About Me

the time, sponsored by Girlie-Biker is...

My various ramblings;

Current - Where I update you all with what's happening with me on a semi regular basis (i.e. when I don't forget or when I'm remembering to keep it up to date) I try to keep it to the last three months.

28/06/11

Ok, I think it's about time I did an update. It's always very hard when there have been major changes in my life to know what to say and when. I spend a lot of my time worrying about the feelings of others, and the rightness & wrongness of things. Yea, I know, I worry too much. I'm working on it. My life is a work in progress. I'm not sure at this point if it will end up a masterpiece or a mere daub...

Here goes, in November I asked Michael for a 6 month separation. We were neither of us happy and yet we didn't know what to do. I think I made the right choice, the idea of a separation was less final and for me certainly seemed less painful than a split. It gave us both time and space to realise who we were, and still are, and what we were becoming. Finding someone to spend your life with is incredibly hard, on paper Michael & I should be perfect for each other... but we're not. We are however, still friends for which I am so thankful. As I get older, in fact, as I find friends who really matter, I appreciate them so much more.

I moved out on my own to Capel, got a second job in the local pub, kept busy, played a lot of Battlefield. I re-established my relationship with myself and my bikes. I regained a lot of confidence I thought I had lost. I even did a naked photo shoot. Yep, I did. You know what... I'm even tempted to share it, although I suspect that is unwise... but here's one.

I met some new people, made a few mistakes, gained some more memories and even tried internet dating... EPIC FAIL!

Then one day I saw someone in my rear view mirror, and, well the rest is history (or his story, da dum!). Suffice to say, Paul & I are having a lot of fun. A fellow biker, enthusiast of the world at large, a Scotsman and a thoroughly good guy. We move to Pulborough next month to embark on a new chapter in both our lives. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous, had no doubts, but equally, she who dares, wins... or at least tries! Change is a scary thing, but without changes in our lives, we can't change and grow, and if we don't change, we stagnate and from my experience that's not so pleasant.

13/04/11

Well there's been a lot happening in the the last 8 months, most of which I shan't go into just yet, but I did need to put a note up about my Monday. A mate of mine recently took a new BMW S1000RR out for a test ride which resulted in him getting an invite from BMW Motorrad to a special customer day up at Silverstone. I managed to tag along, and as one rider didn't show yours truly got to take his place out on track on the S-thou-RR.

Well, I admit I've been a little snobby in the past about BMWs, lets face it, they ain't pretty, they are reliable, do the job they were intended for but don't tend to get one excited and do tend to attract the um, more responsible type rider... all that could be about to change for BMW as the S-thou is pretty, as pretty as a GSXR1000 or a ZX10, in fact if you don't like green it's probably prettier. When I saw it on the road I didn't recognise it as a BMW, wasn't quite sure in fact what it was, but it could sure move!

I had a fair amount of trepidation heading out on track, after all it wasn't my bike, and I am not used to supersports style bikes. Yes, my VTR is 1000cc but it's a different beast altogether, plus I know him pretty much inside out and know how he's likely to behave (or not). This was kinda like getting to know a frisky animal, learning how to get the balance just right to ensure that everyone knows who's boss. My fears were pretty unfounded though as once you get used to the super responsive brakes and a feather-light throttle there doesn't seem to be much you can do wrong. It happily accepted my bang it down a gear and use engine braking style and it gripped the track incredibly well. I had expected a bit of skittishness especially in the early stages as I got to grips with it but no, not a single foot wrong. I did miss the back brake lever a couple of times so am not sure if that's set up for a bigger foot or it was just me. I struggled to see where the side stand was at a stop as I was pretty much tip toe. Ride height can be adjusted I am told although I don't know how much. The bike was surprisingly comfy, albeit I was only on it for 20 min sessions. There's all kinds of buttons and gadgets, didn't really pay attention to those and left it in Sports mode throughout.

Following the sessions we both had the honour of a pillion ride with Niall Mackenzie, former Moto GP racer who now works for Visordown magazine and does track instruction with Focused Events (who were hosting the BMW day). Wow! That was definitely something to remember, I didn't have a single safety worry as he's quite simply a fantastic rider but it was a "brace & grip" session for sure. I found myself lifting off the pillion perch as we accelerated along the back straight and reckon I may have limited his lung capacity in my grip! Would I do it again? Hell yeah!

All in all a great day was had, wonderful hospitality, friendly people (looks like BMW are a good company to work for), fantastic venue and a pretty impressive bike! Huge thanks to BMW, Focused Events, Niall Mackenzie & especially to BMW dealer; Chandlers of Brighton, without whom I'd never have had the chance in the first place.

I'm sure you'll want to have a wee look here for info on the bike, and here for my time on the bike, or on the thumbnails below...

In other news, I also had another new experience today... I've been having some problems with my left shoulder, which was damaged in my last big accident. Primarily I think due to my laziness I've lost a lot of the strength that was built up in physio following my recovery which has left it a bit on the weak side. I've had few heavy drumming sessions (hmmm, have I mentioned African drumming here?) which have pulled some muscles which has basically meant that the shoulder rotator cuff muscles are weak and inflamed. Can be pretty painful at times and as my physio hasn't been able to loosen the muscles at the top of the shoulder she suggested acupuncture. Not being afraid of new things or needles I said why not...

