The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 2

I took the train to Ebbsfleet International, as advised, at 5:25AM. Upon arrival, I endure what I will later learn to call a very very very short queue.

With only one train stopping at Ebbsfleet destined for Brussels (just after 1PM), I am advised to go to London St. Pancras to attempt boarding an earlier train. I explain I do not mind the wait, but I am further encouraged to travel to London when a train ticket is provided free of charge.

They make me rush to the platform only to have that train delayed and I am sent to yet another platform.

Shortly after 7AM I arrive to, quite possibly, the busiest train station I have ever seen and proceed to a ridiculously long queue in order to get a new ticket. It takes me half an hour to establish that my current queue, even though parallel to many others, is actually going nowhere. Proceed to change queues.

Now, the real test: four hours in the queue, surrounded by people from all nationalities, whose temper gets worse by the second, and no Eurostar employees to be seen. How are we managing to create a working queue system I will never know. I fear for my toes and fingers which are learning the meaning of frostbite, my bladder has definitely seen better days (the wonders of travelling on your own – no bathroom breaks whilst queueing) and, yet, I should be thankful I am not at the end of the line which has by now extended to the adjacent street outside the station.

Shortly after, the queue system breaks down and it takes the police a good while to restore a resemblance of order. Do you not love the people that complain for half an hour of individuals that jump a queue, proceed to jump the queue themselves, and continue to rant about such individuals for a further hour and a half?

Eurostar employees do not even have the common sense to divide passengers by destinations (France vs. Belgium) and outsiders start taking pictures (and even videos!) as if we were part of Edinburgh zoo’s penguin parade.

I eventually reach the ticket office and I am given a ticket for the train I would have boarded anyway, had I stayed in Ebbsfleet International. Exhaustion stops me from punching the lady placing the pretty sticker on my ticket. However, I do not leave her side without a grunt and a huff. I have a two-hour wait ahead of me.

In X-rays they are rude and pushy. I rush to passport check (highlight of the day so far: the guy at passport control has a stunning smile) and make my way to the toilets where, since I have not had enough, I get to queue a few more minutes.

Then I realise how light I feel. But it has nothing to do with my now empty bladder: I have forgotten my backpack at X-rays. I run there, where a security guard approaches me and asks sweetly if I am okay. My brain thinks “where should I begin?” but all that comes out of my mouth is: bag, mine. He nods, still smiling and I can feel all the blood in my face. I gather my belongings and proceed to a second round of passport control (I’ll take your number now…) and find a place on the floor of the station to sit.

Little by little the blood leaves my face and my hands stop shaking. As I start writing these words, I can see thousands of people waiting to board a Eurostar train. Different moods. Different nationalities. Different colours in their ticket’s stickers.

I am now finishing this text on the train. I am finally on my way to Brussels and, as I expected, I am already forgetting how much I have detested today. How frustrated I have felt. How much I would have liked to punch or yell at someone. It really was not that bad. I can feel my toes again. I will be at my sister’s in just over an hour.

I win, Eurostar. You did not break me.

A.Nurboe 1, Eurostar 0. Thanks for the story A.Nurboe and hope your next trip with Eurostar goes better! What? You are swimming next time? Oh dear…

Related post(s)

• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 1 (Guest blog) (0)
• April Fools’ Day (Guest post) (0)
• A Waterstone’s kindness (Guest post) (1)

The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 1

Most of you will have heard of the recent chaos, compliments of the weather and/or Eurostar (who you choose to blame is completely up to you – the pretty Christamsy snow that welcomed the start of your holidays, or the train company unable to forsee and handle a crisis).

CEO Richard Brown has already apologised publicly for how things went down in the weekend before Christmas, where thousands of people were stranded in the tunnel connecting London with Paris and Brussels. Some passengers spent over half a day in the cold tunnel with no food or drink and uninformed of the actual situation. Several thousands were left in complete uncertainty in train stations, both waiting to board and waiting for loved ones to reach their destination.

Two days of disruption ensued and finally, on Tuesday 22nd, a system was put in place. There were some kinks in the plan but, all in all, it seemed fairly feasible.

I was one of the “lucky” ones to have a booked ticket for the week following the service interruptions, from Ashford International to Brussels Midi.

