#12thingsfor12months

[mikedminihan]

'Does my reason accept the view that he will (accidents apart) deliver me safe on the surface of Perelandra? - the answer is Yes,' said Ransom. 'If you mean, Do my nerves and my imagination respond to this view? - I'm afraid the answer is No. One can believe in anaesthetics and yet feel in a panic when they actually put the mask over your face. I think I feel as a man who believes in the future life feels when he is taken out to face a firing party. Perhaps it's good practice.'

C.S. Lewis; Perelandra

[mikedminihan]

"An important part of York's tapestry..."

I am currently unwell with a severe bout of tonsillitis, today is Day 2 of having to stay in to rest my throat and my body alongside 4-6 hourly administrations of medicines to ease the pain and fevers. But I have been getting bored so easily! There’s only so many episodes of ‘Community’ you can stream off Netflix before you start to go a little mad. So, I have decided to explore a topic that’s been on my mind since the start of the year.

I don’t know if you’ll remember that on my ‘12 things for 12 months’ list is ‘Watch a live rugby league match’. There’s a professional team in the city, the York City Knights, who currently ply their trade in League 1, the third tier of the Rugby League set-up. They finished top of the league last season, unbeaten in the regular season, but missed out on promotion, losing to Hunslet in the play-off final. Last autumn, James Ford retired from playing for the team to become head coach. Untried, untested but young and enthusiastic. All in all, York City Knights were not in bad health and had a platform to go forward, both in the league, especially with a restructuring of the hierarchy designed to favour lower teams, and in drawing fans in York and the surrounding area, with no other team for around 20 miles, almost unheard of in the Rugby League belt of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. Coupled with this was the news of York’s new community stadium on the site of the Knights’ current home of the Huntington Stadium. Their lease came to an end last season so redevelopment could start and a plan in place for York City Knights and York City FC to start sharing Bootham Crescent. However things have since gone a bit pear-shaped… York City Knights are currently ‘homeless’, evicted from a home that hasn’t even started to be built yet.

The background is complicated and I’m not even going to try and make sense of it, especially as, on the surface, it appears to be a politicised episode involving City of York Council. Basically, the chairman of York City Knights, John Guildford, was unhappy with the terms offered as part of the moving out and relocation from Huntington. Negotiations ended because of this and the council said that they will never speak to Guildford regarding the subject again. The specifics are sketchy to say the least and, publicly, little more is known. Progress seems to be occurring, last week Ralph Rimmer, the chief operating officer of the RFL, said talks had reopened between the club and the council, partly thanks to a board restructuring with members being given control of stadium negotiation. And tomorrow, council officials are holding an open meeting with York City Knights fans to discuss the drama of the last few months, where it has been promised that as much information as possible will be disclosed. All the signs are hopeful and that is good. Good for the club and good for York. Many figures in the game have spoken about York City Knights being a ‘sleeping giant’ with enviable ‘Super League potential’. This is some thing the council, and residents like myself, must immerse themselves in, be proud of and work hard for, like we’ve seen with the Tour de France and upcoming Tour de Yorkshire. Furthermore, this potential dream of 1st class professional sport is potentially far more likely for our city’s rugby league team than our football club. Sport is an incredible tool as well as being entertainment and the loss of York City Knights from the life of the city would be a big one, I acknowledge that and I am neither a Knights or a Rugby League fan (but happy to change that!). Here’s to hoping for a timely resolution, either with the reopening of Huntington if the community stadium idea is scrapped or the inclusion, again, of York City Knights alongside a plan of moving that is fair to the city and the club. As for me and my list, it does leave an uncertainty of how or when I can complete number 9. Could head to Leeds for some Super League action but I am really drawn to supporting the local club in my city. However, coincidentally I will be in Oxford for a wedding the weekend York City Knights are playing Oxford Rugby League, so might hang around until the Sunday afternoon to catch the match at Iffley Road. So whilst my first taste of watching York City Knights might be out of York, I hope there will be opportunity to watch them again in the near future within the boundaries of the city.

[mikedminihan]

I made it through the year!

‘I made it through the year and I did not even collapse, gotta say thank God for that’

This year has been a varied one and these lyrics, from Relient K’s Merry Christmas, Here’s to Many More, resonated with me. After what felt like constant change for the first half of the year (read about that here http://mikedminihan.tumblr.com/post/86791536363/all-change-please), since the summer things have been much more… settled. Work. Home. Church. Relationships. All have been testament to the benefits of perseverance in troubled and transitional times as well as seeing God’s generous grace and love being evident at times of being truly stretched. Part of this saw me come up with the 12 things for 12 months list. With a new year only 3 days, it’s timely to update, reflect and look ahead.

