For whereever the road takes you

Another gym free day.  Neccesitated by the fact I needed to visit my Optician.  My Optician has been my Optician for about 15 years.  Maybe a little more.  We are about the same age.  He is an extremely competent practitioner, and a very nice (family) man.  So given I'm a "nice" person, it probably provides one explanation why he is my Optician.

It was necessary to make the visit because I require an annual check-up to get my contact lenses renewed.  Today though I had decided I would also get new sunglasses.  Big event.  In my life.
I haven't had proper sun glasses for years.  Years.  Too many to count.  Which is c.r.a.z.y.   Crazy because I have a mole in one of my eyes.  It's not visible to people unless you get very close and look very deeply and soundly (not necessarily soundly ha~!), ....you would though have to be in extremely "close contact" to see it.  It's a mole, but the eye equivalent of a brown spot on your arm.  Or something like that.  So, not malignant.  But a mole.

So aside from the fact that I am basically blind without corrective assistance, I passed my examination with flying colours.  The mole is stable, and I don't need "bi focals", yet and don't have any other eye issues.  This is a blessing.

The reasosn I decided sunglasses are a necessity and not a cosmetic nicety is "cycling".  The glare with the change in seasons is more noticable.  Also, last time I rode to Martinborough, there were insects, in addition to the magpies, that kept flying by.

So, the Optician introduced me to the Dispensing Optician.  Viola, she sold me a pair (expensive) pair of Serengeti Eyewear.   I could have purchased Addias eyewear - like Dan Carter - but hello, I am not Dan Carter.  I'm pretty stoked in any case with my Serengeti eye wear that are specifically designed to cope with light changes and all that.  I hope so.  They were e.x.p.e.n.s.i.v.e~!

The packet they came in has the nice byline "For whereever the road takes you"  Nice.  Re the specs:  they are Granada Shiny Dark - Gunmetal . 

I may wear them to bed!

 Sunglasses on my "magic" Wagner music book...

Tunnel vision

With daylight saving now in place it means when the train leaves the Rimutaka tunnel there is light on the other side.

From about the tunnel to Greytown on the train I think about how awesome it would be to ride home from Featherston at dusk - if there weren't the logistics of "work clothes" and if I was "superwoman".  I'm not sure why riding at dusk seems to currently hold more attraction than other times.  It's a nice reflective time of day and the traffic is quiet.  Same as dawn really.  As it gets lighter at night, I hope to build in dusk rides to the training programme.

I had lunch with KM.  She confirmed she and CL will be in Kuritau/Taupo with their boys.  It's good to know that and be reminded I have people who provide unconditional support.  Plus, it will make for a v. good celebration afterwards :-)

In the absence of having much else to say today, here's another one of my favourite songs.  Not a RPM one.  However, I have observed, when I'm walking past her class on a Friday, that the Body Balance Lady often plays it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDQJnI4OhU

The funny thing (for me) is I never really liked U2 in the 80s, although they were the first band I ever saw live - at Athletic Park (just to keep the rugby references for the week in).  But now I do!

Front row

I moved to the "front row" today.  The reality is if I was an All Black, and right  now its all about the rugby eh? - I would be a forward.  Whereas the aspiration is of course to become a speedster like Israel Dagg - and like him execute the gestures at the end of a sucessful run...although what are those gestures about?

Based on the random sample of two rpm sessions, I think sitting in the front row  does make me “lift my game”.   And every improvement I can make is an advance that I need to make.

Good session with TJ today.  Partly because I liked some of the “old” tracks, even though I like the new release.  I wont be able to test the theory out on the Hutt girl until next week, as I have other commitments (like lunch with one of my Taupo supporters – will need to confirm if that status still applies - I hope so!) tomorrow.

I had a brief discussion with the Body Balance Lady today re how she wouldn’t need to save my seat today for the 1230 session.  This seemed to confuse her.   (tough call now on a Tuesday deciding which class to go to - at least for the next few weeks while I have work - if I have a "break" again I'd make it a double session - although of course the goal needs to be not to have a "break" again).  It was too complicated to explain to the BBL within the brevity of the conversation that I have actually moved to the “front row” in any case.  So, instead we talked about how tragic it was we had both missed Sonny Bill Williams at Extreme yesterday.  Tragic indeed! I may make an exception for the sessions with the BBL to revert to sitting next door to her, as I enjoy her company – and for a "yoga lady" she's pretty astute with her random observations - or maybe it is because she is a yoga lady that she sees things in balance and perspective.

