Twelve into Nine does not go!

If you are a regular reader, you will probably know that my daily commute to work has become a constant source of annoyance to me and regular provides me with blogging material. This week has been no exception either.

Christmas, which is an expensive time of year, is fast approaching. January is always a hard month financially, post Christmas blues, above inflation season ticket increases and the extra bonus of an increase in VAT. And did I mention that my wife has been unable to find a permanent job? Her current role ends on New Years day! 2011 promises to be a fun year all round.

For the last twelve months I have really enjoyed paying £1980 to Southern Railway for the pleasure of travelling on increasingly over crowd trains. This week sees an improvement in services, so we ate told. All I have seen so far this week in a reduction in the length of my regular morning service from 12 to 9 carriages. How exactly is this an improvement?

Have I imagined it or have I finally graduated into a Grumpy Old Man?


Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Illiterate Graffiti Artist

On my way to the station this morning I passed some fresh, but amusing graffiti. It read, "Pear dos will pay".

What exactly a Pear will do or what it will pay for was unclear, but it was sprayed on a fence opposite a primary school. Perhaps the artist was commenting on the education he had received there.

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Improved timetable?

On the radio this morning there was an avert from Southern Railway. It was telling listeners how a new timetable to be introduced this week, will improve journey time & increase train lengths. Oh good, I thought. That will mean a greater chance of getting a seat in the morning 8-)

This morning my train was only a couple of minutes late and 3 carriages short. I managed to get in the door by about 2 steps and was wedged there. This ment that I was at least 1 person away from any sides or hand rail. Being only 5"8', this was a problem because as the train bounced and lurched it way along I could support myself. I had no choice but to use the poor chap behind me as a battering ramp on at least 3 occasions. I'd like to apologise if that was you.

Welcome to Southend Railway excellent new timetable.... NOT!

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Oooo, I could crush a grape!

This morning is a bright crispy one and the temperature is at freezing point. I love days like this, but it tends to have an adverse affect on my daily commute. Today is no exception and the trains into London are in complete chaos. Even my iPhone timetable app has thrown in the towel.

I have however managed to squeeze myself onto a stopping service to London Bridge, which is no longer stopping as often. I was lucky as I've managed to push myself out of the vestibule, just. I found a bearable piece of floor on which to stand next to the first table from the entrance.

However, it's those poor souls who boarded at Gatwick that I felt most sorry for. The vestibule between the doors had turned into a wine press. Fortunately many of them exploded onto the platform at Redhill when the pressure was released by the doors. I too have managed to move into the train a few steps further and now have a seat handle to grab as the train slowly lurches towards the Capital.

Welcome to Britan, one of the richest countries in the world and the most over crowded in Europe.

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

And back to Derby I go

As I expected, last week was tough one. There was a lot of information to take on board, admittedly, mostly common sense stuff. I diligently made notes of what I felt to be important information.

Sometimes on a course the trainer will ask the class questions to check that the students have understood and are still awake. If you're not sure of the required reply, it's usually possible to keep silent and let someone else answer. However, there were only two of us on this course and I soon discovered that it's impossible to hide. Especially if neither of you know the answer. It certainly keeps you focused on what's going on, I can tell you.

The teaching finished on Thursday and I was able to return home. However, I have today returned to Derby to have my newly learnt skills fully tested. After at silly-o-clock start from home, I arrived without the drama of last Mondays travel woes. I took the precaution of catching an earlier train and very carefully checking which train I was actually boarding.

All that planning gave me far more time to worrying about the assessment itself. By the time I arrived at the training centre I had whipped myself up into a frenzy of panic. 8 hours 30 minutes later and I had proved that I have what it takes to pass the course. What a relief 8-)

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

I love trains ... Most of the time

I'm on my way to Derby for a training course, which my previous employer refused to send me on. It'll be a tough week with lots to take in, but very worthwhile. For me this is an important step forward.

I got up bright & early, with a spring in my step. Even the horrid dark blustery weather on my walk to the station didn't dampen my spirits. Unfortunately, my mood changed a little when I discovered that all the trains to London were delayed due to the seasons leaf fall. My chosen services was 10 minutes late and didn't make my connection at St. Pancras. The next train was due to leave at 8:25. I found the correct platform and bounded what I thought was the Sheffield service and made myself comfortable.

Shortly after there was an announcement, "Welcome to the East Midlands Trains 8:30 service to Nottingham". It took a moment for the penny to drop and asking a follow passenger if I'd heard correctly, confirmed my mistake. Apparently my train was at the other end of the platform. Dashing off the train, I stood on the platform and watched the Sheffield service leave without me. I gave it a little wave, with a clenched fist.

