Suzy, Drinker Of Coffee

Very random stuff

Weather... I knew it was good, but this in the Courier surprised me.

"Monifieth weather watcher Neil Ferguson recorded a maximum temperature of 21.2C, well up on last year’s April peak of 16.6C. The first time the mercury passed 21.2C last year was on June 2, with 22.7C, he said"

Train Tickets... as it looks like I'm going to be a semi-regular user of First Capital Connect services now, it may or may not give me the right of a whine... but seriously, this one (found via The Ticket Collector) came to me as a surprise.

"...I thought that I would tell you that FCC have decided to create a new type of Peak Travelcard which you can get railcard discounts on, AND it lets you come back during the evening peak as well!

The ticket is called the One Day Off Peak Travelcard Plus it is still the same price as a normal Peak Travelcard, but you can get normal railcard discounts on it which brings it to slightly above the normal off peak Travelcard. Also being a Travelcard Plus you are allowed to leave london at any time and you can leave during the normal evening peak."

... in other words, it's the old One Day Off Peak Travelcard from before the evening peak restriction introduction, with a bit more whacked on top. Got to love First eh? How long before First ScotRail are trying the same with One-Tickets?

The name I've changed the name of the blog from "Suzy In The City" to "Suzy, Drinker Of Coffee". I was thinking of a new title, and was inspired by auntysarah changing her title from "Sarah's Transition Musings" to "Sarah, The Bringer Of Tea"... She explained this last weekend, that she is known for bringing tea in times of a crisis...

The blog At the moment, you can currently get Suzy in stereo surround sound, in both Blogger and Livejournal format. I've copied back the last week or so of March onto Livejournal, but the older stuff is on Blogger only. The two will continue until at least the end of the month, then I will decide. Formatting on LJ seems so much easier!

Maps & Timetables A new edition of the Perth & Kinross Council Public Transport Map - the first since late 2002 - is now in print. Dated "From 16th April 2007", the map includes all the changes up to that point, and should be availbile from all outlets now. The Angus Council map should not be too far behind.

Bus Service Changes - Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth & Kinross Some mostly minor things due for 16th April. Stagecoach Fife 23 (St Andrews - Stirling) and Citylink/Megabus Services M90/M91 (Dundee/Inverness - Perth - Edinburgh) will run into the new Kinross Park & Ride site. Stagecoach Fife 36B (Glenrothes - Gateside) is extended to/from Kinross Park & Ride site. Stagecoach Fife 35/36 (Cupar/Glenrothes - Perth) are to be improved, to give two buses an hour from Newburgh to Perth, but reducing the service to Cupar. Additionally, when combined with the 56, there will be a bus every 20 minutes from Bridge of Earn to Perth.

... and finally ... having said what I did last night about The Illusion Principle, I got a message today from Dave - the guitarist from TIP. Turns out he found my site/blog while googling his own band, and was still impressed at the suggestion of TIP playing Kewbworth! I guess I've got to do it now... and maybe even video record it with the brick.. see my Bebo to see it.

Tags: transition, transport, work
Current Location: Dundee City Centre
Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: The Illusion Principle - Mark Stanley Thinks You're Rubbish...

Labels: transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:29 0 comments

Good Friday Morning

There are a few other thoughts too. Tomorrow is Saturday 7^th April, which marks four and a half years in my current job HR mention to the new starts that the average tenure is 18-24 months (I’d have said more like 12-18 in practice). There have been ups and downs to the lot. With my current plans, it looks like I will stay there in the run up to surgery, unless I get a very unlikely and hugely life-changing offer. That would mean at least three months off afterwards, so that should clearly see me well into five years service in one job – very scary! Nothing is going to be set in stone this year though!

… Put it this way. I’ve got lots of good things to think of, lots of recent happy times, lots of good memories. It’s time to commemorate and celebrate the achievements, and this is the perfect excuse… like I need one!

So, today, we are all going to be at work. As per last year, I am still on the “old old old” agency contract, so this is the one time of the year when I actually make a little bit more i.e. double time and a half. Thankfully they’ve not tied to mess our shifts around this time!

If you are wondering when the deeply moving personal stuff comes up, well keep watching. In the meantime, keep watching for the latest transport, work and love gubbins!

Labels: caroline, transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 11:59 2 comments

Wow, what a week…

A ride home tonight was courtesy of Adam, who picked up two of his flatmate’s friends on the way along the Perth Road. I’ve never seen him getting so well double-teamed by the two in the back… we all love him really, honest!

Yesterday, we heard from Jay, tomorrow he heads south to Florida to see the rest of his family on holiday for a bit – enjoy your well-deserved break, and try not to relax too much! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t… (regular blog readers will be aware this leaves for plenty of scope…) So, for today, the words of Kelly Clarkson herself… (the *other* American Idol from Rochester! lol)… and it sums things up so well!

"Breakaway"

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway

Wishing you all a peaceful Easter (or religious festival of choice), and I will be here when you get back… probably still typing!

Labels: caroline, transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

Busy day

Hopefully I will get caught up with everything soon enough! Thank you to everyone for all your kind words, emails, texts and thoughts!

Labels: caroline, transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:55 0 comments

Wide awake

I got home, and tried to get the pictures off the camera card (apparently you need to eject the device on a Mac before removing the card in a card reader. On a pc, you only need to remove it to change the reader, not the card). Lots of technical issues here! No chance – but then I remembered that the photo kiosk got them off the night before. Took the card to Boots, and burned the lot onto a PictureCD for £2.99. Then, headed for my usual web café, only to find it is closed (being a Dundee public holiday). I was able to get access via MBE in the end, and upload all the pictures from the weekend. You can see them all here.

