Mwah hah hah hahhhhh!!!!!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
a knapsack on our backs
On Saturday, in a vain attempt to stay out of the pub for most of the day, we decided to walk along the Thames. Starting at London Bridge, we meandered through tourist hordes, massive riverside apartment complexes and one particularly shady industrial estate in Wandsworth, before flumping into a lovely wee bar called the Cats Back in Putney for a few well earned beers. A rough measurement on the RunLondon website showed it to be approx. 8.5 miles - not too shabby!
On the way I took a few photos - nowt too exciting but nonetheless I feel there is a dearth of shite on the internet, so here they are. The one below is Murray taken by Lucy under the MI6 building. You might have been able to tell it wasn't me from the fact it's pretty cool.
Popularity?
I eventually got round to starting to delete some text messages from my inbox, as it finally reached bursting point around the 900 mark. They date back to the middle of July when I got my new phone. Excluding texts from my mum, 99% relate to meeting for a pint. What does that say?
Still, as I stood in the cold and drizzle, smoking my 2nd fag in a row (substitute for a lunch break), they did take me back to a very enjoyable summer.
Still, as I stood in the cold and drizzle, smoking my 2nd fag in a row (substitute for a lunch break), they did take me back to a very enjoyable summer.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Congratulations to Craig
Who managed to shave four minutes off his PB in his latest 10K on Sunday. Go on my son.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
New link
I have linked to Jill the Candian's blog, partly as a thank you for being my only multiple sponsor (an extra tenner for beating Craig), and partly because I had a look at it and she was being stroppy about the fact she had a link to mine and I hadn't reciprocated.... How was I supposed to know?!
Anyway, it's got shagging in it, so you'll probably enjoy it a lot more than mine.
Anyway, it's got shagging in it, so you'll probably enjoy it a lot more than mine.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Late night observations
1) I really am crap with girls.
2) You could see the stars above Brixton last night. Makes you realise what a rare event it is when it actually happens
3) there are a surprising number of lights still on in people's houses at 1am on a Thursday night.
4) I think they deal drugs out of the West Indian takeaway at the end of my road.
yep, I had lots of time to think after being out for a drink with a girl again, and walking home alone. Again.
2) You could see the stars above Brixton last night. Makes you realise what a rare event it is when it actually happens
3) there are a surprising number of lights still on in people's houses at 1am on a Thursday night.
4) I think they deal drugs out of the West Indian takeaway at the end of my road.
yep, I had lots of time to think after being out for a drink with a girl again, and walking home alone. Again.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Birthday fun
If I've got my sums right, clicking on the link below should take you to my birthday photos at the Kodak Gallery. Unfortunately my obsession with taking shite snaps and then assuming people want to see them has resulted in me filling my Flickr account.
The photos themselves are generally a bit rubbish, and in no way indicate the marvellous time I (and hopefully everyone else) had.
Click here!
here's a few to whet your appetite:
The photos themselves are generally a bit rubbish, and in no way indicate the marvellous time I (and hopefully everyone else) had.
Click here!
here's a few to whet your appetite:
Sanj
Oh, where to begin with Sandra....? I'd better start somewhere, it's taken me far too long to say thank you to her.
Sandra 'I'd rather' Jack (or 'White' to use her correct middle name, but I can't resist thinking of the Reynolds Girls when I say it in my head. Kind of like when Gav used to call the ex-Coventry City and Celtic goalkeeper "Magnus 'Dubnobasswithmy' Hedman". But I digress) was one of the disco-house posse of 2001.
In fact, she is the queen of the disco house (an oft-talked about living arrangement that sadly never came to frutition), as it was she who introduced me to Helen MacQ, Heather, Paul et al.
I first met her late in 1999, when I was out with my fellow librarian Katie and we went for a pint in the Cul de Sac. Her friend Sandra was back for Christmas from the wilds of Cork where for some unknown reason she had decided to go and study for a bit. Perhaps she had tired of understanding what people said.
Thankfully it was not long before she returned to the dear green place, and our friendship could begin in earnest. She is part of some of my dearest held memories of my final couple of years in Glasgow, especially the night that just the two of us went to the Renfrew Ferry for Slam vs Subculture. It's one of the best nights clubbing of my life, just full of smiling and dancing like fannies, with two of the greatest tunes at the time - Life Times by Slam and Right on Right On by Silicone Soul - being played in quick succession, whilst we jumped about, calling Helen in Brighton so she didn't miss out. And everyone wanted to talk to us as well, we were like King and Queen of the dancefloor. Anyway, I sound like an old washed up clubber - you get the idea.
