A relatively simple comfort zone challenge this week in the grand scheme of things. Simply go and buy a copy of the big issue.
How many times have you walked past a Big Issue seller? You know the type, shabby clothes, overgrown facial hair, often with a dog. How many times have you barely acknowledged them when they have asked you if you’d like a copy of the big issue? For me, it was way too many. To the point my ignorance of the big issue was almost embarrassing.
I’m ashamed to say that I was completely unaware that The Big Issue magazine is an initiative to get to support homeless people. The idea is that the magazine vendors have to be homeless and they sell them to help get back on track. How could I not know that? I’ve actually ignored hundreds of people selling them in the past, and in reality this is a brilliant idea.
Big Issue seller on the left with Sadie
I walked past a seller in Hove. He was leaning on a lamppost, with his dog by his side, and the rest of his magazine under a shelter. So used to being ignored, he barely even asked me if I wanted a magazine. I approached him and asked “how much for one?”.. he quickly replied “Just £2.50, sir”. As I rummaged around my wallet and started dusting of the cobwebs in the note section. He asked “How’s your day going?”… I explained how I was on my lunch break and just taking a stroll into town. I was hesitant to ask him how his day was in return, I didn’t want to make him feel bad in anyway, but it felt like it was the best way of keeping conversation with him. “It’s been a slow morning, me and Sadie (pointing to his dog) aren’t selling that well, you’re our fifth or sixth customer. Hopefully things will pick up this afternoon, now the sun is out.” Sadie looked like a golden retriever type dog. Handing over a fiver, I claimed I only had a fiver and he could keep the change, and asked if I could give Sadie a stroke. “Of course, she loves the attention. Don’t worry, I’ve got some change… I don’t want you missing out on lunch.” I then proceeded to give Sadie a little stroke, whilst talking in a ridiculous high pitched voice, like I do with dogs. He gave me the change, wished me a good day, and I went on my way.
What a pleasant experience. I didn’t catch his name, but what a top bloke. I know there are stories where Big Issue sellers try to have people on, but this guy was a genuinely pleasant man. What he does with the money, that’s not for me to say or judge. At least he is trying to earn his way, so fair play to him.
I’ve had a little read of The Big Issue magazine, not a bad read. Kept me entertained over my lunch, and certainly worth paying £2.50 for, even to help someone out.
Week 27 of my comfort zone challenge. This week I took part in the Sussex Pink Day at work, where we all invited to wear pink for the day in dedication to The Lily Foundation.
As these are getting harder and harder to organise, any opportunity to get one in alongside work, I will snap up! This was the case this week.
We at work invited everyone to wear pink for the day, and evening alongside our NatWest T20 Blast match where the fans were also invited. It’s something that every one really got behind and made for the wearing of pink slightly more comfortable. Let’s be honest, we all want to wear pink every now and then!
The inspiration for the event was Jessica Newell, who suffers from Mitochondria Disease (which I still struggle to say). Mitochondria are in nearly every cell in our bodies and they provide us with the energy we need to function. When someone has Mitochondrial Disease their mitochondrial don’t work properly which leads to organ failure and is ultimately fatal. Mitochondrial Disease claims more lives than all childhood cancers combined and there are still no effective treatments and no cure. Below is a video that explains the disease better than I can.
Jessica’s dad, Keith, played for both Sussex and Glamorgan as a cricketers, so approached Sussex to do this day, when the two clubs played each other. Jessica was the mascot, and when her, Keith and Victoria (her mother), I really could only feel sad. Jessica is right up there with the cutest babies I’ve ever seen.
The day was brilliant, and raising awareness of this disease was key. People bought into the event, and hopefully the charity raised a bit of money. Everyone wearing pink seemed to brighten up spirits around the ground, and really made for a fantastic atmosphere. One of the best I’ve ever been part of. I met a few people unaware in the day who gave a few “nice shirt” remarks, but apart from that, it was great day.
What it did make me think is how cruel life can be at times. It’s just so sad that this happens to people and their family. Having spoken to the people at the charity, I’m hoping to do couple of events to help raise them some money, tough mudder was mentioned, which sounds suitably horrendous for me too do.
