Under A Month To Go!

"What's the use of getting sober, when you're gonna get drunk again..."

~ classic song by Louis Jordan.

Exactly!
These sentiments perfectly sum up my friendship with my good mate & drinking buddy, Curph!
In four weeks time, and less than a calendar month away, the long-awaited charity walk will finally be upon us...although in truth the time has flown by since the inception of the campaign last summer.
The second of my five favourite personal photo's this week shows Curph & me enjoying yet another night out on the town! Not so much recently, but there was a time when this was quite a common occurence, but seeing as Curph is one of my fellow trekkers on the charity walk I reckon there's a good chance we will both appear in a similar state on Friday April 27th, when the event is over? Lol.

The South Downs Way ~ 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne ~ April 23-27

At the very time of writing this blog, including the matched figures from our employer, Mercer, we have raised a staggering £1,507 an unbelievable achievement bearing in mind that I was only expecting to raise a few quid when I originally thought up the idea last summer! And this only includes the on-line donations ~ the old fashioned style sponsorship forms & the collection boxes are yet to be factored in! I also remain quietly confident that we'll raise even further funds after the event, when there's photographic proof that we've actually completed the distance, as well as some local press and company magazine coverage.
(I am currently awaiting confirmation from a local newspaper, who are keen to get in touch and write an article about us).
For anyone else wishing to make a donation please find attached my link below to my 'Just Giving' page, which is also highlighted at the foot of every blog:

http://www.justgiving.com/SteveMuskett27010

I'm also attaching the links to my co-trekkers, as some of you may know them as well, and maybe you'd prefer to sponsor them instead? Believe me, we are in no competition ~ the only reason we have seperate sponsorship pages is because our employer will match our donations individually, upto to a value of £300 each ~ so it makes good sense to have seperate pages, rather than one collective one!

 http://www.justgiving.com/Jon-Oakley ~ Jon
 http://www.donatetobreastcancer.org/curph ~ Curph
 http://www.justgiving.com/Ross-Chapman ~ Chappers

A BIG THANK YOU goes to Curph's & Jon's better other-halves, Leah & Carrie respectively, for promoting their husband's pages on their Facebook profiles.

The training is continuing to go well ~ as well as introducing Curph to the joys of The Trundle hill at Goodwood previously, I've now also led Chappers and my training mate, Tom up to the summit too! The only difference was the weather ~ whereas Curph & I experienced rain and poor views, Chappers, Tom and I witnessed breathtaking, panaramic scenery whilst walking in the sun! Still, you know what they say...

"there's no such thing as bad weather...just the wrong clothes!"

Hopefully, all the training is doing me good as I endeavour to lick myself into shape, back into my old lean and toned physique of yesteryear (?)...wait 'til October Ange aka the TWL (also pictured at the foot of every blog) ~ then you'll be able to see for yourself! Lol.

Until next week, be safe, take care, have fun & keep smilin' :)

Ramblin' Steve

Depth of Life

"It is not length of life, but depth of life." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was a 19th century American lecturer, writer, poet, and philosopher, who prevailed as a champion of individualism.

His words which open this blog do seem extremely poignant to me, when you consider that the special individual concerned who is the inspiration behind my charity campaign for Cancer Research UK, is having her own precious life cut prematurely short.
So I guess the over-riding message is that you must live for today, you must grasp every opportunity that comes your way, and you should try to fulfill all your dreams before it's too late...as life is too short!

My own life is pretty deep I suppose, but I'd much rather pack everything into it as best I can whilst I'm still here, than wait until the future unfolds...as you never know, tomorrow may never come?
I think my 'depth' comes from my continual struggle between trying to attain a simple way of life, whilst dealing with a complex state of mind...but I'm getting there as I work through the trials and tribulations that ultimately effect us all.

The charity campaign is now only just over a month away, which seems scary when I think about it.
I first thought up the idea last summer and yet here we are ~ so near and so close.
So much has happened over the ensuing months; so many twists and turns; a few additional heartbreaking events; but the overwhelming support towards the cause has been the biggest factor that I've encountered.

The South Downs Way Charity Trek in aid of Cancer Research UK

April 23rd to April 27th

http://www.justgiving.com/SteveMuskett27010

All the planning has come to fruition, and all the support I've received from Jon, Curph, and Chappers as my willing co-participants, as well as all the kind comments (and donations!) from my co-workers especially, have proved to be an unexpected suprise...I have been genuinely touched, and have remained so throughout all of the organising.