Anyway, made it to the end of the day, and out. Called Caroline on the way home (too much noise in the background of the Dart I was on – now I know why they were called sheds)…

Labels: caroline, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:53 0 comments

Quiet Sunday

Probably the most pleasurable Sunday I’ve had for a while…

… We woke up when it became light, and cuddled up for a bit. After over an hour, we decided we had to get up. The clock showed 0830 – several hours earlier than either of us expected. Maybe time did really stop after all. As I am sure you can all appreciate, we were both incredibly happy. We ended up going back to bed for a bit, and up again. We had a genuinely fun afternoon. I booked my return from London to Dundee using no wires at all (her PowerBook is part of her wireless network). She was doing some work on her new Mac Mini. We took some pics of the both of us together, and this was our mutual favourite of the two. She said to me “See, I told you I’d get you smiling for a photo”.

So, the time came – and we decided to make a move at 2130, for the 2144 train south. Enough trains pass by - check out the overhead line equipment and tracks that you can see from the window! As the train (in full First Capital Connect livery, complete with some of the picture branding) pulled into Platform 2 of Royston station, we said our thank-yous and goodbyes, until the next time, and I instincitvly headed for the train. Then I realised, we weren’t pulling off immediately. The clock showed we still had two minutes to go until departure time, but most trains (in the south at least) get doors closed by the guard with thirty seconds to go. So, just enough time for me to walk to the door, arms onto the platform, one last kiss, and pulled apart bang on 21.43.30. Talk about making the best possible use of my time…

… and that was it. For now.

The train journey was a little interesting. Because of engineering work, the train ran through, but via the Hertford North, Cuffley and Enfield Chase line, rather than the via Knebworth, Welwyn, and Potters Bar, that we did on the way up. You know I always like to vary my journeys, and see the world go by (even fast and dark), but this was another interesting twist to the weekend. Never been to Cuffley before either… been to Hertford North and Enfield (Chase) before. I had been winding Adam (from The Illusion Principle) up about playing one of his bands songs as we passed through Knebworth, just so we could say that TIP played Knebworth. Once he got it explained what Knebworth referred to (a music festival of old), he was happy! As you can see, didn’t get the chance, but I will be back again.

So, a few texts exchanged. Thanks sent to S&S for their hospitality yesterday, which came back with a “congratulations for you both” when I explained what had occurred after we’d left theirs. I was still in awe – it had been a wonderful weekend. I alighted the train at Finsbury Park (same trip as last time), after adding some more credit to my Oyster card. What a forty-eight hours since I passed here in the opposite direction (it’s ok, I will shut up about it by the end of the month, honest… lol)

The Victoria line train once again took me south, but instinct somehow meant I headed for the Piccadilly line platform initially… never mind, they are parallel. As we sped down the tracks, we made it to Victoria, where most things were closed at 2300ish on a Sunday night. The station was still open for access, and one or two shops still open. I spent some time and a few coins of loose change and got a few of the pictures that I took this weekend, printed off by the photo kiosk. A photo tells a thousand words, they say. I headed for Greenline Coach Station, and could see that Neoplan 50127 was ready to take us all north. I headed upstairs, sat down, and pulled out the pictures for a quick look, and some texts were sent out too.

Now, you would have thought “that must surely be the end of the weekend now?” Nope!

One last bonus was the ride out of London. Most of the time, drivers leaving London would run via Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane, Marble Arch, Baker Street/Gloucester Place, Finchley Road, come off at Childs Hill, Brent Cross Flyover, North Circular, to Staples Corner, then the M1. However, we got to just after Hyde Park Corner, and traffic was gridlocked – yes, at ten to midnight on a Sunday night. So, we turned around using one of the turning lanes, and headed back to Hyde Park Corner. We left town via Knightsbridge, which was interesting to see all the changes. The building work on the Knightsbridge station (Harrods side) has all finished now. It was also interesting to see the changes in some of the shops – Harrods now also has a small food type shop on the other side of the road – and we then headed along via South Kensington, and towards Earls Court Tesco. At this point, we were on the M4, heading for the west (towards Heathrow), and we followed that to the M25, and joined the M1 shortly after. It was an extra bonus to be above ground and seeing some of these places, for the first time in ages.

Wow, what a weekend!

Labels: caroline, london, subway, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

A Tale Of Two Cities

… except that there weren’t any. Sarah & Sylvia got caught in these big time yesterday, and as I was reading it out, the Ka started swerving to the right… but very quickly rectified, before we hit the crash barrier! Oops… but anyway, this was once we’d got to the M25. By this point we went via A505, M11, M25, M23/A23 etc., A27 (Brighton By-Pass), then downhill at the University through to the Downs Hotel lights, then turning right.

In the car, I was ok. I became a little bit nervous in the car, but not too bad. I knew all the questions that I’d be asked, and I thought I had done enough question asking of my own, to know what was involved (see last Saturday between Montrose and Stracathro!) Sarah was in for her 10 week post op check-up, right before my initial consultation. I could see Sarah sat across the seating area, together with Sylvia, and Zoe. Sarah and Sylvia went off to see Phil Thomas, and Zoe stayed to wait for them, and then proceed to visit another friend of theirs upstairs (which I’ll come to later on). I was ok. If I’d not read the experiences of a previous visitor, then I’d be a lot more nervous here.

As S&S came out, Zoe joined them, and we agreed to talk and chat afterwards. At this point, Carla came out for more coffee for Phil, as to “perk him up a bit”… I didn’t ask. Just before the time came, I offered Caroline to come in with me… and she agreed! which was good. When the time came, Liz & Carla came out for me, and we spoke briefly on a few specifics, before being taken into see Phil himself. (we did briefly meet on the reception desk, although I only twigged later). He was then getting into all the specifics, explaining the specifics from his diagram. Then, the phone rang.