I love Sandra for her amazing friendship, her self-deprecating wit that can genuinely make me crack up laughing with just one comment, her general loveliness and her 'golden' beauty. She's the star of one of my favourite ever pictures, and one of the main reasons I lament this whole "follow your dream" culture we live in that sees the people we like the most generally end up hundreds of miles apart from each other. Mind you, had I never moved to Glasgow, I would never have met her so them's the breaks I guess.
I'll stop rambling now, suffice to say, Sandra - thank you. I hope you're still loving York/Leeds and all is good with the boyf, and get in touch soon - a year and a half is far too long to go without catching up properly.
Tx
Sandra 'I'd rather' Jack (or 'White' to use her correct middle name, but I can't resist thinking of the Reynolds Girls when I say it in my head. Kind of like when Gav used to call the ex-Coventry City and Celtic goalkeeper "Magnus 'Dubnobasswithmy' Hedman". But I digress) was one of the disco-house posse of 2001.
In fact, she is the queen of the disco house (an oft-talked about living arrangement that sadly never came to frutition), as it was she who introduced me to Helen MacQ, Heather, Paul et al.
I first met her late in 1999, when I was out with my fellow librarian Katie and we went for a pint in the Cul de Sac. Her friend Sandra was back for Christmas from the wilds of Cork where for some unknown reason she had decided to go and study for a bit. Perhaps she had tired of understanding what people said.
Thankfully it was not long before she returned to the dear green place, and our friendship could begin in earnest. She is part of some of my dearest held memories of my final couple of years in Glasgow, especially the night that just the two of us went to the Renfrew Ferry for Slam vs Subculture. It's one of the best nights clubbing of my life, just full of smiling and dancing like fannies, with two of the greatest tunes at the time - Life Times by Slam and Right on Right On by Silicone Soul - being played in quick succession, whilst we jumped about, calling Helen in Brighton so she didn't miss out. And everyone wanted to talk to us as well, we were like King and Queen of the dancefloor. Anyway, I sound like an old washed up clubber - you get the idea.
I love Sandra for her amazing friendship, her self-deprecating wit that can genuinely make me crack up laughing with just one comment, her general loveliness and her 'golden' beauty. She's the star of one of my favourite ever pictures, and one of the main reasons I lament this whole "follow your dream" culture we live in that sees the people we like the most generally end up hundreds of miles apart from each other. Mind you, had I never moved to Glasgow, I would never have met her so them's the breaks I guess.
I'll stop rambling now, suffice to say, Sandra - thank you. I hope you're still loving York/Leeds and all is good with the boyf, and get in touch soon - a year and a half is far too long to go without catching up properly.
Tx
Just call me Tom
We caught the mouse in our kitchen this evening. Cheeky little bastard was wandering about on the kitchen counter at about a quarter to 7 whilst Colin and I watched telly in the next room. I'm not sure but I think it might have been suicide, as Hollyoaks was on at the time.
When we heard the trap go off, we looked round the partition wall and all but its head was sticking out of the trap and its wee legs were flailing about all over the place. We found this quite amusing, and went to find something to put it in to release it into the "wild" outside. Then it stopped moving. We thought we used a humane trap as it was only made of plastic, but I suppose we didn't account for the fragility of a small rodent's neck.
It looked so small and furry, the cheese it was after dropping out of its mouth as I took it outside. There was almost a tear in my eye as I debated putting it in the wheelie bin, before deciding that was an undignified end, and lobbing it into the undergrowth instead.
Sleep well, little man. Sleep well.
When we heard the trap go off, we looked round the partition wall and all but its head was sticking out of the trap and its wee legs were flailing about all over the place. We found this quite amusing, and went to find something to put it in to release it into the "wild" outside. Then it stopped moving. We thought we used a humane trap as it was only made of plastic, but I suppose we didn't account for the fragility of a small rodent's neck.
It looked so small and furry, the cheese it was after dropping out of its mouth as I took it outside. There was almost a tear in my eye as I debated putting it in the wheelie bin, before deciding that was an undignified end, and lobbing it into the undergrowth instead.
Sleep well, little man. Sleep well.
The green green grass
If money were no object my next endeavour would be to visit all 50 of the world’s 'top views', as outlined in this morning’s Metro.
So far I’ve seen two – erm, London from the Thames, and the Antrim Coast Road, which is about 20 miles from where I grew up! It’s also been named as the second best stretch of road in the world after the highway from LA to San Francisco, so it’s not in bad company. I make that strike 3 for my glorious homeland, after the exploits of the footie and rugby teams in recent weeks.
