Day 4 –7 January 2014
One of the problems with living north of the Tyne and working south of it is the daily commute. On most days it’s not too bad. Apart from the normal stand still around the Metro Centre the 34 mile trip is usually a straight run. But at this time of year, during at least the first half term the traffic is very heavy and the slightest disruption causes mayhem.
This morning’s disruption wasn’t trivial though. I was supposed to go to Hartlepool to visit a school but there was an accident in the south bound Tyne Tunnel and they shut it. Add to this an accident on the central motorway and it was total gridlock. The clock was ticking away and so a quick phone call and we’ll try to rearrange. Of course by the time I got to County Hall the car park was packed but the parking gods favoured me and I got what must have been the last spot.
I was hoping to use the free time to write a PSN report but was asked to slip into a meeting about the ongoing cost pressures. This is going to be a big big theme for this year. It has been for the last few years and probably will be for foreseeable future.
By late morning I was back on plan and had a meeting about a potential partner to help us with school’s service delivery. Not sure if this is the right way for us to go but there is no harm in talking, is there?
PSN report written, emails under control and off to Dale and Valley Housing for a Strategic Customer Services Meeting. See yesterday but housing is going to be another huge topic for this year and so it’s good to make a start.
Learning points for today – The best laid plans can go out of the window in an instant; The big issues for the year are shaping up (as if I didn’t know them already); It is always good to talk
Today’s enjoyment rating 8/10 – Bad traffic and hopefully not a missed opportunity.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 