Monthly Archives: July 2014

Nantes crocodiles, Chinese tourists, and taxi services (Rousse)

When we walked out of Nantes railway station it all came back to me – especially the crocodiles that I used to pet in secret in the middle of the night when I sneaked into the zoo after hours. My … Continue reading

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Hot university students (Rousse)

I begged EH to remove two lines from the minutes of the meeting. She refused, not least because I had already approved them and they were already a public record of university business. I would just have to live with … Continue reading

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Cool gift bags (Rousse)

I shared out my collection of gift bags amongst my surprised colleagues. First of all they found it astonishing that students gave me presents. They also thought it very odd that I kept the wrappings in the fridge in my … Continue reading

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Staff fired over spilt coffee (Rousse)

Our maid Norah split TPR’s mug of coffee all over our white bed linen. She didn’t flinch. “Don’t you realise that you could have scalded me?” I shouted from under the covers. From the look on her face, it appeared … Continue reading

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Abba dancing disappointment (Rousse)

The dancing started accidentally. I just lifted the needle on to the track of the LP that happened to be on the turntable and everyone took to the floor. I thought it would all be over in three minutes, but … Continue reading

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Panel deals drugs at University interview (Rousse)

I had been primed to ask the interview candidate about three publications that he used when teaching the Information Delivery module. One of these was co-authored by me, with the candidate himself. This was just one of the strange things … Continue reading

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Glenn Close, knowledge management, and an over-committed academic (Rousse)

“Glenn Close, of course” started the speaker. I was relieved that the programme was underway, even though I had no idea what Glenn Close had to do with knowledge management. “Have you any idea what time it is?” my sister … Continue reading

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A generous death (Rousse)

I was calculating how much work to pack. The train journey to Aberdeen took three hours, and the return trip the same. If we sat together, I would probably spend much of the time chatting with CI and ET. However, … Continue reading

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An unacceptable iPhone alternative (Rousse)

Fed up with enduring my moans about the inadequacies of iPhone 3, ET popped out and bought me a replacement. It was small, sleek and slim, and cost only £28. However, it was not an iPhone, and I could not … Continue reading

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St Andrews discovery “as historically important as the Stone of Scone” (Rousse)

Following extensive research, CI and I discovered in St Andrews a lump of stone that was as important to Scottish history as the Stone of Scone.

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