On my way to Maryland station minding my own business when in the distance t saw a .........
F****** FOX!
I carried on walking determined not to be 'out foxed' by IT!
Why should I have to move out of its way?
I am woman!
I am strong!
I am brave!
On second thought............
I crossed over and vowed to be all the above next time!
LUCKY FOR IT!

Sir Steven Redgrave did the honour of lighting the Olympic flames before individually lighting seven torches, each held by young British athletes waiting to take their place in the scheme of things in years to come

Mohammed Ali brought tears to my eyes...... In his days as 'The Greatest"........
He did
 'Float like a butterfly"
"Sting like a bee"
He was 'The Greatest!"

Two hundred and four nations under one roof........ WOW!

Great Britain......finally!
I know.......I was going to bed........but how can I not see our boys and girls.....GO TEAM GB!

Chinese Taipei
Tajistan
United Republic of Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Lese
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Then someone announced fifteen minutes before Team GB........F*** this......I'm of to bed mate!

St Kitts and N......

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

San Marino

Sao Tome ......

Saudi Arabia 

Senegal...... all over six feet tall!

Serbia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname

Swaziland

Sweden

Switzerland

Syrian Arab Republic

Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda

Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar

Oman

Namibia

Niairu

Nepal

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Norway

Madigaska????

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Federated States of ......

Republic of Moldavia

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambic

M????

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

L

Lithuania

Luxembourg 

Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakzan
Kenya
Kiribas
Republic of Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgiztan

Iceland
Independent Athletes under the Olympic flag
India
Indonesia
Islamic Republic of Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy

Haiti

Honduros

Hong Kong, China

Hungary

Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Busal
Guyana

Finland

Former Yugoslavia Republic......

France

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guninea

Estonia

Ethiopia

Fiji

Democratic People's of Korea

Democratic Republic of ........

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
People's Republic of China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote D'Voire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic

Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovia
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Daruss......
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi

Here comes the athletes.......
Greece
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
America Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan

Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean, playing 'The Chariots of Fire" on the piano......LOVE HIM!

21:29.......The queen has just parachuted......yes, parachuted with James Bond into Stratford........ HILARIOUS!

21:00.......... The time for the biggest show has just began!
And where am I?
Behind the security of home, after taking the advice of the voice coming from the loud speaker...... "Ladies and gentlemen, if you want to see the ceremony I would advice you to either go and watch it on your television or go to Stratford Park!"
And as I didn't fancy doing the latter, I went home

The serenity that I felt along Leytonstone High Road soon disappeared as we ventured nearer to Stratford station
The human traffic was paramount, every inch of pavement was covered by a sea of bodies.

In my excitement of the Olympic opening ceremony, I decided to take a stroll towards Stratford station ..........boy was it one of my worst decisions !
Why? you may ask......... the stroll on Leytonstone High Road was rather pleasant, hardly any traffic, both on the road and on the pavement. The air is warm and a tad humid!
The Olympic village seemed a million miles away

I've just seen the inside of the Olympic village......WOW! Very impressive, a tailored 'Manmade' village, with all facilities........ to cater for all the athletes, their managers, trainers and friends WOW!........is an understatement

It's been seven years in the making.....,. Some say 'Yes' whilst some still have reservations

Bells all over Britain, both big and small, rang for three minutes to welcome this evening's opening ceremony of the 'Greatest show' in town

I heard on Sky News that American's first lady, Michelle Obama is here giving moral support to Team USA.........In my opinion...... They b***** well need it!

I'm not quite sure who will be doing the honour of lighting the Olympic flame but the public have been told of five possibilities;
* The Queen
* Sir Steven Redgrave
* Sir Roger Bannister
 * Daley Thompson
* David Beckham
In my opinion, I would let the Queen do the honours, after all, it's her 'Year'

The Olympic torch has done its round It made its first passung through Stratford last Saturday, twenty-first of July - it was carried by a British triple jumper, Phillip Idowu, who is also a resident of the borough (London Borough of Newham) The torch did its round through the London borough of Greenwich Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest before returning to Stratford for its final role.......

I am lucky to be based in Stratford and privileged to be right in the forefront of the Olympic Village. The 2012 Olympics has finally began..... And without saying, the olympic games was welcomed by 'RAIN' It just wouldn't be British without our unpredictable weather!

08:46.......... Message on platform one's information board reads....... 08:57 CANCELLED.......Doh!
Some lame excuse was then heard from the tannoy........something about 'failed signal line'
F***! F***! F***!
The working week hasn't even started!

08:30...... Out through the front gate and into the arms of Mother Nature. The sun is shining brightly and a slight breeze brushes against my checks as I begin my solitary walk to Maryland station, stopping only to top up my oyster card
"Good morning, may I have a top up for zone one to three please"
"Just put your oyster here" he pointed at a gadget in front of him....... I did so
He tapped on his machine, I handed over the cash and in return he hands me my now charged oyster and a receipt
"Thank you" I said
"Have a good day" He said
"You too"

Today was the film screening of 'Bloom in the Moonlight' directed by Shinichiro Sawai, a romantic Japanese love story (in subtitles) set in Japan and Germany about two young Japanese pianist....... A tad too long for my liking!
One business was heard snnooorrrring!

Tonight's outing at the Japanese Embassy - saw two films;
1) Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture, focusing on the local fishery industry which was restored by selling locally caught fish over the Internet 
2) this film features footage of various festivals concentrating on one specific festival in Rikuzentakata City
A festival that only took place months after the earthquake and tsunami because of the determination of the community

20:17....... On the Jubilee Line from Green Park to Stratford station
The carriage is slightly full as it heads towards Westminster station, Waterloo, Southwark.........

I'm sat between two young women, both  wearing jeans, one reading the free Evening Standard
I see gadgets of all sorts everywhere 
The gadgets are taking over the asylum me thinks!

