Frustration with a small, print focused publishing house continues to ruminate, though I’ve reached a state of
dispassionate pragmatism, choosing to divert creative energies into book projects and related business opportunities. Sample chapters have been
submitted to a respected US publisher for consideration, which will determine
whether I assume this traditional (preferred) path, or self-publish via online
platform. Either way, such endeavours cannot be left languishing on hard drives/portable
storage.
Elsewhere, the Holdsworth’s
reincarnation prompted investment in another Czech made headset press, saving
time and upheaval, though the Labyrinth nature of said steed’s Woodman Saturn
unit proved something of a puzzle with few clues online. Woodman’s website was
the first and arguably obvious starting point- PDFs simpered enticingly but
several attempts at downloading proved fruitless. Mercifully, this exploded
diagram materialised on my desktop’s hard-drive while trawling for some equally elusive photographs.
Twenty minutes and a liberal
slathering of ceramic grease later saw front end reinstated with this exquisite
Torus titanium stem leading the charge. Further foraging unearthed contact
points and transmission components but its chrome plated, Campagnolo pattern
seatpost binder bolt still eludes me.
Thankfully, these remain
readily available and cheap as the proverbial portion of chips. I’ve earmarked a set of rather fetching, deep
section Halo hoops with powder coated rims and large flange hubs for their
solid, yet sprightly charms. This and tyre choice will be contemplated further
during that strange limbo land between festive Cyclo Cross meets and New Year.
Temping was never intended
as an economic staple (arguably the same sentiments have been ushered by
countless numbers of people entering car/similar assembly lines) and while
lacking the same degree of mind-numbing monotony, has nonetheless lead me down
some distinctly dead-ends. Having acknowledged this and a desire to acquire a
separate, skilled second/tertiary income stream to support scribing of various
genres, I’ve decided to reinvestigate vocational qualifications in holistic
therapies.
Massage is fascinating;
although difficult to practice with any commercial continuity given my gender.
However, I was recently invited to explore reflexology and believe this may
well prove fruitful. Cost implications seem pretty reasonable too. Progression
will depend upon my perceived suitability-standards of education certainly
fulfil one set of criteria but those with directly related
skills/qualification/experience are undoubtedly at an advantage.
Having spent several years
experimenting with varying genres of photography, I’ve decided my commercial
focus lies with industrial, product and portraiture. The latter seems a touch
woolly/over-subscribed but I have a very specific target audience in mind. Knowing
one’s market is the difference between success and obscurity. Swapping the
Univega’s headset spacers has indeed cured the sloppy steerer bearing blues, so
I’m off to ponder strategies from its saddle.
