h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Since I shifted back to office hours, I've been trying to cycle in to work as much as I can... it's environmentally sound, it keeps me fit, and it saves a few quid in tube fares. And with the exception of the snowy weather last week, it's been going quite well and I've managed to do it most days.

The only trouble is clothing. I'm not the kind of bloke that can cycle 10 milse slowly without sweating, so I tend to keep a pair of trousers in the office, bring in the odd clean shirt every now and then and have a shower and get changed when I get in every day.

I left work last night just after half past six and left my shift and trousers on a hanger on the coathooks by the Sport 24 set. Came in this morning and they'd gone.

So I'm sitting here wearing an ancient and shabby pair of black trousers and a garish yellow, blue and orange cycling top that I bought in Camden Market for a fiver - chosen chiefly for its visibility.

Maybe some tidy-minded creature from Wardrobe took them, thinging they were Aunty's property...

Bob Hope of that, sadly. I don't even know where wardrobe are, so it'd be a bit of a shock if they were to suddenly wander through our office. Unfortunately in situations like this it's the cleaners who fall under suspicion, but to be honest it's just as likely that fellow BBC employees could be responsible.

My office is vast, and a lot of people go through it in the daytime and they could quite easily return at night if they'd seen something they fancied.

So I'm down a rather nice charcoal grey lightweight suit that I bought in Italy with my ex, quite a good light blue shirt I got in the sale at Moss Bros, and a frankly rather poncey navy blue pair of trousers with a red pinstripe that my mate gave me when he'd got too fat to wear them.

That must be highly irritating. Do you have a locker or desk that you could lock future changes in?

When I was in Bush House, people were stealing the plasma tellies. Even working for the Beeb doesn't ensure you're not working with a load of tea-leaves.

You might be able to claim though?

Try not to walk behind where they film the news...

The only thing I've had nicked from work was copies of Bizarre magazine. There when I left, not there in the morning. Then a few days later they'd come back. I'm sure it was a cleaner who just fancied a read. Since they came back, I wasn't that bothered.

Girls read Bizarre magazine??? Having seen the covers of them, that surprises me...

I'm trying to get a locker as of right now, but the trouble with such a large organisation is trying to find the right person to speak to.

I can't claim on my household insurance because I don't have any. The premiums in my bit of London versus how much my stuff is worth make it not worth bothering with - and I do have the proceeds from selling my flat stashed away if someone pinches my laptop.

Well I meant off the BBC for not providing you with a secure area to hang your clothes while you do your bit for congestion and the environment.

I read Bizarre too sometimes!

Girls like me read Bizarre. Girls like me take a particular kind of pleasure in showing their bosses the most unpleasant pictures, whilst said bosses are eating their lunch.

hehehe

Lets fact it Six, you clothes are going to be part of the monster outfits for the new Dr Who series

first of all, felicitations. keep with it!

i don't have to change when i get to work; it's an industrial environment and i work in clothes that are, not exactly grungy but far from my best, and no chance of them staying clean for long anyway.

if there are showers where you work i imagine there are lockers, try to get one assigned.

i find the big problem is the in between season where you still need a sweater and jacket in the morning but can cycle home in a t-shirt.

The clothes I'm wearing NOW could be part of a monster costume for the new Doctor Who series!

I know reading The Sun is pretty horrible experience, but yesterday's had piccies of upcoming villians, I'll go find the link (so you don't have to wait through fetid shite. Aren't I good?).

Ah, got a link from Outpost Gallifrey:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005111750,00.html

Oddly enough, my suit is rather like the one in the second picture

See, I *told* you Wardrobe pinched it!

Shirt and trousers have turned up, hanging on the hook on the door of Trap 3 in the Gents Toilets. I swear I left them on the coathok last night, though.

Suit still missing, presumed starring in Doctor Who...

So whoever has your suit decided against the shirt and strides!

Funny old place, the beeb...

Strangely enough - nobody has ever stolen my clothes - though somebody did steal my swimming trunks and towel at the baths once. Damned groupies.