Good going and that - Nik the Elf

The last couple of days there have been delays, traffic jams, accidents, road closures galore al over the place.
On yesterday's shift, most of our services were running over an hour late. Mine came in 30 mins late, after some hold up due to 4 idiots deciding to shunt in M1 Luton roadworks, I arrived 30 late into London. I was told I was pretty much the only one anywhere near schedule. Not bad. I left again on time at 11pm, with 11pm and 9.20pm passengers as the 9.20 was so late it was cancelled and sent back empty (due to time regulations). So I finished yesterday on time.
Today I had a brilliant run down the M1 , one of the best runs I've ever had to be honest. Full speed on approach to and through the roadworks which is very rare. Got to London on the dot. Was informed that a truck or something had tipped over near Milton Keynes from a Rugby colleague who was down there. A short while later another of my colleagues did a road check on his mobile (he must be rich) to find out about it. It didn't say owt but did report the M1 was shut both ways between J1 and j5, about 10-15 miles, due to a 'police incident' (just tell us why goddammit! I'm nosey). Which means all surrounding roads will be chocka such a A41 around Golders Green/Brent Cross, A5 Edgware Road, A406 North Circular, A40 around Hangar Lane Tunnel, A1 Great North Way. All possible diversions.
So decided to play it safe and follow the river to Chelsea and pass Earl's Court, down A4, M4, M25 onto M40 and up that way. M40 is a boring road once past J6 but it is a nice little route, one I enjoy taking on occasion. Seems a fuuny way round but is actually quite quick when running well.
Well, Embankment to Warwick Road towards Earl's Court was slow but luckily for me I hit Coventry about 5 minutes early, after trying a new route following some back streets by Warwick Uni, suggested by my colleagues that did National Distress as they often used it as a shortcut. So also got to Brummieland on time and finshed on time. That's how I like it!
But tomorrow is Sunday, one of the worst days of the week in the transport industry. Everyone decides to travel on a Sunday (yeah, the day of rest! They should be at home relaxing or in a pub lol). Not just that, Sunday is 'park where you like day' in central London which coupled with the first problem doesn't help much. Also, Sunday is triple-Polish-immigration day, our area gets filled with Polish coaches with hundreds more of them trying to squeeze on our little island to get loads of freebies while we struggle to afford housing etc. Nowt against them at all but it's too much and our government seems to like them more than us, their own citizens. Can't blame them for wanting to come over when they get it so good here. These coaches park wherever thay can/want, and pour out their passengers all over the road, clogging surrounding footpaths (some remain on the road!).

Had a couple of brucey bonuses today. 1 after getting hooked on Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Milton Keynes last week (there are no outlets round here) I went to the one in Victoria station. Ordered two but he only charged me for one, intentionally. Only a little bonus but it's the little things that count! (Well I'm little and I'm brilliant...lol). Might go back tomorrow for 'lunch'.
And I looked on my rota and it seems I have a long weekend off, Friday to Monday, at the end of next week. I better put in a 'no overtime thank you please' form in tomorrow to ensure I can be lazy. I just need to sort out how to spend my 4 days orf.

Been doing a few little bits at home. It's my mum's house, needs lots of repairs and clutter clearing out which I can't sort, all her doing. But I've put up a few bamboo rollers in front window and door and my bedroom window, looks nice. Not much more I can do until I get my own place. Although I've decided on a red/whit/black colour scheme for my bedroom which seems nice so working with that to some extent. Tried washing my quilt but could only fit half of it in the washing machine! Sure I did it before, can't remember how. Think I'll just buy a new one. that's what I must've done before... they cost hardly anything anyway.

Finally my CD arrived from Amazon, the new Now It's Overhead album. I really like the Saddle Creek artists mainly Now It's Overhead, Bright Eyes, Azure Ray, Orenda Fink , Maria Taylor. Time to branch out to the remaining ones see what else I like, well the NIO CD came with a load of mixed MP3 songs on it to listen to the other bands, I think that's a brilliant idea! But other record companies would rather die than give away free MP3s. Although I must say listening to MP3s has led me to buy many CDs! I like collecting the discs, simple as. Anyway, the music of these Saddle Creek artists is so varied, yet all excellent stuff, well written and produced, and not too commercial which actually helps, as the music is what it's all about, rather than hype and profitability. Plus these folks are like a community of bands, many of the artists help each other out, support each other etc, even though they are each very different. Go check them out, sure you'll be impressed! Plus a refreshing change from the run-of-the-mill chart rubbish that hogs the airwaves.
Odd how I first got into these when I went to the REM gig a couple of years ago at the NEC, and NIO were the supporting act, looked into them, and it went on like a chain. Weird huh. While I'm ranting, REM are actually due back in the studio about now to start recording their new album, woohoo! Can't wait to catch them live again, that NEC show was just amazing.

If you made it this far and are still reading, well done. You win 5 points. This is what happens when I have no particular subject to blog about so just open a 'new entry' window and let my fingers work. Always strange entries, these 'off the top of my head ones' but apparently they're the best. Well, I just got back from work, ate a whole packet of Swedish cheese and a bottle of banana beer that was surprisingly delicious! Wasn't sure when I bought it but it was crying out to be tried... Need more food. Not got time to cook as I want to be fast asleep by midnight. Think I might have some morish chilli lemon potato grills. Which are incidentally on offer, BOGOF at an 'Extra' version of a famous supermarket. Delicious. I talk about some rubbish don't I when I'm bored with just a keyboard (am I 'keybored'?) for company.

Have a nice Sunday! I'll probably be sitting on the M1 somewhere looking at all the pretty brake lights.

Blogroll

Pictures

Music

Clicky Link