"The next station is London Bridge, change for the Northern line and National services" booms a female voice on the tannoy 
Next stop is Bermondsey then Canada Water, change for London overground, canary Wharf, change fir the DLR North Greenwich, Canning Town, West Ham and our final destination, Stratford 
"Please mind the closing doors" a posh male voice injects his concerned instructions at every stop when the carriage doors start to close 
Another posh male voice thanks us for "travelling on the Jubilee line........ No f****** choice mate!
And he reminds us in the next breathe to "take your belonging with you"

17:25........ On the Central line, Liverpool Street underground station  going to Oxford Circus. Carriage was barely full until we stopped at  St Paul's when a flock of commuters embarked ......... Now the carriage is PACKED!
I'm sat next to a female shedder........ Shedder of her f****** hair!
She probably thought she was at the hairdressers ........ Three stops later and she's still PULLING OUT HER F****** HAIR!
There's more hair on the floor than in her HEAD!
Oxford Circus......... Yes!

Liverpool Street station is in sight, slowly but surely, the train screeches nearer to its end destination......

08:46...... The train arrives, stops in front of me and opens its hungry mouth, letting all the the Marylanders in....... And, Shuting firmly behind me, makes its way towards Stratford station
I am sat next to a woman listening to her music throug her earplugs and a woman sat opposite me has her head down reading via her kindle
The train is warily quiet!
The sun seeps in and warms me up

08:44....... I wait patiently for the Greater Anglia eight forty five train to arrive

08:40........."The train at platform one does not stop here, please stand well clear of the edge of platform one"
You don't need to tell THAT!
Mind you...... The train 'whizzes' past sooooo slowly, you'd be forgiven if you thought otherwise....... Speedy Gonzales? He'll no!

17:30.......Liverpool Street underground station, Central line to Oxford Circus, change for the Victoria Line to Green Park
Met DOS man outside the station and walked together to the Japanese Embassy
Why?
We were invited to Tohoku special film screening of Fukushima Hula Girls
A great film to commemorate the first Annuversary of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami
A very moving film that showed the spirit of a nation, in solidarity, with hope, faith and strength to look forward

I'm on the seventeen ten and all I can hear is a man shouting at his mobile
"He's coming is he?"
"He's coming is he?"
"oh! He's come has he?"
For f*** sake........ Too much information!
Ok! My mind is in the gutter....... I'm coming out of the zone and back being a lady

"We're sorry for the late running of the Greater Anglia train to Cambridge. This is due to animals on the line"
That's an original excuse, if there ever was one!
"Greater Anglia appoligises for the late running and the inconvenience caused"
Yeah right! I bet you f****** are!

08:50 Greater Anglia train to London Liverpool Street station........ From Maryland station
After weaving my way through the 'little' people I was not happy to be in a carriage of more 'little' people accompanied by a couple of their teachers!
Like a gaggle of birds, their voices penetrated throughout the carriage.......
Where's the remote controller when you need it?
"Shut the f*** up! You little horrors
You're f****** doing my head in
HEAD F***** is an understatement

Half way to London Heathrow airport the tannoy is heard
"Is there a doctor on the plane?"
'Man down'........ I guess
A few 'nosey' passengers in the front row are up, like Jumping Jacks' straining their necks to see what was happening
I refused to do the same, after all I'm not a doctor nor can I assist......... so why stare at someone in discomfort?
I didn't 'rubber necked' the incident but I later notice an elderly man with a 'gas and air' mask on.
Air staff were all over the place, going back and forth, calming, I must add.

Once landed, we kept waiting for a while until the ambulance crew arrived.

I overdosed on the TV entertainment 
J Edgar Hoover..... with Leonardo DiCaprio 
Dexter, series six (one to three)
An episode of 'Friends'
A film with Robert DeNiro, Clive Owen and another actor whose first name escaped me.....Streatham, I think that's his surname   

An announcement for "Passengers to queue for boarding
DOS man was nowhere to be seen, so I gather both laptops (in their bags), a bag full of duty free goods, my wide hat, a jacket, a coat and mustered my way, heavily laden, to join the already growing queue and waited.......... Moved along, and waited......... And waited for DOS man to appear
I am now in panic mode as the 'Departure' board flashes.......
'FINAL CALL"
" I'm sorry to bother you...... I'm flying with my husband and he hasn't returned yet. Can you call him on the tannoy please?"
"MR DOS MAN........ (as you can see....... All names have been changed to protect the innocents).......Please return to gate two where you wife is waiting for you to board flight CX253 to London Heathrow ( She forgot to also say......... "Along with the shears to cut your balls off!")

The morning after our return from Phonm Penh, DOS man booked two days of activities........
Tonight is dinner, dancing and cruise on the river and tomorrow, a day at Pattaya beach, swimming and sunbathing galore

Our return to Hong Kong was not as pleasant as the first time round
Pea souper comes to mind but alas it's not Mother Nature but 'Man made fog' due to polution
I was also stopped by immigration.........
Picture this......
Just gone through the 'Transfer' route and oblivious to what was ahead, a little man of Hong kong descent stopped me in mid step
"Passport! Passport!
By this time DOS man was three passengers ahead of me......... With my passport
I put one foot in front of the other and was just about to call him.........
"Passport! Passport! Retorted the little man, his left hand outstretched, preventing my passing
I pointed at DOS man and said.......
"My husband has my......... And before I could finish my sentence, a even tinier, little woman  of Hong kong descent jumped out of nowhere, at my right side
"Passport! Passport!" She mimicked a fellow countryman
I now have two little 'Munchkins' blocking my way
For s split second, I thought I was going to be the cause of 'World War 111'
" She's my wife........ I have her passport!"
DOS  man to my rescue only now they had both of us in their sight
"Passport! Passport!...... For you too!"
So there we were, both handing our passport for scrutiny!
Yes.........Scrutiny!
Out came this tiny microscope....... And not a wonder passed their lips nor ours as our passports were inspected..........with a fine tooth comb......... To be returned with no 'PLease' or 'Thank you'
"Thank you" said DOS man
I uttered no words....... No words were deserved
In my world........
The initial 'Passport! Passport!' would have been a 'Hung' 'Drawn' and 'Quartered' action

The following day we visited the 'Genocide Museum' to see photographs of every Cambodian victim, inhuman torture, the interrogation rooms, all documented by their killers...... monsters of this atrocity.......
An atrocity inflicted by Cambodians to their fellow Cambodians
The Tuoi Sleng Genocide Museum.

