In reply to some comments
As I sit watching Only Fools & Horses (probably one of the best comedies of all time), I feel compelled to write some shit for my site. And believe me, it's gonna be shit so leave now if your not in the mood.
I'm home for the Christmas since Saturday. Finished the exams Friday, went out Friday night and hence the reason I came home Saturday. By the way, in case you are interested, all exams went grand apart from the first one which I'm fairly sure I failed. Friday night was savage aswell. Ended up in the Gallery for 80's night. I recommend that to anyone. Its brilliant. But enough of that, on to more pressing business.
While I was checking the net to see how my fantasy footy team was getting on, they are doin OK, I checked out the site of another CP4 member - Mr. Francis we'll call him, Dave for short.. To my horror, I noticed my picture. Intrigued by this, I clicked and read the article. After some usual tripe, I seen an extract taken from my site. Surely a breach of copyright but not to worry. In this extract I discuss my new house, and the quest to find it. In said paragraph, I said that paying over the odds for rent was not something I could do, but something that is possible for those that save money, and whose parents pay rent. Obviously there was offence taken and 7 points made. I shall put in Dave's points, and my response to each.
Dave: "Yes my parents pay for me for college - the rent. Nothing
more. The very same setup as with Joe, Moe, Edel and many others."
I say: I do understand that parents pay rent for some students. Fair
play to them, but after 3 years in college, work every summer and in some cases
the weekends, surely they don't have to anymore. Also, I tell Edel, Mo and Colm
the same thing about getting parents to pay rent. This year however it is somewhat
different. Joe spent most of what he got in America, and the girls as far as
I know pay they're own rent. Therefore, Dave should be able to afford rent for
the final year of college.
Dave: "The fact that your parents do not pay for your rent does
not reflect badly on me - it in fact reflects badly on YOU. You get the grant
i noticed from elsewhere articles on your site. Who pays the taxes that pay
the grant??? Ill tell you who - My folks, Joes folks, Moes folks...in fact EVERYBODY'S
folks. You are just as much if not more of a scrounger than i am. In addition,
the fact that my folks give a shit how im getting on and to help me get on in
life does not give you an ounce of permission to knock me over it. If yours
arent like that, its not me you should be giving out to."
I say:
My parents do not pay my rent for a few reasons, one obviously being that I
get the grant, another being that I never asked them. I'm sure they would contribute
something if the need arises. Also as part of this point, I do know where the
money for grant comes from. Numerous things contribute, other than tax. But
since tax was all that was mentioned, I feel I should point out that my parents
also pay tax. Why is it presumed they don't? And finally, my folks do give a
shit how I get on. I don't know how I am to prove this, only to say that paying
rent doesn't mean that they give a shit any more than anyone else. In fact,
it more or less says that you better be putting in the effort and justify the
amount of money they are forced into spending on you.
Dave: "You may also have noted my acquisition of a laptop - those
who save every penny they earn over the summer dont qualify for buying one of
these. In addition, the summer involved a minimum of 2 nights out in Sheff.
Granted a night out during the week can cost less than a tenner(€14), but
you aint gonna turn down a vodka and coke for 50p in Corporation while surrounded
by expiremental 16-17 year olds, are you?"
I say: There is no way I'd ever turn down experimental 16/17 year olds,
unless of course they are rank looking. I didn't go out that often this summer
due to the fact that I was keeping the money to pay the rent, and have nights
out during the final year of college. Also, you say those who save every penny
don't qualify to buy a laptop. How do you buy it if you don't save?All I can
say about having a laptop is that it is a luxury item, one that is not necessary.
If indeed Dave you did buy a laptop, as opposed to getting it as a present for
your 21st which was the original story, that was a needless waste. The money
could of paid rent for a few months, hence saving the parents some money. Also
I should point out that I am currently paying for a van. That is putting pressure
on my pockets. Unfortunately, this is something I must pay for, but what
about it.
Dave: "Whatever you have done with your cash over the summer has
resulted in little use obvously. If anything, your perceptions seem to be getting
narrower and narrower - as if such a thing is possible. Rotting in Limerick
for the past 2 and a half years has obviously had its effect."
I say: Rotting in Limerick for the last 2 and a half years has been an
interesting experience. I don't know what you mean by my mind getting narrower.
I also agree that it can't really get much narrower, but it still is in fine
working order, as the last exams will no doubt prove (apart for one exam, ISM).
The money saved has served me positively, it just doesn't last long.
Dave: "Your note of congratulations to Keith on taking your student
of the year title is welcome, but i detect the sour grapes from here. Isnt it
ironic that the guy i hang with most during the last 2 years of college has
won that award. I tip Dave "spike" Brennann for the same this year."
I say: My congrats to Keith has no sour grapes attached. What was his
average though? Still it doesn't matter now, he deserved it. He was always a
smart individual. As for Dave hangin around with him the most for the last 2
years is total crap. Up until March this year he hung around us like a bad smell,
except for the times he did the project with Keith. Also, for the last 2 years
like Dave says, I won the award for one of those, Keith got it this year. As
for next years award, its too early to say. Dave Brennan would deserve it alright,
but I doubt he'll get it.
Dave: "Who are you to start shit about me. As your sites only reader,
you should be thankful of my existance. I have through my extensive gambling
skill (jamragness) won you the price of that playstation 2 at Cheltenham last
year as well as saving your ass with a certain girl you like last Friday."
I say: Where is the shit about Dave? I do acknowledge the help I received
during Cheltenham, only for it I would not of got the playstation. I did make
some choices myself, remember Rooster Booster and La Landiere. As for Friday,
how did ya save me from some girl I like? I presume the girl in question is
Mo. I don't know how Dave saved me there. I was hardly talking to her that night,
and they were waiting in Riddlers for Dave before going to Mollies. It was not
Dave that brought them away. I presume he thinks that they left on his suggestion
and hence saved me. That's a wrong and inaccurate presumption.
Dave: "Lastly, despite all this, i applaud your assistance with
Multimedia on Tuesday evening. Those dots, lines and shapes added an extra 2
paragraphs to my waffling."
I say: And finally Multimedia, no hassle with the tips. I also wrote
a shocking amount of waffle for that exam.
After that, what more can I say. I felt I should put across my side of the story, it is a democracy we live in after all. I won't say anymore on the subject, unless I'm forced into it.
Have a good day.