13 Apr
2011
13 Apr
'11
11:05 a.m.
Then there's the assinine requirement that you
give a fine grained
accounting for your time resulting in the choice - tell them about what
Or give an estimate of how long a piece of research will take. Darn it,
if I knew that, it wouldn't be research... I am always tempted to give an
answer of tyhe form '10 years, 1 week plus or minus 10 years'. In other
words, I may do it in a week, itr make take 20 years. I don't know until
I've done it.
I am reminded of a story attributed to the Duke of Wellington.
'Please find enclosed a complete inventory of the weapons, ammunition,
tents, tent pegs, clothing, footwear... in use by His Majesty's forces in
France at the present time. I regret that there are 2 discrepancies : 2lb
of straweberry jam cannot be located, and the officers mess fund is
deficient by sixpence. I will investigate these matters without delay.
Could you, however, answer one question. Am I in France to defeat
Napoleon's forces, or to provide lists for clerks in Whitehall. I will do
either to the best of my abilities, but I am unable to do both'
-tony