Now, it is important to state the outstanding ability I have for denial. I choose to believe things will work, I choose to believe that people will be logical and unattached during a crisis, I believe that chaos is not chaos at all, but a cumulus of forces acting under a distribution which I simply have not recognised.

This means that when they told me to come on Thursday for my Wednesday train journey, I accepted it. I even decided that, given the two days of practice under the revised timetable, things would run smoothly when my turn came.

Alas, nowhere in any of Eurostar’s websites was Ashford International mentioned. Most pieces of information referred to London St. Pancras and Paris. I phoned customer care and (after a few hours of unsuccessful dialing) I was told that it would be best to travel to Ebbsfleet International and board the Eurostar from there. Just as well since, as it turned out, no trains were to stop at Ashford International in its way to Brussels on this particular Wednesday at all.

In the early evening of Tuesday it was reported that the new system was woking so well, they were nearly finished with the backlog and were boarding people from future days. I called the call centre a second time to enquire if I should attempt boarding on the Wednesday after all. Not surprisingly, the phone agents’ guess was as good as mine. In accordance to my optimism, I opted to abandon plans of travelling on the Wednesday to give Eurostar an extra day to gather their bearings.

That same evening, Eurostar invited all remaining passengers to travel on Wednesday. Proceed to pack suitcase and set alarm clock bright and early.

I strongly believe Eurostar was merely testing its new customer relationship management programme by pushing its customers to breaking point. If this is not the case, I cannot comprehend how such an established company could arrange things so poorly, and I am willing to assign a zoo monkey the CEO position, for surely he could not have done the job worse.

Follow-up A.Nurboe’s adventures with Eurostar in part 2.

Related post(s)

• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 2 (Guest blog) (0)
• April Fools’ Day (Guest post) (0)
• A Waterstone’s kindness (Guest post) (1)

(And what about Rio? you might wonder. Well, hopefully TheAymster’s return to the blogosphere will encourage me to post on Rio as well…).

No!No!, Where did you go?

I’m being totally honest. Living. I have been busy being someone and that doesn’t afford me the time to No!No! Yes, it was easier & faster to use a razor than to use the No!No! But after about a 3 or 4 month hiatus I can say this for the product. It works… There is less hair. I noticed it yesterday and was shocked to see that yeah, there’s less there to contend with. I have bald patches! BALD PATCHES!!!! They are very small – in between the hairs, but they are there. It all has to do with the growth cycle of the follicles.

Now had I been diligent and used the tool as it was intended I’d probably be able to report to you a hairless body or at least close to it. It just goes to show that sticking to something is better, but like anyone – I was discouraged because I wasn’t seeing immediate results. Yes, I am human after all and not a mutant… at least, deep down. Still recommend the product.

LATER!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)
• NoNo posts – days 5 to 12 (0)

Day 51 – Eureka!

I have finally figured out the one flaw in the design here people and it’s not in the No!No! itself. The system has only one place where it falls short and that is the little sanding disc you are given.

Now, before I go into why it’s so bad, I’ll just save you some time and tell you what to get to replace it. Go get a pedicure or foot sanding thing. You know. Those things in pedicure kits that look like an emery board for an elephant. Yeah! They take callouses off of your heels. Here’s why the No!No!’s is no good. First, it’s on a piece of foam with two flaps cut into it so you can hang on while you sand. Mine just fell apart. Also, the sand paper on it (I don’t know what else to call it) is like 1000 grit. It’s so fine, it feels like nothing is happening — and actually, so little is happening that I have had to continue shaving to get rid of the burnt up hairs that weren’t being sanded off!

So! GET THE NO!NO!, but throw that little, stupid sanding disc in the garbage! Useless. I believe they call it a “Buffer”. Toss it out and get something that heel sanding thing. Now I don’t have to shave anymore!.. YAY!!!

LATER!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)
• NoNo posts – days 5 to 12 (0)

Day 42 – Definite Results

After 6 weeks of using the No!No! I can honestly tell you that the hair is growing in finer than before. If I do shave it takes the hair a day to come back, where before I got a five o’clock shadow! Wish I could tell you the hair is totally gone, but like anything, it takes time. Some areas are doing better than others. I’m pretty thankful for the progress so far and I’m sure it will continue. In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted. I’ll keep enjoying the smell of burning hairs and the infrequency of shaving for the time being.