We visited  the 'Killing fields' in Phonm Penh did an audio tour of the Choeung Ek Genocide Centre
The field was numbered..... One to nineteen and each numbered stop had a story to tell
The horrific history of this genocide begun on April seventeen nineteen seventy fivr when Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge marched into Phomn Penh
There are several mass graves spread around; four hundred and fifty victims here, one hundred and sixtysix victims without heads, over there, the Killing Tree, a glass box with victims' bones and teeth and another glass box with victims' clothing
So much to take in........ How can mankind be so cruel to each other?
on their own people

During our holiday, we've arranged to add another country
We're flying out to Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Savunbhumviu airport
Why?
We're visiting an English friend and his Cambodian wife and baby
A special trip to the 'Killing fields' is in the itinerary 

We arrived late in the evening and made our way to our hotel, the Indra Regent Hotel
The receptionist welcomed us, clasping her hands together like in a prayer and bowing slightly
We mimick the gesture 
"You have been upgraded to an executive suite" She said in broken English
"Smoking or nonsmoking?" 
"Nonsmoking pleased"
"Double bed or two singles?"
"Double please"
So far, so good

We are now eight hours ahead of the UK and at least twenty five degrees hotter!
The heat of Bangkok slapped me across the face as I made my exit to street level
This city is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in Southeast Asia
It feels like I'm revisiting an old friend, this is my third visit to Bangkok but my fourth visit to Thailand

Just over two hours later we arrive at Savunbhumviu airport I enter the arrival lounge proceeded to the moving carosal to retrieve my luggage and from there bound the shuttle train form Savunbhumviu train station to our hotel

We touched down in Hong Kong safely.
With only two hours before boarding for our final destination, I wondered through the many duty free shops to while away the hours
There are so many people from Asia: Hong Kong, Thailand, China et al
I felt like 'the only gay in the village'
There were many with white surgical mask over their mouths
Me thinks......'Doctors' with white surgical face masks............ Or just health freaks, scared of germs (their own shadows too!)
Welcome to HONG KONG!

I've just found out that our first port of call, Hong Kong, is eleven hours (and if you're being anal........ and three minutes)

There's plenty of leg room.......I LIKE!
The menu has been handed to me and I take a gander at the choices:
Dinner
Three bean and cabbage salad (for starter)
And a choice of three mains:
Lemon and ginger chicken with steamed rice, pak chit and carrots........ Nope!
Pollack fish with red pepper sauce, mashed potatoes and broccoli ......... You Bet!
Duo of tomato and pea risotto and grilled vegetables........ Sorry, already made up my mind

This is followed by dessert:
Beachdean ice cream

Tea or coffee

My mouth is watering!

I watched:
Two films
The Kings Speech......... Nope! Seen it
Black Swan....................Nope! Seen it
50/50..........
Timeless............Nope! Seen it

Three episodes of 'Two and a half men' with Ashton Kushner
Talk about 'Hell has no fury like a Director scorned!'
What am I talking about?
Well........ The first episode starting with Charlie's (Charlie Sheen) funeral which was attending by his many girlfriends, their main purpose being to make sure he was really DEAD!
His death is also gruesome....... Decapitated by a train (he certainly was 'pushed' by the Director......no way for Charlie to return)
I listened to;
Sade
Dolly Parton
Barbara Streisand 
Whitney Houston
Then sleep came knocking at my door.........
Sssnnnnooozzzz!

We're flying with Cathay Pacific........first time but I hear it's a good airline to fly with (as you can gather, this is our first time with Cathay Pacific)
We're off to Thailand, Bangkok to be exact. From there we're hopping to do some Island hoping before flying to Cambodia to visit a friend and his family
Our journey begins at Heathrow Terminal 3 then a stop at Hong Kong before heading to Bangkok

I ordered Welsh rabbit and had a glass of apple juice.
At the bar, Southern Comfort and Lemonade was ordered, to wash down the Welsh rabbit. This was down followed by a double, neat, Southern Comfort..........I meant to start the holiday mode from here........onward and forward eh!

She proceeds to force feed us with what's available.......
'Blah!" Blah!" "Blah!"
Why "Blah!"  "Blah!" "Blah!"?
It's all "Groundhog Day!" We are told this every time we use the airport lounges
We smile and are too polite to interrupt
In my world..........
F****** hell, I know you're only doing your job, but PLEASE! Can you not tell that I use the lounges ALL THE TIME?
Now........just hand back my B***** card and go speak to someone that F****** cares
"I am so sorry........... I should have know this wasn't your first time"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

After arriving at Heathrow Terminal 3 with plenty of hours, we checked in and make our way to No1 Lounge Bedrooms and Spas
"Good afternoon Sir, Good afternoon Madame......may I have your cards please"
"Good afternoon" DOS man replies, handing the young female staff his card
I had mine in my hand and was waiting patiently to hand mine over
"Thank you sir" she said to DOS
She had a book in front of her and she started to take notes, details from DOS man's card
Silence
She returns it to him and with a smile thanked him again
She looked at me and with outstretched, took my card from me.
"Thank you Madame"
More silence then.......
"Thank you Madame"
"Thank you" I said now replacing my card into my wallet and then my handbag

09:23........ Waiting on platform one for the nine twenty six Greater Anglia train to London Liverpool Street station
Train arrives on time and stops a couple of yards away from me
The door opens and.......
Imbeciles stuffed in the middle aisle leaving an empty gap in the gangway!
"Please can you move along so I can get in"
Shuffle! Shuffle! Shuffle!
"Thanks"
Silence all around........ Apart from the music barring out of the man standing beside me
Not a great start to the day eh!

