Battle Ahead!

It’s gettin' better man

It is unfortunate that England lost last-night, however the positive aspects are shouting out to me. I think that all but one country felt in a similar, positive mood, on Wednesday afternoon...

It was late Wednesday afternoon, the football had finished, my friend drove past me,  near home.  We greeted, whilst I was wearing THE BIGGEST GRIN :) ...

‘Why do you look so over-the-moon?’ I was quizzed.

She was showing similar joy, ‘Oh, Germany...’

I explained that I will not celebrate the loss-of-a-team, so, my true congratulations go to Sweden and Mexico.

But... c’mon!

Sir Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke

A very interesting web resource discovered this past week, the TLS provide two articles that I wish to share here. Primarily, I researched an article regarding Friedrich Nietzsche...

'After all, if it is bad to suffer, then all your efforts should be devoted to avoiding suffering; and if it is good to be happy, then, that should be the aim of everything you do. But human excellence is compatible with neither the pursuit of happiness nor the flight from suffering.'

Brian Leiter

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/friedrich-nietzsche-truth-terrible/

The second article that caught my interest was an article regarding the current World Cup, in Russia. Ostrovsky explains many of the political issues that Putin has worked, played, used, and triumphed in. 

Bloody games

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/public/bloody-games-russia-arkady-ostrovsky/

This is the 21st Century, and this disgusting problem STILL EXISTS! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-44613542

Why has society not evolved?

  

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” 

― Albert Camus

George Orwell can be considered to have been one of the most forward-thinking authors of recent times, philosophically and politically. Throughout much of my latest read ‘The Lion and the Unicorn’, political events that he predicts are all unerringly accurate, despite written midway through World War 2.

More George Orwell quotes

https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/features/2017/nov/george-orwell-scarily-accurate-quotes-about-truth

A few of Camus quotes, chosen and presented by myself…

Our world has evolved with such progression, over the last century. The consecutive World Wars seemed to leave many feeling ownership of a ‘blank canvas’. Hundreds of  thousands have been lost, passed away in wars since. Wars against humanity. We fight ourselves, to the death. Why?

We are now living in the Third Millennium, we must look forward progressively, not behind us at ‘our historical enemies’. We must not split into neighbouring countries, we are ONE. We are ONE WORLD.  We must recognise our needs. Everyone in EVERY COUNTRY needs Earth’s climate. Battle ahead!

Want to fight?

We must fight to save our climate and ourselves. The enemy? Ourselves. We can win this, easily, if we choose. We will only lose if we remain inactive.

in motion

Recent world news concerning a certain Donald Trump, has given me no choice but to edit my article, that I had written last week, regarding his proposed July visit. He seems to be successfully splitting the globe up. I don’t like it, no-one should. Britain should not let him parade his ‘insular’, ‘regressive’ triumphs here. He is not progressive, and MUST NOT be applauded for such.

———-Trump edit

http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.com/2018/06/more-better.html

This is MY blog, so it should not be a surprise at all, that I talk about myself! I know that my physiotherapist agrees with me, when I state... 

‘Sometimes, what’s holding me back, is that I think too much!’

Honestly, it is surprising how many physical actions the human body carries out, automatically. I have become so used to thinking carefully about every action, throughout rehabilitation life, these thoughts never-end. I must have more reliable faith in my body, I have progressed so far, and I continue to do so. 

A beautiful 'Bauhaus Movement' twitpic...

Hospital life, was upsetting, because there were obvious disabilities, but new disabilities I also had, were discovered daily. My self-belief in my own abilities were decreasing, every day.

I spent most of the time, in hospital, searching for ‘positives’. 

I was lucky, I was only 22. I had to face these problems at ‘my physical peak’.  Both positive, and negative attributes could always be found.

I remember lying in hospital thinking ‘thank g*d I’m not older’.

I had completed my education.

I was at an age which would allow my body to cope with what was needed.

My girlfriend and I had such a good, close relationship (this kept me mentally strong).

