I'm tired.

That was one of the worst night shifts i have ever done.

Contractors every night of the week. What with the banging, clanging, drilling, constant interuptions, breaking things, fixing things tiling, electrical work, painting, plasterering, scaffolding and god knows what else. I am totally bolloxed.

Now to have my days and a half of rest before i'm back on lates.

I will post a couple of pictures either today or tomorrow or even when i get my head back into shape, and see if you can spot the difference.

Booiiinnnnggggg!!! Time for bed said The Great Orme.

Night night children, Oh shit i've reverted.

Unexpected Phone Call

Whilst i was sitting at home, I had a phone call on my mobile from my Customer Service Assistant (CSA) asking me where i was.

I told him I was at home, why I asked.

Well he haven't heard anything from the Early Turn Supervisor and he didn't even know he was in.

What sort of Supervisors do I work with.

The Usual Suspects

You may wonder what it's like working throughout the night with contractors everywhere.

Last night i had 127 contractors and because of the works going on they will be working 24 hours a day until Monday morning.

Competition Time

I was sitting at home after just waking up, and I decided to enter a compition on This is London.

I noticed they have a competiton running and I've decided to enter it.

Oh i do hope i win because that will confuse them.

All Fall Down

Well so far this week, my set of nights have been pretty eventful. After the fiasco from Thursday, last night was a fairly good night. No problems with any of the contractors (oh apart from the lead S.P.I.C being sacked for stirring trouble). No problems with the general public. The only problem was from the first trains this morning, because Moorgate decide to have a signal failure before the first train even arrived.

So minor delays were broadcast via the BBMS system to let us know there were problems at Moorgate and minor delays were occuring to all H&C and Circle Lines. My first westbound train arrived 10 minutes late, and then the service was updated to severe delays.

By 06:00 the Met Line was suspended into the city and severe delays were still occurring on the H&C and Circle.

My relief turned up at 06:50 and as i'm waiting to get my train home towards Kings Cross, it comes over the radio from the Line Controller.

ALL SERVICES ARE SUSPENDED BETWEEN BAKER STREET AND ALDGATE AS THE ERU (Emergency Response Unit) ARE AT MOORGATE REMOVING A RAIL.

Oh Great!!!. It's now 07:10 and i have a 20 minute walk ahead of me to Kings Cross, I missed my 7:30 train home and have to wait until 08:00 for my next one home. Then after going straight to the gym I finally hit the sack at 12:00.

Ah the life of a night turn Supervisor.

Now tonight will be fun as there is a Possesion this weekend so NO Met trains beyond Baker Street, NO H&C between Edgware Road and Barking and no Circle Line between Edgware Road and Liverpool Street. Plus as a double bonus my contractors tonight will be working from 22:00 until 04:00 Monday morning.

Sarah

Today is the 13th anniversary of my fathers death, so I rang my mother to see how she is.

I was told by my mum that a good and close friend of the family for the past 30 years, died at 8:30 this morning. Seems strange knowing how well she got on with my dad, that she has died on the same day.

God bless you Sarah Goodman

R.I.P

2 nights down, 2 different cock ups.

Tuesday night was pretty uneventful, until 6am that is. The the eastbound Circle line fell over.

A main line burst on the train shut down the service for 35 minutes, so pa's every few minutes keeping my passengers upto date.

When i finished work, I went straight to the gym to relax. Also i went to weight watchers and lost another 2lbs.

Then wednesday morning, my contractors decided to really f**k up. whilst working in my electrical switchroom, they were drilling holes in the wall and plugging them ready for plastering.

Unbeknown to me the wall they were drilling into is a partition wall and this was breached between 15 to 30 times.

Now here comes the dangerous part. When they breached the wall they were drilling very close to a power supply of 415 volts, which would have probaly killed all 4 works instantly.

So loads of paperwork to do this morning and emergency calls to the Civil Engineers this morning.

Now wonder i'm feeling bolloxed.

First Night Back

After having a nice relaxing weekend off, tonight will be my first set of nights of 2006.

