In Via – On The Way – My personal blog where I will be trying to document my journey through this wonderful experience called life.

Inktober 2025

Sep 28th, 2025

And once again, we will set on a journey of various adventures with our heroes, Little Broken Heart, Laki, Comfort Zone and new found member, Vandalf.

1. Mustache

You might not know this, but Laki, Little Broken Heart and Comfort Zone are huge fans of Steampunk and I managed to capture their outfits in which they visited phenomenal Asylum Steampunk festival in Lincoln, UK.

They look dope, right?

2. Weave

Laki used to love old myths about mice Gods! His favorite was Ănes, The Weaver. Goddess of the Moon, romantic love, poets and painters, weaving unbreakable threads between faithful lovers.

In the past few years Laki isn’t so sure about her powers, but he still wants to believe.

3. Crown

Who’s the king? Who’s the king? Who… hah?
Who’s the king? Who’s the king? Who is the king?

I must admit Laki and his friends seem to be involved in much cooler stuff I probably ever be, be I’m happy for them!

Grewing up in the 90s this brings a lot of nostalgy!

4. Murky

Oh no! Laki has been away on some adventures and neglected his pet fish Hugo and all that he could do upon his arrival was to see his lifeless body float in his fish bowl in the murky water.

I don’t think Laki should have any pets given his famously extravagant lifestyle!

5. Deer

I always wanted to ride a big tractor but as with many things I wanted, either Laki, or in this case LBH got to do it before me! Not that I’m jealous or anything, but omg how much fun these guys have!

6. Pierce

Oh come on LBH, what happened now? Do you really have to be so overdramatic about whatever it is that hurt you? We all know you like to be a centre of all attention but don’t you think this is a bit of an overreaction?

PS – We still love you anyway.

7. Starfish

Oh wow, how come LBH, CZ and Laki get to meet so many cool characters? I wish my life was half as interesting as theirs!b

But what’s with those puppy eyes? Do they want to keep Patrick as a pet?

8. Reckless

Oh my god, has LBH still learned nothing from all the previous disasters? Well, I kind of expected that from him, but to also see Laki recklessly following this path is disappointing. It looks like that CZ is the only one thinking. On the other hand though, what’s life without adventures?

9. Heavy

Sometimes things in life get heavy, but it’s important to remember that more often then not, we are capable of much more than we think.

Look at LBH how bravely he’s trying to deal with all the heavy things weighing him down! Go LBH!

10. Sweep

Oh no! Poor LBH was so looking forward that ice cream and now all he can do is to sweep it with his tears off the floor 😭😭😭.

11. Sting

I have a feeling that this year isn’t the best for LBH! Although Laki is also far from having his usual fun by the looks of it. At least CZ is taking care of himself, cleverly protecting himself in a suit!

12. Shredded

Oh wow, how did they get so shredded so fast? Wow, if only life worked like old school cartoons where no amount of falls or fatal injuries kills the character.

Also I’m not too sure I like these versions better, hope they don’t stay this bulky for long!

13. Drink

Oh wow, just as I thought LBH is not having a great season look at him go and launching his own energy drink! I have a feeling I’ve seen something similar already but I won’t tell him. He deserves some happiness after all the bad experiences.

14. Trunk

Yes guys, guess who’s back!

The infamous Vandalf, the enabler of most ridiculous adventures and the exact opposite of everything serious!

I can’t say guys weren’t having fun without him, but now that he’s back, things might get even crazier!

15. Ragged

I know it’s not Halloween yet, but here’s the look at what the guys might dress up for the ocassion. No elaborate costumes, just ragged look.

16. Blunder

Omg, I thought I had a bad day today but I guess looking at LBH who somehow agreed to let Vandalf tattoo him I feel OK.

Poor LBH. I think he should have it removed. He’ll definitely regret this one!

17. Ornate

OK, so after the disaster with tattoo, Vandalf’s idea to create their own folklore dance group isn’t bad and I actually applaud them for such a funny way of being together. Quite like those ornate costumes too!

18. Deal

I’m glad to see that LBH seems to have learned something about deals that seem to look to good to be true!

Although from all the demons that he could be potentially be in contract with, Luci isn’t the worst. Still better to not sign that deal LBH!

19. Arctic

Oh wow, this looks more like proper Inktober where the guys have fun! I don’t think I’d be really interested in going to the arctic but it looks like guys are having fun!

20. Rivals

Big moment of for Laki! He got cameo feature in his favorite show. Well done Laki. Although I know you’ve already appeared there once!