Have a look at all the great work The Lily Foundation are doinghere
Week 26 of my comfort zone challenge – bee keeping.
It’s safe to say, I’m not a fan of bees despite the fact I’m told they’re friendly. I hate wasps, bees and hornets. In fact, I can’t really think of any insect that I like. I’d be terrible on I’m a celebrity get me out of here.
It was only when my next door neighbour bees decided to swarm into our back garden a few weeks ago, and he came and retrieved them, that I thought what a good idea for a challenge. Obviously, as a bee keeper, my neighbour Richard doesn’t want to disturb the bees too often, so timing of this challenge was the key.
Richard showed me all the equipment:
The Suit – Protection against the angry bees
Wellies – stop angry bees from crawling up your legs
The smoker – to make angry bees, less angry
Though I’m still not 100% of the process how they make honey… I believe this is how the process goes. The bees collect pollen and nectar and carry it to the beehive. The nectar mixes with the bee’s proteins and converts into honey. They drop of this honey in to a hexagonal comb produced by the bee and repeat until the combs are complete. The bees then cap the honeycomb with wax and move onto an empty cone. It’s all pretty clever stuff from the bees. Richard was telling me, that they are extremely clever creatures, their sense of smell is incredible. They’ll know a bee from their swarm, and any intruder immediately. If you aren’t part of their swarm, you’re out.
It’s safe to say, they are protective of their queen. Once we had woken them up, they had no quarms in headbutting Richard and myself constantly. Quite admirable really. The queen spends all of her time in the brood chamber, protected by her group of workers whilst she lays 3,000 odd eggs a day. Amazing, how colonies of insects work really. Workers have one goal, get the pollen in.
There wasn’t enough honey to take any of this time, however, Richard has promised I can come back to see the final product when it’s done.
The suit was the key for making all this happen, I would have been squirming all over the place without it. It was a fascinating experience, certainly learnt a few things, and Richard was brilliant in teaching me what was going on, despite being a terrible student. My fear of insects still exists despite my fascination in how they live.
Week 25 of my comfort zone challenge saw me take the long old journey from London to Brighton, via country roads, on two wheels. The British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride.
I was joined by 27, 999 other people including Pippa Middleton, as we attempted to ride 55 miles, from the party atmosphere that is ingrained in Clapham all the way to beautiful seaside air along Brighton seafront. For me, this was riding from my 2nd favourite city in the world, to the closest city that I could call home.
My preparation for the day was far from ideal, two 18 mile rides without any hills is hardly any preparation for 55 mile journey, that included Ditchling Beacon (more about this later). What I did know though, is that I would complete it, whether it took 3 hours or 3 days. I’ve never been a quitter, and I wasn’t about to start now.
At the start..
My alarm went off at 6.30am, and I forced down a chicken pasta dish, whilst reading what my mates had been getting up to on their night out, just an hour before my alarm went off. We were due to start at 7.30am, but due to the crowds, we eventually got going around 8.15am. The start may have been the biggest anti-climax I’ve even been part of, a big 10 to 1 countdown, followed by the riders having to walk their bike of Clapham Common due to the volume of people. What did make me laugh at the start, were the two drunk guys, obviously having not slept, rocking up with their ‘Boris Bike’ attempting to start the ride. I have no idea if they started, and if indeed they did, how long they lasted.
As we rode through London, there was a fantastic atmosphere between the riders, people chatting at lights, people singing and generally great spirits. At this point, we were as fresh as a daisy, and stopping at lights was a good time to chat. My favourite part being, the team dressed as Mexicans riding and singing songs the whole time. At this point, everyone really embraced the three rules of the day set by the organisers… Keep left, keep safe, keep smiling.
It was brilliant to ride through the streets of London, so early, and see a side to the city you don’t often see. For the first 15 or so miles, I just took in the atmosphere, slowly get to grip with my bike, try not to get cut up by other riders, and try to avoid myself cutting up any riders. Avoiding other riders was enough to concentrate on in the early stages.
