Author Archives: Dreamaticus

Mafia threat over late PhD (Rousse)

The Mafia boss grabbed both my wrists, pulled me within inches of his ugly mug, and spat out his threat: “If you don’t finish that PhD soon, I’ll sue you for the sponsorship money”.

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Student presentation overload (Rousse)

This was going to take forever. Every student that I had ever taught was lined up to give a 5-minute presentation. I most pitied those at the back of the queue. What a wait it would be for them!

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A bad job interview soon forgotten (Rousse)

I’d been drafted in to help recruit some new research staff for Sunderland University. The panel members compared their notes after the interviews. We agreed that one of the candidates was hopeless. The chairman also noted woefully that it would … Continue reading →

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Birthday celebrations with the latest iPhone downloads: Champagne, cake and candles (Rousse)

SL led the running group on a seemingly never-ending set of circuits around the quad. I was doing surprisingly well up at the front. Poor DT was struggling, however. When she fell over NP rushed to her rescue. Perhaps this … Continue reading →

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Rousse shares some website design tips

My friend proudly unveiled the freshly pressed website for her new online business. What a disaster! Given that her business was built up around the concept of selling coloured craft materials, it made no sense at all that she had … Continue reading →

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Rousse reveals the secret talents of her mother’s son-in-law

My mother looked really depressed. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “The decorating”, she replied. “Why not pay someone else to do it?” I suggested. “I can’t. The terms of the grant specify that the work must be completed by a family … Continue reading →

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Rousse is late for school

We were going to be late for school and JM was furious. He stormed into my bedroom at the White House to find out why it was taking me so long to get downstairs. I explained that I was just … Continue reading →

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The world’s most beautiful beach (Rousse)

Although I supplied the food for the end of term party, I had no intention of eating a mince pie with green butter. Next to the spread, CFS and I discussed escape plans for the holiday. Would we get away … Continue reading →

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Sting beats Mick Jagger in conversation competition (Rousse)

Sting was giving his full attention to AD, but I didn’t mind because I knew that my turn would come eventually. I made myself comfortable knitting on the sofa listening to Eddie Mair in the second half of Radio 4’s … Continue reading →

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Belle brokers world peace

I stood up to address the warring parties with a solution as simple as it was obvious. “You must all learn that it’s OK when others don’t agree with you”

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