I woke up in Newcaste with about 10 minutes before I was due to start work. I was remote working today. The secret to remote working is to be present electronically - make sure you're in touch with your work colleagues, so they don't get the sense that you're swinging the lead. With a company provided mobile phone and the ability to tap into the company network from anyway, it's not easy to be present. The morning started with a chat with the manager of the project I'm working on, preparing for the presentation we were doing at 10. During this chat, I had to let in the plumber who was going to do the gas safety inspection on my boiler.
After the chat I spoke to the gas guy who basically told me that my boiler should be in a museum and that it's a miracle it's still working. I know. It will be a miracle if I ever have the money to pay for its replacement. Sigh.
Then, the plumber continued as the actual conference call occurred. We did the presentation to lots of people in different countries, all working through a set of powerpoint slides that I'd written earlier in the week. This is important stuff. I managed to sign my gas safety inspection paperwork and pay for the inspection during the call by a series of mimes. Job done.
I spent the rest of the day sorting things out, with an hour's break for lunch. I was still working at late o'clock - around 7pm English time.
I went to the supermarket for some supplies, came home and ate some of these supplies, and then it was time for the painting.
On my previous trip, I'd managed to repaint all of the dining room except the woodwork. There were a lot of windows to do and I didn't have the time last time. So, I spent all night, and I'm not exaggerating, painting the windows. It took effort, but I think I did a reasonable job. Sadly I can only do one coat of paint on such trips and tomorrow's fence-repair requirements were likely to guarantee that I'd not have the chance to come back for a sneaky second coat.
I went to bed after a shower, having really exerted myself, both professionally and also DIYingly.
Newcastle isn't my home any more, but it's somewhere I seem to be comfortable sleeping in my sleeping bag in.
After the chat I spoke to the gas guy who basically told me that my boiler should be in a museum and that it's a miracle it's still working. I know. It will be a miracle if I ever have the money to pay for its replacement. Sigh.
Then, the plumber continued as the actual conference call occurred. We did the presentation to lots of people in different countries, all working through a set of powerpoint slides that I'd written earlier in the week. This is important stuff. I managed to sign my gas safety inspection paperwork and pay for the inspection during the call by a series of mimes. Job done.
I spent the rest of the day sorting things out, with an hour's break for lunch. I was still working at late o'clock - around 7pm English time.
I went to the supermarket for some supplies, came home and ate some of these supplies, and then it was time for the painting.
On my previous trip, I'd managed to repaint all of the dining room except the woodwork. There were a lot of windows to do and I didn't have the time last time. So, I spent all night, and I'm not exaggerating, painting the windows. It took effort, but I think I did a reasonable job. Sadly I can only do one coat of paint on such trips and tomorrow's fence-repair requirements were likely to guarantee that I'd not have the chance to come back for a sneaky second coat.
I went to bed after a shower, having really exerted myself, both professionally and also DIYingly.
Newcastle isn't my home any more, but it's somewhere I seem to be comfortable sleeping in my sleeping bag in.
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