Still it took a trip half way around the world to New Zealand to make me appreciate it. Growing up it was associated with boring Sunday trips in the car, stopping for a slider in Cushendall. 2 hour journeys that take a lifetime at that age, wishing I was back at home playing football. As the years passed, my friends and I avoided it all together, choosing instead to head straight up Frosses Road to the twinkling lights, cheap booze and caravan living of Portrush, and Kellys nightclub. We did go to the beach occasionally, but that was generally to get pissed, most (un)memorably on my last day of school, when an afternoon spent drinking at our barbeque resulted in me passing out for the entire night in Kellys’ toilet. Thankfully I came to just as the last people were getting ejected and they were turning the lights out. Kind of sums the place up that I was left to sleep in a toilet cubicle for 5 hours.
On my return from my brief globe-trotting adventures, I appreciated proximity to beach and stunning scenery that much more, I think in part inspired by the number of Wellingtonians I knew who had never even been to the South Island of New Zealand. (I didn’t make it either but that’s another story.) Most weekends would see my then-girlfriend and me driving up to the beach, getting lost in the forest, accidentally going for a drink in “quaint” pubs that turned out to be, erm, “Republican friendly” (once on the day that Rangers had beaten Celtic in an Old Firm game - my girlfriend asked what the score was and was asked if she wanted to be thrown in the sea; I just sat quietly, paranoid they could read “hun” across my forehead). It were luvverly. And probably the reason I survived a year of living at home without going stir crazy. Well, that and the aforementioned young lady, of course.
So far I’ve seen two – erm, London from the Thames, and the Antrim Coast Road, which is about 20 miles from where I grew up! It’s also been named as the second best stretch of road in the world after the highway from LA to San Francisco, so it’s not in bad company. I make that strike 3 for my glorious homeland, after the exploits of the footie and rugby teams in recent weeks.
Still it took a trip half way around the world to New Zealand to make me appreciate it. Growing up it was associated with boring Sunday trips in the car, stopping for a slider in Cushendall. 2 hour journeys that take a lifetime at that age, wishing I was back at home playing football. As the years passed, my friends and I avoided it all together, choosing instead to head straight up Frosses Road to the twinkling lights, cheap booze and caravan living of Portrush, and Kellys nightclub. We did go to the beach occasionally, but that was generally to get pissed, most (un)memorably on my last day of school, when an afternoon spent drinking at our barbeque resulted in me passing out for the entire night in Kellys’ toilet. Thankfully I came to just as the last people were getting ejected and they were turning the lights out. Kind of sums the place up that I was left to sleep in a toilet cubicle for 5 hours.
On my return from my brief globe-trotting adventures, I appreciated proximity to beach and stunning scenery that much more, I think in part inspired by the number of Wellingtonians I knew who had never even been to the South Island of New Zealand. (I didn’t make it either but that’s another story.) Most weekends would see my then-girlfriend and me driving up to the beach, getting lost in the forest, accidentally going for a drink in “quaint” pubs that turned out to be, erm, “Republican friendly” (once on the day that Rangers had beaten Celtic in an Old Firm game - my girlfriend asked what the score was and was asked if she wanted to be thrown in the sea; I just sat quietly, paranoid they could read “hun” across my forehead). It were luvverly. And probably the reason I survived a year of living at home without going stir crazy. Well, that and the aforementioned young lady, of course.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Guat the hell?
Just been chatting to my friend Minta who is currently living in Guatemala.
Thanks to technology, I was able to see her! Sometimes my little brain gets a bit over-whelmed by the advancement of technology. She looked like she was sat in Streatham.
I've been spending my evening tarting up my birthday photos to stick online, so anyone who was there can relive the glorious day in the Falcon, and those who weren't can.... well, probably be bloody thankful they weren't, such is the shoddy quality of the shots (and the states of the people in them).
And I promise promise promise to finish saying thank you to everyone over the next wee while. It'll be worth the wait, honest.
Thanks to technology, I was able to see her! Sometimes my little brain gets a bit over-whelmed by the advancement of technology. She looked like she was sat in Streatham.
I've been spending my evening tarting up my birthday photos to stick online, so anyone who was there can relive the glorious day in the Falcon, and those who weren't can.... well, probably be bloody thankful they weren't, such is the shoddy quality of the shots (and the states of the people in them).
And I promise promise promise to finish saying thank you to everyone over the next wee while. It'll be worth the wait, honest.
Londoners
Sat on the tube this morning. Quite busy. Bloke stood in front of me farted the whole way to Victoria.
Farted.
In my face.
Of all the most disgusting, inconsiderate things to do, it takes the (air) biscuit.
Unfortunately I couldn't have a go at him as they were of the "SBD" variety. Not the best way to start my morning.
Farted.
In my face.
Of all the most disgusting, inconsiderate things to do, it takes the (air) biscuit.