I had achieved every goal that I had set myself.

I was not due to end.

I knew that I had a lifetime ahead of me. 22 is YOUNG!

Am i the only person who looks when crossing the road?

I am fortunate that I live independently. I am used to living away from care. I know my ‘Green Cross Code’...

Perhaps too well...

I feel surprised regularly by others’ basic inability to read traffic. I don’t drive, but I may understand cars well. I am careful.

If approaching a junction, on the pavement (I AM a pedestrian), I look towards any approaching traffic. This is a basic requirement of anyone, but “Oh, man!” There are so many able-bodied pedestrians, who take such unnecessary risks.  It seems that I am able to foresee too many dangers! I can't physically take risks. I don't want to anyway. 

It is likely that I may seem very ‘over-confident’, daring, self-assured, and unfortunately, maybe rude. However, I plead my innocence. Self-confidence is required by everyone, especially by those who face a detriment of an injury, or any sort of disability. Part of the reason why I write this blog, is to confidently, share my inner thoughts.

I have done so for almost eight years (almost 12 since accident)!

Truthfully, I am confident (I hope not ‘over-confident’). I am daring, and realise that I may seem very ‘self-assured’. These three attributes exist because they are necessary. Unfortunately they are all ‘hollow masks’. Each of the three are used by myself to hide an emptiness inside. Maybe, I will always be partly empty inside, but I know that part has grown and gained in such strength that, I previously, would not have been able to comprehend! This imbalance, equates.

Music saves the day, again!

:( 

discovery that my speakers were not properly playing stereo

So connected correctly and wailed in tune to 

‘Burn the witch’

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k

Radiohead make everything good for me :)

UNO

I am a former World Champion, however only a few close family and close friends know this! Therefore, reliability of this claim could be doubted.

Anyway, I found an ‘online Uno’ version of this famous card game. I played, and soon found out the problem. There is no way I can ‘play my game’. Cheating is not possible. Therefore it was just a game of luck! Is this real UNO? I sulked, and quit. What is the point?

I remember regularly owning a strange feeling when cycling, throughout the years of my late teens/very early twenties. I was able to let my busy mind, break free, feeling such joy in turning the pedals and moving completely independently. I regularly had a bad feeling that things must equate...

‘I know that cycling is giving me so much to almost every part of my life. I am extremely grateful for this. How could I live my life, without ‘cycling’? I really don’t know, but then, I will always have ‘cycling’. The only way, it could leave, would be if I got injured... it could injure me. I must stop thinking like this!’

'Round are way' is such a brilliant B-side. Yes, it was originally only released as a B-side to the 'Wonderwall' single! Oasis had a supreme quantity of quality B-sides.

Round are way (b-side to ‘Wonderwall’)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfiReadoSmY

How good is this? 

We (England) are still in the World Cup!

It is an international festival, every four years. The whole world celebrates together!

Welcome it.

Embrace it.

Love it!

World in motion

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Re4aDJL3heA

more, better...(recently edited)

I shared the above video with friends, this morning. Today does seem to provide us with beautiful weather, in London. 

No adverts

I have chosen to scrap commercial adverts from this blog. 

‘Executive decision’.

I do not really mind too much, how popular this blog is. It has always been a therapeutic tool for me to voice opinions and ideas, and I REFUSE TO TURN IT INTO A COMMERCIAL TOOL.

I enjoy the fact that certain companies have chosen to advertise through it, but this is MY blog, of which I should have 100% control.

Everybody always wants better

I believe that, fortunately, it is human nature to desire a progressive improvement of everything. To allow such an advance, humans must remain careful that Earth progresses as one. Every country lives and exists allowing a balance for Earth to progress. Such insular behaviour by any single country has the potential to knock this careful balance. Should the world reach such a state of imbalance, how will it manage to progress? This may be too scary to comprehend. We have progressed beyond the destructive, 20th century. Humanity has been shown how clever and powerful it is, but also how evil and harmful it can be, to itself! We are almost a fifth of the way through the following century, and some humans still get irritated by things as childish as ‘the colour of a nation’s passport’! We want more, better, more, better … forever. How can we do this? We must develop sustainable solutions to everything! We have the power to develop this, if we want it.

