January Summary

Well, Lance’s book is called “It’s Not About The Bike”, but for me, January pretty much was. My knee issues kept me from running. I didn’t get to the pool once – I must remedy that. I didn’t get to the gym once – coincidentally my membership renewal just turned up in the mail, I think I might save myself some money and let it go. I also didn’t start my home workout routine, primarily because my “home workout time” has been utilised with my stretching and exercises for my knee issues.

That said though, I’m loving the bike riding, so it’s not all bad.

Run: 6 km @ 5:54 min/km.
Cycle: 724 km @ 26.5 km/hr – the most I’ve ever done on the bike in a month and the first time I’ve cracked 700 km.

What a match!

I went to the Australian Open Tennis, men’s second semi-final match last night as a guest of IBM who are the technology sponsor for the event.

What a match! The two Spaniards, Nadal and Verdasco put on an absolutely spectacular, spell-binding performance. Going to five sets, lasting a mammoth 5 hours and 14 minutes, it was the longest men’s singles game ever for the Aus Open. Needless to say it was a very late night, not getting home until after 2am this morning. I thought I might have struggled to maintain my attention on a tennis game for that long, but honestly it was such a great game it was not an issue!

Before the game we had a great meal and drinks in the IBM marquee and got to see all of their technology displays as well, including a guided tour around the “off-limits” areas in the bowels of Melbourne Park with Chris Yates, the CIO of Tennis Australia (during which we bumped into Jim Courier – the only celebrity spotted on the night).

The 45 degree heat was not an issue, except for the short walk from Southbank to the Rod Laver Arena about 5pm. Otherwise the marquee was very well air conditioned and by the time we went into the main arena for the game the cool change had come and it was very pleasant.

No exercise in the heat yesterday, but I reckon the stress of work might make me lose a few pounds!

It’s common for us IT folks to complain about the amount of time we spend “fighting fires”, but yesterday one of my team was involved in some quick action to put out a quickly spreading grass fire on our property at work. So, I guess in this case we shouldn’t complain! I’ll be really glad to see the back of this hot weather though.

Back into the 73s at weigh-in this morning, but only just (73.9 kg).

29 on 29 & 12 @ 45

A bit of a cryptic post title, but let me explain.

Firstly, today is the 29th of January and my 29th anniversary at work. It’s a long time to stay at one company, and my length of service, and the fact that I haven’t had any other “real” jobs is one of the reasons I have decided to pass up the voluntary separation offer that closes tomorrow, and plug along for a few more years. So, it wasn’t really the conditions at work to celebrate an anniversary, but I guess next year will be the one to celebrate.

Secondly, I did head out for a ride tonight after work, but only lasted 12 kms in the 45 degree heat. It was really stifling heat and after two 6km laps I decided it was enough and possibly a bit stupid to continue. Thinking about it, probably a bit stupid to go out in the first place.

Just when you think you have seen all the bad, upsetting news you can possibly see, a story like today’s West Gate Bridge tragedy occurs. I was told the story by a visitor to my office this morning who was late due to being held up in the ensuing traffic jam. To be honest I didn’t believe what he’d told me until I read the news report sometime later. It is one of those stories that just makes you shake your head in disbelief and feel heartbreaking sorrow for everyone involved.

Ouch, again

Well, a hot day it certainly was, and only going to get hotter. The weather forecast for the next two days has actually been updated to 43 celsius (109.4 fahrenheit) …. gulp. Thank goodness for air conditioning. I only hope the power grid can handle the load. We lost power at home twice tonight already, but thankfully only for a couple of minutes each time.

I had my second massage with Maria tonight, and again it was a painful experience. That said though, she saw a lot of difference from last week and although I was still tight, the muscles released a lot easier than last week. She was able to do a few things that she said she didn’t even attempt last week because I was so tight. So, there seems to be progress with the knee. It has been much better when riding, and I actually bounded up the stairs at work today, two steps at a time, without even thinking about it, and no pain at all. I’m still a little nervous about what is going to happen when I start to run again, but the signs are positive.

Hot, hot, hot

No, not my body, the weather!

We had 36 degrees fahrenheit here in Melbourne today, with no relief in site for the next few days with 41, 40, 40 & 40 forecast through to Saturday. For those of you more used to the fahrenheit scale, thats 96.8 today, then 105.8 tomorrow and 104 for Thursday through Saturday.

I couldn’t believe it today when I got a complaint that the air conditioning at work was too cold. Being the sympathetic soul that I am I just suggested that they go stand outside for a while.

I decided that the hot weather was no excuse not to exercise and headed out for a ride at about 5:30pm. It was an effort, and the contents of the water bottle disappeared pretty quickly. I managed 24km only, at about 26.1 km/hr average speed. I think I might get up early tomorrow and try and beat the worst of the heat.

Miz asked for a bit more information about Australia Day. It is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, the unfurling of the British flag at Sydney Cove and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia. It is viewed by some as a controversial holiday, seen as a celebration of the destruction of Indigenous culture by British colonialism. It is referred to by many as “Invasion Day”. I’m afraid for me, it is just a day off work!

Happy Australia Day

Happy Australia Day everyone!

