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2017 – How did I do?

So how did I do?

At the start of the year, here, I listed my goals, aims and targets for the year. 2016 now draws to a close – time to review how I did …

  • Run 300Km – a much lower target than I set myself last year, but not a target I met, completing 296 Km in 2016.  Should be do-able despite the demands on my time from other physical pursuits (swimming, spinning, referee-ing and who knows what for 2017) Smashed it. Ran 390 Km, running for 1 day 7 hours and 15 minutes. My only disappointment was I didn’t break the 400K mark. Was all set to do so, when on the Friday before Christmas, I tore/pulled/tweaked my hamstring refereeing and I haven’t been able to run since.
  • Run up the Tor. In the summer of 2016, when I was regularly running, I set myself this goal for 2017: to run from home to the tor, run all the way up the tor, and then run back again. This is a tough ask, particularly as I am not running as much as I did last year. Would be a real achievement to do so. If I don’t write it down, it wont happen.  Think I’ll have to target the summer hols to do it, if I’m going to do it. Not even close. Didn’t even contemplate this once during the year. Perhaps a goal to keep on the back burner?
  • Swim 150Km (4,500) lengths.  Toyed with putting in a higher total – I did 200Km, 6000 lengths in 2016, but don’t think I’ll be swimming as much this year as last, so have given myself a very achievable target to ensure that I do make it. Swam much less this year, probably falling into fourth place as activity of choice, after referring, running, and spinning. However, still managed to swim 2244 lengths – 74.8Km – over the course of 1 day, 4 hours and 15 mins.
  • Gardening: 2016 was all about the structure of the garden, this year I hope to focus more on the planting. So this year I want to: plant raspberry canes & rhubarb, grow and eat runner beans, peas, courgette and onions and grow some sweet peas and sunflowers. Raspberry canes and rhubarb planted, along with beans, peas & courgettes which were all grown and eaten. No sweet peas or sunflowers, though.  Need to make them a target for next year. Built the deck where the old summer house was, really enjoyed the garden this year: creating it, tending it and just sitting in it.
  • Refereeing – enter the promotion programme from Level 7 to Level 6.  Promotion year runs from March to Feb so won’t be able to clinch promotion in 2017, but hopefully will be a significant way down the track. Decided against entering the promotion scheme, it would have been difficult to have got in the required 20 Open Age games as I’m not normally available on Saturdays.  Refereed circa 60 games and 7 as Assistant Referee. Did a couple of cup finals.  Have continued to enjoy it, but not so sure I want to give up every term time Sunday to the whistle, have started to limit my availability.
  • Weight: before the Christmas excesses, I would say that my “normal” weight was 12 stone 7 (today its up around 12 stone 12).  I aim to be back at 12 stone 7 within 3 weeks and establish 12 stone 6 as my “normal” weight (normal weight: allows a swing of 3 lbs each way, so range between 12 3 and 12 9 following a festival of feasting) Weight has crept up, and needs to be kept in check.  Quoting my TwiXmas weight as 13 stone 0 and my long term weight in the last few months of the year was 12 stone 9.
  • My maths blog: this was an aim I failed last year, and want to rectify again.  Write at least twice a month on my maths blog – A Maths Teacher Writes Not bad – 15 posts this year, so not twice a month, but a good healthy number of posts.

Another successful year. Other key highlights from 2017 include:

  • Attending school reunion. Hard to believe it was 30 years since we left, was great to reconnect with so many from my formative years. A highlight of the year. Blogged about it here.
  • Sophie passed her driving test in March
  • Becky shut up shop, closing her dots and spots business in April
  • The silver Nissan Almera died, and we replaced it with the soft top Mini – our mid-life crisis car.
  • No mention of spinning in my targets for 2017, but I pushed the pedals for just shy of two days: 1 day 23 hours and 15 mins in the saddle, burning a total of 38,901 calories.
  • YOGA – took up yoga this year. One of the best things I have done in a long while. I’m far more supple than I was this time last year and, despite being a big cynic when I first took to the mat, I’m beginning to see the benefits of its relaxation and mindfulness. Meditate on that!
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2017 – A cultural(!) review …

… or what I read and watched this year

So as 2017 draws to a close, its time to put pen to paper to record what I’ve read and watched this year – or more importantly, what I’ve enjoyed reading and watching this year.

