Life, roll my die,

I cannot ‘wait for something to blow over’. If there is an issue to be solved, I feel the need to tackle it head-on, there and then!

S*** happens... Deal with it!

Things that are ‘swept under the carpet’, still exist!

Serif font used to advertise a political party!

I graduated in ‘Design for Visual Communication’, following a BA Industrial Design and Technology. Both courses allowed me to discover my love for the ‘Helvetica’ typeface. This blog is written in Helvetica. Helvetica is the king but there are plenty of subsidary typefaces (using the similar ‘sans-serif’ styles. I rapidly realised that many of the serif typefaces (letters with curves/flicks/tails) are used to symbolise an old stature and decadence, but are in NO WAY young, modern, energetic, or promising.

A political party shoves endless paper into my mailbox. This party is fighting from third place, and with a new leader, and tries to prove itself as a viable competitor. I feel very fortunate that the Green Party always use Sans-serifs, throughout. Labour, and Conservatives, I do not know (I don’t really care), but Lib-Dems? Oh how I laugh... Such a shot-in-the-foot for them!

OK, graphic design may not be a totally fair reason for ‘political choice’, but perhaps they do not realise that they send such mixed messages through such subliminal errors! ;)

Faulty lifts result in wheelchair users traversing London, unintentionally!

Tuesday, I am journeying up from Waterloo, past Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square, on my way up to Soho’s Bar Italia.

Worth it!

A good coffee lover, some places may be distant but a worth the journey! Today I crossed the Thames northbound via Hungerford Bridge. I am told that I must use the other side of the bridge, as the lift is broken on this side. OK, I will not end up going through Charing Cross station, but up Northumberland Avenue, to reach Trafalgar Square, from this side of the bridge. A very short alteration, which was absolutely fine as I knew where I was going. However, it did made me realise that Wheelchair-users are so reliant on lifts, it is essential that they work, because just one faulty lift can result in plans, routes, times, meetings and decisions, are all destroyed. Severely restricted already, the inability to use a bridge, or a railway station, feels so painful. They are crucial links, and MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL!

The following 'opening' text was typed as I sat alone by the river. Beautiful place. Deep thought. It was upon reaching home, that I was troubled. Do I really want to include this? I do not want to bring everyone down. I hope I will not. 

Opening

I open up(this may be difficult)! I may feel extremely happy, and content, on occasions, and I am forced to rely on these. Fortunately I do feel this, because I constantly feel an underlying set of painful ‘negatives’. I may never find a girlfriend. I have not kissed anyone in over thirteen years...

OK, I am no longer a young student, fit cyclist, with the world ahead of me. I work, but voluntarily. How do I find a girlfriend, if I am so different? I had to live for years in a ‘rehabilitation home’, learning how to live with my physical disability. No-one will ever know me, like I do. It would be difficult anyway given my age and other limitations. I can physically stand, not walk independently yet, but must be careful. Use of my left side is seriously damaged, I can properly hug no-one. I can live alone (requiring help with domestic tasks). Alone. I have been registered on ‘online-dating websites’ for nearly 10 years. I have been on ONE date.

I type this whilst recognising that I believe in fate, so there is little or nothing I can do.

Life, just live it.

Live it

Accept it

Love it

So it goes, you come in on your own, in this life, you know you leave on your own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPDRPS2Mzdc

Inspirational?

Brightness

So, the battery on your mobile phone is decreasing too fast?...

... Turn your ‘screen-brightness’ down.

You would not believe how effective this tip is. This suggestion can also be applied to other mobile devices, such as tablets etc. It alarms me how everyone begins using their devices with brightness preset at 100%. Starting at this level results in only one direction for the performance level. Customers are sold products whilst being lied to, but they buy anything if it is shiny!

So, it is a time of great deliberation, for many. 

I believe that the biggest problem within this country, is the willing negligence of politics, by far too many. Our system is broken, resulting in a small two-way political dominance (I suppose that it is no wonder people are fed up)! 

The Green Party pledges such important support regarding the most horrific problem facing our entire planet.

