Consultant speak

This week's project progress meeting with my friendly consultants produced an unexpected development in business English, while the meeting took place in Portuguese.

Analysing a function that needs to be implemented but has never existed due to the small size of the company, they suggested that it might be outsourced, or insourced! Logical, but wrong.

So should the function be outsourced or in-house? I don't really care. But anyone suggesting it should be insourced will be banished to the outhouse!

Idiot of the Month

I know the month's far from over, but José Socrates' smoking incident is so stupid, there's no doubt he gets this month's award.

Just what was he thinking (OK, he wasn't thinking)? Didn't he hear the warning, in 3 languages, that smoking is not allowed. TAP even gives you the number of the Decree Law which prohibits smoking - probably signed by the Prime Minister at the time, one J. Socrates!

Makes you wonder how many other laws he has passed that affect him personally, but that he is blissfully unaware of.

The excuse session was also embarassing - "I didn't know." Better not to clarify anything than to say that.

Garden Obeslik

Garden furniture is usually boring and functional, with little concern about looking good. But just look at this from Dedon.

Its a set of four chairs and a table which, when not in use, stack to form this obelisk. It's a shame my "terrace" is actually only a veranda, too small for such a design statement. On the other hand, don't ask the price if you would normally furnish your garden using moulded plastic from your local supermerket...

Identity Loss

We laid my grandfather, Harry, to rest last week, aged 93. Little did I imagine when I started this blog using him as my pseudonym, that it would outlast him, but here it is.

I tried Googling him before setting off to the funeral - no trace. I hope that Blogger doesn't lose these two years of ramblings, or else nothing will remain but a plaque and some memories...

Reference Sample

Every so often, currently once every couple of years, I need to get out of Portugal to refresh my perspective on the quality of life here. 5 days in the UK have done that - nice to be back...