Tag Archives: basement

Arnold Schwartzenegger’s boring speech (Rousse)

Two of my Polish colleagues had commandeered my office while I was on long-term sick leave. My desk and other belongings were now all squeezed into a dark corner. I hoped that this was a temporary measure and that I … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jo Jo the poison pen email writer pushes stressed academic over the edge (Rousse)

I was in the habit of commuting by train to the headquarters of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in London. There I worked in the basement on an unending series of grant applications. From time to time … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A secret phone, a hidden four poster bed, a hard-to-reach dinner venue, and prostitutes (Rousse)

The location of my sister’s holiday house was unclear. It could have been North Northumberland, London or Birmingham. Whatever its location, it was much bigger than I imagined. My school friend Phil soon lost count of how many beds had … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Donald Trump fails to attract inauguration ceremony audience in tatty Victorian theatre (Rousse)

In the basement of the Muirhead Tower at the University of Birmingham, SPC and I learnt to program. I was surprised at the ease in which I could code. If only it were so easy to program domestic appliances at … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trapped underground with University Challenge contestant Oscar Powell (Rousse)

I was asked at very short notice to run a feedback with session with a small set of students. I was therefore very surprised to see the large number gathered when I arrived 20 minutes late in the designated room. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plans for dinner at Bill’s in Brighton ruined by Tunnocks afternoon tea (Rousse)

I was taking TPR on a tour of my work haunts. In Brighton I had planned dinner at Bill’s Restaurant. However, when we met JS in the street and she told us that NY worked nearby we changed our plans. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An insider’s view of the Edinburgh Fringe (Rousse)

It was Fringe time in Edinburgh but this year was different because I was now one of the organisers. (I actually resented the extra work as committee secretary, and resolved to resign as soon as I was promoted.) BR and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inconveniences of hotel life (Rousse)

TPR and I were living in a hotel. This was not as glamorous as it sounded. For example, although the hotel had a pool, it was unheated and outdoors, and whenever I used it I risked drowning. It was also … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to divide a kitchen (Rousse)

TPR and I moved into KS’s house in Bristol. Our sleeping accommodation was on one floor, KS and HT had theirs below us, and the huge shared kitchen was in the basement. We were on our own for the first … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A double birthday surprise – with Moomins (Rousse)

The first part of my birthday treat was an afternoon spent in the luxury top apartment of the block. We simply did a switch with our landladies (one of whom was friends with David Bowie) for the weekend. While we … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment