Forty Nine

‘Look! Daddy, what’s that?’

An inquisitive exclamation that I regularly hear from young children when accompanied by parents. The child is referring to my wheelchair, but I remain surprised as the parent does usually explain correctly! They explain that I am not the wheelchair, but I need to use it. 

This simple occurrence, recently helped to show me that people tend to think about my situation, correctly. It frustrates me greatly, that most new friends/acquaintances know of me as ‘man in wheelchair’. OK, this is fair enough, as I have required one for the past 12 years. However people don’t know me as an able-bodied human-being. I lived as an active/fit, fully able human, up to 22 years old (2006). I had graduated from design degrees at University. I had a close relationship with a wonderful girlfriend. But people only see me as ‘a wheelchair’.

A superb anthem from Noel Gallagher. 

‘The Man Who Built The Moon’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2rNBJtZOMU

I really couldn’t bear to be thought of as arrogant. I don’t think I should be considered as such. However, I do know where my strengths and weaknesses lie. So I can feel both positive and proud, or, negative and disappointed, at correct times. Use your positive pride wisely (at selected moments). Less is more!

Courtney Barnett

’Tell Me How You Really Feel’ (released 18th May 2018)

https://courtneybarnett.com.au

100% is never 100%

Something can be 100% fact, conceptually, but not in reality. Space and time always vary, resulting, ultimately, in guesswork. 

I feel so uneasy at this time of year, everyone is smiling in the sun! The sun does bring a smile to your face, but I am left wondering where everyone has been on holiday (I presume that the smiles have been born on holiday, somewhere). This is because people don’t smile for the rest of the year!

Another ‘House Music’ tune, that I love.

Best loud, with heavy bass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRfcYwKkD4I

I am an emotional Arsenal fan. Having lost our leader of the past 22years, a replacement has been appointed. I was sat on the bus yesterday, travelling from South Kensington, southwards, over the Thames.

Original destination, St Lukes church, and South Kensington Station. I then took the 49 bus back to Clapham Junction.

’49 to Clapham Junction’ 

I hear the bus announce the statement above. I want to correct it. It goes…

’49, 49 Undefeated

49, 49 I Say

49, 49 Undefeated

playing Football the Arsenal Way.’

2003/2004

May throughout Blog-life 

Blog born in Mid-December 2010 - Midpoints of each year

2017 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/

2016 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/

2015 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ 

2014 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/

2013 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/

2012 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/

2011 - http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/ - ‘I shall never hang-up the bike’

Thursday PB

A ‘Personal-Best’ is made most times I train, but I mean to state that I attained my goal!

I had been focussing on my ‘Gym performance’ earlier this year. I have used the three-weeks of the Giro D’Italia to train at home (I cannot ‘hog’ longer time on the bike in the Gym). However on my ‘Home-MOTOmed’ longer sessions could be had. In three-week Grand Tour time, I have altered my scheme. A new goal (4x duration, aerobic test instead of power)

Giro three-weeks finishes on Sunday

20 minutes 5km (in lower gear resistance, so much higher RPM)!

A good, solid and successful time trial!

The advantage over real cycling, is that you can work your body into a trance-like pattern, with no external factors! 

In the zone :)

with Everybody

Yet again, you may have noticed some advertisements on this page. They irritate me, as they seem to offer negligible benefit (if at all), but yet ‘dirty’ my website! Yet I will continue for a while to see how they go. I hope that you do not find their inclusion, too offensive! An advert, that i spotted on my Blog, that I am happy has chosen to live here. I shall copy (without the link, sorry) it to this post!...

3D Pie Chart of results

Above is a 3D Exploded Pie Chart depicting part of the results from the recent ‘RBK Local Council Elections’ (May 03rd). The Pie-Chart shows the results of ‘my ward - St Marks’. Each segment represents the result of each candidate. Perhaps unsurprisingly there is no situation where one candidate dominates their party. This suggests that people have voted by party, rather than by person (fortunately, i am a stronger supporter of this system). Well done, to Liberal Democrats having taken more than half of the votes! A good democracy always involves strong opposition, and this interests me. I don’t know about other wards, but a combined effort from the Left Wing (Labour and Greens), could easily match the Right Wing (Conservatives), all competing to be the main opposition to Liberal Democrat rule. 

‘Extra hot’?

‘Because it lasts longer’

I am strange. I realise that I am fairly ’self-righteous’, when it comes to coffee!

… or Cycling, or Music, or … etc ;)

It has always bemused me, that people ask for an ‘Extra Hot Coffee’! Now, forgive my ignorance if i do not know of a new way of making a hot drink, that is not hot.

Yes, you can now get iced coffees, or Frappe. 

Water must be boiled to convect through the coffee, when making an espresso (the basic part of virtually all coffee drinks). 

I don’t think you can heat water beyond boiling point, so i really do not understand why people say ‘EXTRA hot’!

