This bloody cough! I don't know if it's the result of a delayed post-marathon lowering of my immune system, the time of year or perhaps a combination of them both but I've been feeling less than 100% with a buggy-type thing.
"Man-flu?", Fiona asked yesterday. "Perish the thought", came the answer.
Talking of yesterday, I was in London to learn how to deliver the new Safeguarding Trust session which is coming to a BBC office near you.
It was the first time that I can recall in many trips to London that both flights were on time. Yippee!
Work-wise, I had a chance to write an Editor's Blog today on a subject which fascinates me and is a real talking point for us.
This is it.
The reaaders' comments are interesting. They seem to indicate support for the decision not to link to the video on YouTube. Makes a change from us getting pelters for the things we do. I shouldn't speak too soon though.
I'm facing another dilemma. The iPhone comes out a week on Friday. Should I curtail the Blackberry contract and move over or should I wait?
I was in the city centre at lunchtime today and had a chance to dive into the Apple store in Buchanan Street. They aren't displaying the iPhone yet (although the assistant I spoke to admitted they had a couple in the building).
I did, however, get my hands on an iPod touch for the first time and I was absolutely blown away.
What a fabulous device. The iPhone does everything it does and more. BUT ... and there's always a but...
It doesn't come cheaply. Unlike other networks which discount the phones in order to get people signed up on contracts, O2 won't be doing that so you have to pay the full price - £269.
Then there's the monthly price plan. This is set at £35, £45 or £55. The upside is that this includes unlimited wifi access via The Cloud network.
Who knows, a bit of thinking to do yet though.
No running yet this week. A combination of work, the cough and a slightly stiff right knee.
Wednesday, October 31
Saturday, October 27
Glasgow Green 3K
This was a lung-bursting effort!
It was the second of three 3K lunchtime races on Glasgow Green organised by Run-4-It.
I did it in 12mins 52 secs, was very pleasing given that I'm still within three weeks of having done the marathon. I must admit to having heavy legs by the last kilometre though.
This on top of two quite hard runs earlier in the week means I've put in a fair bit of effort - which is just as bloody well given the night I had on Friday.
I was invited to the VisitScotland Silver Thistle Awards dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last night by the Loch Ness Marathon organisers, Malcolm and Caroline Sutherland.
The marathon had been shortlisted in the international events/festivals category and of course we were all rooting for it to win. Sadly it didn't. Pipped by the Glasgow Macintosh Festival.
Alistair McGowan compered the evening and was very funny in places. I was struck by his passion for the environment and he wasn't slow to promote WWF, of which he's an ambassador.
It was a pity that the folks from the Loch Lomond Seaplane Company, which won an award and quite rightly too, were talking through most of McGowan's after-dinner set piece. It was a real distraction.
The evening concluded with a wee ceilidh then thankfully it was back to the Sheraton where sausage and bacon baps were on the go in large quantities. I say thankfully because I think I'd have been in a worse state this morning if I hadn't managed to get some hearty fare down my neck.
All in all a pretty late night or early morning, depending on how you see it.
It was the second of three 3K lunchtime races on Glasgow Green organised by Run-4-It.
I did it in 12mins 52 secs, was very pleasing given that I'm still within three weeks of having done the marathon. I must admit to having heavy legs by the last kilometre though.
This on top of two quite hard runs earlier in the week means I've put in a fair bit of effort - which is just as bloody well given the night I had on Friday.
I was invited to the VisitScotland Silver Thistle Awards dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last night by the Loch Ness Marathon organisers, Malcolm and Caroline Sutherland.
The marathon had been shortlisted in the international events/festivals category and of course we were all rooting for it to win. Sadly it didn't. Pipped by the Glasgow Macintosh Festival.
Alistair McGowan compered the evening and was very funny in places. I was struck by his passion for the environment and he wasn't slow to promote WWF, of which he's an ambassador.
