GaryK

It is quite different. Plus it also varies from region to region. When I went to school grades 1-6 were called elementary school. Grades 7-9 were Junior High School. And grades 10-12 were high school. After that you could attend a community college and get a two year degree, or a full-fledged uni for a bachelors, masters or doctorate. Nowadays portions of elementary, junior and high school are called middle school. So you go from elementary to middle to high school. In other parts of the country, and even parts of my state, it's completely different. In my state everyone has to take a test at the end of high school before they can graduate and get a diploma that lets them move on to a community college or uni. So basically the entire last year of school is spent teaching you how to pass this silly test. Even worse, schools with a high number of students who don't pass the test get less funding the following year. Shouldn't they be getting more? I'm glad I got out of that environment a long time ago and earned both my college/university (they're pretty much used interchangeably here) degrees. One in journalism and another in computer sciences (MIS).

Thanks Martin.

Thanks Celia. Every little bit helps. It seems to me the system is a bit of a throwback to the days when society was divided into more class groups. So that basically most people would stop regular school at 16 and then, depending on their social status, either went to a trade school to learn the vocation they would spend their life working in, or on to higher education. Except that nowadays there's a better opportunity to advance to higher education if your grades make you deserving. Am I close to understand things?

You're right. It's my lysdexia acting up again. That's what I meant to say. Yeah, right. ADDED: I'm not sure any blood would have to get on G

That helped perfectly Kit. It gave me everything I needed to know within the context of your story. Thank you so much. PS: I'm just starting Chapter 7 and am totally engrossed. I hated to leave this evening, but I had to attend a party in my honor. I got out of there as soon as possible. It helps that I hate parties and all my friends know it, LOL. Secretly all I wanted to do was get back to "Tough Question".

One of your best chapters to date CJ. And that's saying a lot! One thing that really popped out at me was how unprofessional Mario was by letting some of Gunter's blood remain on his body or clothes. Even without the blood at the airport poor Gunter would have been identified, but this made it all the more certain and positive. I guess Scar isn't surrounded by the brightest bunch of guys in the world. Which makes me wonder how badly Dimitri is going to screw up next. Thank you, you old goat you. You've been saved from the spit for this week. We'll see about next week! ADDED: Amen to that W.L. I wish we could take bets on how Dimitri will meet his fate and if he'll manage to punch in one of those codes before he dies.

Thanks for your reply. It makes a lot more sense than the Wikipedia article did. I'm still not entirely clear on the distinctions between A levels, college and university. When you graduate from high school at 16 what typically comes next in terms of education? In the story one character is attending college while another went on to university because his grades were better. So is college sort of a preparatory time to qualify for university? Thanks Trebs. That article makes it a little clearer. I still don't understand what happens between graduation from high school and starting your higher education. Also what are A levels?

It's not yet noon where Benji lives. As for me the lure of tequila with the goat would have me drinking first thing in the morning. BTW, I wouldn't mind drinking milk from this particular male goat right from the source.

What is the difference between college and university in the UK? Here in the US there really isn't any distinction. In the UK is college more like what we call a community college offering a two-year degree while university offers four-year degrees, masters, and PhDs? Thanks. This will help me make better sense of a story I'm reading. I'm learning a ton of new stuff just from having to use the dictionary to reference British terminology. Oh, the story is great. It's Kit's "Tough Question".

I almost did. But I had to stick around until "Moving On" was completed. Then I could die a happy man.

I can't speak for Kevin, but I've choked on a Philly cheesesteak before. Probably while laughing myself silly at your quirky sense of humor.

Isn't anyone just a wee bit scared about how much the goat knows about stuff like this?

You need a better mirror then. One that shows you what you really look like.

You're not helping your case at all. If anything this photo makes you look even better than the first one did. I can see your face so much better in this shot and a handsome face it is. Manly with still just a touch of cute in it.

Well, yes, of course I'm saying that to lift your spirits. However I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. So it did work. Deal with it.

Aw, don't be embarrassed. You're a very handsome young man. Between your brains and your looks I'm sure you'll find the right man for you soon enough.

The eyes give everything away about a person. I love you more than ever Sharon.

Wow. Your hair is as long as mine Martin. I don't have that evil glow to my eyes though. Thank you Photoshop. Oh, I agree with James. Plus there is something about red hair that, well, er, never mind.

Tigers don't need RPGs. They're big strong beasts that can take care of themselves. Goats, well goats are fragile little creatures that need to hide out in cliffs so they're not scared all the time.

It helps open my sinuses. More important it keeps me awake when I'd rather crawl into bed and sleep.

Although he could probably take out Instinct and The Bitch

He never installed the MSFT Brain 2.0 upgrade so he's still stuck with 640K of memory. It's no wonder he's forgotten some of the stupid stuff he's said over the years.

How about someone picks up Dimitri while he's hitchhiking. The that poor someone gets knifed--cold steel--and now Dimitri has some method of transportation. I have no idea what he'll do with it though. Maybe find a pay phone (don't want the cellphone to get tracked and maybe have the service shut off) and make a threat to blow up LA unless Instinct and The Bitch

That shot was neither nice or painless!