Category Archives: Uncategorized

Conference confusion (Rousse)

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I was regretting my decision to accept the invitation to chair the conference, especially now that the ‘man in charge’ was obviously ignoring the programme and directing the delegates keen to hear the plenary session into a field. This was … Continue reading →

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Unqualified workers monitor water levels on the Thames (Rousse)

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I had been assigned a new duty at work: to monitor and report on water levels on the River Thames. My colleague KC was responsible for the tributaries upstream. Neither of us was qualified for this task.

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A transformative pistachio suit (Belle)

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Dreamaticus

Although the bright green three piece, 1970s-inspired man’s suit looked good on Robert de Niro, somehow when I wore something similar it was beyond special.  I looked like Bianca Jagger and a mermaid and a miraculous vision. The way this … Continue reading →

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Hostage held in shared bath (Rousse)

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Dreamaticus

SL sat opposite me in our shared bath. “It feels like my friends are holding me under house arrest” she complained. “If this is the case, it’s probably for your own good”, I replied.

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Brighton Pavilion and the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood: a comparison (Rousse)

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Dreamaticus

Brighton was shrouded in mist. I could just make out the Pavilion. From this distance it reminded me of the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood in St Petersburg.

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The tyranny of email (Rousse)

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Dreamaticus

I confessed to the PhD students that I was only capable of one main work activity. I had the option of either keeping on top of my email or accomplishing a specific task. To achieve both was impossible.

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Nordic cruise comes to an end (Rousse)

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Dreamaticus

Repacking all our belongings was a long and difficult job in our cruise ship cabin after our tour of the Nordic fjords. I couldn’t understand why we had brought cut-off wellies with us in the first place. Now I considered … Continue reading →

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Popular in Pitlochry (Rousse)

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Dreamaticus

S and T completely remodelled their house in Pitlochry to enlarge the space for a visit from former colleagues. As we settled into our new environment someone mentioned a trivia quiz. Suddenly I was the most popular person in the … Continue reading →

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A divorce and 15 year old drivers (Rousse)

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Dreamaticus

Although X and Y had been divorced for some time, Y was at X’s birthday celebrations. TPR and I were grateful for this. If Y hadn’t been there, we would not have known anyone. The only problem was that we … Continue reading →

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Cheapest fares from Edinburgh to Korea via London Heathrow (Rousse)

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Dreamaticus

AC and I were running very, very late to check in for a flight from Edinburgh to Korea via London Heathrow. If we didn’t flag down a taxi in Leith soon, we would miss it altogether. At the airport the … Continue reading →

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