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Appointment Mishaps, Travel Dates
Jun. 14th, 2020 08:45 pmI've had a number of appointment mishaps over the past few days and it's left me feeling a little glum as a result. I enjoy the visceral company of people especially those whom I have not seen for a while, it energises me, but unfortunately circumstances have not permitted it. Of course, the reasons have all been perfectly justifiable, whether due to emotional/mental health reasons, or physical health reasons, and I hold no ill will toward those who have had to cancel even granted what would have been very significant meetings. The most successful I've managed was to visit the retirement home of Margaret C., who was having her ninety-seventh birthday. Of course, I didn't dare visit her directly, just dropped off the potted flowers and chocolates that she adores so much (which went into quarantine for twenty-four hours). Amazing woman, with a brilliant mind, sharp insight, and a big heart, she's been a member of the local Unitarian church for eighty years. It was certainly worth the three-hour trek by public transport and foot to the outer suburbs.
Still, there is some light, of sorts, at the end of this tunnel. With the lifting of most interstate border restrictions and Virgin Australia desparate for cash I have re-booked some annual leave and will be visiting Adelaide in the end of July, where I'll get to see good friends Paula and Craig near McLaren Vale (ahh, those delicious wines) and Janie more cityside. It's been several years at least since I've been to that part of the world and whilst I'm still wary of large, anonymous public gatherings, it will be good to see the old city. On that note, I can't fathom the pure muppetry of the Australian Prime Minister who wants to open sporting grounds to crowds of up to 10,000 whilst a few days prior describing Black Lives Matter protests as completely unacceptable. It seems public gatherings are acceptable as long as the PM agrees with the (lack of) political content. Further afield, I am looking keenly at an IEEE conference in Bangkok at the end of the year on cloud-based scientific research. I am sure I can manage to put together a paper on that one! And maybe, this time, I'll manage to stay more than just one night in the balmy climes of Thailand.
Still, there is some light, of sorts, at the end of this tunnel. With the lifting of most interstate border restrictions and Virgin Australia desparate for cash I have re-booked some annual leave and will be visiting Adelaide in the end of July, where I'll get to see good friends Paula and Craig near McLaren Vale (ahh, those delicious wines) and Janie more cityside. It's been several years at least since I've been to that part of the world and whilst I'm still wary of large, anonymous public gatherings, it will be good to see the old city. On that note, I can't fathom the pure muppetry of the Australian Prime Minister who wants to open sporting grounds to crowds of up to 10,000 whilst a few days prior describing Black Lives Matter protests as completely unacceptable. It seems public gatherings are acceptable as long as the PM agrees with the (lack of) political content. Further afield, I am looking keenly at an IEEE conference in Bangkok at the end of the year on cloud-based scientific research. I am sure I can manage to put together a paper on that one! And maybe, this time, I'll manage to stay more than just one night in the balmy climes of Thailand.
