Tag Archives: hyperion

Rain, Rain, Go Away…

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Looking out of my office window right now all I can see is grey skies, rain and the trees being blown about. Some July huh? It’s been a really sunny summer so far so I can’t really complain too much I suppose, but it’s got me wishing for brighter skies, which in turn reminds me – only three weeks until holiday! In 22 days my friends and I are jetting off to Spain for a week to share a villa and have a damn good time. We have a pool, barbecue area and lots of space, so I intend to do a lot of relaxing, plenty of swimming and no doubt partaking in the odd sangria or two ;) . Usually foreign holidays for those of us living in ‘The Country’ have an added annoyance, and that’s the sheer amount of travelling involved before you get anywhere.

Cornwall has traditionally had really poor transport links – we’re talking 90 miles to the nearest stretch of Motorway, trains that take forever, no airports – but all of that has begun to change. Most of the above is still true, but with the advent of Newquay Airport and its subsequent improvements, the rest of the world has started to move a bit closer. Take this holiday I’m due for example. In the past it might have meant a drive to the nearest airport (normally Bristol – 3.5/4 hours, sometimes Gatwick/Heathrow @ 6.5/7 hours) before even starting. This time however we’re flying direct from Newquay (20 minutes drive away) to Alicante (30 minutes from the villa), and I feel so much happier and more relaxed about it. I have a really small list of things I want to take with me, mostly various swimming shorts, books and hopefully a very trashy inflatable for the pool. I’m fancying a giant inflatable dinosaur, but I think I might be out of luck there :( .

It’s back to the dojang tonight, time to infuse those mats with some more hard work and sweat (and hopefully not too much blood – it’ll stain!). I’m still aching all over from Wednesday’s antics, my shoulders aren’t used to things like dragon pushups any more. Between that and a stiff back from the Kickboxing warm-up which involved slapping the mat a lot as we changed direction, we ended up looking like apes (anyone who knows me can kindly refrain from any further comment there please), I’m not moving so freely. From the looks of things at least we’ll know if there are any leaks in the building.

I managed to find the single other person in the world who seems to not only have read Hyperion, but loved it as much as I do. Good day!

I can’t post songs from here, but I shall definitely be singing along to Snake River Conspiracy on the way home tonight, probably Breed followed by Lovesong.

Busy Times (And The Not-So-Busy Times)

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There are so many things happening and things I have to remember lately that it’s beginning to make my head spin. Fortunately I’m trying to stay true to my resolution of making myself that little more organised this year, currently with the help of Google Calendar. It’s nothing outlandish or bleeding-edge as I’d normally go for, but I think something simple is just what I need. I’m terrible for procrastinating, and gadgets and gizmos would mean I’d never actually use the thing, I’d just end up faffing about with it.

This month has been fairly exciting in terms of our own club, as it’s been the first time we’ve actually put a formal bid in for a unit which would become our full-time Dojang. It’s a small industrial unit nearby, but perfectly sized and ample for what we’d need to get going with. It’s just a case of playing the waiting game now and seeing what happens.

Once February comes we have some of the senior members of the EMTF (and some of their students by the sounds of things) coming down to give a weekend of seminars and teaching. This is their first visit to see us since becoming a member of the federation, so we want to put on a really good show and make sure they’re taken care of as much as is possible. Roll forward to March now and somehow it’s time for another grading! I’m sure I can still feel the last one in my bones. It’ll be a big step for me, should I pass, as the red belt I’d receive is the last one I’d be given before becoming a Dan grade. That’s an ominous thought.

With the serious business of the grading out of the way April presents us with the Seni show, which I’m really looking forward to again. I have no doubt that I’ll spend way too much on things I don’t really need, but just being there is infectious. It was beginning to look like May might be the first month without something going on in it, but that’s been seen to now with the invitation we’ve had to compete at the European championships in Poland. The Polish take their TSD seriously and by all accounts are very good at it too, so what happens to us will be an education no matter what it is. Still, a long weekend away with some seriously talented martial artists who know how to enjoy a drink or two should be excellent, and just before my birthday too.

There’s other stuff carrying on into the year, but I’m going to call it quits there, this post would get even more boring than it is already (seriously!).

Moving on to the not-so-busy times mentioned in the post title, I thought I’d record my non-training activity for posterity. At the moment there’s mostly two things occupying those quiet times indoors, waiting for the Spring to come.

Firstly games. As anyone who knows me knows, I likes me some games. I’ve been quite addicted to Call Of Duty 4, the multiplayer in particular. Not since Counter-Strike circa version 1.5 have I played a ‘realistic’ shooter for so long. The mix of action, tactics and the brilliant use of unlockables and challenges introduced to the online mix is a breath of fresh air, and guaranteed “one more go” fodder. I still enjoy Skate too, although I’m terrible at spotting lines and working them. On the Wii I’ve been lapping up every second of Super Mario Galaxy, and enjoying reliving the good ol’ Track & Field type competition which seems to come around every generation. Button mashing sports games will have to go some way to top International Track & Field for the original PlayStation, but Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games gives a decent account of itself.

I also picked up a book I bought for myself while I was out Christmas shopping a couple of months ago. I’d read about Hyperion before, but never thought any more if it until I saw the unusual cover at a stall in a shopping village. I’m so glad I took a chance on it, so far it’s been utterly captivating and the first book I’ve read in a long time which I found almost impossible to put down. I guess you’d call it Sci-Fi, in fact it obviously is, but it’s done very well and creates a very easily imagined universe. This one may even make it past the pile of half-finished books on my shelf.

Seni banner

Back To Reality

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It’s back to work on Monday, and I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Especially now that my body clock seems to be adjusted to getting up at 9. Damn you circadian rhythm! We took the decorations down yesterday, and while it’s always a little sad to see it all go into boxes for another year, it’s great to have what seems like a huge living room back. If anything it’s a bit empty now, I may have to get some tall plants I think.

Last night was Rock night again, being the first Friday of the month, and despite going on my own I had a blast, it was just what I needed, especially after the first training session of the new year was cancelled. Plus I made myself known to a few of the regulars I tend to bash into every month. There was a glut of 80′s covers and originals which made the night for me, and as much as I love the Depeche Mode/The Cure/Marc Almond originals of things like that, the songs had me whirling like a Dervish. When it was topped off with Sisters Of Mercy it was just a bit too good. Although I had a bit of an awakening at one point where I realised that while myself and two others dancing remember the songs from the first time around, there were some bouncing around who weren’t even born then!

I’ve just gotten back from taking Murphy for a much-needed hike around the woods. He gets wound up like a spring if he doesn’t go out regularly, so it’s good to have him knackered and snoozing on my lap as I type this. It rained just before we went, so naturally he came back with all his legs and undercarriage caked in mud, but he seemed to enjoy it so no harm done. I intend to light a fire now, carry on with my book (Hyperion for the time being) and wait for the FA Cup on the TV.