barbie’s hormone levels shift, see her whiskers grow! Available with teensy tweezers and magnifying mirror.

4. Flabby Arms Barbie. Hide Barbie’s droopy triceps with these new, roomier-sleeved gowns. Good news on the tummy front, too: muumuus with tummy support panels are included!

5. Bunion Barbie. Years of disco dancing in stiletto heels have definitely taken their toll on Barbie’s dainty arched feet. Soothe her sores with the pumice stone and plasters, and then slip on soft terry mules.

6. No More Wrinkles Barbie. Erase those pesky crow’s-feet and lip lines with a tube of Skin Sparkle-Spackle, from Barbie’s own line of exclusive age-blasting cosmetics.

7. Soccer Mom Barbie. All that experience as a cheerleader is really paying off as Barbie dusts off her old high school megaphone to root for Babs and Ken, Jr. With mini van in robins egg blue or white, and cooler filled with doughnut holes and fruit punch.

8. Mid-life Crisis Barbie. It’s time to ditch Ken. Barbie needs a change, and Fred (her personal trainer) is just what the doctor ordered, along with Prozac. They’re hopping in her new red Miata and heading for the Napa Valley to open a B&B. Comes with real tape of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”

9. Divorced Barbie. Sells for $199.99. Comes with Ken’s house, Ken’s car, and Ken’s boat.–lol still funny

10. Single Mother Barbie. There’s not much time for primping anymore! Ken’s shacked up with the Swedish au pair in the Dream House and Barbie’s across town with Babs and Ken, Jr, in a fourth-floor walk-up. Barbie’s selling off her old gowns and accessories to raise rent money. Complete garage sale kit included.

11. Recovery Barbie. Too many parties have finally caught up with the ultimate party girl. Now she does twelve steps instead of dance steps! Clean and sober, she’s going to meetings religiously. Comes with little copy of The Big Book and six-pack of Diet Coke.

12. Post Menopausal Barbie. Poor Babs wets her pants when she sneezes, forgets where she puts things, and cries a lot. She is sick and tired of Ken sitting on the couch watching the tube, clicking through the channels. Comes with Depends and Kleenex. As a bonus this year, she comes with the book, “Getting in Touch with Your Inner

GardenersCardiff answers:

Haha I love the divorced barbie, thats too good! It was all funny though.

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:05:02 +0000

Mary asks…

IS THIS MYTH WORTH AN A ?

ok , i suck at writing. but is the following myth worth a good grade? what’s wrong with it? can i improve it? does it even make sense ??
********************************************************************************************************************
Hestia, the God of the Sun, has a son named Omega. Omega grew up to be very spoiled, he never wanted to help clean or do the chores. All he did all throughout his life was cause trouble everywhere. He purposely knocked market carts full of crops over, he played pranks on everybody, he cheated on games, and he dug up flowers in the garden. He did even worse things when people made him angry. Hestia didn’t appreciate his trouble and did not want to deal with it.

Upon one beautiful, yet hot, summer day, the Great God Hestia, was yearning for a drink. He knew that he could of simply asked for one, but he wanted to test Omega. Hestia called for him, and told him, “I am thirsty. The nearest source of water is the small river in the whispering sands desert. Omega, I want you to walk to and from the desert with only one goblet to fill with water, for me and not you. I expect the goblet to be full when you return; no water shall be drunk nor dropped from it. When you reach the river, I know you will be thirsty too, so you may stay there for as long as you want, but listen as I tell you this; once you leave, you may not turn around to go back and drink more from the river.”

Omega, who was barely even listening, said “ Sounds easy enough, I do not understand why you explain to me so it seems like a hard challenge.” But Hestia just shook his head, and handed Omega the goblet.

So off went Omega, into the vast desert. He walked for about 7 hours, and then realized that his skin began to blister and turn into a dark red color. He was very nervous about this, for he had never seen this happen to his skin. He ignored it though, because then his focus became into finding water. His throat, mouth, and lips began to dry and wrinkle up.

He tried to ignore both of his problems, and after a while he came to the river. He was overjoyed, and began to splash, play, and swim. After a while, he got out and filled the goblet. He thought to himself, “I feel refreshed and ready to go back to Hestia.” Omega walked two steps, and then thought that he should go back and drink some more just so he could have even more energy. But as he tried to turn around, something wouldn’t let him. After trying to figure it out, he remembered what his uncle had said, “Once you leave, you may not turn around to go back and drink more from the river.”

