Tube Relief meet-up

We had a small meet-up with Captain (Chief!) Tami Brisset on Wednesday evening at the same pub on Charing X Road. You may remember Tami from a couple of my blog post regarding the Katrina Disaster and Tube Relief. She is doing great if you guys are wondering. A curious thing was when I met Jon Justice for the second time, he informed me that a company who was lost his details managed to fine him through this blog post. At least this blog is useful for something!

Tube Relief: Mardi Gras in London

You remember Police Chief Tami Brisset of New Orleans whom I blogged about a couple of times? Well Tami is back in the UK and this evening a group of us (mainly of Tube Relief fame) went down to Central London to meet up with her and her family at the Garrick Arms near Charing X. Jennifer even came up from Brighton, and had to endure one of the daily London-East Croyden commute exodus on her way back. Pictures are up - I can finally go to sleep! Yay!

56k killer warning! Quality of pictures vary as I switched between combinations of flash/no flash, low/high ISO, high/low shutter speed etc. Taking pictures in a low-light pub with a digital compact is a tricky and noisy business!


Tami and her husband!


Anthony, blinging up the pub!


Jenni.


Chris, Sam and Neil.








Chris from Upminster: Ultimate blinging king.




Congrats Stephen!






Cups from Mardi Gras, New Orleans.




Tube dusk masker picture from here.




Pete Lupton in a surprisingly dark picture.




Mex: buy her book here!



Update: Tami made a video compilation in tribute to those who suffered and helped during the Katrina disaster. She gave us copies of these and yesterday I uploaded the video to YouTube. You can stream it live below (requires Macromedia Flash Player):


In other news, I just heard (at the pub) that Geoff (who organised Tube Relief 2005) received some kind of cease and desist order from TfL's lawyers in regarding to his collection of spoof maps (titled silly maps on his site). The maps has been taken down but lucky for me I have them stored on my PC (as some of them were rather useful during Tube Relief). I think this other spoof map, created by a disgruntled reader, sums up pretty much what I am feeling at the moment, if you don't mind me saying.



Technorati tags: Mardi Gras TfL London Underground Tube Tube Relief

Metro Maps and Architecture of the World talk

Tuesday, me and the guys from Tube Relief (Annie, Stephen, Fimb and Neil) attended the Metro Maps and Architecture of the World talk by Mark Ovenden and Max Roberts at Central Saint Martins College. Annie was scribbling away furiously in her notebook next to me (you can read more here and here). While the talk was mainly on the design and architecture of the London Underground, Mark also covered Metro systems from around the world - mainly those in Western Europe.

The talk revealed a couple of interesting information for my research into European graphic design of the early 1900s. The typography issue is an interesting one. I will have to look more into Parisians' uneasy relationship with different typeface.

I have to admit, Max's talk on alternative (and usually ripped-off) LU maps was very interesting. Apparently travel guide publishers, mainly from overseas, have their own alternative maps to cater for different cultures. I can't see why they would be bothered - judging by some of the design - nothing I have seen will ever best Harry Beck's iconic diagram.


A very European interpretation of the LU. With many mistakes.

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A couple of weeks ago I was issued with an internal access RFID card. I had misgivings about another RFID card in my wallet as this may interfere with those Oyster card readers on the LU. True enough on Monday when I swiped my wallet on the reader, the system flashed the red 'Seek assistance' notice before the barriers finally opened. A grand total waste of 1.5 seconds. And this morning I had a problem entering a bus before the reader finally accepted my Oyster card after I removed my access card from my wallet.

Anybody else has problems keeping their Oyster card along side other access cards with embedded radio tags?

Katrina update by Tami

We had an update by Tami on Sunday, describing the awful situation faced by her New Orleans police department:

"Thousands dead, unable to rescue many people.

80% of police officers lost homes. Two police officers committed suicide. One office being a friend who organized my media ads for the charity. I don't have time to grieve because of the work that needs to be done. My responsibility to my officers and city of New Orleans is paramount.

The eastern part of the city is so much underwater it will take 80 days to remove all of the water according to T.V." (more)

And Monday:

"I am now in the Emergency Operations Center for the NOPD. This is the Command Center for the New Orleans Police Department. Everything pretty much goes thru here. I am doing fine. This is a life changing experience for sure. I slept in a garage on the concrete for a while and now I have a cot. The city is so eerie looking with all the destruction. The water is still high in most parts and I can't even imagine what it will look like when it is all drained.

The heat is still in the 90's and the smell is something that you want to forget. People are still be rescued from their homes and many have died but they believe that the toll may not be as high. Thank God for that at least. I feel so bad for those who have missing family members because I was in their shoes just a sort time ago." (more)

Tami and Statto (Tube Relief party)

It is a relief that despite what happened, Tami is still keen on humour. Her form of resillience is an example that many of us should learn. We all love you Tami!

Please donate here: American Redcross

Hurricane Katrina

Update: You can now donate to the American Red Cross.

I remember when news of the Asian Tsunami started filtering in through news agency last Boxing Day. At first they weren't treating the whole thing seriously. News outlet and government agency played down the significance of the destruction.

