Never thought I'd be making the "Rain, rain go away!" statement in a water hungry Sydney but, having had a ride on the bike yesterday, and ready to go again today, Sunday, the rain has hardly let up. Picked Kerry up from work this morning and hoped the rain would disappear but I'm not confident about heading out on a wet road at this stage. Might be confined to a walk the doggies day after all. A bit early for my usual blog but I want to get in the habit of a shorter daily blog than the combined stuff I've written before.
I'm clearly capitivating people with this blog, so much so that they can hardly bring themselves to respond (at least that's what I'm putting the total lack of comments down to *grins*).
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Day 13: I'm a bike rider again!
Who said 13 is an unlucky number? It's an overcast Saturday morning in Sydney but the sun's shining on me coz I'm a bike rider again! Yep, up early this morning and decided "That's it; no more delays!" Didn't make an ass of myself in the process of riding a couple of kms (couple of miles for any North American readers) and so I'm really on my way. Yippee!
Have I still got a long way to go in the health, fitness stakes? You betcha! But I'm currently feeling very pleased with myself at the start I've made - the longest journey begins with the first steps. Didn't take long to get used to the 24 gears in their various combinations - bikes have come a long way since my first (green) Malvern Star bike with no gears that I used to ride to school every day from Warwick Road in Dundas Valley to St Patrick Marist Brothers in Kirby Street Dundas.
Anyway, it's a big cheezy grin from me for today!
Have I still got a long way to go in the health, fitness stakes? You betcha! But I'm currently feeling very pleased with myself at the start I've made - the longest journey begins with the first steps. Didn't take long to get used to the 24 gears in their various combinations - bikes have come a long way since my first (green) Malvern Star bike with no gears that I used to ride to school every day from Warwick Road in Dundas Valley to St Patrick Marist Brothers in Kirby Street Dundas.
Anyway, it's a big cheezy grin from me for today!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Days 9, 10, 11 & 12!
It's Friday evening 3 November in Sydney, and this is yet a further demonstration of how I am struggling to get into a disciplined habit of "blogging" each evening, or at least at some time of the day to maintain the continuity .....
So ... on Tuesday, I had a great morning with the folks from the Beijing Culture Bureau, as anticipated and came back to the office to do emails and stuff... well suddenly it's 5 .00pm and I'm getting ready for a networking function in Parramatta. At least I listened to a very interesting speaking speaker and was able to talk to more people about what I am trying to do with Northcott.
Wednesday came along with promise. Attended a Board meeting in the morning and then met for lunch with a dear friend who I hadn't seen for a while. This was a prelude to an inspiring speech on Australian history through Aboriginal art, given by Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury, former Vice-Chancellor of my alma mater, Macquarie University. Di was talking with the folks from Beijing and was in great form as she showed a series of carvings, paintings and other indigenous artefacts, most from her own collection. Then it was back home to take Fi to Uni and ... well that was Wednesday.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times .... sorry to come off all Dickensian but the last couple of days have felt like that.
The best of times: FIRST CHEQUE FOR $500.00 FROM THE MIGHTY EELS! Parramatta Leagues Club, through the generous spirit of Alan Overton, Denis Fitzgerald and the other Directors, decided at their October Board meeting to provide 500 big ones in sponsorship - Vahoo! So the fundraising now has begun in earnest with a great hit to start.
What's more, the Club is also sponsoring its Gaming Manager, Hugh Perrottet, for the ride and so we'll be riding partners, along with brother Tony, and the other guys who have already signed up.
The worst of times: STILL haven't managed to get on the bike - I was beginning to think I was finally over my procrastination yesterday and headed home to "get on my bike" when it started raining! Today the rain has been intermittent, but generally fairly heavy, especially at the times when I wasn't in meetings of one sort and another and could have gone for a spin to find my "bike legs" again.
I looked back and figured it's probably been about ten years (at least) since I've had a proper bike ride (going any further back is scary). Getting on the bike now and doing a few circuits in front of the house (and therefore in front of the neighbours) is the basis for likely embarassment and so I have avoided until now - the weekend definitely!
