NO WAKEBOARDING ....
We head off for a couple of weeks of surfing and scuba-diving next week and so I've decided to avoid the wakeboarding lake until we get back. My knee is only now feeling 99% better since landing a jump badly back in June and ending up on crutches. A bit of a pain but I'm just a tad worried that if I was to squeeze a couple of sessions in before heading for the plane, I'll f&*k my knee up again and be screwed for my 2-weeks in the sun.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Why I went on strike .....
Man, I have had some serious internal moral conflicts (and still do) about this entire strike malarkey!
It's no secret that I can't stand anything that this government stand for. In particular I have issues with the majority of their 'welfare reforms'. I don't trust their strategies (if in fact they have any strategies beyond the length of a term) and detest the fact that much of their policy remains highly sort-term and narrow-sighted.
So ...... I joined ATL Union when I started teaching; the reason being that I wanted the protection (legal) and have a long term belief in the collective bargaining powers of Union membership. But I opted for the ATL for the reason that they have a history of refraining from any strike action.
Over the last 12-month or so, working folk have faced an unprecedented attack - wages, working conditions and pensions. This has been combined with an attack on the vast majority of public services in what seems to be an attempt to roll back the progress made to the post WWII era. With these measures starting to bite, local services are being closed and people are finding themselves alone, on the edge of an economic precipice and with no one to turn to. This is having a significant impact on a number of specific groups - young people, people with disabilities and the elderly. With young people losing their youth centres and the elderly and disabled losing access to care facilities, people are being forgotten!
On a personal level, I believe it is demonstrably unfair that I am being asked to pay more into my pension, work longer and receive less when I eventually retire. This will have a huge impact on the standard of education, with teachers remaining in position until their 68th birthday..... talking to my students, they really don't want to be taught by a teacher close to becoming a septuagenarian. This change will also have an impact on the private sector. As the public sector reforms continue, the knock-on effect will mean private employers will (if they haven't done so already) change their employee working conditions and pension rights.
Furthermore, the not-so-obvious economic impact is that with an ageing working population (as we are all forced to work close to our 70's), there can only be an increase in unemployment and thus an even greater burden on the welfare state.
With specific reference to my pension (Teachers Pension Scheme - TPS). The governments argument is that public sector pensions are simply unaffordable and 'costing the tax payer'. This is simply not true! I pay my pension contributions into the TPS ( a separate 'pot') and like other public and private sector schemes, it is funded through a combination of employer and employee contributions. It is therefore a deferred pay, and is not 'taxpayers money'. Plus, over time the TPS has actually been in surplus more frequently than it has been in deficit (I ask you to look at what Robert Maxwell did with his employee pension scheme and make parallels to what the government want to do with the TPS). In 2006/7 changes were made to the TPS scheme to make it more affordable but for some reason since these changes were introduced the government has not (and continues to refuse to) carry out a valuation of the scheme. Even though this is required by law - why will they not simply carry out this valuation if only to prove their case for reform? As such, there is NO basis for judging the affordability of the TPS.
Looking at the bigger picture within education, I also feel the need to stand up and be counted about the way the government are destroying the education system. Academies - turning all schools into competing private companies, with the bottom line firmly focusing on 'price' and students will simply be referred to as revenue streams. Choice - telling school that they are being given more freedom to provide a diverse portfolio of qualifications to suit ALL students but in the same breath creating a league table that only accounts for maths, english, science, humanities and a foreign language. This means that those more 'applied' schools (with less traditionally-able students students - BTEC's etc) will fall further and further down the league table, attract fewer students, less funds and become the inevitable 'sink' school - check out the educational system in America! Pay & Conditions - linked to academy status. As more schools turn to Academy (private limited company) status this means that the wealthier schools, with the larger incomes will be able to pay better wages to attract better staff. This will only make the situation even worst for those school (applied focus) struggling to attract the better students to get the better teachers - access to (an equally valuable) education is a right and these actions go against any moral obligation the government has.
