Welcome to my blog. I post on this, roughly once a week (it does vary). I sustained a 'Traumatic Acquired Brain Injury', and a six month coma from a 'road traffic accident' whilst cycling, in October 2006. I spent the following 4 years (22-26yrs old), in a combination of hospitals and rehabilitation homes. Now, I have been living independently in Surbiton, England since October 2010. This blog begun life in December 2010, as i realised that there are many people worldwide that i want to share experiences with. I know that, as a wheelchair user, I am obviously not as mobile as i wish, so, use the internet to connect to you. I enjoy letting my thoughts represent through type. I type honestly. As numerous readers, as well as email recipients, will understand, I find typing to be very therapeutic. Thank you :)
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click image for original scale

Friday 27 September 2013

oh that was sooooo reeeeeeal...


Yo!!
Hello, to all. I hope that all is well (a nice wish but as readers of this blog will understand, I believe that everything equals). But yeh, you know what I mean. It is relatively late for a blog-post type, and I am just gonna put the kettle on. So…

Coffee power is now ‘on’.
The key to positive thinking, is to maintain self belief, and maintain inner belief that only you have the ability to solve whichever problem you face. You do, so use it to your advantage.

Ok, I made the statement above last Saturday. Admittedly, I was happy with things then, realized it, and found a need to notify it. Perhaps what I try to tell you all is ‘you must know where your strengths lie. Everyone is different so therefore each of combinations of attributes are unique. You cannot be copied, therefore you are amazing, special, wonderful…blah, blah, blah!  

Last weekend was the end of ‘the Tour of Britain’. For those of you who are stupid, it’s just like the ‘Tour de France’, except there is a difference…
I make an annual habit of visiting the final stage. Like regularly, it was in central London.

I don’t mean to blow my own trumpet (but I do), and I have been keenly photographing cycle races that I visit, since a 1997 French (post-Tour) ‘Criterium du Lamballe’ (I was 12).
Anyway, this years race was won by Sir Bradley Wiggins (Olympic Gold winner, somewhere). He was in the yellow jersey, so easy to spot.





The stage winner, Mark Cavendish wasn’t focused on in the same manner. I knew where he would be going past on the final lap. Second wheel, being led out for the final sprint. Unfortunately, my mobile phone’s (my camera)battery had ran out. Damn! I do however, have the memory of viewing his sprint through my eyes, not a camera lens (mobile phone), or a TV!



I am sorry to those who I have bored. Stay asleep.
My next note tells me to declare my belief in the ability of Nicklas Bendtner.  There is no doubt that the man has talent, as a fan, I think he  has been unwisely led on loans to other clubs. He will play a key role in Arsenal’s quadruple success, this season.   

Lets all laugh at Spurs (and Hitler).



My next note simply states
Lucky Man

The obvious YouTube link to Mr Ashcroft and the Verve, will not be included this week. I made this note whilst feeling very positive.

We have to accept that our path of fate is unique. By accepting the rubbish things that happen to us, we can also welcome the joys that we obtain. Now there are those who will be thinking that they only receive ‘one half of the deal’. If life seems like that, you must look at the broader image. Everything, everything, EVERYTHING, equals to when assessed at some scale.
A ‘lucky man’ does not exist. Luck will always be balanced.

My last note was made earlier today.
South Kensington is such a beautiful place, full of beautiful things and beautiful people. I turn up, feeling very unbeautiful. But I know one must remember where. my positives lie. I believe in fate and I know everything equals.

Music link, the post's title. I had forgotten, then realised as I had Jeff in my ears...



           

Friday 20 September 2013

A 'live' post...

I type this week, purely in note form. I am in a cafe, but have a good, refreshing fruit juice. Not coffee powered this week. Therefore I type with my notes integral.
I should tell all primarily to forget my 'confidence'. Last week I told of my foolish confidence that I don't get caught in severe rainfall. So, what happened? I didn't get drenched once, but twice on consecutive days at the start of this week! Hmm, that'll teach me.

Everything is a contrast. I know that I am a graphic designer with a fairly logical/mathematical brain, mainly due to educational history, but this the way that brain works in solving problems. Being forced to think positively, also helps this. I know what it is like to have nothing happening, therefore, fortunately I am more aware of everything we have. Things which affect us mostly, are the things providing the greatest contrast. If there is no contrast registered, then there is nothing.

I am now shocked at myself. Whilst wandering around Covent Garden, as everyone around me is in a group of friends, or rushing on their lunch break from work, I have neither. Sad, but I am forced to draw on 'my get out  clause.' My clause being that I am lucky to be here at all,  experiencing anything. Any experience IS a positive.

Usually, I am all for coffee shops. I will always choose a small, independent over a branch of a large chain. However, it can be argued that wheelchair users could well be spotted inside (or at least using) the larger chains, using their 'facilities'. From now on, I will try not to slag them off too much!

Jeff...
 

Today, I noticed that though inside i regularly feel 'broken down and hungry', I continue to smile as I realise that this is what people warm to, often complimenting my positivity. I realize this happily, as I know what I capable of.

Friday 13 September 2013

3...


Hello,
How’s everyone doing? After last week’s complaint of everyone’s misery at rainfall, I pause and finally understand the issue. I was warned by a friend that it would rain today. I heard the warning but ignored because of a strange confidence.
Anyway, I went out today then got back to Surbiton, and whilst inside a favourite café I could view ‘the heaven’s opening’, outside. To be fair, it was heavy rainfall and I could see that everyone outside was immediately panicking, rushing for cover. I can see why people don’t like rain. By the time I had finished inside, I went out fully prepared, but the rain had eased close to a stop. I maintain my confidence when I am alone. Should anyone else be involved, confidence does not exist.

