the bennymay story: chapter 4
Mr Darby’s Intermission
The RAAF aptitude testing and interviews in Sydney’s Australian Defence Force Recruiting Office, with rigorous I.Q. examinations, skill tests, as well as facing off panels of senior officers / psychologists in penetrating interrogation sessions, and medical examinations, can breach emotional dams that flood fear through some, young pilot applicants. In contrast, my Jane Austen picnic in Newcastle’s recruiting office in August 1996 was fetchingly pleasant for all involved.
Mr Andrew, a strappingly single young man, in want of a good wife, and one very well might imagine Mr Andrew preferring to fight for his country behind a much larger desk than this one in sleepy Newcastle-town, did graciously suffer me that day. Mr Andrew verbally warned me to the effect that Sydney’s interview panel and psychologists would be even more ravenous than he—a warning that hit me as shockingly as a small fly, which did plan intently on attacking my frock, but passed by the outside of the window being unable to find access. Might I add that all this be contextualised by the words of good Mr Alan, nuclear physicist / avionics professor who did maintain his employ at the town’s university, when he suggested that far too many an inept fellow does overly stress himself into a quandary of disquietude regarding earning a good yearly income of many thousand pounds per year as an officer of Her Majesty, yet be his mind ever too weak to serve her with adequate sufficiency. Thus, Mr Alan had concluded, one is best to make known his presence, thence patiently await Her Majesty’s good offer, prior to any stress that is self-induced by such consideration of flying fighter jet aircraft. And thus did I find myself in said peaceful disposition, as I interviewed young Mr Andrew, who did pen his report for my file. Herein can we all ponder the last three lines of his governmental missive…
© Benjamin May 2009
Not quite up to grammatical snuff this time. Lots of big words, but the construction needs work.
Yes, you’re right. I will work harder on my grammar. I greatly appreciate such feedback. Thanks, Vlad@nowhere
bennymay
Someone has given Vlad (or whoever he is) a thumbs down, and me a thumbs up.
To give Vlad the benefit of the doubt, which I hope we all will do, he noticed my construction needed work. I reviewed this page and fixed up an error or two. And I thanked him. So, if it now appears Vlad’s comment is unjustified, I take responsibility for changing the page content. In other words, if you disagree with Vlad, then Vlad is the person to thank.
Thanks, Vlad. I’ll give your comment a thumbs up.
Thanks to all my readers. I am sure glad you’re here.
Sincerely,
bennymay
Oh Mr Darcy! I do declare.
“good yearly income of many thousand pounds per year” could be more succinct (I imagine Miss Austen would not suffer such tautology).
LOL
I can just see you with your arms above your head in that interview, wearing an old torn t-shirt and trainers.
Here is where I insert my own grammatical transgression to show my own weakness and side with the author (but not green grocer’s). [sic]
Speaking of giving the benefit of the doubt, Chris is one of the most generous and gracious people on the planet, and a great role model for me. (And friend.).).
Thanks for reading, mate. bennymay