I’m now a cyclist. The Wandsworth one-way my time trial. Lavender Hill my mountain stage.
What surprised me was the transition and how easy it was. I have referred to why I have found myself making it before.
I spent a couple of hours last Saturday being trained by Cycle Training UK courtesy of the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign (WCC). It was certainly an eye-opener. Having avoided cycling for the best part of 20 years I had no real confidence on a bike (especially in London traffic) and little understanding of the needs of cycling.
But, of course, part of the point of WCC’s ‘Movers and Shakers’ (opens a PDF) campaign is to increase awareness of cycling issues. So while before I thought it was all about cycle lanes I would personally say that facilities (like places to secure a bike) at destinations are far more important in encouraging people to cycle.
It’s obviously early days: since my training session I’ve only managed one cycling commute (to and from the Town Hall for last night’s Local Strategic Partnership meeting) but I’m intending to keep it up – at least until my savings in bus fares cover the cost of lights and helmet for my borrowed bike!
I will post on my experiences from time to time, but it seems to me that the hardest bit is over, and was remarkably easy. What should the next challenge be, the London Marathon?
My education had its highs and lows. Since I take credit for the highs (and there were a few) I should also take credit for many of the lows. But that’s not to say I didn’t see my share of bad teaching practice on my journey through the state eduction sector, from the teacher who often just didn’t show up to take a lesson, to the teacher who felt that merely reading a text book to us over the course of the academic year added value.
But it occurred to me that my first experience of bad teaching was my cycling proficiency test. I took it, like everyone else, when I was 10. Navigating myself around the various lines of my school playground, indicating to imaginary cars and swerving around fictitious obstacles. And when I was done I was told: “Now, you’ve passed – but only just. I’ll let you think about that.”
I did think about it, but never worked out what he meant. Did it mean I’d shown only just enough competence at each stage? Or did it mean I was proficient, but had shown one fatal lapse of concentration that would have had me under the wheels of a juggernaut that happened to be passing through the playground? As feedback it was useless, since it gave me no indication of what I needed to improve.
But now fate has landed me with the opportunity to learn why I was such a bad cyclist I “only just” managed to avoid killing myself in the following 8 or so years I was regularly on a bike.
I referred to the ‘Movers and Shakers’ programme a while ago. And have finally plucked up the courage to have a go. I picked up a bike I’m borrowing from a friend last night, and am feeling the pain from riding it this morning. Part of the deal is that I blog about it, hence this post and others that surely follow. My humble request is that, if you see an unsteady cyclist in Battersea Park this weekend remember it’s rude to point. Even ruder to laugh.
It seems that Lembit Öpik is not that only Lib Dem with a space obsession. Since Cllr Hicks believes he (and others, though they all remain silent) saw an alien in Winchester.
Now I’m not naïve enough to think that the Conservative or Labour parties don’t have a few ‘characters’ amongst their membership (and even amongst the elected councillors and MPs). And I’m not even averse to believing that there is life out there. So if a Tory does something similar, or aliens land on Wandsworth Common, feel free to throw this back at me.
But I am sceptical that the said alien life would look exactly like a human in a funny outfit and travel all this way only to choose to waddle along Winchester’s streets making themselves visible to a select few Lib Dems. Unless, of course, they’ve heard of Nick Clegg’s reputation.
It’s not even a year since I started this blog, and I have to say that I’m incredibly pleased I did. If I have any regret it is that I didn’t start it sooner. The response has been far better than I ever anticipated, I’ve had some truly interesting conversations as a result and I would like to think that it’s made me think a lot more about some of the issues and subjects about which I’ve written.
And while I suspect the quality of my writing has remained at a pre-GCSE level (and by that I mean GCSEs when I took them, when they were hard) I hope that at least some of the posts have proved informative and perhaps even sparked some thinking within you, the reader.
One thing that hasn’t changed that much is the content. It’s remained a resolutely local blog, with occasional flashes of the personal and political. And that is going to change slightly – there’ll be a few more political posts than usual.