21. Blast

Not really sure what happened here, but as long as they didn’t get seriously injured in this blast, it can be one of those things that don’t kill you but make you stronger. Ideally also wiser!

22. Button

Laki, LBH and CZ went to a big vinyl fair and each of them managed to find something they like. I must say that I am impressed by their taste in music!

23. Firefly

Laki, LBH and CZ are as impressed as I was when I first saw fireflies. Pretty magical view!

24. Rowdy

I guess in some parallel universe, some upside down version of our world, our crew is rowdy.

I must say though, I’m grateful I’m not living in that universe!

25. Inferno

Continuing with the view of some other worlds where our guys seem to be part of some weird cult. Although it doesn’t really seem to make a difference to Vandalf!

26. Puzzling

Our heroes are quite popular and they appeared on a jigsaw puzzle now!

27. Onion

One of the favorite things guys like to eat is nice hot goulash but no one really likes cutting the onions haha!

28. Skeletal

Well sometimes people can’t be bothered and just do bare minimum. But I guess even skeletal work is better than nothing, right?

29. Lesson

Can you tell LBH is not too happy with his new book? I’ve got a feeling this captures the 5 seconds before the book goes to bin!

30. Vacant

There were times when Laki, LBH and CZ were part of much different subculture. Pretty vacant!

31. Award

And here we are, at the end of the road! It has been another fun journey with Laki, LBH, CZ and Vandalf.

They look quite happy with the award for this year and I’m happy too!

See you next year!
My year 2025 as best of each week

Jan 5th, 2025

Towards end of the 2024 I’ve seen a post showing a glass jar filled with pieces of paper suggesting we write down every good thing that happened on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. Then at the end of the year we can read back all the good things we experienced.

I quite liked this idea, but as I prefer photos and digital entries, I’ve decided to do something similar here.

Week 1

Anneke told me she’d love to watch Spirited Away again and shortly after she said it I discovered our local cinema Broadway had it on so we went.

In cinema

In front of the Christmas tree in Victoria shopping centre

Week 2

It seems that I’m not the only one that thinks January sucks. I don’t recall many great moments to choose from, but still, it was pretty hilarious when Anneke commented on my new hat from Lucy & Yak, quoting:

“Dad, that’s what a lesbian would wear.”

Week 3

Although I’ve been a bit under the weather with some stupid cold, I went to see Cathy for brunch and it was great!

Week 4

I really enjoyed walk with Anneke and Kim.

Week 5

This week seemed the least eventful. I think the only thing I can highlight is a nice sunset. It was a pretty ordinary weekend.

Week 6

As I was coming back from Tesco on Sunday, I met my old friend, literally old lol and this time I asked him for a picture. He even did a salute!

I keep seeing him once or twice a month, an elderly ex-military, his dog died, his wife died, so he’s all alone.

And funnily, he reminds me of my dad too! Though my dad is a bit younger!

Week 7

It was my birthday on Saturday and as I spent it with Anneke, it was pretty amazing!

Week 8

I went to Hartlepool with my work colleagues and we had a pretty good time. We didn’t see much but at least I took a selfie in the big mirroror in my room and I realised I don’t look that bad haha.

Week 9

I got myself I late birthday present, a new Manic Street Preachers albumu and it came with a signed card, which I framed.

Week 10

Anneke started selling things on Vinted and I been with her to drop the parcels.

Week 11

I randomly came across a review of a new (debut) album of the Slovakian band Atypic, and I decided to buy their CD and next day a guitarist from the band WhatsApped me and thanked me.

Week 12

Finally we had some nice weather and whilst I didn’t do anything extraordinary I loved spending time with Anneke.

Week 13

As I was tidying up and clearing paper and old bills from boxes I found my precious signed postcard from The Gathering.

Week 14

We had a few days of great spring weather and I’ve decided to tidy up the garden.

Week 15

I had to take care of Anneke’s dog, Kim. We had a great walk in the forest.

Week 16

I was looking for an album by Asobi Seksu and managed to find one that’s signed by them.

Week 17

There’s a little place just outside a park near me where kids put various painted rocks and I decided to paint one myself.

Week 18

Anneke managed to sprain her ankle and I brought her pair of crutches we had at home.

Week 19

I went down to the park near city hospital and managed to snap a few good pics.

Week 20

I finally managed to go out on my roller skates. It was pretty OK, but I’m still searching for a better spot.

Week 21

Added a signed copy of new Morcheeba album into my collection.