LATER!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)
• NoNo posts – days 5 to 12 (0)

Day 24 – Some progress

It’s been over 3 weeks of using the no!no! and I think there’s some progress being made. I have noticed my bikini area seems to be responding the best along with my armpits and my legs running up at the end – Which is rather sad. What’s the first thing a guy notices? Your LEGS!!! But, having said that, shaving is much, much easier and the results much smoother.

My leg hair is quite coarse, so I believe that it is coming back finer. This is following in line with what the no!no! promises, so it is living up to it’s reputation. Anything worth having is worth working for girls! Go for the gusto… And fry you wiry little suckers!!!

Later!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)
• NoNo posts – days 5 to 12 (0)

I can’t wait to see if I bought the wrong machine or not. I mean, I rather I didn’t, for I paid loads of money for the Rio machine, but if NoNo is better, hey, I’ll be the first one to want to know. As you know, I do not work for Rio, I just want those black hairs gone!! Even if it means throwing my Rio machine and getting a different Hair Remover machine, it it proves to work better!

Day 18 – What’s up with that? (originally published June 24, 2008)

I think I’m doing something right on my arms and bikini area and something wrong on my legs. I can definitely notice a slowing down of the growth in my pits and bikini, but my legs have me stupefied! I’d love to be able to not worry about the hair on my legs anymore, but it looks like that is the most stubborn stuff there is! What’s it made of? TEFLON???

Well, I’ll keep trying. The good news is that I think I’m making progress. I’ll just have to be more thorough with my bottom half.

Later!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo posts – days 5 to 12 (0)

Nono – day 4 (originally published on June 8, 2008)

Day 4 – Challenges and rewards

I am the mistress pit hair slayer!!! I am able to get into all the crevises and burn it away.

However, my legs are another story. No matter how many times I go over a spot I just can’ seem to get close enough. I am convinced that it has to do with the way the hair is lying. If I can give myself the shivers and the hairs stand up, then I will have more success. I could also use some Electric Shave to make them stand on end. We shall see, we shall see… In the meantime I keep on going.No reduction yet. I’ll keep trying. It’s only been 4 days people! These are mutant hairs!!! Throw me a frickin’ bone!

Later!

Nono – day 7 (originally published on June 12, 2008)

Day 7 – I am a mutant

Well, perhaps that’s a bit strong, but I am certain that I have not had enough time with this machine. My leg hair is coarse and strong. I tried it on my arm on the second day and that hair is just now growing back. So, I’m not giving up. I’m not even a little concerned about long term results. I refuse to believe that this purchase has been in vain. I see it’s working. I smell the burnt hair.

If anything, I am determined to see this through.

Later!

Nono – day 12 (originally published on June 17, 2008)

Day 12 – Hankering for hairless

I’ve been seeing the no!no! on HSN for the past couple of days. It’s interesting watching them use the product. Lots of people called with questions. Something I learned that I didn’t know… When the cartridge is done, the light actually goes from green to red. Which is good. I was wondering if I’d worn one out yet or not.

I’ve also gotten a lot better at burning the hairs. I was way too quick before. Once I slowed down, I found that I could roll the no!no! backwards and go over the same spot without being burned. This came in really handy as you do have to continuously go over some places to burn the hairs… This is NOT, repeat, NOT the no!no!’s fault. It has to do with the angle of the hairs. So, I’ll need to be a little more thorough in some spots.

TheAymster

To be continued..

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)

So today, ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present, the first of the The NoNo posts, by TheAymster.

Nono – day 1 (originally published on June 5, 2008)

My First Day…

I just got my new, beautiful, blue No!No! in the mail. I was so excited I watched the DVD immediately. According to the DVD it’s very easy to use and the only places you shouldn’t use it are the head, breasts and genetalia. It also helps to be careful how you use it and clean it out periodically for better performance. Pretty nice and informative… But who cares!!! Let’s BURN SOME HAIR! Mwaa-ha-ha-haaa!

I can tell you that putting the thing together was a snap. Too easy to talk about. Snap in a blade and you’re ready to go! They tell you to try it on flat surfaces first. I can see why. If you’ve got trim legs, angles are tough.

The smell of burning hair is very apparent, but if it gets my hair down to a minimum or gone completely, I’m all for it. I’ve done worse things in the name of beauty. When you get one leg completely done, which takes about as much time as an electric razor, you have to buff it with the buffer. If you had long hair at the beginning then you have to use the longer hair cartridge, then buff, then use the stubble cartridge and then buff again. Sounds like a lot, but it’s no big deal.