Having asked in a coffee shop, i am told the simple answer, supplied above. 'Because it lasts longer.' 

But, oh c’mon! 

An espresso. Three sips, you pay, you go. Simple!

I must accept that many people don’t drink proper coffee, but they like to say that they do. Is it ‘fashionable’?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f56tkg0s9cQ

Gran Sasso d’Italia, last Sunday, was the first setting of a Simon Yates stage win, already wearing the Maglia Rosa (leader’s pink jersey).

This weekend marks culmination of second week of racing, in the 101st Giro D’Italia (3-week Grand Tour). 

Briton, Yates has held onto the lead successfully, for entire the middle week. He gained valuable seconds over reigning champion Tom Dumoulin, in a closely fought stage-win in Osimo, on Wednesday.

Forza Simon Yates!

Monte Zoncolan tomorrow! This classic climb, comparable with the Mortirolo, and Alpe d'Huez, is just over 20km in length, but hasn't been included since 2014.

Page 70 of 'Colours of the Peloton' shows comparison of some 'Classic Cols' in Italy.

People watch most media, and continue by imagining themselves in that situation with whoever, wherever it may be. I cannot because I have been forced to learn to experience life and it’s tasks, independently, individually, alone. I receive help from many, many people, but essentially I am tackling my problem alone. Everyone is alone. Alone with everybody.

‘Independently’ (positive?)

‘Alone’ (negative?)

Educated thoroughly in Maths, Physics and Design 

I have learnt to think logically, and very rationally

But now, experienced, I have to accept the reality of the absurd. Hmmm.

https://www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity

‘The solution Camus arrives at is different from Nietzsche’s and is perhaps a more honest approach. The absurd hero takes no refuge in the illusions of art or religion. Yet neither does he despair in the face of absurdity—he doesn't just pack it all in. Instead, he openly embraces the absurdity of his condition. Sisyphus, condemned for all eternity to push a boulder up a mountain only to have it roll to the bottom again and again, fully recognizes the futility and pointlessness of his task. But he willingly pushes the boulder up the mountain every time it rolls down.

You might wonder how that counts as a solution. Here’s what I think Camus had in mind. We need to have an honest confrontation with the grim truth and, at the same time, be defiant in refusing to let that truth destroy life. At the end of Myth, Camus says that we have to “imagine Sisyphus happy.”’

‘Expression begins where thought ends.’  Albert Camus, ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’, page 95. 

The Myth of Sisyphus (French: Le Mythe de Sisyphe) is a 1942 philosophical essay by Albert Camus. The English translation by Justin O'Brien was first published in 1955.

In the essay, Camus introduces his philosophy of the absurd, man's futile search for meaning, unity, and clarity in the face of an unintelligible world devoid of God and eternal truths or values. Does the realization of the absurd require suicide? Camus answers, "No. It requires revolt." He then outlines several approaches to the absurd life. The final chapter compares the absurdity of man's life with the situation of Sisyphus, a figure of Greek mythology who was condemned to repeat forever the same meaningless task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to see it roll down again. The essay concludes, "The struggle itself [...] is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy".

BAN IT!

Fortunately, I had no previous experience of standing in an election. Therefore, I had no expectations. There was very, very little pressure on our ‘Kingston Green Party’, if at all. It could have been considered as a disappointment, for some of us. It is a shame that local residents are happy with an ‘old system’ and seem afraid of embracing the future. However, the success of the local Liberal Democrats involved the near-complete failure of the right-wing, Conservatives. This fact pleased most! :)

Kingston Green Party

(Most of the following type, was used by myself as consolation-communication with fellow Greens, post election)!...

We lost (or rather, ‘we didn’t win’) but to be totally honest, being Green is not about winning everything. If we were a whole lot more competitive, ‘it wouldn’t be green’. Life as a Green always seems to be about guiding, correctly ‘from the outside’. I am comfortable with this. Improvements can ALWAYS be made! There will always be opportunity.

My good friends in ‘Richmond & Twickenham Green Party’ were more successful, and this makes me sooooo happy! Well done Andree, Monica, Rene et al! :)

Only wheelchair

It struck me several times, whilst at the Kingston Election Count. In a sports-hall filled with various party members and candidates, I was quite aware that I was the only wheelchair-user. Yes, there was a woman on  Kingston Labour Party, who temporarily needs a walking stick. Although the situation made me ‘stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb’, it made me stop and consider myself and my recent history! Pride :)

One of my favourite films ‘Belleville Rendevous’ was re-introduced by a good friend. The full-length version available on YouTube! 

Les Triplettes de Belleville (2003)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voNZA0gF6bA

Foos (from ‘my time’). I saw them in a closer, smaller show at Brixton Academy (’99), then headlining V2001 festival.

The greatest rock band, I still listen to when I feel angst (I do)!

Foo Fighters -Stacked Actors (live)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb6F8NU392A

Most of you will know that I am a lifelong Arsenal fan. One manager for the past two-thirds of my life!

