"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars,
or
sailed to an uncharted land,
or
opened a new doorway to the human spirit"
Helen Keller, Writer
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Monday, 21 July 2008
The White Taxi
7am. Saturday morning. Although the weatherman has promised us another relentlessly hot day, the sun has not yet made her strong presence felt. A cool, crisp early morning breeze gently brushes my face as I prepare to go out for a spin on my beloved Honda. A bright yellow CB400, of which I am proud owner since February 2007.
I am purposely selective when riding my bike. When buying the bike, I was looking at the pleasure of riding on open empty roads rather than looking at the practicality of it all, even though our heavily congested roads do encourage such means of transportation.
Riding early in the morning, on relatively quiet and resurfaced roads, is a joy that I have recently rediscovered and started to indulge in again. Not usually being a morning person, my passion for riding outweighs my natural instinct to enjoy a long lie-in.
Nothing beats the feeling of tackling a sharp bend. Feeling the wind against my bare arms keeping me cool from the warmth that radiates from the engine. Just looking at my shadow driving ahead of me on the long stretch of smooth road leading from Mosta to Gnejna. Simple pleasures.
However the concentration required to ride safely whilst enjoying the whole experience is sometimes jolted by some irresponsible and ignorant driver who shows no respect towards bikers who are out for a pleasure ride, minding their own business. Whilst there are a number of irresponsible riders who annoy other motorists with their reckless driving however it is no excuse and riders should be treated with equal if not more respect.
Case in point. Saturday morning. Qormi/Zebbug roundabout. A white taxi, belching black smoke profusely, decides to overtake from my left hand side, in the narrowest part of the road. I find it hard to believe that he has not seen my brighly coloured bike. I give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he has had a busy night, ferrying tourists to and from the airport. Perhaps he is tired and just wants to go home to sleep. Whilst attempting to keep my balance, I politely make use of my horn just to make him aware of my existence. He has in fact seen me. His response? A pudgy middle finger, attached to a fat hairy hand, promptly waved from his window. What is the use of sending some expletives in his direction? Even if he hears me through my full face helmet why should I stoop to his level?
I find myself thinking what a blessing the recent public transport strike was. The roads were safer and less polluted. Motorists less inclined towards fits of road rage. Selfish as it might sound, the roads are better off without the majority of these people. Whilst not all taxi, bus or minivan drivers are thugs or thugs in the making, I think that deep down we all agree that the bulk of these drivers are rude, do not give two hoots about the environment and even less to the rest of the population who has to endure their troglodyte behaviour.
I am purposely selective when riding my bike. When buying the bike, I was looking at the pleasure of riding on open empty roads rather than looking at the practicality of it all, even though our heavily congested roads do encourage such means of transportation.
Riding early in the morning, on relatively quiet and resurfaced roads, is a joy that I have recently rediscovered and started to indulge in again. Not usually being a morning person, my passion for riding outweighs my natural instinct to enjoy a long lie-in.
Nothing beats the feeling of tackling a sharp bend. Feeling the wind against my bare arms keeping me cool from the warmth that radiates from the engine. Just looking at my shadow driving ahead of me on the long stretch of smooth road leading from Mosta to Gnejna. Simple pleasures.
However the concentration required to ride safely whilst enjoying the whole experience is sometimes jolted by some irresponsible and ignorant driver who shows no respect towards bikers who are out for a pleasure ride, minding their own business. Whilst there are a number of irresponsible riders who annoy other motorists with their reckless driving however it is no excuse and riders should be treated with equal if not more respect.
Case in point. Saturday morning. Qormi/Zebbug roundabout. A white taxi, belching black smoke profusely, decides to overtake from my left hand side, in the narrowest part of the road. I find it hard to believe that he has not seen my brighly coloured bike. I give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he has had a busy night, ferrying tourists to and from the airport. Perhaps he is tired and just wants to go home to sleep. Whilst attempting to keep my balance, I politely make use of my horn just to make him aware of my existence. He has in fact seen me. His response? A pudgy middle finger, attached to a fat hairy hand, promptly waved from his window. What is the use of sending some expletives in his direction? Even if he hears me through my full face helmet why should I stoop to his level?
I find myself thinking what a blessing the recent public transport strike was. The roads were safer and less polluted. Motorists less inclined towards fits of road rage. Selfish as it might sound, the roads are better off without the majority of these people. Whilst not all taxi, bus or minivan drivers are thugs or thugs in the making, I think that deep down we all agree that the bulk of these drivers are rude, do not give two hoots about the environment and even less to the rest of the population who has to endure their troglodyte behaviour.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
The Art of Dressage
"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby,
to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire,
It is a grand passion"
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 82)
Dressage, a French term, most commonly translated to mean "training", is a path and destination of competitive horse training.
Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardised progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet"
Prior to setting off on my Argentine Andes adventure I had no inclination to participate in competitions, although giving up riding had clearly not become an option.
