Happy New Year!
I wonder if the X factor woman will cover that.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
ahahaha
Ahahahaha.
There've been some excellent southern hemisphere tests the past month (Chennai, Perth, Melbourne); following them on cricinfo has been a good way of passing the long nights of attempting to write my next chapter. I have 6 days left til my next deadline - so if I haven't responded to any texts/emails, this is why.
There've been some excellent southern hemisphere tests the past month (Chennai, Perth, Melbourne); following them on cricinfo has been a good way of passing the long nights of attempting to write my next chapter. I have 6 days left til my next deadline - so if I haven't responded to any texts/emails, this is why.
Thursday, 25 December 2008
6,000
On my ride out today, I reached 6000 miles for the year. The last 1000 miles has taken since mid-August though...
Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford - same route back
Bike: Condor
Distance: 30.22 miles
Time: 1 hour 46 minutes 26 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2589.5 miles
Got my Christmas Day cycling out of the way early, before the 'traditional' cooked breakfast, which I'm now letting settle before the 'traditional' walk.
Cold out, and the wind has changed direction so it was tougher on the way back; saw a few other cyclists and joggers, chatted to a man and his son (with his new Christmas bike) on Flatford Bridge. The young boy asked me how many miles I'd cycled, when I told him how many I'd done for the year, he said I should be in the Guinness Book of Records :)
Distance: 30.22 miles
Time: 1 hour 46 minutes 26 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2589.5 miles
Got my Christmas Day cycling out of the way early, before the 'traditional' cooked breakfast, which I'm now letting settle before the 'traditional' walk.
Cold out, and the wind has changed direction so it was tougher on the way back; saw a few other cyclists and joggers, chatted to a man and his son (with his new Christmas bike) on Flatford Bridge. The young boy asked me how many miles I'd cycled, when I told him how many I'd done for the year, he said I should be in the Guinness Book of Records :)
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
If God Will Send His Angels...
What an overwhelming day. We'd had our traditional annual family argument yesterday, and I woke up today feeling far from festive. Which soon evaporated: mum had got a phone call at one this morning to say Emily was on her way back from Afghanistan. The reasons are not too wonderful for Em (though it's, thankfully, nothing wrong with her); but for mum, Andrew, Matt and me, to see her will be both a Christmas miracle and the number one thing we all wanted.
Me and my family also received a pair of parcels full of gifts and cards from America, which prompted further festive excitement. It also means Emily will have something to open tomorrow!
It's been a strange, amazing, wonderful year and there's still 7 days left...
Shotley - Freston Xroads - Stutton - Freston Xroads - Oyster Reach - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 22.94 miles
Time: 1 hour 13 minutes 14 seconds
Average speed: 18.7 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2559.3 miles
Fast and still, stayed on flattish, straightish, reasonably well-surfacedish roads. Fun, just a couple of drivers not giving me enough room when overtaking.
Overall, needed this ride more as a head-clearer than a training ride, it's been a thoroughly bizarre 24 hours.
Distance: 22.94 miles
Time: 1 hour 13 minutes 14 seconds
Average speed: 18.7 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2559.3 miles
Fast and still, stayed on flattish, straightish, reasonably well-surfacedish roads. Fun, just a couple of drivers not giving me enough room when overtaking.
Overall, needed this ride more as a head-clearer than a training ride, it's been a thoroughly bizarre 24 hours.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford (down to bridge) - same route back
Bike: Condor
Distance: 30.20 miles
Time: 1 hour 44 minutes 47 seconds
Average speed: 17.3 mph
Maximum speed: 31.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2536.3 miles
Gloomy day, but the air was still. Have given up trying to find source of bike creak. I did see Santa out on his bike, keeping trim for Thursday I guess:
Distance: 30.20 miles
Time: 1 hour 44 minutes 47 seconds
Average speed: 17.3 mph
Maximum speed: 31.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2536.3 miles
Gloomy day, but the air was still. Have given up trying to find source of bike creak. I did see Santa out on his bike, keeping trim for Thursday I guess:
Monday, 22 December 2008
Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Harkstead - Erwarton - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 13.49 miles
Time: 47 minutes 12 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2506.1 miles
Am keeping a steady 17mph pace on my rides, with occasional leaps up and down in intensity, but not really hard training. There's no point. I just want to enjoy cycling and it's hard when I can't find the mysterious creaking noise on my bike (perhaps it's my knees) - the headset is the next area for investigation.
Anyway, a couple of milestones:
* 2500 miles reached on my Condor which I've owned since 29 January and have experienced mixed feelings about. Still, it did manage to get over every mile of Paris-Roubaix cobblestone.
