Awkward social game
A social game like that was probably not the best choice for the party. I wouldn't say it spoilt the atmosphere, but as our host announced what we would play after eating, I cringed with apprehension. I still put the thought off until when I'd have to face the situation. Maybe, when my turn came to publicly present the person sitting next to me, I would be inspired with something really witty, although chances were I'd just be stuck for words, or ideas. I would certainly not sacrifice good taste or the loyalty I owed to my victim for the sake of being funny, and so the risk of making a faux pas would be likely to make my speech dull. I could always hope I would not be chosen to speak – in fact the rest didn't seem particularly keen on playing either, and the game was likely to die down after few presentations.
When I went to Marmomacc in September my mind was perturbed by the fear I was probably attending for the last time, and I felt vaguely uncomfortable, but as a matter of fact this melancholy was triggered by a general insecurity concerning my position at the Chamber of commerce. Time before my boss had told me that the two promotional departments would be merged into one, and one of their head officers would be destined to some other assignment. There and then, I brushed the subject off with nonchalance, put on an unaffected air and kept the strategy of not coming out into the open. I was directly concerned, but I didn't let such a vague announcement worry me much, although I could take it as a preparation for a decision already made about who would be moved.
It's been the second time in a fortnight that I've had a clash with a colleague, and yesterday, as she was giving vent to her rage, I realised that it was not just a fit of the moment. Twice in such a short time is not normal, and I'm all the more surprised because I considered our relationship serene. However, the things she said revealed an unease she had brooded over and had probably repressed until it burst out. I'd like her to regret reproaching me things on the spur of her anger, but I am afraid that the rift between us is rather deep seated.
PM Renzi has pledged to change the statute of the Chambers of commerce in the frame of a greater plan to modernise the civil service. In early May he announced his revolution, as it was referred to in the media, and set a deadline of 40 days for consultations before proceeding. The proposed measure that affects the Chambers of commerce in particular consists in abolishing mandatory membership, so that if the reform is carried out companies will be free to decide whether or not to join the "private club" or stay out. The upshot is that the Chambers will not live off their present guaranteed revenue – in fact a taxation – from all companies, but would have to earn their day in order to stay on the market. If they can.
When my sister-in-law came to visit in December she asked for recommendations for places to visit on a day outing and I advised her to go to Cremona and Mantova. I have wanted to brush up my memory of Cremona ever since she came back and said she had really liked the town. So, with beautiful weather now available, I decided to forego an hour's extra sleep last Saturday and take the early train to Cremona.