attempt two...

_{I open by typing this on Wednesday, irate, having just experienced an event leading to the following note…}

'You can take it if you want! Hehe'

What a fat, unfit, pathetic, low, merchant banking ****!

Forget and move on.

_{I was heading home, leaving Hampton Wick. Well aware of the amazing bicycle shop located there, I noticed perched against a shop window an absolutely beautiful, matte-black, full-carbon Colnago road bike (I am guessing at-least £3000). The owner was one of the three men sat next to it, outside a café. I passed it, then turned around to compliment it.  All I could say was}

_“Wow”

_{When I was pointed to the owner, I repeated myself.}

_{I was then brought down earth with a hard thump.}

_{“You can take it if you want’. Hehe, snigger!}

_{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}

_{I felt an unbelievable amount of disrespect, wounded deeply. I have not felt so low about someone as I realised that he actually was a fat, merchant-banking, businessman, who probably dreams about himself a bit too much. To actually take the piss out of me because I am in a wheelchair, about ‘my love’ (cycling), whilst he is sat there proud of his wealthy status, showing off to his ‘friends’.}

_{Deep breath,}

_{The truth is, if fully-able, I hesitate whether I would have taken it anyway. Bianchi is my brand of choice! Hehehe…}

_{Everything is equal. I have friends he can only dream of.}

_{Experience. Forget. Move-on.}  

I have plenty of music that I wish to share this week. I was going to use that excuse for a lack of talking, but you are lucky, I ramble on.

Led Zeppelin, Ramble on

/ramble_on_led_zeppelin/


I am English, there always talk of the weather. Yet again, I am sat outside, by the riverside as I type this. I feel that it may be the last time, as although hoping for an Indian Summer, we are still far from it. Close to India? More like, stuck in a queue awaiting to board a cross-channel ferry. But maybe...

Tiny Ruins
http://tinyruins.bandcamp.com

everyday robots

In the above tune, Mr Albarn observes the fact that everyone seems stuck on their mobile phone. I am happy to admit that I am regularly found on mine. Solutions to problems can usually be found here. Everyone used to have to work their brains to figure it out.

royal blood
figure it out

Waterloo bridge realisation that everyone is stuck on their mobiles, I used to look around, marvelling at sights.

My note above was made as I crossed Waterloo bridge in Central London. I too had become an everyday robot, by making the note on my phone!


Three photos,  from one trip.

The above three photos could all have been taken on the same journey (they weren't, but hey)! Sunlight catches the striking, angular, art-deco Surbiton Station. I have found the best coffee ever! 50% Brazilian, 40% Argentinian, 10% Colombian. A simple black coffee, not distorted by milk!
Third picture, shows a massive, foolish error in terms of an 'accessible' doorway ramp!

Hmmm, internet has been fixed...
...strange... 
...but true...

i finish giving a link to the website of an insanely good electronic house music label.
I may be slightly biased, as it was set-up and is run by good friends from University!


lostmydog.net

twists

So, I begin this post with two notes which are 'negative complaints' and are so easy for me to twist around into 'positive facts'.
The notes: 
No mobile phone whilst walking

What a bitch!
As you will know, I spend current life in a powered wheelchair, but like everyone else, I do spend a vast amount of time, attached to my mobile phone. I do use it's a phone, however, primarily I use alternate functions (such as email/internet/notepad/camera etc). I am different, I cannot talk on my phone whilst walking or moving along the street. I cannot immerse myself in emails, whilst walking or moving along the street. However, this allows me to use my vision! About town, I am so lucky that I can navigate out of some moron's path. If people just looked up, and faced the world they are in!!! But, no!!!!! Gggrrrrrrrrrrrr

A regular in a popular, high street cafe, I was shocked and left with a feeling of disdain earlier in the week. I do not want to speak a word against the staff, whom are all good friends. When I recollect the event, I am very pleased/proud that it struck me with such surprise. I was not used to dealing with such a ****of a woman! I was in the accessible toilet, door locked, but someone knocks on the door. I. Call out an apology (as ever), and a quick explanation of the situation. I exit, when finished. This ugly, obese, excuse of a woman, then passes me in the cafe, snarls and looks down at me, on her way to the toilet. One four-letter word
****!
That never happens to me. I always make people smile. I am still perplexed!

