Back on Track

Have I mentioned I like railway tracks?!  Part of the DNA....

Good session today.  Good music.  Good start to the RPM week.  All good! Oh, except some dude “stole” my regular back seat, forcing me to select a front row seat.  I selected seat 8.  I like to think I’m a natural no 8.  Well, if I was a rugby player, that’s what I’d be – or maybe a prop at the moment, actually.  Anyway, no 8 is close enough, but not to close to the instructor of the day,(TJ) to actually have to “work a little bit harder”.  A little bit distracting the man next to me singing U2’s Beautiful  day, especially when he had ear plugs in – and he wasn’t a great singer.  Still can’t complain about someone singing eh, especially not to that track.  Overall, good.  Hoepfully, by Friday this rating will improve to very good. Something to aim for! I always find C1 (Cardio 1) of the week, a little harder than the ones that follow for some reason.   I suspect I may feel my legs tomorrow. 

I'm back, and I'll be be back! - although not tomorrow as I have to have my teeth cleaned.  Just something I have to do....

Here it is again - railway tracks are like that!

Coffee

No gym today.  Instead I discovered where you can go within walking distance of  “public service land’ for one of these:


I think its really a coffee wankers version of having a tea party. Or as my coffee companion noted today, how different is it from Kona coffee? I don’t know. But being a bit of a self confessed coffee "wanker" – although obviously a female equivalent re coffee,
I’d kind of like to go back and try this coffee in comparison to say the Frenchman's coffee.

More to the point, coffee can be a nice way to start the week – feeling focussed now, for a great week ahead. In all respects. Very focussed. In a good way :-).  Although not quite focussed enough to get rid of the dots that follow below! Ha!  Yeah, as you know (and others) editing is not my muse. But let that not detract from the fact that overall the focus is back!

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The Rocky quote

Sometimes, and this week is one of those times, I need to remind myself of the quote below.  I've previously posted a link to the video clip and parts of it before.  I don't know why I like it so much.  Just that I guess some elements resonate - a lot..  Also, sometimes living well, well, just seems a little bit like a fight - and the only way to win that fight, is to remember there are certain things in life that are worth fighting for.

Of course the photo above, is "early" Rocky - but I like the image becasue there is a bike:

And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilige. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!

 Oh yeah, went to the Oceanswim at Oriental Bay today to watch my nephew.  Turns out he is a stronger swimmer than I thought he was.  I also watched a man with one leg, a woman with MS, and a 82 yo complete the course.  A 12 yo won the race~!  I'm not sure whether these observations have motivated me or not.

Oh, and I also saw Dr D, a guy I worked with for about a decade.

These random observations stir various stuff up. I suppose the good thing about that, at least it may be taking out of the neutral zone I feel I've been for a few weeks.

On a lighter note, I've had to take instruction from the K lady's nephew, on what "flipping the bird is" - cos I seriously did not know what it meant!  Now I do ;-))  This video makes me smile!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH4ysqvp7nc

Incidents, accidents and near misses

OK RPM session today with the T lady.  OK being not quite as good as “good”.  OK is well, OK.  Partly due to the soundtrack – no real  favourites.  Although as previously acknowledged, I need wosessions like today to make me appreciate the music mixes that do work for me.  The OK status is also partly due to my zing factor not being quite the ZING I would like it to be. Not a reflection on the instruction, as the T lady was “focussed” on working the room.

At one point I looked at the Round the Bays Poster and focussed on the the word “fun”.  Well, I wasn’t really feeling the “fun” today.  Although if the rider that was two, or was it three? seats away in the other back row, had been seated next to me today, it is possibleI may have not necessarily felt more fun, but possibly my heart beat go faster….

I had a work meeting this afternoon, that necessitated both my “watch” advisors being in the same room – the mountain lady and my colleague.   The take away message from that meeting was “there is no such thing as an accident”.  This is a work related message re what you need to put in place re safety for “education outside the classroom”.  All the relevant stuff that applies to that message  - planning, responsibility etc applies to training and making positive changes on a personal level.  Nothing new in those messages to me.   Just a “timely” reminder.  Positive change is not accidential, it needs to be planned, and that plan executed to the specification.  I'm too free range on a few things, and its halting my progress.

Oh yeah, we also discussed “patterns” in the meeting.  That’s been occupying my thoughts a little on a personal level too.  Good patterns, reoccurring patterns, not so good patterns, and the need for a one out of the box new pattern.

My watch goal is not really on track.   Having the work meeting this afternoon reminded me of that.  There was as usual a really nice vibe about the meeting, and that reflected the energy of the people in the room. 

The meeting reminded me I really do need to focus re getting back on track.  I can’t let the goals that are important to me escape me.

Also, on a d&m level, I'm struggling with the credibility factor.   To be specific, I need to do justice to myself about my goals, but I also need to do justice to having a LM membership, and the instruction.

This is not about near misses, its about setting and reaching the goals.

Oh yeah, accidents, incidents and  near misses, are "health and safety" "work" terms.  They help though with the framing the focus.

Not necessarily a "favourite", but the song I can't get out of my head this week...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoOcDGMgT4&feature=related

QOD - Question of the Day

What is so hot about Dora The Explorer? I sat on the train tonight behind young little boy - I think under 5 years, who was engrossed with Dora The Explorer, from Wellington to Carterton.

From my limited observations, Dora has big brown eyes that flutter a little, and a fairly ugly haircut and clothes. She seems to have a funky little friend who is a monkey - and a blue elephant who seems quite chirpy and jumps up and down a little.  Apart from that Dora and the monkey seem to inhabit a fairly plain environment. They don't seem to interact with many other "Doras" or monkey's in their community.  In fact I couldn't get a sense of their community. Dora and the monkey though seem to go exploring and on little journeys of interest.

I don't feel like Dora The Explorer.  Which you know, is perhaps a good thing, as I am not < 5 years of age.  Although I'd sort of like to feel like Dora The Explorer.

