Archive for the ‘Physical Education’ Category

New year fitness

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

I’ve been finding it funny watching all the extra runners appearing on the roads around here lately. I know the rush will reduce again by February!

I’m just as bad. Obviously I get a certain amount of exercise in my job, running about teaching PE, but December and the start of January always mean extra food and drink – and I need to put in additional effort to work that off, just like everyone else. But, much as I’d like to continue the additional workouts all year round, I just can’t stay motivated enough. I may do sport for a living and love it, but I’m still human! When there are things like bingo and the pub to enjoy, and nights in front of the TV with Katie, it just seems a bit sad to pound the streets on a daily basis.

About two or three sessions of exercise a week is generally sufficient. That’s what I aim for. It’s good to be active for at least 30 minutes a day (and by active I mean moving enough to raise your heart rate). There are lots of activities you can try, if you don’t like running. If you have a bike you can cycle – or consider getting a static exercise bike for your home. That way, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like.

Classes are also a really good way of getting fit – and in a way they’re easier, because someone else plans the exercise for you. You just have to carry it out, and you’re more likely to do it than when you’re on your own. From yoga and pilates to step aerobics and spinning, there’s usually something for all tastes at your local gym. There’s my bit of professional advice for the week!

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Not a great sporting season

Monday, December 12th, 2011

I haven’t been able to do much outdoor PE teaching in recent weeks, as the weather has just been too appalling. I’ve ended up organising games in the gym instead, which is fun, but I’m starting to run out of ideas!

We’ve also done quite a few other tasks, like helping decorate the school for Christmas. I do enjoy it, but I’d rather be out there running up and down the touchlines. I’m having to have a go on Katie’s exercise machines during the evenings, to make sure I stay in shape!

They’re not bad, actually. She says she watches a TV programme while she’s on them, so she concentrates on that instead of the time, so it seems to go quickly. I’ve tried it, too – though I tend to watch sport, which just reminds me of my timing, so it’s not quite as effective.

In the evenings we’ve been staying in quite a bit, saving up money for Christmas. Katie watches some programmes I don’t really like – girly stuff – so while she’s doing that, I sit on the sofa with my laptop. I don’t only play bingo games and doss about on Facebook, though – I’m always looking for new sporting developments and teaching options.

I’ve also been looking quite a lot at cars, even though if I do change my Clio, it won’t be for a few months yet. I was into the idea of a Renault Megane last week, but now I’m leaning more towards a Renault Laguna. If I’m going to get a bigger vehicle, I might as well get something significantly bigger!

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Scary weather

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Wow, the weather has been a bit grim lately, hasn’t it? I’m so glad I bought a car when I started my job, instead of relying on my bike. I was actually thinking of doing that, initially!

Bikes are a great thing, generally, but it really depends on circumstances. Where I live and work, the roads are a bit on the hairy side – lots of blind bends and narrow sections. Then when you add weather concerns on top… it just doesn’t really bear thinking about, to be honest.

My little Clio has been doing well, but I think in the future I may opt for a slightly bigger car. Maybe in the springtime, if my finances are up to it. I know it seems weird that I’m thinking about a new car again so suddenly – and the Clio is fantastic, it really is – but I’ve started to notice things that would be so much easier if I had a bigger vehicle. Getting my current car was a quick means to an end, really – I didn’t have much chance to consider what I’d be doing with it.

I spend a lot of time carting about sports kit and sometimes kids, too, when we have a fixture somewhere. If it’s a long journey, a small car isn’t very comfortable. Katie and I also like to go on long drives sometimes, so a larger vehicle would be nice.

I’ve been looking at a few options and the Renault Megane has caught my eye. It’d be quite good to stick to the same manufacturer, as I really have been very impressed with my Clio. I’m thinking of having a look around online to see if there are any dealerships nearby. But I’m going to hold off on buying one for a good few months yet, I think. I might change my mind again before then! I need time to consider it.

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And so December begins…

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

I can’t believe it’s December already. I just can’t believe it. Where on earth has 2011 gone? It’s not over yet, obviously… but December always goes so fast, with Christmas shopping and social events and so on. A lot of people get stressed, but I tend to view it through a beer-filled haze, which definitely makes it easier. Before I know it, it’ll be January!

A lot of my friends get jealous of me at this time of year because I’ve got two weeks’ holiday coming up. I don’t blame them, either – I can’t believe so many workplaces stay open between Christmas and New Year.

I understand that business often carries on regardless, and some people don’t celebrate Christmas, and many people still want the same services… but really, it’s always a quiet time for working – so why don’t offices go the whole way and just shut the place for a full week? I don’t mean vital services like utilities companies – I mean industries where the world doesn’t stop if their office workers do. It’s good to have a time of year where people can just do what they want and see as many people as they want.

Anyway, that’s how I feel about my friends’ working situations… but I’m really lucky that I get a decent amount of time off – and Katie does too, as she manages her own workload, with working from home.