In no way am I militant but I fear that if we all remain quiet and allow the government to dismantle the British economy and continue to negatively impact normal peoples way of life, we will wake up one morning with only the rich being able to make choices in life (we're already half way there). I just hope that along the way, we don't don't all lose sight of the big picture and start a battle to hit the bottom first (or last).
Man, I have had some serious internal moral conflicts (and still do) about this entire strike malarkey!
It's no secret that I can't stand anything that this government stand for. In particular I have issues with the majority of their 'welfare reforms'. I don't trust their strategies (if in fact they have any strategies beyond the length of a term) and detest the fact that much of their policy remains highly sort-term and narrow-sighted.
So ...... I joined ATL Union when I started teaching; the reason being that I wanted the protection (legal) and have a long term belief in the collective bargaining powers of Union membership. But I opted for the ATL for the reason that they have a history of refraining from any strike action.
Over the last 12-month or so, working folk have faced an unprecedented attack - wages, working conditions and pensions. This has been combined with an attack on the vast majority of public services in what seems to be an attempt to roll back the progress made to the post WWII era. With these measures starting to bite, local services are being closed and people are finding themselves alone, on the edge of an economic precipice and with no one to turn to. This is having a significant impact on a number of specific groups - young people, people with disabilities and the elderly. With young people losing their youth centres and the elderly and disabled losing access to care facilities, people are being forgotten!
On a personal level, I believe it is demonstrably unfair that I am being asked to pay more into my pension, work longer and receive less when I eventually retire. This will have a huge impact on the standard of education, with teachers remaining in position until their 68th birthday..... talking to my students, they really don't want to be taught by a teacher close to becoming a septuagenarian. This change will also have an impact on the private sector. As the public sector reforms continue, the knock-on effect will mean private employers will (if they haven't done so already) change their employee working conditions and pension rights.
Furthermore, the not-so-obvious economic impact is that with an ageing working population (as we are all forced to work close to our 70's), there can only be an increase in unemployment and thus an even greater burden on the welfare state.
With specific reference to my pension (Teachers Pension Scheme - TPS). The governments argument is that public sector pensions are simply unaffordable and 'costing the tax payer'. This is simply not true! I pay my pension contributions into the TPS ( a separate 'pot') and like other public and private sector schemes, it is funded through a combination of employer and employee contributions. It is therefore a deferred pay, and is not 'taxpayers money'. Plus, over time the TPS has actually been in surplus more frequently than it has been in deficit (I ask you to look at what Robert Maxwell did with his employee pension scheme and make parallels to what the government want to do with the TPS). In 2006/7 changes were made to the TPS scheme to make it more affordable but for some reason since these changes were introduced the government has not (and continues to refuse to) carry out a valuation of the scheme. Even though this is required by law - why will they not simply carry out this valuation if only to prove their case for reform? As such, there is NO basis for judging the affordability of the TPS.
Looking at the bigger picture within education, I also feel the need to stand up and be counted about the way the government are destroying the education system. Academies - turning all schools into competing private companies, with the bottom line firmly focusing on 'price' and students will simply be referred to as revenue streams. Choice - telling school that they are being given more freedom to provide a diverse portfolio of qualifications to suit ALL students but in the same breath creating a league table that only accounts for maths, english, science, humanities and a foreign language. This means that those more 'applied' schools (with less traditionally-able students students - BTEC's etc) will fall further and further down the league table, attract fewer students, less funds and become the inevitable 'sink' school - check out the educational system in America! Pay & Conditions - linked to academy status. As more schools turn to Academy (private limited company) status this means that the wealthier schools, with the larger incomes will be able to pay better wages to attract better staff. This will only make the situation even worst for those school (applied focus) struggling to attract the better students to get the better teachers - access to (an equally valuable) education is a right and these actions go against any moral obligation the government has.