Unlike Dora and the blue elephant, I don't quite have that zing factor, that I want to jump and down with joy feeling. I'm kind of missing the excitement of the journey right now. I'm definitely missing some zing.  The tempo is not quite right.  So, I'm just going to have to focus and work on that.

Was booked in for rpm today, but there was a meeting overrun, so today was a "no show" non attendance day.

Wednesday

Good RPM workout today.  As someone who likes light and dark, and the varying shades in between, any workout with Track 4 allocated to "In the Dark" will be a good workout - In the Dark being one of my original  RPM favourite tracks. 

Engagement

Very good Tuesday workout with Mr PT.  The Karate Lady (although given the Dragon Tattoo on her back, I could call her The Lady with the Dragon Tattoo) was on the bike next to me, and the Body Balance Lady on the other side – trying out new rpm shoes for the first time.  Nice contrast in disciplines there. These ladies, apart from the T lady, and the LM front of house, are really the only people I talk to @RPM.  Which you know, is not to say that I don’t value the discourse with these ladies – because I do.  Just a reflection that after a year or so of being a regular in class I don’t really engage further.

Engagement is all relative.  eg.  I don't really like superficial stuff like for example, when someone asks  "how are ya?" and then don't wait for the recipient of the question to respond!!! It's just the big question of the day rocking through my head is: how am I going to meet “new” people, if I don’t talk to “new” people.  Although of course, with RPM the primary focus is on riding, not talking.  Just a little personal reflection and  herausforderung  (challenge).  I’m not sure the K lady counts as  a rpm contact, because we go way back re working together to some pretty helcium filled working days. I suppose I am commenting on the social interaction thing, becasue I feel the "need" to meet new people - and a little more meaningful engagement all up.  It remains all about the bike, but sometimes it's not all about the bike.  Contradictory, I know.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm sure I'll have something else more pressing to think about.  But that's whats on my mind today.

Had the serious munchies when I went back to work.  Serious.  Must eat more protein tomorrow to avoid that.

Dragons

So, it's the commencement of the Chinese New Year today.  The year of the Dragon. The Dragon symbolising power and strength.
Maybe, my training new year
aligns more with the Chinese New Year
than the 1 January New Year. Maybe.

Beatles and Happiness soup

It's raining.  No, it is in fact pouring.....So, Check this out:  Ringo Star and the Beatles:  Ringo the inventor of "spin".  Wow, who knew?!  Worth a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlpMs_R3P6U


I have an excess of yellow zuchinni in the garden.  What to do?  Make Happiness Soup - it's good.  Very good.  Especially, on a wet raining Summer day.  I haven't made this soup since my Nigella Lawson phase of cooking circa when I lived in Martinborough, seven years ago. Mainly, because I haven't grown yellow zuchinni.  Having recently rediscovered the Forever Summer Cookbook, I'm been making a few things from it this Summer.  This is how Happiness Soup  looks in Nigella Lawson's Forever Summer Cookbook:

Here is her recipe:

SOUP

Forgive the tweeness of the title, but this is a soup of such sunny, mood-enhancing yellowness that it overcomes even the most pervasively innate cynicism. To eat this is to feel cheered; even cooking it gives me a lift. It's incredibly easy to make, but that's not the clincher. This golden broth, rice-thickened and studded with a confetti dice of yellow courgettes and sprightly with lemon is pure joy. You only have to see it to believe it. And not surprisingly in some Middle-Eastern cultures, it is believed, in Claudia Roden's words, that 'eating yellow foods will result in laughter and happiness'. This, then, is a yellow soup to banish the blues.
   

Ingredients

500g yellow courgettes (2 large)

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
• 100g basmati rice
• Maldon salt and pepper

Method

Serves: 4-6.

1. Cut the courgettes - wash them by all means if you want, but don't bother to peel them - into 5mm rings, and then finely dice them. Put them into a pan with the lemon zest and oil, stir to coat, then cook on a gentle heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they've slightly softened.
2. Stir in the turmeric and pour in the stock and lemon juice and then drop in the rice. And for the stock here, as usual I make up some bouillon concentrate with water; you could use vegetable stock if you prefer, but I love the mellow goldenness you get from chicken.
3. Cook, uncovered, for 10-20 minutes, or just until the courgettes and rice are tender. Taste for seasoning.
4. Leave to cool slightly before serving so that you eat the soup warm rather than hot.

Part 3:Candle in the wind

Ok,final  installment  in my triology of the candle purchase.   Warning:  this is quite long, so you may want to grab a cigar, a shot of rum, or maybe a cup of tea (perhaps jasmine?) before reading any further:

Firstly, I like candles.  Always have.  Something about how they represent “light”, hope etc.  They way they can vary in how they “flicker” (although that can depend on the quality of the wax) etc.  The origin probably lies somewhere in having a church background as a child, and then somehow that evolves.  What I like now about candles is: depending on how you use them, they can create mood and vary the atmosphere.  Ha! Maybe at my heart, I am a “true romantic”  – but for a lot of the time, I conveniently  choose to forget that.  Bottom line is candles are up there in my light world, with fireworks.

Secondly, to be fully alive, I reckon means to be in touch with all of your senses.  Candles can contribute to that - both in a visual sense, and from a sense of smell.  They need not necessarily be $135.00 candles though eh - as I will elbaorate on later, below.  Actually, they need not cost that much at all. How can I justify that expense? Well, maybe I’m trying to experiment options, in a limited way.

Anyway, what initially prompted the candle purchase was my visit to Auckland at Christmas.  My niece and her husband are very big on labels.  It’s never just a dress, or a good bottle of wine.  It’s a Karen Walker dress or whatever bottle of wine.  It's all about the names and designers.   I like good stuff too if I am honest, but generally as rule, curb my chardonnay tastes to meet my budget.  Now that I’m budgeting better, there’s some room for variation on this policy.

