With the exception of about four years, I've been comuting to work by train twenty years. Over take time I've seen many changes and who can forget "The Wrong Type of Snow".
Today we have comfy new air conditioned trains, which are generally very reliable. But one thing that always remains constant is the lack of seats.
Since I started my new job in January I've been paying £190 a month to stand on a doorway. However, about a month or so ago things improved and most mornings since I've managed to sit. For some inexplicible reason this week is different and I've had to stand for three of the four journeys. Why? Could it be that all those new MPs at the "West Minster Muppet Show" are trying to make a good impression? If so I expect that they are traveling standard class, not wanting to have their expenses claims embarress them publicly. It didn't to worry the last batch!
If this is the case, hopefully they'll soon get bored of the House of Muppets and stay at home. That why I can rest my legs more often. This does of course asume that the impending public cuts doesn't remove the whole train from the route or worse, kill off my new job.
PS - Just to be clear, I do not work directly for the Govnt any more. I was privatised many years ago. However, my current employer is very heavily involved with the UKs infrustructure. So I still may feel the pain of cuts.
Regards
Chris
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Posted from my iPhone
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Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Saturday, 22 May 2010
It's Official - I'm an Idiot!
Last Thursday I attended a company induction course in a rather leafy corner of Surrey. It felt more like a College campus than a large company's headquarters. Generally I had a great day out and made some important new contacts. One very nice chap I met at lunch turned out to be a divisional director and the afternoons keynote speaker. The thing that struck me most was that everyone was very enthusiastic about working for this great corperation. I have to agree too. I've felt the love since day one and I'm extremely please to be working with such enthusiastic people. It's definately starting to rub off on me.
After all the excitment and corperate gifts I was piled high with, I caught the train home. I had to change at Clapham Junction, but there was no direct train home. I decided the best plan was to change at Gatwick Airport. I left the train with my large bag of goodies, decided which platform I needed next and set off. Just as I got onto the down escalator to the next platform, released that my right shoulder was lighter than normal. I'd left my briefcase on the train.
AAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!
I instantly turned and ran back the way I'd come. Very quickly it dawned on me that I was now trying to run up a down escalator and wasn't making a great deal of progress. Panic told me the answer was to run even faster! Not my best logic, but I did eventually make to the top. I arrived back on the other platform just in time to see the tail lights of the train leaving the end of the station!
I reported my loss to the Network Rail staff at Gatwick & Southern Railways Lost Property office. Both were really helpful and I can't fault them for the care they offered.
On Friday afternoon I had a call from a nice lady at Littlehampton staton ticket office. My bag had turned up safely and intact. On Saturday we had a nice family day out at the seaside & retrieved my bag.
Note to self: In future pay more attention when getting off of trains.
Regards
Chris
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Posted from my iPhone
Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct
Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account
After all the excitment and corperate gifts I was piled high with, I caught the train home. I had to change at Clapham Junction, but there was no direct train home. I decided the best plan was to change at Gatwick Airport. I left the train with my large bag of goodies, decided which platform I needed next and set off. Just as I got onto the down escalator to the next platform, released that my right shoulder was lighter than normal. I'd left my briefcase on the train.
AAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!
I instantly turned and ran back the way I'd come. Very quickly it dawned on me that I was now trying to run up a down escalator and wasn't making a great deal of progress. Panic told me the answer was to run even faster! Not my best logic, but I did eventually make to the top. I arrived back on the other platform just in time to see the tail lights of the train leaving the end of the station!
I reported my loss to the Network Rail staff at Gatwick & Southern Railways Lost Property office. Both were really helpful and I can't fault them for the care they offered.
On Friday afternoon I had a call from a nice lady at Littlehampton staton ticket office. My bag had turned up safely and intact. On Saturday we had a nice family day out at the seaside & retrieved my bag.
Note to self: In future pay more attention when getting off of trains.
Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone
Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct
Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account
Friday, 7 May 2010
And The Winner Is ....
One of the things that has annoyed me enormously over recent years is the way our Govt have completely ignored public opinion and do what they like. Today politicians of all flavours are waking up to the realisation that no one party had overall control of the country. We now have what is called a "Balanced Paraliment".
In my view this has sent them all a very strong message that they will listen to Joe Public. Therefore the winner in the 2010 General Election is ...
The People 8-)
Regards
Chris
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Posted from my iPhone
Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct
Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account
In my view this has sent them all a very strong message that they will listen to Joe Public. Therefore the winner in the 2010 General Election is ...
The People 8-)
Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone
Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct
Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account
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