Highly Strung

Why is it that when you’re tired and waiting for the w3 at Finsbury park there’s always some spaz singing loudly to himself standing beside you?

Me: My objection to the Wii and in fact console games in general is that people play them primarily alone and that it stops them from going outside their house and seeking a social life with other people. I think they are particularly bad for single people who should be getting out there and meeting people in real life not in virtual life and not online.

Boyf: Yeah but its just a bit of fun

Me: Its just sad though that people look forward to spending time with a machine and it becomes a substitute for real human company.

An ad for Rockband for Xbox comes on the tv

Me: Ooooh whats that? – looks a bit like Singstar – must look it up on tinternet…

Yeah it was fun at first. I was all oooh get me living on my own like I’m single again, making a mess, watching all sorts of crap on telly without harassment. The novelty of a big bed all to myself went to my head as I starfished for the last 4 nights. But I’m done now. I want my boyf back! Luckily he’s due to be delivered to me this afternoon, carrying his usual stash of hotel toiletries, perfume and kisses.

Today is the first time I’ve cycled to work in Clapham completely on my own.  I usually ride half way with the Boyf and more recently with a friend.  However with the Boyf out of town and the friend out this evening, I was on my own.  I had originally intended to tube it – but given a choice – I would so much rather cycle even if the mental effort of riding on my own seems overwhleming.  It was ok, aside from my rash decsion to go via Kings Cross – what a bun fight.

As well as going solo today I also hopped off my single speed and on to my many geared bike. My rationale being that as I am a bit knackered the gears would make it much easier to tackle the hills. Guess what though – turns out to be just as hard if not harder.

It was really nice to whack it into high and take off on the straights, but taking off from lights was actually slower. There are two reasons for this – I’m never in a low enough gear to really get away fast and my spd’s slow me down because I can’t just stomp onto them like I can on my normal pedals.

I also missed my bull horn bars which really allow you to yank up on them and put some pressure on the bike. It’s tricky also to remember that the brakes are in a different place – and are quite a stretch. Although you would think that more gears would make it easier to get yourself out of the valley that is Crouch end – it so doesn’t. Being in a low low gear just seems like harder work, you pedal and pedal withotu making much progress.  The more even handed gearing on the single speed makes me more consistent in application of effort which is less tiring.

All in all I reckon I’ll be sticking to the single speed for commuting and the road bike for longer rides.

Thats the birthday done for another year then.  Actually it was the best one I’ve had in ages – so that was nice.  Plus the sun has shone all weekend.

This week I’m home alone till Friday as the Boyf is on holiday a business trip to San Francisco.  He’s looking forward to his mapping conference and I’m looking forward to the entire bed to myself.  I’m not looking forward to cycling the whole way to work on my own though.  A friend is probably meeting me at Angel tomorrow – hope she makes it – still, at least the weather is continuing to be cycle friendly.

Five out of seven of us are in shorts today – go sunshine!