It was a pity that the folks from the Loch Lomond Seaplane Company, which won an award and quite rightly too, were talking through most of McGowan's after-dinner set piece. It was a real distraction.
The evening concluded with a wee ceilidh then thankfully it was back to the Sheraton where sausage and bacon baps were on the go in large quantities. I say thankfully because I think I'd have been in a worse state this morning if I hadn't managed to get some hearty fare down my neck.
All in all a pretty late night or early morning, depending on how you see it.
Wednesday, October 24
Building on fire?
No, they're not real flames. The sun was setting and someone in the office spotted its reflection in the Skypark building across the river beside the Clydeside Expressway.
Our building has inner and outer windows so the picture I took has a very slight reflection from the inside of the outer window but you get the idea anyway.
A quick handbrake turn - I had a really good run last night.
I did the Blantyre course, which measured at 7.84 miles and covered it in 1hr 03 minutes, which equates to 8.04mi.
That's about 20 secs off where I want my half-marathon pace to be and I know I'm well capable of getting there with the right training schedule.
Perhaps more to the point last night, I felt like I had plenty left and didn't get any niggles. My right knee was a bit stiff this morning but nothing more.
I'm looking forward to another club run tomorrow night then the Run-4-It 3k at Glasgow Green on Friday lunchtime.
My plan is to run there from work then back again to Pacific Quay. A good warm-up and down I reckon.
Our building has inner and outer windows so the picture I took has a very slight reflection from the inside of the outer window but you get the idea anyway.
A quick handbrake turn - I had a really good run last night.
I did the Blantyre course, which measured at 7.84 miles and covered it in 1hr 03 minutes, which equates to 8.04mi.
That's about 20 secs off where I want my half-marathon pace to be and I know I'm well capable of getting there with the right training schedule.
Perhaps more to the point last night, I felt like I had plenty left and didn't get any niggles. My right knee was a bit stiff this morning but nothing more.
I'm looking forward to another club run tomorrow night then the Run-4-It 3k at Glasgow Green on Friday lunchtime.
My plan is to run there from work then back again to Pacific Quay. A good warm-up and down I reckon.
Sunday, October 21
Lanarkshire road relays
This was a good afternoon out at Drumpellier Park yesterday for the Lanarkshire Road Relays.We entered three men's teams and three women's teams along with a good number of young members who ran in their age groups.
One of the women's teams came third and the boys' under-11s won bronze medals as well.
Each of the seniors' legs was 2.5 miles so I was aiming for seven minute miles, which would have given me something in the region of 17.5 minutes.
I was pretty pleased then to do 17.13, which worked out at 6.36, 7.08 and 3.29.
No reaction from the achilles, just a wee nip in the right knee.
Saturday, October 20
Hit by a truck!
I was watching the France v Argentina RWC match last night and it included what must qualify as one of the most bone-crunching tackles ever seen in a game of rugby.
This time though, it was Sebastian Chabal who was on the receiving end of it!
The Argentinian player knocked him backwards horizontally and put him on the deck - then proceeded to be yellow-carded for his sins!
Anyone who's ever stepped onto a rugby field knows how much of a morale boost a tackle like that gives you (providing it's dealt to one of the opposing team) but when an icon like Chabal is felled, it's worth seven points in itself.
I haven't found the tackle on YouTube yet but it's bound to end up there. In the meantime, here's Chabal giving an All Black a serious wake-up call earlier this year. Watch the All Black trying to get up. Priceless!
This time though, it was Sebastian Chabal who was on the receiving end of it!
The Argentinian player knocked him backwards horizontally and put him on the deck - then proceeded to be yellow-carded for his sins!
Anyone who's ever stepped onto a rugby field knows how much of a morale boost a tackle like that gives you (providing it's dealt to one of the opposing team) but when an icon like Chabal is felled, it's worth seven points in itself.