I'm happy to report that I did initially remain off the booze for the past fortnight, meaning that I've haven't indulged in the dreaded munchies which alcohol generally leads me to, so my rather restricted, yet healthy diet also remains intact (sorry Jane!) ~ but I must confess to enjoying a guinness or two on 'Paddy's Day', purely out of respect for my Irish friends and family, so they could be assured that I was with them in spirit (literally!)
My next test comes at Easter when I'm due to visit friends in Somerset, but hopefully my will-power will prevail (don't worry, Trace...I'll still buy you a few vino's!)...although I am coming round to thinking that the occassional pint won't do me any harm, so long as it doesn't develop into a lengthy session. To counter balance this thought process, I've decided to sacrifice my daily Costa coffee, and restrict this to a Friday only treat.

Over the five remaining weeks prior to the charity event, I am going to be attaching five of my favourite photo's ~ this weeks picture is in honour of my aforementioned Irish friends and family, and was taken at Ruth's 40th birthday party a few years ago in Co.Laois, and also features the big man, Fitz...happy times!

As part of my moving on process, my 'Mr.Minimalistic' status has been further enhanced as I've culled yet more of my personal belongings, leaving me with just the bare essentials...but this is the way of life that suits me best, and as anyone who knows me well can testify...I always travel light!
So light in fact, that when I travel down under to visit the TWL in New Zealand in October, even though I'll be away for over two weeks, I'll still be surviving on hand luggage only!

"I was born a ramblin' man, trying to make a living and doing the best I can..." 

Ramblin' Steve

Healthy Regime & Personal Analysis

Following on from my previous blog, and the return to my 'happy-go-lucky' way of life, this change has also resulted in a re-introduction of a healthier lifestyle, as well as an opportunity to take a long, hard look at myself as I try to assess just what sort of person I actually am!

I now have exactly six weeks until the charity walk campaign commences, so it's essential that I resume the training whilst sticking to a sensible and healthy diet. To this effect, and as previously mentioned, I am now off the alcohol until the event reaches it's climax, when I will finally indulge in a few beers.
As for my diet, the only treats I'm allowing myself is my daily Costa latte, and a cheese & ham toastie at the weekend, as regretably I've recently been experiencing some of the old discomforts whilst eating certain foods, due to my damaged chest wall linings.
So my typical daily diet consists of my costa coffee, some banana's, porridge, an oaty flapjack, and my evening meal is some form of pasta dish.
I also enjoy a full roast on a Sunday, complete with enough vegetables to last me for the week!
As for my training, I'm now intending to walk between 12 -15 miles every Saturday and Sunday, which I can confirm that I did manage last weekend, and as of tomorrow I will also be adding an 8 - 10 mile trek on Tuesday's and Thursday's (yes Jane ~ I must be mad! Lol)...so you can see that I am determined to get fit in time for April 23rd.

The South Downs Way Charity Walk in aid of Cancer Research UK
All donations gratefully accepted via the following link:

http://www.justgiving.com/SteveMuskett27010

As I re-introduced both this training regime and healthier lifestyle, I also took the opportunity to evaluate what sort of person I am, in a rather self-mocking, joking kind of way...and this is what I came up with:

I am...

part Mr.Happy-Go-Lucky, part hopeless romantic;
part eligible batchelor, part broken-hearted soul;
part philosopher, part goodness guru;
part counsellor, part confidant, part therapist;
part thinker, part listener, part pacifist;
part writer, part lyricist, part poet;
part trekker, part traveller, part adventurer;
part hedonist, part spiritualist with buddhist tendencies;
part massager of spirits & ego's, part massager of bodies,
(back, neck & shoulders remain my speciality!);
part diplomat, part the voice of reason;
part simplistic, part complex, part paradox, and definitely part contradictory & part conflicted!

Conclusion: The sum of all of of these parts makes me what I am, be it good, bad or indifferent...I'll let you decide ~ but I do know after all these years I'm still searching for a true place that I can call 'home', and I'm still seeking to settle down somewhere with the love of a good woman!

Finally, may I wish well in advance all my Irish friends & family a wonderful St.Patrick's Day this weekend, and also may I wish the TWL (pictured) in New Zealand a lovely birthday for the 18th ♥

Ramblin' Steve.

Neverland: The Return of Mr.Happy-Go-Lucky!

"When the darkness takes me over,
 face down, emptier than zero,
 invisible, you come to me...quietly.
 Stay beside me, whisper to me, "Here I am", and the loneliness fades..."

 After the rather downbeat nature of my previous blogs, I felt it was high time that I got back to my old self: chilled and laid-back, calm and reflective, but above all...Mr.Happy-Go-Bloody-Lucky!
The past few weeks may have been personally tough, but due to the loving support and friendship of some wonderful people, (see the 'Name Dropping' at the end of this blog), I now find myself with my faith restored in human kindness once again.
As much as I still have strong feelings for my ex, even more so due to her tragic circumstances, I have to finally accept the truth, and respect her wishes by moving on with my life. I've said this before I know, but now I must really do it.

