Categories: just-life
Date: 13 January 2009 23:48:33
While I'm not really an old man I am most certainly a grumpy young man. Today there has been loads for me to get grumpy about.
It could be about the PC brigrade getting their knickers in a twist over a three year old video of the spare-heir using what some deem an offensive word. I say some because certainly when I was in school the word "paki" was used. By everyone. Including those of pakistani origin. To add fire to the flames it seems that one of Prince Charles' ethnic friends is known as "Sooty". While he (the friend) doesn't mind this there was an MP on the tv just now saying that that isn't the point. Afterall there might be someone else who would find it offensive.
But that's not what has really bugged me today...
There was also news about the muppets that are Greenpeace buying a field hoping to stop (well slow down) the building of the third runway/terminal six at Heathrow. I remember all the fuss on the tv over Twyford Down and how did that finish?? The M3 was still joined up. If the Government does decide to give the go ahead to the extension it will be built. Probably over buget/late, mainly down to the protesters but let's face it, they won't get the blame!! And yes, considering that Heathrow has been an airport since World War One I do have limited sympathy for those that live anywhere near and then complains!!
But that's not what has really bugged me today...
What has really bugged me today was the opening of the ticket gates at Waterloo Station. Anyone who has travelled around London on the Unerground will have met them. They are the area of the station where you get all the queues as people struggle to get their tickets to work in the machine, or even block the gate as they hunt for their ticket. A typical twelve car commuter train might very well be discharging eight to nine hundred people. All of whom are madly dashing to work. All of whom are now coming up to these barriers and get having to wait their turn to get through.
But it's OK as SWT have told us that these barriers are they for OUR convenience. How on earth is being held up OUR CONVENIENCE??? What it really comes down to is they (SWT) can't be bothered to check passenger tickets while on the train and so effectively make us self-check our own tickets. This is of course after raising fares yet again...
Tomorrow I'm driving into London which will no doubt give me plenty else to grumble about (cyclists).
Nothing like a good old grump really!!