"Look Robert," Ron had started his sentence. I instantly knew something bad will follow. Australians always start sentences with "Look," if they try to say something which may conflict with your expectations.

It was my third year at Bond University and I had negotiated with the technical staff of Golden Orb (a smaller web application shop at the Varsity 'technology park') a number of projects we might do together. We had a good understanding of each other, and the Golden Orb people seemed to be competent and keen.

Also, weil wir gerade so gemuetlich beisammensitzen ... what about yet another tiny story about Bond University? I'm sure the Vice Chancellor - who might be hawkishly monitoring the site - would appreciate that one.

So, this is about a completely hypothetical dean, let's call him HypoDean and his HypoSon who is studying Computer Science on the same HypoUni. The HypoSon (this sounds all very japanese, not?) has a

"They are fuckingly stupid."

These were the famous last words I heard from a colleague of mine before he left Bond University. Not that I had reason to doubt his assessment for a second, he had to deal a lot with other middle management and also the upper management echelon (Australians just love this expression).

But for an Australian to say such a thing in a corporstralian environment was remarkable in itself.

Being Associate Professor at a private, world-class university may have the whizbang sound (and it can be fun, sometimes), but it also exposes you to a rich variety of social backgrounds. And it involves you into more or less highly intellectual discussions, with colleagues as with students. Such as the following between HI (a student) and some lecturer RHO who wants to remain anonymous:

• HI: For this assignment we have to make on this application server Zope, .... I have created a login for me in Zope, but now my Zope is dead.

Sure, sure, we all know that the Internet is full of ... uhm not so overly useful things. We are on the same page here then.

Still, the Internet has its gems. Apart from my all-time favourite http://www.supersluttymomsover100.com/ (don't bother to follow that, of course I made it up. You should know me by now)...

... ok, so apart of that I just adore

http://www.despair.com/

and its slick, clearcut design and message. Look at the recently added video section and replay your last working days in your office in your head.