What a year, what a year.
2009, everyone seems glad to see the back of you - me, I'm ambivalent.

I had some great successes this year - I passed all the entry tests for the Fire Service. Sadly I was pipped to the post for a job though.
I came over all brave and had laser eye surgery - hope that pays off...
My climbing came on leaps and bounds.
We bought a camper van, and kitted it out ourselves.
I finally went to Fontainbleu, and to Orkney - two places I love and will be returning to.
Plus. I got a new job - which I start in two weeks.

2009, you weren't so bad at all.
And if you were, I've forgotten all of the shitty bits already.

This weekend I...

• Took 4 hours to get from Nottingham to Sheffield via the M1. The motorway was closed because of an accident
• Saw a pheasant explode under the wheels of a car
• Lost a false tooth when I 'held' the rope in my mouth as I was about to clip at the climbing wall. Luckily it came off into my mouth and was not lost forever
• Made my wrists and elbows ache bouldering in the cold at Burbage North
• Enjoyed my last days of climbing outdoors for a while - I'm going to be out of the game for a month after having laser eye surgery this week.
• Eek.

On the way to work this morning I was caught gurning in frustration at myself by a Paul O'Gady look-a-like.

While out running before work I was also spotted dancing on a pedestrian island (while waiting for traffic to pass - not just for fun).

What do you do when you don't want to do the the thing you're doing anymore...
And you realise that what you really want to do is so far out of reach because of damned genetics...
And you don't know what else to do...
Because there is nothing else and there never has been?

Is this the correct time to have a quarter life crisis?

I wish I ran a music review blog, where I reviewed surf punk cds all day long, and record labels sent me free stuff.

First off, I need to learn the art of reviewing.

Well, I realised I'm not a rich 15 year old, so decided not to 'invest' in pleather or ludicrously overpriced anythings. I also failed in my other task - birthday present buying. And I walked around town for so long my legs hurt.

I haven't been climbing in over a week. My fingernails have grown so long.
Never fear though, off to Cayleigh tomorrow for bouldering and battling with ferns.

This weekend I

• had a long weekend and spent the Friday on an ‘observation shift’ with the Fire Service
• I had a go at hose rolling (turns out I’m not great at this!)
• did some hose unrolling (more fun that it sounds)
• had a tour of a pump
• went out on two ‘shouts’ – blue lights, sirens and bull horn!
• wore breathing apparatus (BA) in a smoke filled room
• tried out the inflatable pads used to lift vehicles etc
• and had a go with the expansion too

I also

• went mountain biking at Coed y Brenin with Silverstormy
• did my first ever MB route
• then did my second ever route, and made it about 80% of the way round without pushing (some sections were a bit too scary)
• made a mash-up of the two routes above
• let out an involuntary ‘whoop’ on a really good bit
• camped in a car park
• ate a huge piece of cake
• and boil in the bag curry (the best camping food and only £1 a sachet)

Achey body and sore fingertips from climbing over the weekend. Saturday at the Plantation, Stanage in the sun, ticked a nice 6a on the side of the Business boulder, but didn't get the 6a+ sit start, just too thuggy for me...for now! Another rescue off the crag, to follow on from the tragic events of last weekend.

Sunday at Bamford, it was crawling with climbers! Did a few classic VS and HVSs (I guess?) including Gargoyle Flake.

DIY: snip snip

I have these ludicrous knee high gladiator sandals. I imported them from the USA, they were the only ones I could find in PU at the time and they came from a fancy dress supplier! They're rad, but I've had them for over a year, and have only worn them under trousers in that time. Despite my preconceived ideas of how I could rock the epic knee high sandals, I haven't. I don't think I can, they're bonkers.

I like 'em with trousers though.

Thing is, they have this tendancy to rotate around my leg, and they're a bit hot & not exactly easy to wear under (skinny leg) trousers.

Today I was thinking 'I could do with some non-knee high versions of these'.

So I think I'm going to cut the tops off.
Save money, save time, save resources. Win win win.

Stick to the list

So, I've been ticking things off my recent wish list.

Bat for lashes album:
I like it. A reviewer for the Guardian Weekend Guide said it would only appeal to 'people who watch the Culture Show. Scumbags basically' That's me told, then.

The jeans:
I got them, with a discount code (yay!). But - they sucked. What a weird fit. Huge and too small at the same time. Kudos though to Howies who exchanged them for the mens version, all the while honouring the original discount. The mens ones are 100% better.