* just over 100 miles reached for this month - this means I've done over 100 miles every month this year. In fact, I'm currently averaging 493 miles per month in 2008.
Distance: 13.49 miles
Time: 47 minutes 12 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2506.1 miles
Am keeping a steady 17mph pace on my rides, with occasional leaps up and down in intensity, but not really hard training. There's no point. I just want to enjoy cycling and it's hard when I can't find the mysterious creaking noise on my bike (perhaps it's my knees) - the headset is the next area for investigation.
Anyway, a couple of milestones:
* 2500 miles reached on my Condor which I've owned since 29 January and have experienced mixed feelings about. Still, it did manage to get over every mile of Paris-Roubaix cobblestone.
* just over 100 miles reached for this month - this means I've done over 100 miles every month this year. In fact, I'm currently averaging 493 miles per month in 2008.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford - same route back
Bike: Condor
Distance: 29.81 miles
Time: 1 hours 43 minutes 54 seconds
Average speed: 17.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2492.6 miles
Sunny and blowy out (and fairly quiet on the roads); got to Flatford at 15.8mph, so returned at 18.6mph. Bike is still being noisy, so will clean and tweak it before I next go out.
Distance: 29.81 miles
Time: 1 hours 43 minutes 54 seconds
Average speed: 17.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2492.6 miles
Sunny and blowy out (and fairly quiet on the roads); got to Flatford at 15.8mph, so returned at 18.6mph. Bike is still being noisy, so will clean and tweak it before I next go out.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Shotley - Ipswich - Hadleigh - East Bergholt - Tattingstone - Stutton - Holbrook - Freston - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 42.68 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes 22 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 27.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2462.8 miles
Though I cycled to Holbrook and back in the week, this was my first 'proper' bike ride for nearly a month. I only meant to do 36 miles maximum, so the added 6 miles were a dubious bonus. I'd not taken any cash with me, so I could not get a much needed coffee and cake at Hadleigh.
Things I discovered: I still go too cautiously on slick surfaces; people still drive like maniacs on country lanes (and most roads, to be fair); my bike is creaking from the drivetrain or pedals, so it needs cleaning, oiling and tightening (when I have the time...); and, finally, I am incredibly unfit. It was an effort to get the average speed up to 17mph!
Still, it was definitely worthwhile being out on a nice (if a bit blowy) day, and it was good to clock up a decent amount of mileage. Moreover, I was in shorts and 2 summer jerseys, there was no need for thermal gear.
Hopefully I will be able to string together some regular rides between now and the end of the year... but many other things are being prioritised over cycling right now. Shock!
Distance: 42.68 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes 22 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 27.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2462.8 miles
Though I cycled to Holbrook and back in the week, this was my first 'proper' bike ride for nearly a month. I only meant to do 36 miles maximum, so the added 6 miles were a dubious bonus. I'd not taken any cash with me, so I could not get a much needed coffee and cake at Hadleigh.
Things I discovered: I still go too cautiously on slick surfaces; people still drive like maniacs on country lanes (and most roads, to be fair); my bike is creaking from the drivetrain or pedals, so it needs cleaning, oiling and tightening (when I have the time...); and, finally, I am incredibly unfit. It was an effort to get the average speed up to 17mph!
Still, it was definitely worthwhile being out on a nice (if a bit blowy) day, and it was good to clock up a decent amount of mileage. Moreover, I was in shorts and 2 summer jerseys, there was no need for thermal gear.
Hopefully I will be able to string together some regular rides between now and the end of the year... but many other things are being prioritised over cycling right now. Shock!
Monday, 15 December 2008
teetotaling and prayer [*]
A busy week, and the busy-ness has been cranked up yet further today as I finally got back in a 'scholarly' frame of mind. Here's a recap:
* Tuesday: bought a new camera and had eye checked at the hospital, they say they could not have got it much straighter! I am over the moon. Apparently, I will have a red eye for longer than is usual, because I was operated on when I was younger. I was talking to an optician at the hospital when I had a moment of truth: I no longer have to look at the side of somebody's head, or the floor, when I'm speaking to them! This will take some getting used to. Looking people in the eye, so far, has been quite rewarding, but it will be better when they're not gawping at my bloody left eye!
* Wednesday: had a meeting with my new co-supervisor - he says my work so far (4 chapters out of 6) is pretty much ready to hand in - he said my argument is well-made and that I write well ... I was so happy to hear this! I also delivered my 2007 trophy haul back to Rocco of the Willesden, and got a brief glimpse of the goings-on of the infamous Pedal Club.