Thank you Arsene.

#MerciArsene

We lost this week to Leicester, away at the King Power Stadium. 

Much respect was given by their fans, towards the end of the game!... Honestly, they sung...

’There’s ONLY ONE ARSENE WENGER!’

Most people have busy, active lives. It seems like such, to me (from ’the outside’). People work during the weekdays, wherever required. They receive an annual income, part of which can be saved (to be used how they wish). Summer comes, they go travelling, on holiday, with their loved-ones/close family. They work professionally, but receive valuable ‘time-off’.

I cannot attempt to plan anything. I never have ’time-off’. My life is work. Yes, there are good times and bad times, but I NEVER am allowed to feel 100% relaxation. I am not employed, receiving an income. What would i spend it on? I don’t know.  I know what it means to be alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae7Z3Q2KIy4

Twelve years ago, the Alps, hmmmm. Oh, i loved the Alps.

It has always been my priority to rehabilitate as far as I can, instead of letting a profession take over my life. My rehabilitation is a life-long, never-ending task. I try my upmost to keep busy, offering voluntary work, keeping myself ‘relatively physically active’, and blogging about my life!

I want a girlfriend. I want a relaxing holiday. I want to ’switch off’.

... OK, yes, I need a miracle.

I want a coffee! 

Accessibility has improved greatly. My mind got boosted positively as I left the train at Waterloo.

The sun was out. The best Espresso called. I knew where I was due!

Luca knew my order before I asked!! 

Happiness 

This is the life!

: )

http://baritaliasoho.co.uk

Only once (she did look incredible)!

I had survived the whole day in London without being weak, I thought. As I head back down Drury Lane, (towards Aldwych and then Waterloo Bridge), I stopped a woman and showered her with kind compliments. She looked stunning, yet i knew that i had failed myself, so she looked at me questionably. I was obviously so angry with myself for ‘being so outgoing’, and apologised for myself. She welcomed my comments (as girls always do), but I still felt so angry with myself. I have to continue to accept it, if I have positive thoughts, I HAVE TO spread the positivity! I cannot let people just view me as ‘a wheelchair’. Unfortunately, behind their smile, worse is probably thought!

‘OMG! What have you done to your leg?’

Hehehe. Sunny weather has induced me to start wearing shorts. My leg splint is now visible, and it seems to alarm many. I may be restricted to a wheelchair, but the fact that I’m wearing a leg-splint alarms people. I don’t know whether to see this fact as positive, or a negative!

Coffee is a drug. Coffee is special. Coffee should be respected.

We love it. We need it. We must drink it PROPERLY.

Grind your own coffee. Make your own drink.

Care for OUR WORLD!

BAN THE POD!

https://qz.com/193138/the-worlds-growing-love-affair-with-the-most-wasteful-form-of-coffee-there-is/

Progress

I complete writing this post on Thursday (Election Day), but i will publish it , as ever, on Friday (day of ‘the count’).

I have voted...

...That was surreal

It was incredibly satisfying voting for myself! One has three votes, so all three Green candidates in my ward, were ‘crossed’. Results remain unknown on Thursday, with little chance of me mentioning it, on my blog, in this post. The only opposition is ‘the big three’ parties. We are the only ‘positive, progressive alternative’. 

http://www.giroditalia.it/eng/

It is also the start of the 101st Giro D’Italia with a short ‘prologue’ time-trial in Israel, around Jerusalem! For the first time, there is an Israeli professional cycling team participating in a the 3-week Grand Tour.

‘Israel’s first ever professional team, Israel Cycling Academy, has been invited to the Giro d’Italia and has declared that, thanks to seasoned riders who have secured victories in two of the three Grand Tours, they expect to add a stage win in this year’s Giro and to place a team leader high on the GC.’

I have already selected my favourite to cheer on, for three weeks…

Frenchman Thibaut Pinot.

So it goes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyuuDky0Vy8

I find the above ‘modern-blues’, so comforting. Lyrics are so direct and sincere. I do regularly, sing-a-long as I find myself feeling the same.

Life

Roll my die

Change this life

You said this movie was mine

But now you go and change your mind

This is my life

So it goes

You come in on your own in this life

You know you leave on your own

'Cause I don't need no cause

When my feelings fall

I believe that ‘on-the-go culture’ halves  one’s experience. Not only does this modern, fashionable culture reduce independent’s competition, it results in great environmental damage with litter problems, and it seriously reduces the chance of food consumption in a respectful manner. Instead, we are encouraged to consume as much as we can, as quick as we can, so that we can consume more, and more, and more. Excuse me for being an angry old man, but I remember when people respected the food that they ate. 

More music. Current music! Progressive music...

Kamasi Washington Session https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p065xq8g

After releasing ‘The Epic’ in 2015,  22nd June this year, we get a new album ‘Heaven and Earth’.