History repeated itself few days ago when early news seems to have dismissed the potential chaos and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. Situation seems to have worsen with the breach in New Orleans's flood barriers. Because the city is beneath sea level, 80% of the city has been flooded. Latest from Channel 4's New Orleans correspondent are thousands (rumour) of people might have died in the disaster.

One of our Tube Relief challenger, the fantastic New Orleans Police Captain Tami Brisset is currently 'stuck' in the UK, waiting for flights to return to her home and family. She has secured a flight tomorrow through Gatwick and will be staying overnight in Jenni's flat in Brighton.



The Evening Standard (above is a shot from the early edition) has published a short newspiece of Tami's situation. Nice of them.



New Orleans: Our thoughts are with you all.

Update: BBC News London has screened up an interview with Tami. It is about two minutes long. You can still view it here.

Okay folks. GMTV would be interviewing Tami between 6.30-6.45am tomorrow. They would whisk her off to Gatwick first before doing the interview there. I think Geoff's media whoring habit has been a big influence in Tami's media courting the past few days.

Update: 7.15pm interview broadcasted.

Update (3 Sept):

Message from Tami:

I made it to Tampa Florida. My son is alive and in North Mississippi in a shelter.

BBC Radio 4 TODAY called on my cell phone which I can only retrieve message . ANDREA at 20XXXXXX. Can someone call her and tell her that I am at 504-XXX-XXXX for a while. Thanks.

My sister's birthday and anniversary of my mother's death is today and I am praying that we find her. My nephew has started back to the area where she stayed to look for her.

The city is in complete chaos from what I am hearing. I am hearing that police are just leaving their posts. Thugs are shooting at rescuers and police now. It is anarchy. I am still trying to find a way to get home . Fred is going to Texas at his sisters with his mom. Joshua will stay here in Tampa with Fred's ex-inlaws and go to school.

I am going to try to get to New Orleans to start helping and looking for my officers. I posted on local forums for assistance and havent received any replys. I simple dont know where they are.

I miss you all desperately and wish some nice rich helpful person will just say -0 here's a home, here's a job for you and fred, here's a life. I was waiting 3 yrs. to retire to come there but now it seems to be all gone. I am more miserable here than when I was there with you all. I know my hubby, pups, and sons are alright but it is surreal.

Now on a lighter note: Jen was a great hostess puting me up in Brighton. She could always be a B&B owner if she chooses to change professions.

The airline was great. They upgraded me to bus class and I only needed 1 valium . The best I will eat for months I am sure. GMTV picked Jen and I up in a car thata was more expensive than my house. Or the house I had.

I got back to the states with 4 pounds in my pocket, $50 dollars in my purse and a heavy heart. I will trasure my experience with yall every day amd will keep in touch. Please encourage people to help us. I dont know how I will get any money from the govt. to help my family. I just hope it goes to all of us in need. I told a few of ya'll.: I am always in control and my job is to protect and serve as my motto is but I feel helpless and displaced. My encouraging thoughts are thinking that you are are there and my new family!

Will write when I get to GROUND ZERO! Geoff let them all know Robin at Virgin, Lucy at GMTV, etc. I made it here. Now I have to go buy some ammo.

Tube Relief report

Because I can't be arsed to type out a proper Tube Relief Challenge report (with logs and everything) you should go and read Geoff's excellent report here.

I am completedly knackered out of a couple of events last weekend but I will do a little summary on what happened on our team that day. Just a general report (no station to station logs) out of obligation to those who sponsored us online and offline. Look out for Jenni's report in the next few days too.

We did 250+ stations. When I meant '+' it is because everytime I get a clean map to retrace the route I would count either 250, 251 or 252 stations. I always miss something! So officially we did between 250 and 252 stations.

Geoff has a good write up on what happened early on between Amersham and Harrow & Wealdstone. Most of us were still clinging on together before making our way down the Bakerloo Line.

We split at Elephant & Castle before heading toward Stratford on the Jubilee Line. But our train had to terminate at Canary Wharf so we had to change here. Here we got our first warning through the tannoy with a stern warning that 'any forms of photography is strictly prohibited'.

As far as we are concerned, we knew that photography is allowed on the underground as long as flashes are supressed so we did not really heed the announcement until a second warning came up on the tannoy. We then noticed a security guy walking around. We hid behind the large 'Canary Wharf' underground sign and heard his walkie talkie blurting out something to do with 'people taking pictures'. Fortunately for us the next Jubilee Line train arrived and we dashed in.

We only met one other group at Woodford. Norm and Matt were on the same train as us from Epping but we only met them at Woodford. We did the Hainault loop together before splitting up at Stratford with us heading towards Central London and they doing the Jubilee Line.

After doubling back from Stanmore down to Wembley Park we wanted to take the Met Line to Uxbridge. We were pretty sick of our Snickers and energy bars by now and because the next Uxbridge train leaves in 10 minutes we decided to get a 'proper meal' outside the station. I frequent Wembley Park often so I know the layout outside pretty well. Two minutes later we were at Subways, got our foot long Italian BMT, paid and leave. We got back on the platform with 3 minutes to spare. Not too bad.

