Back from the Job Interview

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Well, I just got back from the job interview. It was chaotic, prayer time plus some sort of staff meeting, many people coming and going. We talked, we looked for the tea boy, we chatted, I ran through one of my favorite exercises, I shook hands with people.

I got the job. (Well I have to do a demonstration class on the Third Conditional on Saturday, but I can do that in my sleep.)

So why the heck am I shaking like a leaf now? Darn, I am suddenly worn the heck out.

Now comes the PITA of transferring working papers, learning a new program and all the rest, but I will be doing it for a nice little pay raise. Good for me.

I think I will go for a swim and try to calm down.

2

Congratulations.

3

Congratulations again. Good luck dealing with the new chaos.

4

Meanwhile, your previous employer has replaced you with a parrot.

(Glad you landed on your feet – sorry that your pet had to be given to a new home.)

5

Perhaps you were tired because you were more anxious about this then you let on to yourself? Congratulations. Does this mean you stay across the pond?

I so want a tea boy. Not in that way (pervs)–just someone who will bring me tea. <sigh>

6

All offices have a tea boy. The bring tea and coffee on command. Most also provide special services if you give them a few riyals on the sly. You know stuff like washing your car.

7

I thought it was a 28%(?) pay cut? Congrats, Paul.

8

No the new job doubles my salary, but does not include housing, so it ought to be a wash.

9

Congratulations. Good luck in your new position.

10

Congrats! When do you move? Do you have housing there yet?

11

We have to deal with all the nonsense of moving my work permit from one company to the new agency. (I will be a direct-hire of the Ministry this time.) If we cannot do a transfer, then I will have to leave the Kingdom and come back in.

It is all very convoluted. It might take a month or two.

12

You are not making the tea boy any less attractive to my mind. (and I meant “than” not “then” in my first post. gah.)

I take you’ll still be in Saudi–what about the parrot, then?

13

So what’s a Third Conditional?

I am tempted to make a programming joke about if, else-if, and the third one.

14

“If I had gone, I would have died.” It is the unreal conditional. I did not go and I did not die. One clause is in the Past Perfect, the other in the Present Perfect with a modal.

“She could have married me, if her father had approved.”

15

Congratulations!

Can I ask what you do for a living, that you have to be tested on conditionals?

Regards,
Shodan

16

Then what is: “I would have liked it if she could have married me, had her father approved, but he did not, so I am now alone.” ?
I always wanted to take English grammar. The last grammar I was taught was in 6th grade; we didn’t get past independent clauses etc. I learned some English grammar via learning German, oddly enough. [/sorry, hijack]

17

Then what is: “I would have liked it if she could have married me, had her father approved, but he did not, so I am now alone.” ?

That? That is the story of my life.

Grammar is interesting on a number of angles. We spoke English before we made up rules for it. Like kids who make-up a game and then impose rules on newcomers. People speak their native languages with no idea how the grammar works. Interesting, no?

18

That’s why I took only three hours of German.

:slight_smile:

19

He teaches English.