It’s quite strange that suddenly I’m considering someone else so much, making my plans. I haven’t had to do that before! I usually spend Christmas at home with my family and New Year with friends – but I’ve got a bit of a dilemma now, because Katie’s family is in the south of the UK. We’re thinking about spending Christmas in one place and New Year at another. Or we might spend both days apart – but that would be a bit of a shame. Even though I’ll miss my friends and family on one of those occasions, it’ll actually be quite exciting to have a different kind of festive season.

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Running

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

Well, the bingo was a great success! I’m really relieved, to be honest… it would have been such a disaster if Katie didn’t like it. But I’m taking it as another sign that she’s ‘the one’ for me!

The next test is exercise. It’s something Katie wants us to do together, to motivate each other. As I’ve said, she does have machines at home, but she thinks she’ll use them more if she gets into exercise outside the house first. I’ve agreed to try going running with her.

I did explain to her that I already spend quite a bit of time outdoors, being a PE teacher… but she asked how much running about I actually do – and I realised I don’t, really. I mostly shout from the edges of the game! I do need to be fit, but running is something that I’ve never been too keen on.

I suppose I shouldn’t admit that, considering my job – and especially this time of year, having to motivate the school kids to do cross country. But really, I prefer pitch-based games. It’s weird because I enjoy watching motorsports, which is a similar idea to running – competing on a track or roads instead of on a field… but in practice, I just find running a bit too relentless and dull! And it makes me really tired – really quickly. I don’t think it’s particularly good for your joints, either – another thing I don’t tell the kids. But I’m happy to give it a go, for a while.

It’s going to be really embarrassing if Katie is better at running than me! I’ve warned her that’s very likely.

We’re going to try a scenic route tomorrow morning. Then, seeing as it’s a Sunday, we’ll make a big Sunday dinner afterwards to get our strength back! I know that sounds counter-productive, but exercise is about so much more than calorie balance, in my opinion. And I love Sunday dinners. You can’t beat a nice bit of Welsh lamb.

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At last… girlfriend AND a new job

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

I’m pleased to say things are going really well with Katie! She’s officially my girlfriend! I think my friends are really surprised I’ve managed to get together with someone so nice. They thought I’d always be the reliable single one. My family, too.

I’ve also had some good news on the job front! Well, good news for me – not so good for the poor PE teacher who had a nervous breakdown last week. He so very nearly made it to the Christmas holidays. Poor chap. But every cloud has a silver lining… and in this case it’s mine. They’re glad that I’m ready and waiting to step in. The timing has been superb.

It’s not on the doorstep, but it’s only a short drive away. I’ve got myself a second-hand Renault Clio to get there and back. My friend Dave has had it for a couple of years and said it’s been brilliant – he’s only selling it to me because he’s started cycling everywhere in a bid to get fit. He’s got pretty massive in recent years, now I think of it.

Speaking of which, I’ll have to do a bit of jogging or something to get back my stamina, if I’ll be teaching again. While I was doing my stint in performance, I thought I’d be looking after my figure more… but I was actually less fit. It must be all the running around after the kids at school that kept me in reasonable shape.

I really do feel that things have come together for me recently, after a strange few years. I just hope the kids at the school take it easy on me… don’t want to end up like the other guy.

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Change of direction

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

I’m really enjoying panto rehearsals in the lead up to Christmas – but I have to admit, regular performing work is harder than I thought it would be. And this is only rehearsing!

I really did think comedy and acting were for me, full-time, but now I’m not so sure. I like nothing more than having a few beers with friends and family in the evenings and at weekends… but I can see if I was doing this stage lark all the time, my free time would often be when everyone else is at work, and vice versa.

So… I’m thinking I might keep it going as a hobby, but I don’t think it’s right for me as a job. Fate seems to have been telling me that anyway, as I struggled so much to get any work. I think Viv was just being nice to me by keeping the encouragement going. It was a real case of the grass being greener on the other side. I wanted to do it for so long, and I do honestly like the panto work, when I’m there – but I also feel relieved when rehearsals get cancelled so I can relax instead!

There’s also the money thing. I’ve had to look up some debt consolidation advice recently because I need to reduce my outgoings – mainly debt payments. I’ve spent so much time hunting for performance work that I took my eye off the ball, financially. I like having a regular income… and I can’t buy drinks with a smile!

Speaking of ball-related things… I’ve actually found myself missing teaching PE. I didn’t think that was possible! When I tell people I used to do it, they sound really interested and impressed and I think maybe I undervalued it. I love sport and doing a job related to it was actually a lot of fun sometimes.

Wow, I’m really evaluating my life here, aren’t I?! A little early maybe, as most people wait for new year – but I want to ready to move on by then. I feel strangely at peace now I’ve decided to change things!

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COMPETITION TIME! (Gigg seven)

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Comedy, by its very nature, is funny. I say funny, but comedy is actually a very serious business. In fact, sometimes it’s no laughing matter…

I mused these musings while driving along my old friend Snake Mountain Pass on the way to a gigg in Ashton-under-Lined. I was on the way to the first heat of the LOLapalooza Comedy Competition.

