Could be more difficult than I thought

I wake determined to start adding photographs to this blog.

So walking up the street this morning with phone camera in hand, ready to seize the moment I spy the banksman for Affinity Sutton/http://www.thelexington-nw11.com/ sitting on a wall in the sun.  As per usual he asks me how I am and I broach the subject of a picture,  - I try "I have a website of smiley people" - well our big burly, middle-aged Irishman, builder turns into a squealing eight year old little girl with a full blush on and giggling fingers in front of the face. It was so charming but, a refusal.  Hmmm...

Next stop, St. John & St. Elizabeth Hospital, http://www.hje.org.uk/ to get a picture of the nice guard there: he's not working today.

All my good intentions to fill this page today with smiling photographs have been stomped on from a great height.  Okay, that might be an exaggeration but I'm not getting very far.  So far.  **STOP PRESS** - see below

So, in the meantime, here is a video I found on YouTube of some Russian people doing exactly what I'm talking about - being nice:

**STOP PRESS** - Well, I went out for a walk at lunch time and Istvan (spelling?) was back at his post as security guard at the Hospital and when I asked him about a picture.... he said yes!!!

So, a big thumbs up   to Istvan at St. John's & St. Elizabeth's Hospital in St. John's Wood for always making that special effort, thank you.  
 
Istvan also made me think; he asked me about the website and I explained, rather than all the letters in newspapers complaining about things, this was a blog about the people who made a difference to our everyday lives.  He loved the idea and asked for the details.  I think I need to get some cards printed; it'll make asking for the photograph that bit easier and maybe take away some of the suspicion about my using their picture for nefarious purposes. 


Anyway, here you have the first smile, of I hope many, on the site. 
 
Do get in touch if you want to post any good experiences/nice staff or even want to do a whole guest blog.  You are more than welcome.

Taking shape

So the idea is taking hold and I'm hoping people will want to post their own "promote the positive" experiences. 

This morning I have a nice one in spite of where it is: at the top of our road is a big development being built http://www.thelexington-nw11.com/ which we don't like but there is a large smiley Irishman banksman who has to get a mention  'cause he does make the effort to say good morning everyday and gives me a nice smile.  

I'm still too chicken to ask his name or, no way yet, ask to take his photo!   

Also, not today, but in the last two months, Toni McCloskey at www.bt.com has been a terrific help.  I contacted BT through their twitter account @BTCare and she took my case and really followed through with the help and a smile (metaphorical as it was on the 'phone, email and twitter) so, Toni, a .

So, another question for you, the reader and I hope future commentator, shall I keep the layout to this very simple white background, black type or would you like it a little more singing and dancing?  When I get up the nerve to have photos of the nice folk, then the pictures will spruce it up a bit but until then?

If you like the idea of this blog, then it is going to need the word spread, so please do follow it and "share" it.  Thanks.

In the meantime, a little light relief

an idea for a blog

So my idea is to start a blog bigging up those people we come in to contact that help make our days nicer and, also, to possibly shame those that are rude and discourteous.

The question will be, will I have the nerve to ask the nice guys if I can take their picture and get their name and whether, those rotten ones, if it'll mean anything without their names and pictures?  Time will tell.

To start, I would like to give a shout out to Theo in Vodafone Baker Street who yesterday not only helped me in the way a good sales person should, but was fun and a good laugh.  Thank you.

On the other hand, the driver of the 82 this morning heading towards St. John's Wood from Swiss Cottage at about 09:50 who drove straight past the woman running and waving for him to stop at Queen's Grove, shame on you.

Also a quick mention for the nice security guard at St. John & St. Elizabeth Hospital in Grove End Road who always has a smile and a nice word for folk, thank you.  I'll try to get his name and a picture for a future post.

Ooh, that's an idea, we can have kiddie emoticons for the good and the bad, so, Theo at Vodafone you get a (y) and number 82 driver this morning, you get a (n)

Okay, that's not working, I have to speak to a blogger to find out how to give Theo his "thumbs up" but rather than chicken out of this idea, I'll publish now and work on design and content of this blog as we go along, together.

Okay, another idea, if you come across someone who has been really good in their job or who has made you smile, let me know and let's mention them here.  

Comments, suggestions and guest posts welcome.


P.S. from a fellow nice blogger, some tips on emoticons, let's see if it works....    - yay!  so for Theo and the as yet unnamed guard, a
   each and to the bus driver this morning, .

And of course to my helpful blogger acquaintance, you know who you are - (although I might have to source different artwork than you!)