So, what did you do at work today?
Me? I served as personal museum guide to the King of Tonga and his retinue.
No... really.
I was approached by my manager on Thursday who told me that he'd conscripted me for a possible VIP tour gig on Saturday. At that time, it had not been released who the VIP was, only that he was a king. Visiting the museum was his back up leisurely trip while up north if the local races were rained out. So I was told to prep a chilled-out show-around of the whole museum should he arrive.
And he did.
He turned out to be a really relaxed and groovy guy. He and the British gentleman who was with him (whose name I never learned but I have the sneaking suspicion that he was a peer) were both old military guys who were at Sandhurst together, so they were both really into the place. So I showed them around, we took in one of the interpretations, and I brought out some weapons from the interpreters' war-chest for them to play around with. They seemed to have a good time and really appreciated my being there. I had a great time (albeit a very nervous and tiring time). So they left and I spent the last hour of my work day catching my breath and walking with a bit more of a bounce in my step. It was one of those situations where, only after the fact, the immensity of what just happened hits you like a ton of bricks.
So yeah, that was my day.
In other news, I'm embarking on a voyage, with my lovely wife and our friend Laura, to the frigid lands of Sweden at the end of the month. This is in part to aid in buying Laura more time to get her visa papers squared away, and in part just for shits and giggles because we want to see more of Stockholm than we did this past summer. Pictures will inevitably ensue, so stay tuned.
Also, Adrienne and I are moving. We're renting a nice big Victorian terrace house spitting distance from the rail station. This pleases me, as I currently have about a half-hour walk across town to get there. It's fully furnished (even with a piano that I will not know how to play but it's still cool that it's there) and has a tiny back yard that Laura and I plan to turn into a meager garden. Also, there's a shed. And when it comes to sheds, there can only be one course of action.... THE COMMENCEMENT OF MEAD BREWING!!! WOOOO!!!
Panning back a bit, Christmas and New Years were absolutely fantastic. We all entrenched ourselves at Laura's place in Constantine House (one of the student dorms in City Centre that was empty since everyone left for the holidays), and spent about six days hanging out, making/eating wonderful meals, drinking wonderful fermented substances, etc. New Years had a Neo-Victorian/Steampunk theme to it, so we were all costumed and in character. Pictures of these events can be found on Adrienne's or my Facebook pages. All in all, good times were had.
So that's me for the past little bit. We'll talk again later. Ta for now :-)
No... really.
I was approached by my manager on Thursday who told me that he'd conscripted me for a possible VIP tour gig on Saturday. At that time, it had not been released who the VIP was, only that he was a king. Visiting the museum was his back up leisurely trip while up north if the local races were rained out. So I was told to prep a chilled-out show-around of the whole museum should he arrive.
And he did.
He turned out to be a really relaxed and groovy guy. He and the British gentleman who was with him (whose name I never learned but I have the sneaking suspicion that he was a peer) were both old military guys who were at Sandhurst together, so they were both really into the place. So I showed them around, we took in one of the interpretations, and I brought out some weapons from the interpreters' war-chest for them to play around with. They seemed to have a good time and really appreciated my being there. I had a great time (albeit a very nervous and tiring time). So they left and I spent the last hour of my work day catching my breath and walking with a bit more of a bounce in my step. It was one of those situations where, only after the fact, the immensity of what just happened hits you like a ton of bricks.
So yeah, that was my day.
In other news, I'm embarking on a voyage, with my lovely wife and our friend Laura, to the frigid lands of Sweden at the end of the month. This is in part to aid in buying Laura more time to get her visa papers squared away, and in part just for shits and giggles because we want to see more of Stockholm than we did this past summer. Pictures will inevitably ensue, so stay tuned.
Also, Adrienne and I are moving. We're renting a nice big Victorian terrace house spitting distance from the rail station. This pleases me, as I currently have about a half-hour walk across town to get there. It's fully furnished (even with a piano that I will not know how to play but it's still cool that it's there) and has a tiny back yard that Laura and I plan to turn into a meager garden. Also, there's a shed. And when it comes to sheds, there can only be one course of action.... THE COMMENCEMENT OF MEAD BREWING!!! WOOOO!!!
Panning back a bit, Christmas and New Years were absolutely fantastic. We all entrenched ourselves at Laura's place in Constantine House (one of the student dorms in City Centre that was empty since everyone left for the holidays), and spent about six days hanging out, making/eating wonderful meals, drinking wonderful fermented substances, etc. New Years had a Neo-Victorian/Steampunk theme to it, so we were all costumed and in character. Pictures of these events can be found on Adrienne's or my Facebook pages. All in all, good times were had.
So that's me for the past little bit. We'll talk again later. Ta for now :-)