Those of you who have read my posts recently are aware that I have announced that I graduated college, and that I was going to go work for the Railraod.
Well that worked out like flying pig. I got my final grade report today and discovered that I did not pass one of my classes. This class is required to graduate. So I am back at it for one more semester. (Oh Yeah) All plans are put on hold. The Railroad is off, and I am so angry at my self I am purple.
To add one more annoyance, The 6 Atlas GP-7s I ordered showed up today. I only got two, with a letter stating that the other 4 were no longer avialable. At least I got the Great Northern ones. Those were the ones I wanted most.
I think I just need to quit trying. This year has just been one dissapointment after another. And I am sick and tired of it. I can see it now. “James Mitich, the worlds greatest armchair modeler.” So much for being the next Allen McClellend.
We all have many disapointments in life,I’m sure that with a little effort you will pass your class on be on your way.I wish you luck,no dought you will be working on the railroad before you know it.Hey when you become head engineer on one of UP’s many divisions will there be any {CAB RIDES} for forum members.
i did a course whin i left school that the government were plugging as a replacement for the A-level. buy the time i finished it was barly worth the paper it was written on and i had to do an extra whole year of uni just to get onto the course i wanted to do.
but i graduated in november and now i have a good (if extreamly booring!!) job at the BBC so i guess what i am trying to say is stick with it as it usually turns out well in the end.
as for the GP-7’s perhaps this is a blessing in disguise as you may well need the money to spend on projects that will keep you occupied and out of trouble while you finish your studies.
Hey, watch out for those redundancies at the Beeb!
Yeah, have you noticed there are years that turn up when nothing runs right?
Oh well, must down to that ‘rich tapestry of life’ stuff.
Had a few of those in the past! If it’s one for one, then I am owed!
Anyway, keep going, hang in there and happy new year when it turns up in January.
And that’s for everyone out there too by the way.
James -
you are an inspiration to me (and many others) in the model rr world… endless drive, unquenched imagination, goal and task oriented, and way ahead (decades) in modelling experience than I.
setbacks happen - health, finances, family challenges, car trouble, relationships, the credit card bill after Christmas… HOW you respond and WHAT you do about those challenges, will define your life and your ambition
if one class is what you need - see what options there are (challenging the class now that you have the course material info, re-writing the exam, tutor, or in your note - one further semester), then get it done… will be a relief when you are finished, and a blessing.
Then go get that job - perhaps they will permit you to begin training / work with the completion of that course pending.
Set / Revise / Adjust goals as needed, but keep going. Don’t quit trying, Keep trying … and “Allen M” you will be…
If Life were a Bottle of Shampoo, the instructions would be:
Fall down.
Get back up.
Repeat.
One class that you need, one class just for the heckuva it (howza bout an Art or theatre (stagecraft)) , and the rest of the time spent on laying the foundation for the next phase of yer life. Sounds like Plan A, rev. 1.
We all get set back at times. Humility is a wonderful teacher, though she tends not to be kind. as long as one is trying then you can say “it’s not you” so much as “it’s not your time”.
t took took me a long time to learn that one and I’m still learning.
The second time through, it should be a lot easier , it might give you a chance to take a few more courses and give a chance to expand your horizons.
I can relate to your problem. On the final exam of my last class to graduate college, I missed by one little point! I had to wait six months to retake the class! I was so upset and put out! What a disaster!
Now, many years later, I’m glad I didn’t give up. In fact, I’m back in school again and about to graduate with another degree.
Don’t give up! Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. But, time passes and things do get better. Hang in there! I know what your are going through 'cause I’ve been there. It does get better! (and you can buy more trains!
[:D] )
did you at least get your money back for the GP-7’s you didnt get? And I’m sorry to hear you didnt pass your class, I almost failed my English class(im in high school), hope that makes ya feel a little bit better
I am trying to enjoy what is left of my semester break but I can already tell that this time I am more focused and things will distract me less. However It might mean less time spent here. (Corrisponding with all you people is fun)
My condolences, James. Funny thing, my Senior year in college, I needed one class for my pre-credential studies. Of all things, it was called “Audio-Visual Education.” This was back in the days of reel to reel tape recorders, overhead projectors and 16mm film that had to be threaded into a camera. I FLUNKED it! Couldn’t believe it. But what was worse, is that the University didn’t let me know until mid-summer, when I’d already gone through the Graduation ceremony. Had to re-take it the next semester and it threw my Graduate studies all to Hell, because officially, I couldn’t be in the Graduate program until the course was made up. By the time everything worked out, I was a Banana Crate. So keep the chin up, guy. You’ll be fine, and there’s a bunch of guys on these posts who are really rooting for you. And look at it this way–those two Atlas that you DID get were for the line you WANTED, anyway!
Take care, friend, and keep us posted. You’ll be in the cab soon enough, and those Atlas diesels will be hauling freight over your own Marias Pass sooner than you think.
Tom
No big deal at all. So one more semester. I would not be bitching about that as ytou are. There are other bigger issues than that. It took me four years to get a two year degree because unlike you i had no Mommy and daddy footing the bill and finalcial aid. I foot the bill myslef for those years and did it. No need fro crying about that. Life still goes on and there is much more time left. At age 22 you look as though you can focus on losing a couple of pounds which is more important. Not to be rude butits the truth dawg. I keep it real.
There is hope!! 2 1/2 years ago on 29 Aug 02, I was in a bad car wreck, a week later I got fired from the police department for the car wreck ,and my wife left me for another man, a month later. I wanted to give up, I went back to college, graduated *** laude, got engaged to a great girl who likes trains and I landed a dream job with a great company, making more than I did on the police force. If I would of quit trying I would be working at a convience store for minimum wage today. Don’t give up even when it seems impossible. Good luck
Many years ago, I was a complete goof off, and I quit/flunked out of college after two years. Well, after falling off a few telephone poles, I got married and went back, and this time I was a bit more serious about it. I ended up graduating in engineering with the lowest QCA after 100+ hours of anyone in history at Tech, so it is possible to turn almost anything around.
Conversely, my youngest daughter graduated Valedictorian, and she had so many ribbons and medals on when she walked across the stage it was unreal. My oldest daughter remarked “Gosh, I was surprised they even let me wear a cap and gown. It’s a good thing she looks like us.” But, the youngest has a heck of a time just looking around and enjoying things it seems.
Life is a constant adventure. Do your best to enjoy living it, and don’t worry about the “Could have beens”. If you had graduated when you could have, you may have been in place to get killed in a car wreck last week, or been an Asian Bird Flu statistic. As my signiture says, “what could have happened, did.”