Travhell

Today I am back in the Reading office after a few great days on the run. However, the week did definitely not start as I had planned.

This was my itinerary for Monday a week ago:

Guildford - Coventry

6:12 – 6:52 Train from Guildford Station to Reading
7:10 – 8.22 Train from Reading to Coventry
8:30 – 8:45 Taxi from Coventry Station to the Ericsson site at Ansty Park
9:00 – 17:00 Graduate training in Coventry

This is what happened:

6:00 @ Guildford Station


I turn up in Guildford in good time to get the train to Reading, only to find out that the train was cancelled. The next train departed half an hour later, ensuring that I would miss my Coventry train in Reading.


7:20 @ Reading Station

I knew that the next train to Coventry would depart one hour later, so after a breakfast sandwich in Reading I took the 8:12 train instead. I also sent a text to my colleagues, so that they would be aware of my late arrival.

My estimated arrival in Coventry is now 9:22. Not ideal, but still reasonable. Unfortunately, the following announcement came on the PA after the train had rolled on slowly for a while:

“If you are wondering why we are moving slowly, this is because of a freight train hanging around the area. We will be able to overtake it shortly.”

The expected arrival at Birmingham New Street Station (final destination) would occur 20 minutes or so later than planned, according to the announcement.


Approaching Coventry:

Cheery PA Announcement: “I am sorry, but unfortunately a train is blocking our platform at Coventry Station. This means that we will not stop at Coventry or Birmingham International. So you will be joining us up in Birmingham instead!”

Great. I thought. This could not really go any worse. We were told that a train taking us to Coventry would depart 10:10, and we actually reached Birmingham just in time to take that train.


10:08 @ Birmingham New Street Station

However, the following announcement sounded at Birmingham Station: “Unfortunately the train to London Euston has been cancelled due to a fire on a train at Coventry Station. Further announcements will be made once we have more information.”

Great. I sat down waiting and after 1 h and 10 mins (11:20) I finally got onto a train that would take me on a 20 minute journey to Coventry Station.

PA Announcement by the cheery Virgin Trains steward:

“Good morning everybody. We seem to have lost our crew, so we won’t be running a catering service on this train. We seem to really have a great day!”

Two minutes later:

“I am sorry, but I forgot to tell you where we are going today. But as much as I like magical mystery tours, here are our stops on our way to London Euston….” (stops announced)


11:40 @ Coventry Station

I get to Coventry 11:40. I am very hungry and looking forward to lunch. After a few minutes of waiting in the taxi rank, I eventually catch a cab. This cab looks older than any of the other cars available. But I thought that he probably knew what he was doing.

I had been told by a colleague that the taxi journey would cost me around £15.

After getting into the car, I find out that the driver does not know where the Ericsson office at Ansty Park is, so he asks me for a post code for his sat nav.

“CV2 2TF”, I tell him, specifying the last two letters using a makeshift interpretation of the NATO alphabet.

After 40 minutes the taximeter shows £25, and still no office in sight. He is asking me repeatedly whether that really is the right postcode.

After a while, I get to see it on a note where he had written it. The note says CD2 2TF. As there is no such post code, he looked up the region CD – which apparently is quite south of Birmingham.


Around 12:45 @ The Completely Wrong Motorway

When I see a sign saying Birmingham International Airport, I realise that this is probably very wrong. The taxi driver was nice though, and it was partly my fault that he did not get the postcode right.

He switches of the taximeter when it is showing £58 (700 Swedish Kronor), saying that it would not be fair to charge me that much.


13:40 @ Ericsson, Ansty Park

After nearly two hours, and some help from my sat nav, we reach the office. As I only had £23 in cash – he was happy to accept that. I was also given a book by this Muslim driver on why you do not have to say goodbye to your brain when becoming a Christian(!). Very kind of him and I will read it properly at some point.


After Arrival

I managed to get out some of the training, although I only got a couple of hours of it. As Jonas (the other Project Management graduate from the UK) and I were departing Birmingham to Stockholm (via Copenhagen), we had to leave 17:00. This as our flight would leave Britain at 19:00.

Thankfully, our taxi found Coventry Station, and our train stopped at Birmingham International. In addition, our flights departed on time and we were ten minutes early arriving in Stockholm Arlanda. Our Stockholm taxi driver knew where our hotel was, and I hit the bed just after 1 am local time. Phew!

All this was written on Thursday night onboard the flight to the UK from Stockholm.

Today Simon has:

Listened to an announcement in Guildford about a cancelled train - that did not affect him!
Read stuff on the new Ericsson website, particularly this section
Noticed that he has all reasons to be proud of the place where he works

Where the Action is…

…or perhaps; where is the action?