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

I am now on the 8:55 train to Derby, a mire hour later than I had expected. I hope my day improves from here!

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

My iPhone made me late for work

As I'm sure you are all aware, the clocks went back an hour last Sunday to mark the end of British Summer Time (BST). Yesterday morning (monday) I woke up late for some unknown inexplicable reason and as a consequence I was late for work.

This morning the alarm on my iPhone went off at 7:15am instead of the usual 6:15am, which confused me as it was quite clearly set for 6:15! Weird, I thought.

The answer became abundantly clear when I came across an article about the problem in the Daily Telegraphs iPhone app. Apparently exactly the same thing happened right across Europe too. iOS 4.1 has a bug that affects how the alarm clock works when the clocks go back. The alarm seems to ignore the automated change in the time.

Apple are aware of the problem and plan to fix it in it next iOS update. In the meantime the only cure is to delete all your alarms and set new ones. Just adjusting the existing alarms doesn't cure it.

Daily Telegraph Article

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Is this the Governments Quango review or the Twilight Zone?

For those of you who don't know, Quango is an acronym which stands for "quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation". These are non elected bodies that have been set up by the Government to undertake various tasks, which they deem as useful. Such organisations include Network Rail, Offcom, Offpost, etc. However, there are currently 1,162 of these Quangos out there and most seem to be completely pointless. Some of them are completely unfathomable, even after researching them. My favourite so far has to be,

"Commission for the Compact"

Who, what, where and why? These are all valid questions and, to be quite honest, I'm struggling to answer any of them. I went to their website, http://www.thecompact.org.uk/ , and that just seems to be full of daft phrases that swallow up words, but mean nothing at all. This is what the website says about them,

This website explores the Compact, the longstanding agreement that sets out shared principles and guidelines for effective partnership working between government and the third sector in England.

What? The third sector? Give me a clue here please! Is it just me or does that sound like an extract of a Dr. Who script? Is this just a vehicle for people with Philosophy degrees to gain employment? Who knows as I don't have a clue!

The list of Quangos seems endless and many of them appear to be doing the same things over & over again. Some are to be merged, which seems sensible, but many are not. There are quite a few which deal with gambling in different sports. Why not bring those all together to reduce cost?

This governing game that gets played out by the "Westminster Muppet Show" drives me nuts. Why make it so complicated? Is it just an excuse to claim as much in public money as possible in an effort to line their own pockets? I think that is more than likely and I wish these people would stop pretending that they are doing all this money wasting for the public good. I truly believe the average "Man in the Street" is far smarter than these clowns give us credit for.

Regards



Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct
Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

There but for the grace of God I go

A much respected colleague of mine, Peter Scott, died recently. I worked with him directly for 15 years, during which time he taught me an awful lot. You could say he was a Railway Signalling guru. For many years he rang training courses in his spare time, thus passing on his significant knowledge to others.

He always remained single, a loner but wonderful man who was married to his work I suppose. He always thought of others. In fact he sent flowers to a sick mutual friend just days before his sudden death.

Today is his funeral. He was so popular that I wouldn't be surprised if the church overflows. From our office alone we've hired a 16 seater minibus to get us all there.

Peter - So many people miss you. The world is a poorer place without you.

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

2 Shows, 22 Years Apart

In October 1988 two school friends and I queued up for over 8 hours in the rain in London's docklands to see a French man play some electronic music. The French man in question was the very talented Jean Micheal Jarre and the concert was Destination Docklands. It was a truly amazing experience and was one of the main reason I started to play the keyboard. I bought a T-shirt that day that still lives in my bottom draw, but I've long since lost touch with those two friends.

Fast forward 22 year and last night the talented Frenchman returned too the Docklands, but this time on the other side of the Thames at the O2. Once more I was in the audience with my good friend Pablos. Mr Jarre remembered his last visit. He said "Last time I was here it rained. This time there is a roof to protect me". His comment bought a lump to my throat and made me reflect on the intervening years.

It was another excellent concert, complete with his signature wild graphics and laser displays. I was positively drooling at his impressive collection of classic analogue synthesisers. Wall to wall Moogs and the like. Electronic porn heaven 8-)

I took quite a few photos of the event, but only with my iPhone. If any of them are useable I'll sick them on my next blog.

Regards
Chris
-------
Posted from my iPhone

Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account