Rant 184 2/7/12 Subject: Proper motorway usage

Rant number 184


As of yesterday, I have passed the halfway mark. That means that I am finally on my way down the slope towards the finish line. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to be cleansed of all of my anger by then. My suspicion is intact that I shall continue with some similarly mad project.

But that is for the future.

Now, the reason I note the halfway mark - beyond the obvious relief and enjoyment it brings me; is that todays rant is the first of its kind!

That's right - there's some new tricks in this old dog yet!

What I mean by this, is that todays rant is not as the result of something bad - but because of something rather good!

Paradoxes abound huh?

Today, driving to band was an absolute pleasure. It really was. And why was it exceptionally so?
Because, every was driving properly!

As in: no-one was doing anything stupid, for a whole 17 miles of motorway.

That has got to be record!

• People used the lanes properly, moving in and out of the lanes, overtaking as necessary then returning to the left. 
• People didn't undertake. 
• People didn't hog the middle lane. 
• Lorries didn't try to overtake other lorries in the middle lane. 
• No BMWs or Audis hogged the right hand lane.
• Everyone left sensible gaps, no-one tailgated.

It was bloody wonderful. I couldn't have been happier!

So why can't it be like that for all of the other days I have to go on that god forsaken motorway!

Why does people driving courteously have to be the exception? Why can't it be the rule?

You never know, when all the planets align once more, it may happen again. 

But probably not in my lifetime.

Rant over.

Rant 168 16/6/12 Subject: Clothes shopping

Rant number 168


As of the end of next week, I am on holiday (from work, not from rants - don't worry!)

There really is only one way to articulate the way I feel about this which is:

Yay


There really isn't much negative about going on holiday, except for coming back and there being work waiting for you. But that really isn't something I'm terribly fussed about at the mo.

Now, if there is one thing everyone wants to do for a holiday - its to look nice by getting some new togs - which I planned to to today.

Except, I failed.

I want some new casual trousers to go trotting around in. Not a tall order really you would think?

Really though, its a bit of a nightmare. The times change and styles change - and completely not to my taste. It's really bloody annoying.

I may not be a trendy type of guy - and I don't follow fashion and trends. I just know what I like, and like to be able to buy it. I can't though.

And if I do like something, its always got a flaw. The cut isn't right, or its not in my size (damned be to my fat arse,) or its got a button fly (the work of the devil!,) or they are too long (or my legs are too short more aptly) or something else.

I just want to be able to buy something that will suit me! Is that so bloody difficult. It's not like I've never found the allusive perfect pants. I've already got some, but they won't last for ever - thus the never ending search.

Why can't they just stick with nice styles! It would be much easier.

Rant over.

Rant 161 9/6/12 Subject: Ridiculous train prices

Rant number 161

In two weeks time, I'm off on holiday - and I'm really rather looking forward to it.

We're off to cornwall with the parents, who are located in Somerset. This leaves me only the journey between here and Somerset to worry about - as my Stepfather is driving from there to Cornwall.

Now, for any of you not too familiar with the Geography involved, the journey between us in Huddersfield (in the North West) and Stoke Sub Hamdon (in the South West) is some 250 miles, which is quite a long way. 

In a car, without taking into account traffic - the journey will take around 4 1/2 hours, which although not a problem - is a bit of a long trek (particularly in my rather small car.)

As such, me and the wife decided we would probably get a train.

Now, the cost of travelling by car for the two of us will be between £30 (good run) and £40 (not good run.)  So worse case scenario, the two of us travelling would cost £15 per person in fuel. Theres then coffees and burgers etc to take into account en route - so lets chalk the total up to around £25 each - making the total return around £100.

Far from cheap that I know, but we get to travel at our convenience, with our own entertainment. We can also stop at whatever services we need to. 

With those luxuries then - you would expect that to be the expensive option.

It bloody well isn't though.

For the pleasure of spending 10 minutes to get the first train station, 4 1/2 hours on trains then another 20 minutes travelling from the other station to my parents you'd think that things would be cheaper.

They aren't though.

Then there is the sitting in a cramped carriage, continually travelling with hot, smelly, fed up, noisy strangers for the duration. Surely this would make a difference.

It doesn't though.

Then there is the fact that one train can propel several hundred people, making fuel costs per person very low. Surely they pass this on?

Do they bolucs.

No, for each of us to get to Somerset and back, without travelling to the stations or any other costs, it would cost us £170 each. 

Shit a brick.

Why on earth does anyone travel by train any more? There is not a reason I can think of.

How on earth can you charge so much for one person? For that kind of money, I'd be expecting a personal mariachi band - to serenade me for the duration of the journey. 

I could hire a bloody car and drive it there for that kind of money. 

In fact, I could hire a car and a bloody driver! and I'd probably have enough left over for a half decent bottle of wife.

What a set of thieving bastards! Looks like I'm driving then.

Rant over.