“Tell her to get her a**e in gear”… he said. (It was the 1230 appointment person, who had just arrived at Gatwick with around 40 minutes to go). True, he doesn’t mince his words right enough! I feel sorry for whoever that was… but the receptionist could probably filter it out. I’ve missed a variety of buses & trains over the years, so I could sort of sympathise – but we very quickly went back to my own issues. We talked about a number of things, and I was able to answer most of the questions… until they stumped me! “How heavy are you?”

Aah f**k. (My weight does have a habit of going up and down). “I don’t know… have you got a set of scales there?”

Well, they did – in the cubicle - and at 6 foot and 17 stones, I am currently a little overweight. I had to go back off behind the cubicle, on the bed for the physical, and I’d been warned last Saturday by Sarah that this could “mess with your mind”. It wasn’t so bad, but I could see why some people wouldn’t exactly enjoy it. I’ve had fingers and worse stuck up tighter places, so a brief check of the “area to be worked on”, and he said the words “hmm, that’s interesting”.

Turns out my weight is a bit baldy distributed. Although I am technically a little overweight, there is no build-up of fat on the area to be worked on. There is enough material to work with, and no requirement to get rid of any genital hair before hand. (Yes… that is a result – time, as well as cost and pain!)

So, we all got back to the main room (Phil, Liz/Carla, Caroline and myself), and we discussed what will happen. In brief, there is no need for any hair removal. There is no need to make any changes to my life, but losing 10 kilos would make me feel better, and make the recovery more pleasant. It wasn’t tied into the work or anything, it was just a suggestion – and it would also help my depression etc.). At the moment, I admit I am doing a bit of “comfort” eating, so cutting that out should make this easy. As for a date – well, the “first available” is quite a bit away, given that he is fully booked through the summer. We are therefore looking at late August, early September time. As has been echoed by just about everyone there, the staff there are fantastic. I wasn’t at all concerned or upset, but they wanted to reassure me as only they could. While this is the person who will be performing life-changing work on my body, the significance seems to be hitting in gently, rather than shaking me up.

We got out, and myself & Caroline sat down briefly (so I could send Sarah a text, as requested – Liz and friends encourage the use of mobiles at the hospital). We were happy, and Caroline was hugging me tightly. I wasn’t upset at all – in fact, fairly happy at the result.

As we were sat in the delightful waiting area downstairs (and I do mean that, the place seemed more like a hotel than a hospital), Sarah came downstairs alone (from the first floor of the hospital). She said that Jasmine and her mother were happy for me & Caroline to come and see them… and we headed upstairs to her front-facing room. This didn’t show us the view from the back of the hospital, but faced onto the Warren Road (lots of B&H 2’s and 22’s going past!). Now, if I remember rightly, this was her first day back on solid food post-op. She was happy, content, and enjoying the lot. So, for a Saturday morning, she was fairly talkative – and had to be, with myself, Sarah & Sylvia, Caroline, and Zoe (as well as her mother) to speak to. That wonderful post-op “glow” that is talked of seems to be already in place, and genuinely she was in no pain. Everyone says religiously that “it does not hurt” – but I don’t fear pain. As if I needed any more reassurance, Jasmine’s wellbeing was more than enough to show that yes, this was the right place. It somehow seemed that making it personal, and talking to people, has taken the edge off what could have been a routine appointment with an un-named person, in a huge hospital. Zoe left for Manchester, and soon after we left Jasmine & mom to chat for a bit, while we raided the coffee machine. Sarah, Sylvia, Caroline and I sat together in what is the ophthalmic outpatient waiting area, but not on Saturdays it would appear. One of the nurses passed, and recognised Sarah from her visit. That was reassuring. – by this point, I’d long passed the point of needing to be reassured. It just added to the atmosphere. Maybe I’m lucky, but then again, it means Sarah has also been lucky, Jasmine is lucky too, Zoe is coming here soon, and everyone else who has came and gone – many every week – are also being well cared for. I can live with that. It all seemed so “right”. The view from the back of the hospital, over the Downs, is like this…

S&S had offered the two of us to come to Cambridge for the evening, which we gracefully accepted. It was while we were sat down that she said “Neither of you are afraid of snakes, are you?” I’d remembered reading the story of Axmister’s bite, but Caroline appeared to have forgotten… but we agreed to meet up around six-ish.

We headed back, but headed back to the seats to avoid interrupting Jasmine’s bed bath. Her mother joined us in the seating area briefly, and we talked. It seemed wonderful that she was being so supportive of her daughter (in my eyes), and that she was willing to talk of such things. We rejoined Jasmine, and then left about quarter past two I think. We headed out to the car park, and I’d somehow managed to make a half hour appointment turn into to a three-hour visit – it truly is a wonderful hospital, the staff are good, the patients get exceptionally well cared for. As we left, I noticed a stash of copies of the current slimline edition of the Brighton & Hove bus timetable on a table behind the exit – Tails Prower 2040 had picked up one for me on his previous (completely different) visit to Brighton a few weeks ago, but I still love how they can fit the entire city map and summary timetables onto what is effectively an A3 sheet of paper! As you will have gathered, they seem to be magicians in this part of the world… maybe it’s something in the water!

(For the bus hairies reading this, there seemed to be a lot of Route 25 branded buses passing through Woodingdean on the 2/22, but I presumed these were just spare at he weekend because the 25 is the University service. If I remember rightly, and I am no expert on this part of the world, the 25 buses are the newest in the fleet – being the huge Scania OmniDekka 90-odd seater jobs – which looked just about every bit as functional as stylish. One in construction is on the front of the current [winter] edition of Pocket Bus Times).

So, we split here in the wind, vowing to meet again later in the evening. Sarah showed off by managing to start her Toyota Synergy hybrid drive car in electric mode – and yes, it was wonderfully quiet!