Comedy competitions are a great way for new acts to gain exposure. Indeed, those who have risen through the ranks thanks to such contests include the likes of Dylan Moran (I wonder what he’s doing these days…), Peter Kay (I wonder what he’s doing these days…), Johnny Vegas (I wonder what he’s doing these days…), Stewart Lee (I wonder what he’s doing these days…) and Richard Blackwood. In all, I was really looking forward to making my mark.

I arrived at the gigg with my customary four hours to spare. Perfect for exploring Ashton, I thought, as I climbed into the boot of my car for my pre-gigg nap. Two hours later I was ready and raring to do some great comedy. I was going to do some new material (I have a great new bit about Rusty Lee the chef) but I thought I was best just sticking to the GOLD seeing as it was a competition. My set for the night was decided…

With two hours to spare I decided it would be a good idea to stretch my legs so I took a good old-fashioned walk around Ashton. I nipped into the Greggs for a small pre-gig dessert of four beef pasties, then decided it would be best to ring The Lovely Helen to see how she was.

Despite leaving a number of numerous messages on her voicemail, I hadn’t actually mouth-conversed with TLH since the day of my fourth gigg. I figured that maybe she was embarrassed after her attempt to seduce me. Still, I was flattered that the male friends of hers I met on that fateful day were keeping an eye on me by watching me from their cars outside my house. That’s what friends are for!

The Lovely Helen is really earning her comedy spurs, I must say! She picked up, and did an impression of the operator saying the line had been disconnected. I had to laugh, and I did, as I picked up a vanilla slice and walked back to the gig venue. Be rude not to, I suppose…

Despite the fact that I had a big gigg to prepare for, my mind was wandering onto more pressing matters…

I have a confession to make. I, John Owen Jones, am a big Lacrosse fan. Indeed, when I’m not doing or thinking about comedy in my parents’ basement I can be found watching Lacrosse clips on YouTube or even down at Porthmadog Lacrosse Club. Sometimes I just hold a lacrosse outside my front door and think, but no longer during term time thanks to Porthmadog Council.

Anyway I’ve been wondering recently if there is a link between lacrosse and comedy, but no. No there is not.

I arrived back at the venue and noticed to my astonishment that none of the other acts had arrived. The promoter, known around the area as ‘Dave’ (short for ‘David’, thank you Wikipedia), was nervously ringing around the acts but it seemed to no avail. It looked like I was the only act in attendance.

“Do you still want to go up?” he asked.

“Is the Pope Catherine?!?!” was my jokey response.

So it was settled. I was the only act to be performing at heat one of LOLapalooza Comedy Competition 2010. I had to revise my set list to accommodate, as I wanted to do my tried and tested gold, and decided to drop the new bit about Rusty Lee (“Rusty-geddon”). Showtime came, Dave went up, explained the situation to the crowd, and then introduced me…

I absolutely ripped it. They really seemed to go for all my stuff. When I told them what I looked like they got it straight away. When I mentioned how hard it is to carry a TV up the stairs they felt my pain. When I did some humorous banter (“I hope the funeral is OK!”) I got a nice response, and when I launched into Prince/Bank, well… Let’s just say they’ll be feeling the cold for a while…

Because the roof is now faulty…

And cold temperatures will come through said inadequate roof…

I ripped the roof off is what I am trying to say.

Dave approached me after the gigg and thanked me for performing. It was now time for the results…

Comedy competitions are stupid and I think they’re very bad for new comedians. How can you judge comedy? How can it be quantified? It’s an art form, just like Lacrosse. And, just like South Korean Lacrosse hero EunAh Choi, I will make it to the top without doing comedy competitions!


© Pellerins Photography

(I wonder what she’s doing these days…)

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Lucky man!

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Hello world! Here we go! What a pleasant week it’s been here in Cymru (Wales). Firstly, we had a great weekend, lots of sun, lots of laughs! I stayed in and played online bingo and met some lovely people in the chat room afterwards.

One of them was an old man – although you never can be sure on the internet haha! He lives/lived (87 years old) in Rhyl which is quite close to me. A bit of a sunshine-lover, liked to play on the slot machines when he was a lad. Still likes the thrill of gambling, and I thought it was great to communicate with someone I wouldn’t usually. The internet – mad!

I was actually interested in going over to see him in Rhyl. I could have had a go on the 2p machine and picked up a small fortune, would have to go to the bank before spending it though!

Clive had a keen interest in my P.E. lessons, as he has a rather large great grandson. He said he was worried that ‘new Labour’ wasn’t keeping the youngsters fit. I said “Don’t worry Clive, I give them a run for their money when I teach them – quite literally!” He said “LOL”, which I took as his nickname for the little nipper!

So what did I win? Not so much, just enough for three jumps and a bite of the latch (this is what my Grandma used to say at tea time!), but it doesn’t matter because I made a great friend all because of online bingo.

Oh I’ll tell you what! The bloody kids at school have been great this week! Not a peep out of them! I reckon they can sense that I am a universal man, who makes friends of both the young and old.

All in all, not a bad week!

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