In the meantime, Adam Spencer (yes that Adam Spencer of 702 breakfast) kindly wrote directly to me, to let me know that the ABC policy is not to single out individual charities for support and so he wouldn't be able to auction the bat on his program - bugga! I kinda figured that would probably happen, and I certainly appreciate the reasoning behind the decision, but I reckon that, if you don't ask, you don't know - ah well. Good news though - Adam has suggested we see if we can organise a "cross" from his program to the ride while we're on it, so that might be a possibility.
So I think the last couple of days have been a bit like a Tale of Two Cities, or at least a Tale of Two Days. Roll on the weekend and the bike-riding!
So ... on Tuesday, I had a great morning with the folks from the Beijing Culture Bureau, as anticipated and came back to the office to do emails and stuff... well suddenly it's 5 .00pm and I'm getting ready for a networking function in Parramatta. At least I listened to a very interesting speaking speaker and was able to talk to more people about what I am trying to do with Northcott.
Wednesday came along with promise. Attended a Board meeting in the morning and then met for lunch with a dear friend who I hadn't seen for a while. This was a prelude to an inspiring speech on Australian history through Aboriginal art, given by Emeritus Professor Di Yerbury, former Vice-Chancellor of my alma mater, Macquarie University. Di was talking with the folks from Beijing and was in great form as she showed a series of carvings, paintings and other indigenous artefacts, most from her own collection. Then it was back home to take Fi to Uni and ... well that was Wednesday.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times .... sorry to come off all Dickensian but the last couple of days have felt like that.
The best of times: FIRST CHEQUE FOR $500.00 FROM THE MIGHTY EELS! Parramatta Leagues Club, through the generous spirit of Alan Overton, Denis Fitzgerald and the other Directors, decided at their October Board meeting to provide 500 big ones in sponsorship - Vahoo! So the fundraising now has begun in earnest with a great hit to start.
What's more, the Club is also sponsoring its Gaming Manager, Hugh Perrottet, for the ride and so we'll be riding partners, along with brother Tony, and the other guys who have already signed up.
The worst of times: STILL haven't managed to get on the bike - I was beginning to think I was finally over my procrastination yesterday and headed home to "get on my bike" when it started raining! Today the rain has been intermittent, but generally fairly heavy, especially at the times when I wasn't in meetings of one sort and another and could have gone for a spin to find my "bike legs" again.
I looked back and figured it's probably been about ten years (at least) since I've had a proper bike ride (going any further back is scary). Getting on the bike now and doing a few circuits in front of the house (and therefore in front of the neighbours) is the basis for likely embarassment and so I have avoided until now - the weekend definitely!
In the meantime, Adam Spencer (yes that Adam Spencer of 702 breakfast) kindly wrote directly to me, to let me know that the ABC policy is not to single out individual charities for support and so he wouldn't be able to auction the bat on his program - bugga! I kinda figured that would probably happen, and I certainly appreciate the reasoning behind the decision, but I reckon that, if you don't ask, you don't know - ah well. Good news though - Adam has suggested we see if we can organise a "cross" from his program to the ride while we're on it, so that might be a possibility.
So I think the last couple of days have been a bit like a Tale of Two Cities, or at least a Tale of Two Days. Roll on the weekend and the bike-riding!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Day 8!
Well, I'm up to Day 8 (it's Monday in Sydney, whatever the blog clock says) and I still haven't got on the bike (which is lovely and I'm glad I bought it, but I still haven't got any closer to it).
An interesting day working with Baulkham Hills Shire Council, then a new business in China that looks like a goer (more on that another time) then off to the City for a CEO Circle dinner, where I was able to wax lyrical about the cycle ride, but still didn't bring me any closer to actually getting on the bike for a ride!
I might get my act together better tomorrow - I've got a great session in the morning with my friends from the arts and culture community in Beijing and then I'm "free" till a function in the evening - will this be the acid test of commitment?
