mambi's commute

Mambi

Written by: Samantha Boswell
Age: 29
Lives: Sydney, Australia
Rides: Live 2
sam@spikeandmambi.com

Last friday's photos!

31 december 2009

Apologies for the delay, but here was a little snippet of the first Christmas at our house. My mum, brother and his girlfriend all joined us. Fish on the barbie Christmas eve, followed by the traditional trimmings Christmas day. Was a pretty good feast, and I made an attempt at a gingerbread house, which as you will see, I let my brother and Chris decorate.



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Ciao 2009

31 december 2009

I'm sitting here reflecting on 2009, while slowly getting through a bottle of Penfold's we hauled back from the Adelaide vineyard earlier this year. I'm not usually a red fan, but this is going down mighty fine!

2009 as I saw it, not only flew past, but also seemed to lack any major oomph. Sure there were personal highlights including: engagements, the births of friend's babies and perhaps turning 30, yet I'm undecided on that one and still lie about it (Globe please don't change my age just yet!). But on the everyday levels, It was well... a little unfulfilling.

Which brings me to some resolutions of sorts. A list for 2010 which doesn't include the cliché weight loss, get fit regime or not eating chocolate for the year...screw that. I've become a fan of listing goals since having a late drinking night with a friend, who seems to achieve a hell of a lot. That night was purely full of dreams, let's just say lists are key. So here goes (before I drown myself with wine!):

- Worry less and smile more (yeah yeah, hand in hand)
- Read more
- Paint a picture
- Be more decisive (took me a minute to work out which way to spell decisive... god help me!)
- Juggle for more than 30 seconds
- Find new cycleways and do a big ride
- Photograph more
- Learn something new (must think of what it'll be otherwise it won't happen!)
- Camp more
- Do something that challenges/scares me
- Plan big trip overseas
- Write beautiful vows, then learn them in Polish
- Believe in myself.

Yep that'll keep me busy in 2010... I'm sure it'll get modified as 2010 rolls by, and I have a feeling positive change is on the horizon... But right now, I'm enjoying the music, wine and company... it's awesome.



Taken: NYE Sydney 01.01.2009

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Great start to the New Year! Keep us posted on your list/progress.

Joy Godsey

I Fight for Feuille

30 december 2009

Well a mighty quick update on the I ride for Robert front.

Considering December was a short month work wise, and with the silly season taking control, I managed to ride to work approx 10 times, saving $60. Not sure exactly how much that is in US dollars, so i'm calling it $60USD. Robert, I've just completed the transaction, and although small I hope it helps in some way.

Fellow Glober's I hope you all had an awesome Christmas, and look forward to reading about your riding tales in 2010.

And lastly, If anyone else is keen to help Robert kick cancer's arse you can read more here.

Ciao for now.


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RESPECT

Wes

Mambi, You're amazingly sweet. I'm so glad we picked you to be apart of all of this. Keep up the great blog!

Tan

Elliot finds a friend!

27 december 2009

Ok, so it's been a little while... the run up to Christmas was both manic and alcohol fueled to say the least. But I'm not complaining. I'm now off from work for a whole two and a bit weeks and I'm stoked! I can fit a load of rides in and I now have company on my adventures. That's right, Santa arrived a week early and delivered Elliot a friend...Meet J.D!

J.D is a pretty cool looking bike for my partner Chris, who's now hooked on the idea of riding to work everyday... which I think will be an interestingly crazy 12km ride (each way). Not only will he get to cross the iconic Harbour Bridge, but he'll have to face some pretty crazy traffic, which will make my city ride look like a lonely ride in the park.

Unfortunately the bike wasn't a big surprise, as I think choosing a bike yourself is key, but what I wish I had captured was the grin from ear to ear on Chris's face when he hit the road for the first time. It seriously was like watching a five year old getting their training wheels off and proudly becoming one of the 'big kids'! It was awesome! The whole weekend we rode everywhere we needed to go... and I mean everywhere. It's truly great to have someone to go out for a spin with and find new places on our rides.

Last weekend we rode through Sydney Park, headed into Newtown and also picked up some xmas shopping, which as you can see Elliot carried around...JD is a slacker as you can see below!



So, with two weeks holiday, I'm looking forward to blogging about Elliot and J.D.'s many adventures together - oh and me and Chris as well...

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I can hardly see J.D!

Spike

Us Lardy? How latte is lifestyle making!

20 december 2009

My response to Sydney Morning Herald article: 'How latte lifestyle is making us lardy'



I ride and I breakfast...enough said!

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Friday Photos

17 december 2009

As promised, a ride down to Australian Technology Park, the Old Eveleigh Railway Workshops. I love how things of yesterday and the modern intermingle, and form a relationship of some kind.







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Nice.

Joy Godsey

It's all in the Name

17 december 2009

This is particularly true for certain objects. Toothbrush, mud guard, sunscreen to name a few. But today for me it was the paper towel.
I had an awesome ride into the office today, and although i've been taking the same route (I've so got it down pact) I am discovering new things. Like new place to take photos, buildings I didn't know existed, and grungy signage/street art which is a secret love of mine.

Some days I just take it slow, just so I can tilt my head while riding and admire these new objects. Such objects have triggered my inner nerd... so I now carry my small Moleskine everywhere and take note of new things to photograph, because as usual my camera isn't with me!