There was long discussion on Christmas day about the Cire Trvdon candles, generated by my nieces husband’s father – my nieces father in law, who I guess it could be said is a man of the world, and has good taste, with the backing of $ to support his tastes. He explained the Cire Trvdon candle history, and the one he had given my niece and her husband had the original smells of Parisian Cathedrals floorboards.  Whatever, I thought. Come to my house and you will get the original floorboard smells of Carterton! Although being “nice” and latching onto a conversation I could engage in, I kept the conversation going.  He then gave me instructions on where I could buy the candles in Wellington – from WORLD in Victoria St.  So, I said I would buy one.  I’m a woman of my word, so as you know, I have purcahsed a candle from France this week. Partly out of curiosity.



So, on Wednesday, I entered the WORLD fashion shop.  I couldn’t see where the candles were.  This type of shop is not my natural habitat.  Simply because I don’t fit the clothing…So I entered with some caution.  I could see the look in the shop ladies. Like, hello, what was I thinking?  So, then I said I was hoping to buy a Cire Trvdon.  The repsosne was a seal of approval, that I had some form of taste, and also I think releief as they directed me to the shop across the road – the WORLD accessory shop as opposed to the WORLD ‘frock’ shop.

Once at the WORLD acessory shop, I spent about 15 minutes lifting tumblars off various candles and smelling the scents.  The shop lady asked if the candle was for me or a gift.  I don’t know why, but I said it was for a gift for my neice who already had a candle.  It was a variation on the truth. This then though meant I had to follow on through what the gift recepient’s tastes were, rather than necessarily my own.  It did mean I got the candle gift wrapped – which I always thinks adds value to the purchase, even if it is for yourself!

And the connection with this blog – well, one day I hope to fit a WORLD dress.  One day.  Entering to buy a candle is a first step in the process.  Also, of course, its about contributing to the harmony in my house.  I’m not sure if Ali appreciates it all.  And as it tends to be the cat I  for most of the time as the primary occupants of the house, expenditure on a Cire Trvdon candle is pretty much up there in the pure indulgence category…

In the meantime, I have a good new candle. Although I'm not sure I want my house smelling like "Cuba" all the time, which it still pretty much does from lighting the candle two days ago!  Although hopefully not tomorrow.

You could say the candle thing has ignited my obessive (or passionate) tendencies.  This is possibly true.  Although it is also true my professional background places a lot of credence on evidence based theory - and sometimes that slips over into my personal life.

So...............here you go, random consumer's guide to candle testing.

Candle 1:  Purchased a few weeks ago a Kirks.  Jaye Niemi: Think 9 Cost:$65.00 .  Source: Australia.  According to the Jaye Niemi site this candle has the following specification:

THINK 9 includes nine of the most powerful essential oils used to assist concentration, increase alertness, aid creativity and calm stressed nerves.
This fragrance offers a contemporary combination of citrus top notes floated excitedly over floral scents of Geranium and Jasmine and underscored by a mossy, woody complex. Effective bridging notes hold this beautifully rounded fragrance together and transform it into a sheer delight.

100% ESSENTIAL OILS INCLUDE ARE:

CREATIVITY - Jasmine BALANCE - Lavender CONCENTRATION - Lemon CALMNESS - Clary Sage FOCUS - Lemongrass

ACCURACY - Bergamot VERVE- Peppermint PERFORMANCE - Geranium MENTAL CLARITY - Rosemary

I'm half way through this candle.  My overall rating would be about a 5-6/10 re meeting the spec/  Its good wax, but its very hard atall to discern any particular scent.  As for stimulating creativity -probably less than 5/10.

Candle 2: Cire Trvdon:  Previously described. Powerful scent: Especially if you like Cuba, and smoke.  Expensive.  But comes with a lot of luxurious propaganda, and story.  Also is packaged in beautiful glass.  Environmental miles and all that - Heaps - in terms of coming from France.

Candle 3:  Vanilla Scented Candle  - Made by National Candles in Egmont St, Wellington. Purchased at Kirks.  Price:  $24.00  Currently burning.  This company makes candles for churches.  Somehow I think its going to be the winner on price, environmental and quality.  Vanilla, simple but effective.  Doesn't smell of Cuba or smoke.

Candle 4:  Mahina: Manor Born - Mandarin Citron Vert and Basil.  Purchased at Kirks.  Price: $32.00 Yet to burn  burn., butI reckon it will be up there with Candle 3.  Made in NZ.  Says it has 50 hours burn time.  This compares to the stated 80 hours of the Cire Trvdon.

Candle 5:  Rosemary out of the garden on a bed of basic tea candles. Always effective: and doesn't smell like a Cuban den full of tobacco smoke, and people drinking rum off their heads – instead for about a couple of bucks, or even less,  it smells very relaxing. 

Matches: Beehive long:  $2.50.  Purchased from New World.

So, there you go, French stuff is Ok.  But actually, equal, in fact I reckon better than equal for bang for buck is the good NZ stuff.  And hello, National Candles cut it in terms of whakapapa to original church boards etc etc, buying local.

Oh yeah, Hohepa candles are authentic too of course. Just not part this random survey.
Any suggestions for candle scents that get you off your arse, and make you go faster, and your heart rate zoom to loose kilos are welcome.  Or any suggestions on scents that give you zing and zoom. Batman kowpow energy.  

Probably a glass of water, and smelling the ‘rapa country air early in the morning would be just as effective eh?  Now if I could work out how you put that smell (although some of it would comprise cow shit) in a candle with wax sourced from the local bee growers, come up with a flash name and marketing angle, I reckon I could be a rich woman.  Actually, I could put beehives down my driveway, and then I wouldn’t have to cultivate the salt mines down my drive….


Here's today's matching song. I deliberated on posting a "dark" song. But decided to go with a "light" song by Annie Lennox :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJeQDkz4JU

and being Friday, this bonus clip via the Morgueman - "hello" I reckon is very cool:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/35055590?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

Been a rocky (unfortunately not Rocky as in Balboa) start to the new year exercise wise.  Hence the candle distraction.  Hopefully this weekend will represent a positive change re the exercise.

