Fighting against Microsoft for favourable BMMG LAN press coverage in the morning, shopping for a Christmas tree in the afternoon and hearing of the deepening tragedy unfolding in India as Bishop Tutu, as Nobel Prize winner for peace, builds opinion in the US for anti-South African trade sanctions
I awake this morning to the first symptoms of a cold coming on. Tea and the paper, which I manage to read completely before a breakfast of toast and natural honeycombe. Then after to write up yesterday’s journal, wash and shave to tones of yesterday’s parliament and then the bird routine before office at 10.00am. I intended to spend an hour there before going shopping and to lunch with Di, but first Peter Large called a couple of times about Network Licensing and then Computer Weekly arrived and with it coverage of Microsoft’s criticisms of the BMMG LAN project. I take time to write a responding letter and get it typed up before finding out that CW needed it telexed if there was to be any chance of inclusion this week. I then managed this by Prestel Datalex, retyped the PITCOM plan with covering letter to the PITCOM Chairman, Ian Lloyd, and then prepared envelopes for known contacts who could influence considerations if they received a copy. Lunch of rolls, ham and tea; and then off with Diana to St Neots to get 20 copies made of the report, collate, stamp and stuff envelopes in a frenzy of activity.
Also in town to pay in Barclays cheques to The Abbey National and Gateway building societies, expecting my money from the BT applications to arrive back in time for cheque clearance next Tuesday. Lastly, off with Diana to Eaton Socon and the Garden Centre by the river to buy a so called ‘everlasting’ Christmas tree that will keep its needles until after Christmas. Home for the girls to put up the tree and for me to work the last hour or two at the office. A call from The Bank of Scotland who agree my £70,000 overdraft. In India, the President of Union Carbide was arrested, charged with criminal negligence, bailed and asked to leave the country. The 2000 dead are matched by ten times as many suffering people. The task of treating these sufferers of the original and secondary diseases and complications. More prisoners of the Tehran hijacked Kuwaiti plane are murdered as a war of wills continues. The High Court have replaced the NUM Receiver, Brewer, with a professional accountant, Michael Arnold. The TUC and labour party leaders are ruling out a general strike, but some union leaders and labour politicians are sounding out the idea. Only 39 miners returned today, making 667 vs 2100 last weeks. In the USA, visiting Bishop Tutu (South African Nobel Prize winner) is building US opinion towards trade sanctions for opposing apartheid. The weather today bright, sunny and mild by day – though clear and risk of frost tonight. This evening Freda rang and reports that she will be visiting next weekend, but has also had news of Mum having to be admitted to hospital next week for more tests.