The view from the hotel room window in London is uninspiring.
We're having dinner in an old town house which has now been converted for corporate hospitality. The lady CFO has been joined by a lady Chief Counsel. I notice that both are wearing sensible flat shoes. The men all have suits that are slightly shiny, enormous watches and Hollywood hair. Angus quietly wonders how much time each of them must spend every day on looking the part. Angus runs through the usual things - Trump as a formidable candidate, China as the new arch enemy, the end of alliances and of course AI. This months buzz phrases that pepper the conversation are 'left of launch' , 'the age of acceleration' and 'ugly stability'.
British Airways celebrating its 100th anniversary. The plane on the way home painted in the airlines 1950's livery. Why anyone should think this dirgeful black and white colour scheme should be a marketing ploy is a mystery.
A 'nice' American couple with three boys - I'd guess from their volcanic energy levels 2, 4 and 6 - waiting for the flight. Father stands contentedly looking at his brood. A long dreamt of family vacation. Perhaps watching their antics he's quietly wondering if they should try for a girl. Mother, dealing with a 6 year old who is inserting French Fries in his nostrils and pretending to be a walrus, has that weary '' You try for a girl if you like. I'm going to head to the bar " look on her face. As we head out on the taxiway the American father hurries down the aisle with the three little ones in tow . '' It's an emergency " he says to the stewardess. Universal truth #1 -no matter how many times he's asked the young male of the species always needs an 'urgent' pee when the seat belt sign is turned on . Angus quietly gives thanks for the fact that there are some benefits to getting older.
The PONs are delighted to have a reunited flock. In the arrivals terminal Sophie insists on a long cuddle. Any attempt by Bob to share in the airport welcome is interrupted by a shriek. Sophie is turning into a very determined lady.
This morning its a roll on your back and slide down the hill start to the day.
8 comments:
Sophie has the trick for the perfect start to the day.
The man with the three high energy boys might try for a fourth child and get a Sophie. (Remember when she was thought to be shy and demure?)
I need a translation of this month's buzz phrases, which have not yet reached NE Scotland.
Cheers, Gail.
I really like both photos of the two of them on the lawn - they look very satisfied. Thank you also for bringing us up to date on the buzzwords, which sent me off to Google for a while. "Left of launch" was not initially obvious, but it is a very useful concept. Hoping that Trump as a formidable candidate will be less of one. Perhaps it is due to the Age of Acceleration that we have the mayor of South Bend, Indiana as an apparently credible candidate on the other side?
Some of the corporate types were dismissive of Mayor Pete which tells me he's got a lot going for him - not least of which is a reminder that there's more to Indiana than Mike Pence.
Depends on what they are launching. A new product, fine. A missile, less so. Thoughts on U.S.-Iran relations? Relief about Brexit delays?
The corporate word I particularly dislike is "onboarding." It makes me think of some kind of torture, where a new employee's head is held under a pile of documents.
Formidable candidate or not, I still enjoy opening my quarterly investment statements the last 2 years. I shudder to think what will happen to my portfolio should socialism gain momentum. Nothing is free and someone always has to pay. I’d rather spend my own money thank you very much. Little red hen syndrome,
Pam, stalwart companion to Bonnie the wee Scottie
I like the "social" part of socialism, offering benefits to all because of pooled resources. Thus, airports, highways, fire departments, food safety, the internet.
Perhaps we should require all corporate CEOs and holders of high office to sit on the lawn periodically and roll down the hill. It would do them good, and they'd do us less harm.
Wondering what kinds of shoes the gents were wearing at the meeting?
Sophie is right, maybe we all need a roll down the hill to start the day.
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