From One of the Year to the Other

2 blog entries for 2011 is fairly pathetic. I mean, I know noone actually reads any of this stuff, but as an exercise in diary-ing it hasn't exactly stretched my typing muscles. I'm in contemplative mode, so this may not be the most entertaining read...

Interestingly, though 2011 felt like it was a year in which we/I headed off sidey-ways, reading the post from the start of the year proved that there was, in fact, consistency.

I did run a marathon in 2011 as well as a lot of other running races, and brought my pace down to the sort of times I was running 12 years ago. That was a big success point of the year and made me very happy. I did manage to get to bed at 10:30 by and large, and I cut my alcohol intake to a fraction. The eventual effect of these three actions was a surprising improvement in my mental health! Why surprising?!

With me concentrating my recreational time on running and cycling and us both spending more time on gainful employment, the farm has taken a back seat. I said this time last year that I did not want to spend a lot of time on it in 2011, that it should go back to being a hobby for Jane, if she wanted that hobby. Where we go with it next year is up for discussion at the moment.

We all made it back to the UK for Judy's wedding in October. It was interesting being back in the UK, in Scotland, on Arran - my first trip out of Canada since we moved. On Arran it was like we hadn't left really. Jane had worried that it would unsettle me, but no fear, there was nothing that made me very homesick and it was good to get back to NS again. Albeit thousands of dollars lighter, with a cracked rib and bad road rash on my hip from a cycling fall on the wedding day.

Work-wise things were very lean in the last quarter, worryingly lean, especially no longer having the money buffer that the UK trip used up. One web project went poorly and then there seemed to be no more coming through. At the end of the year though, I won the contract to carry out a feasibility study into creating an 'Innovation Centre' in Caledonia, and will be teaching another IT course in the New Year, together with a couple of web projects means that we should haul back out of the trough.

So, 2012, what's the plan Stan?

Well, I have some racing goals; I'd like to run under 20:00 for 5k, 1:30 for a half-marathon, and possibly under 3:30 for another full marathon. However, I also want to try another triathlon which I haven't done for 10 years or more. There's a half-ironman 70.3, long course tri in Bridgetown in August that I'm thinking to make my main season goal. I can't do any swim training until the ice is out, but thesufferfest.com makes indoor bike training bearable and I'm managing to run outdoors so far this winter.

I want to lose another few kilos, if I could get under 70kg it would be good. Keep concentrating on healthy living other than the training.

We decorated the kitchen and I made a new kitchen dining table, and I want to keep the house improvements going. I enjoyed the woodwork and would like to do more in 2012.

I always feel that I want to play more music, but never seem to make the opportunities. I want to sing! Maybe in 2012 I'll join a choir.

So, there you have the scoop. Not very exciting wursent it not.

I feel like I need to counter Richard's rather negative last couple of posts. Tonight, having done the barn chores, I sat on the step watching the quiet night. It was one of those moonlit nights that makes the snow sparkle like magic, and it was quiet, but for the sound of Max, the barn cat, sitting on my knee, purring almost loudly enough to drown out the wonderful sound of the horses munching contentedly on their hay. All that contentment rubs off a little. I wouldn't say that there aren't times when the animals are a tie and strife inducing, but they do add something to it all, especially when everyone is fed and happy.

Reflecting on the last year; 2010 was just too busy for my liking, and whilst I accept that the next couple of years are likely to be hectic a lot of the time (- the kids are involved in various clubs and hobbies, which is great, I am hooked on producing as much home-grown food as we can muster, and the farm continues to crumble and need constant repair, oh, and yes, we do have to make a living too!), I see the last three years as a steep learning curve, and want 2011 to be a year of consolidation, with a little more attention to stepping off the treadmill occasionally to admire the view!

New Year, New You

The Family Von Krapp brought in the new year in the traditional manner, annoying people with a fairly enthusiastic, if poorly played, rough approximation of Auld Lang Syne. The advent of skype has brought a new dimension to playing live, and we felt we had to apply something of the visual dimension to our performance - thankfully, we didn't go the whole hog to Jane's suggestion of an Abba tribute version - jeez.

Because UK 'bells' is only 8pm here, we are relatively sober for the performance, which is probably not that great a thing. This year lost a little spontaneity too, as various family members were queued up on skype trying to get it over and done with, so they could get to bed - not very rock 'n roll.

I made several resolutions this year including: run a marathon in 2011, be in bed by 10:30 unless there's a very good reason not to be and drink well under the recommended 21 units of alcohol per week. So far, I've done very well and you'd think I would be beginning to burst with health and vigour. The reality is that in the last two weeks, I have pulled both calf muscles, had a upset stomach for several days and now have a cold. I was healthier steaming every night.