Today J added another conviction to his file extending out his sentence.   It's kind of easy for me to cite the mantra that there are consequences to the choices we make, without wanting to pass judgement.   Because I love J with all my heart.  Maybe because there are some parts of J (not the convictions) but other parts I recognise that resonnate.  When you go though a "phase" in life where you look for the answers in the wrong places.  Ultimately though whether its the law of the land or the law of God you abide to - it comes down to "doing the right thing at the right time" - or something like that.

Anyway its got those thoughts circulating in my head about the cause and effect thing and consequences re training.   Train properly and hard, and there will be good results.  Train half heartedly and there will be half hearted results.  Why give half a heart when you can give your whole heart? - that's the essence and fundamental thing about being passionate about something.

So, those are today's "reflections" - my current cowo's do "reflections".   I don’t usually touch on matters of the heart.  Maybe its time to, again.

Seating arrangements

As I've previously mentioned, there is this little RPM ritual where you get your coupon at reception, place it on the number board, and that self assigns your RPM bike.  A bit like self service at New World or something like that.

Well, I've noticed that the PT- AK often gets all the coupons of his regulars, and puts them up on the board.   Today when I went to get my coupon the Young American advised me that AK had taken my coupon.  Hmmmmm.  Great I thought, he knows I sit in seat 22.  He definitely knows I sit in the back row.

Hmmmmmmm, when I arrived, I checked seat 22 and it was assigned to "someone  else".  PT-AK had assigned me seat number 6 - straight in front of him.   Hmmmmmmm.  I might be over anlaysing this, but I've interpreted it as some sort of challenge.  So, four words - which in the saftey of this blog I will post!:  "Bring it on man"!

I've been resetting my short term goals (pre Taupo) after the rather slow weekend.   And in the short term I'll be moving back to the front row at RPM as some sort of adrenalin kick or fear factor or something.  That's where I commenced the RPM journey.  My rationale at the time was it mean I didn't really have to look at anyone else, especially when at the time they were colleagues!   I don't really like the front row, one reason being as Hutt girl has noted, it's generally where the extroverts go, and not the introverts.  One of the reasons I don't like the front row, is it sort of necessitates eye contact with the instructor!  I don't do eye contact that well at the best of times (I call it a cultural thing! - but thats just an excuse really), although actually over the last few years I have found it easier.  Anyway, sitting in the front row, I can focus on the Les Mills mantra of "unleash yourself" which is painted in big letters.  So, I go to the Dr for HOPE, and Les Mills to "unleash myself" ;-)

I have some serious goals to meet over the next 9 weeks - and the determination is there to meet them.  Part of that is going to necessitate mixing up existing patterns.  So, I'll see how sitting in the front row goes again.  I'm sure it will confuse Hutt girl as much as myself!  Ha! 

Bring it on Mr AK - although that just means he's hit a nerve eh?!  Thats not necessarily a bad thing, which I guess is why I go to his class.

Paper run

I was a bit slow heading off today for my Sunday ride.  So it only ended up being a 10km ride to Gladstone and back, with the sucessful mission of getting the Sunday paper on the way home.  Not technically then really a training ride.  That puts me 60km behind todays projected target re the overall 1000km target by Taupo. 

I only went out about 4.30.  There were too many Utes and cars in a hurry to get to places.  It didn't actually feel that safe traffic wise.

As for the shoes and cleats.  They felt good.  I have to admit in a moment of overconfidence I fell into the house in the driveway when I was about to head off.  Probably good to have that little reminder.
The shoes though definitely feel good when riding (for some reason it seems much smoother than RPM, but maybe that's just becuas I've had the practice there) and once I do get back to the "hill climbs", I'm sure as Mario advised me, I'll feel the "power" of riding!

LOOK

I slept a large part of the day.  I mistakenly thought I had trained 6 days in a row, but forgot I had Thursday off.  Oh well, the body must have needed another day...it better have sucked all that sleep up, because with daylight saving commencing tomorrow - Bootcamp 2 is commencing.  Yeah, Bootcamp 1 didn't really work.  But now there are only 9 weeks to go to Taupo.  I'm fitter and stronger, but I seriously need to drop some kilos if I want to get faster.  So, I need to focus back on what is fundamential goal as well as the Taupo fitness goals.