I do apologise for the lack of blog posts. I have been thinking lately about updating this blog with a more customised look. In addition, I am hoping to connect my mobile to the blog again. This would make a huge difference as I always have plenty of time to write when travelling. I also have plans to write more about what I think, as this blog so far has been very much about what I do.

Work is going well. Ericsson is a great company and I do not mind the Reading commute, as it will all be worth it in the end. I trust I am in the right place.

In the upcoming week, Jonas (the other Project Management graduate) and myself will be going to Sweden for some training in Ericsson's Project Management Model (PROPS). It will be great to show Jonas my home country, and Stockholm is one of my home towns as well!

The joy of writing has really hit me in the last week or two. I really look forward to write more with my new fountain pen - and that the ink will remain calm and not attack my clothes...

In a week's time I will also have my keyboard back. Really looking forward to start playing music (well, technically) again.

More later, my friends.



Today Simon has:

Listened to Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle
Read about pens, and bought two!
Noticed that it is raining outside

Work Starts Soon

On Monday I will start a working for 'real'. I am really excited about starting with Ericsson, and I hope I will feel as excited about things in a few weeks' time.

The current flat is good, but too expensive for me and I hope to get a cheaper one this spring. So please let me know if you are interested in flat sharing from April and onwards.

Guildford is a beautiful place, and I have found myself a good church. Interesting times ahead!


Today Simon has:

Listened to a box with ten Kent CDs
Read about taxation in Britain
Noticed that the tax year does not end when the year ends =/

How I got to know the Meaning of X

A friendly way to sign off a letter in Sweden is to write ‘kram’. Kram is a word than means hug. When I moved to the UK I was introduced to the ‘x’. I had no clue what it really meant, so when my dear female coursemates were texting me and finished texts with various amounts of ‘x’ – I responded in the same manner. Later I realised it probably was not the most manly way to deal with it.

One day I asked my course mate Jenny what the X really meant.

Me: You know when you finish a text; you sometimes put an X at the end. Why’s that?
Jenny: It’s a kiss.
Me: Oh…

Then I remember an awkward moment of silence, before we changed conversation topic. I do not really know what kind of answer I expected. And being an internet veteran – online since 1997 (oh yeah!) – I cannot understand how I had failed to spot this before.

I probably should also explain that in northern Sweden it is not customary to give friends a kiss on the cheek when you meet. The aforementioned hug is a more common way to greet a friend. This implies that a kiss - unless referred to a kiss on the cheek - is a kiss is on the mouth.

Oh, and the first times I was introduced to the Mediterranean-style ‘one kiss on each cheek’ concept I nearly headbutted the poor girl in confusion…

Today Simon has:

Listened to nothing
Read nothing
Noticed the rain

The Update

Ok. I admit. I should write here more often. Lately seem to have put all my words into either assignments or emails. Anyway, assignments are now over. University is actually formally over in the middle of July - that is when my graduation is.

Dissertation went well (I hope!). With God's help I also found a suitable job for myself, but I won't reveal any more details until I have signed a contract. I am happy to tell that it seems to be the job of my graduate dreams.

This summer I am tourist infoing it at the Tourist Information Centre in my hometown (Åsele). It is likely my last summer as Tourist Adviser, but it has been the most enjoyable summer job possible. Not all people get the privilege of working with The Stick and Slyve Homegreen ;).

Last week I did some interpreting Swe-Eng for a group asylum seekers that were taken on a bus tour past the sights around my hometown. Working with refugees is something I really really enjoy, and I hope I can get some time to do voluntary work within that area in the future.


Today Simon has:

Listened to Air
Read some computer game text
Noticed how God is good, even though Simon has felt so and so.

Go to Bed!

Or maybe a blog post instead. Feels like ages ago. And sadly (or to the amusement of others, and myself the day after) I write like a drunkard when tired.

I am currently doing my dissertation, which I - strangely enough - find quite enjoyable.

I do not think I have dreamed any controversial dreams lately.

The longer I stay in this country, the more I seem to like it.

Why do I keep sneezing? My flat is actually relatively clean... and surely the hayfever season has not begun...?

I have my running route past two very fine furniture shops. One is particularly hard to avoid seeing, and whenever I pass by I look at the posh tables and couches. Why do I do this? I do not know. This as I...

1. ...do not know anything about the future, apart from that my last deadline is the 21st of May.
2. ...do not have any money to spend on furniture.
3. ... do not have any space for furniture.
4. ...have no plans of moving into a bigger flat, no matter where I end up.


