Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

gilligansyle

I'm sure it will go great FW

Firewalker

I am sitting in a small but comfortable hotel room and finishing my presentation for tomorrow. This time it is not going to be structured as a novel (like the last one) but will be all pictures – not a single word and I am not joking. Let see how this one will turn out – total experiment given that pictures are really difficult for me. So far so good!

My journey here was smooth like knife through butter. All was on time, the train ticket machine worked perfectly; the train was at the station on the dot and arrived at my destination promptly mid-afternoon. The hotel is the kind of place that has free apples at reception, free internet and, joy of joys, free coffee in the corridor. And the coffee is good, strong, continental espresso not some weak American stuff.

The only thing I was thinking about today is how our experience and expectations of ground staff and flight attendants have changed (are changing). Are there any people working at Airports or as flight attendants reading? If so, I would like to begin by saying that mostly I have met nothing but courtesy and politeness. But today, the EasyJet ground staff and flight attendants behaved more like prison wardens than anything else. Please, guys, do not forget that the passengers are human and that we are not the enemy. Relatively cheap prices do not give you the right to discipline us and be rude and inconsiderate.
This was a blessing as well; I have been experimenting smiling at people and it worked even today. Back to my pictures now and think of me tomorrow – it is not only the presentation I will have to socialize as well. Not very good at this socializing business, me!

Good night.

Firewalker

savingwannabe

You will be fantastic. You are to all of us. Bless you and good luck. So exciting. I will pray you dont need it i know!!!! Mmwaaah.

Lara44

Good luck Firewalker Presentation sounds amazing!

williamD1964

Smiling for the sake of smiling can be very dangerous, as the article I have attached a link to will prove!
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-02/msu-sfa022211.php

Firewalker

How very interesting - scientific proof for something we all know well. 'Faking it' is not good for anyone.

When you feel right, though, it is worth trying it - just look at someone who is sitting there, with pinched face, obviously not feeling on top of their game, and smile widely. Mean it! Because when you do it is catching - it is wonderful to see the other person's face relax, brighten and break in a smile.

Firewalker

Karmacat

Fascinating .... and FW, thinking of you with your work and socialising ahead of you ....

savingwannabe

I hope you blew them all away!!!!! And that you are all happy.

Firewalker

Just back from the function and, yes, the presentation went well. It was one of these 'hi, you did not make a mistake appointing me' kind of things that I find tricky. But comparing with the others, it seems I got it right - talking about my fascinations for only 12 minutes and keeping the attention of people who come from very diverse areas of reseach so many of them neither care nor understand much of what I do. Meeting the people from my host department was also very nice.

Even better, just got a message informing me that I have got a sabbatical for a year starting July, 1st. This is wonderful - I will have time to write, academic and other stuff, without worrying about anything else. I could spend time elsewhere in Europe, we could relocate for some time...

And by July 1, 2012 we may be rich - I'll have time to pay attention to this one as well. Universe, are you listening?

I suppose now I ought to go to bed - meeting someone tomorrow morning and starting my journey back home.

Good night and keep well.

Firewalker

savingwannabe

Fantastic news, dont tell steve on our thread or he'll invite you round to do his ironing!!!! Hooray jolly well done.