Anyway, I woke up, like Cinderella, found my beautiful new shoes that Mario sold me, and went for the briefest of rides.  How easy is this I thought.  Actually, it was pretty easy with my new shoes.  I think I only found it easy because the Look cleats/shoes are easier to wear, click into than the SPD ones.  I've also had the last week (except Thursday) to have a bit of a practice with my gym SPD shoes clicking in and clicking out of the RPM pedals. 

I loved it, definitely felt like its going to make for good riding - sooooooooo much better than cord clips that only half kept the feet in.  I like to think I have a reasonable sense of balance :-) - and I do!  Although of course it helpd I had recieved valuable instruction from Mario, T, and C, on on how to wear the shoes re putting one foot out first when you stop, and making sure the left one follows before you disembark - to use a train term!

I'm going to need to get at least 70km tomorrow, and aim to do that early before it rains :-(.  In the meantime, heres a pic of the magic Look pedal:

There's more than one answer

Life's not all about you tube clips and lyrics - no, yeah, it is all about lyrics and words, and sometimes beautiful music without words.  Sometimes just beautiful words that make music in themselves.

This track - its not a RPM one.  I just had a look at it, and it looks so 80s, probably because it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228

Anyway, it's an old favourite of mine.  Depending on what space I'm in, I listen to the words differently.

Today I went to my doctor, and I also went to the workout - you need to listen to the words of the song to understand.  I also like going to mountains.

My doctor has the word HOPE now on one of her walls.  Really.  HOPE.  In big capital letters. 

HOPE

Shoes Update

Well, in the space of two weeks I have gone from entry level shoes to the shoes below.    Scott Road Pros.  I have now have Look pedals on my bike and the shoes with Look cleats to match. 

I need to acknowlegde the assistance of Mario from Penny Farthing Cylces in Courtnay Place.  Totally professional service, without being patronising.  Support that business - the guys in there are passionate and committed to what they do, and provide good value.

I love this feeling! - of buying shoes, and moving to another level in cycling - Love it!

Warm-up

I'm one of those people who always arrives at the railway station 5-10 minutes before the train goes, at meetings on time, at class 5-10 minutes before it commences, and if a party starts at 8 - I'll try and arrive late but still be there early...

Its one of my things: punctuality.  Today I was running late for class; so sprinted from Pipitea to The Terrace in 5 minutes.  That is from 12. 25 to 12.30.  It may not have looked like a sprint to the casual observer, but it was.  I ususally am seated at 12.25.  Anyway, I proved I can do it. But I don't like being "late", so I'd prefer not to.  Serves as quite an effective warm up though.

Big day tomorrow: I'm taking my bike into "town" to spend some time with the bike boys having the pedals adjusted.  I was going to wait longer.  But decided I can't wait.  Oh, that and the fact I have a back puncture.  It will be quicker and more efficient time wise for the boys to do it - although of course wont upskill me in this necessary area.

This will also necessitate buying another pair of bike shoes - this time with Look cleats. 

Locked in, enrolled and paid for

Slightly more exciting than the previous post, I have enrolled for the following:

1) Martinborough Charity Fun Ride, 48 km, Individual on 29 October - Entrant 71
2) Tour de Whitemans, 6 November 33km, Individual
3) Tour of the Wairarapa, 50 km, Individual, 13 November, R 63494

The links can be found below:
http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/Events
http://techs.net.nz/trusthouse.co.nz/sport/athletics/cycle_tour_of_the_wairarapa.htm

I've decided to do the "short distance" for all races.  It's about doing the distances as fast as I can :-) and getting used to riding with others - bearing in mind there will be some riders I only see briefly.  Also, with the Whitemans, there may be a slight problem getting to that event, so if I ride up from Lower Hutt, that will be extra distance in itself.  Anyway, will worry about "transport logistics" closer to the time.

There's a Waikanae gig too on the 9 Oct - but I think I'll restrict transport logistics to the rides I've enrolled for.

Clearly, if you want to ride your bike, you need a car :-)

So, see you there? 

