progress report may 07
May has felt like a long month and it has been a bit like April in terms of the weather. March was very busy and then April was pretty quiet and restful. In May I got a lot done but I didn’t see to plan too well. So even though I got stuff done it was hard to keep track of what I was doing and when. But Tuesday is still blogging day. It has made me realise that planning is extremely important, not just to get things done, but in order to create a sense of calm in the midst of the chaos. So I’m gonna make sure that I do that this coming month.
Fixed Gear Exercises
I put a new front chainring on the bike, 1/8″. And that is giving me a new sense of power. So I’m continuing with the exercises that I have been doing like trying to slow the bike down with my legs and working more on the pulling up than the the pushing down. I would like to have a go at the coveted trackstand at some point this year.
Mula bandha at the traffic lights
Getting slower and deeper, but I seem to be stopping less at the lights because I’m getting better at approaching them slowly so that I don’t have to stop. Which means I need another opportunity to work on my Mula Bandha. Perhaps when I have to stop due to the traffic.
Minimum of a 100 miles a week on my bike
I wasn’t too great this month. I think I did manage one week. And did have one bike ride. But again due to lack of planning. The other thing was that my speedo battery ran out and it took me a few days to get a new one. So that was another week gone. But I think I’m in pretty good shape for the London to Brighton ride.
A yoga course for the drop-in classes I teach
I have been discussing the possibility of an actual course with one of the managers at a club where I work. But it’s all going rather slowly and I think I want to give my drop-in classes anyway and focus on my web design work as that is starting to take off and I’m starting to get a few paying clients.
Press-ups and sit-ups upon rising
Had a break with this one. Once I stopped doing the “super slow” technique due to old injuries resurfacing I kind of lost the rhythm. I asked a personal trainer friend to recommend some exercises, which he did but never got round to doing them. My excuse was that I had no swiss ball on which to do them. But now I have one so I have no excuse. He has suggested static strength training for three times a week. So I’ll give that a go over June and see how it goes. Same idea as before, the chest mainly and the abs/core. 
Meditation
Nope. I don’t think I did more than one session. Again due to lack of planning. If I put it on my daily plan then it happens, but otherwise it’s just an intention and that’s about it. I would still like to do a 20 minute session 3 times a week or so, but just need to create some slots and then it’s going to happen. Like having Tuesday morning for blogging.
My own yoga practice – one class, one alone
I did actually go to one class and did one session on my own. But need to do more than that I reckon. And my deep tissue masseur said that I needed more stretching. So there you go. I seem to do it when I go for my bike ride and have a session straight after it. So perhaps I need to go on my bike ride a bit more often. But what about going to a class? I’m gonna have to find one. One thing that I’m planning this month as part of my marketing drive is a grand tour of the yoga centres of London. So could get plenty of yoga action. A serious stretch.
Diet – 5 a day, etc
Hmmm. Don’t think so. Bread and more bread really. I have been having my smoothies, but that’s about it. At least that’s something. Falafel from Gaby’s then. At least I can get some salad that way. Still taking the vitamins. 1g Vit C and 1g Cod Liver Oil.
Bike rides eg London to Brighton etc
Did the Orpington training ride once this month and I did the ride to Biggin Hill as well. I also did a ride from Hanwell/Southall back home. So I’m getting them in. And on track for the London to Brighton next month.
Keep a log of monthly achivements
Need to keep bigging my self up as it’s good for the soul. 
Reading
I have actually managed to get some reading done. And not just technical stuff. I have been reading a lot about scsi, but managed to read a fairly thick novel called “The Corrections”. The trick is to start the next one almost immediately, because if you leave a gap, then that gap grows greater and greater and then greater still. So I think I have got the hang of this one now.
Trips to visit friends
I did a trip down to Brighton and have finally booked my flight to Geneva to see my friend there. So I think I’m doing my bit to keep up with my social life. If I lose sight of this one then I think I’m losing track of the real core values in life and deserve to be shot.
Selling things on Ebay and having a clear out
I can say a resounding yes to this one. It’s all about making a start with ebay I find. I have been buying lots of stuff, so I thought that it was about time that I sold something. And I do have a lot of stuff to sell. One thing at a time though. It’s like I said with the reading, that you need to get straight onto the next one. But with ebay you can list a new item while another one is still running. Perhaps I need to have an auction day? Even selling small things is good as it keeps your hand in there.
Pampering and ‘me’ time
Had a massage, plenty of naps, read and even started to play the xbox again which I haven’t really done since January. Does wonders you know, treating yourself. Have plenty of massages owing to me now so I just need to book them.
Reviews in the blog – films, books, exhibitions etc
Like I said last month, I think that I watch too many films to review them all. But could do a few one liners I guess. Why not, it’s my blog after all and I can write what the hell l like. I do make a note of them but that’s not really enough. I think once I start writing though I’m gonna be on a roll. 
Selling more wheels on ebay
The wheels have gone crazy. I have made more wheels this month than I have made in my whole wheel building career over the last couple of years. It’s due to a combination of putting an ad in ebay and also being on the londonfgss.com website. Great fun, but don’t want it to become a job.
Checking out the Herne Hill velodrome
Well I did check it out. but haven’t been since. And I’m not sure that I do want to go again. I don’t really want to get up earrly on the Saturday again and the main thrust is to race. And I’m not sure if I want to race rather than just ride. Perhaps I’ll give it another try at some point and see how I feel.
Working on my Svenska
Oh well. Completely neglected this month. But the intention is there.
Contributing to Songfight
I have been keeping an eye on the titles, but again it’s all about getting into the swing of it again as I haven’t done it for so long. I do have a song to write though where I have the music and melody. Perhaps that will get me back into it. But this isn’t really a priority at the moment, even this year. I just want to do one or two songs this year, that’s all. No biggie.
Songfight entries of Bell Green
Business Plan
Well yes. I have some new ideas, but I’m not going to reveal them here. I don’t know where those ideas come from but they sure are good. I may even make a big pile of cash. 
Ruby on Rails
With all the Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla and whatnot is it worth learning Ruby? It has to go on the back burner for the time being really.