Liquid Spillages on the Tube

London Underground: an undisputed institution of London life. The red shiny buses are fantastic for sightseeing, but there's nothing quite like the mysterious hobbit-holed tunnels that network throughout the great depths of the city. What I love about the Tube more than anything else is its evident age. One feels as though you've travelled through time, as you move from the battle-scarred tiled-stations that were used throughout the Second World War to the modern dystopian cavern that is Westminster Tube station. It truly is a testimony of time.

In a city that contains over seven million people, you're obviously going to see some very obscure things from time to time -- which believe me, you look forward to after you've stared at stony-faced businessmen for an entire return journey. From the guy that jumps on the train and starts singing about your train's destination (accompanied by the ukelele) to the Jubilee Line Tube driver who sounds unbelievably like Microsoft Sam or Stephen Hawking, there is no mistaking the diversity that London life entails.

One of my favourite tannoy announcements -- this seems to be Underground policy -- is the exclamation given following an individual's vomit being scattered all over the station's platform. 'Please could the cleaner please move to the northbound platform, there has been a liquid spillage'. The joy of political correctness has infected all business, with executives now just enjoying the power to be able to rename anything they so wish. Fantastic!

It seems to be an accepted norm that one does not smile on the Tube. To smile would involve exclaiming to the world that you are obviously not a Londoner and are from out of town. And so in the spirit of attempting to spoil this drab atmosphere, I persuaded my friend Christine to burst out into song for my friend's birthday. We boarded the northbound Jubilee Line from Westminster and my cheeks became a shade of scarlet as she broke into song. 'Happy birthday to you ... '. I didn't realise that Christine would take my proposition seriously. Thankfully, a large herd of Danish people were present to join our ensemble of two, as all the businessmen simply cowered behind their Financial Times. I hope, for the sake of London, there was a grin or two lurking underneath those daily broadsheets.

Barackobamarama!

At last, a change of guard at the White House. A firm goodbye to those classic Bushisms ("The problem with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur") and a warm welcome to the new president elect, Barack Obama. "Change we can" is the motto, and the world is certainly hoping that this will be true. When Bush comes to shove, will the change take place?

On the surface of things, it certainly seems so. For one thing, Obama seems intent on withdrawing from Iraq and focusing more heavily on the conflict in Afghanistan. Also, it seems as though he can stay calm under the economic pressure, not dithering in thought like his rival, John McCain.

What were the highlights of election night? There were many. In particular, I loved the choir that sang at McCain's election party in Phoenix, Arizona, which played "Food, Glorious Food". Any reference to the McCain oven chips ads? I enjoyed the moment Obama won the state of Maryland, at which point I opened a bag of Maryland choc chip cookies in celebration!

Both McCain's concession speech and Obama's "Change" speech were of the highest quality. Many commentators are suggesting that the McCain speech was reminiscent of the "old" John McCain that voters were fond of. And as for Obama's speech, can you imagine him delivering a mediocre speech? No way.

It has to be said, that it seems as though Sarah Palin was the black dot on the Republican ticket. Even though the crowds of Republicans applauded her with great energy, she was not the kind of VP McCain needed -- he needed someone that would appeal to the swing voters, not someone that would appeal to the conservative Christians. Nevertheless, one gets the feeling that it will be Obama vs. Palin in four years time ... !

At 5:30 it was time to jump into bed!