Wow!
Have I seriously not posted since last year?
Wow!
Okay, here I go...blogging away. I'd forgotten how much fun this.
Sometime ago I entered the ballot for the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. I didn't actually think I'd get a place. I really didn't. So, you can imagine my surprise when I did.
I was of course thrilled by this...and then terrified. However, there was one slight problem.
I no longer had a bike.
Well, okay I do still have a bike, but I can no longer ride it. One fine day last summer an irresponsible dog owner on Rollerblades lost control of his rather large dog, which threw the full force of his weight into me as I was cycling along. This lovely dog owner did stop to ask if I was okay. As I sat in shock and bleeding on the ground, I answered that I was fine when in fact it was quite obvious that I wasn't. Instead of asking me again to make certain I wasn't just in shock, helping me or giving me his details, the dog owner leashed his dog and skated away quite quickly. Another stranger assisted me up and I limped to a shop to get some plasters. This unfortunate event resulted in two things:
1. I re-injured my shoulder. I've hurt this shoulder in the past in a couple of car accidents (not my fault and I wasn't even driving in one) and a climbing incident (nothing dangerous, just something stupid).
2. The frame of my bike was cracked and I've since been told it's now dangerous to ride.
I'm currently in the process of purchasing a new (and very nice) bike through the the Cycle to Work Scheme, but there's been an issue in regards to my training.
My damn shoulder began acting up quite painfully again recently. In fact, I couldn't raise my arm above 90 degrees to my body without crippling pain. Nor could I open a door or pick things up without wincing. After about a week of this, I finally saw my GP. He gave me some physiotherapy exercises to do and prescribed Naproxin. This past Friday, two weeks later, I went in for a follow up appointment, much improved, and he gave me the okay to begin to train. He did say, however, that I must start out slowly.
And so, tomorrow I begin with a pilates class. My plan is to go to pilates at least once a week for core strength, spinning class at least once a week and cycle at least twice a week for very long rides. (Until I have my bike, I'll be taking spinning classes to make up for not having a bike). By June I intend to ride to and from work (about 50 miles round trip) at least twice a week. I will also cut down on gluten, eat healthier in general and may even consult a nutritionist. Finally, I will no longer go to the pub for a casual pint or catch up over a
bottle of wine with friends. Alcohol may only be consumed on VERY
special occasions (birthdays, weddings, travelling outside of Britain).
So, on the eve of all this as I sit drinking my last 'casual' glass of wine, I had a thought. Perhaps I should track my progress via my blog. After all, it will be interesting to look back on the changes I am about to undergo physically, as well mentally, after I complete this ride. Therefore, in addition to the training, I'm going to post regular updates on how it's all going. While these postings will really be more for me, I of course welcome you to read and feedback if you wish. I wouldn't be posting this all publicly if I didn't want to share it with you.
Hmmmm...maybe I should change the name of this blog to "H on her Bike".
For those of you who are curious about the route, here's a little video mapping it out.
Monday, 8 April 2013
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Dear Moderate Republicans
Dear Moderate Republicans,
I'm speaking to those of you who are 'fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.' Some of you are Christian, but not radically so, and many of you aren't Christian (or perhaps any religion) at all. You are ashamed with how the Republican party touts to the extreme Christian right and appalled at the misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Muslim (or frankly anti any religion that's not Christian) rhetoric coming from a 'few' loud-mouthed bad apples tainting the entire party. However, you don't agree with the financial plans of the Obama administration because you're possibly in a tax bracket that would benefit under Republican rule. (Or, you're hoping to be.)
So, you're still going to vote for Romney despite disagreeing with him on his social issues.
Okay, fine. That's your choice, but I'd like you to do one thing for me before you cast your vote. I want you to stand in front of the mirror, look yourself in the eye and say the following.
"I'm voting for Romney because the amount of money I make means more to me than the health and individual rights of my female friends, the basic civil-rights of my homosexual friends or the First Amendment in the Constitution, which establishes the freedom of religion. I'm voting for Romney because money means more to me than any of that."
