Leaving the Building

(or legal society, as the case may be)

So, in annoying news this week, some Scouts are missing. In case it wasn't mentioned on the Ark-La-Tex, CenTex or SWales news (for regular readers), the 100th anniversary Scouting Jamboree has been going on in Essex. 40,000 scouts from around the world participated, giving the morning news correspondents loads of precious English-as-a-Second-Language children to torment for several mornings ('How do you like it?', 'What do you think of England?', 'Do you like meeting people from around the world?' -- really deep questions).

However, to everyone's surprise, some scouts have gone missing!!!! (It is slightly befuddling to my tiny brain how a 24-year-old is still a scout, but... b-a-d. Cultural sensitivity, Amrie!) The missing include:
* 5 male Bangladeshis (aged 12, 15, 16 and 24)
* 2 girls and 2 boys from Uganda (aged 16 and 17)
* 17 y.o. Sri Lankan male
* 15 y.o. Nigerian male
* and another boy and a girl, whose countries are unknown to the general public (that is shady as well).

Now, my sympathies are truly with people who want to escape from these countries (and others). Wayne, my line manager, just returned from Nigeria, where he stayed in his hotel for two solid weeks, went nowhere outside but to the recruitment agent's office and the airport, and had armed guards the whole time. He reports that it is a s---hole. He says it has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, he was terrified for his life, and there is every understanding for people who want to get out however they can. He brought us some plantain chips.

HOWEVER, there is only so much that better-off countries can stand or hold. It also makes it really confusing and difficult for people trying to follow the rules to get visas and work permits legally (ahem). My mama told me there was a news story about Brits moving out of the country due to the influx of migrants, although all I could find was an article about the British exodus from London.

(step down from soapbox)
*******

Now we move over to the humorous side of life, where something else has gone missing (namely, sanity).

This is the tale of a lawsuit. An All-American piece of litigation. Elvis has sued his former company for wrongly dismissing him. Nameless (well, he did legally change his name to 'Elvis Presley') former-Wall Street banker claims wrongful firing, harrassment at work, and victimisation. When he was dismissed, he claims the HR manager looked up from his desk and quipped that it was time that Elvis left the building. (titter) Another blogger has given his tuppence.

It has always been my dream to go to the One-Legged Elvis Presley-Lookalike Alligator-Wrestling Challenge (my question is: how many competitors do you have to have to make it a Championship?). It is on August 16th.... maybe should check next week to see if they have pictures!

And this is a list of randomness (which incidentally includes the above story, but also a link to a story indicating the possible location of the missing Briton Lord Lucan, who may be Roger Woodgate, currently living in a car in New Zealand with his pet possum).

*******
It is a lovely day, and I ought to leave the building and go and be utterly mad somewhere. Maybe a hat will help! Or a possum.
But perhaps a shower is in order first.