Part 2 of 3

I'm not sure why I selected candle that has "overtones of leather and tobacco....framed by the smoke of cigars and the barrels of guns"  given I'm a non smoker and always have been.  I think it had something to do with being "In a hotel of Havana, sizzling under the stubborn sun of the Revolution".  Or maybe, the overall scent does transport me to a certain place that evokes good memories.  Next time though, I may go for something with more "floral" tones.

Today was my first sick day in over a couple of years. I've just got up from about 9 hours sleep....I hope that's cured the blah less than 100% factor.  So, no workout today.  And probably not tomorrow, due to time constraints.

Part 3 re my the continuation of the candle story will be posted tomorrow.

Light - and the Revolution - Part 1

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King is one of my *legends* I have  huge respect for.  More on light later.

No workout today.  I went to my new dentist, at my old practice.  I'm pretty tough on *health professionals*, but she won me over.  That's saying a lot.   My new dentist had a nice warmth, acknowledged the work of my old dentist and who she was as a person.  In fact, my new dentist pretty much reminded me of the first time I met my old dentist.  She was warm, through, has a beautiful smile, and most importantly professional. And young!  Except she doesn't haven't a beautiful Irish accent.   I was nervous about going to the dentist today, becasue I find it hard establishing that level of trust, and becasue I have extensive teeth issues - a result of my previous eating (and drinking) habits.  Also, as previously noted, I had been with my old dentist for about10 years or so, and had huge respect for her, and that feeling of sadness that she chose to leave life a little sooner than someone with her talents and heart should have....But actually, it was OK today. The best bit was there was nice a vibe in practice.  Quite a lot of laughter and *craic*.  Yeah, I reckon, my old dentist will be smiling in heaven about that.  Oh, and yes, no fillings, but I need to keep the health of my gums in check..don't wont to be one of those old ladies with no teeth and F****d up gums eh?

Now for the  Part 1 of the "light" component of this entry.   I'm a little tired, so more detail will follow tommorrow on the candle purchase.

But for today, I purchased a Cire Trudon Candle.  It's an Ernesto Scented Candle.  Cost $135.oo  Yes, that's correct.  $135.00.  And the matching matches = $22.00  Yes, that's right.  $22.00.Part of me wonders if the candles are any better than Hohepa candles (a previously prefferred provider of my candles):
http://www.hohepa.com/hawkes-bay-festivals-&-events.php

but you know, I like a good story, or, just a story, so I'm enjoying my Cire Trvdon Candle, and how itst transporting my imagination. - and the scent is pretty cool too!

Below is the candle specifications and detail.  More detail on why I purchased this candle will follow in my next posting!

Candles

Cire Trudon - Ernesto Scented Candle

A sumptuous leathery scent, recalling classic masculine colognes, ERNESTO is all about masculinity. The revolution storms Havana, Che Guevara sets up his head quarters in a crumbling Spanish palace in the old town. The air is warm and thick with cigar smoke in the wood panelled library where slouching in a deep Chesterfield, Che dreams the future of the 'Revolucion'.

TOP: Rhum
HEART: Clove / Oakwood / Patchouli / Labdanum
BASE: Tobacco / Amber / Moss / Leather

This 100% vegetable-based wax scented candle with pure cotton wick is biodegradable, allergen free and contains no pesticides. Housed within a beautiful hand-blown glass vessel.

Content: 270 grams
Burning time: from 60 - 80 hours

 Ernesto

In a hotel of Havana, sizzling under the stubborn sun of the Revolution, fierce overtones of leather and tobacco meddle with resolution the waxy silence of wood. Breaking out of the cool dimness, sly grimaces emerge, framed by the smoke of cigars and the barrels of guns.

top note : rum, grapefruit, bergamot / middle : clove, oak wood, patchouli, labdanum / base : tobacco harmony, moss, leather, amber

http://www.ciretrudon.com/en/les-bougies-parfumees-ernesto.php
http://www.worldbrand.co.nz/shop/ernesto-vegetal-wax-candle.html

These are the contents of my head

These are the years and this is what they represent......That represents my favourite line from one of my favourite tracks "Why"  by Annie Lennox.  I haven't really got back into keeping a personal journal, so as you've probably worked out, this Blog serves to record both my physical/fitness progress - or sometimes simply "status" and the contents of my head.  So, this is a bit of mix *N* match post.

Firstly, v.good workout today.    Weatherwise it should have been a swim day, but bodywise and headwise  I needed a RPM workout today. I  can’t say, overall the day was *uber* exciting as hoped for.  But as a day, overall it was certainly better than yesterday.

Note: I am so into the asterix *right now*.  I'm not sure why, other than it semi amuses me to use it!

I can attribute to the improved day, partly due to having a good RPM workout. The  T lady met my request of Rebel Yell for track 5 by Billy Idol.   Now I can note, I have actually fallen asleep on the train with that playing!  Must be something soothing about it – in a Billy Idol way. 

*Ouch* the sun burn on my lower back hurt today – so I just had to insert the LM mantra *pain is temporary* half way through track 1.  Seemed to work.  Not that it was excruitiating pain on the scale of pain, but I could literally *feel the burn* sort of exacerbated by wearing lycra, I think.  This is due to having exposed an area of my body I very rarely expose to the sun.

Random factoid no 1. – The Mistubishi air conditioner in the ladies changing room of LM is called “Slimmer”.  Seriously.   That’s the brand.  I’ve never noticed it before, but for some reason, looked up today, and noticed that’s its official name.  That made me smile :-)

A friend alerted me to this:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10778824

Same thing happens to runners, cyclists….

This alone doesn’t deter me from the Oceanswim, but although I am enjoying the variation in my programme, I have decided I want to “get back on the bike”.  I think I’m probably not going to enter the Oceanswim.  I’m reasssessing some of the events on the *events calendar*. I will though support my nephew.   I think its better to focus on a few events.  And my primary focus is improving my status as a cyclist.

