Quiet

Even by Christmas week standards it's quiet today. Quiet in the office, quiet on LJ, quiet out on the streets. London Underground as personified by the Northern Line have taken the opportunity to run a Saturday timetable, which will probably be fine for most of the day, but which was an absolute bind this morning coming in to work. Particularly the ten minute wait followed by the last minute decision to terminate the train at East Finchley, necessitating another 14 minute wait since the next train was too full to get on. So, over an hour to cover the thirteen or so miles from Whetstone to Victoria. And for this world-class service, we Londoners get to pay world record fares. Yes, folks, the rickety shambles that is London Transport is officially the most expensive public transportation system in the world.

At least we're number one in something.

I see the flags are flying at half-mast today. I guess that this is in honour of former US President, Leslie Lynch King, Jr¹ since no-one important has died. Failing that it is a reflection on England's sorry performance in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The horror: bad enough losing the Ashes so quickly after regaining them, but to lose by an innings and 99 runs... The fifth test starts almost immediately. Don't bet against a whitewash.

In other news, today is a good day to die if you live in Tonga. The royal family has released all undertakers from 100 days of mourning following the death in September of King Tupou IV. They have lived in pampered captivity since the old codger was embalmed, but now they can go back to work. I imagine parts of the island are a bit whiffy right now, if the dead have not been buried since September. Note to self: if ever I live in Tonga, get beach front property, facing upwind.

Doctor's appointment this afternoon, so it's a short day for me. What better way to gear up after the Christmas break?

¹Gerry Ford, to you.

Quiet

Even by Christmas week standards it's quiet today. Quiet in the office, quiet on LJ, quiet out on the streets. London Underground as personified by the Northern Line have taken the opportunity to run a Saturday timetable, which will probably be fine for most of the day, but which was an absolute bind this morning coming in to work. Particularly the ten minute wait followed by the last minute decision to terminate the train at East Finchley, necessitating another 14 minute wait since the next train was too full to get on. So, over an hour to cover the thirteen or so miles from Whetstone to Victoria. And for this world-class service, we Londoners get to pay world record fares. Yes, folks, the rickety shambles that is London Transport is officially the most expensive public transportation system in the world.

At least we're number one in something.

I see the flags are flying at half-mast today. I guess that this is in honour of former US President, Leslie Lynch King, Jr¹ since no-one important has died. Failing that it is a reflection on England's sorry performance in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The horror: bad enough losing the Ashes so quickly after regaining them, but to lose by an innings and 99 runs... The fifth test starts almost immediately. Don't bet against a whitewash.

In other news, today is a good day to die if you live in Tonga. The royal family has released all undertakers from 100 days of mourning following the death in September of King Tupou IV. They have lived in pampered captivity since the old codger was embalmed, but now they can go back to work. I imagine parts of the island are a bit whiffy right now, if the dead have not been buried since September. Note to self: if ever I live in Tonga, get beach front property, facing upwind.

Doctor's appointment this afternoon, so it's a short day for me. What better way to gear up after the Christmas break?

¹Gerry Ford, to you.