These great words were spoken by Arthur Dent in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy” (a book that should be on the National Curriculum along with The Life of Brian and how to make cheese sauce). And these marvellous words have been bouncing around my skull ever since we began the process to get Trixie’s dependent pass stamped into her passport. The whole process started in early November and has finally reached a conclusion today. My colleague from the Human Resources Dept, and boy have my human resources been stretched over the past four months, phoned me this evening to announce that the Immigration Department have finally found time in their incredibly busy schedule to stick a piece of paper into Trixie’s passport. The passport in question is now residing in school and I will make a special trip in tomorrow morning, yes Saturday, to collect the passport so that I know that this whole thing has not been some cruel Ides of March joke. Seeing is believing. I am looking forward to becoming a believer.
In another heady matter this week Edwin has completed paying off the debt on his latest lost hat. Therefore I went to buy hat number four of the year from the highly profitable, mainly due to Edwin, school shop. Where do all the lost hats go? All of his hats have had his name in, clearly marked in black ink. In other ink-based news I have had my tutor group of year 13 students (18 year olds) all taking part in creative design challenges this week. The first one they had a go at was designing a pair of shoes for the delightful Nicki Minaj. (Yes, I had to find out who she was too.) The next one was designing a new skyscraper for KL and today’s was lettering for an agreed film title. It was really impressive to see this gang of 18 year olds getting creative but also having a good laugh with their ideas too. I am certain that Ms Minaj would have appreciated the various stiletto based offering that were put together, but would have plumped for either the Banana Concept Shoe or the His and Hers Equalty Slipper that two of my intrepid, designer-wannabes came up with.
Rehearsals for the latest 6thForm examined play continue apace. I have announced to staff in morning briefings about tickets being on sale several times already, but am running out of puns based on the title of the play. I could do with another “Love and Money” based witticism for Monday, please.
And finally a question. Why have I recently been targeted by Persian Rug Sellers? I retired from my brief career as a Home Furnishings Consultant many moons past but have, this week, come under attack by some sort of carpet-based onslaught of offers. The latest missive from the would-be vendors to this won’t-be buyer came into the Lawrence letterbox today. According to the colourful, A5 card the “massive shipment” that is to be auctioned off, with “due consideration given to their age, designs and historical periods”, is “back by demand.” The somewhat authoritarian advert tells me, in no uncertain terms, “DO NOT MISS,” but it tempts me offering Iranian food as well as a “unique lucky draw.” Could the prize be a rug by any chance? This is clearly a serious matter as viewing starts an hour and a half before the actual sale and “every piece MUST be sold.” I am not a man to be tempted though, but just in case anyone really wants to go there is a handy number to call: 1 800 CARPET, just ask for Reza. Mention my name. He is clearly expecting me.