God Rant Ye Merry Gentlemen

The fact that they spent almost a billion pounds doing up Birmingham New Street Station but still cant cope with Christmas so they employ people to stand at the stairs telling you to walk on the left and also have "step behind the yellow line" police on platforms.

Got my first christmas card on friday, think that was a first, cards in November.

When the couple who always sent us a “we have done all these wonderful things” newsletter split up I was like “oh that’s sad but I TOLD you the whole of their life wasn’t as perfect as those pictures! At least now we won’t get the annoying newsletter”....I spoke too soon, we now get separate newsletters from them, as if vying for who has the most perfect year....!!!!

Now off to find a Christmas card for Peggs!  

And there was I, TallPaul, thinking you'd be cracked up by my story.

The jury's still out on that one. A split decision maybe?

I was in the Dorking Waitrose earlier this PM, having done a modest walk (first time since I've had a very tenacious virus so thought I had better keep the distance down as the hills provide sufficient challenge) and was looking forward to my "free" coffee before catching my train home - for which initially I had ample time.

Alas, the 2 hot drink machines are situated at opposite ends of the store; one was doing a prolonged cleaning cycle and the other had run out of milk and all the staff were busy doing other things. Frustrated customers were going back and forth, clutching part-filled cups but I did eventually track down someone who could help. However, when I had the temerity to say that I was now pushed for time to catch my train, another customer reproved me, saying "it's a free service, you know". I didn't bother explaining that I'm sure the cost is factored in elsewhere and that Waitrose wouldn't be offering it if it didn't more than pay for itself; wish I'd had the nerve to ask the lady if she had travelled there by car, as I strongly suspect, and therefore wasn't at the mercy of Sunday trains.

Which is a cue for a rant about people who think that the "free" part means the "service" part doesn't matter. A service remains a service whether you pay for it or not.

I'm somebody who would like any mention of Christmas to be banned from shops for every day of the year apart from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day. I've never really enjoyed Christmas, even as a child when I'd look forward to it then always end up disappointed. I therefore gave up looking forward to it years ago & now regard it with a species of dread. I particularly detest having to lie about being pleased to receive presents that are almost never what I want.