Then look me in the eye and say that to me the next time I come to visit. Frankly, if the only reason you're voting for Romney is a fiscal one, you've just admitted money means more to you than other human beings.
You don't have to vote for Obama. There are other options, but there are plenty of Republicans for Obama. So perhaps you should listen to what they have to say. At the end of the day it is, as I said, your choice, but to me it speaks volumes about your character.
I'm speaking to those of you who are 'fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.' Some of you are Christian, but not radically so, and many of you aren't Christian (or perhaps any religion) at all. You are ashamed with how the Republican party touts to the extreme Christian right and appalled at the misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Muslim (or frankly anti any religion that's not Christian) rhetoric coming from a 'few' loud-mouthed bad apples tainting the entire party. However, you don't agree with the financial plans of the Obama administration because you're possibly in a tax bracket that would benefit under Republican rule. (Or, you're hoping to be.)
So, you're still going to vote for Romney despite disagreeing with him on his social issues.
Okay, fine. That's your choice, but I'd like you to do one thing for me before you cast your vote. I want you to stand in front of the mirror, look yourself in the eye and say the following.
"I'm voting for Romney because the amount of money I make means more to me than the health and individual rights of my female friends, the basic civil-rights of my homosexual friends or the First Amendment in the Constitution, which establishes the freedom of religion. I'm voting for Romney because money means more to me than any of that."
Then look me in the eye and say that to me the next time I come to visit. Frankly, if the only reason you're voting for Romney is a fiscal one, you've just admitted money means more to you than other human beings.
You don't have to vote for Obama. There are other options, but there are plenty of Republicans for Obama. So perhaps you should listen to what they have to say. At the end of the day it is, as I said, your choice, but to me it speaks volumes about your character.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Music Top 5s with apologies to Nick Hornby
Last week a friend gave me a bit of a fun task. In a 'High Fidelity' theme I was to name the following:
Top 5 Favourite Artists:
Number 5- The Grateful Dead- Many of my current gig buddies/music friends do not understand this, but there was significant amount of time in university that I spent on the road following them around. The only thing I regret about my cultish behaviour of the time was that I had a fantastic 4AD vinyl collection that I sold to pay for a few shows. I don't listen to them as much as I used to, but any time I hear them, I get nostalgic. Thus, they must be mentioned.
Number 4- Manu Chao A friend of mine introduced him to me Manu Chao when I lived in Seattle. I didn't really listen to him much until I moved to Mexico (to help my Spanish) and I fell in love with him. He almost appeared later in my Top 5 Gigs too, but as it is I had to extend that list to 6. The Manu Chao gig in London last year would have been number 7.
Number 3- Tune Yards- This is a recent addition. I'd really like to see her live.
Number 2- Polly Jean Harvey. I love her. That is all.
My number 1 artist of all time is Ani DiFranco. I could go on and on about how her music is poetry and she lives her songs, but I won't.
I'm separating songs from albums as some of my favourite songs aren't on my favourite albums. And, not all my favourite songs or albums are by my favourite artists.
Top 5 Songs
Number 5- Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden- "Bonkers" This song makes me cycle super fast. I love it, plus Dizzee is from my 'hood' more or less.
Number 4- David Byrne and the Dirty Projectors- "Knotty Pine"
Number 3- Richmond Fontaine- "Lost in Trees" These guys are friends of mine (I went to university with the bass player), but I'd still love them even if they weren't.
Number 2- Beta Band- "She's The One for Me".
Number 1- Ani DiFranco "32 Flavours" It's such a pretty song and at one point mirrored my life.
Top 5 Albums
Number 5- The Cocteau Twins- "The Pink Opaque" Sold to fund my Grateful Dead wandering.
Number 4- Guided by Voices- "Do the Collapse" ("Hold on Hope" almost went on my top 5 favourite songs, but since I was doing separate list for albums, I decided not to put it on that list)
Number 3- The Flaming Lips- "Soft Bulletin" This was partially due to the gig I saw, which will be mentioned later.
