Running.

The day of my run is rapidly approaching. I'm not sure if i'm ready... Thirteen miles, a half marathon. I've ran it before, yes, but have only really started training in the last month and a half after an absence of six. It'll be a real test for myself. I did it once, but was it a fluke? I remember the pain at the end of the last half marathon. I remember telling myself that i'd never do it again. So it beats me why I am doing it again. In all honesty, the only reason why is if I didn't sign up for these races then I wouldn't do any excersize whatsoever. I'd just fester, ferment.

Whenever I start running there is always a couple of weeks of complaining - almost a rejection in my head. I don't want to run, because of the pain, because of the disappointment of going out to run six miles but only managing three. Once I start to get used to the distances, it gets much better. I feel much better. A feeling comes back that I always manage to forget. It's some sort of pride like emotion. Where I feel I am doing something that is worth it. Something that will take my mind off of drinking every weekend.

My advice to anyone is, if you can run.. run. Or do at least some form of exercise. Because being unfit affects you more than you realise.

-Rob.

Desperate for the Ibanez FRM100 TR

Designed by Paul Gilbert (i'll use that term loosely) and made by Ibanez, this guitar is a beaut! I was first aware of it in about November 2010, a little over a year ago now, and i'd seen it's predecessor before that.

I'm having such a hard time finding one though! I know America sells them, despite what the chap at my local music store was saying. And I know they're not available in the UK yet, despite what Ibanez told me, which is pretty incredible that they can get the release of their own guitar wrong. So the hunt goes on! They're going for $899 in america (£560) which is a vast improvement on the £7000 the previous model is being sold for!

No US store will ship to the UK.. they've probably got an exclusivity deal for the states at the moment.

-Rob.

We need to get the band back together.

Okay, so there was never a band per se, but I have always had an interest in music, I've been in somewhat unsuccessful bands where I wasn't so much at the forefront of the music making process - I was once in a band that I tried very hard to be a part of but it was the leader's baby, and I was forced to leave because I didn't want to take a back seat. I'm really keen on bringing together a group of people, hopefully I can rope some of my friends into it too, where we all have an equal part in the music that is made and the direction we wish to go. I'm very keen on making music, not so much as a career choice, as it's a very hard business to crack, but at least as part of my life. Making music is something I love doing. I'll try to keep updating on what is going on in that part of my life! -Rob.

The End

So last Wednesday I found myself inexplicably unwell, so I took the day off work and decided to do a bit more reading. I'd roared through my Series of Unfortunate Events books, and had two more left. What great books they were. I loved that there were so many questions raised in the books, that there was a reason behind the great tragedy in the first book, but this was not made apparent until a lot later in the series. It really made you feel for the characters. They really were entertaining, they left a few mysteries which haven't been answered, which is great, it's not a perfect world, after all! It's been a pretty strange weekend for me. After my illness recovery (I was actually only ill for a day, before getting better again) I wandered round the city yesterday and bought myself some trousers. Today I think i'll be taking it rather easy! -Rob.

An update is in order!

Whilst I sit here brandishing an apple, I thought it would be fitting to write a blog post, as I don't have much better to do! So i've arranged to sell my iPhone. The ebay listing is up, and i'm back with my HTC. I feel at home again. On the cards tonight has made a dramatic transformation from a gig in a crypt (seriously) to a run. The gig would have been much more interesting im sure, but this shall have to make do! I'm currently preparing for a half marathon (13 miles) that I will be running on the 27th November. I say preparing, well, there hasn't been much of that yet, so I have to get my ass into gear! It's going to get very cold in the next few months, so i'm sure it will be as unenjoyable as it can possibly be!

As Halloween slowly approaches, and I am reminded that I won't be doing much for it (it's my dads birthday) I have been forced to scrimp and save, as I have been caught a bit short of money this month. Well hey, that's life.

-Rob.

Not impressed...

So the iPhone failed to amaze, back to my HTC. It was inferior in many respects.. speed was incredibly slow and cumbersome, the camera is terrible, with the 3g having no in built support for video recording. Just a terrible phone in general. Well it's something I needed to try, and I proved myself right! I'm not buying an apple product ever again! -Rob.

A pint of the red stuff please...

For the fourth time yesterday I gave blood, something that I have been doing for the past year and a half. It's such an easy thing to do, I can understand people's thoughts about it being painful, but it's not at all! The most painful part was taking the plaster off at the end!

It's so easy to do, you can sign up right this minute by clicking here, book an appointment and et voila! you're done.

When you go in, you drink a glass of squash so you're well hydrated, then they test your blood which involves pricking your finger, then you're off to give blood where they put a needle into a vein in your arm and start. It takes about 10 minutes and then they'll take the needle out and put a plaster on you and you're all done. I never have had any bad side effects after but sometimes people can feel faint after.

I would recommend anyone to go and do it, because it's easy and helps make a difference!

Rob.