Academically Deficient

Mostly Rangers, the rest a cross-section of Lanarkshire teams. Plus an Aberdeen fan who I think has totally given up.

True. Things were pretty good at our place until very recently. I think it was the combination of lockdown (no way to get a release like you say, nothing to look forward to) stress (a lot of people being off, self-isolating etc leading to increased workload), pressure at home and the shit weather. People's irritating behaviours that you could previously overlook seem worse. Theres nothing to have a laugh and joke about. When it goes back to "normal" people like us might be burnt out. Those on furlough might have a problem dealing with their situation as well, suddenly being on crowded trains, busy workplaces etc. It's going to be tough for a lot of people. Good idea with the headphones on the bus. My equivalent is listening to oldies music channels on the car for the drive home. Whatever works eh? Although I'm finding happy, upbeat songs really annoying at the moment

Exactly the same at our place. Tough times indeed. I'd bite your hand off for furlough.

Relating to this. How did your employer deal with it? At our place theres been a few people off, ostensibly with physical symptoms, but I reckon the lockdown has contributed massively to stress over the last year. Hopefully we're nearly there, it will end.

Glasgow is great, so is Lanarkshire, but I always feel that Ayrshire is the friendliest place in Scotland. Lovely people - no nonsense, down to earth, funny. Also, fantastic pronunciation of the words one, four, seven and eleven. Least friendly place in Scotland is a more interesting question but I'm not going there. In either sense.

Ross County: a Land of the Giants outfit who, on emerging from the tunnel, elicit the inevitable response of "Christ, look at the size of these *****". Prove to be not very good at football, yet almost impossible to beat. Hamilton Accies: A fine blend of nervous looking youngsters (who you are always surprised to see in the team, as last season they were the sulky Kevin and Perry lads selling match programmes) and mysterious international hit men who arrive in a weird multi buy offer each season. Only 2 of these nomads are any good. Then they all depart, like birds off to a warmer and more welcoming climate. Their bemused expressions on being screamed at by fans to "get fuckin' rid of it" is their lasting legacy.

Peter Weir was some player. Also nice to see a rare clip of Colin "Bomber" Harris getting a goal.

Good news. One tip I heard for doing zoom/TEAMS/skype interviews was to dress as though you were going to an actual face-to-face one. You might feel a bit daft sitting in your house with a shirt and tie on, but if it makes the right impression who cares?

I have heard people say that the Accies corporate hospitality leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Good shout. One slight change I have noticed is that people are starting to say openly that they are struggling a bit, though often with a slightly self-deprecating or lighthearted tone. This is new, and I think it's due to COVID. I'd assume this is true in other places and is maybe a small sign that the emphasis on mental health in the media is helping a wee bit. Anyway, I hope everyone who has shared their experiences on here is doing ok.

Yes, a bit of perspective helps. I suppose an indicator af anxiety or mental/emotional distress is when you cant see that perspective because you're too focused on the immediate present. I've been working right through COVID in a place that has started to display signs of blame culture and has a few toxic people in it. Pre-COVID people would have the chance to socialize, go for a beer maybe and get things off their chest. Or have activities at the weekend to look forward to (even Accies fans). Now they are worried about home schooling, elderly relatives...the whole thing really. The atmosphere has turned to shit, whereas it was ok before. I can see signs of it in others as well as myself. I like your approach. Use to work with a good guy who said of f**k-ups "in 100 years we'll all be dead so stop worrying about it".

I've been reading through the archive on this thread, and there's a lot of knowledgeable and brave contributors on it. Really inspiring. I was wondering if anyone had any experience dealing with work stress AND anxiety, that is, does one cause the other or is it a chicken and egg scenario? In particular, dealing with mistakes you've made at work, how you manage with stress etc. and stop it ruining the rest of your week? Genuinely interested as I've learned more on this thread than a lot of other stuff I've read. Thanks.

I decided to stop being a lazy b*****d and googled for myself. It's not often I'm right, so this was quite pleasing.

An early Go-Betweens feel to this. Australian by any chance?

Townsend: The jury is out. Entwistle: Freemason, spendthrift, shagger. Daltrey: Gammony Brexiteer.

I'd recommend Steve Jones book. Better than I expected. Grim in places, funny in others. The lady from the Slits (sorry forgotten her name) said in her book that Sid admitted throwing the glass that took a girls eye out.

Not for me it wouldn't.

I was right behind the goals for the late Norway equalizer and could swear there was a helluva late swerve on the shot.

What a night. Paul McStay was magnificent in that game too. Anyone remember the weird phenomenon that the press called "the Hampden Howl" ? A weird, high pitched noise the crowd made. I dont think it ever happened again. Maybe it put the French off?

First single? Cant remember exactly but it was probably a Division 2 punk/new wave 45. Boomtown Rats, Lurkers maybe. First lp was, bizarre enough Euroman Cometh by JJ Burnel. Bought it off another Stranglers fan who was disappointed it wasn't "punky" enough.

June and July usually

That's the one. Accies are in the dogfight every year, they time it like a long-distance runner Usually theres another (better) team who slips into the dogfight and panics. Like that guy at the start of The Shawshank Redemption who cries for his mother saying "but I'm not supposed to be here". Then gets, as you might say, his ass kicked.

Totally agree. My worry is that, as usual, they've shot their bolt live on Sky with a great performance against Rangers. I'd rather have 3 points from Ross County and taken a regular doing from the OF. If we get even a draw from Livvy I'll start feeling hopeful. A wee bit anyway.

Looks like a good appointment for you lads. Hopefully we both stay up so I've got at least one good away trip to look forward to when we're allowed back to the game.

Nice wee dig from Mr Cholmondley Warner there about not beating them at Hampden for 25 years. At least 5 of those we were busy fighting Hitler. Still, all friends now. With the Germans anyway