"Some people think I'm somethin', well you gave me that, I know,
  but I always feel like nothing when I'm in the dark alone,
  you provide the soul, the spark, that drives me on,
  makes me something more than flesh and bone..." 

The charity campaign in aid of Cancer Research UK is proving an unbelievable tonic for me.
The donations have been flooding in and I have been genuinely touched by everybody's kindness.
I've now surpassed £300 in donations, which means that my employer will match this figure, resulting in £600 plus raised so far, with still well over a month to go until the event...and that's just me, as there are three other lads raising funds as well.
I am still awaiting a re-scheduled meeting with the local fundraising manager from Cancer Research UK, but I'm armed with various local resources in the hope that she can push the promotion of the event.

The South Downs Way - 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne - 23rd to 27th April.

All donations are always welcome - please see link attached below:

http://www.justgiving.com/SteveMuskett27010

My recent status of sobriety has been maintained, nearly one week now, and I've passed a few tests of my self-discipline, although the big test is next weekend when I must abstain from indulging on St.Patrick's Day, which is never going to be easy. But I take comfort in the knowledge that I've just booked my flight to Ireland to catch up with friends in June, so I'll be able to enjoy a few pints of the 'black stuff' then.

And so, to the 'Name Dropping'...and much thanks goes out to all of the following:
Firstly, to four of my loyal and avid readers, TWL, Elona, Trace, and Lucy ~ the fact that you are all still in my life and offer me continual support remains a great inspiration to me.
Secondly, to my lunchtime companions and work colleagues, Jane, Nicky, and Giverny, for their wit and wisdom, and for talking some sense into me when needed!
Also, a big thank you goes to my fellow sufferer of a Leeds United fanatic, Jennie...may we always march on together!?
And finally, cheers to all my drinking buddies, Curph, Tom, and Chappers ~ although I'm denying myself the booze at the moment, I will be rejoining you all properly from April 27th...and no doubt making up for lost time, and also to Sarah as I think some exotic cocktails are well overdue, don't you?

Thank you one & all from the bottom of my glass...erm, I mean heart! Lol.

Ramblin' Steve

The Hard Miles & On The Wagon!

"you've gone a million miles, how far'd you get,
 to that place where you can't remember and you can't forget..."

Recent events reminded me that life's too short, so I must confess to have been burning the candle at both ends this past fortnight, resulting in me neglecting my training for the forthcoming charity walk in April.
However, I do believe that I have previously put the leg-work in (excuse the pun), and I have got sufficient miles under my belt (or in my case in my boots!)
Despite trying to remain strong and upbeat, I've recently succumbed to the temptations of the booze, as rather regretably I sunk to the depths of the bottom of the bottle whilst drowning my sorrows.
Fortunately, I've realised the error of my ways in time, so that I can now get back on track as I still have six weekends before the charity walk, which should give me plenty of scope to mend my ways.
I naively believed that the adrenalin and banter between the four of us on the walk, would be enough to pull me through. But in retrospect I now think that it's best for me to put the 'hard miles' in before the event, so that I am suitable prepared, because I am determined to do the cause justice, and not fail in my quest to trek the entire length of The South Downs Way.

For some reason this past fortnight, all I could think of me is the reason why I'm doing this campaign.
Rather than providing the inspiration, which it should have, thinking of her made me incredibly sad and I just couldn't focus on the job in hand. But like I say, I've managed to nip it in the bud and I like to think that I am no longer in a bad place.

I have thrown myself into my work of late which has also helped me to re-focus my energies, and I must also thank all of my great friends at Mercer for their continual support...even if sometimes this manifests itself in the form of 'drinking buddies', which rather defeats the purpose of my good intentions!
But I can now make a revelation as they also say that confession is good for the soul...
Due to my new self-imposed discipline to get fit in time for April 23rd, I can categorically state that I AM ON THE WAGON! ~ and I will not drink a drop of alcohol until I reach my final destination in Eastbourne on Friday April 27th.

I'm aiming to be as lean and toned as I was three years ago, when I last saw my great friend, Ange in New Zealand, but I do have to accept that although I may be pretty fit for a man of my vintage, when you're pushing 45 it's never easy to recapture your physique from days gone by! Hopefully when the TWL sees me in October she won't think that I've changed too much?

I am determined to raise as much as I can for Cancer Research UK, and hopefully as previously mentioned, the re-arranged meeting with their representative this Thursday will enable us to promote the event even further...next weeks blog may be able to provide some answers?

As ever, thanks for all of your support & please find the link to my sponsorship page below:

http://www.justgiving.com/SteveMuskett27010

Ramblin' Steve