Anyway by the time I reach the inner city, I have to switch my head on as traffic will kill me. Yet it's not till i'm in the shower that I realise, yep... that little voice in my head saying 'You've forgotten something' was bang on...my towel.
So what does one do? I'm not about to use some random's that's hanging listlessly by the lockers, and I can't use my sweaty t-shirt or toilet paper, so i'm left with the 'Paper towel" option, my temporary knight in absorbent armour. Mini crisis officially averted.

Now all I can tell you is this: The towel part of the name is slightly deceiving. I'm guessing I used the equivalent of three towels... to actually begin to feel dry, but I'm not complaining. It was either the paper towel or the sweaty shirt, and it's all in the name.

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An Update on My Ride for Robert

13 december 2009

Well the last fortnight has rushed past like whirlwind, Things weren’t so smooth in the riding department week one, mainly due to loosing my keys at work (not only Elliot’s but also the house keys)... it was not my finest moment. Not only did it cut into my riding time but Elliot had to stay over at work, with an extra lock strapped to her (one must take all precautions!) and I had a mad search for my keys, which showed up on friday (luckily). So we raced around getting Elliot and an office chair (for my brother) back to the house before trying to leave the city by lunchtime... which didn’t happen... arggghhhh!

Week two was a little brighter; I didn’t feel as exhausted as the first - I think I needed to get away for the weekend! However I only managed to get Elliot to work a couple of times due to christmas madness, a colleague’s leaving drinks, and an industry meet.  The times we rode in we had a blast, it is seriously getting easier! My aim this week is to better last week. I think Santa needs to find me one of these, but in Oz I just can’t find one :(

Last week also saw a moment of inspiration for some photography so one night this week I plan to take Elliot over to the old carriage works for a bit of a shoot. There are some really nice buildings, both old and new, should make up for the lack of friday photos this week.

This weekend we headed an hour north for a beautiful weekend with friends to celebrate birthdays and engagements. I grew up here so it always spins me out a little coming back (not a lot changes!). We grabbed an ice cream with our beach walk, before catching up with everyone. Sunday morning rolled around way to quickly, Chris and Matt managed to squeeze in a quick swim before we headed back to have Christmas lunch with extended family. Now I need some sleep!

Money raised to date: $24

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Learning Over a Soy Latte

07 december 2009

It’s nice to think that you can learn something new everyday. This is doubly true if after spending four years with someone you are still learning.

Today I learned that Chris’s favorite fruit is raspberry, I should have guessed when he only orders berry smoothies and today, pear and raspberry bread. This insight happened while sipping a coffee at a cafe around the corner. A nice little spot which got us out of the house and got us thinking... all sorts of stuff really. A place we can conjure up big ideas, dreams and realities all in a soy latte. There were moments of enjoyable silence (usually caused by one putting an idea into the other's head), laughter and a whole lot of bouncing ideas off one another. I think we've vaguely got a few ideas up our sleeves for the next yr or two!

The thing about me is that I get pangs to go somewhere new for awhile. Some call it itchy feet, the grass is always greener, and all that that goes with it. For me it’s just a new experience I crave. At the moment, my thoughts are over somewhere on the west coast of the States (any recommendations?). Before I entered the Globe experience I’d already started reading itineraries for ‘Pacific Northwest’ and it sounds awesome... I feel Elliot is a sign. I also feel like the fellow Globers probably don’t know much about me at all, so I’d thought i’d share a few things about me:

Mambi is a name one of my best friend’s calls me, not really sure how it came about but it stuck!

I’ve been back in Oz 2 yrs to the day! I was previously living in the UK. Which is where I met Chris.

I’m a graphic designer (and photographer when I get the opportunity!) the Globe project has really motivated me to get out with my camera more and I am so grateful for that! I also like drawing, but really have to be inspired for that! My latest personal project is wycinki (Polish version of paper cutting), which I hope to incorporate into some design ideas!

I’m currently reading ‘thoughts on interaction design’

My favorite movie is probably Pulp Fiction, i’m not really an epic film kinda girl.

I love music, last CD I purchased was Grizzly Bear ‘Veckatimest’

I drink a soy latte most mornings, but also enjoy Earl Grey tea. After hours I indulge in a Long Island iced tea!

In general I’d love to live closer to the sea, do a working stint on the west coast of USA, travel more, in particular Iran and Cuba and learn another language.

I have some really great friends, they all inspire me, but I hate that we don’t live closer!

My favorite holiday was back in 2006: Trans Siberian, through Russia - Mongolia - China. For many reasons, the landscape, the people, the diversity... it was amazing.

and My favorite fruit is Mango, (I hate paw paw!).

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Friday Photos

05 december 2009

Ahhh finally out of the city, 30km took over an hour, now on the open road!



and 4 hours later we're almost at our destination... will write more soon folks my mum only has dial up, so a little difficult and time consuming. We're only up for the weekend to celebrate mum's birthday so really don't want to spend it in front of the computer. Will tell you all about my crazy week soon!

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Quote of the day!

01 december 2009

"That's a nice luggage rack you have there"

- Random Stranger

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At least, it was a "luggage" rack he was referring to. Ha ha.

Courtnee