Apart from a disaster of a date, my weekend wasn't really vey busy. The problem with the date was the young lady who i took out for dinner was so very shy, even worse then one of my colleagues.

I arrived promptly at 7:30 for the date and by the time the clock hit 10:00 i was on my way home again. Oh well one of those things.

Sunday i slept late, which was nice, and Monday I just chillied around the house, went to the gym, read a book and listened to music.

Tuesday morning I was thinking of lying in again, which is my normal routine when starting nights, and by the time the clock hits 8:45 I'm wide awake and staring at the ceiling wondering why i'm awake so early.

So as it's now 11:00 I finally dragged myself out of my bed to go up to town to get my dinners for the week.

I know i will have contractors in again this week at work, as nothing changes there.

So time to look forward to work again.

Frappr Map

I was just looking at my Frapper map, when i noticed that when i zoomed in that Kateyay works or lives in the Cannon Street area, and that Rachel from North London works on a boat (only joking Rachel).

So don't forget if you want to add yourself just click on the Frappr Map link

Hey Abbbboootttttt....

I woke up this morning and turned on the TV. Flicked trough the channels, and started watching Abbot and Costello Meet The Mummy. Some of the faces Lou Costello pulls had me chortling all morning.

I forgot how funny some of these old films are.

It got me to thinking about all the old films i used to watch. And when growing up, I used to watch them.
Monday to Friday 17:40 BBC2
With the likes of Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin.Although Laural & Hardy used to annoy me, I used to really love those old movies.

What a week...

I'm glad this week is now over, I have been to and fro all week with contractors, managers and other members of staff.

I even managed to upset 2 of my managers as well. No suprise there.

As you might have read in an earlier blog, I have moved into a temporary office for 6 weeks (yeah right). And so far i have only seen 1 DSM the whole week. Today however 2 different ones arrived after i had passed the comment, Isn't it great that the NEW DSM can visit me 3 times in 3 days, yet the regular DSM's haven't even been here to see the new office.

I almost fell over when one of them agreed with me and said yes your right, I will come down soon. By 12 o'clock he had duly arrived and more to the point had visited my colleague The Station Masters station too.

The other DSM arrived first with a departing gift as he is moving to another group from Monday.

He thanked me for my support (which made me laugh). I said to him I know we have had some run ins over the past few months, but you deserved them.

I'm a cheeky bugger when i get going.

In all truth as the SM will tell you, if i fall out with someone, i don't hold a grudge. I just let by gones, be by gones.

So i'm going to relax and go out on a date on Saturday with a young woman i've been chatting to. Hope it works out well.

Ah 5 days off. Time of joy.

Isn't it different what you find on the net.

I was checking my site meter and i followed one of the links. It was a bout London Underground Fire Extinguishers. Strange i thought to have to look for something like that.

I then came across this link.

http://www.describe-online.com/lul/londonundergroundstations.htm

A pleasant visit

At work this morning I had the pleasurable company of The Station Master for most of the peak. He was on his way home after finishing his week of nights, oops sorry his 2 night shifts i mean.

We had a good chat and i even tried to set him up with the cleaner who told him to ring her.

He was actually surprised with how busy my little station is during the morning peak. especially when the contractors duly arrived. But life is always like that on my little station.

Busy Busy

I did a double on Sunday night which entails me working one shift then carrying on to work another 8 hours. And be fore you say bloody hell thats a long shift, I did it off my own back as it was pay back on a shift i owed a colleague.

The usual contractors were in, ad as we had a change of office to temporary accomadation, my night turn colleague had done sweet F.A.

I walked into a cramped office with only enough room to write in the Station Log Book. So i'm talking the space of an A3 paper.

After much cursing and swearing on my part, and i can be quite vitriolic when i want to be, I spoke to the contractors who placed the equipment, and asked them what did the night man do. Answer, he left the office to them and hid in the ticket office all night.

Ok thinks me, time for a reshuffle. So i started off my shift rearranging the complete office to a manageable place. I.E room to put my feet up on the table (joking).

During the night i also had the pleasurable company of The Station Master but only got to abuse him a couple of times.

