under another sun

Chairman Took delivery of a proper Bonny/Verskam IKEA office chair today. Guaranteed to nip back gyp in the bud. This I assembled with minimal swearing, or without doing myself a mischief. Impressive. And manly. Not to mention surprisingly comfortable, with arms and the ability to spin, and thus complement the free spinning ideas I have. Spent some time involved in circular business conversations and general end of weekishness, so it was nice to escape out with Lorraine, who'd been supervising a young children's drama day, which included parents (the hardest to manage) and her nerves were in shreds. A couple of cheeky cold beers in the Cricketer sorted us out. Then a nice meal curry, it being a Friday night.

Tea with a smile Friday took a lot of time coming, and was very welcome when it did. Finished the Bartimaeus Trilogy on the train without further endangering myself. Bought a cup of tea as I often do from the man who pushes the buffet trolley on the train, I think his name is Howard. He is a shining example of life being what you make it. He is generally cheerful and usually has a fragment of gentle of banter with people he is serving. Today I asked him for a nice cup of tea, and he said they were all nice from his trolley, and then he tried and failed, as he always does, to upsell me to some sort of croissant to go with it. It's something and nothing. But he passes through the train, bringing a smile to dozens of people during the day - I don't suppose he gets paid much for his job, but I think he is spiritually well in credit. Raining heavily at lunchtime in Glamoursmith, hurried off to buy a small and slimline salmon and cucumber sandwich, manifesting iron will by avoiding ...