Everyone has a drive to improve their situation. Unfortunately, many seem incapable of considering ‘humanity’ as a whole, instead of just themselves.

_______________________ Donald Trump to the UK, and show him that there is sooooo much more to this entire world than he seems to give anyone outside USA, credit for. If the world is to develop sustainable power successfully (the need of which, is explained in previous paragraph),_____________________________________________________________. All of humanity should take less nationalistic pride, and must consider our entire world, as one.

Why have I picked such existentialist novels/authors?

Well, I am forever encountering an endless list of issues which I negatively, have to discount myself from. I cannot include myself, or even attempt to do so mentally.

I therefore have to maintain my confidence and self-belief, by ensuring that there is an opposing opportunity that I have/ or will be found. Personally i feel that, everything can be defined as existing first, then can be attributed various different positives/negatives, depending on different viewpoints.  Importantly, something exists. There may be MANY different ways of describing, or explaining it. 

A cube may be painted, or drawn or depicted in a number of different ways (so given different essences), but as long as it has existence as a three-dimensional object of six, square faces, it is a cube.

Hehehe, got it? There are always different ways of viewing something. It is up to us to find the best positive/negative way.   

Smashing Pumpkins 

I immediately messaged my old college friend, on hearing this new Smashing Pumpkins tune on BBC 6Music. I was at college in the opening years of this millennium, so I was already late-comer to the Pumpkins. I felt that I had missed much of Billy Corgan’s heroism.

Solara - The first recording in over 18 years to feature founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx9ya42QLXs

Some Thameslink trains stations

To my glee, I travelled on some ‘Thameslink’ trains recently. I have been planning my route, as I need to use ‘St Pancras International’, in a few weeks. Not every station has been built to new standards, but many stations do seem to be using such. The accessibility throughout, is incredible. When the train pulls in ready to board, the platform is marked for passengers, whereabouts they can expect the train’s doors to open.  The train arrives, and the soft, material bumper creates a bridge from platform to train. The train also has a lip from the doorways, strengthening this ‘bridge-way’. Obviously, the stations have been designed correctly, incorporating higher platform levels. There are no need for ramps. I inquired with station staff, and whilst it does seem ‘perfect’ theoretically, there have been some problems occasionally.  For instance, platform markings are not 100% accurate, although this doesn’t matter, as one can readily move up or down the platform to locate doors. I am sure there are other issues, as NOTHING is perfect.

The trains' protruding lip combined with the platform's soft, rubber cushion provides good access, to and from platform/train. 

The interior design of the train, is clear, wide, accessible, linking all carriages together. Very positive!

My coffee excuse

I drink an ‘above average’ amount of coffee. After progressing through and out of hospital and rehabilitation homes, I jumped at the offer of the amazing flat which I now inhabit in Surbiton. Awe was paid by others, as I welcomed the inclusion of an Induction-hob. It is a very good, flameless stove. A couple of years later, I found my suitable Bialetti Moka device. I could now make a beautiful espresso coffee. I think that Bialetti only make a 3-Cup Moka device compatible with an induction stove. Each coffee that I make using this method should include 3 shots of ground coffee. I put enough water in, for two cups, or three espresso, so I have one later! However, STRONG espresso are all I am able to make! Coffee shops will know that I usually just order a single espresso (with a glass of water). I recognise my addiction, but DO NOT want all of the other stuff in a ‘Extra-Hot, Super Skinny, De-Caff, Latte, with chocolate sprinkles, and marshmallows, TO-GO’! Grow up!

 A Single Espresso is one coffee. Britain, beware of your gluttony!

Just do it, sorry!

If you start a book, you MUST finish it.

I don’t like to be beaten. I have big trouble walking away from a problem. If one chooses to start a book, they shouldn’t quit.