So, what a day so far – and it was far from over. We went back essentially via “outward route in reverse”, but I could tell someone was being especially thoughtful and caring for me! We agreed that because we were heading out for a curry in the evening, we didn’t want to fill up right now, but stopped at Clackett Lane services – another M-way services that I’d never visited before. I’m not collecting them or anything, but this weekend it seemed likely
Note that the Apple windscreen sticker was not applied by the current owner! I pointed this out when she visited to collect it, and she had not noticed it until then! We talked about all what we’d just seen and heard, and I was very happy - awestruck maybe. We then carried on the M25, naturally going through the Dartford Tunnel rather than across the QEII Bridge in this direction. I was in a wonderful state of mind – almost enjoying this a little too much.

It was about fourish by the time we left Clackett Lane, so we decided to head straight for Cambridge via the M11. S&S have a wonderful place not far from Cambridge Station, and directions were supplied by return text message. It was at this point that Caroline made her one slightly incorrect turning manoeuvre during the entire 250+ miles trip, and pulled into a bus stop to attempt a u-turn. We made it – just! Cambridge is a city I’ve never been to before, and it looked wonderful. MAN’s and Tridents of Stagecoach (ex Cambus) appeared to be the mainstay of the Citi branded network around the city, and were well loaded throughout. Some familiar faces could be seen on the Park & Ride services – the first batch of East London Tridents, which are now non-compliant for TfL work, but perfectly adequate for the rest of the world.

So, we got there, and found a tiny parking space – Caroline did well at parking the Ka in it, and we were reunited with S&S. We managed to interrupt Sarah’s livejournal posting session, which included a rant about her gridlocked M25 the day before! We met the snakes (my apologies that I didn’t remember all the names, but it had been a busy day by this point!), as well as talking about some trans related stuff too. After getting my rear kicked by Sarah on Super Mario Kart (I’ve not played it since SNES days, and this was my first shot on a GameCube), we headed for The Golden Curry.

They were unusually busy for a Saturday night, and the waiter apologised for this. They said that they had an unusually large group, which they don’t normally take on Saturdays. We had a small round table up against the window, which was perfect for conversing and watching the City go by (Citi?) The food was excellent, and probably the best that I’ve had from such an establishment. All the food was served up brilliantly, After much talk and entertainment all round, we headed back to S&S’s place for a bit, where a pot of Jasmine tea was served up in honour of the person we’d visited earlier! We called it a night around 2300, when Sarah started to flag. It was a truly wonderful night, and we left with safe wishes for my journey north.

Now, if you thought, “that day couldn’t possibility get any better”… there was still time!

We drove down the A10 to Royston, and headed straight to Caroline’s flat, which we had left about fourteen and a half hours before. We talked in the car, and I pointed out how well she’d looked after me for the weekend. We got back in her flat, and she started making hot chocolate. During this time, I slung my arms around her shoulders, and thanked her for everything… told her how I felt and what a wonderful person she was, and we sort of went from there. We sat down on the sofa, and we were very much in love. Caroline’s now my girlfriend, partner, lover, call it what you will. The next time we checked the clock, it was 0230 on Sunday morning. To avoid any suggestions of “April fools”, we agreed to metaphorically stoop the clock for a few hours at 23.59.59 on 31.03.2007… or do the bus industry/London underground trick and call it 2630 hours…

Remember when I was depressed back in January? A certain woman was first on the scene to say lots of nice things to me… and things went from there. I have turned my life around, and am now a very happy woman.

Labels: caroline, surgery, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

Dundee to Royston – on a Friday

I got to Dundee Bus Station in time for the 0900 megabus to London. To my own surprise, we started the trip with Volvo/Plaxton Panther 54009 – one of the brand new single deck, 65 seat, 15m long ones – pulls up, blinded M11 London. Is this wise, given that it’s a Friday? Well, this was all irrelevant as we changed to Neoplan Skyliner 50150 (double deck, 91 seat coach) at Perth Broxden Park + Ride.

I called Caroline on the bus, just as the controller came on the coach and yelled almost parallel to the mouthpiece of the phone… and then a young child was crying, quite a bit, so we decided to stick to texts for that point. We got in and out of Glasgow on time, to head south at 1100.

I briefly checked my email several times using the new brick (mobile). I had received an email from Stuart Henry at Travel West Midlands/Travel Dundee re my letter of complaint on Service 14. To their credit, they are willing to have a meeting at work (noting when I will be in and not). Travel Dundee’s MD is currently on annual leave, but back soon. I will deal with that in more depth early next week.

When we got to Preston Bus Station (pre-redevelopment), a few sights taken from the window of the coach included a Solo headed for Blackpool! We were very lucky with roadworks and accidents, because of many miles of stationery traffic on the M6, and then the M60, but both the opposite way! We were due into Manchester at 1540/out 1545, and were a bit late on the way out due to traffic (in the main). Roadworks then started to hit us – the M1 was meant to be a problem. Bear in mind that we were “due” into London at 2015. A few passengers asked about a stop (the toilet was blocked) when we did a driver change at Watford Gap Services, so we stopped there from 1900-1915. I sent Caroline a text at the “35 miles to London” point, but of course, that is when it starts hitting worse with M1 extensions and widening.

I spotted my first London bus – an ALX400 (DLA I think) from Arriva, running off the 142 dead back to Garston (Watford) garage. Now I know that I have (almost) arrived. Soon after, we got to the legendary Staples Corner (junction of the north Circular, Edgware Road, and the M1). It is now home to Staples stationery store, amongst others. Having said that, it was not where the name came from – apparently there used to be a mattress factory here called Staples – I never knew that until last week! We finally got in well over one hour late. I made it out to the tube station, and had enough credit on my Oyster card to make it to Finsbury Park for the First Capital Connect train to Royston. (The previous franchisee, National Express owned WAGN, was informally known as “We Are Going No-where”).