In no way am I militant but I fear that if we all remain quiet and allow the government to dismantle the British economy and continue to negatively impact normal peoples way of life, we will wake up one morning with only the rich being able to make choices in life (we're already half way there). I just hope that along the way, we don't don't all lose sight of the big picture and start a battle to hit the bottom first (or last).
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
F*%ked my knee-up ...
What a crappy weekend! My mum came for a visit (not the reason for the crappy weekend) and to watch me do the Blenheim Triathlon. She arrived on the Friday and so I thought it would be cool to take her to the lake and watch me doing a spot of wakeboarding. The sun was out, the lake was calm and I was feeling pretty confident! Strapped on a board and jumped into the lake ..... on my first jump, I took air and landed very badly ( my own fault). My knee twisted in one direction and I twisted in the other - the result now is a quality limp and the inability to walk without a crutch! So, not only did I need to go to A&E (minor injury unit) on a sunny Saturday but I couldn't do the Blenheim Tri on the Sunday .... Grrrrrr!
Oh yeh ... we're not getting one of Scooby's pups. Probably for the best but that plan was also scupper'd!
AND .... got a speeding ticket (or rather 'intention to prosecute' letter) though the post from my brief surfing adventures into Wales the other weekend. Spotted the sneaky little bugger (speed unit van hiding being a bush on a bridge) but obviously a wee bit late!
What a crappy weekend! My mum came for a visit (not the reason for the crappy weekend) and to watch me do the Blenheim Triathlon. She arrived on the Friday and so I thought it would be cool to take her to the lake and watch me doing a spot of wakeboarding. The sun was out, the lake was calm and I was feeling pretty confident! Strapped on a board and jumped into the lake ..... on my first jump, I took air and landed very badly ( my own fault). My knee twisted in one direction and I twisted in the other - the result now is a quality limp and the inability to walk without a crutch! So, not only did I need to go to A&E (minor injury unit) on a sunny Saturday but I couldn't do the Blenheim Tri on the Sunday .... Grrrrrr!
Oh yeh ... we're not getting one of Scooby's pups. Probably for the best but that plan was also scupper'd!
AND .... got a speeding ticket (or rather 'intention to prosecute' letter) though the post from my brief surfing adventures into Wales the other weekend. Spotted the sneaky little bugger (speed unit van hiding being a bush on a bridge) but obviously a wee bit late!
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Another dog ....
Lisa and me are trying to work out whether to add dog #2 to our lives. Tilly has been with us now for over 6yrs and like anyone else out there, she has become a center-point to our lives. My little sisters dog (Scooby) has just given birth (she had a very hard time and lost one pup) to three healthy puppies - 2 girls and 1 boy (brown head and brown spots on back). Sis has offered us the boy.
The pair of us have shot wildly between 'yes' and 'no' over the last few weeks and to start with I was against the idea but now I almost get the feeling that I'm more pro-pup than Lisa is.
Mmmmm, what to do? They're only 5-days old at the moment, so we have a few weeks to decide.
Lisa and me are trying to work out whether to add dog #2 to our lives. Tilly has been with us now for over 6yrs and like anyone else out there, she has become a center-point to our lives. My little sisters dog (Scooby) has just given birth (she had a very hard time and lost one pup) to three healthy puppies - 2 girls and 1 boy (brown head and brown spots on back). Sis has offered us the boy.
The pair of us have shot wildly between 'yes' and 'no' over the last few weeks and to start with I was against the idea but now I almost get the feeling that I'm more pro-pup than Lisa is.
Mmmmm, what to do? They're only 5-days old at the moment, so we have a few weeks to decide.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
20yrs without getting on a racer!
It was the Cotsworld Sprint-Triathlon this morning. As I'm truly crap as being organised I camped-it-up over night at the even and was up bright and early in plenty of time to get to the start line (unlike Paul who literally arrived while all the competitors were in their wetties and at the start line).
