dear mr bigot on the train

Dear Mr Bigot,

When I sat down next to you this morning on the train, you did not look pleased that - lord above - your briefcase would have to be moved off the seat and onto the floor. For inconveniencing you so, I apologise.

When you made VERY LOUD (and none too brief) phone calls, I suffered. Not entirely in silence - you may have noticed how my 'coughing fits' only seemed to occur when you were talking - but then again I doubt you would have heard me over your VERY LOUD MAY-AS-WELL-BE-SHOUTING conversations.

What irked me is that you persisted with these VERY LOUD phone calls despite having clocked the mobile-free signs - yes sir, I saw you look. So I was polite, I did not interrupt one of these VERY LOUD phone calls (again, as I doubt you would have heard me) but rather I waited until you were off the phone to kindly point out that we were sitting in a mobile free zone. And I was pleased when you said you understood what I was saying, as I recall replying to you.

I was less pleased when you betrayed your 70-year-old-ish appearance and acted like a schoolchild, pointing out all the other people who were using their phones. As I pointed out though, I could not hear those other people (and how you managed to, over yourself, baffles me) and you were the one disturbing me. And as I pointed out at the same time, I too had been on the telephone when I boarded the train (ok, so you caught me here - it was my aunt and not my gran I was talking to, as I lied to you) but had turned it off as soon as I entered the carriage. Out of respect for my fellow passengers.

At no point did I verbally attack you nor complain about your "bloody British rudeness". So when you started to mumble about there being too many foreigners in this country, I felt you had gone too far. There was no need to act like a bigot (although, if the shoe fits, I hope you are happy wearing it, and that it leaves you very, very uncomfortable). And so I told you as much.

For the record, Sir Bigot, I am a British citizen. And whose taxes and national insurance contributions do you think are paying your pension, and will continue to do so for a very long time?

And this may come as a shock, sir, but I also - wait, you better sit, you might not be able to handle this one - I also vote in British elections. Yes sir, I use my right to vote. I participate with every other BRITISH citizen in the democratic elections to choose the leader of this nation I have lived in for HALF MY LIFE. How do you like them apples?

So tell me - I have a British passport, I have always held one since I arrived, I work here, I pay taxes, I contribute to society, I was educated here, I represented THIS country when I was in Japan - am I foreign just because my accent is slightly different to yours?

And as an American (as I know you all assume we are, ignorant as you are of the existence of this wee country called Canada so therefore I must be from the US), wasn't it nice of me NOT to mention the war and point out that my country (Canada, and indeed the US, where you think I am from) came in and bailed you guys out? Or do you not remember this, once upon a time, working side-by-side with your FOREIGN brothers to liberate Europe?

I would like to point out, as perhaps this was not taught in schools when you were young, that it does not have to be an attack on a person of a different colour to be considered racism. What you said Sir was racist and bigoted, and at your age you really should know better.

I may have moved seats, Sir Bigot, but it was with the satisfaction of having told you what you were, and knowing that other people had seen our exchange and seen you for what you really are.

Thank you,

a proud Canadian-born British citizen

these are a few of my favourite things

The boy complained at me earlier about my last blog, and said I need to write happy things. So here we go.

I like my boy. He is the nicest, bestest, sweetest boy I have ever dated. And that I've lived with (although as the only boyfriend I've ever lived with, it's not really a contest - although if it was he would win every time, hands down).

I like the quiet nights out that turn into the best nights. Like last Friday - quick drink to say goodbye to a colleague over from our DC office ended at 11.45, dashing out of the karaoke (if one can dash when drunk) to grab a cab to get to the station to get my last train home. Top night. And my recent girls night out - another top night. Even if my fabulous new shoes left me feeling like every bone in my toes was going to break.

I like having quiet time with my family and friends. This past weekend was lovely, so much time with my mom and dad and gran - wonderful. Monday night's impromptu Star Wars trivial pursuit at my best mate and girlfriends (conveniently also one of my closest friends). The Risk night here.

I like seeing my friend's baby (and my friend!) for every time I see her there's something new and exciting she can do - most recently speak. Gorgeous little princess.

I like having a whole day free to loll around in bed and read - newspapers, books, anything. I especially like it on a Sunday morning, when the boy lets me sleep in then brings me breakfast in bed and my trashy paper. Heaven.

I like having a clean house. Is so nice coming in from work to a neat and tidy house.

I love the smell of Dior Addict, although small doses only as it's quite powerful stuff.

