rebness

Today I'm on the 'phone to a patient who is listing about a gazillion grievances that have nothing to do with me. I'm multitasking as I listen, which is to say that I'm on the internet and fiddling with a paperclip, the receiver against my shoulder.

That's when the fire alarm goes off. It's that unbearable, ear-splitting shriek and we have to get out immediately and secure the wards where the MFU patients may be receiving surgery. "I'm sorry, sir," I say, "I really have to go--"

"No, I still have other points to make!"

"But the fire alarm's going off."

A snort. "Oh, how very convenient."

I spluttered for a reply, but then decided that the best retort would be to slam down the phone. Which I did. In the end, there was no fire. But there were firemen, so that was pretty good.

At home tonight, I had a bottle of German beer and cooked corn pasta as a substitute for all that wheat. The first lot I overcooked and it went all soggy. I chucked it, then made a second lot, adding a little olive oil. Which turned out to be vinegar. Acidity aside, it tasted foul, so I'll stick with the big chunky ravioli I have in the fridge tomorrow -- except the market near work has these gorgeous beetroots. I've never even cooked beetroot before, so I'm going to look for a recipe tomorrow after buying a bunch. Any of you who have beetroot-esque suggestions, I'd be interested to know.