Summer work experience
I was on a construction site learning what engineering is about.

Well, that was the theory anyway. For two weeks I was in charge of pressing the button that changed the traffic lights to red when some construction vehicles were about to cross the road. Yes folks, it was actually cheaper to pay me than hire some automated lights!

Anyway, it wasn't so bad as it was nice weather but just a teeny bit tedious. I made my own entertainment by administering my own brand of social justice. Approaching cars could be seen for some distance, and if I felt that the owner had far too much money, the lights went red.

One chappy in a Merc decided this was clearly not on, and after waiting for a minute took off through the red light in a cloud of burnt rubber. Five seconds later he screeched to a halt in another cloud of burnt rubber a few feet from a 25 tonne dumper. The dumper driver was less than impressed and spent some time explaining to the Merc driver exactly what he thought of him. This was probably the highlight of the two weeks, and I not only learnt lots of new words (construction workers are GOOD at swearing), but the fantastic knowledge that you can combine expetives to form whole new ones. Ah, joy.

Now I'm a grownup I am actually quite helpful and not a jobsworth, although I am frighteningly pedantic. By way of example, does anyone else get annoyed at 'five items or less' signs at checkouts. 'Five items or fewer' people, learn to use the language properly.

*needs a lie down in a quiet room*
(Throbbe, Tue 17 May 2005, 10:41, Reply)