Thursday, January 14, 2010

everybody sit up straight.

work keeps me busy.
sometimes i go in early and sometimes i stay late.
but not all of the time.
i'm learning.
the ministry of fun, aka my employer, has decided in its infiinite wisdom, that everything old is out and everything new is in.
a government initiative don't you know?

we had visitors from the ministry of fun the other day.
our fearless leader, who works off site, didn't accompany them this time.
so it was just me, my co-worker and the two bigwigs.
and 15 'mature' students.
mature as in their ages, i.e. 18- 65
perhaps not so mature in some other ways.

the bigwigs wanted to 'observe'.
they wanted us to 'explain' our program delivery under the new mandate.
i decided it might be best to let the students 'explain'.

'go ahead.' i offered. 'why don't YOU explain to these big wigs WHY you are here, what your goals are and HOW this program is helping you work towards those goals."

after all if i'm not delivering the goods as the M.O.F. requires then this must surely filter down to the learners.
no?
yes.
i wouldn't say they let me down, they didn't.
but let's just say, some of them may have wandered away from the main idea. occasionally.
supplying details of their personal lives, relationships and social activities as well.
all most interesting.
one of the big wigs seemed to be enthralled.
the other, not so much.

ah well.
fire me.
it gave me a laugh anyway.
and that's what the M.O.F. is all about.
right?




21 comments:

Snooty Primadona said...

So, is the MOF the same as the school board here? I'm so confused!

alison said...

Happy Delurking Day! I hope today is a better day at the MOF.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, I can only imagine.
I would love to have a day in your class. I would be your best student ever. Of course, there would be no learning. Only fun. fun. fun!!!

Gberger said...

That reminds me of the Harry Potter movie, when the M.O.M. went haywire. It seems that alot of Ministries go haywire, doesn't it? I love the way you handled this. It shows (again) how brilliant you are!

ChiTown Girl said...

I just hope your M.O.F. isn't a real MF!! ;-)

We, too, have big wigs from the state walking around today. And, what am I doing?! Reading blogs while the babies nap! Woo hoo! Maybe I WILL get fired. Wouldn't that be a hoot? Ah...one can only hope...

OMG, my word ver. word is "hovel." It's like blogger knows where I am right now....scary...

Molly Potter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Molly Potter said...

Sorry that just had too many typos - unreadable

There are MOFs everywhere...I AM using that term ironically because I am British and it's so innate we get confused when people actually say what they mean. The MOFs come with their self-justifying ways: new systems and ways of monitoring things you haven't even heard of and they always have buckets of terminology and acronyms.

Now if I was in charge of the MOF I might run it entirely differently and remove the irony.

There'd be assessment on slapstick, Tom Foolery, purility and subversion for comedic effect as a starter. And diaphragm strength would be measured to monitor the amount of laughter people had engaged in.

Anyway before I write an entire post in your comment box, I'll just say.

WORLD OF WORK - lighten up!

Steve said...

If there's one thing the world can do without it's another initiative... I've never yet had an initiative foisted on me that has proven to be inovative in anyway whatsoever or worth the paper it was photocopied on.

Clippy Mat said...

snoots:
MOF is the ministry of fun.
i work for a regional school board which is under the umbrella of the ministry of training, colleges and universities aka MTCU or as i like to call 'em MOF. :-)

Hi Alison: today was a better day at the MOF. thanks. and thanks for visiting. :-)

Suz:
there would be NO work if you came to visit.
but the students would love you and would have lots of FUN!
consider yourself invited.
;-)

Karen: Ministries are a law unto themselves. and by design are usually haywire. :-)

Chi-chi: What is better than reading blogs when the big wigs are around? blogging and big wigging. goes together dunnit?
;-)

Molly P: if you were running the MOF it would be awesome.
I'd vote for that.
:-)

Steve:
'strue. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
:-)

Kee said...

i'm sure you did a great job and the MOF will be after you for a job with them soon. not that you would wnat to be a MOF but you get my drift right? happy friday!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Everyone loves to tell their life story it seems.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Clippy Mat said...

Kee:
I couldn't think of anything I'd rather NOT do more, than working for the MOF :-)

Jenn:
It's true. people love a captive audience, they just have to BE there. ;-)

Gill - That British Woman said...

Like how you call it "Ministry of Fun," not "Misery is Fun"

Gill

Theresa Milstein said...

In the picture, I like that if you read the left side, it states, "I have a tantrum."

CiCi said...

Sounds like you work hard though. Even if you do keep your sense of humor. I love the poster for teacher.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Ah, I remember it well, though it seems so long ago.

the fly in the web said...

I remember learning about the Speenhamland System, vaguely, and about indoor and outdoor relief.
It has struck me ever since looking at job ads in the New Statesman and New Society in the 1970s that a whole new system of outdoor relief was being set up....useless jobs to employ the children of the middle class at the expense of the state or those contributing to charities.
The pace has only intensified since.

Gill - That British Woman said...

is everything okay? haven't heard from you in a while?

Gill

French Fancy... said...

Hello, I had to come and see a fellow - anally retentive person (according to Molly Potter) and link arms with you.

do you think everyone was fibbing a bit to get such low scores? Hmmm, I wonder.

Anyway greetings from France and good on you for making the students do the leg work during the inquisition

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Are you writing about the current Labour Government by any chance? ;)