Now normally I am a huge fan of the M25, but last night it showed me it's nasty side.

Last night I helped out a fellow member and covered a gig in Reading, whic is 90 miles from my home in Essex. I have worked in the town a few times previously, and the journy can take me just over the hour on a good day, and 2 hours on a bad day, so I gave my self 2 and half hours, and planned to arrive at the venue for 5.45pm for a 7pm start (my rig is set in 30 mins so I allowed a little more breathing time)

journy started fine, then the fog came down, as i got onto the M25 at junction 29 there was a little slow traffic all the way to Junction 27, (M11), where there had been a couple of accidents and a lorry had spilled its load of magazines. Got past there, fog was thicker, but still able to drive at a reasonable speed (I always leave plenty of room between me & the car in front)

Then horror of all horrors, hit a tail back, by this time I had driven 30 miles in my 1st hour of driving, I was in this jam for 80 minutes, and travelled 8 miles, all the way to the A1, there had been an accident between a lorry & a car so the police closed 2 lanes. I tried to call the client, but the switchboard at the Marks & Spensers had been turned off.

got past there, the fog was not so thick here, and picked up speed, well for about 10 miles anyway, then another jam as 1 lane was closed while they pulled a lorry out of a field (why do they not wait until after the rush hour) as I got past here at 6.15pm and was approaching the M4 turn off, the client rang I explained the situation, and said I was 30 miles away but would get there as soon as I could, she understood and said for me to do my best.

then another jam at the M4 (I know there always is) but got through this in only 10 minutes. The M4 was relatively clear, only a couple of patches of slow trafic around Slough, but managed to arrive in Reading for 6.50pm, then I had to find my way around the labyrinth that is Reading town centre, got to the loading bay of the store AT 7.10pm, pulled in, started to unload and ask the guy there to let the party know I'd arrived. then was told that I would have to move my car as a delivery lorry had arrived. so I parked in the street and carried on, loaded up two huge trolley (the kind they use to re-stock) and made my way to the room, which was through the food court, through the clothing department, turn right, then turn left into a lift, out of the lift trough 4 sets of double doors. For me to arrive to huge cheers from the room.

I had music playing by 7.30pm, and the rig fully set by 7.50pm. after that the client put on a little in house cabaret which gave me 30 minutes to compose myself, and what a fantastic night everyone dancing all night to a good mixture of music, I was due to finish at 10pm, but carried on untill 10.45pm to try & make things better.

got paid, and a tip gave out a few cards so a potentila disaster ended on a high note.

and the journey home, 90 minutes

Credit to ya Ian,glad it worked out well

Thanks Ian for covering for me, I am sorry you had such a bad journey.

As it was it was a good job I wasn't doing that gig myself, as 6pm the prevoius evening my car was hit from behind on the motorway pushing me into the car infront. Car is a total write-off.

Had to spend the next day in bed, just about able to move my neck now.

This made me wonder how many of us (especially the younger of use who rely on others for transport) tell our car vehicle insurers what we carry. If you have a van you probably do, but if you carry your stuff in a car do you pay for buisness use on the insurance.

Luckily I don't usually use my normal car for DJing and was on the way home from my day job when it happened but has anyone got caught out?

Thanks again Ian, sounds like it went well in the end.

Dicky

./..and I thought it was only me having nightmares!

Another one today! I am now totally convinced that the new conference sales advisor at my resident hotel wants to get her "mates" the djs in from where she used to work - which coincidentally is the sister hotel of my resident hotel. Last week she neglected to inform me (after she was told to by the general manager) that I had no need to arrive at the hotel before 9.30 on friday - as there was no room for me to set up until they had done the turn around in the room> So there I was at 5.30 thinking "what do I do with myself for the next four hours"! This is also more annoying because I have to make so many arrangement with transporting kids and finding babysitters etc etc - which all costs me wonga!. Then, last Thursday, she informed me that they required two discos for this coming friday 12th - Again, thinking and planning ahead, I decided to phone the duty manager this evening to get the times that I could set up - thinking I may as well go and set up one of the rigs tonight if possible..... only to be told that they did not want two discos - the conference sales advisor had neglected to impart that information to me! I was then in the embarrassing position of having to tell one of Eskies mates, who was kindly covering the second room for me, that his services were no longer required! (anyone need a gig covering tomorrow let me or esk know so we can get him out working to earn a few quid).#
Funnily enough, even though I have worked at this hotel for six years, nobody has ever requested that the resident djs from the other hotel come and do their wedding... until the new conference sales advisor took over! It has never happened and I just wonder why if you are getting married at this hotel you would request the services of the dj from the other hotel ,=...given the fact that unless you are staff you would have no realisation that the two hotels were remotely linked!
Fortunately for me, I am well in with the hotel owner, hotel director, general manager and all the duty managers who all want this woman O U T...... but for the time being I am not going to trust her and will continue to double check every booking with the management!

Talking of the M25.

It took me two hours to get from Farnham to the Heathrow Hilton, a journey that would normally take 35 to 45 mins.

Kazz, go to the general manager and get him to sign a 5 year exculsive contract, a copy of which goes to the nice young lady, the fact that you or the GM want to tear it up in a years time is irrelivent.

Oh Dear!
It's all happening this week! Summink's in the water for you lot, me finks!
Well mits crossed no more bad happenings

Maybe your all having a Paula week cause I aint for a change will now go to bed until Monday.......just in case I've spoken to soon

Mikee... what a wise old bloke you are! I think I am going to do just that! However, I know that the management of the hotel want her out! I have a funny feeling that I will be there long after she has gone! Contract writing as we speak!

theres must be something in the water at the moment, it would appear that a collegue and myself are having a similar problem to kazzachi. there is a new conference and banqueting manager in our regular hotel. most of the duty managers are moaning that she only works 9 till 5 so doesnt see the chaos she creats......

wednesday night about 7.45. i get a phone call from the hotel "are you doing a disco for us tonight? we have 120 guests for a christmas party".. my reply no nothing has been booked with us.....so gear in the car and away i went..ended up being a great night. cabaret turned up at 9.30 and told me she had got a call at 7.50 asking if she could do the gig lol......

thursday i turned up to find the banqueting manager had instructed the room to be set up with 6 12 seater tables on the dance floor. which was nice. got them shifted and then the guest turned up it was a black tie masonic. i was told it was just an office xmas party. seems theres al ack of communication somewhere....lol

can wait to find out what happens tonite..

Eh tony! You and me are in the same boat then! I have decided that she wont beat me... so will make sure that I speak to the duty managers during the evenings to find out exact requirements...... suggest you do the same - then we are the ones who look professional and it will show them up that they are not doing the job they are paid for!

Already on the case Karen. spent 30 minutes with the Operations manager last night sorting out this weekend, and then we are meeting on Wednesday to plan next weekend.