On arrival at London Liverpool Street station I went through the barrier and up the steps to Bishopsgate and stood in front of me, with his arms outstretched was a young man
"can I have a free hug for Valentine Day?"
I looked around and realised that he was directing the question at me
There were several young man and women wearing white T-shirt with a slogan across it
"Ok....... Here you go"
We hugged
"Can I ask you a question?
Here we go
"Yes?"
"What do you think of Valentine Day?"
"I love it! But I've really got to dash!"
That killed the conversation

Happy Valentine to you all!

Headed sleepily downstairs for my morning ritual of power showering
Passing through the lounge sluggishly I perked up suddenly
Why?
On the table were a multitude of gifts
I walk closer, rubbing the sleep from my eyes
A bottle of my poison ......... Baileys!
A bouquet of Fushais
A Valentine card
And a box of chocolates
YES.........
It's Valentine's Day!
I rushed back upstairs and gave DOS man a huge hug and planted kisses all over his face
"Happy Valentine sweetie"
"Happy Valentine sweetheart"
We hugged and kissed more and then I went back to doing what I always do every working day.......
Shower
Power dress
Face on
Coffee
Then door slammed behind me

18:30....... I'm sat waiting for my eighteen forty five class to commence. In the meanwhile I peruse through 'The Concise Light on Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar

18:10........ Heading towards a well deserved yoga class via Liverpool Street underground to Bethnal Green station
On arrival of the train I squeezed mysel in the overcrowded carriage
And thought to myself........ 'This is the reason why I use the 'Greater Anglia' train instead of suffering the underground and its cattle esk travelling!

10:02........ On the Greater Anglia train on Platform three to London Liverpool Street station
The train is busy but most disembark at Stratford
I'm assuming their off to Westfield

Whitney Houston passed away yesterday at the age of forty eight!
A sad lost to........her daughter
A sad lost to........her family including her famous cousin, Dionne Warick, who was on The Jonothan Ross' show lastnight
A sad lost to........the music industry
A sad lost to........her fans!
RIP WHITNEY HOUSTON
Like one of your songs asks.......
Where do broken hearts go?
They make their way home to our FATHER above

08:00....... Alarm goes off, waking me up from a deep sleep
Why so early on a Sunday?
An 'EXTRA' audition...... My very first...... Fingers cross eh!
I showered and as I dressed and put my face on I heard the sad news of Whitney Houston's passing

I'm sat at a two by two which included two other women and one man
The man is multi tasking (something that the new generation of men a capable of doing
The two women are friends chatting nine to the dozen
The talk about 'having headaches' missing 'Top gear'
"Oh my God! I do wanted to see Matt LaBlanc!"
They talk about yesterday's snow and the diffuculty of driving in it and so on and so on.......Ssssssnnnooozzzzz

17:38........ Just boarding the seventeen forty East Anglia train from platform seventeen going to Shenfield calling at:
Stratford, Maryland, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Gidea Park, Harold Wood, Brentwood before its final destination, Shenfield

09:35........ The train arrives at its final destination, London Liverpool Street station

9:23.......... Waiting on platform one for the 'Greater Anglia train to London Liverpool Street calling at Stratford'
Around me I can see specks of snow..... Reminisce of the weekend five inches of snow
The train arrives and once again I Nearl didn't get on!
Why?
Ask those selfish commuters who won't MOVE!
"Can you move along please..... There's plenty of room for one more"
Shuffle! Shuffle! Shuffle!
Seconds later I squeeze in
"Thank you"
And off we go

A headline in the free London paper the 'Metro'........
'Misery brings Britain to a standstill!'
NO! REALLY?
First time EVER!
Can you sense the sarcasm in my voice?
Anyway......... I'm on the National Express train to London Liverpool Street station and I'm wondering how many 'can't get to work because of the snow' excuse is being used today?

Whilst walking through Brick Lane, I pass a cafe and something that I read amused me
What?
A blackboard sign outside the cafe...........
'A free STD test with every coffee'
That's telling a tale........ A very sad tale of how London has evolved!

19:55....... Sitting in a carriage of A National Express train to Shenfield at platform sixteen
The train is scheduled to leave at twenty hundred on the dot

17:16........Heading towards platform sixteen for the seventeen twenty to Gidea Park station
I had planed to stop at Stratford Westfield after work but have thought otherwise
Why?
My Achilles heal has been playing up all day....... Excruciating..... To be exact
So bad that I nearly 'MUGGED' an elderly man of his walking stick....... He would probably have caught up with me in the state I'm in!

The driver informs us that we are........
"In a queue for a platform at London Liverpool Street station!
"Nooooooooo!"

"The train now arriving on platform one is the......"
The female voice on the tannoy made me speed down the station steps...... In time to board the...
"........ The National Express train to London Liberpool Street calling at Stratford"
And in next to no time
" The train arriving at Platform five is the blah! blah! blah!......."
Stratford station came and went
The carriage is quite apart from one male commuter seated a few seats behind me
"Yeah, where are you now?" talking loudly on his mobile..... Then his voice becomes inaudible
Why?
The man sitting opposite me is chewing loudly!

I am unfortunate in my choice of seating tonight
Why?
I'm sat next to a sniffer
'Sniff! Sniff! Sniff! Followed by coughs now a blow of the nose!
Should have stayed home instead of spreading your f****** germs mate!

17:07........through the barrier and straight onto the seventeen ten train towards Maryland station then bus to the dentist
It's not quite dark yet so I guess Spring is whispering in the air

On arriving at London Liverpool Street station, I decided to take a detour towards Boots.....just to check up on Rimmel foundation make-up and ended up picking up a Revlon 'foam' foundation instead.......picked up the 'tester' for my colouring and pressed lightly.............
Without notice the 'small' liquid FOAMED into a HUGE BALL.........like an infectious bulbous spot it continued to GROW!
Like 'The Hunchback of Notredame........my hand looked as if it had its one hunchback.......'The Hunch(back) hand of Liverpool Street station!!!
I look around for assistance
"Excuse me please, sorry to bother you.......I was wondering if you have any tissues" I said to a male staff
"Up on the counter" he replied, pointing behind me
I turned round and spotted a box of tissues and .......
"Thank you"
"That's ok" he replied
Red faced.......I begin to wipe off the foam which was for ever increasing on the back of my left hand, quickly exiting   

09:16.......... I managed to get on the train, standing room only .......managing to secure a seat after the Stratford commuters disembarked.
I am sat next to a gentleman and opposite, were two commuters, a man and a woman......sitting apart
Then a young woman joins us
"Excuse me please" she said to the man and woman......before sitting between them
The woman, who was reading her free 'Metro' newspaper, looked up with a stern look on her face........said nothing but FLICKED her newspaper LOUDLY in annoyance!
Some people!

