End of the Road

Today’s guardian looks at the history of the Routemaster buses running in London, which will probably soon be replaced by more modern double deckers and continental “bendy buses”. One conductor heralded that she had never seen anyone fall off the back of one of her buses in 25 years. Small comfort for my friend John Kiff, who stumbled over and was flung out of the bus headwards onto Shepherds Bush gyratory. 12 stiches later he was nursing a very sore head. They are as much a part of London as much as Big Ben and the wheel, but they are cramped, dirty and can be dangerous to your own personal wellbeing…. Sorry John.

cars

I’ve just travelled from my house in Reading to London, collected my bike and returning using only public transport (and human energy) in about 1hour30. I doubt anyone has ever acheived similar using their gas-guzzling automobile. People don’t seem to realise how expensive it is to run a car. When considering what you use a car for – the shopping, popping up to the petrol station to buy some milk or a newspaper, dropping the kids off at school 1/2 mile down the road; think – is it really necessary? I agree that there are times when cars are cheaper and necessary, travelling in groups for example. So why are there so many single drivers with no passengers, have they not thought of signing up to lifeshare or nationalcarshare. Public transport isn’t fantastic but when it works, it works well – your life may not be so hectic but are those extra journeys really necessary on the environment as well as your pocket?
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I’m thinking about September 11.

I’m thinking about September 11. Well obviously the anniversary is coming up next week, the press/media/world is taking interest in Iraq and there are still the Middle East issues to ‘resolve’. The reasons and hatred behind it may be hard for us Westerners to fathom out, but having watching a documentary on Channel 4 this evening about a man who’s dined with both Osama and Tony, and having listened to views of Muslims, i began to understand that people do think differently. I was initially taken aback by the comments from the Osama-loving Muslims who adore the man behind the WTC bombings. But then the reporter travelled to see the suffering of the Palestinians – and you can see where passionate feelings like these come from. Whatever your view on the situation, the barren landscape of the Jenin refugee camp, the petrified faces of the human beings who can recite their own tales of September 11 tragedy every day of their lives, made me reflect for a moment. You would think there would be more to life than religious hatred but for some that is their life and nothing else comes remotely close to it. Nobody needs war… it helps no-one and if it is all for oil then….

#Go, take a ride out

#Go, take a ride out with the dogs tonight, in Suburbia# – as more and more of my friends start turning into sad 30 somethings before their time the Pet Shop Boys track normally rings quite true. But it’s a natural progression for most of us without even realising it. The hedonistic, halycon days of University are forever gone however long we try to hold onto it. I’m more of a “raver” now than I ever was at University, but this morning I got excited about the Guardian dropping through my letterbox…. 260 weeks until I’m thirty. Best go and order my power drill and lawnmower while I still have the chance.

So i’ve finally moved to

So i’ve finally moved to glorious Reading. Having commuted from London for nearly a year (on bike, train, bus and foot) – I decided it was time to move somewhere slightly closer. So now I have the joy of being 15 minutes walk from work (or 5 on bike when I get another wheel fitted after it was stolen from Paddington Station in London). I’m realising the benefits already (alright, staying in work until this time is not one of them) – but I can have breakfast, read the paper and reflect on the day ahead. Of course being able to watch Kilroy and Neighbours are by far the greatest things to happen in my life for a long time…