More transport-related content, but I have to mention this Swedish library initiative which is the most brilliant idea ever and should be brought in worldwide as soon as possible in my opinion, at bus stops and mainline stations as well as on the underground. I would never again have to endure a journey chewing my nails and trying to read the back pages of other people's newspapers because I've forgotten my book!

It's obvious that a lot of people already read on public transport - in fact that may be the ONLY place some people have time to read - so why not capitalise on that habit to promote the library service? It's true that libraries will only survive if they innovate, but the Swedish project proves that it doesn't have to be at the expense of what most people want to retain as the core service - book lending.

Tags: libraries transport

13:35

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There's a new recorded announcement on Southern Trains (well, platforms) which is troubling me, something like: "It would be unfortunate if you were to suffer any damage to your clothing; this can easily be avoided by keeping your feet off the seats." What does it mean? That your shoes will be damaged by contact with the upholstery? (Hardly.) That whatever clothing is covering your bum will be damaged by OTHER people dirtying the seats with their shoes? (An oblique way of saying it if so.) Or is it a politely veiled threat in the order of 'please do not ask for credit as a punch in the mouth often offends'. In other words, are Southern going to rough me up a bit if I put my feet on their seats?

Tags: transport language

09:13

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Apologies for making this blog tube-centric in the last few days, anyone would think I was a Londoner (god forbid). But if you ARE in London, please take part in the Slow London Challenge, because it's silly and fun and there's not enough silliness or fun in our cities.

I can't quite believe the geekiness of my new blog-reading habit: the Dewey Blog. I don't use Dewey in my professional life and I never have; I'm reading about Dewey numbers for pure entertainment. What is wrong with me?

Hm, I wonder if there's a UDC blog out there too?

Tags: Slow London classification Dewey

12:34

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I am completely in love with my garden (well, patio). Although it was still functionally winter yesterday what with the Siberian wind ripping through most of Brighton, my perfectly sheltered, south facing, lovely patio was doing a damn good job of pretending it was summer, let alone spring. I sat outside drinking beer in just my cardy! Not JUST my cardy, actually, I didn't want the neighbours to start disapproving so soon after we've moved in. But no coat or scarf or anything like that. Bliss.

Nice and quiet at work now it's the Easter vacation, although ructions behind the scenes are making me more convinced than ever that I am right to be looking for new jobs ASAP. For one thing, I would be escaping from the BLOODY ALARM SYSTEM which has been beeping at 2 second intervals since THURSDAY and nobody will fix it because it's down to an outside contractor or something. I always knew privatisation was evil.

Tags: work gripes weather

10:38

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