Ireland - Peace Breaks Out?

Unionist and Republican together in a power-sharing government of Ireland? It's hard to believe. The suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002 seemed like a vindication of the cynics' view that entrenched differences could not be put aside for the common good. I was very moved to hear the sincere declarations being made by Paisley and McGuiness about their belief in the future and that their sentiments implied trust in their opposite number.

I hope that when things get (inevitably) tough in the future the appetite for the effort and courage required to follow it through is as evident as it was today and that the dream, vision, goal of a lasting peace can finally be realised.

I somehow think that this time, just maybe, there is a good chance they can pull it off.

Four by Fours: Don't get me started...

I've never been an agressive person. Sure I can be intolerant, a bit crabby when I haven't had enough sleep and all of those normal traits that most of the human race is encumbered with but, get me on the subject of 4x4 'cars' and the red mist rises. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against cars per se and the 4x4 has it's place as a workhorse for those whose livelihood depends upon it, but the superior b@st*rds that drive them as an ostentatious symbol of their wealth and a means by which they can physically elevate themselves above the scummy proletariat make my blood boil.

The 'Chelsea Tractor' is a ludicrous manifestation of the rich losing their senses. Why, in London, would you want a (much) larger than average car that barely gets to move about 20mph let alone traverse mountain streams and artic tundra for which they are supposedly designed. Every time I see one of these obscene beasts I actually want to either a) scrape a key along all the body panels or b) drive headlong into it on some crazed (and let's face it, doomed) suicide mission. I honestly think I could end up in front of a judge one day.

I know this is a well worn topic but it routinely divides normally sane and rational people along battle lines, much like the issue of fox hunting (in my view supported by the same twats that think it's their selfish right to drive what the hell they like and hang the consequences for other people's safety and the environment).

I can feel a migraine coming on. I need to lie down...

Running Fat

I've been running around 3 miles for 2 or 3 times a week for over a year now (ok, maybe not every week). I also swim a mile at least once a week. Despite the fact that I know I'm overweight (12st 12lbs and only 5' 10'') why doesn't running get any easier? Why, over the same distance, don't I get any faster? If that's too much to ask, why doesn't it feel more comfortable? It must be that I'm kidding myself that I'm putting enough effort in and that being fat (ish - no pot belly but definately got the love handle thing) and over 40 isn't helping.

I do know that I have simply not tried to lose weight. I just don't want to reduce the amount I eat if I'm being totally honest. It's only natural to like food isn't it? I'm working on the misconception that by exercising alone I'll become more svelt. I am sure it's helping stave off the move towards Walrus proportions but there's no chance of reaching a male size zero (what is the male equivalent?).

I've always done a fair amount of exercise and I think I'm actually reasonably fit. My pulse is around 40 bpm which I know is very low (the average is around 70-75 I think) and I am hoping that is the sign of a strong heart that won't let me down whilst walking down the tinned goods aisle in Sainsbury's.

Exercise will continue to be an important part of my life. I just need to gather the willpower to lose the extra bits of me that I've gathered over time.

Right. That's enough. Off to the pub...

Blogging by E-Mail

I think this is a great idea – being able to post a blog via e-mail. I have a Blackberry so it makes spontaneous blogging wherever I am a reality. There’s no need to log in to my blog on the web site etc. Just type away, send the e-mail and you’re done. Brilliant!

Scottish Pride

It struck me today that Scotland's place and influence in the world is similarly disproportionate to its size (land mass and population) as England. Any proud Scot who knows their history will point at the incredible contributions made in the world of science and technology, literature and art. Just as an example, take a look at Wikipedia's entry for Scottish inventors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Scottish_inventors. Apart from the more well known John Logie Baird and James Watt there is a plethora of similarly gifted engineers and scientists who have shaped our modern world. A Brit (for I call myself that first, English second) might claim these achievements for themselves but that might diminish Scotland's unique national identity and it's son's and daughter's contributions.

My thoughts led me down this path from a comment made by Tony Blair yesterday about who would succeed him to the Labour Party Leadership. He said simply that he thinks it will 'be a Scot'. A barely disguised reference to Gordon Brown and, it might be inferred, implicit support for him. Whilst I am not particularly political I do detect that Scottish intellect, creativity, drive and, yes, passion in Brown that can only be good for Britain. Assuming of course Scotland doesn't end the 300 year old Union and seek full independance. I wonder where Brown would sit then?

Virgin Territory

My partner would find it laughable that I've started a blog. The more difficult patches in our relationship are nearly always brought about by a failure to communicate. Perhaps I should be more specific here. I'd say it was reasonable to point the finger at me on most (but not all, it has to be said) occasions as the cause for rifts in our otherwise trouble-free and privileged existence. My partner finds it hard to understand why I don't have the need to talk as much as she does. It doesn't make it easier when I tend to be somewhat direct in the way I speak, often without consideration about how the message might be received. Insensitive might be a reasonable criticism to level at me. I accept that I can be at times but it is never with intended malice, of that I am certain. Neither is it the rule. I am probably a typical male specimen who is oblivious to all but the least subtle signs of need for, well, anything really, from their partner. It's not that I'm deliberately obtuse nor trying to make things difficult. I think it's down to the fact that Venus/Mars planetary differences are real. That and the fact that I can be somewhat selfish and self-centred at times. What really matters though is that I do try and address my shortcomings. My partner is a wonderful person and I would like to think that my future is with her so I must keep working at it and making our time together worthwhile.

A somewhat surprising start to my blog. Not what I envisaged at all. I'm fairly certain though that I'll touch on this subject again (after all, she is a big part of my life) as well as the nature of the other relationships I have with friends, co-workers and of course my family. I'll also be waxing lyrical about my love of film, music, guitar, food and running. On that subject (running that is) I am currently fascinated by my latest gadget acquisition - it's a Nike+ training aid that plugs into your iPod Nano and, together with the associated web site (http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/) measures your running times, distances, calorie burn etc. all with your favourite music playing at the same time. It really is cool. When you connect your Nano to your computer with iTunes it automatically downloads your 'workouts' to a personalised space on their website where you can analyse your performance and set goals for yourself. It really is nifty stuff. I especially like the fact that you can see how fast (or slow in my case) you were going at different parts of the run (like approaching 0.5 miles an hour going up that lung-busting hill!). There's an interactive route mapping feature too which you can use to plot your runs. You can share your routes with others too, and use routes nearby that others have published.

Well, that's it for now I think. I have now lost my Blog virginity. I wonder if I'll be back for more. Time will tell...