09:05..........Mentally said 'bye' to my warm home and begrudgingly made my way to the door. Mother Nature is playing tricks this morning
Why?
Well.......the sun is out but it's b***** freezing!
I slammed the door behind me and double wrapped my scarf round my neck and secured my gloves and fur hat.
I made my way to Maryland station, taking the shortcut, back streets, finally ending on Leytonstone High Street. The road is reasonably cleared.......no 'little menances' on the pavement 

I was texted some bad news this morning
An ex of yesteryear has passed away!
It may have been a long time ago when we first met at Stratford Theatre Royal (myself and a friend had gone to see a play at the theatre and Colin was in it)
We got chatting during the interval and it went from there. Six months relationship developed and he always had time for every fan that stopped to talk to him, be it in the pub or restuarant
He had a kind soul and always spoke about his son (he was a young boy at the time)
He was the first one to introduce me to the Bermondsey area)
Colin Tarrant, what can I say..........
It was nice to have met and known you
RIP x

We arrive at Stratford station at eight forty eight and proceeded to the next and final destination, London Liverpool Street station, stopping for a split second to let another train pass by
We arrive, according to the driver, 'on time' at London Liverpool Street station......
All change!

08:42......... Finally made it to Maryland station and now waiting for the eight forty five
08:45......... The National Express to London Liverpool street station arrives on time, stops, opens its mouth fresh with Monday morning freshness about it
I am sat beside a middle aged woman reading from her Kindle e-reader (just like mine)
Opposite us are cummiters of the opposite sex. One has his arms folded and in Noddy land, the other is wrapped up in hat, gloves and scarfe

Today, Saturday twenty eigth of Janurary twenttwelve is Holocaust Memorial  Day
The holocaust happened in Germany during a time of economic depression and because certain behaviours were tolerated, even encouraged
It didn't just affect people of the Jewish faith
The Nazi Regime encouraged discrimination against many of the groups we now consider as 'Protected' under the law, for example; people with disabilities or differing races
We all have a duty to create a safe place to work and live 

On my way to London Liverpool Street station I noticed a 'Vintage' shop and popped in for a rammage
Don't get me wrong, I do love rammaging through old designer classic fashion wear..... But I wouldn't call all of them 'vintage' more 'secondhand'

On second thought....... Maybe not!

I'm wondering........ If I told a little lie by serving as my own.......

Stopped at Troy Bar situated at 10 Hoxton Street London N1 6NG
Why?
I treating the family with a West Indian takeaway supper tonight:
Jerk chicken
Curry goat
Steam fish
All served with seasoned rice and peas, sweet plantain and salad
Troy Bar also has Live Latin Fusion, Salsa, Samba and Calypso night and many more

An apology for the late running of the train was passed on by the driver
NOT F***^^^ ACCEPTED MATE!

An empty train whizzes by from platform three
And as I was loosing faith with National Express...... The same annoucement filters through the tannoy...... The arrival of the 'eight forty five' finally arrives at eight fifty seven
Twelve f****** minutes LATE!
I remember my yoga breathing technic and begin to slowly breath in, slowly breath out
Stratford station has past by.....slowly breath in, slowly breath out
I'm sat sandwiched between two male commuters who are speaking a language I don't recognise.......slowly breath in, slowly breath out
London Liverpool Street station is in sight.........slowly breath in, slowly breath out!

08:35...... Delayed and arriving at eight forty four
It arrived alright but alas...... No room at the inn!
"There's two more on its way" said the train driver, his head sticking out of the now closed and ready to go train
8:47......... Two (non stopping)trains have passed
The b****^ driver LIED!!!
Another non- stopping train goes by then......
"The next train on platform one is the eight forty five" a female voice via the tannoy
"I don't f****** think so!"
And just has the announcement end...... TWO...... Yes! Two b**** trains whiz by!

Sods law....... I'm on the train that's not moving
I see two other trains leave 
A sudden outburst came from a middle-aged woman standing opposite me
"I don't f****** believe it!" she sighed loudly as the first train leaves its platform 
"B***** hell!" she puffed as another train leaves its platform 
She then gets her mobile out and begins to speak
"Hi, just to let you you that I'm having an awful journey..... What with problem at Epping now the f****** train at Stratford refuses to barge. Just one more........ For that final nail in the f****** coffin!"

08:34............ Waiting for the eight thirty five
08:35........ Train arrives, standing room only
I got off at Stratford and after alighting from going up the steps, going down some more steps, I make my way through barrier and join the queue to 'top up' my monthly oyster card 
Why? 
My monthly oyster card is for zone one to three and Hornchurch is zone six
"Sorry to bother you..... I'd like to top up my monthly oyster card' explaining further the reason why
"I can only top up the minimum of a fiver from here, otherwise you have to use the machines over there"
"I'd like a top up please"  
I pass a ten pound note and my oyster card through the gap and exchanged it for a five pound note, my oyster card and a receipt
"Thank you"
Through the barriers, up the steps, down the steps and onto the next available Jubilee line train from platform thirteen

08:15.......... I spent nearly five minutes with a staff member of Transport for London at Maryland station
Where the f*** do they come from?
How the hell did they manage to get this job?
"Sorry to bother you.......  I'm trying to get to Hornchurch today and I was wondering if you get give me the best route"
"Yes....... Hornchurch ...... Let me see......"
He reaches out for a train map and proceeds to open it, mumbling as he unfolds it
....... Hornchurch....... Aha!" he said, now looking up at me
...... Go to Stratford station, take the Jubilee line to West ham station, then take the district line to Hornchurch "
"Thank you"
"Or you can go to Romford and........ Or there's......
"thanks, I think I follow your first option...... Thanks again!"
And off I went....... Down the steps to platform one for the National Express train to Stratford 

Frustration at Liverpool station
Why?
For the first time since taking the National Express train.......
I see a packed concourse, commuters with heads raised up staring at the departure board
" Sorry for the delay to the National Express train due to overground cables at the Ilford area" announced the tannoy
Nnnnnooooooo!

