The Gray Monk

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October 03, 2004

A lesson in humility?

The Monk is required by his employers to do some consultancy work in the International arena. Now there are some places I would like to go, and there are some places I enjoy going, too, but then there are also some I frankly would not mind missing entirely! Why, then, do I always get to go to those?

The last week, two days were spent in somewhat time-consuming journeys to London to visit a certain Near Eastern Embassy in order to obtain a visa to go to that country to do some work. Their Government has commissioned it, their Government is paying for it, their Government has even arranged for the Visa to be issued - but, the system has to be followed to the letter. I must present myself at the Embassy in person, sit in a queue for several hours while a single clerk deals with the several dozen applicants, supplicants, and other assorted individuals with equal disdain, and finally - "come back tomorrow for your passport and visa!" One can only assume that this is a small "power play" designed to show all comers, particularly us nasty Western Oppressors, that this clerk has complete power over you.

Well, the Monk will have to attend confession and do penance. He adopted St Paul's stricture on dealing with those who are rude, unpleasant, or hurtful - he was nice to the man. He went out of his way to appear polite, obseqious, and humble - and enjoyed every moment of watching the guy get more and more uncomfortable. Oh dear, such a little thing - and so much fun. Definitely a serious penance required!

Posted by The Gray Monk at October 3, 2004 10:12 AM

Comments

Posted by: Cindy at October 4, 2004 01:39 AM

Posted by: Russell Newquist at October 4, 2004 02:30 AM

Posted by: skipjack at October 4, 2004 06:40 AM