In part this is because I have become much more interested in politics. I have touched on my previous passion to be an MP, and how it disappeared somewhere before 2005. If I’m honest, that loss of that ambition saw a diminuation in my interest in politics. I remained a loyal Conservative foot-soldier, but I also began to recognise that the battle of ideas that first attracted me to politics and the Conservatives just didn’t exist anymore, it was largely a discussion over who would best manage the country. Now, of course, we are starting to see a real difference emerge between the parties on how to tackle the spending crisis we face – and politics are becoming interesting again.
And in part it’s because I’ve been asked to be one of the regular Conservative contributors to House of Twits (a very interesting site that started aggregating political discussion on Twitter and has expanded into blogging and YouTube, well worth a visit if you are interested in politics.) Clearly this is purely ego. For that I make no apology. Even despite my boycotting of the Total Politics blogging awards I recognise any blog is partly an exercise in ego because the blogger, for whatever reason, thinks people will want to give their time to read the blogger’s thoughts. This is my blog, and while – as I have said – I hope some people have found some of the posts of use, I recognise that it’s an awful lot to ask people to give up their time to read me.
Additionally, given that I spend a lot of time knocking on doors and hoping people will vote Conservative (both locally and nationally) next year I don’t suppose it is unreasonable for me to post some commentary on why I think that’s the best vote.
The change will not be substantial. I still recognise this is largely a local blog and don’t anticipate more than one or two political posts per week (which will be cross-posted here and on the House of Twits site) and I have no idea how long the arrangement will last. While it does I would be interested in any feedback you have on the change (good or bad).
I wasn’t entirely positive about Transport for London the other day – although it was a little tongue-in-cheek – when I realised it would cost them more to process my ‘late’ bus fare than the bus fare I was paying. I was then a little cheeky on Twitter suggesting their positive feedback form was ‘dropdownboxtastic’ (and more than a little clunky).
However, credit where credit is due. I filled in the form, giving the necessary detail and reasons and asking for my comments and congratulations to be passed on. I did it half-expecting to hear no more. But less than 24 hours later they’d emailed back, thanking me for my comments and letting me know what would be happening with them and the member of staff in question.
They made the good point that frontline staff are rarely thanked for their work (and often bear the brunt of criticism for the actions of management or drivers). From the purely selfish point of view it’s good for the soul to take a few moments to say thank-you. If you feel motivated to do the same, pop along to the TfL contact page and click ‘say thank-you’
“Do I look professional?”
“Do I look like a stay-at-home Dad?”
That small exchange with my wife this morning marked the final stage of my transition to ‘new man’ as she headed off to work and stayed home with the child.
It wasn’t meant to be like this. Although we may appear a fairly modern middle class couple, my upbringing is traditional working class. My father (a docker) went out and earnt the money so my mother (a housewife, occasionally working a factory line) could look after the home and family. There were clearly defined roles and everyone I knew followed them. The only exception was a friend whose father, not his mother, picked him up from school occasionally. But he was a milkman, so it was OK, his working day was over.
Having had a traditional, but stable and loving upbringing I was all set to repeat the process with my children.
But when my wife was pregnant this childhood programming crashed. Because most of the things I did to bring home the bacon were actually done at home there seemed an obvious solution – she could return to work part-time, and with some clever diary management I could make sure I was working from home when she was working at, well, work. It was win-win-win: we’d still have a decent joint income; I’d get to spend time with our child; and my wife would benefit from adult company and some intellectual stimulation, neither of which I come close to providing.
Even after MiniMe was born (some desire for privacy or impulse for protection means I’ve always used a cipher when referring to my son in public: MiniMe, Junior, the little ‘un – never his name) the plans remained. Babies, it seemed to me, mainly slept. Even nappy changes weren’t as bad as I thought. How lucky was I to be in such a position.
But gradually my childhood programming has returned and started running. As he developed, I realised that my vision of working away happily on the computer while he slept happily was naught but a fantasy. Were I to try he would not be happy unless banging on the keyboard with me. Instead, I find myself in a losing battle trying to interest him in Olly the Octopus to distract him from Elliott the Electrical Appliance. And while I applaud his fine skills in standing up using the sofa, I’m not sure my message that chewing the sofa isn’t essential to balance is getting across.
I’ve obviously looked after him before, but now I know it’s going to be regular I’ve a new-found respect for anyone staying at home to look after new children. I’m also particularly looking forward to working away from home for a few days next month… and that’s in Coventry.
