h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

One of the more amusing bits of my job is when I come across something I did in my previous job. I'm now attending the kind of events I used to run and, when I ran them, I developed quite a reputation for making new stuff rather than using other peoples resources so my work is pretty distinctive. More than once I've complimented people on their presentations, particularly the writing, because I wrote it and a couple of times me (and my students) have had a laugh because folk have copied my presentations so lazily, they've left in the original photos of me.

Last week I had a visitor from my former employer, trying to sell their activity day. One thing they were particularly proud of was the campus scavenger trail as it was pretty unique. (Me) "Oh, you like the scavenger trail?", (Them) "Yeah, it really engages them and gets them around the campus without it being as formal or dry as a campus tour." (Me again) "You're too kind - I wrote it" - this person had no idea.

Today, I had another example. School got an invite to take part in a programme of extra classes held at the university on a Saturday morning. Even though it's mainly aimed at GCSE students and I'm Sixth Form, I was asked to co-ordinate it (because the school is starting to realise if you want something done right, ask me or m'colleague to do it). I laughed, then laughed again, and then laughed some more. And then I said no. This programme had been the bane of my life when I worked for the Uni, like Dr Frankenstein I created a monster and it turned on me.

The Head of Sixth Form pressed me for a reason why (I normally do as I'm asked, she's not used to hearing me say no) and I just got her to call the person who'd sent us the invite and mention my name. The person in question was someone I'd had murder with, mainly over this ing project and her response was basically "No, you might want to pick someone else to do this."

Funny how these things keep on coming back.