Still haven't heard from anyone - is this the "blog in the wilderness"? I thought blogging was supposed to be a very public experience - perhaps only if you're important or interesting (he said with bottom lip pouting *grins*)
An interesting day working with Baulkham Hills Shire Council, then a new business in China that looks like a goer (more on that another time) then off to the City for a CEO Circle dinner, where I was able to wax lyrical about the cycle ride, but still didn't bring me any closer to actually getting on the bike for a ride!
I might get my act together better tomorrow - I've got a great session in the morning with my friends from the arts and culture community in Beijing and then I'm "free" till a function in the evening - will this be the acid test of commitment?
Still haven't heard from anyone - is this the "blog in the wilderness"? I thought blogging was supposed to be a very public experience - perhaps only if you're important or interesting (he said with bottom lip pouting *grins*)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Days 5, 6 & 7!
OK, OK so I've missed another day - a function of the timetabling of events. So I need to deal with Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Sydney time:
Friday - a great day for being involved with Northcott. Went to the Northcott Cricket Legends Lunch at Star City and successfully "bid" for a minibat that I was able to get signed by Richie Benaud, Ian Healy, Peter Fenton, Kamahl, Tony Squires, Greg Matthews, Peter Wynn, Bob Simpson, Geoff Lawson, David Hourne, Wayne Seabrook, one of the Northcott "stars", Rodney Baker and Adam Spencer. I left Adam till last on the list because I was able to have a discussion with him about auctioning the bat on-air (ABC 702 Sydney), with all proceeds going to my attempt at the Northcott Vietnam Cycle Challenge. Sent the email to follow up on this and looking forward to a good positive response.
Saturday - Not much training happening here today; trying to catch up with work-related stuff after a long day at Star City yesterday (have to get better on the discipline with this too, I guess). But I did pick up my bike this morning! Now all I have to do is work out how to use the gears, get on it and I'm away! I'll see how I go once I've read the manual.
Spent the evening with colleagues welcoming a visiting delegation of Arts administrators from Bejing - I'm presenting a lecture on strategic people management to them on Tuesday and it was an opportunity to get to know them beforehand.
Sunday - another quiet day, still trying to catch up with "stuff", taken the doggies for a walk and spent time examining the "how to use the gears" section of the booklet that accompanies the bike. Wondering about how to deal with being the "fat man on the bike" (might wait until the sun goes down a bit more).
Friday - a great day for being involved with Northcott. Went to the Northcott Cricket Legends Lunch at Star City and successfully "bid" for a minibat that I was able to get signed by Richie Benaud, Ian Healy, Peter Fenton, Kamahl, Tony Squires, Greg Matthews, Peter Wynn, Bob Simpson, Geoff Lawson, David Hourne, Wayne Seabrook, one of the Northcott "stars", Rodney Baker and Adam Spencer. I left Adam till last on the list because I was able to have a discussion with him about auctioning the bat on-air (ABC 702 Sydney), with all proceeds going to my attempt at the Northcott Vietnam Cycle Challenge. Sent the email to follow up on this and looking forward to a good positive response.
Saturday - Not much training happening here today; trying to catch up with work-related stuff after a long day at Star City yesterday (have to get better on the discipline with this too, I guess). But I did pick up my bike this morning! Now all I have to do is work out how to use the gears, get on it and I'm away! I'll see how I go once I've read the manual.
Spent the evening with colleagues welcoming a visiting delegation of Arts administrators from Bejing - I'm presenting a lecture on strategic people management to them on Tuesday and it was an opportunity to get to know them beforehand.
Sunday - another quiet day, still trying to catch up with "stuff", taken the doggies for a walk and spent time examining the "how to use the gears" section of the booklet that accompanies the bike. Wondering about how to deal with being the "fat man on the bike" (might wait until the sun goes down a bit more).
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Day 4!
Got to get used to that Pacific Time clock! Into Day 4 for me and it looks like I've already missed a day. At least if I try and stick the local Sydney time around 5-7pm each day I'll get into a routine.