Well today was the first session, I had 3 traditional needles, one in the meridian line in the hand for pain in general, one in the occipital nerve, back of the head area and the rest in various bits of my shoulder. Some pretty strange sensations but not unpleasant. Back again next week for more so will see what happens.

24/08/10

Wow, 9 months on. I am a lazy thing. Actually no, more like I get obsessed by one thing and everything else goes by the wayside I think. Let's see then, where to start...

Firstly I am currently very much addicted to my Xbox and the Battlefield game series, especially Bad Company 2. Yes, yes before you all say "video games" and shake your heads, try it. I have never really played games much until now. In fact I hi-jacked Michael's xbox at Easter and he couldn't get a look in so had to buy me my own recently. I admit I am going a little bit overboard but it's also nice to behave like a kid and just play all the time! It's also far more social than I had ever imagined, I have some great groups of pals to play with now, here in the UK, over in South Africa, & in Finland. In fact am slowly learning Finnish. Siirry minua! (Go me!)

Not getting much bike time apart from commuting, gaming isn't helping that. Am using the VTR more. Had it serviced locally recently, new battery, chain & sprocs etc. Running very nicely and it's feeling good to be on it more. GPZ is behaving beautifully, in spite of a young woman reversing in to it recently whilst it was parked. Fortunately no damage other than steering knocked out of whack, easily sorted. I haven't been doing any real maintenance either (gaming does that to you) but am actually starting to miss getting my hands dirty so might get the proverbial finger out soon.

We went to away to Madiera in July. A very nice place to visit, much more tropical looking than I'd imagined. Incredible how the tiniest bit of land is utilised for crops. The weather there is nice and steady, not too hot (I get grumpy in extreme heat) but very warm with a lovely sea breeze never far away.

The girls seem quite happy in their corner of the garden and produce enough eggs to keep us and several of the neighbours stocked up. They can be a little noisy at times when they decide they want some attention but otherwise are quite simple and easy to please.

I'm going to go through and put some more pics up too, last pic of me is from 2006! Wow. Still I'm sure I don't look much different.

21/11/09

And again, I have let it slide, although I think a little bit on purpose if I'm honest. It seems like data overload out there right now, Facebook, twitter, this site, that site, join this, join that. I think people ought to start putting the brakes on just a little. Where's the time to live, love and have fun. Sometimes we just want to be ourselves and be a bit different. You won't find me on FB and the more people I get saying I should join the more I will dig my heels in. If someone wants to find me, to connect with me as opposed to upping their friend numbers or including me in a general status update they can find me here and get in touch. I don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting to be my "friends" I want to meet real people and form real relationships.

Anyway, speaking of relationships, the new members of the household moved in on the 13th June and are now pretty much running things. Poppy, Lily and Daisy are our ex-battery hens. Spurred on by Jamie Oliver and Hugh F-W last year I started to look into keeping chickens and or course saving ex-battery hens sounded just like something I wanted to do.

I didn't really know what to expect from keeping poultry but our girls are great, they have such differing and interesting personalities and they are so entertaining to watch, even when they're not really doing anything! Of course I spoil them rotten, they have such an easy life, fed like queens and kept in the manner they are now truly accustomed to! I'll put some pics etc up soon and perhaps some more info for poultry enthusiasts.

On the bike front, the GeePee is misbehaving slightly now the cold has come, either the solenoid is on the way out or maybe the starter motor as its a bit hit and miss starting just now. If I slip it into gear and roll forward until it "bumps" the gear it will generally start then after a couple of tries. I meant to check the connections today but didn't get moving in time. I also need to look at the wiring on the headlight as its cutting out when the front end dives on the brakes. For now I just avoid heavy braking in the dark!

01/06/09

Wow, I think this is one of my longest lapses! Sorry to those of my more regular visitors! I guess it's a sign of how hard things have been for me. Things are changing however. I've made a career change, I'm now working in Guildford 4 days a week doing something very much different to my old job, much less stressful, and less demanding.

The commute is much easier too, just a 20 min blast down the A25. I've had some more bike (read GPZ) trouble... of course. He was suffering from a leaking head gasket and drinking coolant, that's been fixed now. I've got the obligatory exhaust can held together by a series of jubilee clips and (yes!) biscuit tin lids, but over all he's going well. I had to get a new battery for the VTR, leaving it hooked up all winter was NOT a good idea.

Prior to starting the VTR after all that time we did unhook the plugs, push it around the yard a bit in top gear (to get the oil moving over the main parts) sat on the starter button for a while (again with plugs off) before reconnecting the plugs and off he went first go. It was nice to be out on the VTR for a while (whilst the GPZ was being re-gasketed) however I'm a bit wary of using him to go to Guildford.... a. for the risk of being caught speeding, b. for the lack of carrying space (have to look a bit smarter these days) and c. we have a nasty semi kerb at the edge of our car park. I just need to grow about another inch for the VTR to fit better.

I am hopeful of getting some more miles on both bikes this year, the GPZ will have less commute miles but it would be good ti have some fun too.

We're expecting some new arrivals mid June... so stay tuned!

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