The Future is Bright, the Future is..... Grey!

Preparations for both the Summer Graduations and the 2011-12 intake are continuing apace as betrayed by frenzied activity around the Poppleton New campus (and no, I'm not refrerring to the escapades of the newly-arrived Language School students, to whom we say cheerful "Bonjour!")

Upon artful "Utilitarian School" fixings new floodlights are appearing, allegedly to "allow the rugby field to be more efficiently used" - although there are dark mutterings about the creation of a "killing zone" in the same location, guarding the approaches to several key buildings. The colour of the lighting gantries? Grey.

The Senate Building, with its tasteful exterior-cantilevered design is receiving a thorough jet-wash before the annual drought declaration, and possibly accidentally washing any slothful staff who should be passing by. Its colour? Grey.

The venerable varnished wooden benches, the beloved hangouts of many students and staff languishing before the entrance to Reception, vigilantly guarded by the Security Cohort, have been replaced by new, hard-wearing, easy to maintain metallic benches, which surely by oversight, are both convex and backless. That this might accidentally discourage slumbering upon them and providentially drive others into the refuge of the Cafeteria can only be good news to Poppleton New's balance sheet! Their colour? Why, grey!

Even the trustworthy green, open, litter bins have been replaced by smart new, lidded ones, doubtless Autons from the School of Applied Cybernetics, combining tidiness with security, in swish and utilitarian.... grey.

(Rumours that the concrete foundation so recently laid in close proximity is to serve as the base for a watch tower, replete with searchlights, have been coolly disputed by the new Executive Dean for Corporate Promotion, Dr Gunnar Grey, as has speculation of corporate rebranding to the new and dynamic shades.... of two-tone grey.)

Low Tide

And so after the high there must be the low. I was in two minds when I was preparing for interview, and got progressively more positive and enthusiastic as time went by, although careful not to take it for granted and to try to be ready for a "no": after all there were four candidates. Despite all that, sleep hasn't been too good the last couple of nights.

Then this morning, "I'm sorry, but..." and the news that I wouldn't be going off for a new exciting Chaplaincy job next academic year. Feedback was good, and the news that in the end no-one had been appointed (the second successive time this has happened for me) brought some consolation, but not really, since as the job is for the benefit of others, a non-appointment is not so much a no-score draw as a loss for those being served, the students of the University.

So. Not only are we still here, but likely to remain so for another school year. On a positive note I must record that all things went very well on Sunday, with a noticeably younger congregation (amazing what the desire for Christenings does!). There are people we really could do with keeping, which would be beneficial to the work of the church here. Although that might not necessarily be to the benefit of their faith... Jesus ushered in a movement and we turned it into an institution. Maybe I need to just keep the institution of the parish ticking over, and get on with encouraging faith and new life in those who are showing signs of interest, even though they are from beyond my remit, so to speak. In which case I need more energy and enthusiasm... which I suppose is a prayer, in it's own way.

I have nothing against the town, either. GLW is happy here, and moving would have been hard for her, even if LMP is desperately excited at the idea of moving, while LM has only one real friend she'd miss at the moment. Perhaps it really is time to go and chat to NiceNew(is)Bishop...

I do need more structure, that's for certain. Anyway, I'm not sure what this will accomplish, if anything, so I'd better shut up.