Friday, March 18, 2011

Schedules

If it were not for the last minute, many things wouldn’t get done


For centuries, the first thing women have done is to light the fires in the kitchen. Their day, especially in the developing countries, starts with boiling the milk, making tea or porridge and/or breakfast for the family who will soon leave the home.

However much I have evolved into the persona of emancipated, western oriented, independent woman who has only a single responsibility..my husband..left, I still continue to do the same. The schedule is brushing teeth and then setting a pan of milk to boil. I then cut up some papaya for my husband who is already up as he rises early and has learnt to make his coffee.

Then the day winds on with regular activities interspersed with sudden assignments, errands etc. However, I do have a running list of ‘things to do’ that generally get done as scheduled.

I must talk about my husband’s—you will see him in my blogs--predilection for doing things at the last minute. The maxim at the top was presented to him as a plaque when he was racing to complete the refurbishment of the out-of-city branch of the bank in which he worked. He completed 56 automation and refurbishment projects in a matter of two years including relocations! So you can imagine the number of ‘last minutes’ that he and I had to cope with as every individual project was date and time bound. He also rushed through many big projects in his career as a Consultant Civil Engineer including one in ’76 where an African countries conclave, OAU, took place in Mauritius. Idi Amin was to step down as the Chairman of this association and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, PM of Mauritius was to take over. The important item on schedule was to custom build a chair to take Idi Amin’s weighty personality. Even the car in which he was riding was suitably bolstered up!

This was an experience gained from ‘handling’ His Heaviness The King Of Tonga for whom a ceremonial raised platform was designed to receive him at the Chennai airport—way back in the late 60’s. Everything went according to schedule until he sank into the back seat of the VIP car and needed to be heaved out from the sunken seat. Thank God another car had been arranged for his equally heavy wife!!

After retirements schedules have become relaxed other than meal times and medicine intakes!!

15 comments:

  1. Welcome Padmum to the group! I loved that story of sinking into the seat. Being a lightweight, I have only one problem with thwe back of cars... my old bones do not wish to co-operate!

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  2. Great way to start off Padmini. I am delighted that you have joined and am glad that that sneaky Irish lady achieved what I couldn't.

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  3. Grannymar---I have the same problem ...so we have a high standing car Hyundai Santro that is easy to get into and out.

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  4. Thanks big bro! You lead the way.

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  5. Gaelikka--thanks and look forward to interacting more with you. Love and take care...the kids will be all grown up before you turn around...enjoy when you can.

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  6. Nice to become acquainted with you Padmum! I look forward to getting to know you through your posts. :)

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  7. Try having a hip replacement & getting out of those car bucket seats.
    bikehikebabe

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  8. Ah but don't you see??? Without the schedules you might never have had those last minutes in which to complete those myriad tasks! :)

    His Heaviness - I resemble that - I like that one!

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  9. Padmini, I came over here to welcome you - oh, what a delight! - then started reading your post ... and got pulled in! That story about Idi Amin fascinates me in part because now I want to know more of the affairs you and your husband have been involved in.

    Maybe affairs isn't the right word ...

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  10. OOOf! ...is what comes to mind when I think of te King of Tonga reversing into that car seat.

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  11. Shackman--thanks...I do look forward to interacting with you all. He was also His Highness because he was 7ft + tall. His girth equalled his worth!! He was not a guy who was huggable!

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  12. Conrad...an affair to remember indeed! We have many stories about personalities.

    A joke making the rounds at that time:
    Idi Amin landed at the airport. PM Sir Seewoosagur received and welcomed him and his son who was only 8 but was already 5 ft tall--a mini version of Idi. "This is my son" introduced Idi. Ramgoolam seated the boy on his lap with great difficulty as he himself was hardly 5 ft tall. Idi saw somebody standing next to Ramgoolam and assume him to be Ramgoolam's son drew him close to sit him on his own lap.

    "Excuse me!" said Ramgoolam. "Leave him alone, he is my Deputy Prime Minister Ringadoo!!"

    Ringadoo was 41/2 ft tall.

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  13. Padmum Aunty, too good. had a hearty laugh esp. on the last one.Thank you for this.

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