Now, here is a simple figure to work out.

OPTION ONE
Victoria to Kings Cross, £1.50 single by Oyster (off-peak) x 2 = £3.00
Kings Cross to Royston, £24.50 Saver Return
TOTAL - £27.50

OPTION TWO
Victoria to Finsbury Park, £1.50 single by Oyster (off-peak) x 2 = £3.00
Finsbury Park to Royston, £20.50 Saver Return
TOTAL - £23.50

So, work out how the same length of journey can cost an extra four quid, for no additional saving – just a different stop to jump ship. Kings Cross to Finsbury Park is about the same on the Victoria Line as it is on the overground – the latter gets about seven minutes. I had to visit overground briefly to get tickets for this bit of the run, and the first three machines had issues – only the fourth and final one was working! The new Finsbury Park bus station (remember I’ve not been here for some time) has been tidied up quite a bit, from the one I used to remember from years gone by!

So, from Finsbury Park north, not quite the 2057 (fast) or even the 2111 (stopper) that I expected to get – in fact, not until the 2211 stopper an hour later! so I sent a text to Caroline to tell her… and got one back saying “I somehow knew you would not be here until 11 hunny. I’ll be at the station waiting for you”. This is nice… even more so as the train didn’t leave Finsbury Park until two and a half minutes late! The train was a nice electric thingy, but still in Network SouthEast livery (or so it looked like), and the sealing strips were hanging off the side of the wall. Lots of label sticking of new fleetnames, and even a nice poster about how things would improve under the new franchise with First. That sounds familiar… In any case, it was a quiet and smooth journey, and although it sounded like Ned-U-(Don’t)-Like at Hitchin, I was the only one in my carriage for the last few stops to Royston. The train was blinded (and announced) “Cambridge via Stevenage” until after we left there, and it became “all stations to Cambridge”. Anyway, we got in about six minutes late to Royston, and Caroline was there, waiting for me. We chatted for a bit, and then she worked on supper until about 0100 hours on Saturday morning. Appreciated, given that I’d been travelling for 14 hours…

Tomorrow is going to be more fun – a visit to the surgeon and back. The rest of the day is pretty much open. Wonder what might happen…?

Labels: caroline, london, subway, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:33 0 comments

Early doors

(Thanks for all the messages and words of support in the meantime).

regards, love & hugs
Suzy xXxXx

p.s. In the meantime, who can Spot The Suzy in this picture, taken by Andrew Macintosh? Taken at Newtyle Church on the “last Leopard” day. Everyone has their back to the camera – see if you can guess which one I was…

Labels: quiet day, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 14:05 0 comments

Oh dear…

Currently wondering how I would be after several days without caffeine. Last time I was in hospital back in 2001, that was different – I ended up with a headache. Next time, that might not be a problem…

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:40 0 comments

More of the same – x2

54010, the newish Volvo/Plaxton Panther that I got home two weeks ago, is my chariot south to Glasgow this time. Third time I’ve been on one of these fifteen meter long beasts (sorry!), and I’ve only just realised that the seat armrests CAN roll forwards! During the trip, several passengers were still having difficulty with the lights and ventilation! Never mind…

I forgot to mention it here last time, but First Glasgow have a two-journey off-peak ticket for £2.00 – two journeys anywhere (return or transfer) for £2.00 (well almost anywhere, not the X6 and one or two others). As that would do me to/from Sandyford, that was purchased 32600, on the 16 heading west. I only noticed this for the first time about a month ago, but the building occupied by Sandyford used to be the Glasgow Eye Hospital… did you know? We had our usual hour to talk, and I’ve managed to complete the brief overview of space, time, and Suzy’s major life points so far.. lol

In all seriousness, these are proving to be very useful, especially on getting a “third party” opinion on things. Alex noticed that I was noticeably happier this time, and getting that way every time I’ve visited her so far! The time was also used to talk about my future, including a few things that I’d not said to anyone else so far… hopes, worries, fears, or just being delusional? A bit of everything I think! I go back again in three weeks.

I thanked Alex for yet another useful session, and left the centre. First Glasgow Service 57 is now terminating in Sauchiehall Street opposite Sandyford Place i.e. back to the “old” arrangement (thus meaning if you want dropped off opposite the centre, you won’t need to walk around the block in the rain…) 61024 took me into town, got a few things, before taking the subway up to Buchanan Street (car 206 – one of the to-be-refurbished trailers), and then 54008 took me north on the M8 back to Dundee at 1330. In heading to work, I was in Whitehall Street looking for a bus, and then walking-and-looking-at-something-else meant that a Travel Dundee driver walked right into me. Oops!

In tonight’s Evening Telegraph,there was a letter from one of my colleagues, complaining about Service 14. This wasn't sent in by me, but I know who sent it in. The letter said...

"WE ARE angry and irate workers for Site in Dundee’s technology park.

The Travel Dundee 14 bus is constantly 20 minutes late, making us late for work.

Several of us have emailed and telephoned Travel Dundee to no avail.

We are angry this has been on-going since November, with no explanation.

A dozen or more workers are hit. — Sitel Employees."

Unfortunatly, Travel Dundee have given us the brush-off...

Stuart Henry, corporate affairs manager, said, “Firstly we would like to thank the readers who took the time to raise issues surrounding our 14 bus service.

“Comments from our customers are vital if we are to continue to operate an efficient network across the city.

“With regards to the general level of service, Travel Dundee, like all other road users, experienced huge problems during the days of the recent heavy snowfall which we saw in the city. This adverse weather impacted on the timetables of all our services throughout that two-day period.

“With regards to the 14 service, in particular, we would like to urge those passengers who have raised direct concerns surrounding the service, to contact us directly by phoning us on (01382) 201121 or, if easier, email us at mailbox@traveldundee.co.uk with the specific times and dates that it’s claimed the services were operating late.