I haven't found the tackle on YouTube yet but it's bound to end up there. In the meantime, here's Chabal giving an All Black a serious wake-up call earlier this year. Watch the All Black trying to get up. Priceless!
Friday, October 19
Allan Wells
Great news ... we've been able to tell people today that Allan Wells will be Motherwell AC's guest-of-honour at our club prize-giving ceremony next month.
It's a bit of a coup for a club of our size and I really hope it goes down well with everyone.
The event will come after we find out about the 2014 Commonwealth Games so if, as expected, Glasgow wins, it'll raise interest in athletics even more.
I'm going to take part in the Lanarkshire relays at Drumpellier tomorrow. Should be some fun - two-and-a-half mile legs round Drumpellier Park.
Sophie's off for a riding lesson in Pollock Park today and it's such a nice day I'm going to have a run round the park, kind of on the Glasgow half route.
Lots of stuff all over the media about the BBC cuts and a few people have been asking how the changes might affect me.
Nothing's guaranteed in this world and I certainly don't presume that my position is safe either now or in the future.
It's a bit of a coup for a club of our size and I really hope it goes down well with everyone.
The event will come after we find out about the 2014 Commonwealth Games so if, as expected, Glasgow wins, it'll raise interest in athletics even more.
I'm going to take part in the Lanarkshire relays at Drumpellier tomorrow. Should be some fun - two-and-a-half mile legs round Drumpellier Park.
Sophie's off for a riding lesson in Pollock Park today and it's such a nice day I'm going to have a run round the park, kind of on the Glasgow half route.
Lots of stuff all over the media about the BBC cuts and a few people have been asking how the changes might affect me.
Nothing's guaranteed in this world and I certainly don't presume that my position is safe either now or in the future.
Wednesday, October 17
First run
I took the plunge last night and had my first post-marathon run.
Very enjoyable - 5.07 miles round Hamilton with the club at a very stately pace. There was a slight irritation in my right achilles but in every respect it was a good feeling to stretch my legs again.
I've said I'll consider taking part in the relays at Drumpellier Park this Saturday but I'm going to leave it until Saturday morning to see how I feel.
Sophie and I went to see Ratatouille this afternoon. All of a sudden, rats are flavour of the month!
My prediction is that people will go and see the film, suddenly take pity on rats and there'll be a backlash of sympathy for them which will result in an explosion in the rat population because people won't want to kill them.
In other words, a kind of "Finding Nemo" effect but sort of in reverse.
It's Georgia v Scotland tonight. Can we carry on the winning streak? All will be revealed soon.
Very enjoyable - 5.07 miles round Hamilton with the club at a very stately pace. There was a slight irritation in my right achilles but in every respect it was a good feeling to stretch my legs again.
I've said I'll consider taking part in the relays at Drumpellier Park this Saturday but I'm going to leave it until Saturday morning to see how I feel.
Sophie and I went to see Ratatouille this afternoon. All of a sudden, rats are flavour of the month!
My prediction is that people will go and see the film, suddenly take pity on rats and there'll be a backlash of sympathy for them which will result in an explosion in the rat population because people won't want to kill them.
In other words, a kind of "Finding Nemo" effect but sort of in reverse.
It's Georgia v Scotland tonight. Can we carry on the winning streak? All will be revealed soon.
Monday, October 15
Rush in Manchester part two
The picture's not fantastic but it was the best I could do with my Blackberry.
It was another great night but Glasgow edged it for me for two reasons.
One, Glasgow is "home" so seeing Rush here was a much better experience.
Second, the sound during part of the first set in Manchester was definitely a bit dodgy. It sounded like there was an echo at times but much worse, Geddy's bass was barely audible in some songs.
It seemed a couple of times like he was having problems with his earpieces and I see a few posts on the Rush is a Band blog that others had a similar experience with the sound.
Of course, Rush fans expect nothing less than musical perfection so such issues tend to be amplified and pored over.