Obviously I jest. A bit. It is a joy to look after him; clearly parental bias plays a part but he is (usually) a happy child and it is impossible not to forgive what is clearly developing into a mischievous nature. Yes, he loves to go places and play with things he shouldn’t – but that’s the burgeoning explorer in him, or intellectual curiosity, or maybe criminal tendencies. And yes, he’s totally changed our lives, but I wouldn’t swap it for the world.
The next few months – or years, or however long this set-up lasts – will be an education for me. I refuse to believe that prolonged exposure to nappies, In The Night Garden and Monkey Music (that link leads straight to the Monkey Music Time song, be warned) won’t have an effect. Indeed, it already has…
Since this first day has really brought home to me is how deeply embedded gender roles are in this country.
Despite my expectations and best intentions, both my wife and I had slipped towards the traditional models. While on maternity leave she took almost total responsibility for MiniMe. My rôle was mainly play, the very occasional nappy and odd bit of baby-sitting. And she also took on elements of the housework effortlessly. I, on the other hand, am finding the addition of a baby makes even the most routine tasks almost impossible. Some skills I will learn, but this morning I realised that it went beyond questions of ability or knowledge and becomes a question of authority.
When a man knocked on the door this morning, drumming up business for the local milkman, I was unable to help. I wanted to, I think there’s something special about getting milk delivered, but I just didn’t feel that was the sort of decision I could take. A shocking admission. But he took it totally in his stride, he didn’t query it or pressure me. Instead he indicated that he knew how it works and will simply come back tomorrow when I can pass on my wife’s answer!
A rhetorical tweet about handbag dogs this morning led to whole series of tweets about Roobarb, specifically its (his?) theme tune. I don’t think dogs should be in handbags keeping your lipstick and mobile warm, they should be running about, preferably either at a perfect right angle to you or directly at you with a funky 70s guitar backing. Why not watch the following opening credits from the programme and see if you don’t agree?
And if you want that theme on your iPod then you can get it (and virtually any other tune, all probably illegally) at TelevisionTunes.com.
Yesterday I opted out of Iain Dale’s blogging poll. The poll, which he runs every year, produces various top 10 style lists – all of which come with a button that you can use on your blog to advertise your success and link back to his Total Politics site. I reckon I was in with a good shout of placing well in the ‘Conservative Councillors called James’ category.
I would hasten to add I’m not participating in any boycott. While I don’t read his blog or follow him on Twitter I can’t say I share any of the dislike of his politics or personality that seem to motivate some of them. My opinions of him are, well, non-existent.
Instead, I just dislike the rather self-congratulatory nature of these things. They lend themselves to hubris and focus on entirely the wrong aspects of blogging. Over the weekend during some casual surfing, I came across one blogger who, having got hold of a top 100 list in which their blog featured managed to sub-categorise and slice the list to ‘prove’ that they were among the top 10 most influential blogs in the country.
I don’t really want to be part of that.
Yes, it’s nice to know that people appreciate what you are doing. And perhaps if it were a Wandsworth based poll I might think differently. But I’m not blogging to do well in some league table. I’m blogging – primarily – as a councillor. My focus shouldn’t be, and isn’t, on getting Iain Dale’s attention. Instead, it’s here to provide something of a service to residents.
So, feeling smug about my decision fate mocked me when I discovered that Andrew Beeken, the web manager at Lincon City Council, had used me as an example of good practice in a presentation to councillors there. From further conversation, I discovered that I’ve even been cited in Australia.
Flattering, ego-massaging stuff. And fate giving me a ticking off for being pompous earlier.
It might be a bit different being used as an example of how a councillor can engage to featuring in an arbitrary poll but what really matters is that I am, I hope, providing a good service to people in Wandsworth – if I can entertain a little or get a wider readership outside then so much the better.
Which begs the question – which I ask from time to time – is there anything you want to tell me, ask me or berate me about my online engagement? Anything you want to see more of, less of or even nothing of? Something you’d like to see on here that I’m not doing already? Just let me know, because at the end it’s not about me, my ego or arbitrary rankings – it’s about you and how I can better serve you as a councillor.
