National Council meetings - you just can't beat them!

As a Commander in the Nautical Training Corps, I have to attended the organisation's top level meetings where our National Council meet. When I accepted the job of Adventure Activities Director, I wanted to help people, not just because it would mean I have the same rank as James Bond! Seriously though, I hate meetings, they can be so dull...

Firstly, I had to get there. As you know, my transport options at the moment as somewhat limited - car in the garage, bike that doesn't recharge it's battery. I decided I would take the bike, and pray that the battery lasted long enough to power the lights there and back. Just in case, I'd take Dad's jump-pack so that I could wire-up the battery to get it started at the other end. One problem though, where was the jump-pack?

(a) In the garage where normal people would keep it;
(b) By the front door ready for use;
(c) In the kitchen, next to the microwave, because it's the obvious place for it to be!;
(d) In the back of my car, in the garage, in Bognor Regis, 12 miles away.

If you answered:

(a) You don't know me or my family at all. Normal people?
(b) You're thinking like me (scarily), but you have forgotten about my luck.
(c) You're clearly an avid reader on CATCOUK, and should get a life. However, you're also wrong, you remember the facts, but not the spirit.
(d) You're an evil person, but clearly understand exactly how my life works. Correct.

With that little spanner in the works, I had to go begging, and asked Dad to lend me his. God I love that car - I know why the police used Volvo estates. Very fast, and stick to the road like sh*t to a blanket. With that problem solved, onto the next one - staying awake through the meeting.

The chairman is great, and his reports are fine, and usually interesting to a degree. Our Chief of Staff is very... animated, and usually has a pretty lively report. Then we hit a brick wall, as we have to listen to the regional reports. Goodness me, could they be any more dull? I looked over at fellow Commander Ian, and he looked like he was in serious pain, gripping his face with boredom.

To finish the evening, we had a debate about the new cadet grades and classwork titles. There was a long discussion about the use of the term 'Seaman', and it may have made me giggle a little bit. The guys from London region (same who helped me get my car out of the harbour last month) looked at me, and told me to grow up. I'm sorry, these meetings just leave me drained!

ERNIE UPDATE: He's with W. Jones, but I haven't heard anything yet.