Week 22

I really enjoyed the trip to Peak District with Darren.

Week 23

We had a change of the weather and it wasn’t as nice as I hoped for June, but we still had nice time with Anneke going for a coffee.
Inktober 2024

Sep 29th, 2024

For a 6th year I’ll be participating in the Inktober challenge and I must admit it all got much better with Laki and even more hilarious with LBH and CZ and now with Vandalf!

So I hope this year it will be another exciting funny journey!

See you on the first October!

1. Backpack

Our crew is getting ready for a new adventurous journey and they are showing some of the gear they will be using. Laki and LBH seem to be taking it easy, which if I’m honest doesn’t seem a great idea given how unexpected these adventures can be. On the other hand, CZ seems well prepared, well done!

2. Discover

Here we go! Our crew is already on their way to have fun and whilst I’m a little nervous when I see where they seem to be heading, I’m sure they’ll be fine.

I’m pretty sure it’s not very clear what the discovery is here, I can give you a clue.

3. Boots

Oh wow, Laki is now releasing a new model of boots for those that want to be a bit different? That guy is seriously unstoppable haha. Didn’t mean to sound cheesy, but I’m impressed. As always, his time in October is always so much more interesting than mine, but at least he and LBH and CZ are having fun!

4. Exotic

Of course Laki couldn’t miss the World Cheese 🧀 Award, but I think he might be pushing his luck a little as some countries are appearing first time and aren’t exactly known for producing top quality cheese, but it seems he’s willing to take the risk!

Bon appetit!

5. Binoculars

There always come a time when our heroes get a bit lost on their InkTober journey and it seems this is precisely the moment and whilst I’m not sure what exactly it is that LBH sees on the horizon, it seems things might get a bit tricky.

But I am sure our heroes will find their way out. They always do!

6. Trek

Laki, LBH and CZ are seasoned veterans when it comes to trekking, but even they can find themselves in a bit of predicament. As it’s often the case, the LBH leads the way and encourages the rest of the crew with its naive optimism! Go LBH!

7. Passport

Laki had his passport renewed. With the amount of travelling these guys do it’s important to keep their documentary up to date. I can’t believe how young he looks there!

8. Hike

Finally, they are all smiling! I suppose it’s because hiking is what they really enjoy and this time, for once, they are not lost, stranded or in any kind of danger so they can just enjoy the view.

I don’t want to sound pessimistic but I bet before long they would be in some kind of predicament. Though I will hopefully be wrong 😎

9. Sun

Omg, Laki now has a successful metal band?! Gosh, I always wonder how does he manage all of his acts, but it seems he just has a recipe for success. Moustein huh? Well, all the best Laki and Co.

10. Nomadic

It seems, in some paralel universe, our unconventional heroes, could be part of some nomadic cheese making tribe. Though I think CZ wouldn’t really like that very much. Which isn’t different to his attitude towards any kind of labour in any of the other possible universes.

11. Snacks

Back in the comfort of their home, our three wanderers want to take a break from adventure and relax a little. Unfortunately as they are about to enjoy some snacks they realise that they don’t have any.

I feel sorry for you guys.

12. Remote

It is quite funny how LBH and CZ pulled together during the most challenging adventures, but somehow, back home, they can argue about trivial things like what to watch. Laki is a bit tired of their fight over remote and it looks like they both might go to bed without their favourite shows.

They’ll be OK in the morning though.

13. Horizon

The idea for this one came randomly and it’s inspired by song by Anathema, Summernight Horizon. I tried to present Laki, LBH and CZ as a prog rock band, aptly named, Horizon X.

14. Roam

I’m not sure whose idea it was, but somehow Laki, LBH and CZ managed to get stilts and now they roam the streets just messing around, having fun.

It doesn’t look like CZ is having much fun, but deep down he’s glad they’re all together.

15. Guidebook

CZ gets very passionate when it comes to suggesting various improvements in their lives, which Laki and LBH see as a controlling behaviour and they almost never want to cooperate. They most certainly aren’t very ecstatic about challenges of adulthood and no book on it seems to work. Well, I’m not exactly surprised.

16. Grungy

One of the best things about our unlikely heroes is their excellent taste in music. Grunge isn’t their most favourite genre, but there definitely are bands that they love. Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains to name a few.

17. Journal

It’s cute how LBH always try to stay positive in the world that seems to be getting more and more difficult to navigate for a good hearted character like him. Even it it means resorting to something as cheesy as keeping a gratitude journal. Though I’d argue that anything cheesy is of great interest to Laki!

