circumstance blog

celebrate good times

Things have been happening. All kinds of good things. First, I got a small loan for my business, so I can get started on some niggling details right away. Hopefully I will be pedalling the biscuits to park cafes around southwest London in the new year, as well as at Richmond farmer's market. Tons of baking to do. Plus I need to work on the logo.

So after I got this loan, my agency managed to get me an interview for a long term temp position. And I got the job because its mostly an online company and I have bags of experience in that area. (I'm pretty much completed overqualified for the job, but its only temp.) I am really happy about this position because I love what they are about (health consultancy) and the people there all seem super nice and the location is awesome (easy to get to by tube, easy scooter parking, awesome lunch & coffee places). The job itself is a bit simplistic, but in a way that’s nice because I won't be draining my brain, I need it for other stuff! Besides its only 2-3 days a week. Oh, and even the pay is good.

Some say good things come in threes? Well while waiting for the third thing I got a flat on my scooter on my way to the first day of my new job. At least I broke down next to a tube station. I still got to work on time. (Way to go Northern Line!) And speaking of the underground, I saw a big billboard yesterday saying that Nat West was sponsoring free public transport in the city on New Year's Eve. This would be great except for the fact that workers are threatening to strike on that night. Oh well. At least cabbies will have something to celebrate.

Things I'm looking forward to on Christmas: Alien invasion in the new Dr. Who & baking gooey magic bars.

Posted by shannon at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Treading

Didn't imagine this post would be all about running, sorry if it bores anyone. The thing is that in order to write more I need to write about things that I think about on a daily basis. And running is one of those things. Feel free to wait for something more interesting to you while I ramble on:

Got up late again this Sunday but still managed my bike ride. It was frosty and very cold this morning. We are back to winter temps. On a trail passed a man on a white horse in Putney Heath, had coffee at the usual place where people were wrapping gifts at the tables, came home along the river where I cycled past boat houses full of people dressed in tights and flip flops relaxing after a morning of rowing. Thankfully when I got home my toes were not too frozen (I can't imagine how those people in the flip flops fared.) Made some blueberry pancakes for lunch.

Yesterday I went for a run in the cold afternoon. Its so hard to get outside in the mornings because of the chill. I have to remind myself that last December I didn’t have the luxury of running at all, and I should take advantage of the crispy air. I actually prefer running in below zero temps than pretty much anything warmer than 60F. Running outside in the summer is all about carrying tons of fluids and trying not to pass out from the heat. The sun stings your eyes as does the tons of sunblock you need to rub into your skin. Running in the winter is about enjoying the fresh air in your lungs, the clear skies and the empty paths. People who run indoors on treadmills are really missing out. Personally I loathe running on a treadmill. I don’t know why but I must be the only person that runs slower on a treadmill than outside. I find it hard to relax, the movement doesn’t feel natural at all to me. I don't think a person's stride is exactly the same speed constantly, and unlike other machines you don't get much leeway to adjust, you have to keep going or get thrown off. When I'm at the gym every other machine is fair game, (even the damn the treadmill if I'm walking on an incline.) But as a runner I find it a bit embarrassing that I hate those stupid things. Thankfully I don't live in an extreme environment where it would be necessary. There isn't much weather that I won't run in. It's one of the pleasures of running, being outside in all kinds of conditions.

Crazy runner in Minsk. I usally opt for some more appropriate winter gear in the snow, but the snow won't stop me just like it didn't stop this dude. (Photo from AP/Yahoo news last year that I just had to save.)

Speaking of constant stride, recently I seem to be hitting the same mile at exactly the same speed consistently. Does that mean within that mile I am running at the same pace? Probably not, its just an average worked out over that distance. I have been using it as a way to measure my relaxed pace. I am very pleased that I have increased by speed considerably without any extra effort by working on my form. I can now comfortably run 9-minute miles at what feels like an easy pace. That is a whole minute a mile improvement! Although I am not following it to the letter, the Pose Method of running has taught me a lot. Its funny because when I began running over 16 years ago, I was probably running more efficiently than after reading about and adjusting my form over the years to fit various theories from different runners. I used to do things like concentrate on my arm swing (which is stupid, pumping your arms doesn’t make you go any faster. I'm sure it gets your heart rate up though.) posture (you don't want to be straight up and down, you want to be leaning forward,) or footfalls (do not land on your heel and roll through). I'm nowhere near having perfect Pose Method form, but just having a different perspective on running has really improved my speed. I found the whole Pose thing a bit cult-ish at first, but its hard to argue with the time improvements I have experienced. I wonder how fast I could go if I really got serious. Can't really think about that right now though, I'm just trying to concentrate on getting back into shape. Speed can wait.

