Yesterday

Coffee? Er, right. I type this post as I am at my ‘voluntary work’, on Thursday. There seems to be no job to be done at the moment (I HAVE checked). Although I plan to post this tomorrow (Friday as per usual), I am planning to see the new Bond film tomorrow, and so il ne y’avait pas de temps pour ecrire mon blog. Je pense. I am probably using incorrect French. Quel domage

I am at work, have had lunch at a café (a new, very good independent, in Twickenham), therefore this post is not ‘coffee-powered’. We’ll see.

OK, first note is concerning the book ‘The Secret Race’, by Tyler Hamilton (former professional cyclist), and Daniel Coyle. Depressing, because it is true. Not finished yet, about three quarters of the way through. Disregarding recent cases (notably Lance Armstrong is not in this list, but accused throughout) it states that ‘everybody gets popped’.

Roberto Heras – 2005

Jan Ullrich – 2006

Ivan Basso – 2006

Floyd Landis – 2006

Alexandre Vinokourov – 2007

Iban Mayo – 2007

Alberto Contador – 2010

All of these top competitors, begin to start a list of top riders, who have been found to be taking performance enhancing drugs, in recent years. Two notable characters missing from the list are Alejandro Valverde, and Michael Rasmussen. Yet poor old Mr Lance Armstrong obviously thought that he could hide the truth forever, fool. I maintain the fact that I always knew, and accepted that cheating was rife. Ever since I witnessed the tears of Richard Virenque and Festina in 1998, I was able to learn that unfortunately ‘people cheat’. It is a fact of life. Part of me congratulates Lance Armstrong for keeping it under wraps for so long, but the truth always exists,  it was just waiting to be publicised.

 If you think/believe that you can do something, and it is physically possible, then YOU WILL achieve it. The only person who can stop you, is yourself.

True Love Waits

I usually include a rant about music, so, I am reiterating a fact that I told a colleague earlier. I realise that I have grown up around the turn of the Millennia, and so have grown a love of collecting CDs. I am using this new year (approaching) and my continuation of the fact of enjoying new music, as a chance to change with the world (instead of hopelessly fighting against development). From now onwards, I plan to buy new music in an MP3 format. Only old music  (pre-2012), should be bought on CD. Or, when I have no option. For example, I went shopping on Tuesday, aiming to purchase the new Beth Orton album on CD. Although a new album, it is from an artist from ‘my time’, therefore I wanted the CD. It turns that the one accessible CD shop in all of Kingston, had sold out, now leaving me in dilemna. Spotify allows me to want the music, so mp3 it may have to be. Decisions decisions.

Beth Orton

Right, as I am a beautiful and creative mind, in a damaged body, hehe, a design idea that must already exist somewhere. Sustainably produced de-odourants. It has only been on purchasing/using my current Nivea de-odourant, do I realise the high level of waste, in a de-odourant bottle. Fair enough, we may want a new head, and we will want a little pouch full of anti-perspirant liquid. These should be available separately, as regularly need to be replaced. However, we do not need a new bottle of solid hard material (often a polymer), each time we finish the de-odourant.

Hmmm, Just a thought…  

Perhaps there is hope, after all, it IS friday now. I went in the shop today(Friday), and whilst packed with Christmas shoppers, I bought myself Beth Orton’s cd (very good). Admittedly, I get home and copy it straight away, ready for my Ipod! 

The same landscape as used earlier in this blog, showing the olympic torch, now depicts a christmas tree...

x?

Alfonso speaks...

My discipline with my coffee has gone completely out of the window today (not literally, don't worry). I had reached my third by much earlier today, I accept this, admit defeat, failure, and so hang my head in shame. However, as this blog is coffee-powered, one more shall be got. Decisions, hob-top Bialetti, cafetiere, or filter?.....
Alfonso (Bialetti) wins.
OK, weekly notes. Firstly, I want to apologise to the London Borough of Richmond, I feel that I have maybe been too harsh on them in the past, in terms of accessibility to wheelchairs. They are yet to give me a proper response regarding the faulty paving in Twickenham that caused my accident a couple of months ago, but hey. I was in Richmond earlier in the week, and registered the fact that a large percentage of shops had accessible step-less, shopfront entries (on the main high-street).  RBK (Kingston) remains plenty of years ahead, in terms of accessibility, but Rchmond is not as bad as i initially thought.

I made the next note here in Surbiton, although it doesn't really matter. I am not trying to create a civil war!
I was totally flabbergasted earlier in the week, when a helmet-LESS cyclist hurtled past me (to be fair he was on the road). Tagged on the back was a helmet wearing young toddler encapsulated in a two-wheel, tent, buggy thing. He bombed around the corner (way too fast), swinging the tag-on buggy out!
I swore to myself, in my mind. As the baby is wearing a helmet does it really mean that the nutter doesn't need one, and can ride suicidally ?