Not a bad time (1hr 16mins) but I can see easily where I can make up 5mins or more. Get stuck into the swim (don't wait until almost everyone has started in the belief that they're all faster than you - they weren't & so I ended up fighting my way though all the guys I'd get steam ahead), don't faff in the transitions and if I have the energy to chat as I'm running along then I'm clearly not trying hard enough! Also, the fact that today was the first time in over 20yrs that I've been on a racer bike (in the past I have just used my mountain bikes) I wasn't too much of an embarrassment - especially as it was wet on the roads. Plus, I didn't take a tumble (like Paul) in the bike dismount area :).
My right leg was a tad dodgy after last weeks half marathon, so I'm glad to see that I now have 3 weekends free of events. The Blenheim Tri is next on the list (start of June) and then the Henley Tri follows after that.
It was the Cotsworld Sprint-Triathlon this morning. As I'm truly crap as being organised I camped-it-up over night at the even and was up bright and early in plenty of time to get to the start line (unlike Paul who literally arrived while all the competitors were in their wetties and at the start line).
Not a bad time (1hr 16mins) but I can see easily where I can make up 5mins or more. Get stuck into the swim (don't wait until almost everyone has started in the belief that they're all faster than you - they weren't & so I ended up fighting my way though all the guys I'd get steam ahead), don't faff in the transitions and if I have the energy to chat as I'm running along then I'm clearly not trying hard enough! Also, the fact that today was the first time in over 20yrs that I've been on a racer bike (in the past I have just used my mountain bikes) I wasn't too much of an embarrassment - especially as it was wet on the roads. Plus, I didn't take a tumble (like Paul) in the bike dismount area :).
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Is this summer ..... it's becoming quite the norm to get bloody lovely weather in April, only to find that the summer ends up on the wet side of shiny!
Lisa, me and Tilly are heading off to Exmoor (well, the edge of Exmoor) for 4-days later this afternoon. The plan is to get some proper outside time, with a spot of surfing mixed in!
My tattoo has settled in well and it's ace having some ink that was specifically sketched for me, with bits about me, Lisa and even Tilly in it!
Really looking forward to the summer hol. Doing our PADI, a spot of 'nice' mountain biking, a Spa (Lisa's idea for me to do it as well); Lisa is planning on doing morning yoga and I'm going to be surfing in-between it all.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Yay, a spot of sunshine!
After last nights mid-week drinks I think hitting the gym this evening is going to be a struggle. I'm even struggling to get changed and take Tilly out for a walk in the lovely sunshine. I think it could be the fact that I just need to survive 'til the end of the week and then we're off to Exmoor for a few days (staying in a cottage & not camping) for some fresh air and a couple of dashes to the beach if the surf and sun make a decent appearance.
The www.eyeballhq.tv re-launch was a cracking weekend. Lisa and me didn't arrive 'til late in the evening (M4 was jammed) but we still managed to pack the drink in, meet with friends and have a lot of fun - Lisa was a tad confused when the bar was found to be closed at about 12.30am. Trev looked seriously chuffed that so many guys & girls had turned up to help get the party started.
Also, after catching up with Jojo at the weekend I think we're going to give NASS a go this year. Lisa and me went to Wakestock last year but it's a bloody long way to go for a Saturday & Sunday - I loved the wakeboarding though!
Bring on the summer ...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Hate being ill!
Thank f*%k it's the end of the week. It' actuually been a pretty short 'working' one but flipping heck it's been a hard one. Should have run the Reading Half on Sunday but was in no condition to be leaving the apartment, never mind running 13 miles. A tad gutted, as I was planning on using the run as a training session to help with the GWR atthe beginning on May. I'll have to put the effort into running 13 miles another weekend, with out the motivation of being surrounded by hundreds of other runners.