TV

My viewing habits may have been evolving over recent years, but 2017 saw them change markedly. I now watch more on Netflix/Amazon Video/Catch Up (and even YouTube) than on the TV in the corner of the room. Whilst Becky watches something on the (terrestrial) telly, I’ll pop my headphones on, fire up my iPad and watch something completely different.

The quality available is astounding, and the joys of binge watching are unbounded – no longer need we wait a week for the next installment, instant gratification.

So from a crowded – an excellent – field what comes out on top?

Halt and Catch Fire – a four series show following the technological revolution from the early ’80s to (by the end of series 4) the late ’90s.

Other notable mentions:

Stranger Things – watched both series this year, accessible Sci Fi, geeky, but not too geeky. Stephen King lite perhaps?

GLOW  – Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, never thought I watch a dramatisation of women’s wrestling, but glad I did. Off beat comedy at its finest.

Narcos III – as good as the first two. Brilliant.

Marco Polo, Klondike, The Get Down II – all worth a watch.

Red Oaks – onto its third series, and still going strong. Funny.

Detectorists – Brilliant. BBC comedy at its best. Gentle, funny, thought provoking (well, not really), warming, but most importantly, funny. The final series (3) aired this November. What a treat. Brilliant. Watch it.

The Vietnam War – A BBC documentary. Fascinating. 10 one hour episodes, I was engaged for every minute. Should be watched by all (sadly, even as I write, it is slipping of iPlayer, only the last 3 episodes are available)

Film

I’m not a big film fan – I just don’t feel I have the time to commit to a couple of hours on one unproven story. I prefer the package of an hour long episode of a mini-series, although will happily watch a couple of hours of back to back episodes.

However, I did watch one film that wins my prize for film of the year:

Hidden Figures – the true story of mathematics, racial segregation and the space race, what a combination!

The Last Jedi – Sam and I made our now customary December trip to the cinema for the latest Star Wars saga. This didn’t disappoint. Was good, not brilliant – was good as it fitted in with, and continued the narrative of Star wars. I suspect if you watched it as a stand alone film, you’d probably say “meh, was OK.”

Books

I continue to read a lot, but have made the decision not to bother with anything “worthy” – I read for entertainment and enjoyment, I passed my English Literature O level 32 years ago, no need now to read anything because someone tells me to.

Still, I surprise myself when I realise that the the best book I read this year was about the building of a 12th Century cathedral …

Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett. I’ve read a few Follet’s and enjoyed them all, although they have all been set in the 20th Century. Embolned by this, I felt strong enough to attempt this tome – in excess of 1,000 words! Glad I did, basically great story telling and no long words or tricky metaphors in sight.

Forget you had a daughter: Doing Time in the Bangkok Hilton – Sandra Gregory. I’ve seen Sandra Gregory speak to our sixth form on a couple of occasions, telling her tale of how she ended up on a life sentence in a Thai prison and her story was fascinating. So when I realised she had written the book of her life, I had to buy it and read it. I would recommend this to anyone. Well worth a read.

The Last Kingdom Series  – Bernard Cornwall. Vikings, Saxons, slash ’em  stories, intermixed with a little history from the dark ages.  Slowly working my way through the series, a couple a year. A little (a lot?) formulaic, but easy – and enjoyable – reading.

When they come for you  – James Hall,  In Farliegh Field – Rhys Bowen, The Winter Over – Matthew Iden. One of the benefits of Amazon Prime is a free Kindle book each month, and these three were all from that stable. Enjoyed them all.

Conclave – Robert Harris. A novel about picking a Pope on my top reads list? Anything by Robert Harris is probably going to be good, after a slow start, this didn’t disappoint.

Born Fearless: From Kids’ Home to SAS to Pirate Hunter – My Life as a Shadow Warrior – Phil Campion.  I haven’t read as many military memoirs this this year (one account of the Vietnam war was merging into another), but I did enjoy this. Could be worth a revisit.

