After the second night without Internet access, several people were feeling a bit grumpy. If there were no access at all, it wouldn’t be so bad, but what we’ve got is access for a couple of minutes, which then cuts off for a couple of minutes more. It’s the old situation of being able to cope with disappointment, but not hope.

So I went across to the reception area in the temporary admin block, to get the wi-fi there and catch up on my emails, (and do a bit of blogging, incidentally). T2 joined me. That’s where DoS and HD hang out, and both of them got told as they wished me good morning about the inadequacies of the internet connexion at the bungalows. T2, noisy in the van, said nothing about the internet, but managed to muddy the waters by complaining about the unfinished swimming pool.

Later, we had a departmental meeting which went rather well, so that we all know where we’re going for the next few weeks, sorted out the Students portfolios form, and some other structures such as the SoW for each of the four-week teaching blocks.

Then we go onto the issues surrounding accommodation, including the internet and furniture... When I mentioned the need for a postal system, T2 said “why don’t you open a post office box?” I’ve thought of that, actually, and probably will, but could have done without her problem solving. Why don’t you fuck off and join the gym at the Hilton hotel, where they have a swimming pool?” I nearly said. The whole thing then became a wallowing pit for T2, demanding to know why she’d been lied to at her interview, saying all the accommodation problems must be solved in a week, or...

“Or, what?” I asked her? She couldn’t answer. The fact is, in this situation, one needs to show a bit of stoicism or fuck off. whining and staying is her solution, and it’s poisonous. I don’t want this to become a T2 hate-blog, but she’s the fly in this ointment.

Tonight we went out for a meal at a posh restaurant, as a welcome to T3, who seems to be shy – quiet anyway. (After one of T2’s tirades this morning she said to me, when T2 was out of the room, that perhaps she was a cold person, but she couldn’t see any need or reason for complaint – “patience is a virtue”. Indeed.) It was a very good meal but these occasions lack a certain something – I’d call it wine.

Back at the bungalow, and the internet connexion's back on, albeit slowly.