Sun!

G'Day.
The sun has affected me. I am now Australian.
No, don't worry, I am obviously still British, and am used to the fact of 'April showers' and sun. We started the month, this year, with snowfall, and more recently, summer-like sun. Definitely spring. Below are two photographs of a Kingston shopping street on two consecutive days. 'Eau naturelle' (no Photoshop, honest).

Both taken, mid afternoon, it shows that we are in a season of change.

I have been surprised, as I can now visit the cafe down the high street, jacket-less. I felt naked as I went along in just a shirt and without my hat (I wanted to feel the sun on my head)! Puzzled I was, that a queue of people were outside the one independent record shop in Kingston. It WAS national 'record store day', last Saturday, explaining why. On the topic of Music, I want to share one of my 'new findings'. 

Natalie McCool

My next note:
'I can't remember the last tine I used my mobile as a phone'.
 That afternoon, I used my mobile phone which slightly negates the point, but...
... I doubt that I am alone, preferably using texts or emails, from my mobile. I use my phone predominantly to surf the internet, or take photos.

My next note was made after travelling through a sunny Kingston, and along the river.

'Sun! Beware of distractions! Both good and bad distractions'

Sun means skin. Hmmm. 

The sun is good for people who can exhibit perfect bodies. Unfortunately no-one is perfect.

I ramble on and on about my belief of fate. 

An act of fate involves a complete lack of anyone's free will.

Think about it.

I type this week's post fairly late as I have creating my other blog page, 'Naturally Beautiful Normality'.

I have created another blog page, through which I will promote graphically designed photographs, from my ever-growing collection.

NaturallyBeautifulNormality

I don't research photo opportunities, I like finding the photo opportunity naturally. This is very fortunate as I am currently in a wheelchair, so mobility is low.

Don't worry, that doesn't mean that I will stop posting nice images on this blog...

i cry...

Hello, I warn you as I type this week's, unusually early in the day (well, not evening). My cappuccino, shown above, is an old picture The sun is still out. I should rather say that 'it is daylight'. It's not baking hot or sunny yet (if ever).   I do not want to bring a sense of 'gloom and doom'. Last weekend brought me a smile as i could first see the colours of the 2013 peloton. Shadows were spotted on TV! Shadows of the peloton were spotted in the Dutch 'Amstel Gold Race'. Eurosport commentator David Harmon, seemed as equally gleeful as myself, describing 'a beautiful day'. 

    

Cycling was sunday(FYI, this sunday it is my favourite classic, the 'queen', Liege-Bastogne-Liege). I may be boring everyone by maintaining my cycling talk, sorry.

My next note was made on Tuesday, after a session of physiotherapy.  

'Not depressed.' I cannot get depressed but...

'my tiredness post-Physio, showed me how far I have to go.'

I have a long way to go, but then I have come a long way, i cannot opt out.

Yes, it's been long, and

Yes, I still feel strong...

Those ultra-fans of this blog may realise that I have actually deleted a post that was made earlier in the week. I posted earlier this week, on Monday afternoon, but then realised that my photographs of my bike statistics (times, distances, powers etc), were actually telling you very little. I had one page view on Tuesday, and i think about 4 on wednesday. I could quickly learn that these gym bike statistics were having a negative effect, and so deleted the post. Straight away, my page views shot back up to the usual average of about 25 per day. Turning this negative into a positive, I learnt that what i type is actually read and processed by people, and it is not all just a 'google anomaly'! hmmm

OK, I now talk about an issue close to my heart, ‘Sustainability’.

When meeting with a former colleague, Paul Micklethwaite, earlier in the week, I felt that my psychological concern about my own beliefs in eco-sustainability, were aided and developed.  I explained of my belief of fate and ‘the world keeps turning’, ‘what will be, will be’. I was then asked the simple question ‘The planet will survive, but will we?’

I admit that I don’t think I had ever thought of it in this order, but should do. Thank you Paul.

Below is a link that I provide to a book written by both Paul and Anne Chick (fellow ex-colleague). An depth investigation into ‘Design for Sustainable Change’. Quality.

  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Design-Sustainable-Change

Two notes left. I should stop continuing to fly Surbiton’s ‘accessibility flag’ so high. I went about today realising that out of the town’s centre, there are the same issues as found in other towns. Lack of shop accessibility is a problem that can reoccur anywhere, and unfortunately it is sad, but wheelchair users just have to go elsewhere!

I want to just add that today I was given a way back into ‘my café’. Words cannot describe how thrilled I am now that it has been made accessible, by the simple installation of a ramp. Thank you millions ‘The Press Room’, Surbiton.

