Saturday, November 01, 2008

The Trick was on me this Halloween!

This Friday morning started out like any other. I left the house at 8am, checking to make sure I had my keys and my Travel card. I walked to Hither Green Station and when the train came I ever got a seat; always makes a nicer start to the day. I was wearing my new black winter coat for the first time and during the train ride I moved my Ipod from my left pocket, where my travel card also was, to my purse. The train stopped at Charring Cross and I got off. I put my hand in my pocket and my travel card wasn't there. I got back on the train car and had a look around where I was sitting - no luck. I was upset about the loss, but not too worried as I had registared my card to protect the money on it from loss and theft. Also I wasn't to concerned about exiting Charring Cross as luckily in the mornings there is an unguarded exit that I had used many times in the past.

Well

Today there was about 5 London transport guys up there checking for valid tickets. (The first time I had ever seen anyone up there.) Of course they didn't believe my "I just lost it" story and boom I have a 20 pound ticket. I am quite upset. Its not just the loss of 20 pounds, it was the shame of having to walk by all those people and have them thinking you are trying to cheat the system.

So

I went into the Underground station to report my card stolen. They say they can't help me and that I have to call a help number. I get into work and call the number. Since I don't know the number on my card (which is now lost) they have to post me a new one (which could take up to 5 days). I have errr had a 7 day travel card, the first day was on Thursday, so all the days I paid for I won't have the card and won't be able to use. The whole system is ridiculus and at the end of the day having to rebuy travel for the next 5 days and getting the ticket I have bled around 45 pounds of money today (aka $95) all because my stufpid coat pocket is too horizonal!

Happy Bloody Halloween!

Anyways

Mark and I carved pumpkins on Tuesday night. It was Mark's "first time." I was a proud little teacher. We came home as quick as we could on Friday night and got in around 6:25pm. Two little boys rang the bell at 6:30pm before I had a chance to get the pumpkin outside and those were the only 2 Trick or Treaters we got! I was a little disappointed but oh well. The pumpkins looked very nice outside and I am sure lots of people got to see them when they were walking by. The last picture is a picture of the type of candy we gave out. I had 25 pieces just in case.

We ordered in Indian food and watched the Gremlins then Ghost Busters; neither of which have I ever really watched, so that was good to get a couple of "classics" out of the way.

Halloween definately isn't near as popular here. No dressing up at work, someone actually asked me what day halloween was on; we couldn't even find a scarey movie on TV to watch! The more important date around this time is November 5th. Bonfire Night / Guy Fawkes Night. (I had really never heard of this before but for V for Vendetta or my university British history class. ) There is a big fireworks display in the Blackheath common next Saturay night and even as I write this I can hear fireworks somewhere outside my window. There are a lot a fireworks going on around this time. I think I would like to go to a Bonfire, but I haven't heard about any Bonfires going on.