Unfortunately I couldn't have a go at him as they were of the "SBD" variety. Not the best way to start my morning.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Our wee country
Ain’t so wee anymore!!! Lawrie Sanchez, the greatest half-Ecuadorian Belfast boy to ever grace Windsor Park. Even Billy Bingham must be impressed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6061782.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6061782.stm
On the escalator out of Brixton tube last night
I saw a guy that looked for all the world like an older, drug-addled Barry Lawrence. Not the star of the cult road movie "Vanishing Point" - the one from my Psychology class. It was weird.
Went out for a drink with a pretty Polish girl last night
We drank Sambucca. Had a lovely time til half one this morning. No snogging though. I’m crap at this stuff.
Some advice from your Uncle Tony
Don’t decide to go shopping for a new pair of trousers when your zip has gone a bit wonky. Despite your best efforts to be careful, said zip will break as you put your suit back on in the changing room for the last time, and you will be forced to get the tube home with your shirt untucked like you’ve just left school. And then you’ll have to turn up to work the next day with your fly held together with safety pins, because you had decided to go and buy new normal clothes rather than the spare suit you’ve needed for 6 months.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Like a gazelle....
a wee link to my storming finish in the 10K - for all you ladies out there....
So that you can spot me, I finish bang in the middle of the course about a second behind the fat ginger twat who decided to steal all my thunder by pelting past me in the last 20 metres.
I think the time on the counter is exactly 3.09.00 when I cross....
Click here
Alternatively, you can try and spot Craig here (approx. 3.23.52, to the left as you look at it), and Euan here (1.24.19 - dodgy shades on)
So that you can spot me, I finish bang in the middle of the course about a second behind the fat ginger twat who decided to steal all my thunder by pelting past me in the last 20 metres.
I think the time on the counter is exactly 3.09.00 when I cross....
Click here
Alternatively, you can try and spot Craig here (approx. 3.23.52, to the left as you look at it), and Euan here (1.24.19 - dodgy shades on)
Dear all....
I've now linked to each sponsor's post down the left hand side of the screen (very professionally done I'm sure you'll agree....!).
Discovered that, not only have I not written a thank you for over a month, I've also thanked less than half of my sponsors! So perhaps by 2007 I might have managed it. Seriously though, the first two weeks of my 30th year (wah!) will be consumed with gushing tributes.
So, Jeff, Chris, Penny, Cheryl, Andrea, Suzanne, Mum, Jude, Lindsey, Katja, Lorna, Susi, "The Germans" (a.k.a Alex and Markus), Lisa, Chris, Im, Lee (cheers for the link btw), Cathy and Sandra (phew!) - keep an eye out.
The rest of you should feel bloody ashamed of yourselves.
Discovered that, not only have I not written a thank you for over a month, I've also thanked less than half of my sponsors! So perhaps by 2007 I might have managed it. Seriously though, the first two weeks of my 30th year (wah!) will be consumed with gushing tributes.
So, Jeff, Chris, Penny, Cheryl, Andrea, Suzanne, Mum, Jude, Lindsey, Katja, Lorna, Susi, "The Germans" (a.k.a Alex and Markus), Lisa, Chris, Im, Lee (cheers for the link btw), Cathy and Sandra (phew!) - keep an eye out.
The rest of you should feel bloody ashamed of yourselves.
I hate being indecisive... at least I think I do
Oh, what to do... 28 practice attempts and I'm still shite at it. Normally I would be in Glasgow / on my way up with the lahndahn posse at this point of the year, so I wouldn't have to worry, but now almost all the f*ckers have moved down here so there's no point.
So, answers on a postcard please.... what does a skint Irishman do for his birthday?
Suggestions from any potential attendees most gratefully accepted - remember, this is your Friday/Saturday night you have the potential to shape... If, of course, you can be arsed coming out for a bevvy.
Oh, and erm, it's this Friday, so not much time. Never one to leave things til the last minute....
So, answers on a postcard please.... what does a skint Irishman do for his birthday?
Suggestions from any potential attendees most gratefully accepted - remember, this is your Friday/Saturday night you have the potential to shape... If, of course, you can be arsed coming out for a bevvy.
Oh, and erm, it's this Friday, so not much time. Never one to leave things til the last minute....
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Where can you see lions?
Only in Kenya!
Which is where my mum is going to be on the 7th of July! Yes, after much angst and wondering and assuming she hadn't got a place on the trip, my dear old maw will be jetting off to Nairobi next summer for a 10 day adventure trekking through the bush.
Go on that woman! So happy for her - think she's brickin it a wee bit though (previous furthest flung destination being Lanzarote).
She needs to raise £3K in total, of which £2,100 needs to be in by the end of May - so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to stick your hands in your pockets again. No rush though - will give you time to recover from the 10k first!
