coffee. and bad hosting
Coffee morning got off to what can only be called a bad start this week. In fact that's not strictly true. I'm sure it got off to a fine start. Without me. When I arrived at the Breakfast Club - early, in my defence - The Table was already occupied. By people not looking even vaguely like they might be there for coffee morning purposes. (Just something about the ties.) The only space I could find was right at the back and after scouring the place, I sat and waited on a stool. By myself. Occasionally checking the door for arrivals. It's absolutely conceivable, I started to think, that no one at all will show up. I'm not Russell. I'm a muppet. I didn't bring any friends. But I had had an email from at least one person saying they were coming. But what did she look like? (Muppet or human?)
After what could only have been a 5 minute stint buried in my book (tops) I poked my head round the corner again to find The Table now full of people who absolutely looked like they could be here for the same reason as me. So I sheepishly joined in. Bad, bad hosting.
(Worse still, I managed to scare off the one lone non-coffee morninger minding his own business with a bacon sandwich, just by asking if I could sit by him. I feel bad about this. Sorry Bacon Sandwich Anonymous. (Bad, bad hosting.))
By this point I would gladly have welcomed a kick in the teeth. Just as a distraction. But you'll be glad to hear that the only way was up. It was mightily gladdening to see Daniele + Fabio, creative masterminds and alter egos behind Blue and Joy, bearing gifts (of which more shortly).
The lovely Collyn and the lovely Jaimini.
Matt and Adil.
We talked about generalism and specialism, how grad schemes are whack, Amnesty, crunchometers, and small worlds (turns out Jaimini had recently used one of Mark's brilliant podcasts to great effect at a recent presentation for her Watford course.)
Very pleasant indeed.
Thanks for coming everyone. (And sorry about the bad, bad hosting.)
Sounded like a good Coffee Morning!
I think that hosting sounds like a major pressure.
Must be like that feeling when people where picking the team for rounders at junior school!
Posted by: Amelia | February 11, 2007 at 09:38 PM
oh, not so much...it was fine before. and this time was lovely once i finally found everyone. but i seriously recommend some kind of recognition...aid.
Posted by: beeker | February 12, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Maybe you should wear your badge next time. Or funny coloured socks.
Posted by: Paul H. Colman | February 12, 2007 at 10:54 AM
It was a great morning and I was really glad to have met everyone. I look forward to the next one...where I promise not to even mention grad recruitment!
Posted by: Jaimini | February 12, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Sounds like you did a great job. I always find a bit wierd that I sort of know a few people though blogs, with little idea of what they look like
Posted by: Northern Planner | February 15, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Sounds like you did a great job. I always find a bit wierd that I sort of know a few people though blogs, with little idea of what they look like
Posted by: Northern Planner | February 15, 2007 at 02:21 PM