The Meeting

"How did the meeting go with XL go?"

-- "We haven't had it yet."

"But we said you would definitely have it yesterday."

-- "Yes originally it was."

"Actually originally it was supposed to ... why didn't it happen? It was already long overdue."

-- "Yes but then I heard that Felix was on leave for the rest of this week."

"Who is Felix?"

-- "He's the new analyst."

"Do you need Felix to hold this meeting?"

-- "No but he was invited and maybe he would like to know what we decide."

"But last time you delayed the meeting it was because Amir was on leave. And before then it was Prakash. We were originally supposed to have this in mid July and finish the project by today."

-- "Oh yes, but maybe Felix will be back Monday and we will have it then."

"Is everyone else available Monday?"

-- "Yes I think so."

"Think so? Did you check with them?"

-- "No."

"Can you check with them?"

-- "Yes."

"Will you?"

-- "Will I what?"

"Check with them. Check with people that they are available to meet on Monday. If not, tell me who is not available ... but we will need to have the meeting anyway. "

-- "Oh. Sure."

"So how can you check that they will be available?"

-- "Well it's Monday and people should all be back by then anyway so don't worry."

"But that is not a guarantee they are available."

-- "No. But hopefully it will be ..."

"Please phone them as well."

-- "OK. I'll send an email."

"And phone?"

-- "Phone?"

"Yes. Also check by phoning them."

-- "You mean today?"

"Yes. Before lunch please. Phone them ."

-- "Everyone?"

"Yes."

-- "But Felix is on leave."

"OK. Everyone except Felix. Call Felix Monday morning."

-- "Sure boss."

Postscript: Monday was postponed to Tuesday because Felix was not answering his phone.

Indonesian Non Sequitur Number 11

This afternoon I went to lunch at a nearby restaurant with Budi, an Indonesian friend who was taking me for some authentic nosh.

This restaurant is very large and offers a gazillion choices from across the archipelago. 

The waiter put down a large menu in front of both of us. As he let my friend fend for himself, he sat himself next to me and nestled in. He didn't just invade my body space, he pillaged intimately.

His left hand rested on the back of my chair while his right slowly flicked through the many menu pages, pausing occasionally to point at an item and turn to my face for a sign. It was like he was browsing through a magazine and felt like we were on his break and not mine.

Eventually we reached the back of the menu and his finger guided me gently to the small Western Food and pointed out the Beef burgar [sic]. He turned to me, smiling broadly and nodding slowly like a retarded aunt or a loving clown.