Here's a link to a helpful documentary on where my mum will be going:
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/kenya/
PS, be careful if at work, it has sound
Which is where my mum is going to be on the 7th of July! Yes, after much angst and wondering and assuming she hadn't got a place on the trip, my dear old maw will be jetting off to Nairobi next summer for a 10 day adventure trekking through the bush.
Go on that woman! So happy for her - think she's brickin it a wee bit though (previous furthest flung destination being Lanzarote).
She needs to raise £3K in total, of which £2,100 needs to be in by the end of May - so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to stick your hands in your pockets again. No rush though - will give you time to recover from the 10k first!
Here's a link to a helpful documentary on where my mum will be going:
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/kenya/
PS, be careful if at work, it has sound
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Why did I move to London again?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4800710.stm
Teenager on bus struck by brick
A 16-year-old girl has been treated in hospital after she was hit on the head by a brick which was thrown through a bus window.
The incident happened as the bus went through Orkney Drive in Ballymena's Ballykeel Two estate.
It is understood the teenager was not seriously injured in the incident, which happened at about 1630 BST.
A police spokesperson said that their inquiries "are currently ongoing".
Teenager on bus struck by brick
A 16-year-old girl has been treated in hospital after she was hit on the head by a brick which was thrown through a bus window.
The incident happened as the bus went through Orkney Drive in Ballymena's Ballykeel Two estate.
It is understood the teenager was not seriously injured in the incident, which happened at about 1630 BST.
A police spokesperson said that their inquiries "are currently ongoing".
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Photos of Run London (and the aftermath)
Perfect weather, loads of friends dragging their hungover arses out of bed to support me, no work the next day, a great gig by my mate Kev's band the Stellars, and rounded off with a few beers in the Dogstar and Lizzi setting the benchmark of friendship by cleaning the stagnant bucket of water out from under my sink for me.
Perfick
Thanks to (in no particular order): Murray, Lucy, Pino, Stella, Alex, Markus, Sarah, Lizzi, Imogen and Lucy's Kev (and pal) for coming out to support Craig and me, and of course Euan and Laura for staying around to cheer us on. And to Sarah and Lizzi for lasting the pace to the bitter end of a 12 hour celebration. I had a fantastic day.
I've stuck a few photos on here to whet the old appetite - you can see the rest (or at least the edited highlights) by following this handy link to Flickr....
1) Euan making it all look too easy in race two
2) a secretly terrified duo prior to race four
3) your humble author proving that chicken legs should be no handicap when it comes to looking good
4) who's number one? Dunno, but I'm number 6820
5) comedy fag with Sarah looking disapproving (only noticed tonight but my pacemaker for most of the race was sweaty grey t-shirt man looking amused in the background!)
6) the 3 amigos reflect on a job well done.
Perfick
Thanks to (in no particular order): Murray, Lucy, Pino, Stella, Alex, Markus, Sarah, Lizzi, Imogen and Lucy's Kev (and pal) for coming out to support Craig and me, and of course Euan and Laura for staying around to cheer us on. And to Sarah and Lizzi for lasting the pace to the bitter end of a 12 hour celebration. I had a fantastic day.
I've stuck a few photos on here to whet the old appetite - you can see the rest (or at least the edited highlights) by following this handy link to Flickr....
1) Euan making it all look too easy in race two
2) a secretly terrified duo prior to race four
3) your humble author proving that chicken legs should be no handicap when it comes to looking good
4) who's number one? Dunno, but I'm number 6820
5) comedy fag with Sarah looking disapproving (only noticed tonight but my pacemaker for most of the race was sweaty grey t-shirt man looking amused in the background!)
6) the 3 amigos reflect on a job well done.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Broadbanded up again
woohoo!!
will get onto writing up the rest of the many tributes I need to do. Thanks for all your support for the run guys - I hope I did you proud. Stay tuned for photos etc. Suffice to say I had a lovely and ultimately drunken day.
For those who are interested, I crossed the line in 51 minutes and 11 seconds (apparently they rounded me up from the text message on Sunday!) and finished 3,383rd for Team South, out of a total of 10,906 - overall I came in a respectable 6,820th out of 21,973 overall.
will get onto writing up the rest of the many tributes I need to do. Thanks for all your support for the run guys - I hope I did you proud. Stay tuned for photos etc. Suffice to say I had a lovely and ultimately drunken day.
For those who are interested, I crossed the line in 51 minutes and 11 seconds (apparently they rounded me up from the text message on Sunday!) and finished 3,383rd for Team South, out of a total of 10,906 - overall I came in a respectable 6,820th out of 21,973 overall.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Check me
RUN LONDON: YOUR OFFICIAL TIME IS: 00:51:12. CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT RUN. CHECK WWW.RUNLONDON.COM SOON FOR THE RACE RESULT AND YOUR VIDEO FINISH.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
and now.....
