Bear with a sore head

22May07

Ok so, leaving drinks are done. I didn’t drink as much as today’s headache and need for sunglasses would have me believe I did.

I sat in the aisle seat (as usual) with my gunmetal Oakleys over my tired eyes and my (lovely clean) hair pulled across my face, and STILL it was too bright. Why can’t it be dreary like it was yesterday?

Anyway, last night was nice. I was surprised at the number of people that turned up, especially as it was a school night, and a Monday at that, Monday being the day I most frequently feel like battering myself over the head with a spade ahead of going out anywhere and actually talking to people. So that was nice of them. I only cried once and it was only for about 3 minutes. Hurrah for that, I must be growing up.

I also now feel that it really is the right time to leave. Six years is a wee old while and I know that if I don’t get out now then there is a chance I never will. I love Little City so it is best to leave it on a high note and always have fond memories. Maybe I will come back, who knows? But last night I realised that, while there are loads of people still there who I really care about, our numbers really have dwindled and it is only a matter of time before the migration wave has quite an impact. Boyband is leaving next month. A few esteemed colleagues plus better halves expect to leave within a year or two. I’d rather be going now than be left behind.

My, I have never really been “a pioneer” (unless it comes to hairdye or buying ugly bags, and then I am way ahead of the pack). Perhaps this is a good thing.

I am still shit scared though.

Anyway, Sun Man was there this morning like he always is. I like Sun Man, we know this. I like seeing both him and Lady and Winchy Commuter Boy (who has, again, been missing for a while!) and Winchester Arty Girl (who was wearing a lovely summery skirt with a green and white pattern this morning). And the two older ladies who never smile, and the Boy With The Purple Tie. And The Hobbit – who I actually have never talked about because he gets on at a later stop (and we are only concerned with Little City Commuter Friends) but who I see practically every day. I like their faces, I like their voices. I like the way they always do the same things. It is very comfortable on my commute. They are nice people, they are polite and say “after you” and “thank you” and are the kind of people who would hold the doors open for you (not that they need to with SWT’s fancy electric doors). And I will, as I have said loads now, miss them a lot.

(And Lady was late today – I think there may have been bus trouble – but Sun Man had saved her a seat. All together now: Aaaah. And he got all animated when she sat down and looked really pleased to see her. I think he really likes their little chats, like I like to watch. But I didn’t really watch today as dozing to the iPod was far more appealing (and Pete Heller’s Big Love is actually surprisingly easy to nod off to).

Oh, I also realise that the title of this post has had no bearing on the content so far. This will come in the last three paragraphs. Promise.

But first! A good thing. I got my toast for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this morning! Well, I will pay back later, but I only had a £20 on me and I said to Mr Tasty Toasty that I would return when I have broken into it, rather than stealing all his change. He was happy with that. He was happy in general today. He wasn’t there when I went in and Mr Not Tasty Toasty put the bread in for me. And then he appeared. And then they exchanged comments in a foreign language (which one I have no idea) and Mr Not Tasty Toasty gave me a funny look while he said something, and I don’t know what that was all about. But Mr Tasty Toasty took over my toast making. And he put on extra butter to help me through the morning. Hurrah for Mr TT.

And now the gripes:

1. Why is it ALWAYS the same escalator at Waterloo that is broken: the one on the left. Why don’t they just fix it properly so it stops breaking down?!?! It isn’t even a surprise to get there and find it stationary these days, just an inevitability.

2. When it says “seek assistance” at the ticket barrier it really isn’t playing games. It isn’t a funny joke with the punchline about to come along. It isn’t a test of your endurance. It means GO AND SEEK ASSISTANCE you total numpty, don’t just STAND THERE staring at it like a moron. GET OUT OF THE WAY! And no, hitting your Oyster card at it while it glares at you in blood red (oxygenated of course) isn’t going to make the blindest bit of difference. Sheesh!

3. The Boss is snorting loads. Enough said. I think I am about to burst a blood vessel in my brain!!! ARGH!!!!

Ah, I feel a long day ahead x

Filed under: Commuter Friends, Commuting, Friends, Lady with the Blue Scarf/Orange Bag, London, London Underground, Relationships, South West Trains, Sun Man, The Cafe Characters, Transport, Tube, Weather, Winchester Arty Girl, Winchy Commuter Boy, food and drink, rants, socialising, work   |  10 Comments