I started my Australia Day off with a great bike ride. I headed out at about 7:30am and decided to ride the Wildwood loop, a series of country roads, with some hills mixed in, pretty close to home. With a little loop around the suburb I added at the end it was just a smidge over 50km.

It was a really pleasant ride. There was very little traffic on the road (I saw nearly as many cyclists as cars, it is a popular little cyling route), and the only smell in the air was “country smells” rather than exhaust fumes and the like. And absolutely no glass! The majority of the route is not too hilly, but there are two fairly serious hills that tested me out, both on the downhills and the uphills!

The rest of the day has been fairly quietly spent, including a little drive and taking the dog for a walk up at the Greenvale Reservoir Park.

Snap out of it!

As a few of you correctly pointed out, I pretty much have decided that the best thing for us financially, and for my career is to stay in my job and not take the separation package. This week could still end up being very interesting though, seeing if any others are thinking differently.

Watching the news and reading the paper the last couple of days have made me think that I just need to snap out of this fugue I’ve been in. Things could be so much worse. I could be one of those poor people living in Gaza, or one of the many thousands of people with huge debts who have already lost their jobs. It is about time I just got on with things I think!

Today we went down to Geelong for a bit of a family gathering. Two very old family friends from Perth are visiting my parents and it was great to see them again. I have very fond memories of their visits as a child as whenever they were visiting we would always spend the evenings playing cards or a board game of some sort. Uncle Mac (not a real uncle, but that’s what I always called him) is such a wonderful man – it is a shame that we don’t see them more often.

Only downside was though that I did eat and drink too much, and I’m calling today a rest day as I haven’t exercised and don’t think I will now. I’ll have to go for a long ride tomorrow!

Thinking!

Thanks so much for all your comments yesterday – reading them really made me feel better. The ones that really resonated with me were those of you that talked about “gut reaction” (which is to stick around), and  TAs comment “As long as there is no particular inherent issue with your job itself that’s causing the stress, it’s just the crazy climate, then personally I would stay in the frying pan” (which is the case) and John’s “I think in 2009 a stable job will be a very valuable commodity, even if it drives you a bit mad” (which is a major factor in my thinking).

Louise mentions the financial cost of travelling to work which is another reason I think I’ll stay. I only live 10km from work, so it is easy to ride if I want, but also my car is company provided, fully maintained including petrol. If I leave the job, buying a car and running it will be a major new cost.

Jo, those school holidays are a temptation.

Em, if I flipped the coin, I’m sure it will land on it’s edge!

Seriously though, the company I work for is a good company. The team (assuming there are some left) are great people. I feel like I owe something to them and would be abandoning them if I leave. Two have already told me they are going to stay, but would leave if I was going to!

Anyway, another week to think some more, if nothing else this whole shock has made us think more about our financial situation and that it requires more positive action and planning. I know a lot of you readers are younger than me – for those of you employed at the moment my advice is to take a serious look at your super-annuation and kick in a bit more if you can afford it – it would have made a huge difference to my situation if someone had given me that advice a few years ago and I’d heeded it!

At weigh-in this morning I was back up into the 74s (74.7 kg) after my two week brief stay in the 73s. I guess the 3 rest days I had this last week explain that. Still under my 75 kg goal weight though, so no complaints.

Today we went into the Victoria Market as usual, and then walked down into the city to do a little more shopping. We do this every now and then – I do like going into the city, some of the shops are much better than those in the ‘burbs.

We’ve got bloody ants again in the house – god they are a royal pain in the arse at the moment. Fortunately they haven’t got into any food storage areas (yet).

After lunch I did a 30km bike ride down the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail – pretty uneventful ride, but enjoyable as usual. Then we took the dog for a walk around the local streets.

LCD

No, not Liquid Crystal Display, but Life Changing Decision.

How to make one, without going quietly crazy, that is the question?

Take an offered severance package from a job you’ve had for nearly 30 years, risk the current economic environment in looking for another job, trade in a damn good defined benefit superannuation fund to roll-over and be at the mercy of the stock market, give up car benefits, health cover & excellent salary continuance cover, maybe change careers and do something you’ve always dreamed of (teaching?) but for a severely reduced salary package.

Or, just stay where you are, put up with the stressful conditions (and less staff, because some will say “yes please”), but know that you are financially sound and providing for your (and importantly your families) future.

A week to decide – it’s not a long time, is it?  I think it might be “better the devil you know” for me, somehow I think the stress of a possibly unknown financial future may be more stressful than the job! The company I work for is a great company … everyone is struggling at the moment … I have to think that the long term future is okay. Or at least, as good for us as it is for any company.

Aaaagh …. this is hard.

Another windy ride tonight helped clear the head …. just 22km around the local streets.

Heavier?

I didn’t think I’d hear myself saying this, but tonight I actually wished I was a bit heavier, or maybe that my road bike was a bit heavier! I nearly got blown away on tonights ride. The wind was so strong that on one or two occassions I really felt like I was in danger of getting blown sideways off the bike. Quite dangerous I suppose, especially in traffic, but I lived to tell the tale. Only a 21km ride though and considerably slower than last night!

Another visit to the physio this morning and he seems to think I’m making good progress. He actually asked me if I was thinking of starting to run again, but I don’t think Dr K. wants me too until I see her again on Feb 5th.