......the end is near my friends, my dear readers, my loyal fans.
In 14.25 hours time, I shall be lined up in a gaggle of excited and fitter-than-me people, jostling for position on the starting line, quite possibly with a small trickle of effluence working its way through the mesh pant things inside my shorts.
How has this day come so quickly? Seems like no time at all that I got Craig's email asking for sponsorship and decided "I could do that". And blow me if that's not what's happening.
I'm continuing to be overwhelmed by the support people are giving me, even this close to the run. Another few donations, from Penny and Chris Heggie, has taken me to within £9.99 of the magical £500 that will see my employer having to stump up the same amount for Fairbridge. Thank you guys, and thank you to everyone.
I've spent the day fielding texts of good luck and phone calls trying to arrange our rendezvous tomorrow. My sister is even planning on coming the whole way from Gloucestershire with sprogs in tow to watch me! No pressure then.
I think she summed up how crazy the whole thing is, by comparing what I'm doing with some other friend of hers who has been accepted onto a "round the world" rowing team! Come on guys, bit of perspective. I know I am perceived as a chain-smoking, ready meal eating, alcoholic bastard, but is me doing this run really equivalent to rowing a third of the way round the world?! Jesus, what impression have I been giving people? Any wonder I'm single. It's worth remembering there are people who have done absolutely no training for this run who will turn up tomorrow and run 10 minutes faster than me, with no fuss whatsoever.
That's not to say I'm not grateful for everyone's encouragement - it's something that will stay with me for a long long time to come. I have a lot of wonderful friends and that is the main thing that has hit home in the last few months.
So thanks - I'll try and do you proud. Now get out of here before I get something in my eye....
Sober musings
Spent a lovely day in the sun pottering about, buying what I thought were trendy new shorts (actually very baggy new shorts - I'm going to look like I'm wearing a skirt), getting an aerodynamic haircut, and then strolling back to meet people in the pub.
Absolutely beautiful day, I just spent the whole walk looking around and absorbing what was going on around me. Amateur footballers playing on the common like the Parklife video, three mates laughing and staring at the A-Z as they tried to find out what direction they were going in their car, couples out walking their dogs - it was just felt good to be out and about. I walked past a few pubs and couldn't think of anywhere I less like to be on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll be straight back into that next weekend, but for today, I was feeling good.
Then I started to think. How much of my life has been wasted in a hungover state? Doesn't bear thinking about.
Absolutely beautiful day, I just spent the whole walk looking around and absorbing what was going on around me. Amateur footballers playing on the common like the Parklife video, three mates laughing and staring at the A-Z as they tried to find out what direction they were going in their car, couples out walking their dogs - it was just felt good to be out and about. I walked past a few pubs and couldn't think of anywhere I less like to be on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll be straight back into that next weekend, but for today, I was feeling good.
Then I started to think. How much of my life has been wasted in a hungover state? Doesn't bear thinking about.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Thanks
Thanks to Andrea, Cheryl, Fiona and Tanya for their promise of sponsorship. What is it about my work colleagues that they don't trust the internet for carrying out banking transactions?!
Can't believe how feckin minging it is outside - our atrium is so dark it looks like we're working in a cave. And I haven't been for lunch yet - bah....
Mr Hyperactive "oh my God, the weather is just so exciting I really think I might soil myself" BBC weatherman last night assured me that the sun will return for tomorrow and Sunday, with race friendly temperatures of 16-17 degrees. Can't see it at the mo, but then I can't see the other side of the street either.
Can't believe how feckin minging it is outside - our atrium is so dark it looks like we're working in a cave. And I haven't been for lunch yet - bah....
Mr Hyperactive "oh my God, the weather is just so exciting I really think I might soil myself" BBC weatherman last night assured me that the sun will return for tomorrow and Sunday, with race friendly temperatures of 16-17 degrees. Can't see it at the mo, but then I can't see the other side of the street either.
A massive unkempt bush
That's what's outside my new flat. Completely obscures the front window of the flat underneath.
Had my last training run last night; had to cut it short at about 40 mins/7km as my calves were starting to tighten up again. Hopefully they'll be alright for the race.
Am quite sad that the training is over now... I've really enjoyed the whole build up to the race and everyone has been so supportive - I don't really want it to end! I'm sure I'll be involved in other things in the future (I see this as the start of "doing rather than saying", as Helen S pointed out - who would of thought I'd ever actually get off my arse and follow an idea through?) but this was the first time I tried something and as such it'll hold a special place in my heart.