No real plans for this weekend apart from taking it easy! Next weekend I'm in Woolly (need to get down pretty dam fast on Friday night) for something special happening with Trev and Eyeball ... as usual trev has been a wee bit secretive about what his re-launch actually include - although the new graphics on his van give a few big hints.
Must also throw an email in the direction of the lake guys, to find out when wakeboarding starts up again. It's usually around Easter that things start up again but when with the Royal wedding etc, I don't really know what's going on with holidays and weekends. Still, I'm really looking forward to strapping on the old impact vest again.
A bottle of wine will help me feel better ...... I just know it will!
Thank f*%k it's the end of the week. It' actuually been a pretty short 'working' one but flipping heck it's been a hard one. Should have run the Reading Half on Sunday but was in no condition to be leaving the apartment, never mind running 13 miles. A tad gutted, as I was planning on using the run as a training session to help with the GWR atthe beginning on May. I'll have to put the effort into running 13 miles another weekend, with out the motivation of being surrounded by hundreds of other runners.
No real plans for this weekend apart from taking it easy! Next weekend I'm in Woolly (need to get down pretty dam fast on Friday night) for something special happening with Trev and Eyeball ... as usual trev has been a wee bit secretive about what his re-launch actually include - although the new graphics on his van give a few big hints.
Must also throw an email in the direction of the lake guys, to find out when wakeboarding starts up again. It's usually around Easter that things start up again but when with the Royal wedding etc, I don't really know what's going on with holidays and weekends. Still, I'm really looking forward to strapping on the old impact vest again.
A bottle of wine will help me feel better ...... I just know it will!
Monday, February 21, 2011
and I want to do a bit of fiddling with my mountainbike before hitting the welsh hills with Barney on Friday In slightly bigger news, I'm also planning on getting my new tattoo started. It's going to take a few hours and possibly a couple of sessions
Monday, January 10, 2011
Man, it's been a hard few months. I'll not go into any detail but I feel as though a huge weight has been removed from my shoulders.
Hit Woolly for the weekend and as sad as the reason was, it was great to see everyone. The surf club all made the effort to attend this weekend to say goodbye to Indian, who sadly passed over Christmas. It was a lovely memorial paddle-out. the sun made an appearance and we even managed to find a slightly more sheltered spot to gather and join in a circle. Both Indian's parents and children attended the day and it was very strong of Indian's dad to thank us all for coming together to say goodbye.
We all had a few drinks to celebrate Indian and his life on Saturday night, and after a couple of months off the beer, I felt a little hung-over the following morning.
It was a beautiful weekend and no better way to say bye to a friend.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Sad news has made its way over the ocean this morning. Confirmed reports that 3X World Champion Andy Irons has passed away.
HONOLULU – (November 2, 2010) — The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii’s Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion. Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease.
At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.
Andy leaves behind his wife Lyndie and their unborn child.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Ok, so neither Lisa or I were completely prepared for the challenge but I was at about 85% so wasn't worried. Lisa was a little more concerned
Actually it wasn't that bad at all. With a bit more training we'd have improved on our times but Lisa's biggest challenge was the mountainbike section. Lisa loves pottering about on her mountainbike and following the occasional bumpy track but off-road really isn't her thing & so screaming down hill over wet roots and rocks was a complete unknown for her. Still, she did very well and with a bit of ahead shouting/warning from me, she really
pushed her skill limit (with out falling off).
Dave & Barney did very well & if it hadn't been for a slight direction issue, they'd have come very high up on the list of finishers ..... as it happened they did the same distance as everyone else but missed a check-point and so received a time penalty - at least next year should see a significant time improvement should they remember to hit every time-check.
