Self-belief, Determination, and Endurance

 

I’m sorry that my blog-writing has slowed right down. Reasons for this are varied, less free time (sort-of), more despair at global issues,  but personally, critically, maybe just greater acceptance of my situation. I get incredibly frustrated, and disappointed by my personal situation, alone, wheelchair needing, and an inability to expect.

However, as ever, there is another way of viewing things. I am shocked less by negativity!

There are numerous positives of having a strong and reliable mindset (I am incredibly proud, as you are probably aware)! People may be less aware of the number of vital skills that I had learnt through my education and my passion for sport. Designers need to have incredible self-belief, determination, endurance, whilst remaining level-headed. Design was studied initially through my ‘Graphics GCSE’, then ‘Design & Technology A-level’, ‘Undergraduate Industrial Design and Technology BA’, and finally a ‘Graduate Certificate for Design of Visual. Communication’.  

Endurance of a cyclist, may well be a key characteristic. Self-belief and determination are also needed in such sport. Faced with a challenge, I am now forced to use these skills. I am confident, because I know that I have them ;)

I know that I have an incredible amount of experience of cycling, and studying independently. The experience of calling on such self-belief, determination and dedication, has proved vital for me!

My ‘PG logo’, was created in 2006. Initial ideas and development of different concepts could be traced back to GCSE level! As work with the Green Party peaked in 2016, it developed further still!

It did used to alarm me, as a student… how on earth could I dedicate my life to both design, and cycling? Ok, I’ve never had to face this problem, but now I need characteristics from both disciplines!

Over a thousand

 One thousand and thirty eight weeks!

1,029 km

490 thousand

Rapid mental arithmetic is still with me. It is the 1st October, as I type this. Almost two weeks until ‘that day’. October 14th marks 20 years since my life-changing accident. 52 weeks per year. Ten years = 520 weeks, So…1040-2 = 1,038

It has been my aim for the last few years to increase annual distances ridden on my gym bike. 834km in 2024, 910km in 2025, and already 1029km in the first 9 months of this year! Addicted. I never before, when younger, recognised my addiction. Coffee, yes I knew that I loved it, but only now do I recognise that I am addicted. It is only by reading  the latest Sir Bradley Wiggins book ’The Chain’, do I realise how addictive the activity of cycling is. OK, I’m not comparing myself in anyway to British Legend Sir Bradley, but I do admit that very, very large portions of my life seemed to be related in some way to the activity. The book is absolutely amazing, very eye opening. Thank you Bradley.

It shows to me yet more proof that there are ALWAYS unseen aspects to everything, everyone. Just as a story is painted, there is always a second that may never make it, but will balance aspects. No matter how positive things become, negative aspects will always balance them. OK, my ‘bike’ is a very simplified indoor gym-bike. But as long as I turn pedals, I am happy… Over 1000km in 9 months! The info-graphic below, helps to show how obsessed I am! Distance accumulated each month relative with size of circle, Strength of colour, depicts average speeds. 2026 is the first year I have managed to record my activity so accurately! A quarter left unknown! 

The largest of those three values, is the current ‘page-view count’ for this blog. I have never written with the purpose of increasing this, it is just a fairly satisfying statistic! I haven’t really worked out why this is so popular (it’s just my life)! Almost half a million…!!!! It is satisfying to know that I must be doing something right!

...

Now, politics.

I have only recently watched this, and WOW! This country has hope!!!

Thank you Andy.

So it goes

 

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
You showed me things I didn't wanna see
I don't believe that love is free
Sure fine way to treat a man

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

Life
This is my life

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

Life
This is my life

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

I'm just a poor little wifeless fella
I'm just a poor little wifeless fella
I'm just a poor little wifeless fella
I'm just a poor little wifeless fella
I'm just a poor little wifeless fella
I'm just a poor little wifeless fella

Still here!

 For centuries the death penalty, often accompanied by barbarous refinements, has been trying to hold crime in check; yet crime persists.

Albert Camus

I write this post, with slight apprehension, as it is September, and only the first post of 2026. 

I am still here, and you are still here!

I state such an obvious fact, to alarm people about how globally, we have all suffered terribly. Trump, Farage, Netanyahu and Putin are the four culprits who are largely responsible for such. They successfully prey on the weak, meaning, ultimately everyone but them, will suffer. 

This isn’t a news website, so i can ramble on about my political views, but this is not my aim!

Recent music😋…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0030r75/radio-1-at-reading-and-leeds-festival-2026-fontaines-dc

I am 42. I have validly been having a ‘mid-life crisis’ for the past two decades. I am used to hurting when I realise what I haven’t done, or am missing out on… but, hey ‘**** happens’!

Fortunately, I treasure my first life, with such pride and joy.

This latest half is tough, very tough. 

What holds me securely is my mentality. It hurts, my fate, but I should view it just as positively as everyone else does to themselves. Up and Down.

I don’t like to think about my life too much. What haven’t I done?… oh there’s an excuse.

What should I do? Is the effort really worth it…? Why should I try, when I cannot be sure of the result? Life is a game of luck. It is, deal with it.

I am sat riverside, in the autumn breeze. Calm….

As i type 433,700 pageviews! 

(it is Thursday 3rd September as I write)

Mind-blowing

I realise that this probably doesn’t mean such a number of people who actually read the content here, but for me, to have such a mass global ‘pin-prick’ of an effect means so much. I remember the fact that essentially, I started writing this blog as a form of therapy! Almost 16years ago, this  blog was born.

Popularity of the blog has varied, but has proven popular in different places at different times, across the entire world!

Recently, interesting…

I may not have been very active in terms of post-production, in the past year, but…

Over 170,000 in under 10 months 

I recently confirmed to my jazz-connoisseur uncle, that one of my favourite albums is a live recording from 1966 … Thelonious Monk - Live in Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO6NyQwVDa4&list=OLAK5uy_nOekN_j70bBS_n8rgICDzCbvYfZvWUEiU&index=2

I am learning to write with an Apple Pencil.

I was born left-handed but my Acquired Brain Injury has left me with minimal use. Post injury, I had previously become very used to typing single-handed. Now I write right-handed, as best I can! Keyboards have let me down, failing after a matter of weeks. The pencil  also allows me to