Random factoid 2:  I met *MS* on the train tonight.  *MS* and I went to primary, intermediate, and secondary school together in Wainui.  *MS* leant piano off my Mum.  We haven't seen each over for about nearly 30 years.  She now lives in Greytown.  It was good, but also weird.  We cleared the *niceties* by Upper Hutt - where we were living, who we were living with, our families, work.  Incidentially *MS* is now practising nurse in a Skin Clinic - but I decided against telling her of of my *sunburn* issues, or my quest to get the tan of 2012.  I could feel myself editing my biographical script, just through omission of certain facts.  A bit like a 1:1 school reunion of sorts.

It was as I said werid.  *Nice*, but weird accounting for the last 30 years with the edit function on. *MS* so reminded me in her physical appearance of her mother.  Part of that is I guess becasue we are now about the same age our mothers were when we were at school!.  That then mad me reflect that if I got my jaw line and cheek lines back to 65kg status, I would probably look more look like my Mum looked.  And you know, I'd actually quite like that.  Especially, as I'll never gether blue *blue* eyes.

Oh yeah, and public health realities aside, the sun tan thing is not completely an abstract thing.  It sort of symbolises, living well, and living outdoors.  But I know there are health realities to take into consideration.

Haphazard

Haphazard training at the pool.  Mainly due to the slow lane being too slow and the medium lane too fast. Same difficulty as last Monday.

I can confirm the "tan line" on my lower back is in fact a "burn line".  Oh well.  My back is warm!  But viola, I worked out how it happened (aside from the fitting t shirt) - from bending over.  So, that has to be good for my core?

Overall highlight of today was the wheelie bin man emptying my second bin in response to my note that I would put the proper token out next week.  Yeah, that was the highlight of my day.  In all respects.

Expecting greater things tomorrow, hopefully both training wise and otherwise.   Hopefully.

Even a little bit more *excitement* would be good!

Pathways

Well, my pathway is actually a drive. As noted yesterday, I'm a bit preoccupied with it.  It seems the most unrewarding thing to do in the world to "weed" the driveway.  That step is necessary though to apply the salt I referred to yesterday.  Let me note: it is v. time consuming.   So, that's what I spent a couple of hours doing today.  With a couple of hours weeding, and mowing the lawn added.

So, another weekend passes without a decent road ride.  The thing is, I feel I need to get the garden in orderm, or at least weeded.  Is this a  diversion tactic?  No, I'm way behind. and all the rain hasn't helped.  The thing is, I need to get the garden in order, becasue otherwise I feel resentful.  Eventuallly I'll get the balance right.  But for now, I have to balance one against the other.

A primary reason is I'm trying to work on the nice "energy" in my outdoor space, which probably sounds a bit naff, but its part of achieving the harmony thing in terms of what is important to me.

My garden is not is good as I have had it.  This if I am honest, I find *annoying*.  It also applys to my physical body!

Oh yes, and update re the border "issue" with my neighbour.  Well, I wrote and had "peer reviewed" what I thought was quite a brillant letter that I was going to deliver in their letterbox  - last week.  Then  I decided with the balloon tragedy, the timing wasn't right, given the Pilot is a close neighbour - due to the geography of where my neighbours house is - actually in the next street, being on the back end of my property.  Also, the occupations of my neighbours and the fact that Carterton is 2 degrees removed, meant it certainly wasn't the right time to put the letter in their letterbox.

Now, in my quest for harmony, I've decided to let it go - which is not to say I don't think what I wrote in the letter stands, becasue I do, both from a "good neighbour" and a legal perspective.  However, dod I want to spend my enegry on that stuff? No.  Even though it did piss me off.  And unfortunately, it means the only conversations I have with the back neighbour tend to centre on how their actions "concern me".

I did achieve a "tan line" today, although it was "unintentional" and not in an area of the body I was seeking to secure a tan line - a side affect of wearing a fitting t shirt.  I figure "fitting" within the confines of my garden,  reminds me I have to make it become baggy.  Plus, other than cleaning rags, I need to put my "old" but hardly used "Healthy New Zealanders" t-shirts to good use! - I have a few...but tend not to want to wear them in public becasue they look like giant compliment slips for the Ministry of Health.  Buggared if I know how you get a tan on your lower back when you are facing the sun for most of the time?!!!

Someone else who likes rainbows!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/04/hilarious-hiker-guy-freak_n_634861.html

That omg feeling, sense of awe, is important, I reckon ;-)

Anyway, the quest for tan lines in the right places, and harmony continues.....

Salt

Last night I carried home 4kg of salt.  That's even for the numerically challenged  (me), 2 packs of salt.  Salt is a natural way to kill weeds in the driveway.   Effective, and a cheap as chips way to kill weeds compared to Round Up.  I really should have been using it sooner.  I sort of doubted it would work. I've only just converted to the salt for this purpose. So, if I can commit to the salt routine, my 1/4 acre will soon be 100% organic.  The thing is it is also way easier (easy as)  to sprinkle salt on the driveway too than apply Round Up spray.  Makes me think what does salt do to your body if its that potent it can kill weeds.

Anyway, the significance of commenting on the salt is, I'm pretty used to carrying groceries in my packback and also putting quite a lot of heavy stuff in there at times, as for most of the time it is my only option to get things home.  Last night though the 4 kg felt quite heavy.  And you know, I just thought, yeah every extra 4kg I carry, and I have quite a few extra 4kg units within my body mass, it's slowing me down.  Basic stuff I knew, but last night I thought  "why would I choose to weigh myself down unnecesarrily so with all those extra 4kgs units?"

Apart from going to the local market to get eggs and plums, I slept a lot of today so by default it became this weeks "rest day".  A reoccuring pattern.  Although I had a few late nights in the week, just through staying up, and I think my body needed to reclaim some of the missed hours sleep.  I intend for Monday not to be a rest day tho, when it usually is.
I found this site while having a google. I think it is quite good.

http://www.womenscycling.ca

Rainbows, dwarfs, and HATS

I commenced the day with the sight of a rainbow.  It was an impressive arch over the flight path where the hot air balloon would have normally been at the time I walk to the railway station.  When I came home there was a rainbow over the Pilot's house.  I like that kind of symbolism, as well of course of the vividness of beautiful 'rapa rainbows.  Also, I hold to the premise that rainbows are a sign of hope...