A couple of turkeys

The Emporer’s Revenge – Clive Cusslar.  A truely terrible book. I know I like cheap, easy thrillers but this was really rubbish. First 40 or so pages had me hooked, but then it went down hill with a “our hero” becoming increasingly less believable and the plot line even more farcical.

Purple Rain – The Film. I arrived at the conclusion this year that Purple Rain the album is the second best album ever made, so I thought I’d watch the film for the first time. Dreadful. Don’t bother, just listen to the album which is brilliant.

The above is not all I’ve watched or read, but a few highlights. As we enter into 2018 I’m working my way through Game of Thrones season 7 and awaiting the next episode of Vikings 5 (out Thursday!), have the Arsenal documentary “89” to look forward to watching and a few books pilled up ready to be read – will any of them feature this time next year?

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Do they know its Christmas? Band Aid


Track of the week 24/12/17

I can’t believe I haven’t done a Christmas track of the week before, but I haven’t, so it has to be this.

This for me is, and always will be, the iconic Christmas tune.

It was first released in December ’84, when I would have been in what is now Year 11. Watch the video, it is, quite simply, a collection of my musical heroes from when I grew up.

But its not that. Its the sentiment. It’s the message. It hammers it home:

Tonight thank God its them, instead of you

A more brutal, honest and true lyric has never been sung.

And it was borne out of genuine altruist. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure saw those dreadful images on the news of famine in Ethiopia and they did something about it.

In the world before Twitter and FaceBook and SnapChat they bought the plight of those poor people into our consciousness, they spawned a whole new “charitable industry”, they raised millions, they changed the way we look at the world. The world is wonderful place: embrace it, enjoy it, live it, but its not a perfect place and, outside your window, there’s a a world of dread and fear.

And, to top it all, a great sing-a-long tune as well

Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas!

Pic of the week 24/12/17

And here it is, Merry Christmas, …

Christmas eve 2017.

Just the four of us at home for Christmas this year which, I must admit, I’m looking forward to – a calm, chilled bit of family time with no dramas (one hopes!) and no disagreements.  (After all, the family all know that I Becky has the final say!)

As I write, I’ve just spent a contented hour so prepping veg whilst listening to Absolute ’80s, Becky’s busy manning the tills at Sainsburys, Sophie’s curled up on the sofa having woken up and been sick a couple of times (hopefully just a passing bug) and Sam is up in his room waging virtual war across the net with pals.

Last Saturday, Becky’s side of the family all came to lunch, yesterday Dad & June popped in for coffee, but no big meeting of my side of the clan this Christmas.

Weather is benign – mild and grey, typical Christmas weather actually.

Family video this evening – Top Gun has made the cut, will be a big improvement on last year’s “Meet the Coopers” which was dire. I think Christmas is now the only time we all join together to watch the same thing at the same time in the same space.

Happy Christmas!

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Match Report – Legends v Street (Away)

The opposition were in white, we were in white, the ball was white.

And then it started to snow.

A great game of football. Whites won 2-1.

History was not on our side. In the same fixture last year, we were three – nil down before our centre back (note the singular, perhaps there is a clue in that?) had touched the ball. This year, 5 minutes in, as he gained his first touch slicing the ball away for a throw, Peabody gave a silent cheer – first target met: first touch and still only nil nil. He looked to his left, he looked to his right, and smiled, flanked by two players on either side. He was at the heart of a back five. A back FIVE!

Street Veterans are a considerable foe, training weekly, reigning County champions. Thus far in this campaign they had played two, won two, for:16 against: 2. Due to an administrative cock up, we were forced to share a changing room. They kindly offered us first use, thereby giving us ample time to get acquainted with the pitch in the howling wind, arctic temperature and driving rain … We declined.

Our well organised and disciplined defence absorbed all that the opposition – and the elements – could throw at it, providing the springboard that allowed “twinkle toes” Andrew Cassin Davies to beat one man, beat another, beat the first man again, before making a slide rule* accurate pass that unleashed the waiting Whatling to collect outside the box, drive into the area and slide the ball past the keeper: one – nil. The County champions were reeling, never before had they found themselves behind. How would they respond?