On the 31st May 2008, I participated in the pre-preliminary Dressage competition at the Tal-Maghtab Stables. The heat of the afternoon sun was beating upon Jasper and myself. Although each rider takes approximately four minutes to complete the course, it felt like ages before I could start practising.
A foreword in a book I recently read about horse riding describes the horse and its rider as a six legged creature. Mounting the horse is just not merely seating oneself on a form of transport but a metamorphosis occurs making the horse and rider into one.
It is soon my turn. Dressed in accordance with the formality of the competition, I no longer feel the heat in my black jacket. I hear the whistle. It is time to start.
Although I have practised the course regularly I am afraid that I will forget the sequence of exercises. Will I lead Jasper properly to form a correct twenty metre circle? Will I change reign at the right time? As soon as I enter the school I become one with Jasper. We are ready!
Throughout the course, I block all that is around me. All I can hear is Jasper breathing. Soft words of encouragement are said, his ear's movement indicating an acknowledgement.
In four minutes I have completed my course. I halt at the imaginary G and salute the Dutch judge who in an gentlemanly fashion stands up and lifts his hat, saluting me back.
It is over. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Whatever the outcome, I am satisfied.
Author's Note: My satisfaction was further enhanced when it was announced that I had placed third in my category. I had competed against seasoned riders and I had done well.
Photography - Conrad Chircop May 2008
to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire,
It is a grand passion"
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 82)
Dressage, a French term, most commonly translated to mean "training", is a path and destination of competitive horse training.
Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardised progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. Dressage is occasionally referred to as "Horse Ballet"
Prior to setting off on my Argentine Andes adventure I had no inclination to participate in competitions, although giving up riding had clearly not become an option.
On the 31st May 2008, I participated in the pre-preliminary Dressage competition at the Tal-Maghtab Stables. The heat of the afternoon sun was beating upon Jasper and myself. Although each rider takes approximately four minutes to complete the course, it felt like ages before I could start practising.
A foreword in a book I recently read about horse riding describes the horse and its rider as a six legged creature. Mounting the horse is just not merely seating oneself on a form of transport but a metamorphosis occurs making the horse and rider into one.
It is soon my turn. Dressed in accordance with the formality of the competition, I no longer feel the heat in my black jacket. I hear the whistle. It is time to start.
Although I have practised the course regularly I am afraid that I will forget the sequence of exercises. Will I lead Jasper properly to form a correct twenty metre circle? Will I change reign at the right time? As soon as I enter the school I become one with Jasper. We are ready!
Throughout the course, I block all that is around me. All I can hear is Jasper breathing. Soft words of encouragement are said, his ear's movement indicating an acknowledgement.
In four minutes I have completed my course. I halt at the imaginary G and salute the Dutch judge who in an gentlemanly fashion stands up and lifts his hat, saluting me back.
It is over. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Whatever the outcome, I am satisfied.
Author's Note: My satisfaction was further enhanced when it was announced that I had placed third in my category. I had competed against seasoned riders and I had done well.
Photography - Conrad Chircop May 2008
Monday, 2 June 2008
Despair
Copyright Maria Vella-Galea, May 2008
How could a dog, man's supposed best friend, end up like this?
The sadness in his eyes was so intense. Moving close to him to take this picture he attempted to wag his tail. The result was a feeble movement.
All he wanted was some love.......
Monday, 19 May 2008
MEMORABLE QUOTES
“We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy”
Walter Anderson
Walter Anderson
Monday, 5 May 2008
Fighting our Demons
What if I stop growing and learning....
...stop having fun and developing mentally.....
Stagnation is one of the demons I try to fight on a regular basis and that is why I am constantly on the go, looking for new adventures and challenges.
You might ask why such a topic to upload on my blog? Well the Personal Development and Media course that I am currently attending in Prespa, Greece required my team and I to develop a workshop for our fellow participants in the course.
After long discussions that went well into the night, some soul searching and hot topics, we decided to focus on universal theme - Fear. The name we chose for the workshop was "Fighting your Demons".
The result was a very successful and frank discussion. We felt that the workshop would be more effective if the Team shared their own fears as well using a combination of text, images and audio.
This fear may seem irrelevant to some people out there but it is not to me and that is why I chose to share it
Written in Prespa, Greece whilst undergoing Universal Eye Training. May 2008
...stop having fun and developing mentally.....
Stagnation is one of the demons I try to fight on a regular basis and that is why I am constantly on the go, looking for new adventures and challenges.
You might ask why such a topic to upload on my blog? Well the Personal Development and Media course that I am currently attending in Prespa, Greece required my team and I to develop a workshop for our fellow participants in the course.
After long discussions that went well into the night, some soul searching and hot topics, we decided to focus on universal theme - Fear. The name we chose for the workshop was "Fighting your Demons".
The result was a very successful and frank discussion. We felt that the workshop would be more effective if the Team shared their own fears as well using a combination of text, images and audio.
This fear may seem irrelevant to some people out there but it is not to me and that is why I chose to share it
Written in Prespa, Greece whilst undergoing Universal Eye Training. May 2008
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