I can take stuff apart and I can almost put it back together.

So I signed this thing called the Offical Secrets Act, which means I can't tell you how much my former job sucked.
I'm in that inbetween period at the moment.
Time is passing slowly but watching Family Guy and reading cycling books helps, especially with all this rain about at the moment.

I'm dangerous, like I imagine a dolphin could be

Change is coming.

Next few weeks new opportunities are coming my way, a little bit of traveling and hopefully happier times.

We're all tourists sometimes.

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

All my SF photographs are online (finally).


Also after almost six months of just having a holding page my website is actually coming together, and will be online soon.

Same Old Story

I don't want to hear it over and over again.

Everybody needs to get some new stories and then we can talk.

I'm still here, just quietly going about my business.

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

Another one in the stable

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

The pain makes it real.

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

Today I rode up to Helmsey to watch the road racing National Championships. I planned to take some photos of the day and enjoy the roadside atmosphere. All in all I think the bag I took weighed somewhere in the region of 15kg.
My route included going through Bransby, which I could remember had a steep climb but just how steep I would discover later. The body will do things that at first feel impossible, cycling gives the power to make me feel super human. It's as if suffering gives me strength I didn't know I pocessed. As I climbed today, my bag weighing heavier with each pedal, lactic acid making my muscles burn, all I could focus on was the pain and getting to the top. And then it was over, enjoy a quick rest during the descent and then do it all over again.
It might sound stupid to some people and not that great a way to spend a day off but each of us looks for our own sense of achievement.
I take photos for the same reason. The feeling of seeing a shot on film that is exactly how I imagined it as I took it is incredible. The above photo shows someone else's moment of suffering on Bulmer Bank. This image looks exactly how I wanted it to and therefore a success even before others judge it.
I will continue to take photographs and climb hills on my bike. It's as if pride won't allow me to stop.

Finally getting around...

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

to editing my SF photos. Digital first and then later on FILM.

Think I've been putting it off because I don't want to be reminded I'm not there anymore.

Trying to find the time I want to kill.

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. There are many reasons for this but not too many I am going to share.
One thing I will say is that nice guy's finish last when in the 'work' environment, it sucks but it's true.
I'm still taking photographs, I still ride bikes and I still go to bed really early.
I think everyone and their dog knows about The Mighty Boosh, but if this doesn't make you smile just give up now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXHkrmS3vco

Bricking it.

I have been realising that I have a love/hate relationship with travel. It's a really worthwhile thing to do but it can be so much work to get organised. It also makes me think about how much I like the place I live, and the things I have grown up around.
I'm sure SF will be amazing but I'm a worrier so can't help myself. If anyone has recommendations or "Top 5 things to do/see" drop me a line @ paperthin.ben@googlemail.com.

When you shave your head, you kinda feel like somekind of Superhero

Thats right. I finally gave up and got my haircut, a lot less fuss and a hella lot less air resistance when riding.
I've been trying to focus on the positive aspects of every situation I find myself in, it doesn't always work but slowly it's coming together. Had some amazing luck recently.
I got an awesome track frame for not a lot of money, I backed the winner of the Grand National today and got given a pair of bars for free that I've been searching for ages to find.
How amazing was the sun! when it came out for two days but now it's snowing again. Only ten work days left before heading to SF, it's got to the point of preparation when the ball is rolling but it's still too far away to be centre of attention, and also the point where I worry about everything far too much.
Anywho check you later.

Hella long time

Haven't written in a while, a lot of things have changed and then again it seems a lot of stuff never changes.
I'm suffering computer problems, which may not be solved for a while.
Less than a month to us going to SF.
A job is a job.
Nowt much of interest to report really.

The 11th International Contemporary Artist Book Fair

I have a table, where I'll be selling my goods. It's in Parkinson Hall in Leeds Uni, tomorrow and Saturday.
Come on down and bring your Mother too.

Back in the day.

Old.
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

It's like a disease .

And I'm dying. I hardly ever stop thinking of bikes, I probably ride everyday, I can't stop buying bike parts. I'm obsessed.
But I love it. It does no-one any harm, it's keeping me fit and I can afford it.

You never know what life is going to throw your way and we all know that everything you thought would be the same forever can completely change in a second. What matters the most is how you cope with the ups and downs. When something negative happens to me, I've started trying to find a positive from the situation. If you don't things can soon build up and bring you down, we all know this because even though few people would actually admit to being depressed, no-one is actually happy all the time.

Donald Ducked.

What I now say instead of the F word (most of the time).

It's been a strange few days. Starting at the weekend when I rediscovered my love of Jack Daniels, and also what it does to me. Cider makes me pee once an hour all night but no hangover whereas JD just gives me a cracking headache unless I sleep it off.
Finishing work earlier means I have more of the day to myself, which is great. Have been out riding a lot and also getting stuff done in the studio.
It's my day off today, so we came over to Leeds. I hate Leeds but did manage to buy the BEST SUNGLASSES IN THE WORLD EVER. (photos soon)


+1

The film 'Juno', totally original and killer soundtrack.
Catching up with friends.
Double toe straps.
Colour prints done by hand, not digital.

-1

People who have no new stories. If I've heard it once I don't want to hear it again.
Cuts on your knuckles that won't heal.

Don't mess...

...with the cyclists of York, we stick together and together we will get you.

I have just witnessed some disgusting behaviour. I managed to miss what actually started everything but as I looked up the road on Skeldergate Bridge I saw a fat taxi driver stop in the middle of the road, jump out of his car and start swearing at a cyclist who had stopped on the pavement. At this point the driver pushed the guy on the bike to the ground and continued the abuse.
By now a few people were watching the situation unfold. It was only after the cars lined up behind the abandoned taxi got impatient did he get back in and drive off, all the time continuing the abuse.
Not being a fan of bullies, dickheads or taxi drivers and having being blessed with a crazy good memory, I remembered the guy's number plate on my way to see if the cyclist was alright. Another guy on a bike had witnessed the whole thing and came over, along with a pedestrian. The poor guy was pretty shaken up but seemingly unharmed. I gave him the plate while the others said they would be witnesses for when he went to the Police.

I can't believe how the driver acted and I hope he gets what he deserves, if it had been me he had started on I think my U-Lock and his wingmirrors might have got to know each other.

This just goes to show that no matter what type of bike you ride or for what reason, bike riders need to stick together.

Points system.

+1

New projects going well.
V-Necks.
Wicker bike baskets.
Booking flights to San Francisco.


-1

Workplace arguements.

Sundays.

Done.
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

This weekend I finished building up my Bmx, basically it's all the parts from my old bike on a new frame.

Sunday night sometimes leaves a strange taste in my mouth. Traditionally this was the night when homework was done before going back to school meaning the short lived weekend was over. Now I'm in a job it has become the night on my one regular day off a week. It always feels like an inbetween time, no longer the weekend but not yet time to work.
When I was unemployed Sunday's were fine. An old friend of mine once said.
"Weekends are meaningless to the unemployed."
It was actually Friday night that I disliked in those days, but thats a whole other story.
A remedy for the 'Sunday Blues' is a drainage ditch that lies somewhere in Dewsbury but if I told you where me and Rob would have to kill you.

Accident.

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin