leyton.org

The last couple of weeks has somehow been rather busy for all the right reasons, and this site has been somewhat neglected. Probably not going to cause anybody any heart-ache (especially as most of my visitors are hitting the old archive stuff not the latest and, er, greatest).

Figured it might be worth a short ‘update’ post that I’ve sort of been working on over the last few days…

Running

Running is going really well. After my routine got disrupted due to lots of travelling, and, well, Christmas, I’ve been back to running 3 or 4 times a week. Only a day after the words “I’m not pushing myself too hard” passed my lips, I went out for a gentle run. It really was gentle. I didn’t push, I just ran for the fun of it. Only to find I broke my fastest mile record, without even trying. That was a shock. I then went and did it again a couple of days later. Very strange, but perhaps indicative that a relaxed state of mind and doing it for the fun rather than the next goal has it’s own rewards when you least expect it.

It’s also really nice that the mornings are now light enough that I can squeeze a run in before I start work some mornings. There’s something really special about running through a frost-touched park as the sun rises. That, as well as unexpected records, are making me enjoy this running lark more than ever before. And there’s not been any return of my shin-splints/knee problems either. So I’ve found a sweet-spot.

Piano

You’ll recall I mentioned that I decided I’d take up the Piano last year, and actually started lessons a few weeks back. This is proving another surprise: I’m thoroughly enjoying it, and find that the hours zoom by as I tinkle away at the borrowed keyboard I have on my desk, practising the piece of music in front of me. It’s proving very therapeutic, and rewarding. Those small achievements as I get a particular bar of music right, or master a new idea, are really marvellous. A flashback to my education in a sense, as I got some key concept, or got a good mark.

That was part of it: I’ve not learnt anything radically new, other than by reading books, for ages. It’s been IT stuff all over, and science books. So I was finding I was hungry to learn something different. Keep that grey-matter limber. I’d considered languages (probably German), but I wanted something that would give me a hobby too (as much as language could well be very useful, it’s something I may try when I’ve attained a reasonable level at the Piano).

My piano teacher is a star too. Patience in plentiful amounts, and happy to answer quizzical questions that occur to me that, given she mainly teaches children, perhaps she doesn’t get normally. Certainly she suggested it wasn’t perhaps appropriate for me to learn timing by skipping around the room. She’s just around the corner (We can almost see her house from here), so it’s great for squeezing in for a late lunch.

It’s timing I’m struggling with most of all, as well as getting my fingers used to new movements. Getting the sharps and flats improved after my last lesson (fascinating in itself), and two handed playing is actually starting to take shape. I just suck at timing.

Pictures

Expect some pictures to make an appearance soon. I’m off to Ipswich this weekend to take the photographs for my brothers wedding. A nerve-wracking proposition, but whilst I’m certainly nervous, I’m also really looking forward to it. As long as the weather holds off enough that we get down there ok, and my photography equipment survives in one piece in the journey! Hopefully there will be some up for public consumption too. Wish me luck too on Saturday afternoon!

Work

… and work is busy too. Very busy. I’ve somehow picked up a new client, and it’s taking a long time to secure the services of a full-time replacement at one of my existing clients. I’ve also got a side-project I’m keen to start on, but what with all this running, piano, working, and - of course - time with Frances. New projects have therefore got to be back-burner stuff until some time opens up.

So it all amounts to a rather hectic, if rather enjoyable, period at the moment. Perhaps I’ll get a bit more time to be a bit more vocal as things settle down again in the next few weeks.

Oh, and enjoy your Haggis tonight if you’re having a Burns supper. We’ve got Frances’ close family coming around for dinner tonight, so hopefully I’ll get my onion gravy right to accompany the haggis. And yes, Kilts will most certainly be optional!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 25th, 2007 at 8:00 am and is filed under Music, Personal, Photography, Running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.