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So they're not almighty after all
Jul. 3rd, 2010 08:50 amAbout 3 weeks ago, I had to congratulate the US Ambassador on his excellent relations with the powers above, because the day had been incredibly hot, in the evening there was a reception at the US residence, and it started raining right in the middle of it -- smiles all around, and suddenly everybody was visibly relaxing.
Yesterday they held the Independence Day reception at the Embassy, and it seems rather obvious that somebody messed up big time with the Powers That Control The Weather.
To start with, cars can't drive up to the entrance, not even embassy cars. This meant 20 metres' walk through a tropical downpour -- fine with me, because hair is indestructible, and I wasn't wearing silk, but you ought to have seen some of the ladies. Hairdos collapsed like soufflés, silk satin with water stains, etc. The men in soaked suits.
Then, security control. I know,it's necessary, but doesn't exactly give an impression of openness and hospitality.
Then, another march throught the rain, this time a good 100m.
Why they didn't just opt for holding the reception inside (the premises would have allowed it) I don't know. As things were, they'd only put up three tent-like structures out in the open, but those were clearly there to protect against the sun (reception started at 5.30), i.e. very light, and all 4 sides open. The luckier guests stood closer to the centre, the less lucky ones got even wetter -- if possible -- by the wind-driven rain. Plus, the tents weren't meant for everybody to stand under them at the same time, i.e. there wasn't room to swing a cat.
Food was... well, the less said, the better. Marta, my Polish colleague, almost got her warm wine up her nose, when she saw my facial expression after I'd bitten a piece off a chicken finger -- it had come straight out of the fridge and was stone cold. Yuck.
I didn't stay very long, but met the French Defence Attaché, among others, who invited me to a party tonight at his place. (Will stick to water and red wine, and will take my stomach protection pills before I go there)
First day of work yesterday. I got through my email backlog rather quickly and caught up on what had happened during my absence (which wasn't too much). Babylon 5 arrived in all its glory, together with the first 2 seasons of Ashes to Ashes. I watched the first 4 episodes of B5, of which I remembered surprisingly much but not too much to enjoy it thoroughly, and went to bed shortly after 1 a.m. Cool, balmy night after the heavy thunderstorm, and I only woke at 7.45. Pure luxury.
Reverse-side jacket was ready yesterday and every bit as lovely as I'd hoped. Once I find the embassy camera -- where the hell *is* it??? -- I'll make and post a picture.
Still not sure whether I ought to go running before or after tennis. Before would be better, as tennis starts at 12, and it might get too hot afterwards, even though the sky is still cloudy and the forecast doesn't give any reason to believe it might change today. So maybe I'll do the sensible thing.
Yesterday they held the Independence Day reception at the Embassy, and it seems rather obvious that somebody messed up big time with the Powers That Control The Weather.
To start with, cars can't drive up to the entrance, not even embassy cars. This meant 20 metres' walk through a tropical downpour -- fine with me, because hair is indestructible, and I wasn't wearing silk, but you ought to have seen some of the ladies. Hairdos collapsed like soufflés, silk satin with water stains, etc. The men in soaked suits.
Then, security control. I know,it's necessary, but doesn't exactly give an impression of openness and hospitality.
Then, another march throught the rain, this time a good 100m.
Why they didn't just opt for holding the reception inside (the premises would have allowed it) I don't know. As things were, they'd only put up three tent-like structures out in the open, but those were clearly there to protect against the sun (reception started at 5.30), i.e. very light, and all 4 sides open. The luckier guests stood closer to the centre, the less lucky ones got even wetter -- if possible -- by the wind-driven rain. Plus, the tents weren't meant for everybody to stand under them at the same time, i.e. there wasn't room to swing a cat.
Food was... well, the less said, the better. Marta, my Polish colleague, almost got her warm wine up her nose, when she saw my facial expression after I'd bitten a piece off a chicken finger -- it had come straight out of the fridge and was stone cold. Yuck.
I didn't stay very long, but met the French Defence Attaché, among others, who invited me to a party tonight at his place. (Will stick to water and red wine, and will take my stomach protection pills before I go there)
First day of work yesterday. I got through my email backlog rather quickly and caught up on what had happened during my absence (which wasn't too much). Babylon 5 arrived in all its glory, together with the first 2 seasons of Ashes to Ashes. I watched the first 4 episodes of B5, of which I remembered surprisingly much but not too much to enjoy it thoroughly, and went to bed shortly after 1 a.m. Cool, balmy night after the heavy thunderstorm, and I only woke at 7.45. Pure luxury.
Reverse-side jacket was ready yesterday and every bit as lovely as I'd hoped. Once I find the embassy camera -- where the hell *is* it??? -- I'll make and post a picture.
Still not sure whether I ought to go running before or after tennis. Before would be better, as tennis starts at 12, and it might get too hot afterwards, even though the sky is still cloudy and the forecast doesn't give any reason to believe it might change today. So maybe I'll do the sensible thing.