The day shift started much the same way as the night shift finished. More contractors arrived, and even more.

At one stage I had to close my ticket office so the early turn clerk could get a meal relief, promptly followed by a frantic phone call from a DSM (Duty Station Manager).

Then all of a sudden another DSM arrives at my station and was about to have a go at me for requesting a CSA (Customer Service Assistant) to cover the his meal relief.

On seeing in excess of 10 contractors in my office all signing in he changed his mind.

I finally got away at 14:40 and made my way home, only to go to the gym.

When i finally walked in my door at home it was 18:15, I read my emails then went to bed with no dinner(being to tired to cook) and joy of joys, the phone stayed silent and next thing it was 04:30 and time to start again

Friday the 13th ... Never.

It has been one of the busiest shifts i have ever done.

I was up at 4:30 to get my train into work, and from the time i walked in the door I never sat down.

I have been off work all week as i came down with a severe migraine on Saturday then followed by nausea and vomiting. So thats why there has been no blogging most of the week. I am better now thank you. But i dont know what the hell my colleagues have done all week.

Firstly the night man made a huge cock up which i had to sort. He obviously didn't do a thorough station check when opening up, as i found one of the platform benchies about a foot proud of the wall, and best of all it wasn't even secured to the floor. 1 bench removed and stored very quickly.

During the rest of my station check, I found 7 other station defects. Ranging from a broken sink to 6 x 5` flourescent tubes needing replacing. So if i was impressed I didn't look it.

For a day shift by 8:30 I had 12 different contractors signed in, and more kept coming all day.

The Reserve Station Supervisor was completely lost as he has never seen my station so busy.

In the middle of this i had to go and see my DSM for a return to work interview, After the interview i have been informed that i have an L.D.I or Local Disiplinary Interview, which i'm not looking forward to at all as i think it will go further and i might be in serious trouble this time round.

As in i might find myself looking for a new job in the coming months. Anyone got any vacancies

Oh and apart from that we had a tint glitch with the service, which lasted for about 4 hours.

Then I finished work, and went to the gym to get rid of the stress of the day, bloody hell I hurt.

In case people are wondering about Smile Miles

You might have noticed a link to a website on my blog to a site called Smile Miles.

The reason i've linked to this blog. It is actually owned and ran by my Sister and her Husband.

Basically it's for parents who use the star chart system with there kids. So instead of having the chart blutackked to your fridge, you can do it online instaed, there are pages for both parents and children to use, it's easy to use and as a friend of mine called Diana, from msn said, her kids love it.

DSM Leaving

I have it on good authority, straight from the horse (i'm sure theres supposed to be more there) in fact, that one of our illustrious Duty Station Managers is leaving to go to another group, and that we are getting another as a replacement.

Secondly another manager will also be leaving the group shortly afterwards. No wonder they have all been so heavy handed of late, they have been trying to keep there jobs.

Although I have had many a run in with the first manager, I do wish him luck at his next group.
However I can't wind up the Station Master any more by pretending to be that particulat Manager "Hello Station Master, How are you?"

Abbey Shabbey F**K UP Part £

After visiting a late night mental hospital for all the grief and stress Abbey have given me.

So i'm off upto the Abbey to do battle once more.

The only thing about yesterday that made me think OH F**K!!!

The reason for this, as i walked up to the counter 2 yes 2 not 1 but 2 staff were on the windows and 5 yes (i wont do it her as it's getting boring now) were on the floor, shock horror dismay.

But guess what, the young lady i was dealing with yesterday, she was no where to been seen, instead it was the cretin from before Christmas and a nice look blonde.

So I left the queue after dealling with the bloke from yesterday and told him again about my troubles yesterday.

Of he trundles and speaks to Mr Cretin. And i hear Mr Cretin tell him you need a book to close that acount.

Now i'm thinking, "here i go again"

So guess which window i went to. Thats right the blonde, and surprise surprise she takes my details and closes that account, transfers the funds to the proper account, and even makes out a counter cheque for me, all within 4 minutes.