Why did I not put down a reminder in my phone for that coffee today?

Had a very bad customer service experience today. Rang E*TRADE to activate my American debit card that I recently got. I spoke to three customer service agents. One friendly bloke called Joseph, then two less than service minded girls whereof one bore the name Amanda.

They seemed to not have time with me, and I felt obliged to excuse myself for taking their time! Which I actually did. One actually yawned during our talk - without apologising!

If I were their manager and heard those calls, I would give them a stern talking to.

In the greater scheme of things this is obviously an event of small significance, but I am surprised that they are not more customer centred as a financial services firm operating in a time like this.

Anyway, E*TRADE has a brilliant online share trading facility. Just do not talk to them...

Today Simon has:

Listened to Trans-Island Skyway by Donald Fagen
Read Dr Ike's slides
Noticed that the WSJ has written about Raoul Wallenberg today (www.wsj.com)

When Old Tunes...

...pop up in your head, and you do not know why – there is nothing better than sharing the joy (?).

www.myspace.com/mserneholt

I Need A House and TTW MHG are (moderately cheesy) classics.


Moving swiftly on.

www.myspace.com/kentsweden

747, here for some unknown reason called Like a Wishper. Whatever a wishper is...

According to many Swedes, 747 is the perfect song. Make sure you listen to the whole track, if you want it in Swedish just look up 747 + kent in the search box. Chans is also a good tune:

"Så får jag en chans att säga
allt det jag aldrig sagt

Så får jag en chans att ge dig
allt det du aldrig haft

Men jag är för feg"


In English it would be something like:

"I was given the chance to tell you
all that I never said

I was given the chance to give you
all that you never had

But I am a coward"


Right, that is all for today. Two blog posts in one day. That will not happen again this semester.


Since the previous post today, Simon has:

Listened to all the above
Read The Economist (how mature am I?!)
Noticed that the Facebook chat is touch and go...=/

A Different Breakfast, Alanis, Marital Status and Coursemates

I will probably be fed up with this dish in a few weeks' time as that is what I keep cooking for friends. As I had leftovers from yesterday, I decided to fry these (those?) for breakfast.

Oh, I had this dream tonight. It was about me nearly missing my dissertation celebration flight to New York. I was pleased waking up and realising it had been just a dream.

According to Wikipedia, Alanis Morissette is dating some kind of environmental lawyer called Tom Ballanco. Never mind. I hope she is happy. Really.

During the past seven days I have socialised with friends once, and that was yesterday. Before that it was a night (or in my case, late evening) out with the coursemates. It has been such a privilege getting to know a few people on my course better. I hope we will keep in touch with each other after graduation.

When I was seventeen years old I thought I was gonna be married at the age of 22 and, if not, definitely by the age of 24. Two and a half brief relationships later, I now have no intention of getting involved in a relationship. Of course I did not enjoy getting dumped in the past, but with the benefit of hindsight it was the best that could happen.

I am not scared of staying single the rest of my life. As it is now I probably would not mind, but I have to acknowledge that this contentedness is largely dependent on me finding a meaningful career. However, I am scared of losing the friends that I actually have. My future life will probably consist of a lot of moving around. Heck, I have lived in five places in five years – and actually enjoyed the hopping around.

I have to admit it feels strange to leave Newcastle after graduation. It is the first town I have identified myself more with than Stockholm. I felt as home in Newcastle after a year as I did in Stockholm after three years.

One reason is probably that I have felt more like a member of the church here, while in Stockholm I always felt like a guest. Having said that, my priorities have rather been with my studies than church activities during the last few years.

That does not mean that I see my Christian faith as little more than a Get Out of Hell Free card. For instance, I would not have had the courage to come here if it was not for my faith.

Clocked up another six miles of running yesterday. Let me know if you want to join at some point.

I usually do not write about private matters on my blog. Hope you enjoyed the exception ;).

Today Simon has:

Listened to Andy Murray's racket
Read nothing yet
Noticed that going to bed early is so rewarding

Personality Test

I did a personality test the yesterday while on a break from cleaning my flat (ehrm). After answering 150ish questions I got the following profile(s). Some of it is very accurate, but I am questioning me being an orderly perfectionist...

Then I assume this test was very unscientific in the first place, so I will probably try to do something endorsed by a bunch of psychologists next time. Anyway, enjoy reading.

Conscientious

(Work)

Work ethic, get the job done and done right, strong morals and values, loyal, perfectionist.