Well it's getting serious now. Today I went out and organised myself a bike that I'm going to pick up tomorrow or Saturday (depending on timing) and then took myself on a 5km "bike ride" in the family room on my daughter's exercise bike, after I'd taken the doggies for a walk. Didn't feel too bad after the "ride" but my heart recovery rate wasn't real good so I know I have a looong way to go (that probably deserves more o's in looong but that'll do for the moment).
One thing that is going to take getting used to is the sore bum I get from riding - ah well, the callouses should soon build up.
Well it's getting serious now. Today I went out and organised myself a bike that I'm going to pick up tomorrow or Saturday (depending on timing) and then took myself on a 5km "bike ride" in the family room on my daughter's exercise bike, after I'd taken the doggies for a walk. Didn't feel too bad after the "ride" but my heart recovery rate wasn't real good so I know I have a looong way to go (that probably deserves more o's in looong but that'll do for the moment).
One thing that is going to take getting used to is the sore bum I get from riding - ah well, the callouses should soon build up.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Day 3 - Northcott Vietnam Cycle Challenge
I spent this morning at the Northcott Society's Annual General Meeting and ran into a few friends and colleagues that I had forgotten were involved in Northcott. Put the hard word on them for support and got a positive response from them, so I'll be following them up in the next day or two.
Wanted to go for a walk this afternoon but the rain came and neither I nor the dogs were fussed on squelching around the walking track.
Working with the good folks at Northcott on a flier/proposal format to circulate to my database and so it's increasingly looking like a reality!
Just as well the clock on this blog is set to a US time zone or I'd have missed a day's blogging! Going to have to work on my blogging discipline as well as the other stuff.
Wanted to go for a walk this afternoon but the rain came and neither I nor the dogs were fussed on squelching around the walking track.
Working with the good folks at Northcott on a flier/proposal format to circulate to my database and so it's increasingly looking like a reality!
Just as well the clock on this blog is set to a US time zone or I'd have missed a day's blogging! Going to have to work on my blogging discipline as well as the other stuff.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Northcott Vietnam Cycle Trek - Day 2!
Went for a walk with the dogs yesterday (Sydney time) - twice our normal circuit and feeling virtuous. Still, didn't even manage the discipline of a short blog to reflect on what, if anything, I had achieved yesterday. Working on a proposal to put back to Northcott about how we might promote the trek further and hoping to get that to them today.
Decided to refine the "strap line" to 'Get healthy, get fit, do good and see the world'.
Got a bike to fix up (needs work on the gears) so I hope I can get that to the shop in the next couple of days.
Decided to refine the "strap line" to 'Get healthy, get fit, do good and see the world'.
Got a bike to fix up (needs work on the gears) so I hope I can get that to the shop in the next couple of days.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
The Journey Starts Today - 142 days to go!
Sunday night and it's my first posting to my blog! I wonder how many other people started off their blogs in the same fashion?
Well, I've decided that I'm going to accept the Northcott Disability Services Vietnam Cycle Challenge - riding a bike from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi from 19th to 30th March 2007. My brother Tony and I are going to do the ride along with seven or eight other guys who have registered for the trip. We've paid in $750 each to register and now we've got to raise $5,000 each as our "payment" for the ride. Not sure where to start but we've been working on a few ideas.
Why do it? I've summarised it as "getting healthy, getting fit, seeing the world and doing good" - all those reasons are important. The priority order for them depends on my mood and which muscles are aching after I've been for a walk with the dogs, but I need to lose 30kg, get/keep my blood sugar and blood pressure under control, and get my lungs working properly again; visit a country that's been "on my list" for too long; and do some good for Northcott while I'm at it.
This blog is going to become my Northcott Vietnam Trek Diary - I want to use this space to record my thoughts, feelings and weight loss (I hope) as I begin a twenty week program to get healthy, get fit and get ready to see Vietnam.
I'd love it if anyone has done a similar challenge could let me know their ideas on getting fit, raising money and so on - show me this blog stuff is real.
Cheers!
David
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