17:00....... Left the office and brisk walked it to Liverpool station
I decided to trace the route a colleague had taken me sometime last week
Whilst at the traffic lights, I witnessed an altercation with a male driver and a male cyclist
The cyclist had touched the car by accident and.......
"What the f*** do you think you're doing?" shouts the driver sat stationed at the red traffic light
He had doubled his fist into s ball and was shaking it furiously out of his window
"Do you want me to get out of the car and........."
"Why?....... Is it because you've got a small dick?"

08:47........ On the eight forty five National Express to London Liverpool Street station
I'm sat in a carriage mainly full of men and all I can hear is.....
Blah! Blah! Blah!....... "Football"
Blah! Blah! Blah!......."ticket for the olympics"
Blah! Blah! Blah!....... "Wife wants to go to the Ideal Home Exhibition, she wants to get ideas"

9:35........ London Liverpool Street station

09:26........ On the train to Stratford then London Liverpool Street
" This is between you and me" a female commuter is heard saying on her mobile
"It's not to be repeated" she continues
"Blah! Blah! Blah!"
Now the whole of the b***** carriage know!
So I guess it's now between the female commuter, her caller and the commuters here!

The only good thing about setting off thus time of the morning is the lack of (little)people traffic.......
YES!
No ducking and diving, no bumping into prams and pushchairs

09:10...... Decided to have a lay in hence reason for just leaving my home now
I was met with rain, pounding at the door. I gave Mother Nature a stern look...... My 'We are not amused!' look

18:06...... After the announcement on the tannoy at the concourse at Liverpool Street station, I head towards platform seventeen for the 'twenty ten to Shenfield'
I am sat alone at the three by two nearest to the door
I feel the nights cold breeze against my neck
I am in a state of mild comotose after tonight's yoga class
All this....... Inhaling........ Exhaling and meditation......zzzzzzzzzz!

19:58....... Bethnal Green underground station, standing on the Central line platform waiting for the train to Liverpool Street underground station

Yoga is my practical approach to my self discovery

18:04...... I'm forty one minutes early for my yoga class
Why?
Because it's not nice being 'the late one!' having to sneak pass all of my classmates and getting a s**** space at the back of the room
I am sat on a bright orange sofa like thing in the ground, thumbing through a yoga book entitled 'Yoga..... Theory and practice for beginners and advanced students' by Inge Schops
......trying to find my quiet zone within

Because I left home slightly later, I encountered the brigade of 'Little people' on my way to Maryland station.....
When I say 'Little people' I mean 'school kids' 'brats' 'extra-terrestials!' 'Munchkins that should only be seen and not heard!'
Don't get me wrong.......I LOVE KIDS!......I just can't eat a whole one!

Although the carriage is packed, it is quiet, (one could almost hear a pin DROP!) apart from the shuffling of newspaper from the woman beside me as she turns the page over one by one.......I'm doubtful she's reading, merely looking at pictures.......In my opinion!
All around me are commuters with 'After week-end post depression' look on their faces and also in their sluggish standing/sitting position   

There are plenty of vacant seats, each one beckoning me over. I choose the one nearest to the door and sit beside a man
We arrive, next to no time, at Stratford....... The door slides open, the train spits out several commuters whilst swallowing new ones
The man besides me disembarked at Stratford and a young women replaces him..... Reading the free Metro newspaper
I glimpse at a headline.......
'Ten year old boy grows cannabis from home'
What the f****** hell is wrong with the world today!

08:43....... "The train now approaching platform one does not stop here, please stand well away from platform one"
There goes the train, whizzing by
The platform is now filling up and I wait near the platform's edge...... Giving me a quicker exit once at London Liverpool station

18:10..... The train leaves on time and makes its way towards Stratford station
I mentally wave my working week behind as I look forward to the weekend with love ones
A bespectacled young woman is sat next to me with her mobile glued to her ear planning her weekend with a friend
"What are you wearing tomorrow? She asks
And so on, and so on.......yep! You guessed that I'm not really interested in her conversation

18:06......... "Platform seventeen National Express to Gidea Park calling at Stratford, Maryland, Ilford Blah! Blah! Blah!" informs the female voice via the tannoy

17:58....... Standing at the concourse at London Liverpool station, waiting (in)patiently for my train
I don't recognise any of the many faces I see

The train is taking its time to get to Stratford station......... Yes! Both speed talkers are getting off at Stratford
There seems to be a lot if commuters getting on at Stratford
Come on Maryland station.... It's been a long day!

18:16...... On the eighteen twenty National Experss to Gidea Park
Two suited twentysomething 'Jack the lads' have joined me
"Blah! Blah! Blah!..... You know what I mean
"Forty grand a year! Blah! Blah! Blah!
"So you're earning how much?"
"Thirty grand...... I guess it's worth taking the 'Bulls*** eh?"
A mobile rings and one of them puts his hand in his coat pocket takes out his mobile phone and says....
"Hello.....hello
Nothing
He puts it back in his pocket
And away they go......
"Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!
I could do with subtitles now
Yes...... I know their speaking English..... But at great speed!
My brain fuse box has blown a fuse!!!

08:32...... I have missed the eight twenty five and now waiting for the eight thirty five (which has now been delayed by a minute......)
Am I being anal? You bet!
Why?
Well...... I was lied to by a reliable source......
My iPhone 4S told its first lie
And how did it manage to do that I hear you ask?
Well....... I asked it, via Siri, if I would need my umbrella and it replied
"No rain insight today blah! blah! blah!
So I opened the front door only to be greeted by Mother Nature..... Heavy rain from above beating the ground and passersby struggling with their umbrella
Needless to say, I had to go back in for an umbrella!