* Thursday: had the misfortune of visiting the huge Primark on Oxford Street (I survived, and got 5 pairs of socks for £2!!); I then had the always pleasant experience of lunch with Lidia, who is now in San Francisco (lucky), but this was just the calm before the storm. The past two years I have gone out and got drunk with the IHR crowd after the last postgrad seminar of the Michaelmas term. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this year a colleague booked a dinner, and I booked the karaoke. Pictures here. A brilliant night! (though the following order of drinks DOES NOT mix well: white wine, bloodshots, red wine, Red Stripe).
* Friday: left my temporary sanctuary at Tooting just after 8am (following 4 hours sleep), managed to bang my head (it still hurts), got an espresso and peach tea (my patented hangover cure), cursed the makers of peach tea for making a faulty batch, walked to Clapham, felt nauseous on the tube so got out at London Bridge, walked to Liverpool Street, caught train, dozed off, woke up, caught bus, got back to Shotley at 1pm. Fell asleep. Was woken when my mum stumbled into my room to feed the tortoise (she didn't realise I was home, so we managed to terrify each other).
* Weekend: my mum organises a big annual Christmas weekend of eating, drinking and games for three of her friends and their spouses and children. Given we won't have Emily at home this year, this will probably be about the most festive it gets for our family. On Sunday afternoon I took my new camera for a walk to the marina... after a large amount of sparkly wine with the Sunday roast lamb dinner, I also popped into the Shipwreck bar for a few ales ... my head was already a little fuzzy from various types of red wine during the Saturday feasting... still, if you're going to do something properly...
* Today: back to work. I have a chapter due in first week of January. I'm wondering if I'll ever get back on my bike again (eye is still quite sore, and the windchill from cycling would probably make matters worse...)
After a month or so of peaceful sobrierity and rest, the past week has been a bit of a shock to the system. Time to retreat once again into the 1920s...
[*] are a good cure for a hangover, apparently.
* Tuesday: bought a new camera and had eye checked at the hospital, they say they could not have got it much straighter! I am over the moon. Apparently, I will have a red eye for longer than is usual, because I was operated on when I was younger. I was talking to an optician at the hospital when I had a moment of truth: I no longer have to look at the side of somebody's head, or the floor, when I'm speaking to them! This will take some getting used to. Looking people in the eye, so far, has been quite rewarding, but it will be better when they're not gawping at my bloody left eye!
* Wednesday: had a meeting with my new co-supervisor - he says my work so far (4 chapters out of 6) is pretty much ready to hand in - he said my argument is well-made and that I write well ... I was so happy to hear this! I also delivered my 2007 trophy haul back to Rocco of the Willesden, and got a brief glimpse of the goings-on of the infamous Pedal Club.
* Thursday: had the misfortune of visiting the huge Primark on Oxford Street (I survived, and got 5 pairs of socks for £2!!); I then had the always pleasant experience of lunch with Lidia, who is now in San Francisco (lucky), but this was just the calm before the storm. The past two years I have gone out and got drunk with the IHR crowd after the last postgrad seminar of the Michaelmas term. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this year a colleague booked a dinner, and I booked the karaoke. Pictures here. A brilliant night! (though the following order of drinks DOES NOT mix well: white wine, bloodshots, red wine, Red Stripe).
* Friday: left my temporary sanctuary at Tooting just after 8am (following 4 hours sleep), managed to bang my head (it still hurts), got an espresso and peach tea (my patented hangover cure), cursed the makers of peach tea for making a faulty batch, walked to Clapham, felt nauseous on the tube so got out at London Bridge, walked to Liverpool Street, caught train, dozed off, woke up, caught bus, got back to Shotley at 1pm. Fell asleep. Was woken when my mum stumbled into my room to feed the tortoise (she didn't realise I was home, so we managed to terrify each other).
* Weekend: my mum organises a big annual Christmas weekend of eating, drinking and games for three of her friends and their spouses and children. Given we won't have Emily at home this year, this will probably be about the most festive it gets for our family. On Sunday afternoon I took my new camera for a walk to the marina... after a large amount of sparkly wine with the Sunday roast lamb dinner, I also popped into the Shipwreck bar for a few ales ... my head was already a little fuzzy from various types of red wine during the Saturday feasting... still, if you're going to do something properly...
* Today: back to work. I have a chapter due in first week of January. I'm wondering if I'll ever get back on my bike again (eye is still quite sore, and the windchill from cycling would probably make matters worse...)