What the hell, it was another superb night of musicianship. Even Fiona really enjoyed it. For her, the highlights were Spirit of Radio, The Larger Bowl and (surprisingly) Neil's drum solo.
The City Inn was a great place to stay and we're definitely going back. The iMacs in each room are the business!
I need to get back running soon. The inactivity is weighing heavily on me and I feel pretty well rested.
I did have a grip from my right achilles last night, after standing for so long during the concert but that's a price well worth paying!
It was another great night but Glasgow edged it for me for two reasons.
One, Glasgow is "home" so seeing Rush here was a much better experience.
Second, the sound during part of the first set in Manchester was definitely a bit dodgy. It sounded like there was an echo at times but much worse, Geddy's bass was barely audible in some songs.
It seemed a couple of times like he was having problems with his earpieces and I see a few posts on the Rush is a Band blog that others had a similar experience with the sound.
Of course, Rush fans expect nothing less than musical perfection so such issues tend to be amplified and pored over.
What the hell, it was another superb night of musicianship. Even Fiona really enjoyed it. For her, the highlights were Spirit of Radio, The Larger Bowl and (surprisingly) Neil's drum solo.
The City Inn was a great place to stay and we're definitely going back. The iMacs in each room are the business!
I need to get back running soon. The inactivity is weighing heavily on me and I feel pretty well rested.
I did have a grip from my right achilles last night, after standing for so long during the concert but that's a price well worth paying!
Sunday, October 14
Rush in Manchester
No, this isn't them. Obviously.
This is the lovely iMac in our room at the City Inn in Manchester, where we're going to see Rush tonight. In less than two hours in fact.
Funny to think that by the end of today, I'll have seen Rush twice, run a marathon AND seen Scotland play fantastically at Hampden!!!
One thing I'll be doing is going back either to an alcohol-free or almost alcohol-free existence.
I can't cope with drink any more. It's giving me bad headaches.
I suppose it depends on the amount I drink but it seems to be happening even with the smallest of quantities.
This is the lovely iMac in our room at the City Inn in Manchester, where we're going to see Rush tonight. In less than two hours in fact.
Funny to think that by the end of today, I'll have seen Rush twice, run a marathon AND seen Scotland play fantastically at Hampden!!!
One thing I'll be doing is going back either to an alcohol-free or almost alcohol-free existence.
I can't cope with drink any more. It's giving me bad headaches.
I suppose it depends on the amount I drink but it seems to be happening even with the smallest of quantities.
Here and there...
Hampden yesterday (Scotland 3, Ukraine 1), Manchester today to see Rush tonight.
Marvellous!
Marvellous!
Tuesday, October 9
DOMS and more post-marathon thoughts
Also known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. It usually occurs on the second day after a hard race. Thankfully I'm okay this morning, possibly because of the swim I had yesterday.
I'm paying a lot of attention to my right knee because that's where the real annoyance came from after the marathon in 2006. So far it's quiet and long may it stay that way.
I've had more time to mull over Sunday and I have a warm feeling of satisfaction about me. I was a bit worried that despite all my brave talk of "just enjoying the day", I'd see other people's results and ask myself why I couldn't have done better. That really isn't happening and I'm so glad.
It was never about beating other people, it was about setting myself another tough physical and mental challenge and I won that challenge.
It's at times like this that support from people around you counts for so, so much. Several people, also members of Motherwell AC, have proved to be the voices of sanity, reason and have delivered the odd metaphorical boot in the arse now and again. I have plenty to thank you for ... you know who you are!
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I'm itching to get going on a new physical challenge but that's going to wait. Some rest, some easy gym time and staying off my feet is the aim for the next month or six weeks.
The Amsterdam Marathon is rapidly taking shape as next year's big one. It's in October 2008 and by the look of it there'll be a few of us there, weans and all.
I'm paying a lot of attention to my right knee because that's where the real annoyance came from after the marathon in 2006. So far it's quiet and long may it stay that way.