Hard work:	The Conscientious person is dedicated to work, works very hard, and is capable of intense, single-minded effort.
The right thing:	To be Conscientious is to be a person of conscience. These are men and women of strong moral principles and values. Opinions and beliefs on any subject are rarely held lightly. Conscientious individuals want to do the right thing.
The right way:	Everything must be done "right," and the Conscientious person has a clear understanding of what that means, from the correct way to balance the checkbook, to the best strategy to achieve the boss's objectives, to how to fit every single dirty dish into the dishwasher.
Perfectionism:	The Conscientious person likes all tasks and projects to be complete to the final detail, without even minor flaws.
Love of detail:	Conscientious men and women take seriously all the steps of any project. No detail is too small for Conscientious consideration.
Order:	Conscientious people like the appearance of orderliness and tidiness. They are good organizers, catalogers, and list makers, and they appreciate schedules and routines.
Pragmatism:	Conscientious types approach the world and other people from a practical, no-nonsense point of view, They roll up their sleeves and get to workwithout much emotional expenditure.
Prudence:	Thrifty, careful, and cautious in all areas of their lives, Conscientious individuals do not give in to reckless abandon or wild excess.
Accumulation:	A "pack rat," the Conscientious person saves and collects things (storing them in orderly bundles), reluctant to discard anything that has, formerly had, or someday may have value for him or her.

Mercurial

(Emotions, Relationships, Self-Control)

Life is a rollercoaster, insist you come along for the ride, yearn for experience, enduring to emotional weather changes.

Romantic attachment:	Mercurial individuals must always be deeply involved in a romantic relationship with one person.
Intensity:	They experience a passionate, focused attachment in all their relationships. Nothing that goes on between them and other people is trivial,nothing taken lightly.
Heart:	They show what they feel. They are emotionally active and reactive. Mercurial types put their hearts into everything.
Unconstraint:	They are uninhibited, spontaneous, fun-loving, and undaunted by risk.
Activity:	Energy marks the Mercurial style. These individuals can stir others to activity.
Open mind:	They are imaginative and curious, willing to experience and experiment with other cultures, roles, and value systems and to follow new paths.

http://www.personalityonline.com/ - The page of the test

Today Simon has:

Listened to Sleeping in my Car by Roxette
Read nothing
Noticed how quickly you burn cash in a music store

A Random Dream

Tonight I dreamt that I handed in all my assignments. As having assignments sorted were not enough, I found myself going to Hawaii with my course to celebrate.

Details I can remember from the dream are:

I had 20 minutes to departure when I still had not left home. I realised that by the time I got to the airport, there would be no time to check in hold baggage. I decided to walk to the airport, as this was quicker than taking a taxi. As I had no idea how long we were going to be in Hawaii, I thought I could buy more underwear and socks when we got there. After all, how pricey could things be in Hawaii?

Therefore, I brought hand baggage only. I met Shannon from my course at the check-in desks. Apparently, I did not walk to the airport. I teleported.

Walking on a long gravel path, outside the airport to the departure gates, I could not keep up with Shannon. Later, she kindly stopped, and I gave some explanation (shoelaces) to my lack of pace.

Then something happened, and I am not sure whether it had to do with this Hawaii trip. I am sitting on a Scandinavian Airlines flight to somewhere. A blonde girl, whom I have never seen before, is sitting just across the aisle.

“This is soo boring, do you have anything to read”, she says addressing me.
“Of course I do”, I say, giving her all books and magazines from my carry-on suitcase.

“Do you speak Swedish?”, I ask her in Swedish
“Huh?”, she says.

I took that as a ‘no’ and then she continued:

“Do you get food on this flight?”
“No,” I say, “you don’t get food on any SAS flights these days.”

After that, we went on a rant how poor it is when you do not get in-flight meals.

Then I woke up, shocked that I never asked to get my books back. Then realising it was only a dream.


Notes
1. I am very optimistic about time, but not as optimistic as portrayed in this dream.
2. I am surprised I woke up concerned about my books.
3. In real life, bringing underwear would get priority over books.


A few questions need answers:

Q1: Did Shannon and the rest of our course ever get to Hawaii?

Q2: Can anybody teach me teleporting? It obviously works terrific in dreams.

Q3: Why was I not told about the duration of our Hawaii trip?

Q4: Why on Earth was I put on a SAS flight (destination unknown) with a random girl nicking my books?

Q5: Why did I give her ALL my books?

Please put your thoughts as comments (either on the blog or at Facebook where this post is imported) – any input is valuable, as I doubt anybody has All the Answers. I wish you all a pleasant start to 2009!

Simon



Today Simon has:

Listened to Swedish music on Youtube
Read nothing
Noticed that he has some serious cleaning left to do