If you have ever wondered how the typical academic spends a Sunday, the answer is straightforward: either at work, or thinking about work.

This Sunday was no different from most others. TPR was entertaining himself elsewhere when I set off to join my colleagues on campus for a staff development seminar. On arrival I pushed open the door to the tower board room. I checked the layout, and managed to contain myself (just) when I realised that the only space left where I could comfortably sit would be on the knee of X. He didn’t object at all. In fact, he was most enthusiastic (unlike my my boss who shot us a barrage of disapproving glances from the other side of the room). However, I didn’t stay here long. When the title PowerPoint slide indicated that the focus of the presentation was the use of English in assignments, and the first discussion would be the etymology and various meanings of the term “arm”, I quietly sneaked out of the room.

Out on the staircase I bumped into PT, ST and an Australian woman who were also giving staff development a miss, this time in favour of conference organisation. Then I found AD in the library, complaining that a prematurely-promoted professor had just belted him. I was about to investigate this assault further when a librarian approached me for a favour. I glanced at the colourful maths handout that she pushed under my nose. Unfortunately it made no sense to me all: my skills in algebra were lost long ago, some time circa in 1979. I suggested that VJ might help, while noting my great admiration of the handout’s hedgehog illustration.

Heading home again, on the way out of the building I vowed to do something about the main staircase. Granted it was very beautiful as a piece of 21st century modern art, but it was also dangerous with multiple unexpected gaps in the steps. Moreover, this was a university, not an exhibition space for funky art installations, and it was about time someone said so.