Flash!

As I rounded the corner into Vicarage Avenue and the warmth and comfort of my own home, I could see the banner held up by various Family members and friends which read "Well done! 100 miles run for Children in Need...you're our hero"...as I neared the group of cheering people , I felt a mighty pride well up within me as I realised that all the nights of running on darkened pavements in the rain, wind and cold had brought me to this unimaginable climax to a month of almost nightly runs of 5 miles.

I collapsed into the arms of my gathered friends and felt the warmth of the blanket wrapped around my shoulders and the steaming mug of hot chocolate thrust into my hands. this was the most wonderful and unlooked for achievement of my inactive and once overweight life!

Of course, the above description isn't entirely accurate...in fact everything except one fact is true ( assuming you cannot have false facts!)...Today I did reach and surpass my target of running 100 miles in November! I honestly cannot believe that I've been able to do it bearing in mind that it was only a few short months ago in May that I was overweight and unable to walk briskly for 20 minutes without becoming sweaty and out of breath ( well almost!)....Now I'm running on average 5 miles every evening ( with the occasional night off )

Reaching my target, I  felt like fireworks were going off inside my chest...my head...my legs...I took a photo of myself on my Mobile as I passed the point where the maps said I'd reached my goal...looking at the photo, it reminded me of the final scene of Flash Gordon...a moment when the hero is victorious..the moment for celebration has arrived...it's a scene in the film that ( wait for it!) has caused tears to well up on occasion ( I've seen it numerous times)...I love it when the good guys win! ...and looking at my photo gives me the same feeling!

So...in reality...I rounded the corner into the Avenue...I ran up to my front door...I went in..had a drink of orange squash and went to take a shower....and that was that.

 This is what it felt like (above)

This is the reality (below!)

Spoonful - 4

Spoonful - 3

Spoonful - 2

I've worked on the Matron's face today...once again I used a photograph of myself as the basis for her face....I've exaggerated certain aspects of course and really I don't look like this at all...but still...it makes me chuckle! I've decided for this version to place the medicine spoon just inside the Cello girl's mouth..not sure if I'm going to use the Mad Vicar in between these two now or even at all...we'll see.

Spoonful - 1

This is the third incarnation! I had dreadful difficulty with the pinching nose thing so have had a bit of a rethink...the basic concept is still there, but with some subtle differences which will become apparent as we go along!

In other news, I continue to run and have embarked on a fund raising challenge inn aid of Children in Need, which is run by the BBC. An annual event which raises millions of pounds to support child and family projects thought the British Isles. My aim is to run a total of 100 miles in November. So far I've managed to run 50.03 miles, just over half way. If you'd like to support me, you can visit my page which is administered by Virgin Money by clicking here My goal is to raise £200 in donations, and as an incentive, for each person who donates £5.00 or more, I invite you to make a guess as to how many miles I will have run by the end of November 30th. the person who guesses correctly or who is nearest, will win a personally signed original piece of my Hyperpointillist artwork..! So get clicking and get donating!

Good news...bad news.

The good news is, for those of you who had a problem with and didn't like my last picture 'Medicine'...I've ruined it and abandoned work on it! The bad news for you is that I've immediately begun work on a new version...I will be able to avoid the mistakes I've made in the last couple of days and no doubt be freed to make a whole new bunch of fresh mistakes. Anyway, it's all part of the process and I'm incredibly mad and disappointed with myself...I love my concept for the piece...I'm very excited about the way it will extend beyond the original three characters. I can't wait to get back to dotting tomorrow as I've completed all the pencil work today. I'm down...but I'm not out...tomorrow, I'll be back up!

Medicine - 8

Medicine - 7

first of all..I should tell you I've not actually done any dotting today...although I've drawn in the Cello at long last!...the reason for me not dotting was I was absolutely exhausted...odd considering I awoke after a good night's sleep, which has been rare recently. I felt invigorated, full of energy and immediately knew I would need to go for a run. I've been running just over 4 miles each night ...but today I decided to press on to my next goal which was 7 miles. The actual final distance was 7.14 miles. I'm now running a regular 4.25 miles as a regular evening run, and an extended run once or twice a week.

My 50th birthday is coming up later this month...I really am 'Fit before fifty' !

Medicine - 6

Medicine - 5

To find the correct resource for the hand on the nose and the nurses hand, I took photographs of my own hands...since the nurses face is based on my face, I felt this was in keeping.

So it's November!

Having 'one of those days'...not able to motivate myself. Suffering mainly from a dose of 'reallity'. You may or may not know that I'm approaching my 50th birthday. I had originally arranged a party...I'd booked a band and Cancan dancers at a local pub. But decided to cancel when I realised that it was an rather selfish ego trip which would leave my family having to manage or very little money on the run up to Christmas. Besides, we always have a party in between Jan and my birthdays in November. So I then arrived at the idea of making it something special which would probably involve fancy dress. Then it was helpfully pointed out to me that I would after all be 50 years old and most of my friends were also of similar or older age, and would be unlikely to want to do fancy dress. So after a couple of friends also voiced their anxiety, I decided it will have to tone down even further , and will be a normal conformist party.

It's really not my intention to cause my friends anxiety on what should be a night of fun and happiness...So, I've decided that I will pull out all the stops for the next time I have a 50th birthday party...so be warned...I'll probably be the only one there!

PS...I took the photo above from my front room window this afternoon. the trees in the avenue are gorgeous at this time of year.