I've had more time to mull over Sunday and I have a warm feeling of satisfaction about me. I was a bit worried that despite all my brave talk of "just enjoying the day", I'd see other people's results and ask myself why I couldn't have done better. That really isn't happening and I'm so glad.
It was never about beating other people, it was about setting myself another tough physical and mental challenge and I won that challenge.
It's at times like this that support from people around you counts for so, so much. Several people, also members of Motherwell AC, have proved to be the voices of sanity, reason and have delivered the odd metaphorical boot in the arse now and again. I have plenty to thank you for ... you know who you are!
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I'm itching to get going on a new physical challenge but that's going to wait. Some rest, some easy gym time and staying off my feet is the aim for the next month or six weeks.
The Amsterdam Marathon is rapidly taking shape as next year's big one. It's in October 2008 and by the look of it there'll be a few of us there, weans and all.
Monday, October 8
Loch Ness Marathon
So, that's that then. My second marathon down and an altogether much more enjoyable experience than the first one.
The stats first. My time was 4.19.46, which is some way off the four hours I've targetted for two years.
My overall position was 923rd out of about 2,300 runners and I was 247th in M40+ category.
The weather was great for running. Cold, clear and no rain!
I knew from about six miles that I wasn't going to get under four hours and really, really, really I wasn't bothered about that. I re-adjusted my thinking to wanting to beat last year's time and set out to aim to enjoy the run.
I've no doubt that the Nuun tablets I was taking to ward off cramp were a godsend. Several times I could feel my quads tightening up, particularly round my knees but it never came to anything more than that.
I'd broken up a tube of tablets into halves so I could drop them into Highland Spring bottles of water and let them dissolve but I thought my oh so carefully thought out strategy had come undone at 10 miles when I had a Lucozade pouch in one hand, a bottle of water in the other and the Nuun tube in my mouth, trying to get the top off.
Something had to give, and it was the Nuun tube which fell, spilling several of the tablets onto the ground. Aaaaaaarrrrggh! I scooped up as many as I could without stopping and did a quick calculation about when I needed to take them over the remaining miles.
Finally, I've discovered a more pleasant way of consuming gels. I had four blackcurrant SIS gels and I held each one in my hand to warm it up and make it less gloopy before squirting it into my mouth.
I took them at eight, 12, 18 and 23 miles and I never felt like I'd run out of energy. It was the reverse in fact because I managed to accelerate over the last half mile or so and although I was drained, I never once felt like the "wall" was looming.
I say it again, it's so true that there are two halves to a marathon - 20 miles and six miles. That 20-mile marker is such a psychological milestone.
I must admit to having to grit my teeth and give myself a severe talking to several times between 20 and 23 miles. The last few didn't seem so bad.
And what of the hill(s). Well, I gave the big one at Foyers a lot more respect this year than last.
I'd decided that depending on how I felt, I was going to stride up it rather than attempt to run. Three reasons - striding up it would stretch my legs further than a jog would do and I reasoned that it would move the lactic acid.
Second, striding/bounding would actually be faster than jogging.
Third, if I felt okay by the time I reached the hill, which I did, there was no way I wanted to jeopardise the rest of the race by trying to run the hill.
Once again, visualising is so important. I could see in my mind's eye Fiona and Sophie at the finish line and I've no shame in saying that when I was running round the back of the stadium just before turning the final corner, I had tears in my eyes.
Funny, but I think I felt more emotional this year than last.
Fiona and Sophie were handing out medals just over the finish line and there was another group hug which just confirmed to me that I'd done it!
Thankfully by this time the bairn had removed her Baxter's soup can outfit she'd been parading round in.
A shower, food and into the car for the journey home. I was driving so I fully expected to be really stiff by the time we got in but I wasn't too bad.
And yes, I got my much-anticipated glass of red wine, a very nice Wolf Blass.