17:17........ "Platform sixteen for the seventeen twenty National Express to blah! blah! blah!
I enter a carriage and sit near to the door, followed swiftly by a woman who sat beside me

17:16..... Just before I walk down the steps at London Liverpool Street, I head a female screeching....
"Free hot chocolates over here!"
Then a man shouting......
"Evening Standard!"
"Evening Standard!"
I didn't get either

17:00..... Homeward bound
I spot two cyclists getting tickets from....... Police officers!
I'm not quite sure what for but I'm guessing it's not having lights'
Fines? How much? I'd love to know!

9:00....... The train arrives at its destination

We stop at Stratford, the place place where everything is happening!
What with its new shopping centre, Westfield and The Olympic village...... This is the hub of Uk and I pass it every day

08:50...... A train arrives and I was able to board
I found a seat next to a middle age gentleman reading his free Metro newspaper
The carriage is like a Furness this morning, so I unbuttoned my overcoat
Opposite me is another middle age man in jeans and wearing a bubble hat
What does he f****** thinks he looks like? An overgrown toddler!

I wait patiently for its arriving only for it to mock me when it does
Why?
Well...... It arrived on time and stopped in front of me, opens its packed mouth........ Not a gap any where for me nor any other of my fellow commuters to enter!
I dares me to enter but I know this was a challenge I would not win so I mentally said "Thanks but no thanks!"

At Maryland station I was met with an announcement........
"I'm sorry, the oh eight thirty five National Express train to London Liverpool Street will be delayed by six minutes" A female voice filtering through
Tell me something new!

18:10....... National Express arrives and commuters disembark and just as they did commuters boarded
It soon fills up

08:40....... Left the office and in my way to London Liverpool station I saw two traffic wardens acting weirdly then I realised what they were doing
One had a luminous jacket over his uniform and he was standing next to a parked car (on yellow line) whilst the other one was holding a camera to his face, taking a picture! What the f***!

I'm sat opposite a middle aged casually dressed man who was quietly listening to his music through his earpiece, tapping his right hand fingers on his lap and his right foot was doing its on thing...... tap! tap! tap!
The carriage is not full. We have already passed Stratford station and shortly arriving at London Liverpool station

08:51........ I'm stood on platform one waiting for the eight fifty seven National Express train to Liverpool Street station (now delayed by one minute))
I think I'm going to get the eight twenty five tomorrow!
Why?
Asked those b***** primary school kids and their mothers/fathers on Leytonstone High Street!
F*****+ nuisance! I was zig zagging my way pass them, first to the left then to the right!
All the time....... I was doing the avoiding otherwise I would have had several collisions
A law to themselves I say!

Now I think I can face Mother Nature and venture out
Why?
After finishing my hot morning coffee I am ready for the challenge of getting to Maryland station
08:33......... I open the door, pulled my coat collar up and mentally waved my warm home goodbye

08:00....... Looking out of the back window into the garden, I see white coated layer of ice covering the grass
I decide that a hot drink is needed before venturing out this morning

08:05...... Mother Nature is not kind this morning
Why?
The moment I opened the front door, the tip of my fingers startled to tingle with 'frost bite'
Cars were covered with ice and so was the ground
I slam the door behind me and with steam raging out of my mouth, I make that walk to Maryland station

Through the barrier my companian and i head towards platform six of the Central line
Making sure we boarded the right train we check the arrival screen for the forthcoming trains
First one was to Hainault, second to Epping........ The latter it is, so we wait the ten minutes for its arrival
Six of us had originally planned for our outing but only three turned up
The Epping bound train arrivals on time, opens and invites us in
We chat amongst ourselves oblivious to passing Leyton station, Leytonstone station, Snaresbrooke, then South Woodford, Woodford and Buckhurst Hill before arriving at our destination, Louhton

So I join the queue and wait patiently for my turn
"May I have a top up of two pounds eighty on my oyster please?"
"The minimum here is five pounds" he said
"I've got a zone one to three monthly oyster but just want a return to Loughton"
"You can top up for two pounds eighty from the machine" he replied, pointing to his left
I follow the direction of his finger and there were an array of machines
"I'll have a five pound top up please"

11:54..... Stratford station queuing for a top up on my monthly oyster card
Why?
We're off to do some power walking at Epping Forest
"Excuse me, I said to a female Transport for London staff, trying to get her attention
"Excuse me...... "
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me what zone covers Loughton?"
After looking at the map she said......
"Zone six"
"Thank you"

I look out of the now immobilised train and see darkness
An annoucement comes through the tannoy from the driver
"ladies and gentleman, I'm sorry for the delay to Stratford.......blah! blah! blah!......traffic queue"
"F****** excuse as usual!

18:00..... Left the office. I arrived at London Liverpool station with a minute to spare and found a seat opposite a rather big
.... American like statuate woman (ok...... Huge woman! She was taking two seats!)
Everything about her was big......
Big hooped silver earrings!
Big handbag!
Big head!
I daren't look in her direction for fear of being engulfed by her

Today I am not so lucky. The train arrives, opens its mouth and sucks us into its already full belly. Standing room for many of us
Why is it that some commuters refuse to barge even when there is enough space nearby!
"Excuse me please, may I pass?"
A couple of blank expressions.
"Can I get through to the gap over there?" I asked politely, gesturing to the gap in question
More blank expressions
I am now thinking that I must be speaking another language and decided that action does sometimes speak louder than words so.......I nudged my way through the imbeciles!
Quite a few commuters disembark at Stratford station and I was spolit for choice (seat wise)
The train door shuts and I can see Westfield, the new shopping centre in Stratford.......Next stop is London Liverpool Street station

08:24........... As I crossed over the first set of zebra crossing towards Maryland station, I noticed one.....two......three.....and more people gathering their pace to the station entrance and I follow suit. I guessed they were aiming for the eight twentyfive National Express train to London Liverpool Street station, like my good self....... so mimicking them, I too gathered speed.
I crossed the second zebra crossing and galloped up the steps, touched in my oyster card and made my way down the remaining steps to platform one

Walking to Maryland station with full steam ahead..... Well the only steam that I could master was the one coming from my mouth!
I pass several Secondary school kids waddling to school
I say 'waddling' because of their heavy rucksacks in their backs. They chatter an inaudible chatter as they pass by, oblivious to their surroundings
"Excuse me please" says a cyclist nearly knocking me down whilst cycling on the pavement...... My pavement!
"I'm sorry!" I sarcastically replied and moved out of his way
In my world........
"No excuse you! This is my right of way! This is a pavement not the road! Pavement! Road! Me..... Pavement! You...... Road! Comprehendo?
"I'm sorry" he meekly replies dismantling
"And so you f****** should be!