Number 2- Elliot Smith- "From a Basement on a Hill" I actually like most of his stuff, but this album is special as it was released after his death. Quite sad really.
Number 1- PJ Harvey- "Let England Shake" This is a fantastic album! That is all.
Top 5 Gigs- I can't do 5. You're getting 6.
Number 6- Sleigh Bells at Heaven in Feb 2011. Who would think that 2 people could put on such an amazing gig? I was pleasantly surprised.
Number 5- Nirvana at the Seattle Center in 1994- Sadly this was the last live gig Kurt would ever play in Seattle. It was also his best (in my opinion)
Number 4- Flaming Lips at the Showbox in 1996. The audience wore headphones- it was an audio and visual treat. As an added treat, Krist Novaselic was there and approached me to say hi and talk. But then realised he didn't actually know me and said, "Sorry, I thought you were someone else."
Number 3- PJ Harvey at the Troxy in Feb 2011. Wow!
Number 2- Ani Difranco- each time I've seen her she's amazing and I've seen her 3 times, the most recent being at the Union Chapel in January. In fact I just found a clip of her playing my favourite song at that concert.
Number 1- Neil Young (Patti Smith opened and then came on stage with Neil at the end) at The Gorge, 1996. The Gorge is a naturally beautiful venue in George, WA. It tipped down rain and was also quite windy. Neil was rocking to Like a Hurricane with his hair wet and blowing in his face. It was as if he was defying the forces of mother nature. I was blown away (literally and figuratively).
And that's my musical me.
- Top 5 Artists
- Top 5 Songs or Albums
- Top 5 music experiences - gigs, soundtrack to point in life, first album bought etc.
Top 5 Favourite Artists:
Number 5- The Grateful Dead- Many of my current gig buddies/music friends do not understand this, but there was significant amount of time in university that I spent on the road following them around. The only thing I regret about my cultish behaviour of the time was that I had a fantastic 4AD vinyl collection that I sold to pay for a few shows. I don't listen to them as much as I used to, but any time I hear them, I get nostalgic. Thus, they must be mentioned.
Number 4- Manu Chao A friend of mine introduced him to me Manu Chao when I lived in Seattle. I didn't really listen to him much until I moved to Mexico (to help my Spanish) and I fell in love with him. He almost appeared later in my Top 5 Gigs too, but as it is I had to extend that list to 6. The Manu Chao gig in London last year would have been number 7.
Number 3- Tune Yards- This is a recent addition. I'd really like to see her live.
Number 2- Polly Jean Harvey. I love her. That is all.
My number 1 artist of all time is Ani DiFranco. I could go on and on about how her music is poetry and she lives her songs, but I won't.
I'm separating songs from albums as some of my favourite songs aren't on my favourite albums. And, not all my favourite songs or albums are by my favourite artists.
Top 5 Songs
Number 5- Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden- "Bonkers" This song makes me cycle super fast. I love it, plus Dizzee is from my 'hood' more or less.
Number 4- David Byrne and the Dirty Projectors- "Knotty Pine"
Number 3- Richmond Fontaine- "Lost in Trees" These guys are friends of mine (I went to university with the bass player), but I'd still love them even if they weren't.
Number 2- Beta Band- "She's The One for Me".
Number 1- Ani DiFranco "32 Flavours" It's such a pretty song and at one point mirrored my life.
Top 5 Albums
Number 5- The Cocteau Twins- "The Pink Opaque" Sold to fund my Grateful Dead wandering.
Number 4- Guided by Voices- "Do the Collapse" ("Hold on Hope" almost went on my top 5 favourite songs, but since I was doing separate list for albums, I decided not to put it on that list)
Number 3- The Flaming Lips- "Soft Bulletin" This was partially due to the gig I saw, which will be mentioned later.
Number 2- Elliot Smith- "From a Basement on a Hill" I actually like most of his stuff, but this album is special as it was released after his death. Quite sad really.