Any injuries as such? Not really, just stiff quads and a tight right achilles. I'm off today but plan to go for a swim then I have a Scottish Athletics meeting in Edinburgh.
And what next? No running for a few weeks at least. I'd like to get to a pilates class and want to do some cross-training, on the bike and stuff.
Plans to run the Amsterdam Marathon next October seem to have taken root.
Now that just MUST be flat!!!
The stats first. My time was 4.19.46, which is some way off the four hours I've targetted for two years.
My overall position was 923rd out of about 2,300 runners and I was 247th in M40+ category.
The weather was great for running. Cold, clear and no rain!
I knew from about six miles that I wasn't going to get under four hours and really, really, really I wasn't bothered about that. I re-adjusted my thinking to wanting to beat last year's time and set out to aim to enjoy the run.
I've no doubt that the Nuun tablets I was taking to ward off cramp were a godsend. Several times I could feel my quads tightening up, particularly round my knees but it never came to anything more than that.
I'd broken up a tube of tablets into halves so I could drop them into Highland Spring bottles of water and let them dissolve but I thought my oh so carefully thought out strategy had come undone at 10 miles when I had a Lucozade pouch in one hand, a bottle of water in the other and the Nuun tube in my mouth, trying to get the top off.
Something had to give, and it was the Nuun tube which fell, spilling several of the tablets onto the ground. Aaaaaaarrrrggh! I scooped up as many as I could without stopping and did a quick calculation about when I needed to take them over the remaining miles.
Finally, I've discovered a more pleasant way of consuming gels. I had four blackcurrant SIS gels and I held each one in my hand to warm it up and make it less gloopy before squirting it into my mouth.
I took them at eight, 12, 18 and 23 miles and I never felt like I'd run out of energy. It was the reverse in fact because I managed to accelerate over the last half mile or so and although I was drained, I never once felt like the "wall" was looming.
I say it again, it's so true that there are two halves to a marathon - 20 miles and six miles. That 20-mile marker is such a psychological milestone.
I must admit to having to grit my teeth and give myself a severe talking to several times between 20 and 23 miles. The last few didn't seem so bad.
And what of the hill(s). Well, I gave the big one at Foyers a lot more respect this year than last.
I'd decided that depending on how I felt, I was going to stride up it rather than attempt to run. Three reasons - striding up it would stretch my legs further than a jog would do and I reasoned that it would move the lactic acid.
Second, striding/bounding would actually be faster than jogging.
Third, if I felt okay by the time I reached the hill, which I did, there was no way I wanted to jeopardise the rest of the race by trying to run the hill.
Once again, visualising is so important. I could see in my mind's eye Fiona and Sophie at the finish line and I've no shame in saying that when I was running round the back of the stadium just before turning the final corner, I had tears in my eyes.
Funny, but I think I felt more emotional this year than last.
Fiona and Sophie were handing out medals just over the finish line and there was another group hug which just confirmed to me that I'd done it!
Thankfully by this time the bairn had removed her Baxter's soup can outfit she'd been parading round in.
A shower, food and into the car for the journey home. I was driving so I fully expected to be really stiff by the time we got in but I wasn't too bad.
And yes, I got my much-anticipated glass of red wine, a very nice Wolf Blass.
Any injuries as such? Not really, just stiff quads and a tight right achilles. I'm off today but plan to go for a swim then I have a Scottish Athletics meeting in Edinburgh.
And what next? No running for a few weeks at least. I'd like to get to a pilates class and want to do some cross-training, on the bike and stuff.
Plans to run the Amsterdam Marathon next October seem to have taken root.
Now that just MUST be flat!!!
Friday, October 5
Post-Rush thoughts
I'm not sure what Alex, Geddy and Neil could have done on Wednesday night that would have prompted anything other than words like "awesome", "amazing" and "breathtaking" so you wouldn't expect anything less from me.
And you won't get anything less.
