Morning

Lovely light this morning.

Podcast Wednesday

I listen to podcasts while I'm running, mostly because they help me forget that I'm running and also because they are interesting and educational. Lately, thanks to a recommendation from my friend Bex, I've been working my way through the BBC series A History Of The World In 100 Objects. It's great, and I'm pretty sure that it's going to inspire me to finally make a trip to visit the British Museum. I can see museum's incredible curved glass roof from my window, and I often each lunch in the front courtyard - but still I haven't yet crossed the threshold.

This morning I took a break from 100 Objects to listen to this week's Outriders. It's another BBC podcast, this time looking at pioneers at the frontiers of the online world. Jamillah spoke with Eileen Gittins, CEO of self publishing book site Blurb. The premise of Blurb is great, and even better with the charitable possibilities of Blurb for Good, which means individuals and groups can create and sell books at very low cost and donate the proceeds.

I'm not sure if these podcasts are accessible from outside of the UK - it's not immediately apparent on their web pages. If you're in the UK, do check them out - and if you're not, perhaps you could give them a try and let me know how you get on?

Busy-ness

Things are starting to get busy in the world of Jessie. This is a good thing, because lately I haven't had so much to do, and as a result, I've done very little.

I've started running again, and after a steep curve from 0km through 5km to 10km, I'm back on track and quite enjoying it. I'm cutting down on non-essential tv watching, which is a bit difficult seeing as I'm partway through 30 Rock season 3, the last few episodes of Community, and season 2 of Veronica Mars - not to mention that I've just dipped my toes into the seedy world of Underbelly.

Still, these .avi files are not going anywhere, and there are things to be done! I have proper work to be getting on with, at least proper training for work, as my capabilities step up in the world of Topspin. I have a proper holiday coming up - cos yes, it's about time I took some time off and jetted around the world - in the form of ten days in Japan. My travelling companion is my sister Audrey, and we're visiting a bunch of cool friends, which means this is holiday is set to be TEH AWESUM.

Enough procrastination.

Running

I have been working on a piece which addresses the idea of running. It was to start off considering my brief and undistinguished cross-country career, which coincided with my almost total lack of enjoyment in the sport and consequent secret wish to break a leg in order to avoid it. Then I would emphasise the contrast 20 years later, to a time when I voluntarily go running several times a week around a nearby park, exercise which I - on balance - enjoy.

Next came a clever change of context, painting a picture of the various directions my life has taken so far, where each move takes the perspective of leaving something behind: running away. There were some plausible shifts, but on review I couldn't help noting an discomfiting sense of contrivement. This approach also meant a tendency towards a distasteful level of detail which I felt would lower the tone of this fine English garden.

At this stage of drafting, a surprising event occurred. A friend visited, a significant friend and a significant visit. A breath of fresh air, alongside a potent dose of the past. It taught me, it reminded me that life means decisions, and choices. A bit like spending days and days facing a wall, before being gently turned around and shown an open door to a brilliant landscape.

So it appears that there's a variation on running. What I have already learned is that running from one's problems doesn't leave them behind, for the situations in which they manifest will recur. Instead there's an option to retreat. I make my choice, and once I'm ready, I keep to it. Retreat isn't flight, instead it's acceptance and the wisdom to change tack, or simply stop.

Further: I got hooked up with daytum a ways back, and use it to track my mileage. Aside from appealing to my g33k love of lists (refer last.fm), it works as a motivator, possibly more effective even than the ballpoint stars in my year planner.

This is another post's worth of excitement to share, but I must mention - the fruition of a long-held dream looks set to occur, and in one month's time - I have tickets to see Faith No More!