Nerding it up

It's that time of year when students don their rucksacks and shine their shoes for another year of stimulating academia and yes, that includes me. Except my course is distance learning so I don't need a rucksack. Or shoes.

First, I feel I must explain. I am doing a part time, distance learning MSc in Oncology (cancer). I currently do my full time working week squeezed down into four days in order to give me one day a week at home to study. With this being part time and all it will take a minimum of 3 years and they allow me a maximum of 5 to complete the course. I have done one year so far and was hoping to finish up in a total of three by doing as many modules as humanly possible.

It's day one of year two and I am thinking that this may take me longer than three years given that I need to understand, by Jan 2010, the fundamental concepts and principles of cancer pathology, cancer pharmacology and diagnostic imaging in oncology and pass three exams to that effect.

Ever feel like you have bitten of more than you can chew?

To coin a phrase...

I now know what the eloquent phrase "kick bollock busy' means.

I actually don't have time to explain why.

Abandoning healthy habits

In the last couple of weeks I have been to Dominos pizza twice and KFC. I haven't been running or swimming and I have put on a few pounds. I feel like the proverbial poop and even a few of the wondrous Jillian Michaels podcasts can't seem to drag me out of this vegging out funk.

I don't know whether it's moving house and losing routine, not being able to reach my ex- wonderful gym or just that I'm having a hard time at work. Faaarrrk, life is busy at the minute. My MSc kicks back into life again next week propelling me further into a spiral of disarray and sleepless nights. I need to get this sorted out, pronto.

Rant over.

An existential observation that life is full of imperfections

We moved in on Monday and were burgled the following Thursday night. The neighbours and local police have reported no previous criminal activity in the area, so by virtue of our arrival we have effectively doubled the local crime rate.

At least we know that the local police officer, scene of crime officer and locksmith are friendly people. Also, much kudos to the postman who found our discarded wallet (with all cards intact) and sent it special delivery back through our very door. A firm "up yours" to the inbred gypsy thieving pikey bastards.

"The robb'd that smiles, steals something from the thief"

William Shakespeare.

The dawn of a new era

"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." Arnold Bennett

Right now, I feel somewhat adrift. I'm not good with change. I never have been. It gives me a gurgly tummy and insomnia, which quite frankly never appeals. So, the thought of moving house (even though it is to our new house) feels, well, odd. We've been in this flat, in this sleepy part of London for 4 years and I like it. I'm comfortable. I know which bus routes takes forever to get to work and I know to just wait a couple of minutes before leaving the confines of the flat if I can hear our neighbours coming or going (they are lovely, wonderful people but my God can they rabbit on).

Very soon, I am going to have to learn new bus routes. New neighbours to potentially avoid. A new hairdresser. What if they cut my hair badly and charge me a mini fortune? A new dentist. A new doctor. What if I don't like the new surgery? A new tesco. I won't know where to find anything. What if I forget to tell someone really important that I have moved house? What if it takes me five hours to get to work?

What if? What if? What if?

So, why bother to move at all?

Well, the 'what if's' are floored by the single fact of the matter. We own this house. Technically, I guess the Royal Bank of Scotland owns the house but for all intents and purposes it belongs to us. We have two bedrooms. Two! That's a bedroom and an office. An office! I'll have my own shelves! I can colour code my MSc folders and Kris can label things. We have a garden. A garden! We can grow our own food. Not all of our intended consumption mind, I can't wait that long for a courgette but how flippin' amazing is it to pick food from your own garden and it eat it within the space of 10 minutes? We have a fireplace and bay windows. We have an unwanted cat flap and a toilet full of limescale but they are ours. I think this change will be worth it.

And, if the new hairdressers are crap I'll put up with a half hour bus journey to old, trusted and faithful Jeff. Because he's worth it.

A Running Rave Review

Now then. I have never, ever written a review for a product. Ever. I admit that I'm the first to complain when service is awful (as Barclays Bank will verify) but I have never testified, in print, that I really like something on this 'ere interweb.

That will change right now.

I recently made the brave purchase of a new iPhone application called "Couch to 5K".

Now, there are three salient facts to remember here:

1. I hate running
2. I don't like buying iPhone applications (as there are hundreds of free ones)
3. I have two knee replacements

Those three points will probably leave the distinct impression that this particular app isn't designed for a consumer such as myself. However, in this previous post, I somewhat alluded to a crazy desire of wanting to run and it has taken all of four months to put this whim into practice.

So, I happened upon the "Couch to 5K" iPhone application and it seemed a reasonable program with great reviews. It was the princely sum of £1.79 (or maybe £1.19, either way it cost less than a pint).

It has a gentle introduction, alternating between jogging and walking for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. I can't run outside for love nor money, my fake knees won't allow it. I started having a wee tinkle on the treadmill about 18 months ago with crazy trainer Lisa and thoroughly enjoyed myself, with the caveat that I wear good running shoes and take it easy. So, I ventured to the gym on a lonely Saturday afternoon and tested this bad boy app out. I've now completed week one and I may not yet be skinny or all that fit but my knees don't hurt and I am rather enjoying myself. I dare say I'm even looking forward to starting week two.

If you're scared of running for whatever reason, just try it. I urge you. Please.

If you don't have an iPhone, click here for the weblink.