Merry Christmas to all those I love, near and far.
Tree project
Week fourteen
2010 in 40 questions
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Ummm… did a 100km ride. In terrible weather no less.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t do new year resolutions. They seem pointless.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not yet. One of my workmates is due to give birth right around xmas so there’s still time.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No and that’s a really good thing.
5. What countries did you visit?
America (again) in March.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
I’d like to work out some of my “relationship” issues and maybe actually meet someone. That’d be nice.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
To be honest this year has mostly sucked so I’m looking forward to it ending. No date in particular stands out.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I feel like I’ve made real progress with my riding. I’m proud of myself for making it up to Kinglake and then doing the Degani Kinglake ride, even though my back was giving me so much grief. I’m also proud of myself to sticking it out during the 100km Fruit Loop ride when the weather was so terrible and I really wanted to quit.
9. What was your biggest failure?
The fact I’ve become so emotionally shut down. Does the fact I worry about being emotionally shut down means that I’m not?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Tendon problems with my left knee and my back flared up again big time. I did better on the illness front. Only had one or two colds and I unfortunately got gastro at Easter. And how could I forget my trip to the E.R. when I crashed into a car?
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Without a doubt, my Cannondale. Love her to death, especially now she has new wheels.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My family. They always welcome me with open arms and make me feel part of something even when I feel totally cut off from everyone.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Car drivers who think it’s acceptable to to attack, abuse or generally attempt to terrify cyclists.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Cycling stuff. Comics. General living. Living alone isn’t cheap.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was pretty excited about my trip to America. It turned out to be the highlight of my year.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
There isn’t one.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? – probably about the same.
ii. thinner or fatter? – thinner.
iii. richer or poorer? – poorer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made an effort to not be so socially retarded. And of course, there was always time to do more riding.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Over-indulged on bad food. Been such a social retard. It leads me to thinking that I don’t have worth, that I’m not deserving of love or affection. And I know that’s not true.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I’ll be spending xmas with my family. As I do every year. At least this year I’ll be able to watch the Doctor Who xmas special when it’s meant to be on.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nope. Wait… does my bike count?
23. How many one-night stands?
None. And I’m fine with that.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Castle. Sherlock.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. Although I’m not too keen on one particular woman at work. Don’t hate her though. She just irritates me.
26. What was the best book you read this year?
I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Umm… I don’t think I uncovered anything new this year. But I have developed an affection for music from the 60s.
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted my Cannondale pretty badly. And new wheels. Got both of ’em!!
29. What did you want and not get?
Umm… nothing is springing to mind. There are plenty of things I want but I can obviously live without them.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
How to train your dragon. And Inception.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was with my parents on my birthday. I turned 38.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I’m not sure why but I pulled away from everyone this year. I think I would’ve had an easier time if I worked out what was going on and attempted to fix it.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
The same as last year? Kinda found my fashion groove awhile ago and I’m sticking with it.
34. What kept you sane?
My bike. Without it, I think I would’ve gone totally crazy.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I got really annoyed with the federal and state elections. The advertising was unbelievable. So negative and then when we finally got to vote, no one could make their damn minds up!
37. Who did you miss?
As always, I miss my American peeps. It’s hard being so far away from people I wish I could spend more time with.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
My cycling buddies, Rebekah, Helen and David.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever.
40. What are you most looking forward to in 2011?
Uuummm… I really don’t know. To be honest, I’m just hoping it’ll be a better year with less emotional complications.
Tree project
Week thirteen
And ta-dah!!! New wheels.
Aren’t they awesome?
The obligatory arty-farty shoot taken using a retro camera app for my phone.
Tree project
Week twelve
I’m getting new wheels for my Cannondale. I’m rather excited. Spent $900 on Wiggle and I’m waiting for the email that says the package is on its way.
After my brother’s advice, I have purchased…
Easton EA90 SL wheelset
Shimano Ultegra 6700 cassette
Shimano Ultegra 6701 chain
And my finger might’ve accidentally slipped on the “add to cart” button when I was looking at these…
An example of how my brain works…
My dad called me today whilst driving to a job for a chat. We got around to the topic of clients we do web hosting and site construction for and if he’d actually billed them finally. (Okay, so it was brought up by me cos I’d like the extra cash and I did do most of the leg work.) He promised me he’d bill them and once they’d paid and he’d taken out his share, pass the money onto me. It’s not a huge amount of money but is a decent-sized sum.
What am I planning to do with it?
Should I:
a) put the money into my savings account?
b) pay the money onto my credit card?
c) buy some new clothes and shoes for work?
d) fritter away the money on frivolous things like comics and dvds?
All these things would be a good and justifiable usage of the cash, especially options a and b (except option d of course). But no, I’m going to with option E…
e) buy a new set of wheels for my Cannondale.
I’ve even scoped out which ones I want. New wheels mean I can put my old Mavic Askims back on Lisa and totally ditch the crappy Shimanos. In my defence, I have been putting money away for a new set of wheels. Getting this money will just bring forward something I was planning to do anyway. It will also free up those saving to be just that – savings (until I decide to upgrade something else on my bike, like the group set). The scary thing is that I’m planning on spending more on a pair of wheels than most people would spend on an entire bike.
So this how my brain works now. Bike = #1 priority.