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Ian May

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The Rest Of The Year And Beyond

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It’s January 21st today.

Yes I know that you know that.

Still it’s a significant date.

Why?

Well, We’ve got the ‘holiday’ season out of the way. (On a personal note, I’ve got my birthday out of the way as well). We’ve long since taken down all the decorations. We’ve got back to work, and done at least one full five day week.

Yesterday, we got the new man installed at the White House.

So, now, all that remains, is the rest of the year, and to revive the economy we all need to quit partying and get back to work!

Let’s give President Obama a little time to see if he can turn rhetoric into firm action, and see if Congress and Senate are going to help this to move along smoothly, or be obstructive.

Of course, not everyone wanted to see him elected, but elected he was, and with none of the Floridian-style fixin’ and fiddlin’ that went on eight years ago. A clear mandate in other words, that folks want change.

Many people aren’t sure what changes they want. Lots of folks can’t agree on which changes would be best even if they know what they’d like to see. Most people, however, Obama supporters or not, seem to agree that a change of direction was needed. Many felt that the previous captain of the ship was enjoying the view, but not issuing many useful orders from the bridge anymore (if he ever did).

I personally don’t give a damn what party he’s in; I don’t care what color he is (although I understand the significance of that to many people). I always find it ironic (and this isn’t just a US thing) that some of those big political noises (politicians and media) that bang on the most about patriotism, always seem to put their party before country.

To those that want to trash him before he’s even started, simply because he’s not in your party (and partisan politics does way more harm than good in any case), at least give the guy a chance to succeed or fail.

Politics aside, though, I’d like to be able to be sitting here in four years time, and say that even though he’s screwed up a few things, he’s helped to turn the nation around somewhat, and that he did what he thought was best for the majority of Americans as a whole, and that above all else, he’s proven himself to be a person with decency and integrity, not just at home, but on the world stage too.

Pitt Street Trolley 1898-1927

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Cove Inlet was the site of a trolley bridge that linked Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island from 1898 to 1927.
Remains Of The Pitt Street Trolley
There had been a bridge of one sort on another there though since the Revolutionary War.

Pitt Street

Heard On The London Underground

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The best notice I ever saw was at Putney Bridge on the District Line.

A board on the eastbound platform stated that “Trains were subject to late running due to defective weather”

Below are announcements made by train drivers. I can believe that they are true.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologize for the delay to your service.
I know you’re all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to
be married to my ex-wife, in which case you’ll want to cross over to
the Westbound and go in the opposite direction.”

“Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering
from E & B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his backside. I’ll
let you know any further information as soon as I’m given any.”

“Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is
that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great
time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere
between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won’t reach
our destination.”

“We are now traveling through Baker Street … As you can see, Baker
Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually told
me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don’t think about
things like that”.

“Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these
professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to
a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me.”

During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver
announced in a West Indian drawl: “Step right this way for the sauna,
ladies nd gentleman… Unfortunately, towels are not provided.”

“Let the passengers off the train FIRST!” (…pause). Oh go on then,
stuff yourselves in like sardines, and see if I care – I’m going home….”

“Please allow the doors to close. Try not to confuse this with
‘Please hold the doors open.’ The two are distinct and separate instructions.”