A million thanks to everyone for your support (and sponsorship!) - hope to see a fair few of you there on Sunday. Murray - I'll pass on the pint half way round but if you could bring a couple of Red Stripe for the finish line it'd be much appreciated.
Had my last training run last night; had to cut it short at about 40 mins/7km as my calves were starting to tighten up again. Hopefully they'll be alright for the race.
Am quite sad that the training is over now... I've really enjoyed the whole build up to the race and everyone has been so supportive - I don't really want it to end! I'm sure I'll be involved in other things in the future (I see this as the start of "doing rather than saying", as Helen S pointed out - who would of thought I'd ever actually get off my arse and follow an idea through?) but this was the first time I tried something and as such it'll hold a special place in my heart.
A million thanks to everyone for your support (and sponsorship!) - hope to see a fair few of you there on Sunday. Murray - I'll pass on the pint half way round but if you could bring a couple of Red Stripe for the finish line it'd be much appreciated.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
23541
remember that number. It shall be but a blur as it whizzes past anyone coming to watch on Sunday.
Probably because I'm getting chased by a beefy bloke with a glint in his eye. I think it's safe to say I won't be pulling any ladies in my official race t-shirt.
"Snug" is the word that springs to mind.
Probably because I'm getting chased by a beefy bloke with a glint in his eye. I think it's safe to say I won't be pulling any ladies in my official race t-shirt.
"Snug" is the word that springs to mind.
Things to do after the race
Learn to cook
Learn to be a photographer
Get a girlfriend
Stop drinking for a month
Stop smoking
Get a new job
Buy a new wardrobe (the contents, not the actual piece of furniture)
Things to do immediately after the race:
Drink beer
Smoke tabs
Act like a fanny
Learn to be a photographer
Get a girlfriend
Stop drinking for a month
Stop smoking
Get a new job
Buy a new wardrobe (the contents, not the actual piece of furniture)
Things to do immediately after the race:
Drink beer
Smoke tabs
Act like a fanny
Sarah's just texted me...
....to ask what time she should arrive to watch me on Sunday. My stomach has started back-flipping. I think this is what's known as "pre-race nerves".
Come on! Get ready, get on your feet...
Watched ‘Ant and Dec – a celebrity marriage’ last night. Notable for two things:-
Jenny Powell is looking feckin old these days. Which by default makes me old because I remember when she was young, cute and perky on Number 73.
That girl I met once who is now a newspaper editor was on the show as one of the ‘talking heads’. Bizarrely I recognised her before her name appeared on screen. Funny how these things stick with you, innit?
Jenny Powell is looking feckin old these days. Which by default makes me old because I remember when she was young, cute and perky on Number 73.
That girl I met once who is now a newspaper editor was on the show as one of the ‘talking heads’. Bizarrely I recognised her before her name appeared on screen. Funny how these things stick with you, innit?
Wonder will never cease… I actually did something run related with Craig, as you can see from the photo below. Ok, it wasn’t training or anything, but it still counts. We picked up our t-shirts and digital chip thingys last night from Nike Town. So it’s official – I have a number and everything! The t-shirt looks a bit gay to be honest, but it seems like it will fit me (for some reason I went for a "medium" when I signed up….)
Went for a few beers afterwards with Craig and Lizzi – so much for the non-drinking in the week before the race. We went to a non-smoking pub, which initially made me a bit twitchy, but was actually fine. I didn’t feel tempted to have a fag at all, I suppose because no one else was - the whole peer pressure thing. In fact, when someone did light up without realising it was non-smoking, the smell was really objectionable. Kind of like when my relatives come round to my mum’s house and puff away in the front room without asking….
Went for a few beers afterwards with Craig and Lizzi – so much for the non-drinking in the week before the race. We went to a non-smoking pub, which initially made me a bit twitchy, but was actually fine. I didn’t feel tempted to have a fag at all, I suppose because no one else was - the whole peer pressure thing. In fact, when someone did light up without realising it was non-smoking, the smell was really objectionable. Kind of like when my relatives come round to my mum’s house and puff away in the front room without asking….
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Reality Bites
I'm off to pick up my t-shirt and digital chip after work from the Nike shop. Reality is setting in and my stomach is starting to churn a little bit at the thought that I am going to actually be running a 10k in public in less than 4 days time... I plan to get over my apprehension by buying myself a pair of running shorts as well, ones that cover my knees and make me look cool. Maybe a shiny blue pair - that would be nice. Unfortunately I'm not sure I'm going to get the potato suit sorted in time, much to my disappointment. I'm sure Nike have some kind of corporate rules around being wacky whilst advertising their product anyway.
