Saturday 31 December 2011

Definitions.


I do not define myself by the films I like, the music I listen to or the clothes that I wear. Anyone who does define themselves this way is little more than a slave to Popular Culture.

I define myself by the thoughts I have, the things I say and the ideologies that are important to me. And that's how I judge others.

Just felt like writing that. Have a good Evening, Comrades.

Love a bit o Molly Bloom

Love a bit o Molly Bloom by Ms Ging
Love a bit o Molly Bloom, a photo by Ms Ging on Flickr.

Whattyou lookin at??

Whattyou lookin at?? by Ms Ging
Whattyou lookin at??, a photo by Ms Ging on Flickr.

Friday 30 December 2011

Yearly Recap, my first ever!

 Taken from http://www.sundrymourning.com/  Thanks Linda!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Bloody Hell, what didn't I do? Great year. Probably the best yet.
  •  Joined BMF (British Military Fitness) and changed my life.
  • Went to Borneo to do the Kinabalu Challenge. The Ultimate! Fund-raised £3000
  • Became Vegan
  • Ran a 5K, Various 10Ks and muddy obstacle/Total Warrior races, then a Half Marathon! BECAME A RUNNER, woo!
  • Changed schools, from Atherton to Burnley
  • Rescued 3 battery hens <3
  • Deleted Facebook. FREEDOM

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Didn't actually make any last year, was too focused on Borneo in February to think about anything else. This year they are:
  • Only buy second-hand furniture where possible
  • Waste less paper
  • Stick to my marathon schedule!!!
  • Erm, drink less....? Nah, sack that one =P
  • Spend more time with my family (Parents, Sis/Bro, nephew)
  •  
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My best mate's sister. Lovely little Rosanna!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Pete's Uncle Pete =(

5. What countries did you visit?
Borneo!! And Singapore if you count the 9 hour transit.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
New windows upstairs finally!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 28th, first day of Kinabalu Challenge. Most amazing week of my life,a real, actual adventure

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

 Making dreams reality!!!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm not sure about a specific answer but it will undoubtedly be something to do with being snappy/irritable and out of order, then crucifying myself with guilt afterward! I am a seriously moody impatient fucker sometimes!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No! 

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My BMF Membership. Friendship and fitness, the best
HTC Sensation. Internet on the move, love it.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Borneo! Flights, kit, jabs,

13. What did you get really excited about?
Borneo. God I am getting repetitive.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
THIS

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder?  HAPPIER!
– thinner or fatter? Thinner. Veganism and running, yeah man. About a stone thinner.
– richer or poorer? Richer.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spent quality time with the family I don't live with -I don't see them enough.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Facebook, Hence why I deleted my account.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
With my awesome family round at my sisters getting SPOILED ROTTEN. Best ever.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Tribe with Bruce Parry. The best TV ever made. LOVE THAT MAN!!!!!

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
I didn't read as much as usual this year but of the ones I did, We Need to Talk about Kevin. Utterly brilliant.
 Enjoyed Under the Dome and of course, Expressos with the Headhunters

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Turisas. Forever epic!

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
God, Avatar. So shoot me.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
35! Didn't do anything specific.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
You know I don't want to sound like a sickeningly positive annoying twat but nothing. It was a great year.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Hahah!!! Erm, what is a fashion concept? I have no concept!!.

26. What kept you sane?
Pete and Jamo, as always.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Prepare for the corn and the cheese......

 ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. There's no secret trick, or key, or rule, Just get off your fat lazy arse and make it happen.


How very me. Molly Bloom last night. Was in bed for 4:30 am, Whoops.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Maths!

Noticed the other day they have added another 'Quarter' to Manchester. I've never known a place have so many quarters. Manchester has approx 7 now. That is some fucked up shape, man.

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Wanted one for YEARS. Santa brought me one :-)

Dad Haha

Dad Haha by Ms Ging
Dad Haha, a photo by Ms Ging on Flickr.

Training?

Well sorta. I started in earnest today. It's an 18 week schedule I'm following and this is exactly 18 weeks till the big day. Did 3 miles today and I nearly died LOL. Well, not that bad but I swear you'd never have dreamt I ran a Half Marathon in a decent time a couple of months ago. But, it has been Christmas....

Ah, Christmas. A top time had by all round at my Sis and Bro in Laws. My first vegan Crimbo, beautiful food, amazing wine and the best company anyone could wish for. And what great pressies I got this year, including this courtesy of my big sis......


So far, unputdownable. And getting me all aquiver at the prospect of my upcoming adventure next year. She also bought me this....

I am that much of a hardcore soft arse when it comes to animals that I practically started crying when I looked at the front cover. The Emotional World of Farm Animals? It will kill me. But in a good way, I'm sure.