Foot

Here is a photo of my foot.  I know, e.x.c.i.t.i.n.g!! I know, your thinking is that the left foot or the right foot - well, clearly it is the left foot, as evidenced by the positioning of the "big toe"

This was taken yesterday.  A self portrait of my foot.

It doesn't really look like a river? It is one of the few rivers on my foot/leg.  Can I eliminate these by Taupo? 


I'm a bit preoccupied with my feet (and my legs) currently: in much the same a duck would be.  Actually occupation with my feet and legs is not something I usually am occupied by.  I suppose its a tangible area to measure change.   Of course I can see changes in other body parts - (like my biceps) where people probably can't.  The legs (and feet) are though I guess the key instruments in cycling so thats where the focus goes.

I tried my cleats again today.  I think it felt easier today.  I'm not sure actually, if I would have been better to get a slightly bigger shoe.  I purchased women's shoes - but sometimes because I have a large instep (PI feet actually), I wear "mens" shoes.

Good workout today.  Seriously up a notch when I go to AK's classes.  He was quite excited to be instructing the new release.  I'm not really sure why, but when I ride with him,  I think I feel some pressure simply by his tone - I know its persona, but for some reason at times it scares me into going as hard as I can.  He evokes fear, at least until the class is over  - which is not to say I don't find some other instructors scary - Ha! :-)  So doing a class with him on a Monday after a Sunday ride, means I can feel my legs now.  That's a good thing.

Sunday rides resumed

According to my wall calendar, its been over 5 weeks since I did a real ride on Sunday.  This is because I was away one weekend, the weather was crap for about 3 and last week I still felt a bit krank.

Today I recommence my Sunday rides.  With the assistance of Google Maps - here are todays statistics:

Carterton - Martinborough via Ponatahi  1.1/2 hours = 29.8km
Martinborough - Greytown - Matarawa  1.3/4 hours = 41.4km
Total km = 71.2/1000

The ride over to Martinborough felt a bit sluggish.  Once there I had coffee and a freshly cooked lemon muffin at the Straw house.  We then went to the TK market, which is of a pretty good standard.  I had a long conversation with a man who screen prints tea towels (about where he gets his inspiration from (old Kiwi sayings), a short conversation with Emma Makes, (whose site Small Town Stories is linked on my side bar), coffee from the train man (although Emma is a train lady), and fresh walnuts. All in all a nice vibe and worth riding over for,  I'll probably return to buy some wine barrel seats.  Maybe.

I decided to ride the "easy" way home via Greytown.  Well, its easy once you get out of the hill climb of Martinborough.  On the whole I really like this route.  I know it well.  Except I really don't riding through Greytown.  Both pedestrians and car drivers from "out of town" so lack traffic ettiquite.  I turned off into the Westside after the Greytown bridge and rode home via Matarawa.  This made the journey slightly longer, but avoided the stress of riding on the motorway.

Unfortunately, it rained quite heavily from Greytown and then home.  So I didn't have to imagine being a "duck" (an analogy Hutt girl uses - a good one as its about focusing on using your legs)...as I pretty much felt like a duck!

Speaking of birdlife - I thought I was going to become victim to a magpie attack at the Martinborough/Featherston turn off.  This magpie circled my head a couple of times - very closely.  Then it stopped.   It was a little bit scary though.

I finished the ride by frightening the local dairy owner in my cycling gear when I went to buy the Sunday paper...

Shoes - a week on

I wore my new bike shoes today.  The T lady was back in the house, and assisted me with "clipping in".  Nice (my reclaimed word of the week - if you've been following the plot) synergy there, becasue T introduced me to RPM, so progressing to the shoes is like moving from RPM 101 to RPM 102 or something like that.  Good to have my first ride in cleats with T.

I thought I was going to "fly".  I've heard Hutt girl say riding with cleats is like flying.  Probably is if you are going at her speed and on her weight.   I'm not sure why I think wearing cleats and proper shoes makes me more consious of my weight.  Its the same weight as with my other shoes.  Hmmm.  Maybe I really do want to "fly" - and completely spin out - in a RPM sense :-)

Even though the T lady is one of my fav instructors, if not my fav instructor :-) it took a bit of adjustment today.  I've got to used to riding with the Hutt girl and her 'castle in the air' lines.   Or the gruffness and directness of the PT boys.