I’ve probably spent more time wondering if I should post this video than I did making it (which wasn’t long). After all, what sort of person is it that does this? And what place does it have on this blog? No, it has nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with Wandsworth – but there are lots of places you can read about both of those.
As far as I know, however, this is the only place you can read about politics, Wandsworth and see a timelapse video of some camembert warming to room temperature.
At the end of the day, this is a personal blog, and I’m something of a geek on the side. I may as well admit that and take the consequences, if you decide to vote against me at the next council elections as result then so be it. But remember I was open and honest about my geek side, I bet the other candidates have all sorts of odd hobbies.
The video was shot using Gawker on a Mac. The overall video represents just over three hours (essentially, the software and cheese were working their magic while I hit the campaign trial on Monday night).
I’m a social media sceptic. I’ve come to terms with that. You might not believe me when I say it, but I am. It’s fun and enjoyable. It is definitely part of the internet landscape that is here to stay. But does everyone and everything have to be on it? No, they don’t. So, while I’d be suspicious of a “social media agency” who weren’t active on Twitter (and I do know one in London) I’d have no problem with a council who feel their money and resources are best spent on other things. Horses for courses.
Part of my scepticism is driven by the number of people making money by selling social media to organisations who aren’t really buying it. There’s nothing worse than people and organisations who have clearly paid for the social media makeover, and have nice Twitter, facebook, flickr and YouTube logos on their website, but don’t really know what to do with them. Just because you’ve read about Twitter in the news, it doesn’t mean you need to be on it.
But, ironically, despite my scepticism there’s one thing I dislike even more than the quacks selling social media snake oil – it’s social media sceptics!
There have been a couple of good examples recently.
The first is from a little over a week ago when the BBC revealed a Scottish council was to probe a teachers Twitterings. But when you read the story you realise the council and school had an issue over her use of Twitter, not what she was saying. The council, we are told, “has a policy of blocking the use of social networking sites in all schools.” Later we are told that teachers “may access professional blogs which have educational value but are not allowed to have their own blog.”
In effect, the council’s policy is to say that their teachers can say and think what they like, as long as they don’t do it on the internet. If the teacher had been sending the same thoughts via text to friends she would have been fine. Typing out the highlights of her day and emailing them absolutely no problem. Publish them on Twitter or a blog, that’s a real no-no.
You can see why they felt the policy was necessary. They don’t want schools brought into disrepute or pupil’s confidential information published. But to impose blanket bans isn’t the way to go about it. These are management issues and should be dealt with in that way.
But the real gem comes from the local Guardian paper, suggesting Croydon had committed a £237k Twitter gaffe. The actual story is that a member of staff had used the account to send an inappropriate message. Not really that big a story. Would a similar headline have been prompted if you replaced the word ‘Twitter’ with ‘phone’, ’email’ or ‘potato print’?
Probably not, but because it’s Twitter we have the classic reaction of the sceptic. “It’s new, I think it’s a fad, I don’t really understand the hype. I MUST CRITICISE.”
Quote of the story must go to the opposition leader: “How anyone could ever suggest that a public body could control a Twitter account is beyond me.” Exactly. Town Halls already have their hands full trying to control the phones, all those magic strings with little pixies carrying your whispers.
What people don’t understand is that criticising the medium rarely makes sense. With the teacher there may be a problem about her being indiscreet about her charges, or surfing the web rather than teaching. And in Croydon you might wonder why a council officer is using council channels to make a political point. But suggesting Twitter is somehow responsible is like suggesting glass bottles are responsible for alcoholism.
Perhaps this is why I find myself disliking both the sceptic and the evangelist – because they concentrate on the medium rather than the messages. None of these sites are magic. None do anything other than create a way you can have conversations and keep up with people. They reflect human nature and you don’t actually need anyone to tell you how you should, and shouldn’t, be doing that.
I’m a social media sceptic. I’ve come to terms with that. You might not believe me when I say it, but I am. It’s fun and enjoyable. It is definitely part of the internet landscape that is here to stay. But does everyone and everything have to be on it? No, they don’t. So, while I’d be suspicious of a “social media agency” who weren’t active on Twitter (and I do know one in London) I’d have no problem with a council who feel their money and resources are best spent on other things. Horses for courses.