Second week of work went well and I still have not fallen out of my chair or tripped in any public venue (oh, wait. I did almost fall up some stairs yesterday since my foot hit the edge of the step instead of the square middle. but, it wasn't in front of work colleagues, so it doesn't count.). Trip to Australia is almost fully worked out. My observation is that the stereotype of Australians as very laid back is an accurate one :) So, there are fairs on university campuses in less than a month, right? Some of the universities still have no official agenda and/or information to reps who will be travelling (such as, oh, the times of the fair, etc.). This week, a couple of the unis emailed to say that they will be covering accomodation costs and reps should let them know if they need accom. Okay... and I don't think this is related to OCD... I made the last of my accom reservations on Monday, which seems actually a little late to me. Hotels in Australia, though, fascistly do not allow any variation from the reservation (breaking down the stereotype in this case). So, in essence, I could have saved part of my budget. Grrrrrr. Well, better luck next year.
It is a relief to me, though, that there will not be a need for armed guards to escort me to and from exhibitions. This is what Wayne (my line manager) and Sasha and the other uni reps have as a service for their excursions every day in Pakistan. Armed guards walk in front of and behind each rep, put them in their cars (with police cars in front of and behind) and the entire procession honks horns as they travel to the exhibition. (Yes, let us alert the general populus to the fact that here are some people who need protection... there is no need for subtlety here!)
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Today, my colleague, Sally is collecting me for an excursion! And yarn (wool) is reportedly a part of this activity. I am quite looking forward to seeing a little outside the city.
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On a closing note, Lady Lindsey Lovelylocks has provided me with an introduction to Nora, a piano-playing cat. No, really! She belongs to a piano teacher and started playing on her own :) Part of the above link includes a duet with a student She apparently has a page as well: http://ravenswingstudio.com/docs/cats.html.
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Since we are on YouTube as a topic, there was an article on the news yesterday about Geriatric1927, who is an octagenarian who makes videos and publishes them online. His name is Peter and he is a widower and has published more than 60 videos ranging from 1minute to 13minutes. These are him telling stories about his life, including experiences from WWII and cultural observations.
In the series, Peter describes some of the major events and periods of his life, including:
Growing up during World War II, and living as a young teen in a city that was bombed by the Luftwaffe.
His experience in the primary and secondary education system of England in the 1930s, and his fortunate (in his eyes) selection to have his education 'extended' past the age of 14, a privilege during the period reserved for children deemed to be intelligent.
His conscription into the British Army, and again his fortunate selection to be a Radar technician, occurred as a consequence of the aptitudes his superiors detected in him. This role kept him out of combat, for which he is grateful, as he did not have to witness "the horrors of war", yet was nonetheless imperative for the war effort.
His return to civilian life and the job he had left behind.
A period of tertiary education in Leicester, England, where he met his future wife, and developed his passion for motorcycling.
His employment in Leicester as a public health inspector.
Growing up during World War II, and living as a young teen in a city that was bombed by the Luftwaffe.
His experience in the primary and secondary education system of England in the 1930s, and his fortunate (in his eyes) selection to have his education 'extended' past the age of 14, a privilege during the period reserved for children deemed to be intelligent.
His conscription into the British Army, and again his fortunate selection to be a Radar technician, occurred as a consequence of the aptitudes his superiors detected in him. This role kept him out of combat, for which he is grateful, as he did not have to witness "the horrors of war", yet was nonetheless imperative for the war effort.
His return to civilian life and the job he had left behind.
A period of tertiary education in Leicester, England, where he met his future wife, and developed his passion for motorcycling.
His employment in Leicester as a public health inspector.
(from Wikipedia article)
'Telling it all 34' is about his grandfather's funeral. 'The Vicar and the police questions' is v. good. His first try is 'Geriatric Gripes and Grumbles' and he also has a website.
He is precious!
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