Life beyond our cosy little world

http://www.riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Walking Boots..

http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/

or the quick version...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4818036.stm

Tales from the Tea Room

It all began last year with a series of irate emails about the tearoom and
the disappearing teaspoons... here we have a sample email...


"Well, where do we go from here then? As you know, the tea spoons
have been relentlessly disappearing. I've put two new teaspoons in
the tea room this week and they too have disappeared. I've now
come to the point where I refuse to put any new spoons in there.
I can only suggest that everyone keeps their own personal
teaspoon and hangs onto it for dear life, so that no-one else can
nick it. Pathetic isn't it.

I can only assume that someone (in the department?) thinks they
are having a huge joke at everyone's expense. Please join with me
as I extend my sincere sympathy to this sad person."

Then we got a reply from a very daring department member, who
obviously does not realise that the art of happiness is keeping
secretaries happy...


"Well we clearly need a new procedure here. Can I suggest a
teaspoon working group to come forward with recommendations
to the School's away days in July (I suggest a 2 hour slot on the
agenda)?

Or course staff are reminded that they must not take action against
any alleged teaspoon stealers; the apporopriate course of action is to
refer them to the Head of Department who will invite them to return
the teaspoons; if they still claim they haven't got them, then we
must refer them to the University's Cutlery Committee who will,
with appropriate legal advice and representation from the university
solicitor and visitor, decide if there is a prima facie case to be
answered. This Committee is meeting more regularly in response
to the growing need across all departments (although in Social
Science the problem is slightly different, being forks - indeed it is
a national problem according to the Times Higher). Pending
their deliberations, salaries will be withheld."

Names of emailers, blogger and institution witheld for security purposes...

Teaspoons

We do important work here... The teaspoon saga has been going for some time. Email from department secretary...

"Here we go again:

May I remind everyone who uses the tea room that it is YOUR responsibility to wash up your own mug. You do NOT leave it lying around for someone else to wash up. If you have a guest, then you're responsible for washing up his/her mug as well. I know this will come as an alien concept to some of you, but you could also consider putting any plate, bowl, you use away in the cupboard.

And whilst I'm on the subject, please bring back the tea spoons!!! NOW!

That's it."

Signed Dept Sec. (Identity hidden for security purposes...my security)