Posted by shannon at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Booty

I have been having a footwear issue as it is winter and walking the dogs through the muck of the common gets awful messy. I have a very comfortable and warm pair of low hiking boots. (Or shoes? I dunno if they would be called boots because they only come up to my ankle. But they are fat: huge luggy sole with large treads, hooked eyelets and reinforced toe.) They are excellent for walking because they are very supportive, but because they are low they don’t cover my cuffs. As a result my trousers get dirty within seconds of stepping foot on a trail. What I usually do is wear the same old ratty pair of tan cords and not be bothered about muddy cuffs. I throw them in the wash every once and a while, but since I only wear them for dog walking its not like I need to wash the mud off every time.

The issue is appearance. If I am going to be approach Café owners in parks I don't want to look all muddy. But I do want to look like a dog owner, like someone who takes good care of her dogs and this means muddy walks. If you want to appear countrified and hearty in this country, you wear wellies: big, tall, ugly, rubber boots. To me they look cold and clammy, and also not very supportive for long walks. I see people wearing them all the time though, so they must know something I don't. Looking online I could compromise and be all urban by getting a pair of "funky" pattered boots. I quite like the animal print ones, or the plain pink. Perhaps a good insole could make them wearable for long walks.

Animal Print Wellies.

A more sane approach would be to go for comfort with the ultra-modern Muck Wellingtons. They have what appears to be more supportive features as well as warmth, although the central feature is that they are made of neoprene. Synthetic materials and my feet are not a good combination. If my toes get too warm they start to sweat. Sweat in cold weather = brrrr. Not good. Maybe I just need to find a decent pair of leather boots or some work boots? I dunno, what kind of boots would I sell the most dog biscuits in?? Its not like I can afford any boots at the moment. Problem solved!

I had my third driving lesson with Effie of BSM yesterday. It is a bit humbling to be having driving lessons at my age, after 20 years of driving. But if I want to get a British licence I need to pass the driving test, so I need training in doing things the way I should in order to pass the test. Things like not crossing your hands when turning the steering wheel and using the hand brake when you are stopped at a light. Also, riding a scooter for over two years puts you into some weird habits that aren't consistent with car driving. (Like not realising that your car takes up a bit more space on the road than a bike.) Driving around in a tiny Vauxhall for two hours with a big sign on the top that says "Learner Driver" with a big red "L" isn't my idea of fun. I did notice another learner driver from a different school motoring around in a Mini. Man did I feel jealous. Perhaps riding around in a cool car would somehow take a bit of the sting out of the learner car stigma. Still have a few lessons to go before my test, which is scheduled for Jan 10. Wish me luck! Also, got my loan application in today, have a meeting about it on Monday... fingers crossed for that too.

Posted by shannon at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wintertime

Legs and arms feeling better today. Went running on Saturday and then went to the gym in the afternoon for a very abbreviated upper body resistance work out. Which was a good idea, I wasn't too sore the next day. Sometimes it is so hard to hold back. Lifting 4k weights doesn't feel like much, but I have to remember to start slowly.

Got an email from my yoga instructor/studio informing me this week will be last classes before Christmas break. It seems everything slows down this time of year. I haven't been to that particular teacher's class in quite a while, guess it will be quite a while longer! It is a husband and wife team, and I really like the guy's style of teaching, but not his wife's. I hate it when I would go there and she would be subbing for him, so I just stopped going. They started doing semi-private instruction, which I really wanted to do but I just can't afford it. I know I should just do yoga on my own, but I find it very difficult. I have been doing it for years but not ever with any kind of regularity. Its so hard for me to find instructors I like too. Damn I'm picky.

Sunday I stayed inside in the morning and went for a bike ride in the early afternoon. Instead of going along the river this time I headed up hill directly west to Wimbledon. Even though it was late in the day the air was still chilly and the ground was thick with fog. It created an eerie effect along the paths in Putney heath and Wimbledon common. I haven't explored the paths there as much. I will definitely go back there again next week. I have a tendency to be drawn towards the waterfront and that blinds me to some of the other great wilderness places in London. Even though I was fairly close to a major roadway, I felt as if I were in some vast woods.

I tried to capture the shafts of light highlighting the fog through the trees

Today I am trying to concentrate on my business loan application and working out the web site. I spent all morning chatting and playing with various web sites instead of working. At least I got in a run before breakfast.

Posted by shannon at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

temptress

It feels good to be wanted. Even if it is from recruiters who only see you as a big pile of cash. This past week I have been playing the temp game. Seems there are a few part time jobs that I might actually be able to get. Which feels nice when I haven't felt very qualified to do much of anything but bake dog treats lately. The whole dog treat business has stalled. I want to go ahead but its all about money of course. What isn't?

This one temp agency has this policy of standbys where you can come into their office in the morning and sit around in their "web café" and wait for work. If an assignment comes in they will go to you first. I did this on Monday and actually got a job for the day. I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it again this week. It seems that no one is really hiring any long term contracts until January, so I really should just put myself out there in the mornings and see how it goes. I promise I will do that next week. The same agency is having a Christmas party on Monday night at a restaurant in Covent Garden. I think I will go as its free drinks at least. I will make up a ton of business cards to pass out. Well Bred Treats get ready!

In exercise news (please feel free to skip if this bores you): I went to the gym on Wednesday, and did a quick lower body resistance workout followed by a short interval ride on the lifecycle. It was the first time I have been there since, according to my workout log, 2 and a half weeks ago. (Although the last time I did a lower body weight workout was a bit over 5 weeks ago!) I tried to take it easy on myself, but really, there is no way around THE PAIN. Yesterday wasn't too bad, I tried not to grimace walking up the stairs on the underground on my way to yet another interview/recruiter meeting. I want to run today but its so hard with the soreness. I think its actually better to just rest. The pain does stop for a while when you're running and about an hour afterwards, but then the warm glow wears off and I'm left with an extra day of aches. I could go to the gym and do upper body, which would mean more pain. Staggered pain is best I suppose.

I know. If I hadn't stopped I wouldn't be in this situation. Getting back into the swing of things is the hardest part. I think the winter is sometimes hard to resist. It gets darker and darker, colder and colder. Makes you want to stay home and eat piles of toast and watch reruns of The Practice on ITV3. But I know I will get back into it again. My aerobic capacity is still there, and once I got to the gym I remembered how much I actually like my particular gym. Its very good for being a cheap gym, they are constantly improving things. Still I wish I could afford a fancier place. One without too much Gwen Steffani on the TVs.

I wish people would leave comments on this blog and the main one. I reset moveable type so now you don't need to register, but I'm not sure that’s been made clear. Either that or I just haven't put up anything comment provoking. Have to work on this site a bit more still. Not nearly where I want it to be.

Posted by shannon at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

rituals

This morning I decided to get back into the habit of my Sunday morning bike ride. I haven't done it in a few weeks for various reasons. (One being the past few weeks it has been super cold out.) I really love doing it, and I always kind of do it the same way. I developed this ritual a bit by accident. I had had a different sort of ritual of going for a long run on Sunday mornings, but then I hurt myself and couldn’t run for a while, so I decided to ride my bike instead. It was then I discovered how much better a bike ride can be compared to a run. I don't have to wear special clothes or worry about being covered with sweat and freezing to death when I stop (not too much anyway). I can eat a normal sized meal and still be able to ride (I find it hard to run with much in my stomach). I can carry a camera with me. I can stop anywhere I please and have a look around. I can go a lot farther which leads to investigating different places. And Sunday is the best morning for run because no one's around, its also the best for a long ride because the roads are nearly empty. Of course its not really the same level of intensity of a workout but that’s ok. I kind of prefer my bike rides to be slow and laid back. People with lighter, more aerodynamic bikes in brighter, more aerodynamic gear are constantly passing me. I don't mind.

So even though I got up kind of late for my usual ride, I thought it was still early enough and headed out without too much fuss with a banana for breakfast around 9:45. I wanted to get out as quickly as possible so I could get in plenty of sunshine since the days are so short now (sun sets at around 4:30). It was sunny for most of my ride, which was great. And morning sun is the best. Dunno why, but it is. I headed north to the river and then followed it west through Putney. I stopped at my usual place in Barnes for a coffee, and since I had all the stamps necessary for a freebie on my loyalty card, I got a grande vanilla latte and a pastry (usually I just get a small cappuccino). I had to sit outside because all the tables inside were taken, but it was nice because it wasn't too chilly and I had a huge drink to keep my hands warm. Steam came off my cup and out my mouth every time I took a sip. I listened to Kate Bush's Aerial on my iPod. I watched people walking along the charming little high street. Ah, Sunday. I imagined I lived in Barnes for a bit until my coffee was finished and then I hit the road again towards Richmond.

I took a different turn and went a bit of a different route. I ended up going past this pub with this crazy name and cheeky little sign. I had to take a picture. Found my way to Richmond after crossing the river twice. Had a nice little croc monsieur for lunch at the top of Richmond Hill. Coasted back through Richmond Park. Went a new route through Sheen and came across another cheeky pub sign. Weird. Again I just had to take a photo. I hope I don't become one of those people who compulsively take pictures of one certain thing, in my case, cheeky pub signs. But I can feel it coming on. Took a few other photos. Hopefully have a few to post soon. In the meantime please enjoy the pub signs:

Pull my finger? What kind of a name is this for a pub??

Is this a depiction of the Landlady? Its a bit too detailed for my taste. At first I thought it was just an Angel with big boobs, but on closer inspection its just made to look like an angel, when really its just a busty bar maid standing in fron of some cleverly placed windows and clockface.

I only included this photo because of the street sign on the right. I wonder how many people come there for the Funday MEAT RAFFLE!

Posted by shannon at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Audience Monkey

BBC Television Centre, White City

The other night I went to be a part of a television audience at the BBC. It was for a topical news show that airs on BBC4, the boring grown-up BBC channel. The show was "The Late Edition" and stars comedian Marcus Brigstocke. Its kind of like a British version of the daily show, only not as funny. One reason its not as funny is because Marcus takes the interviews semi-seriously. Another is because I haven't lived here long enough to get all of the jokes. [don't think I ever will to get this level of stuff] But its still very amusing, mostly because Marcus is a funny chap.

After enjoying the previous season several months ago, when I noticed that you could get tickets online to be in the audience I thought it would be fun. And it was. The show runs about 30 minutes but they do over an hour of material, because, as they put it, some of its shite. But most of it was still good, so it felt like you got a lot more show than normal. And Marcus made every effort to be funny, even when the cameras weren't rolling. One of the interviews was fairly serious, being with a British (well Irish actually) ex-military leader but the other was pretty damn hysterical, because it was with spoon bender Uri Geller. What a loon that guy is, he was going on about how he created world peace through mind control with the help of the CIA and Al Gore. Yeah. OK.

I also found it fascinating being in a TV studio. I guess my interest in broadcasting has never fully gotten out of my system. And BBC's television centre is a huge, aged, monolith of broadcasting. It was neat watching the actors improvise from the script on the teleprompter, watching the four cameras different angles, ogling at the array of lights hanging form the ceiling. And being part of the action, even though it was only to provide applause and a laugh track. Once, one of the actors messed up while doing one of those fake on-the-scene interviews, and of course everyone laughed even harder at the mess up. The actor, Steve Furst, jokingly chided us "audience monkeys" for laughing at his gaff, which of course only made everyone laugh even more. Now whenever I see him on Little Britain or in an Orange advert, I will momentarily remember my short time as an "audience monkey!"

I may even sign up to do it again before the series is over. White city, where the BBC studios are, isn't that far away, and it was a fun, free night out. I recommend it to anyone, go out and watch some telly!

Posted by shannon at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)