Sunningdale and National History (Blog) Day

So the start of the week finds me at Sunningdale Park at the National School of Government on a three day government finance training course.

Yesterday covered resource accounting and was, surprisingly interesting. The other people on the course are an interesting mix, but was has surprised me is that a number of them are doing the training course and yet don't plan to use it in their jobs for at least a year if at all. I am not sure how the course will be of benefit unless one then puts the training in to practice.

The Today programme had an item this morning saying it was National History (Blog) Day and that bloggers were being asked to record their important thoughts today. So a couple of things of import have occured to me. Firstly, I am at the place where in 1973 the British Government tried to get a deal to the infant Northern Ireland situation - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunningdale_Agreement



The next thing that struck me was the similarities between well written political dramas and the real thing. I was watching an episode of season 2 of the West Wing over the weekend and the Bartlet White House announed a Blue Ribbon commission to review Social Security. The main reason was to give them political cover for a change of direction. In real life President Bush asked Former Sec State Baker to lead a Blue Ribbon commission whose findings have just been leaked to look at Iraq. Reason why - probably to find cover for a change of policy direction.

The amusing West Wing connection this morning - Radio 4's horse racing tip - Leo McGarry at Bath 4.00 No.5 .

Not much news otherwise, about to head of for day 2 of the training which today is looking at option appraisal and management budgeting.

More soon.

Work mishap

I had one of those days at work today, when I realised on the equality project just how much work there is to be done, and that I am going to have to do most of it with my co-worker rather than ask the equality group to pick it up.

That wasn't, however, the strangest thing to happen.

That prize goes to getting stuck in the men's bathroom. The lock on the cubicle broke and I was locked in. A good five minutes elapsed before someone else came in to the men's room and I was able to call out to them and ask that they notify facilities.

Facilities manager came and tried to get me out whilst laughing at my predicament. He then had to go and get more tools, and by the time I was finally set free I had been trapped for 15 minutes and was late for the meeting. Much amusement all round when I apologised and explained why.

Lets hope that tomorrow is better.