I also had other stuff on my mind today.  Like closing the door again on leaving "Health".  It's stirred up all these memories going back.  Some are good.  Some are not.  Not that I'm a physician, but the line physician heal thy self, sort of comes to mind.  I've sorted a lot of sh*t out since I last worked at Health, and I don't need reminding of that, because every day I have to make the choice about whether I will default to "old habits".  I guess why its bubbling on my mind, is that I know there is still a little bit to sort...Nothing major, but the final little bits are kind of the difference between getting over the finishing line (within my own grace, and the grace of God), and not.

Nice - Part 2

I'm not really a huge Scooter fan, but there are quite a few RPM Scooter tracks.  Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about the nice thing.  And I've concluded as the song says  - and this is a revised take on an old song "its nice to be important, but its important to be nice" :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M07rdKM3V2E

Today, my pimp finally delivered, and I have a months work back at the workplace I enjoyed for the 3 months up until 30 June.  This is good news as my current contract finishes tomorrow - and tomorrow is going to be a very busy day! 

A month is a month.  It will be good to be back working with the team.  They are a bunch of "nice" people, competent and committed to what they do.  They a good team who awhi each other and work from a strengths basis.  That's pretty much true of my current team.  So, yeah, its ok to be nice!!

I live with uncertainty, but it feels good to be asked back.  I know its going to be good to be back in that team environment as my Taupo training intensifies.  It will provide a good supportive positive environment, while at the same time contributing to my "longer term game plan" - which really only comprises keeping continuity in work, and paying my mortgage, and being able to implement longer term goals like travel and a new car.  Nothing extravagant.

Had lunch with some former cowos today at the Colonial.  I like the Colonial better than Gotham City!  Its basic, cheap and real. The "probos" had a proper fry up - I have to say the eggs and chips looked good! I refrained though and had egg sandwiches. What I liked most is though having a good laugh about "stuff"...

Mittwoch

If it's Wednesday then that's the day for the workout with the Hutt girl.  Was a good session.  She played the new release in full again.  This time I didn't have Lady Gaga repeating on full volume in my ears.  I was beaten to seat 20 again by the "random" guy, who actually seems nice enough.  So, I sat in seat 21.

There are a few "corporates" from the Kensington Swan remaining, and there were a few newbies.  So, Hutt Girl made the most of it and played the room - which is always semi amusing.  She also pushed the "regulars" - and that includes me.  I guess I need that push if I'm really in pursuit of "getting meaner, leaner, faster"....  So made for a good workout.

The young man at reception, Mr S, only gave me one clip.  Bit of slippage there.  I think he may have been distracted today.

I didn't get the job interview I went for last week - apparently I was too senior and experienced, although maybe the team will employ me as a contractor for discrete pieces of work.  I am though according to the people who interviewed me a "very nice person".  In fact, I think I was advised that I am a nice person by a fellow nice person.

"I am a very nice person".  I am!  Sometimes it irritates me when people say that.  Of course its a good thing to say about someone, but sometimes "nice" is not enough, and a nice person doesn't need to be interviewed by random strangers to be reminded they are "nice".

Yep, sometimes nice is not enough ;-) even though its nice to be nice ;-)

79 days to go.....

Not really much to say other than that.  Today being Tuesday it was a workout with the PT.  The PT being the PT ignored release week and played his own tracks.

I still have a cough - of a minor irritating kind.  However, I need to a) keep my training on track and b) keep my stress under control.  Re b) it probably requires a lot more than 45 minutes of RPM for that at the moment, but 45 minutes is 45 minutes.  Next week, I'll head back into LM the Hutt and the boxing circuit, and Huia for a swim.  That will help.  Also will resume my weekend rides this weekend. 

The Bodybalance Lady made sure I got seat 20 today.  I'm really not sure why she keeps my seat, other than I guess she is being friendly, and perhaps as she indicated today, she would rather sit next to me than a sweaty man!

The nice young man at reception gave me two clips again.  I hope he keeps up this good work!

I was consious of coughing with the BBL by my side - so tried to do it discretely.  However, it probably wasn't that discrete!

About to watch the musical episode of Greys Anatomy.  Life feels a bit like "chasing cars" at the moment, although I guess that's progress on the the facing the "wall" feeling.  Marginal.  Although my word of today was "relative".  "It's all relative", I said.  However, when questioned, I couldn't explain what was relative to what!  Which of course is reflective of someone "chasing cars" !

