When the cat's away, the mice will play. Or in my case, the mice will run.
My wife is away again. And yes, I am aware that it sounds like I have murdered her, but I swear, she is away. Anyway, I decided that I would keep fit and be healthy. So, every day, after work, I have been running. The last two days, I have decided to run around the park next to my work.
Last night, upon finishing my run, after two nights in a row, I was quite tired. I went back to my work, showered, changed and then walked to the train station. I say walked, it was more of a crawl as I was exhausted.
This was to be only the beginning of my adventure.
I decided that I would stop at Tesco on the way home and get something to have with dinner. Being a man, I settled on some biscuits for post dinner tea in front of the football.
I arrived at the train station just to see my train pull away. To a tired, hungry man, that is a sight that really grinds your gears. I then had to wait ten minutes for the next one. Now, ten minutes is not a long time, but it really is when you are dead on your feet. The train finally arrived, and I got on. Sadly, I didn't check where it was going. It stopped at every stop along the line and then, I watched in horror as it whizzed past my stop.
As you can imagine, I was miserable. This was made much worse than an ASBO couple on my train who had decided that the train was their own playground. They walked around staring at people and hassling some young metal kid who had committed the horrible crime of dressing differently. They followed him from carriage to carriage and found it hilarious that he was intimidated. This is the part of society that I really don't understand. Intimidation is just so cheap, if you have the confidence and arrogance to make someone's life miserable, I think it means you are actually mentally ill and should be in a home somewhere. There is just no need. It's people like that that just make life hard for everybody.
But, if the poor young guy is reading this, I have good news for you if you read on.
The train then arrived at its destination and I then ended up on a station in the middle of nowhere.
That "Train mistake" feeling really is up there with the worst of them. The stone that drops into the pit of your stomach when you realise you have made a terrible travel error, is really horrible. The wave of helplessness that then follows is just the icing on a cake of shit, which you then have to eat.
The next train (going back my way) was fifteen minutes away. I was obviously, furious at this point. There is only so much walking up and down you can do. Luckily for me, I have recently started listening to the "Down In Front" podcast. It is four Californian geeks who all work as effects artists in Hollywood. They watch a film an offer a different commentary. I have been enjoying their Abyss commentary as one of them actually worked on the film and his take on what went on behind the scenes is really interesting. I know, this makes me a nerd. But I don't care. I really enjoy their show. If you are interested in films and have long train journeys every day, like me, you will enjoy this. Seek them out on Itunes.
Eventually, the train arrived. I got on and noted immediately that it didn't stop at my station. I would have to change again to get home. Suitably downcast, I took my seat and cursed the world.
Upon arrival at the station I was greeted with a wonderful sight. The intimidation ASBO couple were being grilled by ticket inspectors. I paused my Ipod as I walked past. Just as the sweet words, "Right, I will have to fine you both" Rang out. Oh happy days. They were both red faced at the entire station being party to their shame and I was ecstatic. I wanted to laugh out loud at them and point some fingers. But, instead, I got on my train and headed home.
I finally got in at around 8pm. Made my dinner and had some tea. Exhausted.
It is evenings like this that make you appreciate it more when things run smoothly.
As I write this I see that Dennis Hopper is terminally ill. That is sad news. That man has seen and done pretty much everything. He has also made some highly memorable film appearances. From Rebel Without A Cause to Easy Rider, Apocolypse Now, Blue Velvet, Speed, Waterworld, and, unfortunately Super Mario Brothers. He was always great value and always great fun to watch. God speed Dennis. You will be missed.
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