I like coffee breaks - gossiping, skinny lattes, big comfy chairs. I like the feeling of not being rushed, just really relax and natter away.

I like coming home to surprise presents too :) (Take note boy - tonight's new bear is wonderful!)

So there you go, a few of my favourite things. And a happy entry.

On a separate note, a few of us at work are entering a charity football tournament. Please feel free to sponsor us, our website is here

end of week blues

I actually meant to write this last night but was too exhausted when I finally got in.

You'd think being at the end of the week, nearly another weekend (hurrah) things would be...ok. Alas not.

My day began with a trip to the docotor's. After all that's happened with my toe and virus, I knew I'd put on weight. (And in fact was not as much as I'd thought, which is a blessing of sorts). I was not prepared to be told though that - for the first time ever, ever, ever - my blood pressure is slightly up. Due to stress. Which she attributed to work (me having explained that we've been a bit stretched so been working later than usual). Her suggestion? Relax more.

I then left the doctor's to discover that torrential rain had started. I got wet going to my car, and then once I'd parked at home, walking to the bus stop to go to the train station. Ick.

The train was slightly delayed (but this didn't annoy me as much as usual, but rather the woman talking VERY LOUDLY on her phone in the mobile-free zone did). But at least it had stopped raining when I got to Waterloo. Until I got off the bus to go to work. Ick.

And then my day got a little worse, but for reasons I can't say just yet. Just sniff, sniff.

Finished at 7.30 - earlier than the previous day at least - and had to go back to the stoke and straight out for a friend's leaving do.

Icky day overall. Roll on next week.

i have a horn and i'm not afraid to use it

Admittedly it's only a wee horn on my scooter. Which is so - well pathetic that it's cute.

Let's get things out in the open. I have only held my full driving licence for just over two years. And I only passed my CBT (for provisional licence for scooters and motorbikes) in March. And yet I feel that - and this is going to sound smug - that I am perhaps a better - no that is too cocky let's make it conscious - driver than a lot of others aorund here.

I have never ever once in my whole driving career treated a scooter or a motorbike driver the way people treat me on Gerdie (my scooter in case you couldn't crack that). People pull out in front of me, overtake me on roundabouts, undertake me on roundabouts and just generally act as if I'm a menace to the roads. And not them in their pointless gas-guzzling 4x4's, obnoxiously dirty white vans, or any car really.

Tonight was a classic. Having met boy in town for dinner straight from work, I persuaded him to drive behind me until we got to the 40mph stretch, as Gerdie's top speed is till just 30mph. So off he went when we got there. The car behind him alas never found a stretch to overtake me as there were cars constantly.

Now I recognise this would be annoying, and I know I too get annoyed when people in front are driving below the speed limit. And when I get my confidence up, I fully intend to get her engine destricted (or whatever the word is) so we can go up to 45mph - but let's not be hasty about it, 30mph works fine for me right now.

But I would never, NEVER, EVER try to undertake someone coming off a roundabout. Especially if they were indicating their intention to leave the roundabout. Yet Mrs Yaris apparently decided this is a fine manoeuvre to make. Dumbass.

I would also never, EVER go to OVERTAKE someone who is turning right. Cause that's just plain stupid. But guess what Mrs Yaris tried next?

And then, as I turned into the road and tried to position myself again, she decided to overtake me - with a car coming in the opposite direction - so I was forced to nearly ride on the curb. On a scooter.

Why? Are people jealous of my more efficient and cheaper-to-run vehicle? Do my indicators not work?

I feel my rage is getting out of control. I was so tempted to follow Mrs Yaris home and rip into her. At the end of the day, if I have an accident on my scooter, it will be me who comes off worse for it. And I don't doubt my driving skills - I pay attention to my surroundings, always indicate, always check my blind spots before moving.

Why do people not realise this? I really think everyone should be made to ride a scooter or motorbike, even if just for a day, to see what it's like, feel how vulnerable you are. And increase your awareness - I actually feel my driving overall has improved since I got Gerdie.

I'll happily confess that bad driving is a particular bug bear of mine (case in point - see "luxury cars" a few months ago). And I'm sure there will be many more rants to come spurred by ignorance and just plain impatience. Grr!

Apologies for month-long absence. Partially due to being over-worked, partially from a three-week long virus which drained me physically. Missed out on blogging on the World Cup, aka Cheaters Championship, and a rant earlier this week about the con that Big Brother has become this year. I'm back now, so keep checking for updates. (Buddy, I promise I'll do better for you since I suck at phone calls!)