After taking the blame for my wheelchair failure, the stepped entrance to the café is now overcome by the above ramp!

:)

My last note of the day is in defence of Lance Armstrong. I keep on altering my view on the subject. Essentially, I believe that he is a cheat, however he is now being used as a huge scapegoat  for the massive failings of the UCI (cycling governing body). Cycling has always faced the problem of cheaters, to find one rider and raise him so big, that you can exert power of crippling him down as a cheat, is harsh. It is disgusting how riders have been allowed to be led to drugs. Drugs have cost riders lives. It is so sad. I write this knowing that many of my childhood, teenage, and adult heroes have been created on false podiums, by the UCI. I cry. 

tomorrow? yesterday? today?....whenever

Helloooo, I begin to type today’s post, yesterday. Confused? It’s Thursday currently, but I type and will save to continue, and publish tomorrow (Friday, today). Oh whatever. I type, you read, job done. Methinks…

Is yesterday, tomorrow today?

My week’s first post is typed below, however this post’s first note is a positive. Defini†ely.

‘ I am comfortable with myself ’.

I realise that however positive you may find this blog in general, I find that typing it helps me to consider issues with a positive outlook. The above note was made, as I realised just how relaxed I was with myself. Obviously, there are a number of things which I would like to attain, but then I think everyone has a list of different goals/targets to aim for. I am comfortable that I am applying the correct proportion of effort, focussed on each. My writing of this blog, successfully (it seems), provides me with an ‘output’, or a good result of my thoughts. I am happy, to be allowed to do this.

OK, I will stop loving myself too much, sorry. Coffee, I have one tonight as well as tomorrow (probably). I am all for promoting small, independent cafes, when I can get in them (not always the case). The other key issue is that it seems to be a regular ‘must-have’ for those big café chains. This is the requirement of an ‘accessible toilet’ (wheelchair accessible). This is fairly important for a place making their trade out coffee!

It seems that I am lucky having found two local independent cafes. It is important to befriend the correct people. This leads me on to advertise this theory as it applies throughout life, everywhere. If you wear a smile and remain cheerful, you are automatically friendly. Smiling should never be difficult.

Fate.

‘You cannot force fate. If you force something, it isn’t fate. Fate just happens.’

This is why fate can be either deadly, or beautiful. It is something so incredibly special because no-one has a successful reasoning for it’s existence. I am not religious yet I believe that there is something, fate.

I now include a photo of a small section of my noticeboard.

It is a brilliant quote that was given to me, by my Social Worker, when I was back in a rehabilitation home (2010, the note was given to me 2009). It partly explains why I try for such a positive outlook/attitude on life. Everyone must realise (depending on religious beliefs), that the living of life is not about the destination. Life is a journey, so we need to focus on following the path (of fate).

Deeeeep, sorry.

Next, I publish photos from my home ‘gym bike’. The idea is to give me an even greater incentive for improvement. OK, the stats are really very poor (for most of you), but the idea is to try and show improvement.

By sharing these statistics I realise that many of you will not have a clue what they are. Primarily, I am doing this to ensure that I maintain or improve.

Each session on ‘my bike’, is 20 minutes long, and the rest of the information, is here for you to see.

I got very excited when I watched ‘Later…with Jools Holland’. As a fan of Cat Power, the performance on the show was advertised by herself on the internet. I watched, and her extremely amazing voice, stood out. However, I was very excited by ‘The Strypes’, who Jools himself advertised as a ‘new’ band. You will notice that I infact beat Jools, as I introduced the Strypes, last week. This makes me very happy! See two posts below, for their original introduction. They are still old (originally formed in 2011, I think), so Jools and I are both wrong!

I type this week’s last note, on Friday afternoon.

Being in a wheelchair, I know that politeness gets you a long way. I am regularly told off for saying ‘sorry’ too much. Which I suppose I do say an awful lot! I argue that I say ‘sorry’ as alternative to ‘pardon’ or even a ‘please’. Anyway, using a wheelchair amongst able bodies on a public street, I have learnt the tactic of using a pre-emptive ‘thank you’, whilst I move quickly into a gap, forcing the audience to wait for me to pass first. Hehe. Smile, and being grateful by a wheelchair user, stuns the person, allowing me through! Everyone’s a winner!

no no NO

I type unusually, on a tuesday, as i have found that I already have plenty of notes on my phone this week (some old). I have time to talk, so I will.

