Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 June 2006 19:32:26
"Just as well you aren't a surgeon," says Karin. Actually, that's an interesting comment. The alternative to the strategy I was suggesting is to operate a strict queue - first come, first served. But what if you have too many customers? Each one has to wait, say, 6 months; but the operation is only effective if you can carry it out within three months. Obviously, the answer is to employ another surgeon to help. But if resources are limited, then you may have to employ some form of triage.
In another sense, I would expect a surgeon to use my stack - suppose he comes to work, worrying about a domestic issue - he (or she) will have to push the matter down while he/she concentrates on surgery, but at the end of the day must expect the matter to re-emerge. I find it difficult to cope when I have to think about many issues, and can often spend a major amount of time trying to sort out which one to tackle first. If I have a simple rule which enables me to get started, then at least the amount of outstanding work is being reduced.
At least, though, a surgeon can expect not to be interrupted while carrying out a delicate operation.
To-day is (still) Father's Day. CCLASP have for several years now been organising a visit to Pizza Express in Edinburgh for sick children and their fathers. So Celebrity, Gardener, and I caught the bus into the city this morning, and had a fine time making pizzas (and eating them). Then (because otherwise Gardener wouldn't have come) we got a train part way home, walked a bit, and then caught a bus. I became somewhat stressed trying to get a Virgin ticket machine to sell me a ticket.