08:09........ Leaving my warm home to face Mother Nature
As I close the door behind me I can see nearby stationery card glistening with glazed topping of frost on them....... Yes it is COLD!

"Hello"
"Hello to you too...... I've never seen you here before"
I replied before sitting beside him
We talk all the way past Stratford then Maryland
"I'm afraid this is where I leave you"
I stood up and bid him farewell
"Have a good evening and see you tomorrow"
"You too" he smiled and waved me off

Platform fifteen National Express to Guidea Park, calling at Stratford, Maryland....blah! blah! blah!
I only heard what I wanted to hear. I made my way to the far end of the train...... Stopping in my track when an elderly male colleague spots me and beckons me to his carriage

I made my way past Bethnal Green Road, towards Shoreditch, finally reaching Bishopesgate where a young man was handing out the free 'Evening Standard'
I walk pass without taking a paper and walk down the steps towards platforms fourteen, fifteen, sixteen....... OK, you got the gist!

The cold air hits me as I venture out of the warm office
I put on my gloves and join other pedestrians...... Some walking in front of me, some beside me, some idling behind me whilst others wait at the nearest bus stop
As I walk towards the bridge I notice a male motorcyclist standing UN front of a parked white van
He was taking a picture on a small gadget. It was only after I passed him at the van that u notice his 'Police' motorbike!
Well, I certainly wouldn't like to be in the owner of the van's shoes!
A wicked smile etched on my face
Shouldn't have parked there eh!

17:00..... Nicely wrapped up for my journey home, I bade 'Goodnight' to my colleagues and begun my journey to London Liverpool Street station
It's amazing how quickly the night blanket covers the sky leaving darkness all around

I realised that this route is more convenient that my previous route
Why? How?
Well......... Previous route entailed walking a mile (or thereabout) to Stratford station to board the overground train first to Cannonsbury station, change, then Cannonsbury station to Hoxton station. This route was a much better route to taking the underground believe you me!
However, taking the National Express from Maryland station to London Liverpool station was far the best route.........and a brisk mile and a half (or thereabout) walk to the office keeps me in ship shape 

Milling through the crowd, I finally managed to escape the maddening crowd and head towards the steps leading to the street where I was accousted by an array of people handing out free: magazines and newspapers
After getting my bearings, I begin to walk towards my destination, work  

08:40...... "Arriving at London Liverpool Street where this train will terminate"
You don't say!

08:30.... The National Express train has left and 'shortly be arriving at Stratford station
Commuters disembark, commuters embark and off we go, onward to our final destination, Liverpool station
I am sat between two bespectacled middle aged women both engrossed with their free Metro
The are two suited and booted twentysomething year old men sitting opposite me; one earplugged to his musical gadget, the other, reading the Metro

08:28...... No train...... Correction, here it comes

08:24...... I'm standing on platform one at Maryland station waiting for the eight twenty National Express train to Liverpool Street staion
The train's only other destination from Maryland Station is Stratford

Happy New Year to you all! I'm welcoming twenty twelve with open arms and an optimism of which was stolen from me in twenty eleven
"What do you mean?" I hear you ask
Well........ To sum my year in a scene similar to 24 (starring Keiffer Sutherland)
January twenty eleven..........
The untimely passing of a colleague
February twenty eleven.......
The unsettling nail biting waiting on job security
March twenty eleven........
The decision unfolds
April twenty eleven.......
A love one is diagnosed with bowel cancer
May twenty eleven........
Struggling to cope with changes around me
June twenty eleven........
Back and forth to the hospital with loved one for chemotherapy treatment
July twenty eleven........
A farewell to St Neots Cambridgeshire and hello to the east of London and a melting pot (house) of four generation in one house
August twenty eleven........
An array of birthdays and barbecues in midst of hospital appointments
September twenty eleven........
The inevitable happened........ Our  much loved one succumbed to one of man's worst enemy, cancer!
My iPhone was stolen, taken from my handbag on the bus. Memories (pictures) of my loved one lost forever!
October twenty eleven.........
A new post awaits me
November twenty eleven.......
A death defying moment when an attempt to take my life was made by a knife welding 'gentleman'
November twenty eleven.......
Getting through aches, pains, sleepless nights....... An emotional wreck!
This was the 'Straw that broke the camel's back!'
December twenty eleven........
'Celebration of life' for my loved one
A good send off party celebrating her life took place. My loved one would have been proud of her family
December thirty first twenty eleven and I gladly waved goodbye to a most heinous horribilous year, embracing twenty twelve with opened arms
I bet you wished you didn't ask now eh!!!

Train/tube tickets have gone up!
I walked the windy walk to Stratford station and queued up for my monthly
"Good morning, may I have a zone one to three top up please"
"one hundred and thirty four pounds"
He saw the look on my face
"I'm afraid it went up this morning"
That's Transport for London for you!
So I show him a false smile as I enter my card for an (i)legal rape of my finance!
"Have a good day!" I retorted in disgust
"You too"
Yeah right! And a Happy (rip off)  New Year to you too Transport for London!!!

I've put on my trainers and now racing out of 2011 fast pacing towards 2012...... I do this with a smile spread across my face 
Why?
Because I know that the good people around me who kept my spirit alive in 2011 will continue to do so in 2012 (and I in return) 
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all xxxxx