Running the Point

As mentioned previously I've been braving the public transport system here in Brisbane lately. One thing I've noticed in the last couple of weeks is that our buses and trains are inadequately signed. They give the usual expected warnings about standing clear of doors, standing behind the yellow lines, not exiting while doors are closing, and all of those (one would think) obvious safety tips, but it isn't enough.

Nobody stands guard to warn us of the real horrors we are sure to face. Nothing prepares the unsuspecting or inexperienced commuters of the abhorration that is the new and devolved 21st century teen. Nobody has thought to post signs on the side of the bus proclaiming "Here There Be Monsters" or "Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here". Or maybe they did, and these demon-children have torn them down to place on the walls over their beds.

I seem to be a fertile vessel lately for the nurturing of a field of excuses. Escuses to procrastinate and put off today's run until tomorrow, to get the bike serviced next weekend (and then forget), and excuses to not sit down RIGHT NOW and work out a new training plan.

So, now that I'm settling in to the new studies, new job, and new life with a very cool girl, it's time to cultivate an effective training plan and sift out the noxious weeds that have grown in its place.

One thing making this easier is our mostly inefficient public transport system. I've started taking the train to my new job lately, and since the closest train station is more than 9km from my house, I've been grabbing a bus to the station in the morning. It's no extra charge, and I don't arrive at work too hot and sweaty. The catch is when coming home. The train arrives barely two minutes after the connecting bus leaves, so I would have to wait for nearly thirty minutes for the next bus home (which then winds back and forth for another twenty-plus minutes).

Simple solution : I can run/walk 8-9km in less time than that!

I just noticed there's an episode of Scooby Doo airing on Channel 9 this morning. That in itself would be enough to grab my attention, but it's accompanied shortly after by Tom and Jerry, and Channel 7 has Mickey Mouse followed by a few hours of other Disney cartoons.

While I'm not exactly a fan of the big mouse, he's certainly amusing. I'll only be stopping to watch Scooby Doo and leave the rest for others to see, but it's nice to see some of the old names coming back.

Could it be that the powers that be behind free-to-air TV no longer require the short bus to work, and have finally realised after years of dreadful children's TV programming that modern cartoons just plain suck? I guess we'll see next weekend if it's just a once off moment of clarity, or if there's positive change in the winds.

Roughly three weeks ago I resigned from my job of nearly fourteen and a half years.

I've decided to try my hand at internet development and use the skills that I've acquired while learning a thing or two about this whole 'interweb' thingy. Over the years I've tinkered on and off building sites as a hobby, so I thought it would be nice to learn first hand with some proper training and commercial experience. While I'm at it, and while change is in the air, I thought I'd take another shot at seeing what this whole 'girlfriend' thing is all about, since I've been single for too many years.

As well as studying, I've lined up some work with the Website team at Virgin Blue - a company filled with opportunities and potential. As a result, I've been a little busy lately and had to postpone my training (and am becoming rather pudgy!), but I expect to be back into full swing by the end of this month.

I'm quite excited about what the future may hold, and am looking forward to sharing oodles of great news in the months to come.

It has been rather quiet around here lately, and some of you might have wondered why. To set your minds at ease; no, I'm not pregnant. Nor have I been arrested for grave robbing or other questionable antics. I didn't get lost or stolen, nor broken and returned to place of purchase.

I'll spare you the boring details regarding my absence for the past few months. I'm back now, and the future is where all the opportunities await us. Things are about as normal as ever (that is to say, not very) and I'm training.

I have decided to work more resistance training into my schedule and began that a couple of weeks ago. The trick, I guess, is to continue to run, bike, and swim as well and not burn out.