Z has cheered up no end. Sleep every night seems not to be necessary.

You may (or may not, you have better things to do, after all) remember that I have taken on a new committee, as Area secretary of Nadfas.  It’s just two meetings a year, with two committee meetings to plan them – but there’s a lot of co-ordinating to do.  I’d say that there’s probably something to do eight months of the year, with quite a lot for three of them.  Which is fine, I’m not talking about days’-worth of work, the odd few hours at a time and quite a lot of emails to deal with.

I do find it easier to get to know people online, I have to say.  With my poor (better than it was) memory for names and faces, it’s easiest for me to get to know people by facts.  So I get away with it, everyone thinks I’ve a marvellous memory because I’ll remember most things I’ve ever been told.  That I may look at someone blankly, because I have poor face recognition, can be overlooked.  And a woman can develop a reputation for being a bit luvvieish (easier than for a man) and call everyone ‘darling’ or similar while she’s remembering their name.

I am loads better than I was in both these respects, because I have spent a lot of time working at it.  I remember, when I was secretary of the WI, I used to sit with the list of members on my lap, looking round the room (we sit in a circle) putting names to faces.  One can learn to improve, and it becomes easier.  It’s especially easier if I have something written down, as that’s the sort of memory, ‘learning style’ that I have.

Anyway (a written-verbal tic, I know, darlings), although it is quite a lot of work, I’m enjoying this secretaryship, because of all the emails – and the occasional phone call – that I get.  A sad excuse for a social life, but hey, it saves on the housework.  Ask people around and you have to clean up and cook and stuff.

There was a meeting here in fact, earlier on this evening, to plan the Harvest Supper.  I seem to have come off lightly, with a fruit salad – well, a fruity dessert, won’t decide what until near the time – and a cheeseboard.  Squiffany and Pugsley were here at the time (I typed in Pugsley’s actual name there, whoops, thought I was on Facebook for a minute) and they were very good but not entirely impossible to ignore.  They were playing with various apps on the phone – child-suitable, natch – and then giving each other rides on their backs round the room.  We didn’t mind, but the Sage came and took them away.  Afterwards, we agreed, we’re all grandmothers; they were quite happy and well-behaved, so we switched off and got on with our arrangements and didn’t even notice them.

9 comments on “Z has cheered up no end. Sleep every night seems not to be necessary.

  1. Dave

    I find it easier to get to know people on-line. I’ve made far more friends this way in recent years than I have in the physical world.

    Reply
  2. Sir Bruin

    I know exactly what you mean. I have met a lot of people in the course of my work. Quite oten, the Smaller Bear and I will bump into one of them in town. A prolonged conversation will ensue. As we say our goodbyes and move on our way, the Smaller bear will ask, “Who was that?”

    “No idea.”

    Reply
  3. Z

    We watched them amusedly and didn’t ignore them, but they didn’t distract us from what we were talking about.

    I meet a lot of people all the time, but don’t always have an opportunity to get to know them very well. As Sir B says, that doesn’t prevent an animated conversation at the time!

    That’s so romantic, Sir B.

    Reply
  4. heybartender

    I am terrible with names and faces. Most of my jobs have meant meeting a lot of regular customers as well as many, many co-workers. I’m in the pet name camp as well, Z- “Hello Ladies!” coupled with a look of recognition is far better than repeatedly asking people their names. I usually remember what people drink, though. Even at the Local Grocery.
    Also Z, I nearly forgot. You can search me by my real name on Facebook and add me as a friend. If you like.

    Reply
  5. Z

    A few of Al’s customers have accounts or get a discount (members of the local diet club, for instance) so I need to remember both face and name in that instance. It would be fine if I worked there regularly, but as it is, I usually forget.

    And, thanks, I will.

    Reply
  6. luckyzmom

    It seems to me that with face to face we go through all the surface stuff first and may take a lot of meetings to (or may never) get down to the nitty gritty, as we can do so quickly online.

    Reply

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