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 

Enjoy the Festive Season

 Enjoy your festive season

 

The year approaches its end, festivities are celebrated by most, and we have a mini-break/holiday/time to reflect on the past 365 days.

Unlike me, I totalled the kilometers that I had cycled on my stationary-MotoMed gym bike, this year (usually I focus on weekly/monthly totals). I had accurately recorded my output of every session this year. I maximise output in June/July, but toned it right down  from September. It was at the end of November that I had totalled 860km. After telling my physiotherapist, 900km was to become the target by the end of the year. 

Last week it was reached. Having attained 800km last year, 1000km may well be reached next year. I don’t know. I have never previously set such a cumulative aim, more smaller, weekly or individual session targets. We will see.  

Another obsession of mine, for the past few years, has been Duolingo. To be fair, it was began by my desire to teach myself Italian. I had only ever really known ‘ciao’, ‘si’, ‘non’, ‘Grazie Mille’ etc. I had begun teaching myself in 2006 (a very basic level). During CO-VID lockdowns, whilst we were all stuck at home, revival of this passion was found. I had the time, I knew I had patience and determination, I progressed. It can be used purely as a tool, but the winner for me, was the competitive-side!! Depending on your achievements, you are placed in a league system. 

:)

I have to win!

I focus, with plenty of determination…

I do win!

;)

Blog 15years. 256,996 pageviews (average 17, 133 per year)

This blog turned 15 years old on December 20th. Over a quarter of a million page views! I very much doubt that I will ever see it reach a million. (I laugh to myself, silly numbers)!!! 

;)

Physiotherapy review

With regards to the previous paragraph, it may be argued that my blog could possibly never be true when reaching a million (I may aim to have left my position of ‘sitting and wondering’)

Basically, what I am trying to say is that I am feeling very positive about my physiotherapy gains, this year! Every now and then I do see myself viewing a distant light at the end of the tunnel.

Summer’s ahead!!

We are past mid-winter now. ‘Next summer’ is almost ‘this summer’!

Coffee. My true love.

As many will realise, I like advertising my favourite coffees, using social media.

I have chosen a system. 

I select the coffee carefully.

I purchase the beans.

Then once back home, I grind the beans coarsely (so as suitable for a paper filter, NOT AN ESPRESSO)!

I use my Bialetti V60 paper filter to brew a mug of black coffee.

Taste the flavours.

Experience the intensity.

Feel the magic, if offered!

I then of a review (if applicable)

I may then grind some, finely, intended for Moka Espresso.

I keep the rest ungrounded.

East African coffee tends to taste SUBLIME, in my opinion. Generally, either Kenyan, Rwandan, or Ethiopian beans hit the spot perfectly for me! My most recent purchase from 'Monte Bianco' (Brighton Road, Surbiton), has shot right to the top of my current favourites!

Music

I almost forgot my favourite section - music!

My current sounds may surprise you. I have been listening to a lot more Jazz recently, as regular readers may know! I recognise myself moving through the genre, currently enjoying the immense piano of Thelonius Monk (1917-1982).

.

On-site

'On-site' as this short post is largely composed whilst sitting by the Aldwych in central London. It was totally unintentional, I just needed to record how I was feeling!...

My life is now a test.

I recognise that I have always been competitive. But I have always been competitive against myself. I have never wanted to oppose anyone (honest, maybe)!Self-assurance combined with this competitiveness is what allows my determination to overcome obstacles.

I am on Aldwych as I type on my phone. After leaving Fleet St (packed with City-workers on lunch), I have just passed an emptying Kings College (students everywhere).

This used to be my life (employed part-time, student part-time). I stop. Deep breath. My dreams as a student were torn, and shredded away.

Now on Waterloo Bridge, looking West.

Life changes. Twenty years on, I have taken a re-route. I continue.

Train home. Someone has parked a rather smart looking Trek Road Bike opposite me. I recognise certain ‘new’ features (disc brakes, fat tyres, oversized down-tube, electronic gears), but I am still at ease, preferring my old steed (This makes me an old-man)! Italian road bikes are the best (my opinion remains).

Followers on social media, may have seen my gleeful post yesterday. Truthfully, I don’t know whether it should be considered an ‘album’, or an ‘EP’.

‘Jazz Standards - Volume 1’ by Emma Smith

Having been just charged the postage cost, extreme gratitude is paid to Emma!

Track six, contains life’s most valuable instruction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cubZuiENLk0 

We are greater than this

 Non c’e luce senza l’ombra

A phrase that I was confronted with , whilst learning Italian (it really is quite easy to translate)…

My mind was focussed on learning a new language, but I was facing a philosophical statement that could be considered somewhat existential!

There isn’t light without shadow.

A brilliant phrase that applies to everything, and everyone, across the world!

Much like most other level-headed Brits, I am being dismayed at the political situation in this country. I try and pull back, step out and realise that actually the entire Globe is being destroyed by 4 men… Putin, Trump, Farage, and Netanyahu.

Any supporter of any of these wannabe ‘tyrant monoliths’, are advised to read attentively.

 

‘Small Boats’ is a term which dehumanises an issue affecting half of the world. It can be considered as much like a childish term created by an adult, who is explaining a story to a bunch of kids. Used, because it hides the difficult truth. The truth that…  

Originator, Nigel Farage is nothing but someone who likes to create harmful fear. His Brexit lies should never be forgotten.

Immigration is a good thing. Farage (NF) is blaming all of  the country’s problems on just one thing, illegal immigration. He is trying to divert everyone’s attention away from the real problems. One of the wonders of this country, is our ability to embrace multi-cultural society. Truthfully Britain is suffering from a large list of problems (Many multi-national, affecting the entire Globe). However the biggest reason that this country is suffering, is Brexit! His ’SB issue’ has been exacerbated by HIS POLITICAL MOVEMENT! If anyone is to blame…! 

The problem is not the problem, it is how you think about the problem. Please don’t let ‘the NF’  paint the problem for you. He happily tells scary stories, to those of us who are weak enough to pay attention!

Humanity is greater than this. It is destroying itself by stupid ‘infighting’. The entire world is suffering. A few weak, but clever men, know that by whipping up fear, they generate support for themselves. Elon Musk, happily jumped on board ship with Donald, but has since been thrown overboard, due to a clash of personalities. The NF has also tried to align with DT, who in turn has aligned with VP, and Netanyahu. Their policies are all entirely self-centred. Please don’t let us fall for their tricks.

Originally composed by 'McCoy and Minnie', a cover then appeared on 'Led Zeppelin 4' (1971). The late Jeff Buckley performed his cover of 'When The Levee Breaks', in the late 1990s.