1. Run a sub one hour 10km Done in August. Plans for Leeds and York in 2015.

2. Visit a(nother) European capital city

In October did Brussels…    

     And in November, Reykjavik…

3. Cycle 100 miles in one day Route to be confirmed however people are interested and with the Tour de Yorkshire in May, sure it can be done before the end of June.

  4. Learn a Psalm off by heart

Psalm 86 has been chosen.

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,     for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;     save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,     for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,     for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,     abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, Lord;     listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you,     because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;     no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made     will come and worship before you, Lord;     they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;     you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,     that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart,     that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;     I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me;     you have delivered me from the depths,     from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;     ruthless people are trying to kill me—     they have no regard for you. 15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,     slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;     show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you     just as my mother did. 17 Give me a sign of your goodness,     that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,     for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Encouraging stuff

5. Love and learn more about my cities of home and work

6. Learn/re-learn a language Spanish or French. Spanish or French…

7. Read more C.S. Lewis Leisurely making my way through the Chronicles of Narnia, have read A Grief Observed and reading Four Loves at present. Have Miracles in mind next, Screwtape Letters once Narnia is finished and confident of fitting in at least Mere Christianity before June.

8. Visit the Lake District Easter trip anyone?

9. Watch some live Rugby League Going to keep my eye on http://www.yorkcityknights.co.uk/Matches/FixturesAndResultsIn/ over the next few months. Matches being played at Bootham Crescent might make it easier to attend.

10. Learn one song on the ukulele Any requests?

11. Cook a curry and home-made chapattis from scratch Will have willing volunteers for free food I am sure!

12. Attempt to finish the London Bucket List! http://mikedminihan.tumblr.com/post/72874781859/the-bucket-list-update

Planning a trip in February, will try my hardest to knock some of these off the list!

  So as we say goodbye to 2014 and 2015 quickly approaches, the words of Relient K again are my encouragement: 'I look towards the east and see a star Jesus Christ, it's blessed my life To know just who you are You are my hope'

Happy New Year!

[mikedminihan]

12thingsfor12months/Goal 3/Cycling

After chatting to different friends about the 12 things for 12 months challenge, I have decided to change a little something. When chatting with Sam the other day about what would be on his list, one of the things he said was ‘Cycle 100 miles in one day.’ Now I think this is a HUGE challenge. 160km is a long way. Especially on a bike. But I have the bike.

And the enthusiastic friends.

And now the platform to share to the world, who can old me to my insane promises! But part of the challenge of this list is to live life to the fullest. And stretching myself (in more ways than one) with challenges is a great thing to do, especially alongside good friends.

Therefore, goals 3 & 11 have been combined, leaving a space for ‘Cycle 100 miles in one day.’

1. Run a sub one hour 10km

2. Visit a(nother) European capital city

3. Cycle 100 miles in one day 4. Learn a Psalm off by heart

5. Love and learn more about my cities of home and work

6. Learn/re-learn a language

7. Read more C.S. Lewis

8. Visit the Lake District

9. Watch some live Rugby League

10. Learn one song on the ukulele

11. Cook a curry and home-made chapattis from scratch

12. Attempt to finish the London Bucket List! http://mikedminihan.tumblr.com/post/72874781859/the-bucket-list-update

[mikedminihan]

#12thingsfor12months August update

Unbelievably, it’s been nearly 3 months since I composed the #12thingsfor12months list and I thought it was due time to do an update.

1. Run a sub one hour 10km

Earlier this month, as you can see below, I achieved the first goal off my list! I actually really enjoyed the run on a really pleasant York course with a really good atmosphere all the way round. Have scaled back my running over the last few weeks (combination of wanting rest, busyness of work and doing more of other sports, namely football and cycling) but over the autumn/winter I am looking to carry on but over shorter distances, in an attempt to reduce my 5km personal best time. With this I hope to transfer the quicker pace in to stamina before entering more 10km races from spring 2015.

2. Visit a(nother) European capital city October and November looks exciting…

 4. Learn a Psalm off by heart The best thing to do is read them all again. So starting from today, in a sort of sub-goal, I am aiming to read all Psalms over the next 150 days before deciding which one I want to log to memory in it’s entirety.

  5. Learn and love more about cities of home & work

Tour de France weekend

Church next to my road got in to Le Tour spirit...

Harrogate big screen on the Saturday

Before York on the Sunday, watching the riders cycle past the Minster before watching the rest of the stage on a big screen in Museum Gardens.

Also, with the weather so good recently, have been able to enjoy sunshine and warmth outdoors!