The Northern Line was possibly the most boring part to do. With so many doubling back it was a time consuming line. We did a break at Euston meeting up with the Euston support crew and getting our polaroids taken. Then was back to business.

The Victoria Line as usual was stuffy with hot air. Down at Morden we took the bus to Wimbledon. Nice area. Very upmarket.

At Aldgate East around 10pm at night we disembark down from the District Line train only to find the station closing! Tiredness is creeping in and I did not know what to do. At the ticket platform it was chaos. We needed to get the Hammersmith & City line but the platform was locked shut. Luckily for us the SA heard our plea and he found his keys and let us into the westbound platform. Phew.

We arrived at Upminster around 12.45am. It was hell of a journey. At times my body just felt sick and I had a genuine feeling of dropping out when we were at Ealing Broadway (my bed is 10 minutes walk away).

Helene sent us back to Ealing. It was an amusing ride, listening to them bickering with Neil.

We got home sometime after 3am and I wrote a short blog entry, read a little bit of Annie Mole's live blogging then slumped down the bed till about 2pm.

Feeling slightly better I went to hunt down Ealing Times as I knew they would be printing a newspiece on my Tube Relief attempt.

As of today we have as a collective, raised over £11,000 (US$20,000) for the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund. There is still a chance to donate here.

Will I do this again? Of course I will. If we did not mess up the Hainult loop (by going anti-clockwise first time round), got dumped at Canary Wharf, didn't have to do so many toilet breaks, cancelled our original planned route (Elephant & Castle to Morden then the bus to Wimbledon) then it was possible we could have done 275 stations that day.

But we did not. And it costed us dearly. So dammit of course I will do it again next year.

Pictures are on Flickr. Group pool. Post-event report.

Update: Blimey, I hadn't realise how my long my 'summary' went! Jenni has a pre-24 hour Tube Relief report.

Update 2: More pictures here:

Billy (Cowfish)'s Tube Relief
Matt's Tube Relief/post-event party
Neil's Tube Relief
Neil's post-event party
Norm's Tube Relief
Norm's post-event party
Stephen's Tube Relief

plus videos by Luke Hopewood

plus post-event party write-up

and another meet-up some months later

Links to all Tube Relief bloggers:

Annie Mole Geoff Tami Helene Anne-Marie Liz Billy Neil Norman Ann Chz Matt Ric Chris

Tube Relief: Ric and Mark Whitby

When we were chatting with Ric during the post-event party yesterday evening, he mentioned to us that he appeared on the telly during the infamous (and so inaccurate) Mark Whitby's interview on the BBC after the Stockwell shooting.

The first reaction was no wonder he looked familiar! I believe him of course but I wanted to see it again just to be sure. There are no BBC News 24 archive on teh Interweb but look what I found:

BBC News - I saw Tube man shot - eyewitness
CNN.com - 'He looked like a cornered fox'

That is Ric! Behind the confused fella!

BTW an amusing story to share with some readers who may not yet have read Annie Mole's Tube Relief blog. I will just copy and paste here:

David and Ric arrived at Finchley Central on a High Barnet train which then departed.

They spoke to the station assistant (SA) to enquire when the next Mill Hill East train was, which was described as 19 minutes. This would really affect their progress getting back, so they looked very disappointed, as they had told him about the challenge. The SA then went away, (unbeknown to them, spoke to the control room) and came back and told them that the next train to arrive would be re-routed to Mill Hill East in 2 minutes time.

When it arrived, the driver announced the sudden change and massess of people poured off the train to await a High Barnet service and five people got on the train to Mill Hill East!!!!! How amazing is that????

I just heard on the news that Hurricane Katrina is slowly moving towards New Orleans where Tami hails from. I hope all goes well for Tami and her four Chihuahuas! If not I will do a whole Tube Relief just for her!

Tube Relief: Post-event meet up

We met up at The George on the corner of Mortimer Street and Great Portland Street. It is about one minute away from Oxford Circus tube station.

Actually both of us met Geoff, Neil, Annie and Helene at the Starbucks in Borders book store on Oxford Street. Small world. I do not read The Economist by the way.






David, Ric and Jen doing the Met flat-top and Picca round-top!


To be ebayed...


Euston station polaroids


New Orleans Police Captain Tami!


The buffet!




Statto and Tami!


Jen, Norman and I




Billy (cowfish)


Geoff and Neil.


Tami and our youngest challenger, 14 years old John!






Chris, Sam and Steve. Sam managed to collect £1500 for Tube Relief. Well done! Chris also won an award for best injury. He was taking a picture when the famous London Underground sliding doors smacked his face!


Norman, our producer!




Helene, part of the support team at Euston who gave us a ride home to Ealing from Upminster. Cheers!


Stephen the official photographer of Tube Relief.


Mecca! Buy her book!




Tami again!

That's it! Well done everyone!

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Post-event thoughts: We both had a wonderful time during Tube Relief Challenge and the post-event meet up at The George. I can honestly say that I will be doing this again. Jenni's not too sure but I will try to change her mind. We need to do all 274 stations next year!

I am still a little too tired to write up Thursday's report. I will leave that to Jenni.

BTW, next time I am in Malaysia I will do the whole KL metro system.