Monthly Archives: Jan 2013

Long cold.

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2°C, cold penetrating fog.
Still ill. All this started on the 7th of Dec. That makes it a month. Or is was it two colds separated by 5 days around Christmas. There is a shard of comfort when I hear that there are so many others with long persistent chest and throat infections.
There is no end in sight yet. I have taken the day off since 1/ my voice nearly failed yesterday & I am timetabled for more lessons today, 2/ I took the dog for her early morning outing by I saw purple spots before my eyes the whole time.

Will the world’s end begin like this.

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Router (dsl-g624m) dropouts

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9°C, calm & grey.
Still ill as the line in the Smiths song goes, but I’m bored with talking about it.
My router is probably the cause of poor internet connections at home. The latest stage in this sorry, tedious saga is a new firmware.
Every time I try something, the smartphone & laptop connect and I am filled with optimism. Then after streaming media, like a online video (my favourtite is Vimeo), the waiting sign comes up and it eventually time-outs.
Another idea is that the routes is failing, perhaps a mechanical failure. Often the connection fails after some time watching BBCi Player. Perhaps the heat can stress a weak component or solder joint.
The only solution to that is a full replacement.

Rioting = fun?

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Is rioting good fun? I’ve never tried it myself but I hear that they’re rioting in Northern Ireland, something to do with how often they fly flags. A decision made by democratically elected local government, it’s said. Their own leaders have told the rioters to stop, but continues today.
In NI, have a long record of extreme action triggered by trivial, silly issues- flags, parades, marches and so on.
So with such absurd causes, what is the real reason for that behaviour?

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Grocer

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11°C, light cloud.
The girl who served me today in the grocery shop didn’t look right. She rested her head between each customer, pale. I asked whether she was unwell, she sighed with the word- “yes”.
There is some comfort in this, almost all of us feel poorly in this way at this time. All activity is an uphill push, leaving us pale and breathless.
Galling though, for me, is the missed opportunity for some good cycling in this decent weather. Here is the mildest winter break in years. Some parts of this nation has 13°C highs this week. I can only look outside.
image

2012 summary

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7°C, clear, cold wind from sea.

Cycling: ~4,409 miles.

  • Kona fixed gear– 984 miles,
  • Arrow 16 speed (Shimano)-2,220 miles.
  • Racelite 16 (campy)- 1,225 miles.

Fewer miles than I hoped for due to several problems-

  • more rain than usual,
  • more hiking,
  • work related stress much higher than normal.
  • Some loss of determination (related to the above),
  • Winter ice cost a few hundred too,

I want to clear 5,000 miles in 2013 (by as much as a thousand miles to make up for 2012). To this end, the summer bike needs a good overhaul to avoid mechanical problems and ensure that it’s more fun to ride.
This point generates another list for January-

  • Rebuild wheels,
  • New headset
  • New pedals.

Not too much cost, but quite a long turn-around while it’s away at the Campagnolo service center. No need to ride it until March though.