Glasgow

[wellinghall]

This weekend, I'll be going to Glasgow, for the UK actuarial profession's Life Convention 2006. The interested, or merely terminally sad, can download a .pdf file here:
http://www.actuaries.org.uk/files/pdf/cpd/life2006.pdf

I'm not really looking forward to it - I've been to Glasgow three times before, and suffered various disasters each time. This trip will mean two Easyjet flights; checking into an identikit hotel; two-plus days of bland conference food, drinking far too much tea, and eating too many biscuits; and being herded from room to room; all in the name of Continuing Professional Development. Most of the break-out sessions do actually look as though they might be rather good; the plenaries, rather the opposite.

What with this, having to make up for today's absence from work, and an appointment next Wednesday evening, I'm not going to be around much for the next week or so. However, I think I have now caught up on all my LJ posts and comments; and I will do my best to catch up on emails before I go.

Comments

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

You really are 'cup half-empty' aren't you?

Yeah, well, if you go to nice hotels all the time this could seem a bit dull...and at least you don't have to drive or change trains 4 times. Agree with you re the food but at least it's free.

drinking far too much tea, and eating too many biscuits

Come on now, this is you we are talking about, no such thing as too much tea.

Most of the break-out sessions do actually look as though they might be rather good; the plenaries, rather the opposite.

Well skip the boring bits then ;)

I'm not going to be around much for the next week or so.

I suspect the world will keep turning!

Given the current state of play workwise, you should be seeing it as an ideal networking opportunity rather than moaning.

Although this is a bit premature, have a good journey and hope it goes well.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

You really are 'cup half-empty' aren't you?

Have you only just worked that out? ;-)

[pellegrina.livejournal.com]

I have never been to Glasgow, but have long been rather afraid of Glaswegian women. Not sure why this is, but they all make me feel like an idiot...

Hope you find some entertainment despite the CPD. If I see a man in the distance sailing a biscuit raft across a sea of tea, I promise to call the coast guard ;)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

There is a whisky tasting on Sunday evening ;-)

[estiel.livejournal.com]

what is an actuarial profession? what is an identikit hotel?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Actuaries are employed by life insurance companies, occupational pension schemes, and other long-term financial institutions. They combine the doctrines of probability and the mathematics of finance to try to work out the current financial effects of future events. I'm one of them.

I just know that whichever hotel I end up in, it's going to look just the same. Double bed; identical bedside tables and wall lights in just the wrong position; slightly worn carpet; TV picking up the standard five channels, three Sky channels, and some slightly dubious movies; everything covered in chintz; over-cooked "Full Scottish Brekafast"; ... I would much, much rather go somewhere less "smart", but more welcoming.

[estiel.livejournal.com]

Ah. Finance Systems designers and analysts--Math Whizzes. My only acquaintance with the term was in connection with my mortgage. Identikit hotels are Holiday Inns, and the like. I enjoy them when I am alone. I like the suspension of self that happens in their great anonymity.