Category Archives: Officialdom

Musings on my strongest point: dealing calmly with those in positions of authority.

Sloppy Is As Sloppy Does

Posted on 19 January 2014 by Isabel Gibson

A badly designed medical-information form provokes a rant about being sloppy and some consideration about when being careful really matters. Are you planning to get pregnant in the next three months? I look around. No, it’s just me and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Laughing Frequently, Officialdom | Tagged | 14 Comments

E is for Eye Doctor

Posted on 23 June 2013 by Isabel Gibson

The little kid within still carries a grudge against a suspicious school nurse from 40 years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in Feeling Clearly, Officialdom | Tagged | 6 Comments

In The Stack

Posted on 25 September 2012 by Isabel Gibson

As an adolescent, I wondered why countries couldn’t or wouldn’t solve their joint problems. How hard could it be? Now I treasure anything that we do get right. Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciating Deeply, Officialdom | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Call It a Feature

Posted on 29 April 2012 by Isabel Gibson

A family trait for literalism runs true. Not entirely a good thing.   Which of you has the dangerous weapon? On the ‘show no fear’ principle, I try not to wince at this question from the border guard scanning our … Continue reading →

Posted in Language and Communication, Laughing Frequently, Officialdom | Tagged | 10 Comments

False Positives

Posted on 03 July 2011 by Isabel Gibson

What is the purpose of your visit? The uniformed speaker must be kidding: it’s July and the car is packed to the gunnels. Parents and maps fill the front seat; four kids cram the back seat; a boxy tent-trailer brings … Continue reading →

Posted in Officialdom, Thinking Broadly | Tagged , | 17 Comments