RPM 52

Today was the official release of RPM 52.  It is awesome.  I don't think it contains a "dud" track, at all.   On first hearing, it may turn out to be my favourite release of all time - well, at least so far.  "Disarm Yourself" is prob my new favourite.  Being release day meant there was joint instruction from the Hutt girl and the Young American.  They work well together.  Sort of the "old guard" with the "new guard".

I had this brief conversation with someone in the changing room afterwards.  She commented she found listening to the Young American and her instruction quite hard.  I found myself commenting on the positive things of the Young American.  I'm not sure why I felt the need to defend her.  I actually find her accent a little hard too - but that's in contrast to Hutt girl, whose accent and speech I can relate to "eh?"  The thing about the Young American is she gives it her all and instructs well - and that's all you can ask for from an instructor - she just lacks a few years of experience compared to the  Hutt girl or some of the other instructors.  So, I think she does a really good job, so that's why I defended her ;-)

I had to sit on bike 19 because some "random" got to bike 20 before me.  Having previoulsy posted I'm not attached to seat 20, I was a little peeved.  I like 20 becasue its by the speaker but not directly under the speaker.  I sat in seat 19, directly under the speaker.  This was fine until Lady Gaga did a bit of an expected remix on the machine.   It was too much esp as being release day the music was being played to the max! 

I observed though, the bike itself though rides differntly.  It was a much smoother motion.  Maybe that's why the Bodybalance lady sits on it.

The nice young guy on reception clipped my "Match Fit" ticket twice.  I'm not sure that's how it is supposed to work.  I'm sure he does it for several people!  Two clips (for the price of one) closer to Fiji

I didn't wear my new shoes - maybe Wednesday, when I can get to class a little earlier to adjust to the new "settings"

Wood

Some people mark the change in seasons by picking daffidols.  I do too.  But I also now mark the change in seasons, in moving next years firewood from the back shed into the porch shed.   (An ulterior motive is I also want to get access to my boxing bag in the garage - which is currently "munted" in due to all sorts of stuff being in my garage.) 

The movement of firewood has also become a thing I do when having transition in employment - so, this year, its gone form storing in the the sun, to stacking out the back, and now stacking the wood ion the porch cupboard.

That's what I spent most of the afternoon doing today.  I find it immensely satisfying.  I apsire to stack wood like my neighbours.  But given one is a joiner, and the other is my firewood supplier, their affinity to wood and experience is greater than mine.  Its still an aspiration though.

If it paid my mortgage, and there wasn't already an oversupply of firewood suppliers in my neighbourhood, I'd quite like to be a firewood lady! Spending my days cutting firewood with a chainsaw, drying it out, stacking it, delivering it.  Yep, I could easily do that it my firewood fantasy world.

As for my reality: I think my cold is settling - I've been overdosing on lemonjuice and vitamin c.  Hopefully this will be the last cold before Taupo.  The last cold I had was pre walking the Milford Track.  I don't generally get many colds.  I guess its my body feeling slightly stressed.

FYI - Women Institute lemons were not the best bargain buy today at the Spring market - although they were good lemons.  Best buy was 5 for $1.00 and 5 grapefruit for $1.00.  Still crazy prices when they are probably falling by the dozen off someones tree (although not mine!) - buy way cheaper and better qaulity than Commonsense Organics prices (which is not to say I don't support buying there becasue I do)

So for $10,00 I'm stocked for vitamin c and fruit for the week.  Easy to budget when you buy local and fresh....

I didn't train this weekened - it was gutting to have to sit yesterday out when the weather was fantastic for riding.  My rationale is I'm better to loose a few days now (although its nearly been a week) than jeopardise my training longer term.  Besides after this Friday, I'll probably have some week days where I can make up the kms.

Hopefully, I'll feel well enough to go to the gym tomorrow - I have a trip to Fiji to win.  Most people would have picked another Continent - as their country of choice in the LM World cup promotion.    I would have picked Germany, but well Germany doesn't do rugby.   I'd be extremely happy to have $20k to spend in Fiji - and just to sit in the sun in the best quality accomodation - and maybe the surplus could pay my mortgage while I was there - in my dream world!

