The train driver apologies for the delay but you feel people’s anger at the impending strike by the RMT Union. In one hour, the whole London Underground network will be paralysed.

The train is jam packed. Nothing unusual but I’m the lucky one this time, at least I’m on a train. I even have the luxury of getting off a stop early at Bank Station. I just wanted to escape the sweat. I get off and find that everything is getting shut down. People are desperate to get home but the gates are shut. The air is hot with distress and anger.

The misery is not being able to get home. I’m grateful for that today.

I’m prone to losing cameras. I persistently forget to touch in/out my Oyster card. (This is London’s public transport doodad, and no, I’m not stealing).

I’m forgetful. So, I use a mantra that Mr A. Liu taught me: phone, wallet, keys – all the things that make me happy(ee).

However, a new mantra is needed for London life. The following are essential items:

• Smartphone – preferably a Blackberry. It’s actually not for email, it’s a convenient excuse to avoid eye contact with other human beings.
• Keys
• Wallet – you’ll need to carry much more cash
• Map – to navigate to the tube
• Oyster card – to get on the tube
• Water – to survive the tube
• iPod – to survive the boredom of the tube
• Vaseline – to stop your skin eroding while on the tube
• Book – to stop rotting your brain while reading the free newspapers on the tube
• Dignity Incapacitation Device (DiD)- leave dignity behind before entering a packed tube train

A new acronym is needed (and a larger bag). Remember this: MiSKVOWWB-DiD