Sunday Morning

T'was Sunday morning and all was quiet in the Eames household. I am sitting at the computer with my private soundtrack playing in my head, as always. This morning it is subdued music. I am still wearing my glasses, having been advised by my optician to spend less time wearing my lenses (but they always say that) and I never feel that I can wake up properly while wearing them. Though the dressing gown and pyjamas don't really help either.

On the way to work in the morning I have two different usual soundtracks. I am either listening to Colombian music in Spanish that I don't always understand which lends an element of confusion to the trip to work. Or I am listening to some banging house tunes which results in me arriving at work exhausted, having walked double time, but still ready to go clubbing.

I often imagine that I am in the music video for the song that I am listening to, which is probably why I get so many funny looks on the tube and the train in the morning.

My trip to work has changed a lot since moving back to London. From my sister's house we catch a train then a tube and I get off and walk from Embankment. The time on the train is extensive but relaxed as it would be a pretty unusual day if we didn't get a seat. Arriving into Fenchurch Street station we hammer it down to Tower Hill and get on a tube. We also usually get a seat there.

So plenty of time for reading the free newspaper or your own book (I sometimes pretend to be better than I am and read a Spanish book or newspaper, what a show off!) and a relaxing walk to Piccadilly Circus where I work.

Now, however, I walk to Streatham Common station and have to force my way onto a train. Scenes from various documentaries of people being pushed onto trains in Tokyo come to mind most mornings. The newspaper is just something that I clutch in my sweaty paw while it oozes its black ink all over me. I burst off the train a mere six minutes later, which is why I don't wait for the next train and miss these cattle train conditions. Everyone else feels the same way.

I am now at Balham where I push my way through crowds at the ticket office and onto the first Northern Line train to come along. This can mean that I get all the way to where I want to go or that I have to change again at Kennington.

When I finally arrive into central London I have the choice of Embankment or Leicester Square tubes. If I haven't brough my breakfast with me then I get off at Embankment because it has the most cafes. Plus I get to see if anything interesting is happening in Trafalgar Square.

On both journeys I could change and get a tube to Piccadilly Circus but I think that would take the fun out of working in London. I work in one of my favourite areas and my short walk in the morning or at night is my reward for the rest of the trip.

This morning the sun is out for the third day without rain, fingers crossed. Some students invited me to Bournemouth today but I couldn't get to Victoria in time. Turns out to have been a good thing as I just spoke to them on the bus and they don't know how they are getting home tonight.

Interesting times.