Strawberry hair:
Hello highlights and lowlights. My hair is stripey like a raspberry ripple ice cream. Love.

Pet pied wagtail:
My friend bought me a little pied wagtail RSPB pin. Adorable, and less mess than a pet bird. Thanks Gareth!

Still working on:
Dartmoor
On the back burner:
new Au Revoir Simone album

What gives?

If you want something doing, ask a busy person - or so the saying goes. I'm not actually sure how it applies in real life though.

As a self confessed 'busy person', I tend to have a lot on my plate and an eagerness to add even more despite my better judgement. Sadly, and even more, frustratingly, this means things just don't get done.

Example - I recently volunteered for a 5 week first aid evening class. Free, interesting, with a qualification at the end. However this took up one of my week day evenings - my precious training, volunteering or second jobbing time. Something had to give. In fact, two things 'gave' to allow me to complete the course - my training and work on my second job.

Frustratingly, this means I've lost some strength and fitness because of reduced training, and increased fatigue from the late night class room sessions. I've also lost motivation for my 'second job' and am loathe to give up my little free (read training!) time to sit at a computer and do more work. Even if that work is work I'm meant to love.

I'm burnt out. I'm not achieving my goals, or meeting deadlines I've set myself. I'm letting the side down. I feel guilty, but also far too tired to do anything useful about it other than worry.

Do you tend towards over burdening yourself with tasks, training goals, hobbies and commitments? How do you prioritise which gives and which wins in the battle for precious time?

Sometimes I just need to loose it, get wasted, do something regretable and dangerous with a stranger, walk home without shoes in the early hours and sleep for a day a night and a day.

All this exercising and clean living is KILLING ME!

Why does society insist we abandon the good times? Friends, shirk your responsbilities! Meet me in the park, bring spirits and skunk.

It'll be blast (from the past).
Teenagers will laugh at us.

Update 4/8/09
Phew. Have recovered from self-destruct mode.

This weekend I...

• drove up to Northumberland
• put up my tent singlehandedly, in the dark
• led my first routes for years, including a 'severe' which was a doddle
• ticked my first outdoor 6a boulder problem
• laughed and laughed at my friend's story of waking to find slugs on his face
• temporarily stole my friends sleeping bag
• got a tick and a mosy bite. insects are grim.
• ate cereal in high winds
• got chapped lips from said winds
• took my tent down, singlehandedly in the high winds, without it blowing away (unlike my companions - and there were two of them working on their tent)
• found out I need to go to Cornwall next weekend, never a chore :)

What did you get up to over the Bank Holiday?

This weekend I...

• made popcorn and trashed the good pan
• drove to Leeds, too fast
• campused a 5+, but didn't dare lob for the top
• ate the most amazing home made thai green curry (waves to Claire)
• found the cutest 40s dress (blue with white flowers)
• and a crisp white sailor top at the Vintage Fashion Fair
• bought some short-shorts
• took 5 steps on the slackline - crush!
• sang along to Christina Aguilera all the way home.

How was your weekend?

On getting things done

Last week I wrote a Subtext 'to-do' list. It contained 11 items, with 3 supplementary tasks. 14 'to do's' in total.

I've been working like a proverbial beaver recently to get on with completing the list. Today, I felt like I'd had some success. So, I turned back to my list of last week, eager to cross lots of items off.

Imagine my disappointment then, when I found I could only tick off 3 tasks.

3 down, 11 to go.
Back to work.

Living on the edge

Home made scone with jam and a cup of earl grey. After work treat.
Accompanied by slightly blurry photos.

I come bearing biscuits

"scoff, scoff, scoff" - oops, they're all gone.

This weekend I...

• ran 5 miles before 9am on a Saturday
• saw about 30 frogs having a mating frenzy
• inherited a cocktail dress with cocktail recipies on
• nearly bought a suit jacket
• got a carpet burn on the bridge of my nose while trying to win 'the box game' on the stairs
• was too hung over to balance
• went through my finger tips skin after pulling onto only 1 problem at Ramshaw
• wore the worlds biggest jumper
• fell asleep on the sofa

How was your weekend?

Despatches from the Font-line

@ Roche aux Sabots@ 95.2
Check out my fingertips - mantling on a crimp.