18. Drive

First thing that came to my mind was the song Drive, by R.E.M., but I couldn’t think of a way how to reference to it, but I still managed to put some words from the lyrics in the picture.

Not sure where the guys are driving, but I’m sure there’s some rock and roll playing in the car! Safe journey!

19. Ridge

From time to time, even big adventurers like LBH and CZ want to take a break from all the dangers of being outdoors. I can’t blame them from mishearing this one 😃

20. Uncharted

Ocassionally our three heroes find themselves on a random adventure which no one seems to remember organising and often it is a close escape, but it’s always fun in hindsight, especially when you consider the fact to remember means you survived 😃

21. Rhinoceros

Oh wow, it seems that only LBH got up to something this time, but I’m pretty sure neither Laki nor CZ are too upset about not being involved in an adventure containing an armoured rhino. I know I won’t be 😃

22. Camp

And here they are all together again, doing what they like most, just spending quality time with each other by the camp fire.

23. Rust

Oh no, our heroes had a glimpse into the future where they seem to have turned a little bit too rusty and I can tell that they don’t appear to be too happy about it. Let’s hope this future can be avoided!

24. Expedition

I knew I didn’t need to worry too much about our heroes! They’re at it again, not sure what kind of expedition they’re on, but as long as they are moving, all is well!

25. Scarecrow

Oh no, someone seem to have tied a teddy to a pole in the middle of the field and who knows what fate would he have to face if it wasn’t for our heroes!

26. Camera

And just like that, the saved teddy becomes a part of the crew and as it turns out, its photographer 😃

27. Road

It’s time to go home though. Hitchhiking is risky, but I’m sure no one would mess with our group of four unlikely heroes. Let’s hope they will catch a good ride!

28. Jumbo

And here we go again! Laki is in yet another advert, this time for his favourite snack, Jumbo cheese puffs. If only I could land similar roles!

29. Navigator

Sometimes when I feel like I don’t know how to navigate through the storms of this life, I let the heart show me the way.

LBH is truly an amazing navigator!

I thought of this song when drawing this piece.

30. Violin

What’s that jazzy sound? Oh wow, our three heroes are jamming together, it sounds quite good! I think they might be practising for the finale tomorrow! One more day of this journey!

31. Landmark

Our heroes now arrived into their destination which marks end of our journey together and I guess it’s time to say goodbye until we embark on new adventures next year!

Adios amigos!
Vandalf In Slovakia

Apr 28th, 2024

Vandalf is truly a jet setter! He brought a puppy from Hungary to Slovakia and now he can go on his own adventures!

This seems to be a good city to create some low quality street art! Maybe I get to meet some members of the famous graffitti group, GAG! BLAZZ, π and Gogo!

Good morning obedient citizens! May your grapes grow sweet!

Follow the white rabbit they say…

What a beautiful day…

Omg, this is even worse than Tokaj 🙈

If only He preached we should all sleep more…

I don’t think I fit in, but I don’t care…

Little friend I helped to save.

I’m a softie, I love flowers.

Not the most comfortable vehicle, might as well walk.

So I’m not the only vandal around, although this seems old work…

And we’re back home in the UK weeeee…
Vandalf In Hungary

Apr 21st, 2024

I came to Rakamaz, Hungary, to stay a week at my sister’s house. Despite my brother’s recommendation to leave Vandalf behind (Apparently it’s not overly suitable for a 46 year old to carry a plush teddy bear. But since I observe very little is as it should be in this world, what’s one more oddity in the grand scheme of things?).

Here I am posting snaps from this visit. Enjoy 🐻

Waiting for the lift at the Debrecen airport

I made a friend 🥰

I found a toy near rail track! I’m one lucky bear!

Not the biggest fan of rape plant honey, but I saw some nice acacia trees too!

Even I need some playtime.

Nice to see some bear fans decorating properties 😎

Omg, Tokaj can be quite dangerous for a little innocent teddy bear… I should have just had slanina 🙈

Nice! But where are the grapes?

Well, a little hint how I got my name 😀

Is this considered street art?

I can imagine living in a castle.

I’m poor. Please give generously… I promise, it won’t all go to get me more mead 🙈

New poster for Dune 😎

Goddammit, I missed my boat!

Quite comfy here in the tree.

I decided to form a band, Ursusoth. I will invent brown metal 🐻

I quite like the idea of just sitting in front of the house and enjoy the sun.

I’m too poor to go and see London Eye so this has to do 🙈

But even poor bear can lie in the flowers and be happy 😎

Hey, how r u? 😀

I tried to recreate the scene from The Simpsons, but not sure how well I did it, but I enjoyed it!

Probably wise not to attack this.

Trainspotting.

I support Boston Bruins 🐻

Ahoy! This is your Captain Brown Anger speaking!

Hurry up already lazy snail!

Can I get a faster transport please?

Good fishy fishy…

Now we’re cooking!

Can someone please take this monkey off my back?

That either way he turns
I’ll be there
Open up your skull
I’ll be there
Climbing up the walls

Mmmmmmm, my favourite 😍
Battle For The Fun

Apr 16th, 2024

A drawing I did for myself, using characters from a comic I’m working on (though I’ve not done much on it recently!)

It’s Sunday 14th of April 2024, just over 4pm and I’m sitting in Roata restaurant here in Cluj and I’m waiting for my dessert, crepes filled with cottage cheese and raisins with vanilla cream (I just had their wonderful steaks).

I thought this would be a good time to start writing a summary about this unexpected trip, because honestly, I didn’t see it coming. In a way I feel like Bilbo in The Hobbit, who was sent on an adventure by Gandalf. This begs a question though, if I’m Bilbo, who is in this case Gandalf? Let’s see if I can answer that.

I remember how I used to say I’ll never run and I was so sure of it! I seriously meant it. I used to say I hate running!
And then to top it off, I when I actually started running!, I used to say, that I’ll never run with crowd. So here I am eating my own words before crepes arrive. Because I just ran 13th Cluj-Napoca half-marathon together with 1420 other men and women. I ended up 768th, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is the fact that not only I ran my first organised event, I also ran it outside UK where I currently live.

And this might be a good place where I’ll explain why Romania.
In summer 2023 I started talking to a girl online and she thought I’m from Romania. I think she was a bit disappointed I wasn’t, but we soon discovered that we still have many things in common and our friendship started.
I think I romanticised the whole thing and we took a little break, but eventually we started talking again. I, a good recovering alcoholic I am, soon realised as Russell Brand would say, that as soon as I start idolising an external object, pain would be on its way, learnt a valuable lesson there. Of course I still ocassionally go through a bit of a “what if” phase, but I’m able to recognise when I get off the track and get back to what is (as opposed to what I wish would be).
And what is, is a beautiful friendship with a wonderful person and I’m beginning to realise that things like this don’t happen that often in life and I accepted this strange unexpected friendship as a great opportunity to practice gratitude.

Her name is Mia and I think that’s as far as I feel comfortable sharing about her here.

Around the same time I met Mia, I started life coaching with Martina, with the view that I’d like improve a few key areas like motivation, focus, dedication and confidence. It worked really well and early 2024 I told Martina that I would love to visit Romania, as part of “living more adventurously”, but I’m not sure when as I’d like to go there for some interesting event.
In the session I mentioned this to her, we were talking about the butterfly effect and funnily, either that day or next, my sister Eva sent me a screenshot off Facebook page which was essentially an advert for 13th Cluj-Napoca Wizz-Air Marathon.
And as it is our habit in our almost daily conversations, tease each other with some silly unsolicited advice, she just added one word “Go.”

So I guess it was really her doing I went, but I suspect it was actually an accumulated energy of the work I did in recovery and with Martina and my deep desire to experience more joyful and adventurous life, especially after I promised it to myself during my visit of Adam Johnson’s memorial.

A less spiritual explanation would be, that I booked it because I didn’t want to look stupid in front of Martina as I was telling her how I truly want to be more adventurous in 2024 so I couldn’t just say “Erm, actually I changed my mind. I don’t need any adventure. No thank you. ” and so I paid the £28 registration fee and I thought for myself that maybe when I realise this was a mistake, I just won’t book flights lol.
You can see here how my mind always wants to have a bit of a loop hole.
But eventually I told my colleagues at work and that solidified the whole thing and there was no turning back.

Soon after I booked the spot in the half marathon I started working on a bit of a concept for this trip and as I am a huge Placebo fan and I was intensely listening to the Battle for the sun I decided to use that as a metaphor for my trip.

We’ve made a record about choosing life, about choosing to live, about stepping out of the darkness and into the light. Not necessarily turning your back on the darkness because it’s there, it’s essential; it’s a part of who you are, but more about the choice of standing in the sunlight instead.
Brian Molko on the concept of the album Battle for the sun

Despite running for over 6 months, I couldn’t really say I love running. It took me long to time to understand it will never be love I feel for good food, deep conversations and beauty. I suppose I realised that running will always be something where I meet my dark side, a fragile truce between my light and the darkness where these two parts of who I am sit together and they simply conclude that to keep me sane, they have to accept each other. But they never do that easily and I always have to renegotiate a new truce.

