The Dangers of Good Moods

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellows,

I was in a good mood today. I think it was because my time on "Project Shitehouse" is nearly over and the two projects I'll be picking up seem ok (thus far). 

It wasn't just that. Also I had a fine start to the day, when I bumped into Tiger, sitting on the platform with his coffee at Paraparaumu train station.

"I nearly dropped a dollar into your coffee cup," I said.
"I've made eight bucks just sitting here," he replied. 

So it was a different - and very entertaining commute into work this morning. He told me all about visiting his brother in the South Island. It sounds like his brother is just one of those people who everyone else drops in on, and starts an impromptu party. All the time. 

To be clear. I do not think I could live like that. But Tiger tells me it is fun to visit. Apparently the last time he was there, some bloke rocked up in his boat which was full of crayfish. And then another mate turned up on his new Harley-Davidson, which had saddlebags full of oysters and champagne. 

He also told me about the Xmas events he has organised at his work. One of which is that everyone has to make something. One bloke is going to bring in pineapple beer* and Tiger is going to make a song out of summer sounds. So he's been going around recording seagulls and the sound of beer bottles opening.

"Of course, you don't always get the sound quite right the first time out," he admitted. "I had to drink about six of them before I got it."

"You have to do these things," he said. "Sure, often you'll end up looking like a tit, but it's still a funny story."

I listened to those words of wisdom. More than I should have.

For my part, I regaled him with the stories about Stephen King that I've mentioned here earlier. And who doesn't love a good story about an author with a runny bum?

I thought we were keeping it down, but as the train pulled in to Wellington, a large imposing Maori lady came up to us. 

"I just want you to know that..." she began.

Both Tiger and I thought we were about to be told off for using bad language.

"...that was the most entertaining commute I've ever had," she finished.

"We'll be here all week," I told her. 

People were nice to me all day. It was like it was my last day, and this is because most people work from home on Fridays. So I was feeling happy. 

We went into a business analyst meeting. We have a team just for us, and honestly most of the time these meetings are an effing chore. Lots of talking about process improvement that goes nowhere, that sort of thing.

But this time it was sort of fun because it was mainly about the Xmas events next week. There's a "Rob-A-Santa" game, which I am taking part in. And a team lunch which I am going to, and a Mysterious Challenge with teams of BA's against each other.

Dougal, our BA Manager, looked around the room. "So far, we only have one team," she said.

The team (of three BA's) looked sad. I felt bad for them.

"Does this mean we automatically win?" asked JM, the South African.

"No, it means it most likely won't happen at all," replied Dougal. JM looked crestfallen. I felt very sorry for her. But there was no way I was doing this mysterious challenge. 

The meeting went on. And the subject of contractors came up. "The only contractors in the room are Symon and Abbas," said Dougal.

"Hey," I said, jokingly to Abbas, "Maybe WE should form a team and show them how it is done, ha ha ha ha ha."

"Challenge ACCEPTED!" said JM.

"Oh great, well done," said Dougal.

Poor Abbas looked shocked. The poor man was just sitting there. 

Oh well. So now he and I are a team and we're doing something next week. But as I left the room, apologising to Abbas, those words of wisdom came back to me...

You have to do these things, often you'll end up looking like a tit, but it's still a funny story.

Let's hope Abbas sees it that way too.

S.

p.s. Today's picture is a Maori Harry Potter book. I thought you might find it interesting.

* Hmmmmm. I know.