It was just a stunning night from start to finish. For me there's a whole emotional tie to Rush because I grew up with their music.
I've read many other fans' thoughts on the "Rush Is A Band" blog (curious name by the way) which is linked on the right of my blog. I agree with those who say that like a fine wine, the band gets better with age.
Funny how one's analogies change over the years. Two decades ago, I'd have compared them to a can of Tennent's lager or some other pleasurable commodity which was pertinent to my youth. Probably a packet of 10 Number 6 fags.
I won't attempt wax lyrically about the concert here because I have all my memories and my sub-standard camera phone pictures. I wish I'd taken my proper digital camera but I thought the heavies would try to stop pictures being taken. Not at all.
I'll definitely have it in Manchester a week on Sunday.
However, between now and then there's Loch Ness.
I haven't felt at all confident or strong this week. Adrenaline is coursing through me, which feels like it's making me very jumpy and on edge (which it probably is).
I've taken today and Monday off work. Today's plan is to get stuff together without chasing around in a flurry and becoming agitated. I have a massage lined up for 4pm which hopefully will loosen off my legs somewhat.
This cramp thing is really pissing me off. I'm even feeling it the toes on my right foot at times when I'm walking. Not funny.
But first, the dentist. Just what I need. Not.
And you won't get anything less.
It was just a stunning night from start to finish. For me there's a whole emotional tie to Rush because I grew up with their music.
I've read many other fans' thoughts on the "Rush Is A Band" blog (curious name by the way) which is linked on the right of my blog. I agree with those who say that like a fine wine, the band gets better with age.
Funny how one's analogies change over the years. Two decades ago, I'd have compared them to a can of Tennent's lager or some other pleasurable commodity which was pertinent to my youth. Probably a packet of 10 Number 6 fags.
I won't attempt wax lyrically about the concert here because I have all my memories and my sub-standard camera phone pictures. I wish I'd taken my proper digital camera but I thought the heavies would try to stop pictures being taken. Not at all.
I'll definitely have it in Manchester a week on Sunday.
However, between now and then there's Loch Ness.
I haven't felt at all confident or strong this week. Adrenaline is coursing through me, which feels like it's making me very jumpy and on edge (which it probably is).
I've taken today and Monday off work. Today's plan is to get stuff together without chasing around in a flurry and becoming agitated. I have a massage lined up for 4pm which hopefully will loosen off my legs somewhat.
This cramp thing is really pissing me off. I'm even feeling it the toes on my right foot at times when I'm walking. Not funny.
But first, the dentist. Just what I need. Not.
Wednesday, October 3
R-Day
The SECC is shrouded in mist and low cloud. It's raining.
Do I care?
Nope.
Am I thinking about Sunday?
Nope (I wish).
Am I thinking about this evening?
Yep.
Do I care?
Nope.
Am I thinking about Sunday?
Nope (I wish).
Am I thinking about this evening?
Yep.
Tuesday, October 2
The clock is turning back
With a day to go before the Rush concert, I feel like I'm regressing to my teenage years.
I well remember being awed by Rush the first time I saw them, which was at the old Apollo Theatre in Renfield Street, Glasgow, on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980.
I'd bunked off school and stood outside the stage door to catch a glimpse of the band and Geddy signed my ticket!
Funny then that I'd walk through the SECC today and feel that very same sense of anticipation as I had 27 years ago.
It's quite distracting being able to sit at my desk across the river and watch the lorries pull up in the car park to unload the concert set.
Judging by the routine the band follows (as discussed in the documentary on the Rush in Rio DVD) they'll sound check tomorrow afternoon.
Maybe I'll have to find an excuse to visit the cash machine at the SECC around that time.
I did have a tiny peek inside the hall doors earlier and could see part of the set. I don't really want to see any more though.
I'd rather it all stayed a surprise until tomorrow night!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Slideshow
Search this blog and the web
Weebl and Bob - total quality!