Col D'Aspin

 

Well, that's what it looks like IRL, of course - and I was on the trainer, the whole time - but, even so; what a wonderful way to while away an hour. 

Or, a bit less. I actually hammered up there in about 43 minutes, took two and a half minutes of my previous time, and spent 40% of my time in Zone 5. I'm not sure how I didn't actually explode.

Today - a good day though. After dropping Milo off at school, we headed over to Wisley, to buy Xmas gifts, and a wreath for the front door. After that, some chores (old clothes to the charity shop) and a visit to Ashtead Garden Centre for a light lunch. Despite the appalling weather (storm Barra) it's been a good 'un. And I'm fully intending to wrap the day up by reading some more of "London Belongs To Me", which I've become obsessed with. What an incredible book! I do love reading - it's difficult to find books that replace the ease of just nibbling about on the 'net, but when I find one, I tend to hold onto it, as tight as possible. The same thing happened with Murakami. 

Just write

Sometimes, that's all I want to do. I'm actually getting better at typing now, so I can try and get everything out there, in real time. Previously, there always felt like there might have been some sort of disconnect. So, now I can let it flow, a little. Which feels good, and it's a little bit of a kick to the pants: a way of stimulating my thoughts, and laying them down on the page.
Today has been....OK, I guess. Some achievement, some forward progress. I'm a terrible procrastinator, so grinding the gears is a good thing.
More work on the new car issue (almost sorted - at least, decisions seem to be being made) and a lot of logistical focus on some upcoming shows. That includes, one in the US. First time for me, since a couple of months before 9/11. Time passes quickly, doesn't it?
And I finished the Murakami. I can't quite recall a time when a book moved me as much, and stayed in my mind. A long, slow, exhale. I'm buying another.

Quiet morning.

Just sat and read a dozen pages of Murakami, which really calmed me down. I feel much more contemplative, when I've been reading,  no matter what specific subject. And I'm looking out of the office window at a post-storm sky: bright, deep blue, solid and reassuring.
I'm also starting to look forward to my Edinburgh trip on Saturday. I get to fly, ac couple of times, I can stay in a nice hotel, meet friends, and think. I have a bag ready to go, with as little as I can take. A bare minimum of clothes, a book, and a dopp kit I've had sitting in the wardrobe for a while. I'm fascinated by effective dopp kits - keeping things tidy, efficient. I've got little slivers of soaps and deodorant in tins, hair wax in a small container, tiny pots with ear plugs and melatonin. there's a single razor, and shave oil, so as not to take up too much room. the entire thing is a finely honed machine.

Reading again.

I know I've said it a couple of times before, but I'm reading again - and actively trying to increase the amount I read. That, more blogging, writing diary entries when I'm away (as in next weekend in Edinburgh). It's all an attempt to be less....transient, I suppose.
So, I'm reading Norwegian Wood by Murakami, again. I've given it a go before - and got a third of the way through, but drifted off. So, it's back to the start, with a fresh sense of purpose, after a year or two. I was like this wit the Wind Up Bird Chronicle too, and loved that second time around. I think there's an odd thing with Murakami, where your head has to be in the right space. You have to open your eyes - but also, your mind - and there seems to be no way of forcing that. Once you're ready - then you're ready.
Looks like I am.