Crazy about notebooks

No! I am not referring to the new generation of small laptops but the original thing. I am a big fan of Moleskine notebooks and sketchbooks and a couple of days ago I was really excited when I noticed a few in the clearance section in TK Maxx nearby and they were really having a clearance - around £5 each (normal price is between £8 -£15). I found out sometime back that these notebooks have quite a following and having tried one myself, I have to say I am hooked. I should have grabbed them then but unfortunately I didn't.

Anyway, I thought I will treat myself for Father's day today and went back to the store to see if they were still there but they were, of course, gone. However, I noticed some notebooks which looked quite similar but without an elastic band around the notebook. I have never heard of the brand 'Il Firino' (I can't even find their website) but these 'made in Italy' genuine leather bound journals looked fantastic. The acid free paper feels and looks great as well. I have no idea what kind of leather it is but I am sure they were ethically taken from the animals. I am vegetarian but unlike some people, I do not really mind leather products - is that an oxymoron.

I also bought a teNeues notebook with a black cover (I do not think it is leather) with red & white Zebra print design inside for my daughter. It has alternative lined and blank page and a great gift for my daughter who like to write and sketch as well. The best part is that both cost me only £3 each - a real steal. There were a few more and I might go back again to grab the remainder.

This happens to me all the time - I go out to buy something and end up buying something else - and regretting but fortunately today was an exception. I ended up with something even better.

Falcon cycle restoration project 3

When I started my Falcon bike restoration project in September last year, I never thought that it would take me this long but I have finally done it.

Take a look at the picture of the bike when I first bought it:



And now after the restoration:



During the process, I have learnt so much about bikes, their repair and maintenance.

I found out that there are two main schools of thought with regards to bike restoration project - one group believes that we have to keep the bike as original as possible and even if you have to replace some parts, you have to try to source the exact parts.

On the other hand, there are a number of bike restorers who take the bike apart, completely striping it down to the skeleton frame, and rebuild the bike with modern parts.

I guess I am somewhere in between - I have tried to keep as many of the original parts as possible and apart from treating and repainting some badly rusted patches, have left the bike pretty much as I got it. However, I had to replace the tyres, the brake pads, the chain and also got myself a new comfy Brookes saddle as well.


My new made in India Brookes saddle. Leaving it in the rain was a bad idea.

.
New chain

Alligning the side pull brakes were a real pain but a few YouTube videos later, I finally got them centered and working perfectly. I have removed the pannier rack which was badly rusted (but might be salvageable) and the mudguards. The gears are terrible but I have left them on.

I still do not know the age of the bike - I have tried contacting the Falcon cycle people on their website but   have not received any replies so far. However, I think this is just the beginning.


The bike rides beautifully and I love it but I have realised too late that it is probably a bit high for me - this might be a problem while driving in city traffic. Now I am also wondering whether I should have gone for a new paint job - completely stripping the old paint and have it powder coated as opposed to conventional liquid painting. I would still prefer to have it in black but probably with some custom made stickers. I might also replace the gears for something more modern and practical. The same goes for the brakes as well. They are not really effective in stopping the bike when I am going fast. I guess that's the trade-off - between keeping it as original as possible and having a bike which you can use everyday.

First interview on Radio 2

You can listen to the recoding of the Annie Othen show here. I do sound nervous and I was.

I talked to my wife soon afterwards, and her first comment was "Why didn't she refer to you as Dr. Mutum while Annie referred to the other participant as Dr Joan Harvey".

I didn't even realise it that time and I don't think it's a big deal.

Thanks Ez, I know you are proud of me.

First interview on Radio

I was just on the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Annie Othen Show. I was asked my opinion on whether I thought whether some businesses  are taking advantage of the Jubilee and Olympics celebrations to hike up prices of their products. A great experience.

Be grateful

Found this piece of paper lying on the floor today morning. It was a page out of "The Secret: Daily teachings" and talks about being grateful. Some great words which I would like to share with you:

Criticism can be very subtle in the way it creeps into our thoughts. Here are some examples of criticism to help you become aware of its subtlety, so you can eliminate it from your thoughts:

The weather is awful today.
The traffic is terrible.
The service is really bad.
Oh no, look at the line.
He/ she is always late.
how long do we have to wait for our order?
That motorist is a lunatic.
It's so hot in here.
I've been on hold for so long! 

These are subtle things, but the law of attraction is listening to them all. You have the ability to appreciate something in every circumstance. There is always something to be grateful for.

Just in case you are wondering what the "law of attraction" mean, go and read the book or watch the DVD, The Secret.

2nd visit to West Midlands Safari Park

Warning: Image heavy post. The kids are now having their Easter break and last weekend we decided to take them to the West Midlands Safari Park. The park is about an hours drive from our house in Coventry and this was our second visit.

 The first time we visited the Safari Park was in 2008 when my wife's cousin (read my old post: Visit to West Midlands Safari Park). Our son had slept through the entire Safari during out last visit but he was fully awake and really excited his time - even feeding some of the animals (Yes! It's allowed) though the car window though he got really spooked after the Giraffes and refused to lower the window.
 

Cheetah

White Royal Bengal Tiger
 
Deer




Zebra

Ostrich


Elephants

This guy didn't want to eat . He simply wanted to interact

The Giraffes

Up-close, you suddenly realise how tall these animals are.

Eating off my hand

Besides the Safari, the place has other attractions including an amusement park.My daughter tries out rock climbing and learns that it's not as easy as it seems




The Sea Lion show

Penguins

Meerkat




Lemur

The snowman

The last snowfall last winter.