February 2026
The Vibe
While January was a bit of a mulligan, February has been good. I've been able to get a couple of 'life improvements' actioned, which is nice. One of the big ones has been buying an eBike. It's something I've been mulling over for a while now - ever since we moved up into the Hills, I've not felt overly confident about getting on the bike, and I've missed it. After spending way too long researching, I bit the bullet and went in hard, getting a Specialized Tero X 6.0. For the commute to work, the safest and probably quickest way off the hill is through the Shepherds Hill Recreation Park and the fastest way home is up a ridiculously steep path with gradients of 10º, 20º, and 15º. I did the route down on my trusty hybrid, but the gravel paths and steep descent felt pretty dangerous. Going the full mountain bike has made a huge difference on the descent - having big chunky tyres on the gravel and a dropper post, so I can change my height, I feel like I'm "in" the bike when descending rather than on top of it. The commute isn't any slower than driving or the train when you add in door-to-door, and at certain points in the year, I bet it's faster. I'm slowly building up my confidence with getting back on the bike and feel good doing it.
I've also been social - getting out and seeing friends, doing things and spending some quality time with the family. That's done my mood a world of good and helped me feel more connected.
It might be the bike or being more social, but the result is that I feel ... good. I know the world is falling apart and we're in the middle of a polycrisis - but I feel fine. I'm moving, I'm making progress on a few projects, my world doesn't feel like it's completely falling apart.
Events
Dressed up for our friends' Musicals themed 50th party (went as a Mormon as it's literally the only musical I have seen). I went to see the band VOLA at the Lion Arts (absolutely fantastic), a mid-week comedy show and a standup show with the Missus. We had a couple of nice meals (Japanese and a great little Mexican) and a few drinks out – it's the perfect weather for it in Adelaide.
Photos
Watched
Predator: Badlands- watched this one with Ms A and really enjoyed it. It's a similar play within the genre and universe as Prey which I really liked as well.
Rugby is back on, so I'm caught up on the Six Nations and Super Rugby.
Listened
Enjoyed a couple of ABC crime podcasts:
- Hometown Boys | Welcome to Balmoral - I found this report deeply engaging about the experience of a young girl who was raped by a couple of peers from the small town's football team. The series charts her experience bringing charges and the ostracisation of her family from the community, which placed more credence in 'the boys' story despite actual convictions in court.
- Unravel - Huntsman - This series explores the crimes of Greg Lynn before he became famous for killing two pensioners in the Victorian high country. The story traces the relationship with his first wife, Lisa, and the history of domestic violence and acts that take on a new light given his later conviction for murder. (I can't find a link to the show - and it looks like it might have gone offline, as there has been a retrial of Lynn announced)