That was until we left Carshalton, and the road started to take a steady incline, not deemed as an actual ‘hill’ this incline was enough to make me think my work will be cut out on this ride. Though compared to what was to come later, it was a doddle. Through the middle section of the ride, it was all about rhythm trying not to think about the task ahead, but getting there slowly and surely. I’d say once I’d hit the 30 mile mark, I really hit a wall. Every slight incline was taking it’s tole and Brighton just felt a mile off. We stopped 5 or 6 times, to quickly rehydrate, eat a flap jack, chat how much we hated the previous incline and then go again.
We made it all the way to Turners Hill… And this killed me. Purely, because at what you perceive is the top, there is a bit of a carnival atmosphere, band and people sitting on the village green. It was tempting to stop and have a beer here all afternoon. I briefly spoke to volunteer at the church, who was giving out water, he told me it was 15 miles of all downhill until ‘The Beacon’. He lied. Immediately, we seemed to be on another incline that just felt like it went forever. At this point, I was in the real low gears, and pace was terrible. I had to get in a zone of determination, telling myself this doesn’t beat you. There wasn’t any talking/singing going on at this point. It was just keep going, until ‘The Beacon’.
The Beacon – this was like a mythically mountain to me until the day. “Good luck getting up Ditchling Beacon” people would tell me. “Will you beat the Beacon?!” the announcer was shouting at the start. I saw people wearing t-shirts saying “I beat The Beacon”. The chat throughout the whole day, was how long until The Beacon. Even with all this chat and build up, I was surprised at the beast that was ‘The Beacon’. It looked like a mountain as we rode towards it, and the atmosphere just felt more tense. At this point of the ride, my whole body was aching, legs felt like jelly and the last thing I needed was a ridiculous hill. I attempted it, but couldn’t last any longer than a quarter of it. I was so shattered in fact, it was hard work even walking up it. I couldn’t quite believe the people that managed to get up there. I’d say almost three quarters of the people around me had to get off, and the guys that did it, looked like they had ridden before. What an achievement for them though.
At the top, crowds of people stopped off for an ice cream and what a view awaited at the top. The beautiful countryside of good old Sussex by the sea awaited and the promise of downhill all the way to Brighton (not a lie this time). The downhill ride, was a great opportunity to get a bit of speed on your face as you knew the hard work was done. As we pedalled into Brighton and the more familiar roads to me, I started to look around, look at all the people on their bikes and the causes they were cycling for on the day, and thought what a brilliant event.
I almost didn’t want to get off the bike along the last few miles, my body was so exhausted, I became worried about how bad I was going to feel when I eventually stopped. Though the stopping and starting at the traffic lights in Brighton in the final furlong, was frustrating, the hard work was done and we saw the pier. Here the crowds emerged, and we rode along to the finish line. I managed to spot my family as we rode in, and myself and the boys high fived as we crossed the line at the same time. 55 miles and 6 hours later, we made it.
WE MADE IT
The biggest of shout outs go to Adam and Jon Staplehurst who rode the whole way with me, stopping together and meeting up when we lost each other on The Beacon. A couple of true champions, who certainly made the challenge far easier. Jon made the ride look easy, and having previously conquered The Beacon, the pace of Adam and myself was probably a walk in the park but he’d always wait for us without any complaint.
The next shout out, is to all the guys volunteering on the way that made the event brilliant. Words of encouragement, whilst keeping us safe along the 152 Marshall points made the event run extremely smoothly, because believe me, I would have found a way to get lost without them.
My final thought for this week, is if you get the chance do this. If I can do it, believe me you can do it. Challenging ourselves is what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. I woke up with a real sense of achievement the day after, and believe everyone else who took part would have felt the same.
BELOW IS A VIDEO OF THE EVENT… GETTING 6 HOURS OF FOOTAGE INTO 12 MINUTES IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!
Week 24 of my comfort zone challenge, and this week I tried a bit of the Sushi experience!
Madly, I’d never tried this Japanese delight before. You know the only reason I think I hadn’t been before is because the thought of eating raw fish was never really that appetizing.