Champs League - win/ win?
Hmmm. I must admit to being a poor fan. 'My' team (Arsenal) played a first leg of a Champions League qualifier, earlier in the week. I feel confident this season, but I couldn't decide how to feel during this 0-0 draw. It would be considered a 'relief' to win over the two legs, but then we would have to play numerous extra fixtures across Europe (as ever). We would benefit from a 'thinner schedule'. Maybe we should concentrate on the League (tough but possible)?...
I needed to make my mind up. I then realised that if we didn't qualify for the Champions League, we would be relegated to playing a similarly congested schedule on Thursdays (Europa Cup). So, no. Thursday is Spursday, so not for us! We cannot sink to those depths. So, I cross my fingers...

Thank you, readers, for helping to provide me with a valid excuse to run this blog. I have physiotherapy, and two voluntary jobs. I do work in paid employment as a freelance graphic designer (but rarely). I often find myself lost, but can rapidly find myself pleased with my voluntary jobs. I am very very lucky to do them. I do find myself working strange hours, enabling me to enjoy cafés, making notes for this blog, when free. All balances.

Music bought, this week, the new or latest album by Sharon Van Etten. Right up my street...

SVE

no need...

:)

Ok, I wrote this week's post using notes that were so detailed, I don't feel the need to talk. Last Sunday was the date of the 2014 London Surrey professional bike race. So the day before, I planned...

Photographing a bike race. I used to be faced with a number of issues.-
If in the local area, whilst in France, I would plan where best to view it. 
Did I have enough film in my camera? 
Which French  supermarket could supply me with a magazine timetable of the race?
How would I get there in time (with family)?
Would all riders be together in photo? 
Could I predict who may be leading?
How good will the  background be?
But this time, I was at home. No need to travel, they would race through my town.
The  midday rain got me in the mood!
I went to the viewing point that I had planned, successfully viewing riders such as Philippe Gilbert (former World Champion), and a strong Team Sky. Mission accomplished!

Julian Alphaphilippe leads the breakaway through Kingston

Philippe Gilbert (Left)

The following day, I began my fourth decade (well, I turned 30 at 11.42pm)! 

Sexy :)

I started my day with a mighty fine hot beverage (aka a Cappucino)!!

I then went to Central London, met family and visited the London Shard with. I felt high all day, as the place is fully accessible, and allows you a fully panoramic view of London. It is amazing and I can't give it high enough recommendations. It felt surreal, looking down at Canary Wharf! 

 i look: directly down to see HMS Belfast and Tower of London

 West, towards Millennium Wheel etc 

East, towards Docklands and Canary Wharf etc

North, but off-centre, the 'Gherkin', 'Walkie Talkie', 'Cheese Grater', and 'Nat West Tower' (nicknames of towers).

 i look down...

i look up...

Don't panic
Just get wet!

Hmmm. The above note refers to the mentality that i accept adopting, when it 'looks like rain'. It's rained everyday in my thirties! Hmmm... It does, however, affect me very little. I do not panic, about needing a waterproof jacket, or rushing to a dry safe-haven in time. Similarly to 'rushing for a bus', I have contently accepted that these things cannot be resolved easily by rushing in my wheelchair. If i really want something, i must plan for attaining it. Is rain water that much of an issue?

Cats on trees
Siren's Call
'You'll be happy to know '
Hehehe. The beginning of words which were given from an old lady. She went on to inform me that 'the football season starts soon'!
Hehehe. Happy DAYS!
COYG!!!! :)

a few pictures...

