--no, that not what the title says you dirty minded people...

so yeah, Grade 8 results are back and I got a merit in the ABRSM exam I took a few weeks ago. Grade 8 is the last official measurement of practical musical ability, so to get past it is quite a relief.
I was hoping for a distinction, I must admit, but unfortunately they decided to give me an examiner who refuses to award more than 27 marks per piece unless the piano turns to gold during the performance. I think some blokes tried something like that in the middle ages, its not easy.
His comments were equally irritating, criticising things that are wholly down to personal opinion and interpretation, things that my teacher (an acomplished pianist who got to the semi final of a national competition) approved of.
So it may seem like I'm making excuses, but...can you sack the guy and give me a distinction please?
However, dont get me wrong, a merit is good and I'm happy

So the christmas holidays have started, and I have my AS exams to look forward to straight afterwards. It turns out that life form the age of 15-21 involves major exams every six months. Ah well, I'm sure I can balance my revision guide and my mince pies.
I will be starting driving lessons soon, which seems so weird cos I still feel like a kid. But that's certainly something to look forward to!

In other news, for those of you who were dying to know what happened with the tuition fee rises, the vote was passed, which is pretty lame. The latest protests are aimed at giant companies such as vodafone and Topshop which are evading billions of pounds of tax, which, if paid would completely resolve any funding hole in the education budget.