You ask anyone close to me, you’ll know I’m a big meat eater. Any meal, has to have meat in it. Fish, tends to take a real back seat role in my diet because of this.
Taken by friends, we went to Moshimo in Brighton, and I embarked on my first Sushi experience. I made sure that I didn’t wear a tie, haven’t seen Johnny English…
The main issue for me was working out how to use the chopsticks. Something I’ve never been able to do, and still can’t. I had cramp in my hand by the end of the night!
Trying to use chopsticks
We managed to order a boat, yes a boat, full of the Sushi delights. I couldn’t tell you what was on there, as throughout the night I had no idea what I was eating. . You’d just pick a dish you like the look of from the conveyor belt, and just be charged for the plate. I tried a bit of everything, and on the whole LOVED it all. It was blooming lovely.
The boat!
Puddings were slightly odd, but the fish it self was a different kettle of fish (pun intended). Without feeling like I had eaten much, I soon felt full. Must have been the rice that went with it all.
Finally did it!
What I loved about it was the relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant. You’d literally sit down, order a drink, pick bits from the conveyor belt, pay and go. So much quicker and easier, than your usual sit down meal. I can see why it’s so popular, and would certainly go again!
Not sure if I kept to the etiquette of Sushi goers, and I’m still trying to work out using chopsticks, I’ll get there one day, but I do implore everyone that hasn’t tried Sushi to give it a go!
The more normal side of my life involves full time work. It was during work, where I was challenged to do this week’s challenge. I booked Charleston Dancers, Savoy Kicks, for some pre-match entertainment before a T20 match on Sunday afternoon. It was then, my boss and Chief Executive said “There’s a comfort zone challenge for you”. Bugger, I though in my mind, I’ve got to do it. You can see the Savoy Kicks in the video below.
As current world champion of worst dancer on the planet, needless to say, this kind of activity is outside my comfort zone. I can make any dance move look awkward.
I agreed to come to the hour beginners class, hosted by Elena, who promised me she could teach people of all abilities. She needed to be a good teacher and she was.
We started by learning the basic Charleston steps and then proceeded to break the ice by Charleston-ing around the room introducing ourselves to each other. I was one of two men at the class, with the other 15 people being women.
I have to say, I found it extremely awkward to begin with. Running across the room doing extravagant, camp dance moves, is not my cup of tea. I never got comfortable with the camp dance moves if I’m honest, I just seemed to stop caring so much by the end of the session. Let’s be honest, I don’t have much face to save anymore.
We were taught a quick routine, part of which, was a move called ‘the scarecrow’. I thought to myself at the time, I might call all my dance moves the scarecrow, as they are brilliant for scaring birds.
The Scarecrow
By the end of this, I just started laughing at myself, as I often do with these challenges now. How can I be so bad at dancing? I mean, I’m actually trying hard to be in time, and still mess it up!
This was right up there with the most uncomfortable of all my challenges but Elena and everyone at the class were very accommodating and friendly, and my partner even said she was gutted I wouldn’t be there next week! She’ll probably miss laughing at me…
The challenge is still out there for someone to be able to teach me to dance!
Week 22, I was invited to Cheneys Lodge in Seaford, for a Knit and Natter session. Cheneys lodge is block of properties, ran by Sussex Housing and Care to help support senior residents.
The purpose of the session is to help the older residents make friends and interact, so they don’t feel lonely in their later life. I was invited by Rebecca who organises the sessions, and was told the lovely people would teach me to knit. She wasn’t wrong.
Needless to say, I have no knitting experience on my CV. I still require my mother to sew on the spare buttons on my shirts, yet alone knit a scarf. I can natter to be fair, so if in doubt I’ll talk my way out of trouble.
At this week’s session we had Diana, Rita, Sue, Ann, Pete, Rebecca and myself. Nice numbers, as it meant I could at least remember everyone’s name. Diana would be my teacher, a genuinely lovely lady. Armed with my orange wool and two needles I was ready to go. Though I had no idea what to do.