... some books leave me feeling a wealth of satisfaction, but I have given up, half-way through books by Frank Kafka, and my latest Sartre text (an essay on the psychology of emotions)! Deep. I am troubled that they are only part-complete, so they go back-on-the-shelf. One day...

But the sun has successfully welcomed us Britons to the start of summer. (Written much earlier in the week)! This past week has tricked us again, and again, and again. We must hold onto any glimpse of sunny weather, and declare it as Summer, in Britain.

Victoria Park, Surbiton, is very close to my flat, and now regularly occupied with more, and more people enjoying the Sun.

The next note was written as ‘a blog note’, earlier in the week. A proper ‘Cafe Latte’ accompanies me as I write this post! I need to be psychologically prepared.

I like strong coffees. Milky coffees are always a disappointment.

Today is WorldOceansDay

http://www.worldoceansday.org

'8 billion tons of plastic on the planet, 300 million tons of which are in the oceans. By 2050, plastic will outweigh the fish in the seas. We need to turn off the plastic tap and repair the damage' #WorldOceansDay @aplastic_planet

Audience numbers have fallen. Reasons?

1 Inclusion of adverts.     Or...

2 Subject matter has been too deep.

But, I will keep true to the blog, as much as I can. It brings me great joy that ‘Campagnolo’ have advertised through this blog. Vicenza based, Italian cycling company advertise that they remain at the forefront of design (now offering 12speed gear-mechs). I used to use much of their equipment from wheels, through to the gear mechanics, on my Bianchi.  I endorse these companies, but I do not want to continue ‘littering’ my blog with adverts who have nothing to do with me!

My Bianchi was always ridden using a Campagnolo Veloce 10spd mech, 

and Campagnolo Scirocco G3 Wheels

Wilier Triestina and Campagnolo advertise a 12spd mech, on this blog.

I change my mind and attitude towards advertisements, regularly. No money is paid, so I really don't know. 

I read books, to ignore the close reality of ‘my world’.

I notice that when I didn’t begin my day with coffee and a book, instead ‘just coffee’, my mind isn’t taken away, it remains and I start thinking, about the future. I hate thinking about my personal future. 

I do not read too much fiction. My mind is too valuable to me, to be lost in someone else’s story (unless taught a concept). I enjoy working my brain to understand such brilliant concepts explained by various authors. I cannot live for my future, I cannot plan futures too far ahead. Live for NOW!

SORRY

A word that I use, oh so regularly. Too regularly. I was in Central London, on Tuesday. I got regularly told the following...

‘no, I’m sorry, don’t apologise’

Whilst, I realise that this is an instruction for me, I am able to learn from it that I have done nothing wrong! 

;)

I have recognition of the regular need to ‘Just do it’. ‘Do it’ and say sorry, if required. I am a brain-injured, disabled human, and so I always have to consider all of my actions, extremely carefully. If I don’t or cannot, I have no choice but to ‘just do it’(so I often feel the need to say 'sorry')!

Jazz king Kamasi Washington performs ‘Fists of Fury’ on Later... with Jools

(album ‘Heaven and Earth’ out 22nd June)

 How can I just ignore the fact that I may never feel like I fit in? For the past 11 years (or, since ‘awakening’) I have been aware that I am ‘not able’ (or ‘dis-abled’). My road ahead was going to be difficult, I knew this, was determined,  and self-confident of my mental ability. Life in a rehabilitation facility was tough, but I knew that I would get through it. I moved to live independently, successfully! My life was on a good path. Work, new friends, a relationship with a girlfriend, were all still possible. I looked forward to living independently. Physiotherapy is still received and is so important to my mind, body, and soul. I have worked (mostly voluntarily), as much as I have seen possible, always for a good, valuable job. I am not able to give my entire life to a 9-5 job, stuck behind a desk. I value my existence too much. My old friends have always stuck by me, and have been of great value. I do have a few new friends as well. I am 34 in a couple of months...

