Target Practice.

Bit of a self indulgent post today.  My 2021 targets of 5000 miles cycling and 1000 miles running is beginning to look decidedly more difficult as the end of the year looms.  I'm currently 209 down on cycling, 12 down on running.  The running I'm not too bothered about, I'm sure I can reach that one, but because the cycling depends on decent-ish weather I feel like it's a tall order.  I do have a turbo trainer of course, but anything beyond 20 miles takes a huge amount of will power to overcome the boredom.  I'm Ok until 15 miles (usually about 45 mins), then I can't wait to dismount.

Hopefully I will get a decent few days to catch up, but I'm getting less confident.  For instance, my weekly goal for cycling was 102 miles, it's now 142 miles which is almost 3 cycle to works, or 2 long versions (if I go the scenic route).

Watch it!

 A survey for the Radio Times found that we lie about what we watch on TV so we feel part of a conversation.  I wonder if this happen where everyone says they watch something, but no-one has.  I would like to be a fly on the wall with that one.  I have been known to get shows mixed up when talking about older ones - something I thought was called Bobs Books (I made that name up by the way) was actually Fred Burgers.  Easily done when quite a few years have passed as in my case.   

Einstein's Theory.

 Suicides on the increase because of higher humidity????  Not the sort of headline you could make up is it?  I was so surprised/bemused that I didn't even read the detail as I subconsciously filed it in the total rubbish filed.  Or is it?  I suppose every theory has to start with something, and even e=mc2 might have sounded odd at first.  Anyway, it's so outlandish I'm just going to ignore it.

For those about to rock..!

 John Cleese has 'banned himself' from appearing at an Oxford university that has just banned an actor (?) for doing a nazi salute or similar.  John Cleese banned himself for doing the same thing back in 1973 ish for a Monty Pythons episode.   The amusing thing for me is that this is exactly what Monty Python tried to do - make harmless fun of things.  Luckily, Mr Cleese is probably not desperate for his appearance fee (although he famously had to start touring again after he gave up a great deal of his wealth due to a divorce ), and can afford to make a point quite easily.  I wonder if the students involve see the funny side, but it amused me.

  

Fat Controller.

 A Hollyoaks actress decided to 'take control' and join the OnlyFans website where she could post 'stuff', get paid for it and generally do what she wants instead of doing what her agent/manager/employer wanted, or at least that;'s the impression I got when I read the article.  Unfortunately, her contract with Hollyoaks was terminated because it didn't fit with the show's image.  Bit odd for a show that might use that as a story line, and unfortunate for someone that was 'taking back control' to have something she couldn't control done to her.

The BBC is questioning if COP 26 currently taking place in Glasgow as not organised enough to prevent queues, a disabled minister not able to attend plus whatever they dress up as 'disorganisation' (I didn't read the article, you can tell).  I'm not sure it's good use of my licence fee reporting on this, and seems to demonstrate the corporation's political leanings.  With everything around COP26 being so big, world changing etc etc, this is way off the mark on the newsworthy scale.     

  

Great Stuff.

 James Arthur has announced he wants to be 'one of the greats'.  I have to assume one of the greats he is referring to is in the world of music, although having listened half heartedly to him I'm not sure he will realise his wish.  But it could be just me, and it got me pondering how fickle we all are when it comes to things like music, art, in fact anything we call 'culture'.   Maybe we need a bit of PR to propel these things into our beings so we soak them up and are gradually indoctrinated/brainwashed into thinking 'great' when the only reason we think that is because it's all we hear/see/listen.  For instance, I have very little 'non-mainstream' music in my playlist on my music player (or 'phone' as it's also referred to), but that when I have I really enjoy - a bit of obscure Ben Folds, even some rare Syd Barret tracks that 'hit the spot' but would never make it to the top of the cultural highlights page.  

Maybe I should add James Arthur to my phone.   Not to phone him, obviously.

Sleep On It.

 Scunthorpe United have sacked their manager - Neil Cox.  Not too surprising given their run of defeats and firmly entrenched at the foot of division 4 (or is that division 2 nowadays?).

By chance, I opened up the local news section of the BBC website, to see an article about the new manager at Scunthorpe - a Neil Cox who had been assistant at Notts County. I thought it was a good idea employing another manager with the same name, makes it easier for the players.  However, on closer reading, it appears to be an article form 2000 when he was first appointed.  Bit if an editing cock-up!

In other news, a village for rough sleepers is to be built in Manchester underneath some railway bridge arches (why not reinforce the stereotypes?) that will 'house' 40 pods.  I feel this is admirable and stupid at the same time.  I've yet to decide on which side I'm leaning.