I was supposed to be going to Nike Town with my "training partner" (remember him?), Craig, but yet again he was unable to make it. We haven't made it out for a single run together either. All those wistful daydreams of official training runs, chatting to athletic ladies, now seem lost in the warm hazy days of July when we signed up. I'm even starting to wonder if he'll turn up on Sunday.
Afterwards I'm meeting up with Vodka Betty and she's going to cook me dinner - I have requested lots of rice as Euan tells me I should be "carb-loading" from now until the big day. Normally Lizzi and I would stop off for a wee bevvy en route back to hers, but I am sworn off the drink until about 2pm on Sunday. She does stress that Guinness is good for you though.
And I got some more sponsorship! Andrea and Lorraine from work - thank you very much! Lorraine is giving me cash as she doesn't trust t'internet, on the proviso that I run downstairs to get it from her. Quite why I would when there's a perfectly good lift is beyond me.
Up to £455 - that top ten isn't far away now. Do you think it's enough to make up for all the bad things I've done in my life?
I was supposed to be going to Nike Town with my "training partner" (remember him?), Craig, but yet again he was unable to make it. We haven't made it out for a single run together either. All those wistful daydreams of official training runs, chatting to athletic ladies, now seem lost in the warm hazy days of July when we signed up. I'm even starting to wonder if he'll turn up on Sunday.
Afterwards I'm meeting up with Vodka Betty and she's going to cook me dinner - I have requested lots of rice as Euan tells me I should be "carb-loading" from now until the big day. Normally Lizzi and I would stop off for a wee bevvy en route back to hers, but I am sworn off the drink until about 2pm on Sunday. She does stress that Guinness is good for you though.
And I got some more sponsorship! Andrea and Lorraine from work - thank you very much! Lorraine is giving me cash as she doesn't trust t'internet, on the proviso that I run downstairs to get it from her. Quite why I would when there's a perfectly good lift is beyond me.
Up to £455 - that top ten isn't far away now. Do you think it's enough to make up for all the bad things I've done in my life?
Life after running
Am thinking of teaching myself to cook at long last to fill the void left by the race being over.
Gonna rename the blog "See that Tattie Burn"
Gonna rename the blog "See that Tattie Burn"
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Final Countdown...
I have broken my target sponsorship, thanks to my overly generous mother giving me 60 pounds! Over £400 raised!
This despite the fact that loads of people I previously would have classed as close friends have not sponsored me. I have decided that after I finally finish thanking everyone individually for donating money, I am going to turn to those who didn’t. Where sponsors get a glowing ego-boosting tribute, non-sponsors can expect the rough side of my tongue. And not in a good way.
My mate Euan and his lovely girlfriend Laura have moved to London! Woot! He’s part of team South on Sunday too. As is Olly from work, who has sponsored me a tenner, rising to 20 quid if I do it in under an hour. So that’s 20 quid then.
Jude has sponsored me the tenner I owed her rather than ask for it back, and my former boss Jenny has promised me a tenner on completion as well. My friend Suzanne has chipped in a further tenner, taking me to £410.01 in total. What with a couple of uncles etc still to contribute, I think I’m well on my way to the £500 mark, meaning my employers will have to double their contribution. If anyone needs any extra motivation, another £95 will get me onto the Run London leaderboard as one of the top ten sponsors – in all honesty the only leaderboard I have a chance of featuring on.
And to cap it all, the sun is out and I got the number of the cute barmaid down the local on Friday night.
It'll be weird once the race is over, but I have plenty of other ideas to keep life interesting.
Keep you posted
This despite the fact that loads of people I previously would have classed as close friends have not sponsored me. I have decided that after I finally finish thanking everyone individually for donating money, I am going to turn to those who didn’t. Where sponsors get a glowing ego-boosting tribute, non-sponsors can expect the rough side of my tongue. And not in a good way.
My mate Euan and his lovely girlfriend Laura have moved to London! Woot! He’s part of team South on Sunday too. As is Olly from work, who has sponsored me a tenner, rising to 20 quid if I do it in under an hour. So that’s 20 quid then.
Jude has sponsored me the tenner I owed her rather than ask for it back, and my former boss Jenny has promised me a tenner on completion as well. My friend Suzanne has chipped in a further tenner, taking me to £410.01 in total. What with a couple of uncles etc still to contribute, I think I’m well on my way to the £500 mark, meaning my employers will have to double their contribution. If anyone needs any extra motivation, another £95 will get me onto the Run London leaderboard as one of the top ten sponsors – in all honesty the only leaderboard I have a chance of featuring on.
And to cap it all, the sun is out and I got the number of the cute barmaid down the local on Friday night.
It'll be weird once the race is over, but I have plenty of other ideas to keep life interesting.
Keep you posted
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