What makes me happy?

This makes me happy!  Today, in celebration of the 100RPM milestone, albeit belatedly, I purchased some real bike shoes with cleats.  They are not the flashest most expensive bike shoes - but they are a good entry pair.    Next steps will be a) to wear them and b) to get proper pedals on my bike.  I'll probably start with RPM before the road thing.  I might need some assistance from a *friendly* RPM instructor re how you actually click into the pedals on the RPM bike.  Although I'm sure its not that hard?

Oh, and paua fritters make me very happy too.  Hopefully, there will be some of those this weekend:-)

The empire strikes back

There's a lyric in a Matchbox 20 song that says:

I thought this place was an empire
But now I'm relaxed - I can't be sure

Well, actually, yeah after 4 years and seeing and experiencing different things, I am sure. 

Mixed feelings about work at the moment.  I feel so glad to have a good boss who "knows me before she judges me ;-)" (and her boss is one of those inspiring leaders who has amazing prescence which I delight in observing - sitting near her office!), and the prospect of another week's work.  There are some smart and cool people in the team I'm working for, and that always creates a nice vibe.

I'm  currently living a day at a time, a week at a time, a mortgage repayment at a time.  It's working out, but it does have a layer of stress the uncertainty of being able to plan ahead in any significant way, and throw in a few extravagances like going out for a decent meal and a few drinks...but my basic needs (and expenses) are being met so I feel blessed for that, that there is provision for the things that matter.  And I have a good bike, good weather, and a training plan - that's an important part of staying on the right road.

I passed this guy at work today - we basically shared the same work area for about a decade.  He says "Hi HQ" and carries on walking.  I said Hi back in a equal fashion - but I found it weird.  It was like I hadn't left the building, but had just always been there.  I guess maybe for him that's how he sees it.  Oh there's HQ, haven't seen her for awhile.  But I have left the building - not technically the building I'm working in now, but the organisation as a whole.

Then I get home tonight and get a rejection email for a perm position I applied for in the organisation, becasue you know, I thought I was qualified, had the relevant experience - even more so now that I've consolidated that.  The email said I didn't have the skills and experience.  Go figure.  It does a grate a little.  But the reality is the organisation is not the organisation I want to work for now - with the exception of completing my current contract :-) - and besides, on the third floor where I currently work , exposure to dingbats I wouldnt want to encounter again is fairly limited.  Sort of tempted to write back and say "lucky save, actually".

God's not letting me take the default option.  I'm thankful for that, even though there is uncertainty, I'm thankful I wont return to a place that in many ways was like being stuck in a river ebby.  There were rushes, but not enough to justify going back.

My cold has got worse - hopefully, it will shift in a few days time - I have a training plan to adhere to.

Gotham City

Warning: This is going to be a random post! - Yep, surprisingly enough (although, not really- that's what happens when I miss a few gym sessions, as I did today)...

I met my "pimp" today (and I used the term advisably) at Gotham City, in Chews Lane.  It was a productive meeting, I guess.  He paid for coffee - that's one way to get free coffee.  Except, Gotham City is a place where suits go.  Different suits from the Terrace.  The reality is I can do the Gotham City/suit thing, but actually, I feel more comfortable hanging out at the Library across the road with the random mix n match that goes there.  I guess in this time of reflection and transition, that's a thing I reflect on a lot - where I feel most comfortable.

The being comfortable thing might seem random, but actually, its part of the fundamental core thing in the "journey" - about finding harmony in all aspects of life.

Watching UK Dancing with the Stars.  I love that programme!  I love the physical beauty of people dancing - even when some of the contestants cant dance.  Tonight they played three of favourite non RPM tracks (and on my nano ipod): John Denver's "Annie", "Fighter"  and "Eye of the Tiger" (which is one of the first piano pieces I learnt from memory, and preceding my love of boxing)...i loved the lyrics and music way back then, and still do...probably a few tracks I liked tonight becasue its the waltz and passa dobla (sp)!  Also has two of my fav contestants: Heather Small (what have you done today to make yourself feel proud?) - although surprisingly she's not really a good dancer, and one of the docs from Holby City...who is a very good dancer.

