Opportunity Knocks…

Unprecedented times tend to throw up all manner of experiences, not just challenges but also unforeseen opportunities. One weekend I’d noticed that a pair of huge marquees were being installed in an overflow car park during one of my regular walks around the campus where I usually work. However I wasn’t expecting an email at 3.30pm on the Tuesday asking if I’d be willing and able to attend an induction for an admin position there at 10am the following morning! Obviously, I immediately agreed.

Somehow, during an ordinary Wednesday in September, this huge empty space magically turned into a fully-functioning covid 19 testing clinic for staff and students, and for the following two days, with the help of agency clinicians, we managed to achieve the goal of testing everyone who queued up for the ‘soft launch’.

It’s really just a matter of being as flexible as you possibly can be when undertaking such a unique role, and doing whatever’s required as and when needed. Safety is paramount, of course, as is the accuracy of the testing procedures and recording of data. At times it can feel a bit like a battlefield, but you simply have to push through and get the job done.

When things eventually settle down, and we can reflect on how it all went, at least I’ll be able to hold my head up high and say that I did my best…

These Boots Were Made For Walking…

And that’s just what they’ll do!

I do enjoy nice, long walks, especially in the sunshine, and my three hour stroll along my favourite trail and back today was fabulous. It does bemuse me though, about joggers. They’re plugged into audio devices and stomp past, huffing and puffing and dripping in sweat; do they honestly enjoy their outdoor experience as much as I enjoy mine?

They’re oblivious to the wonderful sounds of the birds in the trees or the gentle splash of the canoeists paddles on the river to the side of the trail, don’t notice all of the pretty damselflies and butterflies in the hedgerows, and jump out of their skin when a passing train sounds it’s horn because, unlike me, who heard it coming, they hadn’t even noticed the railway track running parallel to the path.

The only reason I can think of for needing to run at breakneck speed is if I was being chased by a hungry tiger, and as for jiggling parts of you that have no business being jiggled; not to mention the undue stress on your joints that’ll almost certainly give you arthritis in your twilight years, it makes no sense to me whatsoever. But I guess each to their own, and if that’s what they want to do then I shall continue to politely step aside to allow them to pass in an appropriately socially distanced manner. It really does take all sorts…

I Did It Myself…

 

Some ideas are best left in your head… was what I was thinking while pulling another lump of wallpaper paste out of my hair. The concept of a ‘feature wall’ was something I’d mulled over ever since the start of lockdown, and the possibility of having to make my home ‘zoom ready’, so when I saw a fantastic wallpaper pattern that looked just like an old fashioned bookcase I bought a roll of it. I imagined how fabulous it was going to look behind me as I attended video meetings, however, I’d neglected to consider the fact it was going to be me who’d have to actually hang it.

The day of reckoning arrived and I really wasn’t looking forward to it, but needs must. Despite following the instructions, I had so many lumps in my paste I had to use a kitchen hand-whisk to smooth it out (it didn’t suggest that on the packet!) Measuring isn’t my forte, as proved by mis-measuring the first piece (twice). The fact I had to match the pattern for each sheet had also escaped my attention. The second sheet looked fine until I noticed it was upside down; forcing me to peel it off and start again. I accidently papered over an electric socket and subsequently had a slight meltdown trying to cut neatly around it with blunt scissors.

By the end of several hours there was paste all over the carpet and I’d discovered that cold slime really doesn’t feel nice on bare feet, but I’d done it. Yes, there’s wrinkles and air bubbles but I’m choosing to see them as quirky additions to my library themed wall. I ache all over from the constant kneeling, bending and climbing on chairs but I’m actually proud of the fact that I achieved something I’ve never done before… although I never, ever want to do it again!