We are a ‘Remain Party’, but are scared that political parties arguing over Brexit (the regressive, greedy attitude of a single-nation) dominate news. The largest problem facing the entire planet regards the planet’s climate. This is at the forefront of our policies, and must not be ignored by others!

https://kingston.greenparty.org.uk

Change can’t Wait

http://sharronsumner.org.uk please sign petition to ‘Protect our Green Spaces’ - http://sharronsumner.org.uk/issues/tolworthcourtfarmmol/

Adults should know better. However, some continue to humiliate themselves, acting childlike. 

Adults on scooters!... (four letters)

Okay, children are often found riding their scooters on pavements, there is no law against this. Adults copy and they humiliate themselves.

Adults riding bicycles on pavements!!!… (four letters)

This is illegal, but some don’t care. They offend me an insurmountable level. The more criminals, like such, result in less bicycles on the road. We need more cyclists on the roads mixing with road traffic vehicles, so that everyone becomes aware of important issues, and problems are solved! 

Inspirational!?

So, I explain to strangers (or ‘acquaintances’) stories of my recent history, and astounded, they compliment me as ‘inspirational’. 

I realise that there is little else that can be said, and so obviously show gratitude for the compliment.

I feel forced to stop, and retread through experiences. One side of my argument just maintains that it is not a choice of free-will. I don’t choose to be ‘inspirational’ (does anyone, apart from professional teachers)? I choose to act, or to do, what I feel is best for me, in my mind (which always considers things universally, I hope).

I am very aware that answers to choices come indirectly from all of my family and friends, but also my lonesome hours, cycling. Every cyclist knows himself, like no-one else. 

Since lying in hospital after my initial brain-injury, in 2006, I have felt damaged. Damaged goods. No-one wants damaged goods.

I knew this, so what do I have? My mind. I remember being proud of my mind, I must keep it safe and strong! I knew that if my mind could hold me through this mental struggle, it will help me through everything else.

Everyone must be the same. Keep your mental strength, forever. Recognise how your mind can re-build, and repair itself. 

OK, so, ‘inspirational’? Thank you, but I had always thought that there must be a ‘flip-side’ to all of the positives that I get from cycling. I regularly predicted that something bad would happen, but then I told myself off, and would just enjoy the present. Was I being stupid? 'Nothing will ever happen. I am a good, sensible cyclist'.

... Then I awoke in hospital. 2007... (what!!?!) Whenever you are struggling, recognise that you are digging deep but make sure you keep your mind. Your mind will tell you how to solve the problem that you face. This may take time, but be patient and keep faith in the strength of your mind (it has led your life through everything so far, nothing is impossible)!

Always smile 

Stress, anger and utter disappointment are all realistic emotions, negative sadness can spiral down. A smile is such a simple way of telling everyone to mirror the calm, content happiness that you have. Smiles last forever, passed on continuously.

Participate! :)

in prison

National Album day - Saturday 12th

I write this on Friday 11th October, meaning that I highlight the following two albums as annual highlights. Both were released much earlier, before summer, so I feel content that I have sufficiently listened to both, to recommend, providing a few, very brief words of analysis.

‘Schlagenheim’ Black Midi

Very progressive music. A guitar based, rock band, providing sounds that are new and unique. Inspiring.

or

 ‘Dogrel’ Fontaines DC

An Irish rock band, oozing attitude. Alternative, tight. Rock’n’roll with attitude, that few can replicate with such quality music throughout. 

Plastic reduction.

My bathroom

Everyone must be attempting to reduce the quantity of plastic that they consume! I have been forever arguing for such, partly through this blog! I always stand by words told here. We should all recognise the issue, and understand how we can all help.

We have all got used to using plastic so regularly, THINGS MUST CHANGE. I have found it easiest to start by tackling one room of my flat, at a time. I have started, by looking at my bathroom. I am currently disabled, so there are many new aids required. I accept this, there is very little that I can do about these.

I have found a few things that I can change, and have done so...

• Replaceable, sustainable toothbrush heads, 
• Biodegradable razor body
• A ‘bar’ of shampoo
• A ‘bar’ of Shower-soap
• Ethically sound toothpaste
• This is only a start...

https://www.sarakan.co.uk

I want to forget plastic shower-gel and shampoo bottles. Remember soap-bars?

Why, oh why do we spend money on more polymer and litter, when a simple apple can be just as effective?

It is when we start a list like this, that we must realise that opportunities for improvements are endless...

How can we search for other desires, yet ignore these ‘rooms for improvement’? 