Omega didn’t worry though, because he knew he drank enough water to get him through the rest of the journey, but he did wish he could get some more water in his body. But he continued to walk to home. Again, after a while his skin started to turn red, and it burned if he touched it. He wondered what it could be. His mouth started to tighten up again from lack of water, but there was no water around except for the water in Hestia’s goblet. He thought about drinking it, but he knew that if he disobeyed his uncle, there would be consequences.

An hour later, he desperately needed a drink. He had no choice but to drink the water in the goblet. So he drank three tiny sips and put some on his red skin, to cool it down. As Omega looked into the goblet, it was clear that it was no longer full, as the God asked for it to be.
Omega continued to walk, hoping that his uncle wouldn’t notice that his cup was not filled all the way. He finally got to the palace, and Hestia said, “ why isn’t my cup filled the to the top? Did I not ask you to fill it all the way ?” His nephew was scared to answer his question, but he responded with, “Yes, but I started to get severe burn-like blisters on my skin.” “I SAID NOT TO TAKE ANY OF THE WATER FROM THE GOBLET!And you did!” , said the god, “ And now whenever you go out into the sun or any hot weather, you will continue to get blisters and burns on your skin.”

GardenersCardiff answers:

Your myth is creative and entertaining, but there are some minor problems. The ending of the story is slightly rushed. You should expand on why Omega received the blisters in the first place and maybe tweak the ending so that he receives a more permanent punishment.

You may want to also change the nature of Omega’s misbehavior so that it relates to the punishment. Hestia is trying to teach Omega a lesson, so the consequences should be relevant to what Omega was doing wrong. You could, for example, say that Omega never followed directions properly and, because of that, Hestia punished him for not doing so.

Also, you switch from Hestia being the father to him being the uncle. Make sure your myth is consistent.

Other than that, however, I enjoyed it and you did a good job creating a story that resembles an actual myth.

Richard asks…

Advice for my first vegetable garden?

Hello! This summer I plan on planting my first real garden (growing up my dad made us plant gardens, but they were his, I never got my own really). I do have a lot of plants/flowers around my apartment… I just love growing things! So I know I have a bit of a “green thumb”.

My question is really about two things in particular:
1) Should I start my vegetables from seeds or from the little baby plants? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Is it nearly impossible to grow vegetables from seeds?

2) What are some good first garden vegetables? Like which are easiest, and would grow best in my area (SE Michigan)?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

GardenersCardiff answers:

It is very rewarding to start plants from seed but also takes a little practice and a few failed attempts. To get started I would buy plants from you local nursery until you get the hang of starting from seed. Make sure you check the plants for disease and bugs like spider mites and thrips. If you have a bug problem spray neem oil on the plants. My first garden consisted of different varieties of tomatoes and peppers. I do live in Nebraska not Michigan. Find out when to plant up there so that frost doesn’t kill your young plants and they have enough time to ripen before the weather gets to cold

Lisa asks…

Can you name the rock song these lyrics belong to?!?!?

Random rock songs. Some newer than others. Some more popular than others…
—
1. I got my head checked by a jumbo jet It wasn’t easy but nothing is, no.

2. So slide over here, and give me a moment..

3. I’m breaking my back just to know your name, but heaven ain’t close in a place like this.

4. Hey you, hey you, finally you get it. The world ain’t fair, eat you if you let it.

5. She’s chic, but she’s not shady..

6. Drugs, they say, are made in California.

7. With the birds I’ll share this lonely view..

8. Why don’t you come with me little girl, on a magic carpet ride.

9. All around the world statues crumble for me.

10. Don’t look before you laugh, look ugly in a photograph.

11. Clean shirt, new shoes and I don’t know where I am goin’ to.

12. I will buy you a garden where your flowers can bloom.

13. I believe the world is burning to the ground. Oh well, I guess we’re gonna find out.

14. Take my hand now, we’ll run forever. I can feel the storm inside you.

15. I picture your face in the back of my eyes. A fire in the attic, a proof of the prize.
Actually, Blake, you made some mistakes in artists.

GardenersCardiff answers:

3. Sombody told me – The Killers
8. Magic carpet ride – Steppenwolf
9. Fly – Suger Ray
11. Sharp dressed man- ZZ Top
13 Rob tomas
15. Ana Mooly – Incubus