Colin McCallum, Strathclyde's director of external affairs and development, was in Canada over Christmas when his father-in-law rang to say: "I've got some bad news for you - your house is flooded." Exactly ten years ago, his father-in-law rang him on holiday to say: "I've got some bad news for you - your flat is on fire." Mr McCallum is preparing for either pestilence or earthquakes for Christmas 2006.