Due to a colleague in another team scheduling a meeting that could have been embarrassing to miss, I missed my booked in rpm session today.  I was a little bit *annoyed* about that, as for the next few weeks I have to ration them out, to fit the swims in.  So instead  I went for my third swim of the week.  Fortunately, I have quite a bit of cupboard space at work, which is now occupied with walking shoes, work shoes, rpm shoes, rpm gear, and swimming gear – so options are always there.  On the plus side, I can get to the Thorndon pool and back a lot quicker than the Terrace.  That is a good thing re timing.

Well, actually it wasn’t a full swim.  I aqua jogged 10 lengths with a dwarf – a very fit dwarf, who I first mistook for a 10 yo or so boy.   Well, not together, he was in the same lane swimming while I acqua jogged, and he swam.   I then shifted to the next lane and swam 30 lengths.  Fortunately, I had completed the 10th lap when a lady with a sunhat joined the lane, and was doing breaststroke.  Wtf, a lady with a hat? I'm not talking a bathing cap.  I'm talking a full on fricken sun hat.  In. the. swimming.pool.  I know, it’s Thorndon, but there should be a sign like you find in other places I’ve been known to frequent (like pubs and probation places): NO HATS, and NO SUNNIES allowed in the pool.  Well, that’s just what I think. 

Starting counting the lanes in German.  It was some throw back to when I last went swimming the lanes on a regular basis at Thorndon when I last worked in Molesworth St - and was learning German.  Ten or so years ago. Strange, or maybe not really, how the mind remembers.  I decided, I'll need to use the lanes to memorise some positive affirmations or something or visualisation - or something :-)

Observation: There were some good bodies at the pool today!  Which is not to say there aren’t good bodies at the gym, because of course, hello there are.  Naturally, you just get to see more flesh at the pool.  Which is sometimes is a good thing, and sometimesit is not!! Haha.

Slow sun tan lines emerging on the back after only three swims – woop – that’s all it takes.  Three  45minute sessions.  The leg line has almost faded.  So,  hopefully I can time my weekend ride on the bike to get that back on track.  I'll never get a tan like the guy I sit next door to at work though.  Although he has confessed, he does has his own sunbed at home!!!  Seriously.

Still oscialliating on the 300m or 1000m length.  Better nail my colours to the post over the weekend.  There are only two weeks until the sea swim.   While I reckon I could do the 1km, it probably would have been better to commenced swim training a little earlier to complete it while the life guards are on the beach, so I think I'll probably enter the 300m.  It still provides the incentive to vary my training programme just for a little while, and I think that is having a positive effect reminding my body not to get too complacent.

Sweet, sweat

V. good RPM workout today with the YA (Young American). Not sure if it was becasue it was my third cardio session of the week in a row, or because its alternating the types of cardio.

Anyway, best RPM session of the year so far.  Although it is only the third session.

How do I measure that?  When sweat drips off the forehead, hands, arms, and  back.  That's how.

Sweat is sweet - in terms of measuring the sucess or otherwise of a RPM session.  Something I need to achieve on the road rides.  Once of course they resume  - which better be this week end.

Bike Polo

There was a much more relaxed pace at the pool today, with the appropriate designated lanes being used as they are supposed to.  This was a relief, because yesterday nearly deterred me from going again. I completed 34 lengths – so 1km in about 45 minutes.  I tried not to stop at each end.  It felt like an awesome swim, except when I got out at the end, and felt a little dizzy.

wtf, I don't get people wearing dark glasses in the pool.  Must be a Thorndon thing?!

Will probably get to rpm tomorrow.  Least I get withdrawal symptons.  (that could have ugly side effects!) Plus, I think its a good idea to mix the training up.  Even todayafter two swimming sessions, the body seems to be thanking me for working it a little differently.  That is, I can feel my legs.  Surprisingly less so my arms.

I heard an interview on National Radio on bike polo yesterday.  Cool eh?

http://wellingtonbikepolo.wordpress.com/

 

Life in the fast lane

Today I commenced my swimming training.  The opportunity cost of the swim today being my regular Tuesday RPM session.  I needed to assure myself I could swim!

Wow, Thorndon Pool at lunchtime: one word: Crowded.  There were in principle three lanes available today to swim: Acqua jogging/slow, fast, and medium.  There were in practice only two choices available for lane swimming at noon: fast and medium/ fast.  I swim like I ride my bike.  Although possibly comparatively, I swim a little faster than riding my bike.  For a first up swim of the year I had to swim “fast” even though I was in the “medium” lane.  One word: stress!  It was getting a little aggressive at times. Not that I can’t get aggressive.  I can get aggressive!!! However, I prefer not to get aggressive in the pool.  That’s why RPM is good.  It’s you and the bike.  Get aggressive with youself and the machine, but it doesn't affect others when you are enclosed in a dark room.  Not the congested highway of a swimming lane to contend with.  Although the reality is that is how the Ocean swim will be. I think the Thorndon training answer may be to find a more suitable and relaxing time when it is not peak traffic time at the pool.   Maybe  if I catch the 6.00 am train, I could have a quick half hour swim, either before or after work, and fit in RPM.  Maybe.

Anyway, Thorndon pool is 30 metres.  I swam 30 lengths = 900 metres. Still deliberating on what distance I will enter for the 29th  - 300m or 1000m.  I think my rationale is you do actually need to swim twice the pool length in comparison to the sea length.  My colleague suggested I will need a wetsuit for the Oceanswim. Probably a sensible suggestion.  I don’t have a wetsuit, and certainly wont be spending money on buying one.  I’ll just have to swim fast.  I just said, I’ve got lots of bodyfat so I don’t need a wetsuit?!? Poor man, didn't quite know how to respond to that statement of fact.

