Please sir, my brain is full

Wow, what a full week. Today I was back at my desk after two days of professional travels and talks. Yesterday was the annual pilgrimage to muggy Peebles (as opposed to peevish muggles) for the CILIPS Branch & Group Day. Arrived to bacon rolls - marvellous. What did the veggies have, I wonder? Caught two thirds of the presidential address - was in the relay room with dodgy sound link. I did suggest turning sound off and putting some Hawkwind on, as we used to with Masters of the Universe, but they weren’t game. Always end up squirming and thinking I should go forward and confess yes, I’m English and yes, I’m a loyal supporter of CILIP otherwise known as ‘expletive expletive Ridgmount St grrr grrr dour scowl’. To be fair it was more considered and less vitriolic than some I’ve heard. Recovered composure in time to deliver CDG Scottish session with the esteemed Isabel Hood (known reader of this spielette) on ‘Revalidation, Fellowship and the Timelord’s Guide to CPD’. Shameless abuse of analogy - for ’sonic screwdrivers’, read tips and tools, for ‘companions’, read mentoring and networks… audience indulgent, let us witter on and took part in the reflective paper exercises willingly. Or maybe they were writing their holiday packing lists. Ghost of Employer Present was there and even engaged in asking pertinent (as opposed to impertinent) questions.

After the slap-up lunch it was time for professional sector surfing, so went to hear about fabulous Library 10 music service in Helsinki and then got the lowdown on graphic novels and comics from rather wonderful Alan Grant, who I had not previously discovered. He confirmed what I already suspected: all publishers (bar one or two goodly souls) are evil money-grabbing b*stards. Well maybe they aren’t but like Damian Nobbs in my 8M class, they are tainting the rest by association.

This weekend I will be celebrating my official birthday. Hold the gifts; the real day isn’t till June 12th, but like the Queen I have to spread my engagements and make much of my jubilees. So it’s garden centre for some nice bedding plants, lunch out with my husband (CILIP widower) and go to see Indiana Jones. Might even be home for you-know-who set in the you-know-where, staying out of the you-know-what.