“If there is a larger issue, then we would be very happy to meet with the complainants to ensure a positive outcome.

“We are constantly monitoring our bus services and are committed to providing a first-class service.”

It would appear that the manager in question is based at Travel West Midlands head office in Brum, where there was snow recently! As my own boss then said when I tried to explain this… “What f******g snow?”

So, 2300, finished, home – for now – and I get to stay in bed for an extra hour before going out tomorrow. Yey!

Labels: shopping, transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 13:38 0 comments

Docs away!

So, another “review” visit to my own doctors. As I’d been on the new stuff for a month, he wanted to ensure all had gone well. That bit went well enough, and I was even able to get my repeat prescriptions (which I would have got earlier in the week, but because I was visiting here today, it would not have been any quicker).

Anyway – same story as before, I try to save time by visiting the local chemist up the road, and they’ve got one item out of stock… and one of those that I’d ideally need today… but I found some in town. Back to work fairly quickly, and onto 2300.

Good news is, I think that will now be me “stocked” for two months – assuming nothing else goes wrong in the meantime! Next visit to the gp isn’t even booked at the moment, largely because they are getting a systems upgrade next month.

Now you know why I buy a DaySaver on my trips to the doctors…

Labels: depression, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:36 0 comments

In the morning...

I then left the hospital, came back to town...

Labels: transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 13:09 0 comments

No Way Out, and Anniversaries

... well, not that I was looking for one, honest! Looks like (for the time being at least) I am staying put in Bruce’s team, which seems to end the uncertainty for now. Several times this year I’ve had 2 or 3 managers at different times, and it’s only half way through March.

Long-term readers of the blog (and the website, going back further) will be aware that, in the last few years, Good Friday has been memorable for several different reasons. On Good Friday 2004 (9^th April), I started full-time transition – admitting to the world what I’d known for a long time.

On Good Friday 2006 (14^th April), or Geed Geed Friday as it had been dubbed, we’d gone for a team night out. One hour after I left, in the last few minutes of Good Friday, they crossed over Perth Road. The last 16 heading back to Dundee, driven by a very experienced driver (Mr G.), slowed down, but still managed to hit Harrison, who cracked his face off the windscreen. As I’ve said since, that night he reinvented what it meant to go out and get smashed on a team night out…

… Subsequently the bus (Strathtay Dart 307) was off the road till Monday awaiting a new windscreen from the contractor, and the driver in question still remembers the incident… needless to say, Harrison isn’t really allowed to forget it either (the team website was then endorsed with “We are planning another team night out, hopefully with no buses included this time”). He made a very quick recovery (more than a dozen stitches, but not kept in overnight).

So, what is happening this year on Good Friday? Not sure, but we have a team night out (Bruce’s team) for the following night… once again, hopefully with no buses involved!

For the rest of he evening I spent the time working out a trip out for tomorrow – subject to weather of course… seeing as how cold wind is due for most of the weekend, and snow into early next week!

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

We’re off to see the wizard...

Anyway, my letter and appointment card from the Sussex Nuffield has arrived in the post today. These things mean so much on the phone, but even more when it is in your hand! Yet another stop on the road, yadda yadda yadda.

And, it’s fifteen days away.

Can I just say….

AAARRGHGHGHHHHHH………. HERRRRRRRRRRRRREE WE GOOO………………

Right, I feel so much better now…

Labels: transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:51 0 comments

The whole clit & caboodle

Now, cast your mind back to last Tuesday (6^th) when Dr Westwater said he’d chase things up for me. Remember?

(Chase up – eight days? Wow that’s good, but more than likely I was already queued and waiting a date. OK, so I’m teasing this out, but WTFN?)

So, got a message to call her back – so I did, then went to see the managers & the agency – then called her back again.

Yes, for the benefit of those who’ve not heard it anywhere else, I’ve got my initial consultation with the surgeon I’ve been referred to, for the last day of the month at Sussex Nuffield Hospital, Brighton.

That means Saturday 31^st March. It is one year exactly to the last weekend when I was in Brighton… how spooky is that? Last time, I came down Friday night by bus, and on the Saturday did some stuff around London before megabus to Brighton, route 700 along the coast to Portsmouth, and then a train (booked via megatrain) back to London, before returning home on the Sunday morning. This time, things are going to be one hell of a lot different, even in comparison to the last Leopards trip the previous Saturday!

Now, on the phone call, Liz mentioned she was booking in some post-op patients for the same clinic. I said “ok”, and thought (to myself) of a few names I’ve heard recently. First chance that I had, I spread the good word with Sarah – after all, she’s not long been for the same stuff, and her journal
has been essential reading. I told her my date, and she asked me when… turns out that she has the appointment slot (for her post-op 10 week check up) before my visit… OMG, we will meet! lol

The lord of co-incidence is currently working overtime on my soul… have mercy! (As my colleague Adam said later on “what are the odds” – and this time I could answer with “well it was one in ten or something…” so now you know…)

Anyway, speaking of him, he’s currently living in Carnoustie… so the last few minutes at work were spent marking up a copy of the current Angus Council bus timetable for Carnoustie with each journey he has to get to/from work over his differing shifts. He went for the 76-that-continues-as-a-73A after work, and sent me via Bluetooth – yes, my first Bluetooth file transfer since buying the new brick last the week – his band’s new track ”Save The Empire”. The track was recorded at a practice, using a mobile phone, so he warned me about the quality –but the playing was highly polished! I am told the band name “Save The Empire” was the one two bands before “The Illusion Principle” – and of course, “10 Days Late” (or was it 10 Day Slate – I forget) was in the midst. Have we both been working in the same place too long now? In any case, it’s a bit of yell and thrash, with a different sound doing the vocals (and it shows).