Hmmm, ok a present

or
just go to google and search ‘zerg rush’

Time for a ‘deeper’ note. The flowers at this  time of year are so sad.




However fear not.


Every process (no matter how large or small) can be broken down into
3up and 3down
The awful thing is when you know a negative 'down' is due.
But the key is to always be able to find the positives, and to focus on them.

The above note is fairly self explanatory. It just explains how I have coped so far with my injury/disability, without delving deep.
Earlier in the week, I was experiencing quite a fortunate day, where luck was both helping me and hindering.
‘Things happen in threes’
They do. Laugh, but everything can be broken down to a scale where ‘three is the magic number’. Tune.
Anyway, I believe in this so strongly, it does not work to my benefit. It had reached the point on this day, where I had quite obviously experienced luck three times, but had only experienced misfortune, twice…
I made the note above, fearing something bad. Nothing…
Hmmm, have I been proven wrong? This was a problem in itself. A self-resolving problem.

Confused? Sorry.

I include a clip of an artist, Tristan Mackay, who I have regularly applauded, busking in Kingston, Clarence Street. I have his acclaimed album ‘Out along the wire’. For you fellow Kingstonians I definitely recommend. Okay, the clip below is 'Layla', which probably the most popular cover for buskers. But it's good! :)  



Okay, I now want to shout my serious anger, political anger and dismay  at the idea of privatizing the Royal Mail.  This news was made public yesterday, and has now been relegated to a ‘less important issue’. Smart move by the government. Very smart, as the concept does seem outrageous.
Anyway, tight lip, I say nothing. I just growl. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr      

I finish by alerting everyone, if you hadn't realised already, today is Friday 13th. The first one of the 13th year of this millennium. I have checked, and we shall also get on in December. I am now calm, as we are past noon. I realise that by  reading this you must think I am a nutcase, but hey you read it!  

Friday 6 September 2013

smiling immediately as it is raining!


Hello,
I have quite a few notes to discuss this week. Hmmm, I am finding that although I want type this now (Friday morning), it does require some energy, which I do not have or want to expend before my physiotherapy session, later today.
Cheerio!
;)
OK, I have a bit of time to spare before I head out in the rain again! My final note, made as I’ve just been out and had a coffee.
I find myself smiling immediately as it is raining!
Summer sun has disappeared this morning, and we are reminded that we are in England! I don’t know whether I smile because I enjoy the rainfall (refreshing, purity), or because everyone else is grimacing, I want to be different!? I am unsure.
I was welcomed by the builders/workmen around on the main high street, as I passed, as always. Surprisingly one offered his views on the ‘alternate weather’…
'Sh*t weather, ain’t it?'
OK, it can’t be much fun at work, outside, in the rain. However, I am flummoxed by everyone’s dismal attitude towards water in the sky.

Physio…

… Late afternoon. Usual ‘Blog time’. I continue. My first note is perhaps unsurprisingly, about music. I went shopping, earlier in the week. My plan was to buy the downloadable mp3, of Sigur Ros, but to feed my old love of ‘CD buying’ with attaining the new, debut album, by Nadine Shah, ‘Love your Dum and Mad’. I was in the one cd shop I have left, but unsurprisingly they didn’t have this in stock. Neither did they have the Sigur Ros that I was after. I left sulking. I downloaded both when I got home.

I give you the example of Nadine Shah, from Youtube. It is good quality, although, it may be heard on one listen as quite deep and dark!



My comment on coffee this week, is such…
Machiatto plus water does NOT equal a cappuccino, in the same way as an espresso/Americano.    
The above comment is fairly self explanatory. I use it just to warn me against making this error again!

My next note was made on Monday 2nd September (aka transfer deadline day). Big mews was surrounding Gareth Bale, who moved in a very wise direction, away from White Hart Lane, towards Madrid.
Bale 56p a second, hmmm good, but I've done better!
I was then told the above fact, of his earnings. 56p per second! Hmmm, pretty good. Lucky man. Although I remain safe in the knowledge that he is not as lucky as me, no-one ever will be. Everyone’s luck should be relative to their own experiences. Hmmm mmmm. I could go on and on, but I fear will be sounding arrogant, self-righteous, and stupid. So, no.

I typed the next note on my phone, aiming to calm myself down, as it caused me to become irate! 

Effin' NUMBNUT bike rider!!
A bike rider overtook me whilst cycling on the 'no cycling' riverside path, he walked across the zebra crossing on the road, then cycled away down the pavement!!
I need a deep breath. Tut 
He is not a cyclist, he is a bike rider, but he will give EVERYONE who owns a bike, a bad name. Grrr
I will not explain it as it will cause me unnecessary stress to re-live it!

Instead, a bit of fun. Follow the link:

After I missed a session of physiotherapy on Tuesday, I had the day free, so enjoyed the sunny weather, and took myself on a trip to South Kensington (via train to Clapham Junction, and then bus). I enjoyed my free time, having a coffee in a café close to the wonderful tube station. I must admit that I enjoyed a fair bit of ‘people watching’ in this beautiful area of West London.






I was prepared and ready, but all of the planning needed on such a trip in a wheelchair, means that one cannot change their mind mid journey. For example, as soon as you board a train in a wheelchair, you must tell the staff where you will disembark, you cannot choose mid-journey! Not a big problem, but something wheelchair users have to consider, unlike everyone else!

My blog this week, starts annd finishes on the same topic , ‘music’. Maybe I buy too much, but hey.
I went to the cd shop for a second time this week, in search of the Placebo EP released last year. Hmmmm. No surprise, I fail. However, I do stumble upon the new Mark Lanegan album, ‘Black Pudding’. It is quality, and definitely one of my favourite of the year so far.