No 1

If I had to select my absolute No. 1 favourite RPM track, itwould be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTLJjoW867g

I've got a little bit better longer mix on CD, but I like the visuals in this clip.

I'd like to be on a beach somewhere right now.  With waves.  And sun and sand.

That's all the words I can muster for the blog today!

Sunday swim

I think I worked out that if the goal is to complete 10,000 km by Taupo 2012 (and it is)  I need to do about 200km per week.  Not achieved this weekend.  I gardened yesterday.  And today, I walked in the rain but didn't ride in the rain.  Tough job getting a Sunday paper today.  Local news clearly increases newspaper demand.  So, I had to go walk that little bit further to New World, rather than my usual purchase from the local 'garage'.  If it stops raining, I may go for another walk...

Today has been a  "tears in heaven" day, with heaps of rain.  I'm still reflecting a little on the balloon tradegy.  If you are a regular reader, you'll have worked out I like images, metaphors etc.  Although I always remember this talk by Sam Hunt when he was asked for an interpretation of the lines in his poem, and he said something like: the words say what they F***kin say, there's no need to overanalyse them.  There's a balance somewhere in using metaphors and as Nike marketing would say just doing it.

I never understood the science of the hot air balloon, although I understood the basic principle that the hot air made it elevate.  What I understood was there was just something magical and majestic, when on the best of days  you could see the balloon drifting in contrast to the landscape.  It was like the balloon could hold all your dreams and suspend them in air.  The balloon was the "castle in the air".

When I looked out my bedroom window this morning, I realised I'll never see the big green balloon again drift pass my window, or over my back yard.  It's gone (gone gone).   Rather dramatically.  Literally, BOOM.   I'll also never hear the sound of the gas burners pumping it up anymore.  In the scheme of things these are material things, and as I noted yesterday, nothing compared to the grief the families and friends of the deceased will be feeling.  The balloon was something that was familar to me, and now that familarity has been interrupted.

The relevance of this is, and it may seem an odd link to make,.  I'm still struggling with the change in image for my body.  I want it. Yeah, I do.  I latch onto metaphors, but the reality is I'm still struggling with changing the space of my body.

EeeK - Today I got a little BOOM tho:   I was reminded that on Christmas Day I said to my nephew if he completed the Ocean Swim at Oriental Parade on 29 Jan I would pay for his fare down from Auckland, and that I would enter it too.  Heck, I wasn't even drunk!!! Now he has entered, and is expecting me to be there too.  It was supposed to be reinforcing positive behaviours and demonstrating some "prosocial" support.... !  I now have three weeks to be able to do this.  I may enter the 1k event, although it might be a good idea to see har far I can actually swim the in the Thorndon pool first! - bearing in mind there will not be the opportunity to have rest stops!  I may have to enter the 300m entry level swim, as I need to remember that an ocean swim is harder than a pool swim. This is going to neccesitate some serious focus for me over the next three weeks - and necessitate less gym time.  Oh, my goodness.  It's also going to necessitate some swimming!!!!  What was I thinking?  No, I know what I was thinking: I have to practice what I preach....

I like a bit of Matchbox 20.  I like this track a lot and have played it a lot on my nanopad.  It was played quited a lot when I first started going to RPM.   The T lady played it on Friday - but actually, on Friday it agitated me!  Agitation is good in this context, becasue it means it gets to me.   It agitated me in the context of the beginning of year feeling.  It is about how far I've come.  That's important to reflect on.  But it now has to be about how far I'll go next.  This 'official' RPM version is good becasue it has some good visuals, including a clip of Muhammed Ali :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7EbtLb8ok&feature=fvwrel

I kind of like the energy in this live version tho:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB_F11EuBL4

I found this quote today which I like:

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

Steve Prefontaine

Hot air

A tragic event occured in my town today.  The hot air balloon crashed.  This interests me for a few reasons:

1.  It was an activity excluded from the Adventure Activity Regulations/Adventure Tourism Review  I worked on a couple of years ago because its covered by Civil Aviation Rules.   I know statistically air ballooning previously had one of the lowest fatality rates.  It was statistically one of the safest activities you could do. I guess those statistics will be reversed today.

2.  The pilot lived in the street next to mine, and so I knew him as a guy I passed in the street.  He seemed a nice guy.   There's a real stillness about the neighbourhood.

3.  I've been facinated by the hot air balloon ever since I lived in Carterton, watching it go up.  I found it beautfiful to watch.  I used to take time off work for the balloon festival sometimes, that the pilot was the organiser for.  I sometimes use to wave out to the balloon.  I'm not sure why.  It just seemed a fun thing to do - and sometimes those on board would shout back recognition back.

4.  Having a ride in the balloon is/was on my list of five things to do - and going to be a significant thing I did when I get to 65kg.  (The theory would go rides will statistically be safer now because operators will be over cautious...so it shouldn't deter me.  But the attraction was not just proving I didn't have a fear of heights, and was a wieght I was comfortable to go up in the balloon, but flying over my property with the Pilot from the next street to mine).  I'm not going to delete it off the list quite yet. I could fly from another location, but it wouldn't quite have the same attraction.

5.  I had plans for this Summer that I'd aim on some on my weekend rides to "follow the balloon" by road on my bike.  I thought it would be a fun thing to do - to see where it ended up.  Maybe not so fun anymore....

The link below includes a link with a local cyclist who witnessed the accident.  I post it becasue I recognise the guy from the Kuratau stop at Lake Taupo.  He was cyclying with his son when I saw him in Taupo - and I thought if that "old dude" can do it, then I can.  And little reminder for me, he can do Taupo because he was in his gear out riding this morning, while I was in my bed!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6224922/Hot-air-balloon-crash-near-Carterton-kills-11


This accident is tragic, as all accidents by their nature are.  It really brings home that thing about living a quality life while you can. 

There is justifiably a sombre feeling about my little town today.  I went to get some fresh bread from the local bakery.  It was shut in respect to the balloonists - which is how I first found out about the tragedy.  The really sad thing was the tables were all set for what should have the champagne breakfast that are usually held there.  So at the time I was there it should have been a scene of people celebrating an adventure for them.  A very telling picture seeing the closed shop but the tables set.