Best day of the year so far? Well, it has got to be up there with them… looking like March is going to be a very good, if busy, month! Most medical-related mileage in one month i.e. three visits to Glasgow and one to Brighton? It may well be surpassed later in the year, lets see!

(you know I love all it really…)

Labels: transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:48 0 comments

Busy day

If anyone sees any items of cutlery heading for my shoulderblades, please return them to the canteen, thanks.

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:45 0 comments

At home – all day!

… So what did I do with my day? It was warmish weather out (allegedly), I had a few pennies to spare (not a lot), where did I go? I sat at home and chatted to a certain American for almost the whole day…

… Time well spent, I think… and repaying his recent support and loyalty. Many days recently (when we’ve been chatting before I start my shift), I’ve felt like curling up in front of the pc, chatting for the day, and not bothering with the rest of the world… well today, I did!

Labels: quiet day, transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 18:40 0 comments

M80 Shuttle (Part Two) – Go West, then come back for work

On these occasions, I had not taken off the whole day – although I could have asked for it. It would mean having to move my hours to another day – and I’ve already worked Sunday past, and timesheets finish weekly on a Friday. There is also the fact that the Tuesday monthly/bi-monthly sessions are “drop-in by 1100”, so there was no fixed time of how long it would be before I was cleared – kind of important when booking a bus for the way home!

Anyway, where was I…. actually, don’t answer that… lol what I meant was, what did I get up to? I finally had a “hurl” on the new 15 metre long Volvo/Plaxton Panther megabus coaches – well two of them, as I had one in each direction! – 54009 down, and 54010 back. Like the artics, you lose the sense of size once you board, and all is well. The ride held up, but the driver had to take the ”wrong” lane in Glasgow at Cathedral Street/North Hanover Street junction, to ensure the turn into the latter was smooth. The return trip saw an angry driver driving it from Perth to Dundee (he had just grafted most of the crew shuttle Vito’s types onto the surface of Broxden Park & Ride), and it showed, but again the ride held out.

The trip was a bit more than megabus bashing, of course! Met up with Alex once more, a few minutes late (partially because the Sandyford computer network had gone down…) In any case, the hour was used to explain what I had got up to in the last few days/weeks, a little about work (that may need a couple of back-to-back sessions to explain the last four and a half years!), and this does appear to be helping… and it does tell, apparently… because rather than saying “what did I do wrong” in certain situations, I was saying “what did they do me wrong”, or “how did I do the right thing”… We also talked about the feelings I explained a few days ago, but agreed that I may need to keep watching how I feel with these things.

So, then, after that, I got out quite a bit late (despite starting late, we still took the full hour of the appointment). I had agreed to meet up with Bobby once more, and as I left Sandyford, I thought “hmm oh no, what’s going to happen”- but he was there, waiting for me. Apologies etc. offered, but not needed! We’d agreed to meet up briefly once more – he had today off too, as he was getting ready for friends coming up from down south in the evening. So, we talked about what we’d been getting up to over the last few days, as well as plans for the coming weeks.

When I got back to work, a couple of things. One of my calls was monitored, and it all went well, good score. I had to sign the form – and I have another new team coach. The old name was scored out (Bruce), and Robbie’s name was added on top… reinventing the wheel here, because I was in his team for one day late last year… turns out this team list was last updated on Monday… and no-one has said anything…

… then, it was “performance review” time, for last month. I expected it to be a bit lower than the last month, because I’d been off. Guess what- no monitoring stats meant I was a lot lower –and it appears that no one monitored me because I’d been on the email team. So, at about forty seconds, it has to be the shortest review I’ve ever had…

I was actually more awake today (than yesterday, or two weeks ago), so felt ok to stay awake throughout the shift! Never mind, now I am off until TUESDAY! I can live with that!

Labels: shopping, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:35 0 comments

M80 Shuttle [Part One] – Suzy’s South Side Shuffle (or Dundee to Newton Mearns via Sandyford…)

I left the house for the 0800 direct bus to Glasgow (M9 service). You may recall that I mentioned back in October that some new extra-long “megacoaches” were due for Citylink and Megabus work around now. Some entered service yesterday – including on this very journey – but for some reason, I got a Neoplan (50137) for this journey. Perfectly serviceable at less than two years old, and lots of seats for everyone – especially when taken with a single deck Edinburgh duplicate! We got into Glasgow just before 1000, and it was “drop-in” by 1100, so I’d booked off the whole day.

It seemed a lot quieter than the previous visits, and defiantly quieter than my November visit! I was one of the last to arrive, but there was still a bit of a wait (see previous notes of visits – currently only two doctors). Once it was my turn, I met Doctor Westwater for the first time! Quick run-down on what’s happened, and discussion where he agrees to chase the referral letter that his colleague Dr Ewan had sent a few weeks before (I saw it for the first time – last time I was there, the funding letter had not long came back). Dr Ewan had agreed to fill in the docs bit of the gender recognition cert paperwork, and I had thought that they would have ended up lost in the post. But no, the form was in a safe place – still in my file, untouched. He’s promised to have it completed, and ready in time for me to collect on Friday – not this Friday, but in two weeks time when I return. That then resolves the issue of it getting “lost”…

… So, that was the end of that. Another step on the line. Little moments that make up my future. Another brick in the wall. Whatever you want to call it…

61439 was on the 57 from Charing Cross to Central Station, and texts sent out to those I was meeting! In the meantime I had lunch (chatted to someone online via wap messenger… I am beginning to get hooked on that). Shortly afterwards, I could see the Stationery Box store has been acquired by Partners – with “new lines all the time” – and yes, they do have the plastic covered three-colours A5 size ring binders here… no need to carry them home from Manchester or London any more!