I fianally got my money back, Cheers and Celebrations are now allowed.

Abbey Shabbey F**K UP ... Part 2 ... The Continuation ... The Sequel

So I wake up and i'm feeling in a positive mood.

Then I got to the Abbey.

BIG MISTAKE!!!

I wandered upto the counter to try to sort out my money transfer from yesterday.

As I approached the counter i told the young lady on the window, I believe i might need to talk to someone out front as there was a mistake made by telebone banking, but as there is no one there yet is it possible to speak to someone, then as if by magic the front person walked out the door.

I walk up to the man in frnt and tell him the prediciment, he tells me this account hasn't ben used in 6 yes 6 years, no i'm wondering what account his could be, so on asking i'm treated to a dread joint account with my ex wife. Right can i close this account as i've been divorced since 2005 and as you can see it hasn't been used for 6 years. Ok says he if you go and she the young lady on the counter she will give you your money.

I roam idly to the window only to be asked do you have a book with this account.

No I don't as i haven't used this account and haven't for 6 years, wel to transfer any money you need the book.

Hold on teapot banking transfer over £600 into an account that I forgot existed and you now tell me i need a book to close the account. Oh yes you need a book to transfer money and/or close the account.

Ok iI dont have a book so what can i do now, well you need a book , I just said i don't have one, OK i asked can i have a new book then.

Yes but there's a £10 charge for that. Er oh no there isn't i replied.

Your teabone service screws up and for me to get my own money back you have to charge me £10. I don.t thinks so.

Of I trundle to the front man again and explain the situation again, no worries ill sort it out for you now.

When he comes back, if you go back to the window now you will be able to close your account down.

Thank you say I.

I returned to the window, Do you have any other identity with you. Lucky i brought my passport with me.

Right I can't transfer the money with out a book.
Hmmmmf...
But I can do a counter cheque and pay it directly into your other account.
OK Thank you.
Oh I can't issue a cheque, as the account has been flagged for return of letters.

What does this mean then

Basically as there has been no action on this account in the past 6 years the account has been frozen.
*Blood Pressure rising*
Hang on I said you can transfer money into a suspended account but as teacake banking made the mistake in the first place I still can't have my money.

No

How do i get my money back then.

Well I'll have to unflag it (why not say that in the first place).

Right thats done and i also had to change your address on the account, why what address do you have, She asks me my address. Thats what it says on the account. but 2 things are the wrong way round.

Thats now done, can i have my money now please.

No as it takes 24 hours for the computers to update.



ARRRRRGGGGGHHHhhhhhhh!!!

More to follow

2:45 am

Why is it that I always seem to get a cramp in my leg at this time of night.

I was sound asleep and the next thing I know, I'm hopping round the house for 10 minutes cursing the pain, trying to straighten my leg and foot out.

I HATE LEG CRAMPS.

Strike part 2

I know there is another strike coming up and yes I am in the RMT, but 2 things

1: I don't give a shit about the strike as i will be in anyway, why should i strike when Bob is on holiday in Eygpt. If he cared he would be out on strike too.

2: There are enough money grabbing barstewards in my job why should i let them claim overtime whilst i lose pay.

3: One thing i will not be doing is joining that lack lustre Union Tosser sorry TSSA. The last time they went on strike was in 1926.

4: I wont give a monkeys if i get slated by the general public as you don't pay my wages or my bills.

5: I must learn to count.

Auditors or Big Brother

All the SS at mine and The Station Masters station received a memo yestaerday, informing us, that from now on we will have to send down the new evacuation register everyday.

This got my dander up straight away as I know every other station on the Combo, doesn't do this.

So I think our management team are now trying to justify there jobs by telling us that they have to be seen to make sure we all sign in and sign out properly.

Well as you might have guessed i'm a bit of a pissy barsteward when it comes to management, especially the ones on my group. So 15 foolscap envolopes with all the station evacuation registers for the last 5 years sent to the DSM.

I also told the DSM i wont be doing this as it's not part of the Working Manual (LUL Rule Book) un less i get it in writing.

