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Dec. 15th, 2006 04:52 pm
At tea time yesterday, my father spotted something we'd overlooked on the letters inviting us to the pensioners' dinner. While we weren't requested to arrive until 8.30, the event was actually beginning at 7pm. Clearly, we weren't going to be eating with the pensioners - we'd be arriving after they'd had their grub.
I had to accompany me ma to Asda to help her load the Christmas food into trolleys and into her car. We arrived home just after 7 pm and, once I'd given her a hand unloading, I made straight for the kitchen to make myself four slices of toast just the way I like it - very well done, with Alps of butter. Bliss.
On the drive to the pensioners' dinner my mother was racking her brains for something to say during her speech. "Do you know any Christmas jokes?" she asked, so I reminded her of one we'd heard at a couple of previous Xmas dos. My mother immediately asked me if I'd tell the joke instead of her, claiming I was better at it. I wasn't over keen, as I don't have a very engaging joke-telling style either, and my mother as Mayor is a practiced speech-maker while I've always preferred to stay in the shadows, but, sensing that I'd be in her bad books if I didn't agree, I did.
We were bought drinks on arrival by the warrant officer who welcomed us, then we were asked to mingle, so my mother walked round every table having quick chats with the old folks, while I mostly just stood beside her saying hellos, nodding and offering the occasional comment like 'very nice'. Our progression was interrupted for a while when we had to do OUR speech - my mother said a few words then wheeled me on; I was completely bricking it. I got a few laughs for the joke, but someone shouted 'Old' and the Naval man who was compère announced "I've never heard that told all in one breath before."
From there, we helped draw the winning raffle tickets, then we were asked to go to the bar for a photo call with all the mess stewards. Once we'd done that, the bingo started, we were bought fresh drinks and I stood around listening to the bingo caller while my mother had a lengthy chat with a former work colleague now working in the mess. After the bingo we completed our circuit of the hall - there were over 300 guests there in all and we met every one.
On getting home from work yesterday I'd taken my ID badge out of my pocket to find the plastic thing attached to the lanyard, that the badge's plastic holder is clipped to, had broken clean in two. So this morning I had to improvise by inserting the plastic stump at the top of the bottom bit through the little rubber ring at the base of the lanyard. On arriving, I went to the temporary reception to see about getting a new one, but the security man there said they didn't issue them any more and told me to just stick with my improvised solution. Alas, while drinking my pre-shift cup of coffee, the badge fell out. So I ditched the plastic bottom bit altogether and just squeezed the rubber ring straight through the central hole at the top of the holder. It held in place all through today's shift, but I have my doubts about the long-term viability of that solution, so from next week my ID badge will be attached to my Eurovision 2006 lanyard that I received free with the DVD...
Rachel and I have arranged swaps months in advance before, but today she gobsmacked me. She asked if I'd cover her on Christmas Eve 2007. Of course I agreed and said I'd swap her a shift during term time for it. Bless her.
I had to accompany me ma to Asda to help her load the Christmas food into trolleys and into her car. We arrived home just after 7 pm and, once I'd given her a hand unloading, I made straight for the kitchen to make myself four slices of toast just the way I like it - very well done, with Alps of butter. Bliss.
On the drive to the pensioners' dinner my mother was racking her brains for something to say during her speech. "Do you know any Christmas jokes?" she asked, so I reminded her of one we'd heard at a couple of previous Xmas dos. My mother immediately asked me if I'd tell the joke instead of her, claiming I was better at it. I wasn't over keen, as I don't have a very engaging joke-telling style either, and my mother as Mayor is a practiced speech-maker while I've always preferred to stay in the shadows, but, sensing that I'd be in her bad books if I didn't agree, I did.
We were bought drinks on arrival by the warrant officer who welcomed us, then we were asked to mingle, so my mother walked round every table having quick chats with the old folks, while I mostly just stood beside her saying hellos, nodding and offering the occasional comment like 'very nice'. Our progression was interrupted for a while when we had to do OUR speech - my mother said a few words then wheeled me on; I was completely bricking it. I got a few laughs for the joke, but someone shouted 'Old' and the Naval man who was compère announced "I've never heard that told all in one breath before."
From there, we helped draw the winning raffle tickets, then we were asked to go to the bar for a photo call with all the mess stewards. Once we'd done that, the bingo started, we were bought fresh drinks and I stood around listening to the bingo caller while my mother had a lengthy chat with a former work colleague now working in the mess. After the bingo we completed our circuit of the hall - there were over 300 guests there in all and we met every one.
On getting home from work yesterday I'd taken my ID badge out of my pocket to find the plastic thing attached to the lanyard, that the badge's plastic holder is clipped to, had broken clean in two. So this morning I had to improvise by inserting the plastic stump at the top of the bottom bit through the little rubber ring at the base of the lanyard. On arriving, I went to the temporary reception to see about getting a new one, but the security man there said they didn't issue them any more and told me to just stick with my improvised solution. Alas, while drinking my pre-shift cup of coffee, the badge fell out. So I ditched the plastic bottom bit altogether and just squeezed the rubber ring straight through the central hole at the top of the holder. It held in place all through today's shift, but I have my doubts about the long-term viability of that solution, so from next week my ID badge will be attached to my Eurovision 2006 lanyard that I received free with the DVD...
Rachel and I have arranged swaps months in advance before, but today she gobsmacked me. She asked if I'd cover her on Christmas Eve 2007. Of course I agreed and said I'd swap her a shift during term time for it. Bless her.
