We were one of the first firms to embrace cell ph technology. Formerly we all had pagers, which when they went off required finding a ph and calling in.
Our main cars had full 5 watt handsfree phones permanently installed with speakers, microphones and voice activated calling.
Staff all had Motorola flip phones and when we all went out together there could well be 6 or more phones sitting on the table – One smart (?) staff member decided it might be fun to lock the boss's cell phone. I was NOT amused. It took him several hours of trying up to 1000 codes to finally unlock it.
oOo
Frances was indeed a wonderful actress and one part in particular she really made her own. She was Bunny in Agatha Christie's A murder is Announced . 'Oh Silly Me' and 'I can't find it ANYWHERE' became synonymous with her. When she was living at a retirement village in Brisbane I sent her letters addressed as “Mrs F SM .. OSM' (for oh silly me) caused significant mirth I understand.
oOo
One night one of the male staff asked if he could 'use the office all night' as he had his eye on a girl. It obviously worked out pretty well for him, judging on the state of the couch next morning - I would not have been so keen had I known that the girl in question was supposed to have been with me that night!! oOo
After Pat had been so badly treated by Chch Women's Hospital we had a holiday together in Fiji. On the Yasawa cruise there happened to be another couple – the man's name was also Warwick. Pat claimed we were as bad as each other!! It had to be in the name. There may well be a photo somewhere still.
oOo
While working at New Plymouth on one occasion my 'boy' was despatched to the local Mill night club to find a couple of girls – but one had to be for me! What a pity she got cold feet when they were just over the road!!!
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On our honeymoon we were plotting the 1968 Lakeland Rally (really a trial) and staying at O'Connell's Hotel in Queenstown. Also staying there was another couple also on their honeymoon. Yep you guessed it! We had a lot of fun together (after all she was a Miss New Guinea or something) and one night coming back after Arthur's Point Pub each of the two blokes had the wrong bride over our shoulders.
The girls cried off at the very last minute - bugger.
Late one night I was woken by a strident knock at the door to find a Policeman and a girl (in a Police Issued boilersuit), the Policeman asked if I could confirm that 'Warwick will always look after me'. There was nowhere else so I said sure, James room (he wasn't there that night), or my bed? 'I really could do with a cuddle', 'Nough said! oOo
We used to have a liquid lunch on Fridays and that was often it for the day. One male staff member was leaving us for pastures new so we invited his 'new boss' to join us. We went to a local strip club to celebrate' new beginnings'.
Having pretended that this would be his first time there this illusion was shattered somewhat when the bouncer said good to see you again, have you brought your boss this time?
Once upstairs the girl performing said something along the lines ' Hey hello again – are we going to get together later?' I don't know – the people I have to mentor.
OOo For the centennial year at Southwell Jo Backhouse was tasked with writing a book detailing the entire history of the school, with as many photographs as could be located.
She did a marvellous job but after all the proof reading, checking etc on p 178 (check for yourself if you don't believe me) half of one sentence is repeated to make nonsense of the paragraph and this was not discovered until all the copies had been printed.
Discussions ensued and someone said ' never mind perhaps no-one will even notice' (Yeah Right – again)
Jo said 'I bet Warwick will'.
Bingo, a day or so after the launch I rang and asked if I would get the prize for being the first to notice 'the deliberate mistake'.
Jo said 'I KNEW IT' - Pedantic that's me.
The Offending Cell Phone