After a month or so of peaceful sobrierity and rest, the past week has been a bit of a shock to the system. Time to retreat once again into the 1920s...
[*] are a good cure for a hangover, apparently.
Monday, 8 December 2008
aha!
As I became increasingly self-conscious about my lazy eye over the past few years (not looking at people when I spoke to them, wearing sunglasses a lot), my friends reassured me "It's not that noticeable!"
But now the truth is coming out! A certain Italian friend of mine emails:
"I am really looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, I can't imagine you with two straight eyes."
Perhaps now I am no longer a walking freakshow (well, not in terms of my eyes anyway) my friends will all vanish like the morning mist :(
But now the truth is coming out! A certain Italian friend of mine emails:
"I am really looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, I can't imagine you with two straight eyes."
Perhaps now I am no longer a walking freakshow (well, not in terms of my eyes anyway) my friends will all vanish like the morning mist :(
Sunday, 7 December 2008
tree's a crowd
Probably the best day I've had since my eye operation, and I'm scheduled to get up tomorrow morning and return to my study desk. This is a good thing, I'm fed up of doing 'nothing'.
This weekend's been a bit off: tempers are short in our house at the moment. Lots of parental pre-Christmas stress, while I've not really been pulling my weight. I did get the tortoise some bits and pieces, with a view to constructing her a larger home in the next couple of weeks. She's delighted:
We also went and bought a Christmas tree today, but like 2006 Christmas is going to be quite unusual without Emily here. I think we're missing the balance she brings to the house.
Am desperate to get back on my bike, saw lots of people out enjoying the sunshine today and regretted not being one of them - I think the stitch is nearly dissolved, so my eyes are much less painful - but this week is pretty hectic. Have to go London twice (two supervisor meetings, one karaoke party) and have my follow-up appointment at the hospital.
Am a bit bored, all told... this is why I need to get back to work. I'm also very sluggish, possibly because I'm down to one cup of coffee a day.
This weekend's been a bit off: tempers are short in our house at the moment. Lots of parental pre-Christmas stress, while I've not really been pulling my weight. I did get the tortoise some bits and pieces, with a view to constructing her a larger home in the next couple of weeks. She's delighted:
We also went and bought a Christmas tree today, but like 2006 Christmas is going to be quite unusual without Emily here. I think we're missing the balance she brings to the house.
Am desperate to get back on my bike, saw lots of people out enjoying the sunshine today and regretted not being one of them - I think the stitch is nearly dissolved, so my eyes are much less painful - but this week is pretty hectic. Have to go London twice (two supervisor meetings, one karaoke party) and have my follow-up appointment at the hospital.
Am a bit bored, all told... this is why I need to get back to work. I'm also very sluggish, possibly because I'm down to one cup of coffee a day.
Friday, 5 December 2008
eye will survive
I've been tremendously frustrated this week, largely because I'd scheduled for three days of post-op recovery, while it's actually still an ongoing process. The momentum I'd built up on my work has largely dissipated, though I've managed to tidy my study and create a realistic thesis completion schedule.
My eye is healing up well though: the swelling has gone down and the eye has opened up in all its technicolour glory:
Just went to the doctor, because it feels like I have an eyelash permanently poking in my eye: that'll be the stitches. They'll be taking them out next Tuesday, yeuch.
Also got the histology report for the neck lump they removed in September: 4cm x 3cm x 1.5cm of compacted fatty tissue. A spindle cell lipoma. Nice!
The weekend plan is to continue with preparing the ground for an all-out assault on my final two thesis chapters, before starting the writing on Monday. Cycling is scheduled to begin again the weekend after this one, and I want to do between 300-400 miles this month, to get me over 6000 for the year. However, I've had the realisation the past few days that cycling really does have to be curtailed for the first half of next year, while I finish my thesis. Bah!
My eye is healing up well though: the swelling has gone down and the eye has opened up in all its technicolour glory:
Just went to the doctor, because it feels like I have an eyelash permanently poking in my eye: that'll be the stitches. They'll be taking them out next Tuesday, yeuch.
Also got the histology report for the neck lump they removed in September: 4cm x 3cm x 1.5cm of compacted fatty tissue. A spindle cell lipoma. Nice!
The weekend plan is to continue with preparing the ground for an all-out assault on my final two thesis chapters, before starting the writing on Monday. Cycling is scheduled to begin again the weekend after this one, and I want to do between 300-400 miles this month, to get me over 6000 for the year. However, I've had the realisation the past few days that cycling really does have to be curtailed for the first half of next year, while I finish my thesis. Bah!
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