third strange thing . . .

. . . for the day; or should i say fourth - the latter being that this is my third bloggy for the day when i've otherwise not posted for weeks

i was rushing to attend a training course this afternoon, quickly stopping at a little machine we have where one can buy tea/coffee/soup (i have a secret key so that i don't have to pay - more on this later). so i got my soup and for whatever reason, my hand jerked a bit when i pulled it out from the little dispenser thing. the soup splashed onto my hand and was hot, hot, hot! i dropped it on to the ground (sidenote: somehow the cup stayed upright and nothing else spilled out - remind me to try tying some to a cat's back and/or a piece of buttered bread)

i tried to remain calm as there were people all round, so i quickly ran upstairs to the ladies and who was stood there fluffing her hair when i ploughed in but the supreme boss of the company. that probably doesn't sound that exciting, but she is a superifically-well respected woman, not only around the place but to the global economic, political and business world in general (again with the crypticness - my apologies). and a rare sighting. many people think of her as our own built-in celeb, including people who have worked there for over a decade

we've never met before, and there she was looking at me, and there i was with soup dripping from my hand. i quickly just said 'oh, oh ms xxxx, how lovely to see you and finally meet you (as i'm thrusting my hand under the cold running tap, wearing jeans and a pseudo-retro t-shirt that says something like 'we serve it hot and fresh' )', 'my name is xx and i work in xx dept and we've never met before'. she said hello and made to shake my hand, when i blurted out 'oh sorry, i would shake your hand, but i've just burnt it quite badly and may still have soup on it'. cue thunderous laughter, in retrospect. even for those who've never met me - can you not just picture it?

so she made to leave and sort of tut-tutted about my hand, nice to meet you, out she went and back under the cold water my ouchy hand went. someone had been in one of the stalls the entire time, and i was so pleased it didn't end up being someone i knew. i could not help but laugh to myself in the mirror, and the woman next to me washing her hands began to laugh as well, even though she had no idea what had just happened

really, you can't make this stuff up . . .

nb: for those concerned, i got a cold pack for my hand, went to my training course, the ice melted after about 20mins, and my hand remains a bit red. fortunately, we've an aloe plant in our office (as one does), so i slathered that on when i got back. still a bit red, though....

nb2: note i may well have dealings with afore-mentioned extra-special boss lady, as she is heavily involved in the project for which i've an interview on friday. had i my full faculties about me at the time, i would have mentioned this. but in case she forgets the incident, it might be better i didn't, in case we soon meet again more properly!

Current mood: amused

i have a class this . . .

. . . term about preparing oneself for next year's dissertation

this week (today) rather than having a formal class, we were made to meet at a particular library to learn about the services they offer. because we don't know what libraries do (?). i considered not going, especially since i had to leave one hour earlier than usual this morning to spend three quarters of an hour getting there

but i went, because i'm considerate like that

there are around 50 in the class; about a dozen or less turned up. no surprise, really. we were led upstairs, taken into a room to be explained the rules of the library. this took about 5mins. in the room was a table, chairs and hundreds of journals on the wall shelves. wow, I am rendered speechless at the grandeur of it (that's sarcasm, in case you missed it)

we were then led into the next room where the e-library catalogues were located, and shown how to find the library's website and search the catalogue. are you kidding me with this? this took about 5mins

we then went into the main sitting area and shown how to fill out a form to request something that is stored in the basement. this took about 3mins

next was a room where we were shown some old photos, letters, memento etc bits of a london actress from early 20th century. this was to show us all the amazing artefacts they have for visitors...yet all these nice things stay boxed up in storage in the basement (so we can't get to them anyway). this too took about 5mins

and guess what? that was it. i got out of bed for this? could my intelligence possibly be insulted any further? answers on a postcard, please

so while the others stood about waiting for further directives from the faculty (of which there weren't any - directives, that is, not faculty), i simply slid out, went to the locker to retrieve my things and absconded

pardon me if i've said this already, but: i got out of bed for this?

well i have been . . .

. . . invited for interview for the job - Friday, noon

seems i nearly stuffed it up entirely as was phoned today by human resources to say that i had neglected to follow one key point of the application process (which i suspected would be a problem - i even drew attention to it in my email (good/bad?), but still didn't do it properly)

so the call began with 'we appreciate your application and interest in the role, but i'm afraid we will not be taking your application further because of x'; i managed to turn it round, say i would do x, proceeded to do it, let them know, then received a subsequent email from them confirming my interview for friday (apologies for the cryptic description)

note i was also told (again) that someone else was already being seriously considered (read: 'they've got the job already, so don't bother doing x and applying'), but rather than admit defeat, i confirmed that i would press on

so - we shall see . . .

