The case of the ‘window glass’; The head of the office, Carl, a very diligent man, very clever but detached from reality, was a terror for detail, which did not endear him to some of the staff. He made the mistake of ordering glass with the office phone. It was for home, to be fitted… Continue reading April Fools Day, Idiocy 2
Month: March 2007
Trust, A New Party, Character Assassination
Trust. From birth, our whole outlook, reactions and decision-making, no matter how simple or complicated, is dependent upon trust. Until 1939, trust was almost implicit in everything we did. If you found a purse you took it to the police station; overcharging was a rarity and houses were rarely locked through the day. Whether right… Continue reading Trust, A New Party, Character Assassination
People Are So Diverse
If people say to you ‘You really must come and see us!’ don’t take them at their word, often it’s lip service. My mother met a distant relative who said that, and when I was on my first leave, a little pleased with myself as a seagoing sailor, I arranged a visit. It was the… Continue reading People Are So Diverse
Leaving Home For The Unknown
By the time I was drafted I looked upon the destroyer almost as home and the prospect of Barracks made me even sorrier to leave. However, I had no choice and was sent back to Barracks. I suspect it was at the behest of a shore-based officer whose feathers I had ruffled. I had had… Continue reading Leaving Home For The Unknown
Stress In Children
Teenage Stress Today. To some extent, auto suggestion prompts a lot of the ills of today. With the vast amount of material needed for TV, and to fill the pages of the copious newspapers and magazines on sale, editors are probably less critical than they might be of material submitted. I suppose I come into… Continue reading Stress In Children
Characters 2
The Little Man in Portnoo, Co Donegal In the hotel in Portnoo, one wet Sunday lunch time, I came across a strange little man. We all met for a pre lunch drink and a chat. In those days Portnoo was not as well known and the people who summered there were generally medical or clerical.… Continue reading Characters 2
Tha Ancient Art Of Helmet Diving Part 1
First posted August ’06 Today professional diving is sophisticated and technical. My training by comparison is like that with halberds compared to AK47 assault rifles. From what I read, it would seem I am one of the very few left who have been a professional helmet diver. I thought the experience might be of interest.… Continue reading Tha Ancient Art Of Helmet Diving Part 1
The Ancient Art Of Helmet Diving Part 2
First posted August ’06 The Diving Course, taught by serving Petty and Chief Petty Officer Divers, was mostly practical, and had hairy moments. In fact they taught at such a rate one tended to forget all but the frightening bits. We were taught to signal with the air-line and lifeline, how to inflate the suit… Continue reading The Ancient Art Of Helmet Diving Part 2
Islands of Stimulation in a Sea of Monotony
There is nothing more stimulating than sitting on a button on a warship when it is gathering speed. Button is the term used for the round pancake of wood set on top of the mast to protect the end from the weather. Radar relies on signals received through a special cable which connects the set… Continue reading Islands of Stimulation in a Sea of Monotony
All About 15
Buying 15 Having got Number 18 exactly as we wanted it, both inside and out, it was obviously time to move. Sophie saw a board outside Number 15; virtually that was that, except for the protracted negotiations. leading nowhere. Then a friend, an estate agent, suggested if we quoted another similar property, stated we were… Continue reading All About 15