Last week I indicated that due to industrial pressures in the central North Island I was scheduled for a flying visit to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty to assist for two days. This necessitated an ungodly start by being at the Airport at 6.15 to catch the 6.45 to Wellington and then on to Tauranga - it could never be said I am a morning person so the sacrifice for a 5.15am wake call was huge.
Flying into Tauranga for landing the plane ventured directly over two golf courses (Mount Maunganui & Omanu) and I thought this is the place for me!! Unfortunately the fly by was as close as I got not because of workload or even lack of gear but simply that weather conditions were not conducive to moving far from cover. By 9.45 I was deep in mediation that went without a break through to 3.00pm by which time the ravages of hunger were assaulting my stomach.
I ascertained from the staff that the nearest palatable coffee was from Eve's Pantry. I ventured out dodging raindrops and purchased a small repast that included coffee and some excellent Rocky Road. As I was assuaging the hunger pains I idly thumbed through a back issue of Cuisine magazine (as is one's wont when passing the time of day) and concluded there were a number of recipes that could be added to the Food Fairy manual.
The delicate question then arose as to how I could extract copies of the requisite pages without incurring the ire of the proprietors. Having pondered the matter at some length I determined the direct approach was appropriate - I asked. I have too say the request was not well received as it appears they had been "ripped off" before. I then played my trump card "Well", I said, "that's probably because they didn't have an honest face like me!" - needless to say they continued to remain unimpressed.
Calling upon all my skills of nearly a decade as a mediator I entered into the negotiation phase by commencing the attack with a positive reinforcement. I expressed my appreciation of the Rocky Road and asked did they make it on site or buy it in? The stoic reply of "We tick it on the order form and it gets delivered" did not bode well for my tactical approach. At this time I considered a strategic change in the point of attack was needed and I should reframe my argument. I told them I was a visitor to Tauranga and only here for two days; for some reason this did not seem to encourage them to accede to my behest in fact they seemed to retain a firmer hold on the said book.
By this stage I was entering into desperation stakes and considering I had nothing to lose I imparted the knowledge I worked for the Department of Labour. Strangely this unlikely titbit of information captured their imagination and struck a cord - yes they knew all about the Department who had moved in just down the road and they supposed it might be just all right if I promised to bring it back tomorrow, left a contact phone number and had some form of identification (at this stage I seriously began to question my motives in pursuing the matter further) but once again I pointed out I did have an honest face - they still remained unimpressed.
However after parting with a business card, I never been able to give one away before, leaving my cellphone number and several assurances of my undying fidelity I left the coffee shop with the said Cuisine safely ensconced in my jacket. The next morning as I returned the magazine amidst what appeared to me to be a tropical downpour that left me drenched for the rest of the day I pondered the extent of my sanity and whether it was all worth it for a couple of dubious recipes. No doubt time and taste will tell!
Following such adventures it was an anticlimax to be asked to stay a further day and drive through the Kaimai Range to Hamilton to mediate with a stroppy union official of the old school - but that's another story!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment