Hi everyone, thanks for coming back again. This is episode number 616 and that's a lot of writing. I'm regularly thankful that I learned to touch type (on a manual typewriter) back in 1985!
Bits of this blog entry were written over a week ago so please hang in there and it should make sense.
9 days ago:
These days I'm fortunate in that I'm generally aware of the things that indicate that my mental health isn't so great. There are a few clear markers that I notice and, with a bit of effort, they can be turned around pretty quickly. It wasn't always like that of course. Learning to be brutally honest with oneself is both confronting and valuable all at once. In the last week a few of those indicators started to kick off and some action was needed. I was over committing, over exercising, my sleep went to custard and things that shouldn't have worried me caused me to catastrophize. Let's be clear here, all of those things can happen to anyone, but this was more than just a couple of bad days. So I had to take a close look at what I was eating (not enough), I had to re-balance my exercise (a couple of days of gastro took care of that) and then there's sleep. I've always been an excellent sleeper even at the most stressful times; I'm very lucky but not for the past couple of weeks. I guess I will go back to basics...bed at a reasonable time, no devices for an hour prior and all that jazz. When I first heard about the concept of sleep hygiene I thought it meant clean sheets! The day I found out what it actually means was pretty funny but also a bit of a revelation. I've reincorporated some mindful practice into my evenings and my social media time is very limited. And for the moment my equilibrium is being restored. If it doesn't stay that way then it's time to talk to a professional about it. Just when I thought I was pretty much back on track with all of this...it rained. I don't ride my bike in the rain if I can help it, mainly because it's dangerous but also it isn't that much fun. Having a day or two off is generally a good thing but yesterday it really annoyed me.
I'm sick of looking at graffiti
On the walls of the grey walls, the city
I want to drive in the countryside
I want the breeze in my hair..."
Bits of this blog entry were written over a week ago so please hang in there and it should make sense.
9 days ago:
These days I'm fortunate in that I'm generally aware of the things that indicate that my mental health isn't so great. There are a few clear markers that I notice and, with a bit of effort, they can be turned around pretty quickly. It wasn't always like that of course. Learning to be brutally honest with oneself is both confronting and valuable all at once. In the last week a few of those indicators started to kick off and some action was needed. I was over committing, over exercising, my sleep went to custard and things that shouldn't have worried me caused me to catastrophize. Let's be clear here, all of those things can happen to anyone, but this was more than just a couple of bad days. So I had to take a close look at what I was eating (not enough), I had to re-balance my exercise (a couple of days of gastro took care of that) and then there's sleep. I've always been an excellent sleeper even at the most stressful times; I'm very lucky but not for the past couple of weeks. I guess I will go back to basics...bed at a reasonable time, no devices for an hour prior and all that jazz. When I first heard about the concept of sleep hygiene I thought it meant clean sheets! The day I found out what it actually means was pretty funny but also a bit of a revelation. I've reincorporated some mindful practice into my evenings and my social media time is very limited. And for the moment my equilibrium is being restored. If it doesn't stay that way then it's time to talk to a professional about it. Just when I thought I was pretty much back on track with all of this...it rained. I don't ride my bike in the rain if I can help it, mainly because it's dangerous but also it isn't that much fun. Having a day or two off is generally a good thing but yesterday it really annoyed me.
Barenaked Ladies - Who Needs Sleep? - https://youtu.be/d4zofzvWNsU
Last week:
Things are looking up. All those little things that I know I need to do have made a significant improvement. I've been able to reflect more clearly on a whole range of things. One of those has been making an effort to get out there and not be too isolated. I've been fortunate enough to get outside in some fabulous weather, to go to a trivia night (which was awesome fun) and to hang out with some cool people. In the evening I've been avoiding the news and the TV and listening to some records. I was out on Tuesday evening and our group talked about songs that they found uplifting, encouraging or simply meaningful to them. Man, I can do that kind of thing forever, it really is my happy place and went a long to putting me back on the right track. Here's one of the songs that was chosen, thanks Shane.