...They lived..... i think

Next, music. Right, does anyone remember the wonderful phenomena of 'B-Sides'? I listened to Noel Gallagher, talking on 6music, about the greatness of an Oasis B-Side, 'Idler's Dream'. On listening, I realised that the concept of 'b-sides', or even EPs, is now lost completely by mp3s. I realise that I was cheating, experiencing these 'vinyl-named' songs, on CDs, but now there is hardly any reason for a 'B-side'. I was so lucky to be able to experience the joy of searching music shops for that 'rare B-Side'. People cannot get that now. If a song exists, Google will find it.

 Various Radiohead singles/EPs

Numerous singles/ EPs of The Verve

Various other EP's/singles. Top left to bottom right: Jeff Buckley 'Live at Bataclan EP', 'Everybody here wants you', 'Eternal life EP', Damien Rice 'B-Sides EP', Underworld 'Born Slippy', Turin Brakes 'Emergency 72 cd 1 of 2', Chemical Brothers 'Block Rockin Beats', Martha Tilston handmade edition of solo album 'Rolling'. 

I found a fault with my smart new/old/new Iphone, the other day. I realise that 'touch-screen' devices have their advantages (fewer parts, more ethically sustainable), however i found a major seasonal flaw the other day. I cannot work my phone, in gloves!!!
Obvious maybe.

Warning family, avoid the following, it is not aimed for you.

I made the next note earlier in the week, do not feel so strongly now, but i did...
Usually it takes a quantity of negative effort to bring me down. Eg, I do get depressed about how little I socialise and make new friends, therefore girlfriends. But then I think, I'm 28, not a student anymore. I need to find work, to make some friends and socialise with them. Without this I cannot 'discover' anyone. I do not want to offend any of my 'old' friends. I love and cherish them all dearly, having stuck with me. Everyone goes on different paths of life/existence, I must find mine...
... and I know that I don't want to be single forever, living on benefits. :)
I never thought I would feel this, but I desperately want to be wanted by someone/work.
I need a purpose.
I am sad, I want to let myself be sad. BUT I CAN'T!!! GGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Things must change.


Cheer up. Enough of the tear jerking stuff, sorry. I made the note, so i write it.

Ialso want to cheer you all up, by sharing with you, the best overhead kick ever, better than Ibrahimovic's.
'Zlatan, this is how centre-backs do it'

Roll With It finishes, ahem, Wonderwall...

Right, first rant this week, music. I don't like playlists. People now experience listening to music which is either shuffled, or part of a mp3 playlist designed by themselves. Not allowing for the listening experience as designed by the creator of the music/album.

_{This note may be a re-incarnation} of a previous post, but was actually noted whilst listening to Oasis’ ‘What’s the story?’. Ever since I have owned this masterpiece, aged eleven on release, I have noted the ‘anonymous’ cough, that occurs on the album, between ‘Roll With It’ and ‘Wonderwall’, or tracks 2 and 3. Although perhaps not a highlight, it does remind us that the album is a collection of songs from a band of humans. This cough does not belong to either song, and therefore either mp3, I don’t think. I may be fighting a very weak argument, but I feel that it is important that people do not lose the ability to listen to a true album. 

OK, I still consider myself to be on a music fan’s path (as everyone hopefully does). Key high points of my path since Oasis of ’95, has led me through The Verve, Jeff Buckley, Cat Power, and of course, Radiohead. Obsessions with all have led me elsewhere. 

A very strong jazz performance by Tim Whitehead (sax).

I feel that I am at another stage, finally recognizing (allowing myself to be able to feel) parts of the world of jazz. I am not a connoisseur but have allowed myself to feel the impressive drum beats of Portico Quartet, following this by soulful, jazzy sounds of Phronesis.

Next point, Coffee. Here is a photo and weblink to ‘Rosie and Java’s’. The Richmond shop is so enthralling, enticing and addictive for me to attain my Colombian beans, it is no matter that it is a decent journey from Surbiton. I seriously recommend it and it’s  wonderful, highly knowledgeable staff.

Coffee.....................

Although, I did attempt limiting myself to two coffees per day, I found that my love of certain café’s was taking a big hit, so I want to help keep the nations economy running well, and allow for a limit of 3-a day.

I am so so so lucky  that I was injured in an ‘accident’ and so have no-one to blame. I cannot bear the thought of being left to brew/store hatred anyone/thing. All I have experienced are human’s wonderful gestures of help and care.

La Vie Claire...

...avec pas de cafe (maintenant). No coffee (yet). I am emotionally recovering from this mornings present that i gave myself. I had a physiotherapy session midday. Often i have been found by my therapist to be closing my eyes, and so told off! I blame the previous night's coffee, for lack of sleep etc. Anyway, the better solution is to skip the coffee last night, having it this morning. So I ground some beans this morning, and more, and more, and more. Four shot spoons were calculated. I then spilt a shot when transferring to my Bialetti. I made a dark dark dark black espresso. A 'tripolo'. Three shots in a tiny espresso cup. I was experimenting! It worked! The most powerful coffee drink i've ever had, and actually fairly easy to make. Beautiful.

