I’ve spent most of Saturday getting a bank account which is almost impossible here if you do not have an income yet. Even with A.’s history at his bank which is over 20 years or mine in the Lowlands which is also over 20 years it wouldn’t make a difference. I will have to start allover again building up credit with this bank. Lucky me we have been talking with a very very nice lady who was willing to spend 2 hours with us sorting out the best option so I could bank online, pay online and get a debit card [type of card that we don’t have in the Lowlands].
She registered me as self-employed and that way I could get most of the benefits without being still at the bottom option on the ladder of my new banking career. I’m half way now which is good and I’m very happy that we managed to get the job done. I’ve read all sorts of horror stories online and was totally prepared to be rejected. A. didn’t believe me as usual so he was surprised to find out that I was telling the truth and I have been doing my research online… I’m with Barclays now, which is the same bank A. works for [not that it made any difference, just a fact to mention] and in a few days I will get my debit card and will be able to by corn cob bedding for my mice online… what a relief!
I spent half my Friday looking for anything decent to wear/buy at two big clothes stores nearby but I didn’t succeed at all. High Street fashion is definitely not my type of fashion. I do like ‘hoodies’ so I bought two and one pair of trousers because I’m in need!!! Because I got frustrated on Friday A. wanted us to go to Camden Market where it would be more likely for me to succeed since fashion there is weird, extravagant, different, unusual, un-highstreet-like and much nicer; the alternative way. To my Dutch friends: High Street fashion is somewhat in between Kalverstraat mode and Jordanese dames met teveel [nep] goud of [nep] merken… Camden Market is meer Waterlooplein achtig; errug leuk!
Anyway we spent about 3.5 hours there at the market and I’ve found the right gear although we need to go back and buy another one because there was only one grey pair. If you would like to see Punks, Goths, Fetish, Alternative and also common people mixed together than this is the place to go. I now understand why some of my friends love it *grin* There’s a really nice vibe/atmosphere and people are relaxed. It is crowded but still not really annoying, we might go earlier next time though. Weather was beautiful and we were lucky that it didn’t rain! I had a wonderful weekend and accomplished a lot thanks to A.! Camden Market website –>
Daily Archives: October 16, 2006
London Underground Mice
Noticeable Oddities of the Day:
The London Underground is a metro train system in England that covers much of the conurbation of Greater London and some neighbouring areas. It is the world’s oldest underground system, and has the longest in route length of any in the world. Service began on 10 January 1863 on the Metropolitan Railway, from which the term “metro” is derived; most of the initial route is now part of the Hammersmith & City Line.
Despite its name, about 55% of the network is above ground. Popular local names include the Underground and, more colloquially, the Tube, in reference to the cylindrical shape of the system’s deep-bore tunnels. The Underground is an electric railway and currently serves 274 stations and runs over 408 km (253 miles) of lines. There are also a number of former stations and tunnels that are now closed. In 2004-2005, total passenger journeys reached a record level of 976 million, an average of 2.67 million per day.
More of the London Underground is open than in a tunnel. Tell yourself this fact if you suffer from claustrophobia. The air in the underground is on average 10°C hotter than the air on the surface. A fragrance called “Madeleine” was introduced at St James Park, Euston and Piccadilly stations in an effort to make the tube smell better on 23rd March 2001. It was taken out of action on 24th March 2001 as it was making people feel sick.
Victoria and King’s Cross record the highest number of tube suicides each year. This isn’t surprising as Victoria is the tube’s busiest station with 85 million passengers each year and King’s Cross has 70 million passengers each year. The peak hour for tube suicides is 11am. This is contrary to popular belief amongst commuters who always think “one unders” or “track pizza” (to use a delightful New York phrase) cause delays in the rush hour.
Since 2003, the Underground has been part of Transport for London (TfL), which also administers London’s buses, including the famous red double-deckers, and carries out numerous other transport-related functions in the capital. An estimated half a million mice live on the London Underground. The best places to spot mice running around the tracks of the underground are Waterloo station (northbound Bakerloo line) and any platform at Oxford Circus.Two mice of opposite sexes can produce up to 5,000 descendents in a year.