Oh i'll email it to you, no I said I want it in a memo please

Any other place on the combo i've worked, I have got on with the management team and worked as part of a team.

My Management team:

Manager 1: Revenue Queen, sorry King as he doesn't like confrontation from Supervisors who stand there ground. Oh and I found out today, that he was awarded a GOLD award for services to revenue. With Best DSM on the NETWORK on it. Yes i'm totally serious. Oh this DSM also has a habit of interferring, 1 example he will ring the Ticket Office and the CSA box just to ask silly inane questions. He rang me 3 times yesterday just to find out info on the UTS Gates.
Just to piss him off every day he asked about (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) i replied I don't know, i was drunk that day. Last week he asked me why wasn't some paperwork done on the 26th December, My reply MY STATION WAS SHUT BOXING DAY!!!. If he really gets to me I just ring him every hour on the hour to ask if he is busy, no matter what the answer i just say ok and put the phone down.

Manager 2: General Arse Licker to upper management and only worried about his own little world .

Manager 3: The Yes Manager, always yes, yes, yes, ask him to make a decision and you get "well what do you think" feck he's suppoesed to be one of my boses.

Manager 4: Go home and give up if he is on.

Manager 5: a decent bloke who talks to you like your human but is killing time as he has 38 years on the job.

I was asked by a manager recently if i wanted to become a DSM, my reply sorry do i look like a mangemant lackey, no offence to the DSM Log Book as i have never worked with him or her and seeing as i have pulled so many stunts on this job how can i discipline any staff for doing the same as i did.

Sorry for the rant, but i'm just fed up with a management team who can't manage.

Abbey Shabbey F**K UP

As today is payday, I was transferring money from one account to another, and after trying to take some out via the cash point I noticed that there was only £8 in there.

When i get home I rang the Shabbey and as the money was transferred into an account I dont use, there has been a block placed on the account and they can't transfer the money back out.

So now my money is in an account that i can't get access to, and i need to go into the branch tomorrow to try and sort it out. I don't have any details of this account or any cards to go with it

Seems strange that Shabbey Abbey can transfer it into a closed account but they can't transfer it back out. It has to be in a branch.

Oh joy i'm looking forward to dealing with the gormless prick who served me before Christmas.

All Quiet Today

Is not a phrase i like to say at work.

Whilst standing on the gateline chatting with my CSA, she turned round to me and said its really quiet today. Then she went home at 14:00.

Then the Hammersmith & City line fell over with a signal failure, foolowed shortly after by the Northern Line.

The at 18:05 the Met decided I want to join in too, and gave us a defective train at Baker Street.

So Quiet, I don't think so.

Day 2 of the new year

And unlike some of my colleagues, I wont be doing a review off my year as Sky News have been doing that all week.

Tomorrow is my first day back at work after the holiday period. I missed the strike as i was mostly drunk, but at least I went back to the gym. If the scales are correct i've only gained 2lbs over the entire holiday period.

So time to go back to work and hurl more abuse at managers, abuse the Station Master on a daily basis (oh forgot he is on holiday this week), work out when i can go sick this year. And basically carry on in the same vein as last year.

So look out public because here comes The Great Orme (tada) a nice round of applause please.

New Years Night ho hum!!!

It seems only like yesterday that we were in another year.

So here I am sitting in front of my PC on feeling lonely on New Years Night, I've decided to make 3 New Year Resolutions.

1 Keep going to the gym.
2 Keep dieting until i'm either 15 stone or less.
3 To keep blogging as much as I can
4 To find my self a lovely woman to spend time with, as I'm sick and tired of being alone
5 To learn how to count.

I had a good night last night. I went around to a long time friends and spent New years Eve with them and kids as they held a fancy dress party, I went as Anne from Little Britian eh eh eeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! God knows how i got into a nightie??? but i was told i have wonderful legs.

I had a fair few drinks last night ok a good 10 pints. Then when i left there house this evening I felt really down as I was coming back to an empty flat. So hence item 4 on my list.

So if any young woman 35 to 42 is availiable and fancies a date, send me an email to TheGreatOrme@gmail.com