Millenium Bridge view, London.
3 City towers are embellished by a 1920's, Dutch Modernist (De Stijl?) style, flat on the north bank of the Thames.  

Arsenal stadium tour. Looking good. Looking very good.

i try and have a quiet, romantic, moment with the FA cup, whilst my dad tries to pull a fast-one!

rubbish...

I open this week with a note that is a load of rubbish. 
Hehe hmmm...
recycled/able bin bags

Basically, i want to share my dismay of it being so hard to find recyclable bin bags! I am not referring to decomposable food waste bags (supplied very kindly by the council). It is hard, and expensive to buy bags to collect other recyclable waste (card/plastic/tin cans/glass).
Hmmm, ok, this may just be me. It just seems completely illogical to me, correctly encouraging the collection of the material, but then risking contamination from an everlasting polymer.
I realise this issue, have difficulty finding an answer, and am forced into a higher financial loss! GRRRR

People are scared. They see the wheelchair, and immediately prepare themselves for experiencing the worst. They greet you with a friendly but very patronising 'hello', with the sole aim of boosting their own self confidence. 

Hmmm
- my feelings AAAAAH:s I am who I am. I am comfortable and content. This whole blog is about myself coming to terms with my new life. Tuesday, I experienced part of the life that I remember foreseeing. Now I can say 
'PHEW  I do not want to be that!'
Shit happens, can do to anyone, and did to me, but I am content with myself now.

We must live for NOW!

I offer two music 'gifts' this week. I am touched by the lyrics of both songs. Courtney Barnett's lyrics tell a wonderful story. Although older, the second song provides lyrics, which I relate to and find very up-lifting. Thank you Mr Ashcroft.
courtney barnett avant gardener

http://vimeo.com/76587806

Break the night with colour

http://vimeo.com/25068386
Hmmm
A note which kind-of explains itself.
I am 30 on Monday, I was 22, i just have to continue 'growing up' / improving life forever. There is  always 'a carrot'.
My design education has given me a positive mentality, showing me that there is always room for improvement. Perfection cannot exist.

thank you :)

thank you for the compliments regarding this blog

I received a very kind email, earlier in the week, from a fan of this blog. It is much appreciated as I am told that there can be a purpose to  all of this gobbledygook!

        

(warning,language)

Sorry Kasabian, 48:13

I apologise for not having recognised the wondrous new Kasabian album. The title refers to how an album should be listened. From start to finish, 48minutes 13seconds.

It is now 11.53am, on Friday August 1st. I am now at 'my riverside', and had just remembered in time to give the wonderful cappucino creator, my last ever 'pinch, punch, first of the month'. I turn 30 this month, so (do I grow up)?

I now continue typing, bathed in the sunshine, at Somerset House.

 

        

  I realise how lucky I am. Having the afternoon free (after visiting office this morning), I made a rapid decision, leaving 'my riverside', to visit Central London. I knew where I could get coffee and lunch. I feel comfortable accessing my train. Game on.
Oh, how my life has improved! :)

... But...
I am bad, feeling down towards those 'other' wheelchair users who don't need it all the time, but use the accessibility benefits made for 'wheelchair users' ! Grrrr! If you can walk, don't be a lazy fart, WALK!!!

I am sorry about the above note,  and how rude I am. I only include because it was a note that I made. You should know, that it am completely honest, no holds barred.

I was almost brought to tears (I am male, 21st century men can cry) on hearing this played on the radio.
Lover, ...

Coffee and cats. Two of my loves. 

Together?

feline coffee art - https://foursquare.com/v/pizzetta-cafe-republic/4bed73b16c5c952193e1068a/photos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1uDLUU-uz4&sns=em

'

'Everyone's lost’
When I quizzed a friend, I was reassured that it was not just me...

Ok, final note, this week, explains my results of a long period without my gymn-bike. I was pleased as I was spinning a much higher gear, however...
aerobically f***ed :(

so practice, i must...