I couldn’t help myself, I did every area on my body I no longer wanted to shave. I mastered the NO!NO! so fast it wasn’t even funny. I’m loving it… Long term results I’ll have to let you know.

Later!

TheAymster

Nono – day 2 (originally published on June 6, 2008)

The Second Day…

Well, I’ve been burning the hair away again today. Not much change from having to shave so far. They promise a reduction in hair growth, so it’ll take a little time I’m sure for the results to be noticable. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. In the meantime, it’s great fun.

I’ve taken my sweet time when using the machine today. I started with my pits today, which may have been a mistake considering that it’s only my second time using. A couple of times I did notice a bit of burning. It’s really hard getting all the valleys.

I did just my legs and pits today. Working well. Don’t expect totally smooth legs. I’m more interested in the disruption of the hair folicle. I want readers to understand that this product is not designed to make your legs silky smooth from the get go. It’s meant to burn off the hair and create a disruption in the growth cycle that will hopefully one day put an end to the growth of the hair.

I do love a good challenge and can’t resist the burning of the hair. Sizzle you suckers!

TheAymster

Nono – day 3 (originally published on June 7, 2008)

Oh yes, Day 3!

You’re probably thinking… She’s gotten results already? But all I can say is that it has gotten easier to use this machine. The curved areas aren’t so bad. I still love hearing them sizzle… Those hairs have given me so much heartache in past years they’re finally getting what’s coming to them!!!

I did my bikini area today which I skipped yesterday and I may go do my legs later yet today. Still some time left to burn them up.

Later!

TheAymster

To be continued…

Related post(s)

• NoNo post – Where did you go? (1)
• NoNo post – day 51 – Eureka! (2)
• NoNo post – day 42 – Definite Results (0)
• NoNo post – day 24 – Some progress (3)
• NoNo post – day 18 – What’s up with that? (0)

April Fools’ Day

The Queen of England was seen riding a motorbike; Glasgow has decided to build an escalator connecting the two existing train stations; Wales is picking up French as its new official language.

On April 1st everything is accepted. The sillier the better. The one day in the UK-calendar in which you are actually encouraged to lie. But it seems that in my life, lying comes easier than telling the truth, so everything I say, my actions and my reactions should always be taken with a pinch of salt.

But now, as I sit in the freezing library “learning” about Markov chains and Markov decision processes, I realise it is the best day of the year to let the mask slide a bit and actually tell you the truth… or some of it at least.

I do mind he has a girlfriend. I don’t want to have a fling. And coming from a broken family has not only given me my sarcastic attitude, but has left me terrified of showing my feelings in case I get hurt, to the extent that, most of the time, I don’t even know them myself.

But then again, why should today be any different? I might just be pulling your leg.

Happy April Fools’ Day to everyone.

A.Nurboe

Related post(s)

• A Waterstone’s kindness (Guest post) (1)
• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 2 (Guest blog) (0)
• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 1 (Guest blog) (0)

A Waterstone’s kindness
As my older brother and I walked past Waterstone’s (the East end of Princes Street one) on the afternoon of Thursday the 24th, a little soft toy in the window display caught our eyes. It was a tiny Spot (Eric Hill’s amazing children’s books, anyone?). We went in to find out how we could get it and saw a big selection of Spot books but no soft toy. We asked an employee and she said we were to purchase three of Spot’s books in order to get it.

Whilst debating the craziness of buying the books just so we could have Spot (I am 21, after all), the Waterstone’s employee came with the soft toy from the window display and said it was a bit scruffy and dirty, but that we could just take him. If we had lied and said that it was for a younger nephew, I am sure that our amazed faces and the sheer happiness we expressed thanking her would have easily given away that the soft toy was in fact for us. As we were left speechless I realised I had not thanked her enough. I hope this makes up for it.

PS. Yes, that yellow thing is A.Nurboe’s attempt at a cross-over between Spot and an olive… Thanks for trying A.Nurboe!

Related post(s)

• April Fools’ Day (Guest post) (0)
• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 2 (Guest blog) (0)
• The Eurostar test to establish your breaking point, part 1 (Guest blog) (0)