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Tuesday 20 January 2009

Predictable?

A woman I dance with quite lot said to me last night that one of the great things about dancing with me was that I was unpredictable. Quite a relief really because I sometimes worry that I don't use a big enough variety of moves.

Years ago, I had a boss who complained I was unpredictable. Can't please everyone!

Monday 19 January 2009

Dancing in Stroud

Stroud is not a place that does "smart". Steep streets remind me of the hill towns of Provence yet the place is where five Cotswold valleys meet. The Town Council is run by the Green Party and every Thursday, the Mayor sits on bench in the town centre and talks with anyone who happens by. This is not some centuries old tradition or even compliance with a European policy on "Open Government" - the current Mayor just thought it was a good idea.

Political parties need money and the Green way is to put on a dance and by luck or good judgement they booked the Horsley Band from the nearby village of the same name. That choice is why I passed up the opportunity of a dance nearer home because this band play the finest, the most exciting and most beautiful dance music. Their tunes for English Ceilidh dances are joyous with a raw edge but are never coarse. Dark tunes for French traditional dances are silky smooth…

There is a pause and Caroline has transformed herself into a Spanish lady. She is Flamenco!

Then we take our partners again and I find a lady from Japan who quickly learns the traditional English "rant" step.

Another success for Multiculturalism? Nowhere near that organised - it's not the Stroud way. Just random people sharing their enthusiasms.

Links

The Horsley Band
Stroud
Green Party

Tuesday 13 January 2009

People Care System

"I'm sorry," said Bruce into the phone, "could you speak up, please? There's a lot of noise in here today!" 
The client hung up. Bruce cursed and turned to glare at Damien who was standing by a new machine. 
"What the hell's that noisy monstrosity and what is it doing in the Counselling Centre???" 
Damien smiled. 
"It's the new card printer and it wouldn't fit anywhere else" 
"What do we want a card printer for?" 
"It's a vital part of the new "People Care System" - and you've already benefited from it yourself!" 
"I have?" 
"You got a Christmas card signed by the Chair of Trustees" 
"It came from that machine?" 
"Yes, it even did the personal signature!" 
"Fantastic" 
Damien, missing the sarcasm, ploughed on. 
"It does birthdays too and when a Counsellor or Client is sick, it automatically sends out a 'Get Well Soon' card!" 
"Let me guess, it's automatically personally signed by all the Trustees?" 
"You're getting the idea! - It's so important that people feel that the whole Board is with them!" 
"I prefer the old method!" 
Damien's heart sunk, the man was such a dinosoar. "What would that be?" 
"When I had the 'flu, Wendy called round with a bottle of my favourite Whisky!" 
"Not allowed anymore!" 
"Progress? Health and Safety? Financial constraints?" 
"Sort of. It was felt it might endanger our funding from the local Alcohol Partnership"