Current mood: indifferent

Currently reading: Alfred Hitchcock By Nicholas Haeffner

shooby dooby dubai

since i have been remiss in my blogging duties of late, i'm just going to dive straight in, as if you already know what i'm on about . . .

so i have done it - i have just applied for a job in dubai. i can not believe how much i have laboured over my covering letter [can you say nearly 3-4 days straight? - really sad - they (whoever they are) should really offer a course in how to not be a obsessively pedantic perfectionist]

in the first several days of hearing about the job (and following discussion with the decision-maker), i was feeling quite confident about at least being considered. then i found out a couple of days ago that there are at least two others being considered who are already working with the key people/on the project in question. so it could well be a matter of them having only advertised the job because the recruiting guidelines say they have to. that's just not nice

on the upside, i also learned that a flat would be provided (gratis), as will monthly flights to the uk - albeit for business purposes, but presumably still with time to see friends and stock up at tesco and waitrose. the salary is also decentish, and would offer a swell opportunity to start saving money again, bearing in mind there would be no rent and no taxes (woo)

the closing date is tomorrow morning, and since they want a team in place by the end of march, i assume the process will move rather quickly. if i don't even get through the first round, i won't feel too dejected, because i know that i have presented them with a damn good application. so in the words of the iconic doris day, whatever will be, will be . . .

apologies re the secrecy surrounding any details on what the role entails, but the project is still confidential at this stage; not that you would have any need or interest in telling anyone, but y'know...

Current mood: relieved
Currently reading: Time Management - self-development for managers By Chris Croft

i don't yet have a blog

so testing this page

rail connections, part4

well, I finally broke ole black coat. am just pleased as punch with self

this evening I took an earlier train than usual, which found me at the station at which he always alights(am)/joins(pm)

soon as I got off my first train (to connect), spotted him sitting there on the side waiting for our usual train and I just walked right up, said 'alright?' and sat down next to him...and we chatted, chatted, chatted for nearly an hour! we conversed there whilst waiting, sat next to each other on train, where I assumed he'd take his escape - nope, he/we went on and on all the way through. we always get off at the same stop, but I usually jump on the bus home from there, while I've noticed he waits for the next train that goes to our a.m. station...since ours was running a bit late, I decided to stay and wait for the train as well. chatter chatter chatter whilst waiting. just far too amusing - thought would (still think might) burst at prospect of June hearing about this tomorrow morning! ha! if i get to tell her, that is, as they both usually turn up at the same time, about 30secs before the train turns up

anyhoo, when he first began to speak more animatedly, thought for sure he must be gay, much to my surprise...but towards the end as we said goodbye, I actually thought he might fancy me. that, or thought I might be a fun friend, which would be fine by me! he just asked me OODLES of questions...interesting...as well as asked if I got out much at the w/end. also when we parted at the station, he asked if I had a long walk home (though I had already told him where I lived - when he asked, mind!). he's not fanciable, but I sure wouldn't say no to a local friend, since I haven't got any. when I said 'have a lovely evening, see you tomorrow', he v happily said, 'yes YES, see you tomorrow!' bless

he mentioned several times that he loves, LOVES I tell you, Berlin; must investigate if big gay community in Berlin...

my work is done here

rail connections, part3

June and I are getting on like a house on fire on the trains each morning...makes the time fly right by

perhaps it was the sun, maybe the outfit I was wearing, or just knowing I have a day off tomorrow (yeah!), but today I said 'MorNEENING' (yes - sing-songy) to black coat (who no longer wears the coat in such fabulous weather). I was afraid June might fall over, it was bad enough she caught her breath loudly and slapped her hand to her mouth in a Janice-style 'Oh My God' gesture...I told her she must stop, or he was going to notice and think I fancied him. I don't. I just sorta felt it was my/our duty to subtly remind him that he sees us twice a day, every day of our lives (at the mo, anyway), and it wouldn't hurt to acknowledge such

I'd hoped to catch the cute grey/spikey haired, bespectacled boy this morning, since I was so early; no joy...

