1504.19 PROGRESS ON TWO WHEELS

I've never ever pretended that I'm a particularly great cyclist. I enjoy cycling and that's it. My training seemed for a long while not to be progressing at all. The last few weeks things have started to drop into place. I feel my legs starting to take shape and my weight I'm carrying around my middle is slowly going. I feel as though I'm ready for the next stage... 

Today I almost went out and joined up with a local club with a view to joining. But in the end I bottled it. I'm pretty disappointed with myself especially since my next opportunity won't be for weeks now. Until then I'll carry on riding solo until next opportunity arises. 

1504.15 HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2

Captain's Movie Review in Seven Words...

Lost charm of the original. Best avoid.
3/7

1504.13 FAMILY CURSE

When I was off work injured one of the things I did to occupy my time was to do a little research into my family tree. All very interesting... to me maybe, I wouldn't want to bore anyone else with most of what I found.

One thing that became apparent was the confirmation of something I already suspected. The males in my family line (the ones that share my surname) don't seem to live past 65. The ones in my living memory all had poor lifestyle habits but what about the ones in the distant past?

My lifestyle is better that quite a lot of my family. I'm active (cycling a minimum of 100 km per week), I don't (and never have) smoke and I barely drink alcohol (maybe 3 pints a month). My diet has room for improvement but it's not horrendous. The main room for improvement in my opinion is sleep. My sleep pattern is poor and my sleep debt is running too high. I know this is partly due to my wife's condition and my duties as carer. Still I'm sure there's some improvements I can make.

On the news this morning BBC journalist Simon Jack was speaking about the high number of suicides amongst men in their forties and his experience (his father killed himself 25 years ago at age 44). It is subject of a Panorama programme tonight (should be on iPlayer afterwards). This resonated with me as in 2012 I suffered a breakdown which I still feel the invisible scars (more than the visible scars I sport from recent cycling injuries).

All in all I'm at a very dangerous time of life and it's very scary when you think about it.

Fatal silence: Why do so many fortysomething men kill themselves? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32231774

1503.15 MOTHERS' DAY

This year we wanted to do something special to mark Mothers Day. It's the first time in recent years that we've all been together and it needed to be special. The last time we were all together we took a trip to Whitby so we decided to do the same again.

It was an early start (I was up at 6am) so that we could beat any potential crowds. I know it's out of season but it can still get busy.

We had a great day, truly wonderful. Morticia struggled getting around a little but we didnt rush her around. It got quite busy in the middle of the day with queues forming outside all of the cafes, restaurants and take-aways. We waited a while before enjoying a meal in Robertson's fish and chip restaurant.

A good time, no a great time was had but now it's time to pay the price. Morticia, I'm betting will be bed ridden for the next few days. Was it worth it? She says so and who am I to argue?

1502.27 GOODBYE MR SPOCK

I don't normally mention the passing of celebrities, many of my childhood heroes have passed over the last few years, I guess that happens as you get older.

Today is different, everyone knows I'm a big Star Trek fan and it's been a massive part of my life. I can't remember a time when I wasn't watching Star Trek. So it comes as no surprise that I am deeply saddened by the loss of Leonard Nimoy.

I had the good fortune to briefly meet him 5 years ago. It was at a signing at the Collectormania event, the organisers didn't allow photography or videoing. I went in with a camera around my neck switched on to record video. He was literally signing hundreds of autographs and it was a bit of a 'production line' so my mission was to get a brief engagement. He signed my photo and I held out my hand and spoke to him. He shook my hand and answered, I was is awe! It was a definite highlight in my life.

So I'll leave this post with the words of Admiral Kirk speaking at Spock's funeral at the end of Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan...

"Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human"

Rest in Peace Leonard Nimoy 1931-2015

1502.19 LET TRAINING COMMENCE

I finally have my bike back on the road and (touch wood) I've commenced my riding once again. I had a nervous ride home from work the day before yesterday and it was fine. Yesterday I had a ride out to the HR department which is near to Sheffield City Centre, then onwards (and upwards) to my place of work. The climbs were difficult but I managed. I'm carrying more weight than I'd like, hopefully I can drop a stone fairly quickly (really before the summer if possible).

After so many false starts I'm hoping that this is it.

1502.14 MY VALENTINE

We don't go out on Valentine's day. As a shift worker it's unusual for me to have the night off. This year it's not only on a Saturday but also it's my day off. Add to this the fact that this is the 20th Valentine with Morticia it just couldn't go without celebration.

Weeks ago I booked a table at Browns restaurant but was later to find out that they were only serving from a set menu (on which there was nothing which really appealed). I managed to get a late booking at a new restaurant called Anchorage, an American east coast establishment.

We had a great evening visiting the Brewdog bar and establishments in the West One complex. The meal in Anchorage was wonderful as was the atmosphere. It turned out wonderful, we both agreed that we are now at a stage with the children that we can go out more regularly. I hope we do this again soon.

We caught the last bus home at midnight.

1502.03 COLD SNAP

So the first month of 2015 is over. It's been cold and we've had a couple of snow days (snow days for me at least don't mean a day off work).

I had hoped to be back on the bike by now, apart from a couple of commute rides this hasn't happened. Firstly the weather has been against me, I'm not in a place where I'm willing to risk the frostly or snowy days. Then there was a technical problem with my steed. The rear mech felt wrong and following a gear change it chucked the chain off. My mech hanger had bent. Following a visit to my local cycle repair shop it appears that the rear mech has been damaged too. It was on my list to replace so not a huge deal. I'm hoping to have it back later this week.

Our eldest continues to live with us with little issue. If she could just get a job...

The snowfalls had little effect except to delay my commute to work. I noted (as usual) that teachers continue to struggle with getting in. Luckily this didn't affect my youngest daughter's school on this occasion.

I'm writing this on the top deck of the bus on my way home. It's pretty full, there are a number of loud phone calls in foreign languages and the faint sound of tinny headphone leakage. An elderly Asian man is sat beside me (who I'm sure is trying to get a sneaky glance at my phone screen). It's quite a claustrophobic atmosphere, this is why I prefer my bike.

1501.28 EX MACHINA

The Captain's movie review on 7 words...

An intelligent study of AI with twist.
6/7

1501.15 GOODBYE UNCLE MICK

Today we said goodbye to Uncle Mick who passed away just before Christmas.

REST IN PEACE
1950-2014