1506.05 SAN ANDREAS

Captain's Movie Review in Seven Words...

Visually impressive. Lacks story. They kill Kylie!
5/7

IMDb: San Andreas

Ok it's just the usual trip to the cinema except there's a little more to tell. Everyone that knows me knows I don't have hair (on my head) and as such I rarely go out without a hat. In winter they keep me warm and in summer they protect my delicate scalp from the harmful rays. I have quite a collection and last week Morticia bought me a new one when she visited Camden. It was this one I wore to the pictures, whilst we watched the film I set it down in the empty seat by my side. When the film ended we left swiftly. It was when I walked through my door and went to take off my hat I realised it wasn't there and I realised I never retrieved it from the cinema seat. 

I didn't tell Morticia, I felt guilty that I'd not taken care of the gift I'd just received. I fired off an email to the cinema in hope that they would have found it. I waited until lunchtime the next day for a response. I phoned, I re-emailed, and I even telephoned the customer service team. Nothing. In the afternoon I finally got a phone call to say that they had found my hat and I could call in and pick it up at my convenience. 

I'm calling in tomorrow.

Supplemental 1506.06: I called in this morning and retrieved my hat.

1506.04 NOT "FOREVER"

I love TV, I'm no snob about it. There are some great shows out there, too many for anyone to watch them all. Thankfully these days most people have the opportunity to 'catch up' using various methods.

I'm all for trying a new show, if it's good I'll stick with it, if it's bad I'll simply stop. Recently there was a programme called 'Forever' about an immortal doctor (I'll not bore you with the details, I'll stick a link at the bottom for that).

As the series progressed it was more and more evident from internet chatter that the chances of the show being renewed for a 2nd season were becoming less and less. I'll never understand American television politics. Sponsors and time slots are mentioned but I don't get it.

It was confirmed shortly before the season finalle that the show had been cancelled by its American network. A real shame, especially considering some of the crap the Americans keep renewing and sending over.

It's got a slim chance of a lifeline in the form of television streaming services (Netflix or Amazon) which could decide to revive the show. I'm not holding my breath.

1505.28 CYCLING - THE NEXT STEP

It's always been my intention to start cycling with a club. Last year, after the Tour and after I searched out a suitable club, I had the intention of introducing myself. Then, as I've previously mentioned, disaster struck (1409.21). It was a long road to recovery, then finally I got to the stage when I thought I was ready to join my local cycling club. The first time I bottled it but about a month ago I took the leap...

I'd been monitoring the club's activities on their Facebook page for some time. They posted details of the Sunday club ride and I dropped them a comment asking if I could tag along. Very quickly I got a response inviting me along.

I got up nice and early put together my bits and bobs and checked over my 'best' bike (as I had done the night before). I set off into the dry quiet Sunday morning. The ride to the meeting point was about 8km away so it served as a warm up and practice with what was still a fairly unfamiliar steed. I arrived at the meeting point (a pub car park), there were a couple of riders already there to which I introduced myself. More came along, all seemed very welcoming but I still felt a bit of an outsider (understandable I know). There were 2 rides planned, an 'A' run and a 'B'run, I went along with the 'B' group.

I've ridden with a group before but not often and not for a long while. Various members took the time to speak to me and chat as we moved out into the countryside. The pace was probably higher than I would do on a solo ride but not beyond me by a long way, we rode out to Bank View Cafe in Langsett where we had a break and a bite to eat. We left and set off back, the ride was good and I feel I was up to the challenges I put before me. I feel I took the next step in my cycling journey, so much so that I have continued to ride with the group.

1505.07 UK ELECTION - MAKE OR BREAK

If you live in the UK you can't have not noticed that there's an election. For me and millions lie me this election is a potential turning point. As a northern public servant and a carer for my disabled wife I have been in the sights of this Tory government for some time. Tomorrow I will find out if I've got a future (yes I do believe it is that bad).

I voted by post last week, it's not hard to guess when my 'X' went.

1505.06 FOUR FOUR

My birthday weekend didn't start to well. For months I've been planning my cycle ride to watch the Tour de Yorkshire on the other side of Barnsley. The weather forecast didn't look too clever and as the day approached the predictions got worse. I still prepared as if I was going but when I got up on Sunday morning the rain was biblical, I half expected to see an ark floating down the main road outside my bedroom window. I searched my soul, I really wanted this but did I want to be out in the rain for 4-6 hours? Not to mention the increased potential for accidents (which is something I'm keen to avoid given my recent history). Decision made then, not going... Gutted!

Not only was this my birthday weekend, it was also Bank Holiday Weekend. What to do on a Bank Holiday Monday. One thing was certain I wasn't planning on heading out and sitting in a traffic jam. We (as a family) decided to head out later in the day. We headed out to Bakewell in the Peak District, it's not that far. We had our tea in one of the pubs in the village and a steady walk by the river. It was a lovely evening.

My birthday passed without any significant anything, I booked the time off work which made the day pass easier. Morticia's birthday is the day after, we spent the day at home again.

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