The job interview

I didn't get to the gym today because I had a job interview:

Q.Why do you want this job?
A. Because it is located in a building that is within 5 minutes walk of LM Terrace

Q.  How do you manage stress?
I like to punch the shit out of heavy boxing bags and go into trance mode with a speedball - I also like to sit in a dark room on a stationary bike, with random strangers (and some less so) listening to trance/dance music

Q.  What are your salary expectations?
A.  Simply enough to buy some awesome bike shoes, cleats for my bike, sunglasses, and eventually a new bike (and mountain bike) and car to transport my bike and me.  Oh, and to pay my mortgage and super.  My needs are simple.

The interview went well actually, even though the job itself would be a slight diversion in my career.

Cracked me up when I was waiting in reception pre the interviewe.  There was an intensive conversation by the "communication centre" staff - that's reception to you and me, about whether an employee had recieved her biscuits or not for a meeting, and how at her last meeting the biscuits had gone missing.  I'm not sure why but after my staycation in Carterton these ordinary things seem more absurd to me.

I wont get to the gym tomorrow either as I'm doing coffee with my contractor  "pimp" - I need back up options re the employment thing.  Key focus for now is finishing my current job (and excel sheets :-) and getting another one.

I feel ok though that things are going to fall into place.  As the Black Eyed Peas sing "I've got a feeling"...

Highlight of today was seeing these young men (college students) competing against each other in Civic Sqaure re kicks, handstands, and cartwheels.  There were also some young women (college students) playing rugby on the faux turf there for the rugby cup.  It was very cool how they were just chilling, having fun in the sun, and playing with exercise.  Very cool. 

My legs are singing

That's all.  You can't see or hear singing legs.  They just replay RPM tracks all by themselves like on autoplay, even though they don't really know the music or lyrics.  Quite clever really. My legs are having their own little spin right now - with their rippling rivers.  My thighs are playing bass.  I attribute it to track 4 today.  Not really a favourite track 4 - but hey its working now, that's all that matters at the end of the day.


Oh, I think I may be getting a cold - I forgot that downside of working at "Health" - to be fair its the general offfice environs, and lack of exposure to the fresh Carterton air, travel on public transport etc.  Although I always remember my first few months at Health back in the 90s - it was seriously one of the "sickest" places I had/have worked for a range of reasons.   When you don't have sick leave, you become a contributor to the vicious cycle.  Anyway, its only a minor throat thing I have, I just don't want it get worse.

Singing legs are much better to focus on.

The right way round

Bonking

There is a term in cycling called "the bonk".  It's sort of like "the wall" - der Mauer im Kopf.  That's where I am at that moment.  Better to hit it now, I guess.

100 RPM [COMPLETED] on 1 September 2011

 

Next goal is 1000 (no, not RPM - or maybe!)

Next goal is 1000 km "on the road"

 before Taupo

oh yeah, the photos are from last weekend... so Spring in Havelock North.

Feels good to have met the goal.  It sort of rolled around after 9 months.  It took 9 months, but given I'm restricted in when I get to the gym (eg can't generally do morning and evening classes) and the disjointed continuity in employment this year, yeah, I'm Ok with that.  Sort of like stage one of my own Tour de Taupo.  Now the serious training needs to begin.  Not that the 100 RPM wasn't serious training :-)  Heck no!  It's not easy!  [ButT] if you can sit your arse on a bike, then its possible.  Although AK made this comment yesterday that if you have trouble getting up and down out of your seat then your arse is too big!  That's his "mean" approach.  Even though its "mean" its true though!

So I rode 100 RPM with the Young American.  The Young American is one of the main "front of house" people at LM The Terrace.  So, often she takes my RPM bookings.  She's young, American and blond - Random question: why are so many RPM instructors blond? (just threw that in there for you T to see if you read the fine print?).  Anyway, apart from the fact that she's a good instructor, people like her are important to people like me at the gym.  That front of house thing when your made welcome and to feel like a valued member etc.  So, it was good to do today's ride with her even though I don't ride regularly with her.  There is a very nice young man on reception who always makes me feel welcome too!  That stuff is important as well as the class experience. 

Even though this is my own personal race/jouney re claiming my health and wellbeing, I so do not want to come last @ Taupo.  Although someone has to.  And of course crossing the finish line will hold its own sense of victory no matter what time I do.

It's 3 months from this weekend.  3 months.  12 weeks.