I had received an email out of the blue from a former colleague who I had not seen for a number of years. We agreed to meet up for lunch at a cheerful little Thai cafe in Lonsdale Street. Within a few minutes I was reminded of why we had not met up for a number of years.
“Do you remember the time when …” “Yes” I lied. It had probably taken much time and effort to delete the memories of that workplace from my memories and I was in no hurry to have them replanted. “Then there was the time …” I instinctively glanced at my watch only to realise that I hadn’t worn one for over 10 years. Never mind, there was a calendar device on the counter. Time obviously moved at a much slower rate and had a much lower unit value for my former colleague so best to make a note of the date.
Somewhere between the Rendang Curry and the Great Paper Jam of 2007 - “You should have been there …” - I started to pay closer attention to the calendar device.
If I did not keep the brain active, I told myself, I could be sucked into the constricted space-time continuum my former colleague inhabited. “Then in 2009 they changed the codes on the entry forms and you can imagine what chaos that created …” Chaos Theory - got to think about Chaos Theory. Best check the calendar to see the date hasn’t changed. Hold on - what about the blocks on the calendar?
Three rectangular blocks on the base so that caters for the 12 months. But 2 cubes on the top to represent the date. “Jenny had to go on stress leave - remember Jenny?” I tried not to. Two 6-sided cubes with numbers on each face - is that enough or do they have another cube hidden under the counter. I couldn’t resort to pencil and paper and besides I doubt if the staff would lend me any since the stress of being reminded of a slow functioning workplace has already caused me to break one of their chopsticks - yes, I know that Thais don’t usually use chopsticks but I needed whatever distraction I could find. "Then came the restructure ..."
Are two cubes enough?
What conclusion did I come to?