Control

aka a big rant followed by a semi half-hearted attempt at something serious.


My featured pet hate for today is lateness.

I hate it when things are late with no explanation, if not an apology, forthcoming. I hate being late. I hate being late when it's through no fault of my own. Wednesday morning example. Walking up my street I watched the late 07:31 bus pass its stop around 07:38. The next bus, the 07:41 didn't come until 07:56. Nevermind how the bus' lateness meant more people waiting at the following bus stops and that resulting in even longer delays as they got on and paid their fare, it was well past 08:17 by the time we were nearly onto Terry Road. I'd already missed three connecting trains that would have had me arrive in time to catch my next connecting train.

And as an aside, while I was trying to make my way to the platform, I had to deal with very irritating human traffic who wouldn't stick to the correct side of the tunnel or walkway or staircase, or didn't watch where they were going because they were busily looking at their phones - two other pet hates which I might rant on about another time. I mean for crying out loud people, it's peak hour! Get with it!

And bad enough as it was, waiting for my final train on the platform, I hear that all tarins on that platform are delayed...most servies by about 6 minutes, or so they said, but my particular train which was meant to come at 09:10 was delayed by approximately 14 minutes. Or so they said. Bollocks.

I hate how the trains were late. And that I was late as a result. I hate that I had no control of the situation. Just like I don't really have control over crowds of commuters, and those generally in the minority who are inconsiderate of other commuters and peoples' personal spaces, even adjusting for crowded situations. I hate how I can't make everyone who stinks of cigarette smoke and booze get into a separate carriage.

I have discovered I really don't like not having control. Or perhaps more accurately, I would like to have more power than I have, or ever thought I'd want.

Power and control were the farthest things from my thoughts and wants and desires even just a year ago. I wonder what has changed?

We feel we are lacking in control - aka power - in times such as these, with the current economic climate on the minds of many. It is a scientific fact that humans have a tendency to turn towards religion, superstition and the supernatural when they lack control of their lives. As seen in history, such times mean business is good for psychics, and the faithful swell in numbers.

Not surprisingly, I was late for work. But I got over it pretty quick once I was there. Plenty of people are late for work because of public transport. And staff have been late for work plenty of times before with far less valid excuses, and will in the future. I got over my anger and annoyance very quickly indeed.

Perhaps I really (still) don't care so much for power and control?

I just hate lateness.