Diana would ‘cast on’ for me, and then proceed to show me what to do. “Through the hole, around, back through, off, repeat”. She showed me a good ten times, and it was one of those moments when I went “yeah, got you” then as soon as she gave me the needles it was like I hadn’t been watching her for the past five minutes. Fortunately, she was very patient (she needed to be) and kept talking me through it. “Through the hole, around, back through, off.”
Slow start
Despite these simple instructions, I managed to mess it up a lot. Diana would repair the damage in seconds everytime. I did slowly get the hang of it, only with intense concentration however. I looked around the room, and the others were knitting all sorts of shapes with such ease. I can’t even begin to work out how you knit shapes a line was tough enough.
The nattering part was also fun, Diana asked why I had to do a challenge every week. I explained I didn’t have too (didn’t want her thinking I was on community service or anything like that) but that it was my new years resolution and explained some of the things I had done. She told me some of the things she had done… Sky dives, white water rafting, mountain expeditions, bungee jumping, she actually had done loads of cool things that I’d love to do.
So after an hour, what did I knit? A slug’s scarf. Big enough to keep any slug warm in the winter. Yeah I was terrible, but it’s harder than it looks. They told me I was good (being nice of course).. Fair play to all you knitters out there, this requires a bit of skill and patience, neither of which I’m blessed with!
Straight away, I know what you’re thinking, massage… Outside my comfort zone? This definitely is. Those that know me, know I cannot stand my Adam’s apple being touched, or even be flirted with being touched. In fact, I get uncomfortable even writing about touching it. I’ve also never had a professional massage, which is something I’ve always been intrigued by.
I have to admit I found the whole process extraordinarily awkward. Walking into the spa, a place that’s awkward for any guy to walk into (though it probably shouldn’t be). I tried to make out that the booking was a present to the girls working there, that’s how awkward I had gotten.
Before the massage started, I was asked all sorts of questions about my skin, to which I had no idea on the answers. I’d never thought about if my skin is oily or dry before, and what my perfect skin would be. All the while, there was this strange soothing music in the background, to help you relax.
I took of my top, and went under the towel and waited for the lady to come back into the room. She then wrapped me up into the towel, so I was almost in a cocoon. Dimmed the lights down, and then began.
I shut my eyes, as she began and let her do her work. I have literally no idea what she put on my face, loads of different oils and creams, some warm, some cold. Occasionally, she put something on my eyes… I THINK this was cucumbers? That happens right? I didn’t want to ask. It was all fine and dandy whilst the oils were going on my face, and was actually bliss when she started giving a head massage. But she had to go the neck and touch the Adam’s apple. She wasn’t to know to be fair. I’d find myself almost cringing everytime she touched it. Fortunately, she ended up with the head massage once again, and I left in a relaxed state. (Almost fell asleep a couple of times).
After the massage, I got out of there as quick as possible. It was nice, but so weird. Not sure I’d do it again, and not sure I understand why people go regularly. Just a generally strange experience I thought. Mind you, my face did feel so soft for the rest of the day, and smelt incredible. Maybe that has something to do with it?
Week 20 of my comfort zone challenge – The Sussex Cricket in the Community Disability Day. A day designed get disabled groups, whether it be mentally, physically or emotionally, active and having fun, through the use of cricket. Disabled groups are invited from all over Sussex, to the home of Sussex Cricket, the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, to partake in many activities from throwing, batting, bowling, table cricket, deaf cricket and much more.
I volunteered to help out at the disability day, having shamefully, never done anything like this before. My role was to run one of the stations of activities. I was given the inflatable target throw… They simply throw the ball through the target, making it harder each time.
One of the full time coaches, before the event had started, gave me the advice “Just make sure you are enthusiastic” which turned out to be pretty good advice. Groups aged from young school children about 8 to 80 year olds. The reactions as I ran my station from each and every person varied, all making me smile in a different way, but three people in particular are worth mentioning:
Chaz – A young 11 year old child, in an electric wheel chair. Chaz instantly asked my name, and wanted to keep a tally of everyone’s score to see if they would beat his score of 5. Rather than wanting to win though, he was encouraging all the others in his group to beat him. Which I thought was really refreshing in what seems to be an ultra competitive world we live in! Chaz became my mate over the day, he supports Arsenal and his favourite player was Theo Walcott, he even taught me a new handshake/fist pump combination. To say goodbye, he said “If I don’t see you before, have a great half term”. What a nice kid.