Number 1- PJ Harvey- "Let England Shake" This is a fantastic album! That is all.
Top 5 Gigs- I can't do 5. You're getting 6.
Number 6- Sleigh Bells at Heaven in Feb 2011. Who would think that 2 people could put on such an amazing gig? I was pleasantly surprised.
Number 5- Nirvana at the Seattle Center in 1994- Sadly this was the last live gig Kurt would ever play in Seattle. It was also his best (in my opinion)
Number 4- Flaming Lips at the Showbox in 1996. The audience wore headphones- it was an audio and visual treat. As an added treat, Krist Novaselic was there and approached me to say hi and talk. But then realised he didn't actually know me and said, "Sorry, I thought you were someone else."
Number 3- PJ Harvey at the Troxy in Feb 2011. Wow!
Number 2- Ani Difranco- each time I've seen her she's amazing and I've seen her 3 times, the most recent being at the Union Chapel in January. In fact I just found a clip of her playing my favourite song at that concert.
Number 1- Neil Young (Patti Smith opened and then came on stage with Neil at the end) at The Gorge, 1996. The Gorge is a naturally beautiful venue in George, WA. It tipped down rain and was also quite windy. Neil was rocking to Like a Hurricane with his hair wet and blowing in his face. It was as if he was defying the forces of mother nature. I was blown away (literally and figuratively).
And that's my musical me.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
The Mitt Romney/BNP Diet
I'm not happy with my weight. Currently, I'm about 5 kilos above a healthy BMI and would like to get back there.
When we had a Biggest Loser competition at work a few years back, I was almost down to the weight I managed to lose that weight and more, but I put it all back on slowly in addition some extra pounds. I know my personality and I need something with a competitive edge that rewards me and I need it to be constant so that I make a healthy lifestyle change, not just a short term change. I also need to have an achievable goal, so that I don't get discouraged and give up easily or wind up yo yo dieting.
So, It's decided. I'm going to lose 5 kilos by American election day in November, dam it! This is completely achievable and healthy. And what if I don't lose 5 kilos by American election day? Well, then I will have to vote for Mitt Romney. That makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
Once I lose that weight, I will establish that as the base that I can never again go over. If I go above that weight and stay above it for two weeks, then I will have to donate £100 to the BNP another thought that makes me feel ill.
I'm using a very cool and free social-media(esque) app called My Fitness Pal and have notified some close friends and family of where they can find my profile, so they can track my progress online. If you are using My Fitness Pal already and would like another friend for encouragement please message me and I'll add you.
Of course I know that I don't really have to vote for Mitt Romney or give money to the racist BNP, but the simple fact that I've now blogged about this has committed me. If I fail, I will always feel shame of betraying my political and moral values.
Right, I'm off to do some exercise.
When we had a Biggest Loser competition at work a few years back, I was almost down to the weight I managed to lose that weight and more, but I put it all back on slowly in addition some extra pounds. I know my personality and I need something with a competitive edge that rewards me and I need it to be constant so that I make a healthy lifestyle change, not just a short term change. I also need to have an achievable goal, so that I don't get discouraged and give up easily or wind up yo yo dieting.
So, It's decided. I'm going to lose 5 kilos by American election day in November, dam it! This is completely achievable and healthy. And what if I don't lose 5 kilos by American election day? Well, then I will have to vote for Mitt Romney. That makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
Once I lose that weight, I will establish that as the base that I can never again go over. If I go above that weight and stay above it for two weeks, then I will have to donate £100 to the BNP another thought that makes me feel ill.
I'm using a very cool and free social-media(esque) app called My Fitness Pal and have notified some close friends and family of where they can find my profile, so they can track my progress online. If you are using My Fitness Pal already and would like another friend for encouragement please message me and I'll add you.
Of course I know that I don't really have to vote for Mitt Romney or give money to the racist BNP, but the simple fact that I've now blogged about this has committed me. If I fail, I will always feel shame of betraying my political and moral values.
Right, I'm off to do some exercise.
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