bikinis

It’s probably fair to say that October hasn’t been a terrific month for the world in terms of finance. When I look out my office window, the city looks pretty much the same as this time last year, but apparently now we’re all billions, no, trillions of bucks poorer.

Go figure.

So there’s a bit of doom and gloom about.

Thankfully, one particular industry seems to be bucking the trend: female swimwear. According to the Australia, Bikini sales are heating up.

Apparently:

“People might not be able to afford to go on overseas holidays but they can afford $100 for a bikini to go to the local beach,” Seafolly swimwear chief executive Anthony Halas said yesterday. “It’s almost embarrassing to say, but our sales are up 32 per cent on last year.”

Bully for you Mister Halas!

I can’t afford $100 for a bikini to go to the local beach. Or, I could afford it, but I certainly don’t want to spend that much. I don’t care how much a bikini costs, it’s still going to make me look pretty dodgy.

Anyway, moving on… do you think this economic miracle extends to budgy-smugglers? The article doesn’t say.

Running
15km this morning. The legs felt quite tired and heavy at the start but soon warmed up. I’m feeling that post-run buzz still.

It’s the end of the month today, if you weren’t paying attention. I ended up with 322km for October, including 173km for the past two weeks. Not bad. I’m just starting to come into some form and fitness.

The two often go together.

slow death

Rather than death by chocolate (not so bad) or death by meeting (much nastier, and much more common) the last few days have come very close to death by conference.

Oh my god. Two whole days spent sitting in a room listening to an endless parade of speakers talking about accounts receivable systems.

I’m proud of myself in a perverse sort of way – I stayed awake through the whole thing.

The only thing that wasn’t boring was the seats, which were excruciating. I’m only now beginning to be able to feel my but cheeks.

Running
19km last night in almost exactly 90 minutes. Not fast, but good enough for a mid-week long run.

etoliation

Don’t know what that means? Don’t worry, neither do I.

At least, I didn’t know until this morning, when I read it in a column in the Guardian, in which it was used to describe liberal Protestantism.

Anyway, thanks to the magic of the internet, I now know the definition of etoliation, and I can bring it to you:

1. etiolation – a pale and sickly appearance; “his etiolation signaled years in prison” appearance, visual aspect – outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
2. etiolation – the act of weakening by stunting the growth or development of something; “the etiolation of the critical tradition” weakening – the act of reducing the strength of something
3. etiolation – (botany) the act of causing a plant to develop without chlorophyll by growing it without exposure to sunlight; “the etiolation of celery”

So now you know. So, it’s either the state of being like Monty Burns, or the process of becoming like Monty Burns.

Running
12.85km this morning with AM joining for part of the journey.

is there anything a 10km run can’t fix?

Clearly no, there isn’t.

Yesterday, I spoke breezily of having completed a 32km run. Sadly, behind the breezy exterior lurked a blogger who was considerably stiff and sore and a touch tired to boot. It was all I could do to copy some junk from my friendly local news website, click the publish button and collapse on the couch, vanquished.

Today dawned stickily; self discovering the soreness in the regions below the waist remained. If anything, it was worse.

Even at lunch-time I quailed at the thought of even the most gentle recovery run. Surely I could have a day off? But no, I forced myself into the black shorts, into a garish blue shirt and out the door.

I should never have doubted. 10km later and I was fit and raring to go. Sweaty, to be sure, but feeling like I once again had blood pumping through my veins.

What a wonderful thing life is!

mmm icecream

The NSW government is ready to investigate reports a family was served a bowl of ice-cream smeared with human faeces by a Sydney pub, but is still awaiting an official complaint.
from theage.com.au

Nice.

Running
32 humid kilometres this morning, starting out at the uncivilised time of 6:30. That takes me to 86km for the week.

1,000 miles per hour

No, that’s not me bragging about my running, I’m talking about a new car the Brits are talking about building. The “Bloodhound SSC” will go to 1,000 miles per hour, 250 faster than the current record. That’s about 1600kph, or enough to get to Syndey in 30 minutes.

Here it is: (or at least an artist’s impression)

It looks good, and would probably impress the chicks down Chapel Street. Still, I don’t imagine it would be much use on Hoddle Street in rush hour.

movember

Don’t get me wrong, I know men’s health is a bit of a black hole, particularly around depression. I’m all for improving it. I just wish they had have chosen some other gimmick rather than Movember.

The world is not ready for my ugly mug plus facial fuzz. Frankly neither am I. It itches. The guys at work and all signing up enthusiastically, even those already sporting goatees. I may have to respectfully sit this one out.

Plus, I hate their website. It looks like a slightly cleaned up version of myspace.

Running
17km on Wednesday night. Nothing yesterday, just 300 pushups.

15km this morning in my new pair of shoes (yet more Brooks Adrenalines). It was rather a good run – I finished it strong and fast and wishing I could keep going for at least another 10k. I did it in 63 minutes, including the time spent waiting at traffic lights. So not bad.

54km this week so far. 84km if you include Sunday’s long run. All good!

there’s probably no god

Now stop worrying and enjoy your life. Or so says an advertising campaign running on London buses at the moment.

See their website: www.atheistcampaign.org.

Good on them, I say. A nice, simple positive message.

Dentist
There may be no god, but unfortunately there definitely are cavities and their inevitable corollary: dentists. I’m feeling a bit number and tingly and tasting unpleasantly of metal.

Joy.

Blisters
There are also such things as blisters, including a nice example of the species currently nesting on the side of my right toe. There’s a nice excuse for a new pair of shoes if I’ve ever heard one!

Running
None today yet, but a run is planned this evening.