I want to carry on typing about what I need, but I stop myself, as I can’t face the whole problem, psychologically, again. It depresses me (which is not the purpose of this blog). I may omit this entire paragraph!

The World Cup starts next week. No Italy, but it will still be worth following. I am English. 

Existence precedes Essence

Like a rolling stone 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwOfCgkyEj0

Existence precedes Essence.

As you probably recognise by now, I welcome the theory that there is always more than one way of looking at something. Things exist but then can be viewed differently with different essences. Different views will always balance each other, so please be aware that there is always an ‘opposite’, to any view. 

Something always exists, ahead of it’s essence. (in my opinion) 

One key quote that I want to share is from John-Paul Sartre’s ‘Humanism and Existentialism’...

Pg65

‘Life is nothing until it is lived; but it is yours to make sense of, and the value of it is nothing else but the sense that you choose.’

I believe that the above quote is no direct description regarding the philosophical realm of ‘Existentialism’, but the words are provided by legendary author, Jean-Paul Sartre.

Picture strip

Layout unavailable on mobile phones (unless you click ‘view web version’ at page foot)

L-R: Green Party Logo, 

Sir Bradley Wiggins riding his final ’Tour of Britain’ skirts around Aldwych,

Beautiful Lottie, 

How i like my coffee? Espresso, 

View of West London from Shard, 

PG moves to stand straight.

Full-size pictures can be accessed through clicking a sample in ‘original sized images’ - the following link:

http://patrickgoodacre.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page_28.html

Over 2,500 page-views in May. Not the extreme numbers of last year, but a vast majority of the audience were here, in the UK, telling me that people do read what I type!

Elia Viviani :)

Some will argue that more victories are needed, at a wider range of races, internationally. However Olympic track champion, Elia Viviani, proved to the world that he is one-of-the best sprinters there is. Although they had overall victory courtesy of Chris Froome, Team Sky really did lose-out having sold five-time stage winner Elia Viviani. 

Social Media

I witness stories, and it hurts me that I cannot even attempt to replicate, or create ‘my version’. I stop and silently tell myself that I am living my story, it is far from finished, but undoubtedly it will be the one which gives me the most joy, and success! Introspect. Step back, look at YOURSELF. Be proud of yourself and where you are in life. No-one has lived like you!

(Everyone should feel this)

I am waiting.

I hear phrases everywhere such as ‘don’t wait for tomorrow’. 

I very much agree, but feel a lack of choice.

I don’t expect, as I cannot expect. I have nothing but a mysterious belief, to rely on.

Good things come to those who wait.

Tuesday 

‘everyone has bad days’ - Four simple, true words, supporting me at the end of the day,

supplied to me from a good friend.

I had felt rather down, as i have had a fairly empty diary this week. I like to be busy and active (for my new life), because i know that my life is not ‘busy and active’ (as many of you would regard).

Perhaps it is due to the contrast of how i begun the day (below…)

Process of smiling

Tuesday morning provided the citizens of London with grey, dull clouds, and miserable weather compared to that of the brilliant ‘Bank Holiday Weekend’. I set myself a mission. I left my flat wearing a content grin. I would  continue to wear this profile. I realised that I am always smiling. Some people would see me and copy. Many don’t (people probably don’t understand, and just think I am a simple man)! However I travelled down the high-street, and realised ‘my power’ (hehehe). Real affect could be had by altering my effect! The process of smiling  (changing mouth shape, eyes etc) is so effective. Anyone who I would engage with eye-contact (everyone looks at a wheelchair, but then a Human within it), would witness the process and have to intuitively share it back, and further on. A smile automatically spreads positivity.

It is late Friday afternoon. I am back home, after typing this text for this blog post in Hampton Wick's Hussar's Coffee Shop, as ever...

...However, as I crossed back over Kingston Bridge, on the way my eyes were caught by a fellow pedestrian about 50m ahead of me. Despite this, I carried on towards the market place. As I went past, I recognised Kasia Madej, as the 'global_kash' of Kingston-cyclist-Instagram fame!