Bob Marley - Redemption Song - https://youtu.be/Dz45L5vglhw
Boots - Friday:
I've worn a pair of Doc Martens boots since I made my first purchase of some in 1991. The ones I have at the moment are from about 1997. Docs take forever to wear in but when it's done, they are super comfortable. I'm fairly sure that I've worn the current pair to every gig I've been to and 95% of all those that I've played since '97. They have a lot of miles on them. I remember clearly being on tour up in Tingha in 2014, slipping over, and thinking that it might be time for new boots. Another nine years later, those boots are still here. I've agonised for maybe three years about getting new ones because, unfortunately, Docs just don't work with orthotics. I've been to many shops and browsed so many online boot manufacturers that my mouse almost has Athlete's Foot!
This week I had to take another pair of shoes to get re-heeled. It was just after opening time and the shop was quiet so I asked the staff to help me out with advice regarding boots that would fit my orthotics. Ten minutes later I left with a pair so comfortable that I felt like I was walking on air. Amazing. What a good day! Funnily enough, these aren't replacement for my Docs per se, but boots I can wear to work or if I'm out and about.
The other news is that apparently my old Docs can be resoled for a fraction of the cost of a pair of new ones. I can easily wear them to gigs and that makes me happy. Denim and Docs are kind of a rock 'n' roll institution.
Alexei Sayle - Dr Martens Boots - https://youtu.be/bZy7vEWeTFY
Iron Maiden:
All self-respecting Heavy Metal fans will be aware that Iron Maiden are coming back to Australia later on in 2024. I saw them in 2010 and it was everything I'd expected. This time around I was determined to take the chance to see them again even if it meant going alone. Happily, one of my school friends was keen to go to see them in Melbourne with me so guess what? Yup, we're going! Woo hoo! I must apologise to the people both here, and at work, who have heard me go on about this far too much. I really am very, very excited.
Orkhys - The Clansman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgjydQD3Uks
Cycling:
After getting to 32 out of 40 Black Mountain climbs for the month on Thursday, I decided not to ride on Friday and see if I could manage the remaining ascents yesterday (Saturday). A few years ago I'd done the climb seven times in a row and it had been very difficult. This time around I was feeling more confident. I was also more sensible in that I fuelled up big time on Friday, had a decent breakfast on Saturday and was prepared with extra food and water stationed at the top of the hill. Canberra put on a near perfect day to help me out; warm and almost windless. The first three climbs were great; just chipping away at a consistent tempo. After swapping out for a new water bottle and having something to eat I cruised through another couple. Five down, three to go. The climb is only 2.7km but with an average gradient of 8.7%. It gets to about 12% at the start and towards the end and those bits hurt quite a bit. I was surprised that climb number six was OK but I knew for sure that my legs were starting to feel it. Luckily the road was quiet, the scenery was great and my mind was in the right place. Hurtling down the hill was still a bit cool but with the temperature hitting about 26 degrees I was losing a lot of fluid and struggling to drink enough. Climb number seven was interesting as I was passed by a couple of riders who I hadn't seen before. Most people are very friendly but these two went past without even a grunted hello. So I chased them to prove a point to myself. That was a bad move given that I was over 40km into my little challenge! After chilling out and realising what a doofus I was I continued on to the top. One climb left. And this one hurt. However, I got it done and I've ticked off the 40 climbs for the month with days to spare. When I consider that I had two days off the bike with gastro and that there were a couple of days missed due to rain I am pretty pleased with myself. My reward was an ice cream and I think I'll have today off the bike!
U2 - 40 - https://youtu.be/CMVghDg-ePc
I do enjoy a good cover version and this one really grabbed my interest this week. See what you think. The original version is here if you'd like to make a comparison.
Pendulum - Anti-Hero - https://youtu.be/qMbiRjjTWj0
Canberra folks, don't forget that George has the launch of his album Songs from H-Country on vinyl on Sunday 29/10 at the Artists Shed at 5pm. Click that link for tickets.
That's it, rock on everyone!
The Woozle
"I wanna go see the country
I want to get out of hereI'm sick of looking at graffiti
On the walls of the grey walls, the city
I want to drive in the countryside
I want the breeze in my hair..."