Andrew – After being the best in his group at my target throw, he wanted to go even further back to see how far he would go. This sparked a competition with him and one of our coaches from across the other side of the hall. After a few attempts, Andrew managed to win this competition, and as it went into the hole, he ran at my full pace and gave me the biggest of high ten’s as we both celebrated like he had won the world cup. He could hardly contain his excitement as he kept walking around with a smile on his face, and occasionally high five-ing me again!
Chloe – Chloe, was a women with Downs Syndrome, who managed to throw it in the target from the hardest cone, despite her saying she’d never do it. After she did it, I gave her a big high five and told her that was brilliant. She then proceeded to blush and told me I was gorgeous. To my dismay, I found out later in the day, she had already asked out one of the coaches on a date three times!
There were plenty more stories, and plenty more characters. All the cliches came through, this really did remind me of how lucky I am and it really was rewarding. Selfishly, making these guys days was making my own. Furthermore, the bonds some of these people had with their carers was really heart warming, and did restore a lot of my faith in humanity. I felt extremely glad I had helped out in this event, and despite rain scares, it was a brilliantly organised event. I just felt bad that I hadn’t ever helped out in anything like this before! I’d strongly recommend this if you haven’t done anything like this before.
It just highlights some worlds that I’ve barely even considered over the years, and there are plenty of ways to help people on a small scale, this being an example of one. I’ll finish this post from a good quote from Winston Churchill “We making a living in life by what we get. We make a life by what we give”. A good one to live by I recon.
Before I start writing anything, I must say this weeks challenge was ‘Modelling’ in the loosest sense of the word. I think it was more a ‘take pictures of any Tom, Dick or Harry, that is up for wearing a ridiculous outfit.’ I happened to be that Tom. When referring to myself as a model through this, I’ll put it in inverted commas, as it would be an insult to all models in the world to label myself in the same category.
The opportunity came about via LinkedIn, as Kate was after amateur models (not sure I could even class myself as that). Not knowing what I was signing up for, Kate gave me a call to explain what I would be ‘modelling’ for. Wait for it. The Crazy Golf World Championships. Once I stopped laughing, I could hardly turn down such an opportunity.
I arrived to the ‘shoot’ 5 minutes late, to which Kate said to me “Tom, you’re such a rockstar” to welcome me. Believe me, what came about in the next 3 hours was not rockstar behaviour.
Dressed in ill-fitting golfers outfit from the 50’s, I would proceed to pose in some crazy positions around the 3 crazy golf courses. From the windmill, to the pirate boat, to the house, to even on the beach. Simon (the other ‘model’) and I, put on our best picture faces here, there and everywhere. Our photographer, put us in all sorts of poses, and as the morning went on, the poses started to become camper and camper! Maybe we just got too into it. At times I would be lying on the floor, at times crouched down and at times with my legs standing out, and doing my best to look over the top excited.
What have I signed up for here?
I’ll admit, there were absolutely times where I thought “I’ve gone too far this week”. Especially as the course was starting to get busy, and there were a few looks. All in the name of PR though. Besides, it was absolutely hilarious at times. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at?
One thing I completely under rated just how long it takes to get some good pictures. I thought it would be a 20 minute, take a couple of pictures, gig and shoot home. Three hours and hundreds of pictures later, I was quite relieved to be finished. Maybe it was more the ‘modelling’ that was the issue. It needed all that time to get the one picture they used.
It’s safe to say I won’t be the face of Calvin Klein anytime soon, but you’ll probably see my face in the local media promoting the World Crazy Golf Championships at Hastings Adventure Golf in the coming weeks. There’s a sentence I’d never thought I’d say.
NOTE: I’ll upload a few of the professional pictures once they have hit the media. I’m not allowed to leak them early!
Tom Rose - My Comfort Zone Challenge 