To begin with I was on the regular 33 bus travelling toward my old college at this current time, and on the way I encountered a number of people who were students with me, on the way to enrol for a further year. They each asked me if I was doing the same. "No" I said, "I am going to join the Navy"
Now if that is not bizarre enough, in the context of the dream I was about to do just that and more, in fact I was about to join the Navy and take immediate command as the Captain of a brand new aircraft carrier.
Now if you follow the link to this blog you will realise that Aircraft Carriers have been in the news lately. Apparently it would cost more to cancel the contract than to build one and mothball it.
Well to continue with the dream theme, I was supposed to report to an airbase to the north of Coventry (no such actually exists) where I would be flown out to take charge of my new ship, and I had got so far as presenting my identity at this fictional airfield, which in my dream more resembled a railway station when the alarm went.
Of course a little over an hour later as it turned I was indeed at a railway station adjacent to an international airport, not waiting for a plane, but a train to London for an NAS Council meeting.
I can't bore you with the details of the meeting, but the outcome of it was, that I was back on the board. Yo ho ho and a bottle of Rum.
I may not be the Captain of the ship, but we are sailing into to stormy waters I think, faced like every organisation and every individual alike with the Government's desire to pull the plug on big spending.
Now the question is, having got back on board me hearties, will I stage a mutiny and make Cap'n Colin walk the plank?
Only in my dreams :) I've got to hand it to Cap'n Colin, he was actually one of my sponsors for election never mind having thrown down the gauntlet on the odd occasion.
In some ways the NAS is a bit like an aircraft carrier, it is huge, too vast to know every knook and cranny on board ship, and difficult to steer as it takes a huge amount of space to turn in, but inspite of that I am glad to be back in there with a chance to influence the direction again. It's a very considerable responsibility not to be taken lightly at all.
5 comments:
I expressed my reservations to Russell about your removal from the Board in typically restrained and moderate terms during one of our 19 hour phone conversations...
You have clearly shown your metal in standing-up and speaking out in the face of groupthink and I doubt very much if even the Borg will be able to shut you up when you get on one.
Perhaps Robison could fly over and shadow you to learn how it's done?
That's good to hear, congrats! And I know you won't take the responsibility lightly.
My position on the board of trustees is somewhat different to Mr Robison's position on what is only an advisory board.
The NAS does not have an equivalent to Mr Robison's committee because the NAS is not engaged in sponsoring scientific research.
FWIW there is over here, an informal group of autism researchers, philosophers and medical law experts that has recently met for the first time at Kings College London. That group includes several autistic participants, all with academic provenance so no tokens there.
I am also aware the DoH Autism Programme Board has recently appointed two autistic members. We are waiting with baited breath for these two to reveal themselves to the community and open up for a bit of "networking".
Neither Russell or I have any clue as to who they are yet.
Look forwarding to finding out.
And good to hear you are back on board!
Arr, ye scurvy sod, ye slack-arsed lubber, ye'll dance at the grating for yer impudence!
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