#42 "When you're stressed and feeling blue"
Greetings from the National Express. Although I mentioned to several people that this journey would involve an attempt by me to talk to as many people as possible on board, this plan has been shattered by the fact that I am surrounded by an entire family of people talking... Well, I don’t know what they’re talking actually. Even if there was anyone remotely Anglo-Saxon sitting near me, conversation would be made impossible by the constant warbling of the aforementioned family’s infant. As a result, I’ve resorted to writing this blog on the coach, and indulging in some podcasts.
Since going to Sheffield, I’ve broken away from The Daily Telegraph, and instead begun reading The Guardian instead. There are several reasons why I prefer it: for one, the language and content is far less stuffy; for seconds, its Media section on a Monday is unmatched anywhere else; and thirdly because, in an age where newspapers are losing readers to the internet, the Guardian is becoming more and more like a website. Every page is in colour, every page has pictures, and practically all content is available online too. Perhaps the greatest feature, though, is their new podcast. It is the perfect example of how newspapers can ensure their survival. Published every day at 12 noon, it updates you on the stories you may have read in the morning’s print edition, and it encourages you to buy the next day’s paper too. Plus, it’s all read in Northern tones (and they get away with a bit of swearing, to boot).
Strange sighting of the week:
A man who had clearly mistaken pod casting for ghetto-blasting: walking down the street with a ghetto blaster in a plastic bag (to stop it getting wet) and listening to BBC Radio Manchester - twisting himself into stranger and stranger shapes in order to get decent reception. Bizarre.
I made the mistake this week of staring the Guardian’s “Quick” crossword. After being drawn in by a few obvious clues, I was hooked. Despite staying up until 2:00 the next morning (with occasional flashes of genius), I was left with two clues remaining by the time I had to go and buy the solution. Incidentally, the answers are Footman (6) - Flunky, and Lively, Exhilarating (6) - Breezy.
Service Station just passed: Tibshelf
Saturday this week was fairly hectic. With the sun out and shining, no further excuse was needed to venture into town for a traditional mid-day/afternoon pint. Bar S1 continued the summery theme with some old-skool Summer tracks, starting the day’s activities (erm... Drinking) off in earnest. After a brief interlude for a film (see below), it was off to Pop Tarts for an evening spent practically entirely in the 80s and 90s room. Class.
Films seen this week:
Narnia (not the greatest film I’ve ever seen, it’s fair to say) and March of The Penguins (probably the best penguin-based documentary I’ve ever seen, it’s fair to say)
Seen on the coach:
To obtain First Aid kit, break glass
Quote of the week:
“Can you make sure that’s locked shut please - it’s a fire escape”
Living in range of London, you forget just how bad local radio station jingles are - like Trax FM: Local radio for Doncaster and Bassetlaw (which I’m still not sure even exists).
Wanadoo offer double speed broadband for the same price that we're paying at home now... But for “new customers only” (said in a really spiteful voice on their ad, too) - which is annoying.