Will I do it again ..... most definitely!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Last wakeboard of the year ..... Went out last night and had a few beers (followed by a curry & then more beer) and so getting up this morning was a struggle. Still, after a spot of grunting and groaning I did make it out of my pit and into the car. None of the promised sunshine but unlike last week the lake was nice and calm (last week was a bloody nightmare with strong wind and rain) and it just felt good ***COLD*** to get wet. Still loving the heal-side but switch is hard work. My jumps are coming along and one of my wake-to-wakes was so big that it not only surprised Lisa in the boat but it pretty much shocked me as well Lisa's riding is also improving and growing in confidence .... really a shame the lake will be closed 'til April next year.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Went out last night and had a few beers (followed by a curry & then more beer) and so getting up this morning was a struggle. Still, after a spot of grunting and groaning I did make it out of my pit and into the car None of the promised sunshine but unlike last week the lake was nice and calm (last week was a bloody nightmare with strong wind and rain) and it just felt good ***COLD*** to get wet. Still loving the heal-side but switch is hard work. My jumps are coming along and one of my wake-to-wakes was so big that it not only surprised Lisa in the boat but it pretty much shocked me as well Lisa's riding is also improving and growing in confidence .... really a shame the lake will be closed 'til April next year.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Anyway, summer is well and truely over. Only a couple of weeks left of the wakeboarding season until the boats & boats are locked away for the winter :(
It was Rich's birthday last weekend and even with a nasty bug we headed to the coast for beer, surf and more beer. Planned to be in the bar by 9.30pm on the Friday but the M5 had other plans for us - it was completely closed from about 7pm-2am ..... Aaaaagh! So, we eventually arrived at 1.30am after taking a few sneaky detours (once we had managed to get off the M5). The guys who didn't know the sneakier routes didn't arrive until closer to 3am! Still, once we all arrived the weekend was a blast. Softball on the beach followed by a surf in the afternoon. The bar soon followed & then it was into Woolly for food, more beer & Mariscos (all Good!). Lisa managed to pull the second scariest man of the evening (the scariest man was his mate & was eagerly looking on as I contemplated stepping in to protect my honour - & that of Lisa's). Although I think I had the scariest man of the evening was caught on his back-foot due to the fact that as soon as he entered the club I wandered up to him (in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle outfit) & asked him what the hell he did for a job ...... he was huuuuge and covered in tattoos & I was curious was such a scary man would do for a living! You'll be amazed to know that we/I survived the night and safely arrived home late on Sunday.
Wakeboarding tomorrow morning. It's been a couple of weeks since I last hit the lake & I'm hoping that I can improve on my jumps and that my wetsuit dies out (I hate putting a damp wetsuit on). looks like heavy rain tomorrow :(
Think that's about it .... Oh yeh, I now have a motorbike. Definitely going to avoid riding it to work in the wet (that's why I still have a car) but loving the freedom. Just a tad frustrated/confused/annoyed that somehow my bike-box actually fell off the other day en-route to work ..... didn't see it, hear it and no one flashed or beeped to tell me hit had fallen off (or hit their car. Reported it's loss to the Police thinking someone would have reported me for an unsafe load but no joy. I think gremlins must be taking the piss out of me from the bushes!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Back at work and the weather has completely changed. We've gone from the barmy 28'C of the weekend and the triathlon to cooler and much wetter weather.
Looking at the Wakestock line-up the festival should be a great one..... Ting-Tings, Maximo Park, Plan-B & Feeder are just a few of the guys and girls appearing ont he variety of stages. Radio 1 are also going to be there.
How ever, before hitting Wakestock I really must get my arse in gear and do some actual work so that I can afford to keep going on these little adventures.
It's the rough Ride this weekend as well but I think that I'll gve it a miss for either a laid-back weekend at home or a spot of wakeboarding ..... Mmmmm, what to do?
Finally .... I need to get fitter!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Just messing with Blogger again and wasting a bit of time before hitting the shower and then going to bed. Over the last year or so I've been blogging on myopera but a load of my mates use this site to blog their world.
Ok, so there is a lack of smileys etc but it might be worth a play ...... myopera is a lot more user friendly though and photo albums are very easy to throw together.
..... lets see how this looks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)