things are getting strange, I'm starting to worry...

Today I met Mulder and Scully, Audrey's parents. They are wonderful: Mulder is smaller than Scully, but very much 'interested' in her and tries all the old tricks to get her interest: nibbling at her arms; scratching her shell... All Scully wanted to do was eat some clover and bask in the sun. Compelling tortoise drama.







And here are some recent-ish pictures of Audrey - who, it now transpires, may actually be a boy tortoise...

75,000

Not miles, but words. I've just passed the 75% mark of my thesis word limit...

faraway, so close...

I estimate roughly 10 weeks until I can submit my thesis. Judging by this week, they're going to go very quickly but involve lots of suffering!

helmets

Just left a comment on flickr about cycling helmets, and given my lack of actual cycling, I figured I could repost here to maintain some semblance of blog activity.

I have worn a helmet while cycling since 2003 (and have covered over 30,000 miles since then). It's not going to help if I'm hit at great speed by anything; but even if you're cycling slowly and you bump your head, you may die or be seriously injured. Last year, while riding the Paris-Roubaix cyclosportive, I lost control at about 18-20mph, swerved across the road (thankfully nothing coming the other way), hit the kerb and went flying head first into a wall. Thankfully, because I was wearing a helmet I was (1) able to survive (2) complete the ride with just cuts and bruises.

Furthermore, both times I've been hit by a car, I've been wearing a helmet and the police seem to take you a lot more seriously if you've taken steps to protect yourself.

Some argue that helmets put people off cycling, and better to encourage people to cycle (given the much broader health benefits of an overall fit population rather than the small minority who are killed because they weren't wearing a helmet) rather than put them off, but even so - you don't want to be the person with brain damage.

I'm still alive

Indeed I am still alive, but insanely busy/stressed, in between bursts of lazing about and regaining strength.

Am well into my final chapter - the introduction and conclusion should subsequently be a doddle.

As for the animal life which punctuates my day with much-needed responsibilities: well, the tortoise is doing well, while Sally ate a baby hare the other day (but is otherwise wonderful).

I am taking vast quantities of photographs, some of which I am pleased with. On the other hand, I am not cycling vast quantities of miles, and this does not please me. I have done about 350 miles so far this year and 0 races. Last year I'd done 2000 miles by this point, and loads of races. Still, the ends will justify the means and I can still get up a turn of speed if I need to.

My sister returns from Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. She complains the weather has been too poor for sunbathing. War is hell, eh.

I have lost contact with virtually everybody, but again ends/means. Hopefully I'll pop in again before July...