While I was chatting, I had thought about a new phone and/or camera. I could just about scrape a few pounds for a replacement for my mobile phone. Why? The phone is fine, but the case is very worn – all corners. Only one of the four clips on the phone cover still holds together. I bought two replacement covers some time ago, but they do not work with the keypad – which is so worn out, it has gone back to its natural transparent state! That, and the display cover has a crack from one side to the other… which could be replaced, but almost impossible to find a working replacement. The digital camera I have is starting not to turn on…

… in short, I need a new brick. “Brick” to use a technical term, is the name I use for Adam’s phone… until he replaced the M-Gage with a Sony Ericsson, but by this point the name had stuck! So, mine is a brick too, in speaking terms. I guess it’s maybe a metaphor that my brick is not in one piece… oh no I said BRICK… what’s the matter with you lot? Lol I was going to say, always going to be broke – like the owner!

So, I had a look around in a few surrounding shops… and I saw something I would like in a local phone retailer. This required £29.99 plus another £10 top-up – to be paid by card, so this meant I had to put the money I’d withdrawn earlier, back into the bank.

Now, for anyone else, this would be easy enough.

But, give a combination of someone-in-a-hurry-who-wants-the-job-done, as I was meeting someone in less than 20 minutes, and someone evidently hungry for a sale, it made for an interesting transaction. I was called over to the last of the desks (finally), and handed over the card and the money. I handed over £30, and said that I’d like to pay in £25 of this

”Are you at work today”?

“No, day off…”

“Is this your account that you are paying into?” (no, I’ve just nicked someone’s handbag and I feel sorry for them….)

“Yes…”

… then, she tries to sell me an account upgrade. Twice I tell her I am not interested, but she continues to ask questions!

“Do you live in Dundee then?”

… for the third time, I explained that I would soon be off work for some time, and this was the reason I didn’t want to make any changes to the account right now.

(…any more questions, and I’ll give her the detailed version of gender reassignment surgery – she looked like she’d just finished lunch…)

“Oh sorry…”

… I was then very quickly ”processed” with no further questions, and given a pay-in receipt for £30.

Oh dear.

Go back to the beginning of this conversation – I wanted change of that…

Now, sign another slip, to withdraw £5 of the £30 I’ve just put back in…

…then, around the corner back to phone store… none in stock… quick look on the computer said that none of their city centre stores had any, but the one in Newton Mearns (about 45 minutes south of the city centre by bus) had some in stock!

I met up with Bobby shortly afterwards, and he was telling me the time he was able to get revenge on said bank. When one of their staff members came into the travel centre in uniform, he momentarily put up his “Position Closed” sign, then (in a very smiley and unusually camp manner) said “Sorry for keeping you waiting…” yes – I loved it! Being his day off, we were able to chat for close to an hour and a half, in the same coffee house that we ended up in during November! We discussed recent developments at both sides of our worlds, including his recent purchase of a HDTV and matching Sky HD box…

… So, we left the coffee shop, and he headed north towards Watt Brothers. I then cut through Central Station, and emerged onto Union Street. There was a Gemini decker coming towards the stop on the 44A, which would be fine for getting me to Newton Mearns. 32608 took me down, and shortly after Clarkston, a red Bristol VR, with blinds set to TB1 Renfrew, goes the other way. Shortly after, we arrived at what is actually called (the name above the door) “The Avenue Shopping Centre”. Rung bell in plenty of time, driver continues to next stop anyway. Grr…!

… Anyway, got in, located the store, yes they have some in silver (not pink). At that price, who’s caring I guess! So yes - it’s a Motorola L6. Very slim, 0.6-megapixel camera (fine for small shots) – all enough to keep me going and clicking in the meantime! Cheap and cheerful – like the owner…

… so, then, had to get the bus home. There was a 44A due, but there is also a 38 shortly after, that would take me closer towards the bus station (well Cathedral Street), as well as a more direct route. See what turned up first – a Henderson Travel Optare Solo on the very orbital Service 395 (Uplawmoor – East Kilbride). Hmm, not helping! Next bus comes along – same Gemini and driver on the 44A. I resist the urge to whinge about not dropping me off at the right stop as I board, largely because I’ve got the “about to be withdrawn from service” mobile phone on the ear, speaking to Paul H about bank holiday arrangements which varied in Dundee, Dudley and Birmingham…

… I had got on the bus just before 1700 at Newton Mearns, so it would be tight to get off the bus in time for the booked bus back at 1800. So, I had a brainwave- jump off at Bridge Street subway… 3-4 min journey up to Buchanan Street, two stops away. In theory… I arrived on the platform, only to see the rear of an Inner Circle train pulling away. The Outer Circle train came… and then another… I could hear a train rattling in… the Inner Circle platform had a green aspect (go light), but the OC was on red… then it changed, and seconds later, the third Outer Circle pulls in to the island platform. I was beginning to get a bit concerned, so I spoke to the train operator who radio’ed into control… apparently yes, there was a ”gap” in service, and the next train was at West Street i.e. approaching. Naturally, the train was busy, got loaded at St Enoch, and almost mobbed at Buchanan Street. The platform helper was announcing on the pa that there was another train just behind this one, and not to overcrowd the train. Quite a lot of passengers were in the stairs down to the platform, never mind getting anywhere near the train!

So, got out with ten minutes or so to get around the corner. Got up to the Bus Station – no sign of the 1800 Dundee M8 [all stops] coach. It’s not in yet… but it came in with one minute to spare. A quick driver change, and I was on Parks KSK 978. As we pulled away from Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow, a few minutes down, I was kind of pleased … to have defeated adversity – three times in one hour, as well as the general good/happy/content feelings that mixed through the day. We were back on time when we got to Cumbernauld.

I will be back on Friday, but with work for afters.

Labels: shopping, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:29 0 comments