The sound and sight of the local hot air balloon will never be the same now.  That will be a loss in my landscape for me.  Not though the loss for the families and friends of the people who have died today.

Today is my neice's birthday, and officially the day I start recording everything I eat and exercise  (I'll post more on that tomorrow).  Be easy tomremember the date. It was going to be today anyway, but the local tradgey just gives that extra nudge to think a little further about making the most of life.

Surfing the wave

Second RPM ride of the year.  Completed it with the T lady.  Was pretty much an old skool music mix. Which was good, actually.  Track 3 was really good!  Oceania.  The T lady made the mistake of "asking the audience" if she should play it.  I happen to really like track, so said yes.

The analogy of the day related to surfing the wave.

Overall, the workout felt better than yesterday and helped with refocusing.  As of tomorrow, I now need to start building in some core exercises and revisit the goals I have set for this year.

.......................................................................................................................

First RPM workout of the year.  Completed it with the Young American (Michigan American).  I respect her, because she's front of house and does that job well.  She's also a good instructor.  But sometimes her accent (the Michigan accent) just evokes a serious school teacher that you wouldn't want to mess with.  Today she had put together a good mix of the last couple of releases.  Should have been the perfect mix for me.  But I actually felt sick.  My head hurt, my legs (and in particular my thighs) felt like they were walking through quick sand at about track 2.  That's not supposed to happen until track 7?!  I also felt like my bike was spinning and at point could feel my breakfast resurfacing - the true rpm badge of honour?  Hutt girl would take pride in that, but I don't.  Ha~! I'm not a Hutt girl!

Re Hutt girl, she was in the House, as was C, whose now located in Akl and is is the daughter of M, who I used to work with.

During the class I looked at the Round the Bays poster - that's I'm on my Events Calendar, but I haven't yet enrolled.  I'm going to walk it.  Might try and persuade my sister to do it.    The other niggling thing was I kept having these "flashbacks" to the beginning of gym years.  In particular, beginning the gym years with Flojo and TC who I used to box with.  Weird, how that was occupying my mind.

Anyway, the Young American talked in class a little about joing the dots.  I like that analogy.  As  a kid I was really good at joing the dots.  Really good.  Its good to remember that.   I guess it has something to do with understanding patterns.  If I reclaim that skill, then things will be sweet.

Its a new day, its a new dawn

Rocky start to the year in terms of nutrition, alcohol intake, exercise, and uber positive vibes.  Yeah, uber positive vibes (not just postive!) need to be the green prescription.  So, I'm pressing the refresh button.  Tomorrow its a new dawn and a new day :-)

Sometimes, it's necessary to strip it back to the original version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOrqDx5dOp4

First ride of the year

Completed my first ride of the year.  Was a short ride (23km) via the Westside/Matarawa route back of Greytown.  I rode it with the mountainbike lady who is up visiting her inlaws in Masterton.    I felt a bit sluggish for the first part and then warmed up.  My gear (riding shorts and top) were noticably tighter.  Eeek.  Good to be back on the road though.  Took just over an hour.  But I managed to talk and ride at the same time.

Yesterday, I undertook some waterblaster therapy on my back porch, which was good for cleaning up the back porch and just a good thing to do when one feels slightly stressed to vent anger.  Vent it on the wall, and get a clean wall as a result!.  At one point I gave the bike a blast.  The effect of that was today I noticed while I was riding my chain was rusty.  Just from overnight and being on the back porch.  I normally keep it in the spare room, but I've been having a bit of a "spring clean" so its tempoarily outside locked to the table!   So I'll have to clean and oil it before my next ride.  Probably due for that in any case.

23/10,000km - 10000 km being my primary goal that I'm working towards re road km.  Will work out a flasher way to keep track of the km etc.  In the meantime I'll just note it in my entries.

It's a new year

Tihei mauri ora! - Welcome 2012.

It's fair to say, I've started the year slightly agitated, due to my border issues with my neighbour.  It's a minor thing in the wider scheme of things that can create stress for me. Primarily because the said neighbour brutally attacked my tree a few years ago without any remorse.  So, its a simmering thing that I knew would resurface at some point.  I get agitated by it though, because it makes me feel I am being taken advantage of.  It highights for me a number of things.  I feel I am being taken advantage of becasue I am "a woman living alone".  Then there is the fundamental thing of my neighbours don't communicate with me.  I'm actually quite shy, but then I remember this really good line that that this lady who I respect gave me.  Shyness is just an excuse, so you need to get over it and not let it be a barrier.   Anyway, I'm agitated, because I kind of think that if I was stronger, I would be much more assertive.  Instead it triggers the passive aggressive tendencies.

It also agitates me becasue aside from being an eccentric gardener, who can let parts of my garden grow, I consider I'm the perfect neighbour.  I'm away in Wellington half the time, I don't play loud music, I keep to myself.  I like my privacy.  To me privacy is ultimate.  To me its not a big ask.  Like my other neighbour, the writer/editor lady - we live alone, we like privacy.  Some people just don't get it.  Heck her grass is longer than mine!

This makes me calmer though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxIjRO6WjI

I haven't been on my bike for weeks. Weeks. Eeek.  It rained today, and I was, as above agitated.  The agitation is probably acclerated by the fact that I haven't had any serious exercise for weeks.

Today is a new day, and new year.

Feels slightly odd really, to be honest.  Are my goals and dreams just castles in the air kind of feeling.  Like, why should be this be the year be the best year of my life? That's OK.  I guess it signals a certain level of apprehension about the "change" process.  That's OK.  The thing is I acknowledge I do have goals, dreams, and desires. As long as at some point, once physical change starts to take effect, that apprehension shifts to anticipation and excitement, and that feeling that "yes, I'm nailing this", and finally "yeah, I nailed it"  ;-)

So, that's the start to the new year.   I don't want to live in a state of agitation.  Things can only get better!!!