Firstly
"No no NO!"
I approached a road/curb in my Wheelchair, and had to almost shout this at a car who had stopped turning into this road. It had been clearly indicating, and had right of way. Yet the car had stopped midway, obstructing three lanes of traffic, and the driver had waved me across. Although I had been given permission to cross by the car I had to shout at it, to make her see that I did not have right-of-way, and she was causing obstruction. She understood, and went on through...
Then, hmmmpf. Yesterday, I was curb side, and a car that didn't indicate, halted to a stop as i crossed the road, but then started again forcing me to stop, allowing her through. As she sped through, i raised my arm to gesture dissatisfaction. I wish I had shouted a rude word, as she deserved it. 
I'm alive.

As I type tonight, I realise that I am ignoring my message totally (sort of). I listen to my iPod music as a 'shuffled playlist'. Yet, my notes tell me to advertise the listen of 'shuffled albums'. So, I may well change my music, in a sec. I admit that sometimes by listening to my music like this, it may be difficult for to identify exactly who the artist is and which album/ep it is part of. By keeping the album together, it is easier to identify.
I provide a music sample at the end of the post.

Now, the next note may be viewed as controversial, although I don't wish it to be, she is dead. I presume you know who i talk about. 
I was sat by the river yesterday, was midway through a newspaper, when an acquaintance greeted me, mentioning the main news. I told him that the front of the newspaper was about the Conservative stance on benefits. Being in a  wheelchair, I thought that he meant this. I have absolutely no qualms in admitting that I receive benefits, and so am deeply concerned by their cuts. Then, regarding the 'big news', I really had no idea that she had attained 'Baroness' status. I admit that I don't know what this means but I can see that the name now sounds like an evil character from Count Dracula (...perhaps appropriate). I can predict a film in the future about her rule...'Baroness Von ........', her dark silhouette, in front of a crack of lightning, and a mighty tower like Big Ben. Nothing but rain, rain, rain.

I should be a movie director, but am not. Queens Of The Stone age. The song is not intended to be related to any of my previous text.  Maybe it could be if you wanted, but no no no. I am innocent. 

  

Hell is coming...

Hello, Easter was early this year, spring weather has not happened this year. Yet? One thing that is certain, Hell is soon. Sunday afternoon, to be precise. It'll be televised live on Eurosport! Paris-Roubaix is 'something else'. I cannot attempt to describe it as I've never visited the race. I don't smile during miserable weather, more, only when the weather shows extremities (maybe).

Anyway, sorry to be apocalyptic! Positives. Hmmm...
Last month (March '13), was the most popular month for this blog. It  averaged  over 30 page-views per day! Following calculating this, I was told by my family, that I must be careful about content.
Hehehe....er, right?
Obviously I do not know, but i feel that half of this blog's attraction, is that I am obviously just being honest. It is very easy for me, no facade to maintain, no company to 'advertise', no rude material as I am not!

So I continue to talk about professional cycling (a nice, clean sport). Today, just two days before 'Hell', I was watching 'The Tour of the Basque Country' on my phone (in a cafe yet again, after some physiotherapy). It showed me that it is not just Britain struggling with rubbish weather, but the whole world. Still I await to see the colours of the peloton, not rain capes.

I have absolutely no problem in admitting to the fact that I download music. It is not a case of 'admitting', it is a way of life. In the link that I provide below, is an article containing further recommendations for websites to which you can download music from. This is helping my cause for supporting smaller traders in the industry and warning about the danger of an ITunes/Amazon duopoly.

guardian.co.uk/netmusic

I am unsure about my next note, but I include it, because it did make me ponder things deeply, earlier in the week.
"My rate of rehabilitation has seemingly slowed as I now am forced to require others - work/Physio"

The two biggest areas that I currently feel I need to strongly rehabilitate are my employment, and my physio ability. I feel that I am close to rehabilitating as far as I can personally. Now I have to rely on others to help me highly, in these two areas. 

Hmmmm...mmmmmmm...?

Music? done. Cycling? done. Coffee? I am accompanied unusually by a bottle of Orangina. Tasty! 

I enjoy Espresso, I am sorry if you don't. A big problem of intaking high amounts of caffeine, is that it dehydrates you. Er right? So?

I have decided that if I ever stop for an Espresso or Machiatto, I will always accompany from now on with a good glass of water, which is also a tasty and refreshing option (besides Orangina!)

It makes me aware that I have 'had a drink', not just a sip of espresso!

Penultimate note:

The easiest/laziest thing is not to be religious, believe or be spiritual at all (as most popular). Free thinking brings rewards. Those who can think for themselves are priviliged. The mind can be beautiful.

My last note is to share with you music. I only discovered the band this week, but it is from last year. I am slow, and waaaay behind the scene, I know. But definitely worth a listen. The Strypes...