Millennium Bridge shimmering in noonday sun

Looking upstream the Ouse

  7. Read more C.S. Lewis

Currently 1/7 of the way through The Chronicles of Narnia and looking to read the relatively short ‘A Grief Observed’ next.

 All others still pending but looking forward to making my way through the list!

[mikedminihan]

#12thingsfor12months/Goal 1/Running

1. Run a sub one hour 10km

I am currently training for the York 10km in August. Running has never really been my thing, but I am loving the discipline it’s requiring and seeing my progress. Over the last few months my average pace has reduced from 6.00min/km to just over 5min/km, which I am happy with and feel great about. Hopefully I can continue over the next couple of months injury-free and run a decent time in the York 10.

DONE.

[mikedminihan]

#12thingsfor12months/Goal 1/Running

Today I did my first 10km run for quite a while. I decided to use it very much as a low intensity workout, looking to finish the distance comfortably rather than attempting to do it my quickest time.

I'm quite content with this however I haven't come through unscathed. Over the last few weeks I've had a niggly Achilles tendon and after today it's really flared up. Hoping for a quick recovery especially with the York 10km only 2.5 weeks away.

[mikedminihan]

CaLEB

Over a recent time off work, I spent a week away exploring Belfast and Edinburgh. With this came a completion of visiting all the capital cities of the regions of the UK as well as Cardiff (visited the uni a couple of times) and London (well, I lived there!). I spent 3 nights in Northern Ireland and 1 in Scotland (my first time north of the border!) and had a lovely time. Everyone I met was lovely and they are two very different but vibrant cities.

In Belfast, the thing I was most interested in was visiting the Titanic museum. Opened in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the ship’s maiden voyage and, ultimately, sinking a few days later, it promises a multi-sensory insight in to all things Titanic. Growing up near Southampton and having an interest from an early age from a book I had about shipwrecks (don’t ask, must be a maritime city thing!), I was intrigued to see the background of Belfast making Titanic and the aftermath, two areas often overlooked when discussing the sinking.

  The ‘Titanic Quarter’ is a recent development in north Belfast, whereas I was staying in south Belfast near Queen’s University. So I took the opportunity to enjoy the sunny and warm weather and take a walk through Belfast towards the museum.

The museum was not a disappointment (seen by the fact I hardly took any pictures!) and especially dealt with the death of so many in the tragedy with dignity. I spent a good 3 hours working my way through before finding a charming little café (it had an ‘honesty box’ so you could pay what you like) and did some Bible study. Following this I walked back in to Belfast city centre for dinner and football.

The next couple of days were spent getting to know people in my hostel (lots of Australians) as well as trying to plan things near the hostel as it became a bit greyer and wet weather-wise. I did go to the Museum of Ulster (with a girl from Colombia of all places!) which had a surprising wealth of exhibits including a minimalist but comprehensive account of The Troubles. This was an area that was often discussed at length between those of various nationalities at the hostel. It was also reinforced how recent the occurrence has been when walking in to the city centre for dinner on the last night, observing a loyalist parade. On the last night, ended up in a pub in north-east Belfast with some other hostellers enjoying some traditional Irish folk music! Belfast is small and I didn’t really need any more days to experience the things that I had set out to do. A day or two more could be used to venture up to the Giant’s Causeway, something I would love to do, but decided against it this time.

  Then it was to Edinburgh, for one night only! A childish excitement overcame me when I realised that I could go on a tram for the first time in order to get to the city centre from the airport!

And when I arrived in Edinburgh, who should go past me as I’m waiting to cross the road… only Queen Elizabeth II. And the next day when I’m sightseeing around the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood House, who should go past me as I’m waiting to cross the road… Queen Elizabeth II! I must add she was in her royal car, she wasn’t just out and about on foot….

Well after all that excitement, as well as the high praise of many people who told me how great Edinburgh is, I was expecting a lot of Scotland’s capital city. And it is a beautiful city with a really unique element about it. The crags that make up so much of the landscape are incredible and negotiating the seemingly labyrinth-like Old Town is actually more of a pleasure if you find yourself getting a bit lost because you just simply find another viewpoint to see the city or gothic church with breath-taking intricacies.

Unfortunately the weather was not great for the morning and afternoon I had reserved for sight-seeing and did limit me somewhat. But I was pleased with what I got to do and see and Edinburgh is actually so compact, a day was enough to see the primary treasures the city has on offer.

A highlight was the beautiful stained glass windows in the Thistle Chapel of St Giles’ Cathedral.

The city was surprisingly quiet when I was there but I may be returning during Festival season and look forward to seeing the contrast of August to July.

  I have also decided that neither of these can go towards crossing off number 2 on the #12thingsfor12months list. Edinburgh isn’t a capital city of an independent European country yet.