I won't be making this a habit, as it did slightly unnerve me, realising the effect of coffee! 

Anyway, when considering this blog earlier this week, I thought about noting 'positives', thought of a few, but then gave up, realising that it is an endless task. So I shall continue talking about a much easier topic, 'God'. Don't worry, i just have one note to copy in, here.

I believe in a God, but not defined by any religion. I believe that there is far too much, that can be attributed solely, to human beings. By reading this blog you will understand my view on fate and destiny. Everyone has a different destiny, therefore everyone is following different paths of fate, in order to reach their destiny.

It is November 11th on Sunday. Remembrance Sunday.

    

I just want to note that tomorrow's date is 10/11/12. Having three consecutive numbers, wil only happen once more in our lifetime (next year).

Fun fun fun...

OK. Earlier this week, as i had an appointment, I was forced to wait two and a half hours in a hospital waiting room/ reception. There is nothing worse. I thought to myself 'if there is anyone who can do this, i can'. To be quite honest, i found it so so so sooooo depressing. Only in hindsight can i look back, thinking of it as 'where i've come from'. My heart goes out to all staff in every hospital, everywhere.

Little parts of 'normality' still excite me.

Keep faith. Odd socks always have partners. It is just a case of waiting to find it. Looking for it rarely works.

As I am so good at viewing things positively (sufficient practice), I now have 'normal' accidents, and whilst it can be annoying having to clear up a spilt drink, I pause, realise how 'normal' this sort of error is, and become very pleased that it is not just a 'wheelchair-related' error. Everyone spills drinks. No, it wasn't spilt milk,but hey.

God knows you Lonely Souls

Don't worry, the title comes from music i am currently listening to.

Right, finally, evening coffee has been made, I am ready to type. I was asked by a blog reader that, after reading my post dated October 19th, 'Why, oh why is the swan pink?'. At the time I gave an improper answer. Truthfully, the swan is quite beautiful, with delicate curves in a pure white. Pink is quite a thin colour, showing a white purity, but also a bright energetic dynamism. Hmmm. Ok, everyone is different and will read different things into different colours, but I've stated what colour best represented characteristics involved, i think.

My next note is important for myself to remember, and i want to share it.
'It feels so good keeping the mind active, not asleep in a 'text/computer screen recipient mode'!'
I made that note on my phone, whilst aware that my bus journey was feeling so much better than usual. I am usually engrossed in a mobile phone, and I realise that most people who commute to/from their work, may be turning thier brains off before the day begins in doing such. I enjoy the ability to just stop and think. People don't do it anymore.

I want to explain my joy at visiting Arsenal for the first time this season. Besides watching my favourites,  I must pay a very high accolade to the accessibility of the Disabled features (including seat position, obviously) available at the Emirates Stadium.

I also surprised myself, getting joy from my seat position. You can see above that I was sat just out of the 'right-back' line. In sitting behind the goal, I was allowed to view how the defence marshalls itself. As a former defender, it gave me great joy to do such. I was playing.

Music. I want to promote my two new discoveries. Perhaps unsurprisingly, on is a pair of female singers - 'The Pierces'. I am quite late to this scene, but found no cd in the shop, so downloaded the mp3 of their latest album. Very calm, mellow, feminine. 

My second recent 'discovery' is a four-piece from London, entitled 'Portico Quartet'. Again the mp3 was downloaded as the CD could not be found. Totally instrumental, I was first attracted by their jazzy beats, similar to those of the almighty Radiohead of recent years. Very much like the sound.

Two more notes. Both are very relative to my personality. Firstly, I must admit that unfortunately I am not like Bradley Wiggins at all. I know that obviously we are two very different people, but he would be a utterly superb hero to have if i was a decade younger. He is professional cyclist who has 100% correct morals and I believe that he is 100% clean. I state this because I don't think that I would be if I were a professional cyclist. I have grown up in love with a dirty sport, and I have always had the mentality that everyone cheats, so it is impossible to 'cheat'. Mr Wiggins offers a bright future...

bradley-wiggins

Now, last note. 'The worst part of my rehabilitation from a 'traumatic acquired brain injury' was initially, in hospital, learning to doubt myself'. There have been obvious troubles such as my physical dis-abilities (walking, left arm), and loss of my girlfriend (she stayed with me until mutual decision). There is nothing worse than coping with the necessity of  self-doubt. Lying in hospital (or whenever), thinking 'i will do this and this, but no, hold on i can't'. Thinking as any able human does, but then having to stop and reconsider.