I had to run for my train home this evening...I didn't like it. I'm in no shape at all to be doing such things; thank god I no longer smoke. bought some new, painful shoes (and changed into immediately) at lunch today, so that didn't help things move along any quicker. The lovely older chap who sometimes smiles at me with a mild 'alright?' saw me running and held the train door, bless him. I babbled on about never being so late, he just smiled and probably thought I was a big fat goon for breathing and sweating like I was smack-dab in the midst of running the London Marathon...

rail connections, part2

black coat (as noted previously) turned up yesterday - with a LEAP even - without his black coat. I thought June was going to silently fall over...funny how she thinks just like me with regards to our fellow transporters

today black coat came without the coat AND in a light-coloured shirt. shocking. he still does not acknowledge me (us), of course...he's very slim without that coat. he should be without it more often

gave June some arsenal trading cards for her 10yr old son...said hiya to one of going-home commuters...nearly told the guy at my evening station 'nice haircut, by the way' after his very huge messy large hair (and facial) disappeared...i chickend out, though. probably the american accent that keeps me from it (darn it)

have made passing-chums with my local station agent...

rail connections

I made a new friend yesterday...er, new acquaintance? in a land where people don't speak to each other unless there is a good reason (not faulting it - I like it), I've recently thrown caution to the proverbial wind, and spoken to some of my fellow daily commuters (scary)

There's one woman who takes my train each morning - it's a small station, so there's only 3 of us who are there faithfully each day; there are two others who are there every now and then.

A few weeks ago, I caught the eye of said fellow-female commuter (we shall call her June), and we ended up smiling and saying Good Morning a few times after - one day she even came over and offered me a piece of chewing gum - amazing! Nice lady, but we didn't really speak much...

A couple of days ago, the sun decided to come out, which of course puts everyone in a slightly better mood. June began to chat with me while we were waiting, and we ended up sitting together on the train and chitter chattering all the way to her stop - she's lovely! Funny how you've no idea how someone will be - or expect them to be quite different - until you actually make an effort to find out.

She too found the non-speaking-commuting rule amusing (although a native Londoner) and we discussed our fellow station-friends, and how we seemed invisible to them. A few days prior, I'd had a brief moment where I felt like a complete idiot, after briefly speaking to one of the sometimers and he looked at me as if he had no idea who I was, and didn't see me nearly 5 days of each week!

I mentioned to June that she hadn’t been at the train one day a few weeks prior, and I’d almost worried…she laughed and said that surely our fellow commuters would notice my absence over the next two days, and ask her where I was. Right.

The day before June and I started chatting, I'd got brave by also speaking to one of my going-home travellers (completely different clientele on my evening commute, them), lamenting about nearly being late and missing the train, etc. That chap actually smiled at me today, and held the train door open for me. But I digress...

Same day I spoke to him, I also asked a question of Black Coat Bloke, who is every day at my morning station; he, June, and I are the only steadfast visitors. He never speaks, never smiles, never changes his expression in any way. He always seems to saunter up the stairs to the platform without a care in the world at the very last minute, nearly every day; I always wonder how he manages to never miss the train - does he know something I don't? does he live opposite or next door?

He also always wears a nice suit and very heavy black coat, as observed June in our conversation about how unapproachable he appears. I told her how I'd spoken to him the previous morning, to ask how he'd got home the last couple of days...he and I also take the same train home each day (not that he'd notice), and due to the weather, it hadn't run and I had a hell of a long-time sorting out how to - and ultimately getting - home. He was quite happy to offer various suggestions, and even smiled as he told me. I was v surprised. (of course, he’s not acknowledged my presence since)

June and I sat together and chatted the next day as well, which made the time fly right by, mostly discussing transport, transport rates, the evil of transport...and the weather, of course! I mentioned to her a little monthly column in the morning Metro about commuter love connections. What fun! We laughed about how if one of us did one for the other at our little station, it wouldn't be too difficult sussing out who'd said what. We discussed placing a note about how Black Coat didn't need to wear his black coat each day, and perhaps he should smile once in a while, and at least acknowledge that we all see each other, twice a day, about 250 days per year.

There's a cute boy at my station who takes the train going the other way every now and then...I've only seen him twice, when I've been running quite early, as his train comes much earlier than mine. He's rather fetching, and quirky-looking, with good hair, and more importantly, good shoes. I nearly spoke to him yesterday...but perhaps instead I should make a listing in next month's Metro Commuter Love Connection...