A few people commented on the new header that magically appeared on my site yesterday; you didn't actually think I designed it though, did you?
Oh, heck no.
Props go out to Emily, who is the brains behind the header. Go tell her she's awesome.
(Emily, you're awesome!)
I'm so technologically challenged, it's not even funny. I have to say though, the whole 'Mind the Gap' slogan is a bit frightening. I flick to my webpage, and all of a sudden I can hear the lady robot's voice saying it over and over again in my head.
I'm getting much more accustomed to the public transport system here, but that doesn't mean it's particularly wonderful. It's grand when it works, but all hell breaks loose when it doesn't. Thanks to station overcrowding and mechanical failures, the last two mornings have had me waltzing in late to work - because when things break down?
They really break down.
My normal commute time is insanely busy. I leave at around 8am, along with most of London's population (or so it seems!) and spend my morning wedged in under a random stranger's armpit. I leave work between 6-6:30pm, and spend my evening wedged in under a random stranger's armpit. It's a refreshing way to start & end the day.
All whinging aside, as each day passes I feel a little more comfortable with the whole transport system. I know where to stand on the platforms so that I'm right in front of the doors when they open. I know that when one person gets off at a station, that means there are room for five more on the train. I know that just because you're standing at the front of a queue, doesn't mean that people won't try and shove in from behind you. And I know that the minute you take your paws off the handrail to change the song on your Ipod, the train will abruptly stop, sending you flying. Good times!
One of my major goals in life is to go to NYC and navigate the subway by myself. Considering I still get turn around above ground in the city I think I have a bit more practicing to do underground before I can do it!
ReplyDeleteI loved "Mind the Gap." It was such a great movie!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fabulous new header, I really need to get round to design a decent one for myself. The current one was only ever meant to be temporary.
ReplyDeleteAs for 'mind the gap', I once heard someone talking about a kid they had seen travelling in the underground that had a t-shirt on with the slogan 'f**k the gap' written on it. I thought that was rather funny.
sounds like chicago commutes.
ReplyDeletei'm hoping you'll enlighten us stateside readers on hip new english slang terms. they're always so much better than ours.
I love the word "whinge." The first time I read it in a British book, I thought it was a typo--an extra G in "whine." But now I have learned my lesson.
ReplyDeleteThat robot lady's voice is one of my favorite things about the Tube. I even have a magnet with that on it (the fact that this magnet lives on my mom's fridge clear across the country is irrelevant).
ReplyDeleteOh... public transportation. What a lovely, lovely tool.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could deal with people's armpits every day...props to you.
ReplyDeleteMy commute is not as bad as it was this time last year when I was traveling further away....
ReplyDeleteEveryday is different for me.
It's like a choose your own adventure.
Will the bus come on time?
Will the T actually stop at my stop or will it run "express" and fly right past me...
You just never know.
Love love the new header...
There's changes a foot at WTF Have I Done.
Keep your eyes peeled.
I'm also in a city where public transportation leaves a lot to be desired. Count yourself lucky that you have a decent train system!
ReplyDeletePublic transit is a good thing, and actually, I think London does pretty well. But yes, there's a whole culture associated with it, and it takes some getting used to.
ReplyDeleteSoon you'll know the people on your regular trains, and you'll know where to stand to get their seats when they get off before you do.
At least you've got trains. All we have in Tulsa are buses. And if you happen to live in west Tulsa (which I do) and work in south Tulsa (which I also do), the only way to take the bus to work is to leave two hours early, walk a mile and a half to catch the bus to a low-income housing project where you have to change buses, sit on a bench in the 'hood under the open sky for 20 minutes waiting for the next bus into south Tulsa, and then walk another mile or so from the bus stop in south Tulsa to the office.
ReplyDeleteAnd they can't figure out why we have an ozone problem in Tulsa....
Commuting brings out the worst in people, I know.
ReplyDeleteBefore long you will be like a local and you'll wonder why you ever caught the tube from Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus. Oh yeh - it's a 3 minute walk or a 10 minute down into the tube, the one stop West and then up into the daylight again. If you haven't done it, keep your eyes on the tourists - they do it all the time!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the busses. They give you a great view and if you just know a few major destinations (take your A-Z) you can travel around from one to another for ages for the cost of a day pass! Get on and off whenever you please. Beats the roof free tourist version every time.
The no9 (double check - I was there a long time ago) from Victoria station is a goodie - travels via Westminster Cathedral, Big Ben, Trafalgar Sq, Fleet Street and St Pauls. Magic. Finishes at Liverpool St I think... Petticoat Lane market is there - Sat or Sunday - also worth a look.
Ahh... the subway life. It's definitely an experience!
ReplyDeleteI still feel somewhat deprived when NYC transit says, "Watch the Gap." It's like the poor cousin of London.
Wow you’re sounding like a Londoner already & you’re getting that cynical edge down patt! Soon you will be shoving with the best of them! LOL Seeya hugya *G*
ReplyDeleteThe worst thing about the bus system in Providence was the crowded-ness of the buses! I dreaded going home and lugging a suitcase and backpack on there...I always toppled over in some way!
ReplyDeleteGreat banner! I didn't even know about it, since I am a slave to my Google Reader. I'm glad you mentioned it so I could come over and bask in its stylishness :D
ReplyDeleteHere in DC, we have the Metro system. It's actually a pretty great system, and thankfully, they're building a stop a mile away from our condo. So convenient!
ReplyDeleteSo jelus... I want to be in London too!
ReplyDeleteI love the crazies on the tube, so much fun. And the drunks! They are fun too.
My flatmate in London had three massive glasses of wine one night after we had been shopping for a bike helmet for her. She proceeded to wear bike helmet on the tube and "test" it on the doors. She never was much of a drinker.
Good times.
you are definitely a local if you which doors to stand at :) I am militant about that!
ReplyDeletelose the new heading thing dude its ugly
ReplyDeleteMe likey! It makes my header look like crap. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I have to do to get one of these?
(PS, don't get too London-y on me, okay? There's this English chick where I work, and her accent just totally grates on me. I wonder if that's the Welsh in me coming out??)
c'mon children mind the gap
ReplyDeletenow i'll be singing counting crows all night
love ya
The header really is awesome. Nice.
ReplyDeleteChicago just figures you know the gap is there. We have no warnings. Except that the doors are closing, usually on you because the train is so packed.
ReplyDeleteI miss my train commuting days. Only because traffic in the car is so irritating to my nerves.
I've been meaning to tell you I do love the new head. Kudos to Emily! Like any confusing and great subway system, you'll be doing it with your eyes closed soon enough!
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous new header!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in a larger city before I used to take public transportation all the time but it really can be a pain in the butt!
ReplyDeleteOuch ... Love the one where someone said to lose it .. it is ugly. hmmm... feel free to go back to the old design if you'd like... I promise I wont be offended.
ReplyDelete