An example of my quasi-belief in Fate occured this morning (okay ‘fate’ is probably too strong word but cannot think of another better).
What started off as a vile morning - overslept, slipped over in shower (now have large bruise on thigh), ran out of conditioner, battery in toothbrush cut out with only having worked for a minute, didn’t have time to blowdry hair or put on makeup, not enough on Oyster card for the bus, only had a £20 on me, had to get off at next stop and then walk back down to Sainsbury’s and buy some gum (cheapest thing) to get change, only one ticket machine accepting notes working at Brixton (bad enough having to travel to Brixton to catch the tube), fell on escalator, usual evil stuffy commute all the way across London, made it to Finsbury Park with 3 mins before the train was due, long queue for the only working ticket machine, missed train, already late - next train not for half an hour, bought a coffee, spilled 1/4 of it over hand and dress, did the unthinkable and put makeup on in public (forgot to bring small hairbrush), now going to be 1 and a half hours late for work, thinking why don’t I just go back to bed and hide when . . . I saw the first of many firsts this morning. . . .
I saw my first ever real life trainspotter. He was standing unobtrusively with his binoculars, notepad and pen - no anorak! - jotting things down and genuinely looking content and at peace with the world. For the first time today I smiled and got on my train thinking - I’m late and smell of coffee, is that really that bad? Getting off the train and doing the usual waiting-for-the-bus-my-isn’t-it-cold dance shuffle when the sound of sharp hoofs came ringing down the street. A coach and four (beautiful matching greys) smartly bowled past complete with period dressed coachman and footman - the first I’ve seen in the UK.
This morning I also heard my first birdsong for the year and saw my first bunch of daffodils braving the cold. I also saw a man pruning trees back whilst grooving and dancing away to his ipod.
If I hadn’t been running late I never would have seen these firsts. None of these incidents are big in themselves yet they have made my day - its a good day now all because I overslept. Nothing can phase me - including the pile of invoicing that is today’s task . . .
Heres hoping you all oversleep some time soon : )
“Do Ya”, ELO
Leave a comment