My kind and thoughtful sis also gave me a book about the ethics of veganism. So now I can add more statistics and truths to my armour. Including the fact that according to a prominent USA heart surgeon, your chance of suffering a heart attack is VIRTUALLY ELIMINATED if you follow a vegan lifestyle. Yeah, man.

And I've got Lionel Shriver's new book from my Sis in Law...

Oh dearie. Training? Working? Moderating? Studying for my Masters?

Not looking good! LOL

I intended to take lots of pics of Xmas to put on this here blog but I was having too much of a good time to remember. So, I'm off to Buxton for New Year, perhaps I'll manage it then!

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Chufty Badge

It is a Chufty Badge isn't it? You know, 'Chufties'?

Well, not according to my Scottish workmate. According to him the correct term is 'Tufty Badge' after a squirrel named Tufty who gave out badges to children. I kid ye not.

Anyway, Chufty/Tufty badge, whichever it is, I want one cause I've set up a Flickr Account so I can upload pics in real time straight from my phone. Fun and Joy!



Crammed in

Crammed in by Ms Ging
Crammed in, a photo by Ms Ging on Flickr.

Love em!!

Love em!! by Ms Ging
Love em!!, a photo by Ms Ging on Flickr.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Flashbacks

Quadruple Ouzo at approx 1am after a skinful? Yeah, great idea Claire.

What a night, BMF dos never fail to be highly messy. I am not impressed with the fact that I ended up pole dancing in the Gay Village at 3am though. Yes, POLE DANCING.  Mrs Judgmental- who always sneers at the attention craving Desperados writhing around in the vain hope that male eyes will cast an admiring (lecherous?) glance at their drunken cavorting -ended up with a pole in front of her and let the ouzo work its magic. If that got filmed/ends up on YouTube I will kill myself for sure.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

The Yes Gal



 There it is, on my desktop on this battered old laptop -my Borneo Flight Confirmation. No point in keeping it now, but me- being the ole sentimental that I am- cannot bring myself to delete it.

I'll never forget that feeling of pure exhilaration crossed with sheer panic as I pressed the 'confirm' button to pay for that flight. Sure, I'd already forked out the £250 deposit for the adventure but this....this made it feel frighteningly real. And exactly this time last year I was still feeling that pure exhilaration and panic. Will I be fit enough? Will I raise the money? Will I DIE?

Well, I didn't die. I ran through tiny Malaysian villages as the beautiful villagers cheered and waved. I got helicoptered into the dense Borneon Rainforest and built a camp there with my Teamies in the torrential, relentless jungle rain. I trekked miles and miles, over rope bridges, through rivers, navigating my way through the thick, lush foliage of the forest. I rafted on the rapids and jumped out of my raft into the meandering jungle river and let the current take me. I endured a painful and torturous bike/run relay in the blistering humidity, through padi fields and swamps, and cried and hugged 20 others at the finish who were as relieved as me to have survived it. I kayaked in the sea and round lagoons in perfect synch with my wonderful Kiwi team-mate. I drank white wine at the foot of a mountain, then ascended it the next day -the highest mountain in South East Asia. I saw the sun rise and the shadow of Mount Kinabalu against the trees of the jungle whilst sat far, far above the clouds. I skinny dipped in the sea and had the best party of my life with new friends that shared my unforgettable, irreplaceable experience.

Yes, I did all that. No, I didn't die. I did that and oh, much more. Man, I could laugh, cry, PUKE thinking about all the hilarious/ridiculous/terrifying/life-affirming/soul-blisteringly AWESOME things that happened.

This all came because I randomly said YES to myself. After looking enviously at the leaflet and wondering how these lucky people get to experience these amazing things and OH, POOR ME, MY LIFE'S BOOORING...... the revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING ME.

At the time I'd only been at BMF a matter of months and had just run my first ever 5K race. So I wasn't exactly the pinnacle of fitness. And I only had 3 months to fundraise for charity, buy all my kit and save for my flight.

But Pete supported me. And I got a completely jammy and unexpected tax rebate.(Fate? God? Pure fucking JAM? Who knows??)

So I did it.

Pete calls me The Yes Man now. Because since that, I'll say yes to anything. Well, within reason. And things have been happening, opportunities presenting, a richness and happiness prevailing. And if a Spaz like me can do it................!!!

Next adventure? Borneo. Again. Not to race, to run past in a blur, a whirlwind. This time, a whole month in the rainforest to live with the beautiful indigenous folk that made me feel so welcome last time. A real adventure, planting trees, conserving wildlife. Immersing myself in their culture and considering my own.

I'm so happy. Less than 8 months and I'm back. I'm banishing them bad ole Borneo Blues.