(* As we are all veterans, we, of course, understand that reference. The younger generation won’t)

Street tried, and failed, to puncture our defensive line. Our confidence grew, and therein lay the seeds of our own destruction. Schooled by our Football Development Officer in the art of playing out from the back, we forgot that the wind was gusting, the pitch less than perfect, our legs aging, and a misplaced pass in the defensive third gifted the ball to retreating Street striker, puffing his way back to his own half after another failed attack. He pounced, found a new lease of life and headed for goal. Jarvis tried – and failed – to take is legs away outside the box; the referee judged (incorrectly) that Shane, our colossus of a keeper (who played a blinder all game), did bring him down in the box. Penalty! The spot kick was dispatched and the first half ended one all.

With the wind now at their backs, the second half saw Street hurl all their efforts at the famous five, who bent, but did not break, repelling wave after wave of Street attack. It took a wind assisted worldie to win the game – a strike from 30 yards that floated over everyone’s head and into the net. With ten to go, and a precious and hard won lead, Street parked the bus, desperate to cling onto the three points they had expected by right before kick off. A last second strike from Jarvis saw the Street keeper stretching to tip the ball over for a corner and secure the points for the leaders as the ref blew time on an epic winter battle.

After the game, Karlos (white) Lightning Leonard inquired about the opening of the transfer window – clearly looking for a big money move to warmer climes, Castle Cary perhaps? The rest of the squad waited for their fingers to thaw before heading off for the winter break, happy with their part in a great game of football.

Next match – a must win home game against struggling Wedmore Vets, 11th Feb.

Street Veterans 2 Millfield Legends 1

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Love how it hurts – Scouting for Girls


Track of the week 10/12/17

Went to see them on Monday at the Bristol 02 Arena.

Bloomin’ brilliant.

Its ten years since they released their first album. I was vaguely aware of them, but I distinctly remember barreling down the M3, on my own, on the way back from Heathrow, having taken some students to the airport, when I heard them on Radio 2, doing a session for Dermot O’Leary and being blown away by what I heard (Elvis ‘Aint Dead was the hook that got me.) Went out & got the album (possibly for Christmas or birthday, or possibly an early Amazon purchase?) and played it, and played it and played it.

And 10 years on, have now seen them live twice, would go and see them again in a Heartbeat (see what I did there?!) – brilliant musicians, a fantastic live act. Just as in Cardiff in ’15, Elvis ‘Aint Dead was the pick of the pops, although every minute of the show was fantastic.

(Note: A little bit of googling has allowed me to discover that the session I speak of was on Saturday 15 December 2007, but alas,

this episode is not currently available on BBC iPlayer Radio

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… and relax.

Pic of the week 10/12/17

At last, a busy, long term draws to a close and my well deserved holidays begin.

September seems a long time ago, but when I look back on the term, it is with a sense of achievement and satisfaction. I’ve enjoyed this term, I’ve risen to the challenge of being a Senior Tutor and have enjoyed the responsibility it has brought. I’ve been (pleasantly) surprised by the level of autonomy the role requires – I do get the casting vote on a number of matters, although there is enough top cover available when required. I’ve also enjoyed “managing” a team of tutors and the status the position brings. What a shame its only for a year! Who knows what next year will bring – perhaps I will return to “just” being a maths teacher, or perhaps I will seek out bigger and better things … never say never …

And the napping – I put that down to combo of getting older, exercising more and eating less, but I do like a little zizz of an evening. Most refreshing!

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Steal my sunshine – Len


Track of the week 3/12/17

The hook is the sampling of “More, More, More” – Andrea True Connection – but who cares how you’re hooked when the track is as good as this, and the video looks, well, just fun.

A great tune, and feel good song – just what we need now that the sun is stolen from us for most of day.

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Christmas is coming …

Pic of the week 3/12/17

So December has arrived, and the festivities begin to ramp up.  Still a bit too early for my Scrooge-like mind: I’m much more focused on, and excited about, the end of term and the start of the hols at the end of the coming week, but the sparkle of lights and glimmer of red and green is a nice hint of what is to come (and the odd extra chocolate treat doesn’t go amiss, too!)