Things must change. 

Fatboy Slim featuring Greta Thunberg.

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

Right here, Right Now

‘In prison, dreams have no limits and reality is no curb. Intelligence in chains  loses in lucidity what it gains in  intensity.’

Albert Camus, The Rebel, pg14 

A couple of more musicians...

I find both enticing, but both are very different. Neither artist are new to this blog.

Julie Byrne has released a couple of songs, both of which are older, rereleases, but beautifully, sensuous. Her magical, delicate vocals are so deep and powerful simultaneously. Both songs tug on my heart.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rID9vJQdnYY (video of a live performance from a few years ago)

Julie Byrne - ‘Faster or Greener than Now’

https://juliembyrne.bandcamp.com/album/faster-or-greener-than-now

Second female artist, tugs on heart strings in a totally different way. Kate is a lyrical genius. Listening to the album is like listening to her read different chapters of a book. She speaks such painful truths, one MUST listen. Anger that we all feel, very few people act on, and only Kate Tempest uses this shame to form her music of an entire album. Much respect.

Kate Tempest

‘The Book Of Traps and Lessons’, out now: https://www.katetempest.co.uk

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

I finish this week’s post with a video of two legendary, football heroes. 

A must watch for any Arsenal fan.

Ian Wright interviews Dennis Bergkamp. Highbury heroes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twgVAkT2LV0

ON STANDBY!

Instead of dedicating a portion of my weekly calendar to creating posts for this blog, you may have realised that it is seems so much more random when posts are written.

Learning to live with your mobile turned OFF/standby. 

I made the above note, after getting my new mobile phone. I am used to the fact that we all now live ‘ON STANDBY’. I remember, with joy, my mobile phone battery would last much longer, partly due to less power-consumption, but also, I would only ever turn my phone ‘on’,  when I wanted. Now everyone is ‘ON’.

The world has changed, I must accept change.

A couple of links that provide essential information, that I must share. Having been employed in ‘Sustainability’, and having studied ‘Design & Technology’, ‘Physics’, and ‘Maths with Mechanics’, at A-level, I feel that I have sufficient background knowledge of what everyone can/should do with different material waste etc.

Essential new news for me, and you...

https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/black-plastic

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/02/use-compostable-plastic-and-the-16-other-essential-rules-of-effective-recycling

These photos are from my Monday visit to ‘Giuliano’s DeliCafe’ in Kingston. I was very happy, reaching my target on the Gym-Bike, in the ‘YourHealthcare Neuro-Gym’.

The pictured Tiramisu, followed an almighty ‘Tortellini al Pesto’. I deserved it, it was ok!

Giuliano’s the best recovery cafe...

Giuliano's Delicafe

I was very happy, as I had watched Fiorentina win away, at AC Milan’s San Siro, with a supreme performance. I already knew the strength and ability of the likes of Federico Chiesa running at defences, or Guillermo Pezzella attacking corners, but a new player this season, 36 year old Franck Ribery! I knew of him, but was fairly unaware of his technical skill and ability.

 Even AC Milan fans were applauding Franck Ribery!

Bravo Franck! 

We were in one of our four away-kit colours, Green.

Ribery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30NhmSsLwNc

I know that I regularly smile as I pass down the street, if not always! Whilst this may primarily be because I want to smile, I am also aware that it is fortunate. I wear glasses and I am always aware of the need to hold them straight (there is nothing worse than wonky glasses). I am already using a wheelchair, I cannot take any further chances, to be looked down on.

I smile as I try to hold my glasses straight, on my face.

Mostly, we may consume plastic bottles of toiletries. I know that if I see a problem that I can solve at a personal level, it’s a start. I have explained my shaver, my toothbrush, and my shampoo issues and solutions (previous posts). 

The next two items fall together, as I see just one obvious answer. Refills. We do not need to buy a new piece of packaging each time. Negligence from companies that supply these, is noted by myself, and I am actually considering abandoning such.

Refill shower-gel / mouthwash

Sainsbury’s

Thumbs up! Congratulations Sainsbury’s for providing an initial solution to fresh-food packaging. 

An encouragement for customers to purchase items separately, items that they need, away from plastic packages! These sort of scales are not new (seen abroad in 90s). However, nowhere uses them now.