Strange Conversations: Part Eighty-Four
Posted 24 January 2009 in Strange Conversations by Catriona
There’ll be no trouble getting the article in on time, but this weather is enervating . . .
ME: I was going be to be virtuous today and do some work, but sod that for a game of soldiers.
NICK: It’s too hot for work.
ME: I know, but I don’t think the editor would accept the heat wave as an excuse for late submission.
NICK: No, probably not.
ME: How about this? “I accidentally died, due to the excessive heat. When I was reanimated, it was with the brain of a squirrel, so it took me some time to form new neural pathways.”
NICK: Okay, that’s just weird.
ME: But convincing, no?
Share your thoughts [8]
1
Wendy wrote at Jan 24, 09:16 am
If I was the editor I would be looking for more detail
1. What was the exact process of reanimation?
2. Why the brain of squirrel and not some other small animal?
3. How long do new neural pathways take to form? (So I would know if the extra time needed should be approved)
Then it would definitely be a convincing and original excuse.
The horrible humidity is getting to me as well I think.
2
Wendy wrote at Jan 24, 09:17 am
and the fact that I now have nessun dorma on permanent repetition in my head…yes, with michael bolton, mulletless and all
3
Catriona wrote at Jan 24, 09:40 am
Okay, I do have to take the blame for the whole Michael Bolton debacle. Have you tried singing Alex Glasgow over the top? Or the time-tested, “La, la, la, I can’t hear you, Michael”?
Looking back at the whole conversation, though, I think I, were I the editor (which would make things easier, actually) would want to know where I (the article writer) obtained a squirrel in Brisbane.
4
Wendy wrote at Jan 24, 09:44 am
yes i was wondering that as well…but then thought perhaps the journal was international so squirrel might be more appropriate than a native animal with which they may not be familiar?
yes I’m going with the “la la la” option…still it did provide me with a few giggles this afternoon so there was an upside!
5
Catriona wrote at Jan 24, 10:14 am
It is an international journal (Manchester University Press), so perhaps I was subconsciously thinking that they’d respond more sympathetically to a squirrel than to, say, a quokka.
On the other hand, perhaps my skull is now full of porridge. It feels like it.
6
Matthew Smith wrote at Jan 25, 05:25 am
The squirrel thing reminded me of this: Installing Linux on a Dead Badger: User’s Notes
7
Nick Caldwell wrote at Jan 26, 08:13 am
Matt, those instructions were very creepy. But not quite as creepy as the one I read years ago for installing a Wacom graphics tablet in Linux. Where do you even get a virgin goat?
8
Catriona wrote at Jan 26, 08:48 am
More to the point, what kind of process is involved in being absolutely certain of your goat’s virtue?