Mike's musings

And then home (again)

It seems that a goodly percentage of the posts I'm writing at the moment involve saying that I'm going home, but I don't have plans for any more trips in the next copule of weeks. This morning we had a couple of excellent sessions on Child Protection, which were very useful. Talked, among other things, about how paedophiles groom adults as well as children. Also about ways to make children safer from predators at the same time as making adults safe from false allegations.

Got home a couple of minutes before the girls and Moo. We got the paddling pool out, they splashed, we all had a barbecue. Good stuff.

Labels: children, ERMC

Ethics

(backposting) An excellent, excellent couple of sessions on Christian Ethics with the Rt Revd David Atkinson, the Bishop of Thetford. Arguably the best sessions on any topic over the past 2 and a half years at ERMC. During the afternoon the choir rehearsed the music for tomorrow, and then looked at the Stanford in G Nunc Dimittis. We'd really hope to do the Magnificat as well, but unluckily there's not going to be time to fit it in at the June weekend. I felt for Susannah, as she was going to do the solo for that, but also felt a little guilty, as I'll be doing the solo in the Nunc. However, it's shorter, easier, and fits better with the service we'll be doing it in.

We had the ERMC Ball in the evening, which was fun. I even danced. Question: should we have "The Spirit in the Sky" for the Leavers' Service at the June weekend?

Labels: ERMC, singing

ERMC penultimate weekend

(backposting) Yes, our penultimate weekend with ERMC, and the last one at Ditchingham. Stayed up till 0200, which didn't feel that late, as I was still a little lagged.

Labels: ERMC

Not what you want to hear

(backposting) That the person supposed to be picking you up from your 7 hour flight (during which you only got 30 minutes of sleep) thought that you got in at 2045, not 0845. So I took the train to Paddington, the tube to Liverpool Street, the train to Braintree, and a taxi home. Managed another short sleep.

It was lovely to see the girls, although they'll be off tomorrow morning to Kate and Mac's, as I've got an ERMC weekend.

Off home

Only one session this morning, then I hitched a lift with one of the guys from the office via SquareOne, a big mall, where I bought the girls some books and clothes, and myself a rather nice jacket. Infrastructure stuff at work, and some discussion of exactly what I should be looking at first with my new role that we're planning out. Rather pleased with how it's going, actually.

Airport, checked in, picked up my headphones (I'd left them on the plane, but got in touch with Air Canada, who'd kept them for me), went through security (they checked my bag and laptop: I can't see why people get stressed about this!), had some supper, did some work in the Air Canada Lounge (gotta love that Elite status), then on the plane. Watched Jumper, which was fairly diverting.

Labels: Canada, travel, work

Winery

After another full day (starting at 0500 for me - at least I managed a good swim), we went to Hillebrand Winery. Quick tour and tasting, then meal with wine. The food was very good, the wine palatable. We each got a bottle to take away, but I don't have a sensible bag to take it in, so I'll probably give it to a friend.

Last night, we - my boss, the CTO and the head of engineering - came to an agreement about how I should be spending my time. Still needs to be formalised, but looks interesting. The main question is the extent to which it'll bounce up the amount of travelling I do. We'll see.

White Oaks

Apparently I'm somewhere near Niagara Falls. Sales conference, anyway. Minicab to Brixton tube, Victoria Line to Victoria tube, Circle to Paddington, walk to Heathrow Express ticket office, fail to buy a ticket (they've suspended services), walk to cash machine to get money, walk to taxi rank, taxi to Heathrow Terminal 3, Air Canada flight 857 to Toronto (watch Charlie Wilson's War - rather enjoyable, sleep, leave headphones on plane), arrive at Toronto Airport Terminal 1, drive with colleagues to White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.

Labels: travel