Running is a simple, primitive act, and therein lays its power. For it is one of the few commonalities left between us as a human race.
Dean Karnazes

I actually thought about it all as I was running. First sentence Mia sent me when I arrived was “I can’t believe you are here!” and I replied “Well, neither can I.” But after 2 days in my nice little apartment in the centre of Cluj the initial disbelief disappeared and it was a normal thing. All it took to fall in love with the city was 10 minutes in coffee shop opposite my apartment. I knew pretty much right there and then, as I was trying to practise pronunciation of Mulțumesc (Thank you) chatting with nice lady serving me the first coffee in Romania, that I will enjoy my stay. And boy was I correct!

This trip was actually the best trip of my life and as it seems a bit of an exaggeration even to me, I probably should mention a few things.

I’ve had problems with alcohol a few years ago and even though I don’t know exactly how (might as well say it was a higher power really), I’ve manged to not have an alcoholic drink since 6. January 2022. Since I stopped drinking, I’ve realised, mainly through listening to and reading Russell Brand’s “Recovery” that it actually isn’t alcohol I had problem with, it’s life as it is that scares me. It took me those two years to finally somehow accept that life will always be a struggle and I suppose I found some redemption through processing Adam’s death, because it was then when it occurred to me that whilst life indeed has a brutal side, it has a beautiful side too, but we have to have courage to see it.

So this trip had nothing to do with proving anything to anyone, I had absolutely no desire to achieve anything, then as the title of this blog suggests, to battle for the fun. To experience what does life tastes like when I allow myself to be scared and do it anyway.

It definitely helped that Mia told me many wonderful things about Romania, especially Transylvania. I am glad I could see it all for myself.

Mulțumesc 🥰 I appreciate you.

Apart from Mia, I’d also love to say thank you to:

– My sister Eva without who I wouldn’t find this event. Thank you for everything.

– Martina, my life coach for over 6 months who was always there for me.

– Tomáš, for a good few years of inspirational discussions and support.

– Christy, for inspiration to run and having faith and our friendship.

– Valerie, for brilliant strategic advice and support and cheering. You were right, it was even more amazing!

– Rachel, James and Darren, my local running inspiration and support. It seems you guys are always a few steps ahead of me when it comes to running, but I gladly let you.

– James, Sean, Cathy, Phil, Rob from my last work. You guys also helped me to get to the point I could do this.

– My mum, for the most hilarious Facebook comment (So you didn’t faint thank God). Also my dad, but he didn’t provide any comment.

– And my first friend in Romania, Razvan for a super cool place to stay.

Special thanks to the girl below, you made it funnier to run.

This is my most favourite supporter. I think it was when I saw her with her funny cardboard I realised I’m having a lot of fun and everything will be cool.

Conclusion

I have only managed to finish this blog now, quite a few days after the run. I will always look back at this trip with pride and joy. In the days I was writing this I have also finished Matthew Perry’s autobiography and I realise that one adventure doesn’t make an adventurous life. I want to carry on, one day at a time as we recovering addicts say. Some days might be more adventurous than others (big surprise!), but I am beginning to realise that is part of the deal. Although I believe in God, I often get carried away by my own self-centeredness and stupid desires to pursue pleasure and distraction in whatever form. It might be wise then perhaps to acknowledge He had something to do with this all, because quite frankly, I still have no idea how did it all go so smooth.

So my final thanks go up there to the Big Guy. Let’s see if You can top this one next time I go 😎.

~

This is suffering’s lesson: pay attention. The important part might come in a form you do not recognize.

You might not know to love it.
But to pay attention is to love everything.
To see the future as brightness.

Everything that happens is the last time it happens. We see things only as their own fatal brightness, and there is nothing after that brightness.

You can’t learn from remembering. You can’t learn from guessing.

You can learn only from moving forward at the rate you are moved, as brightness, into brightness.
Sarah Manguso, The Two Kinds Of Decay

Official picture from the event 😎

Bonuses:

1. My running playlist can be found here

2. I’ve reached the finish with song Thursday by Asobi Seksu, which still remains my most favourite shoegaze song.

3. My running gear (as I prepared it but then I ran with official shirt and slightly improved hat 😀)

4. During my visit to Nottingham’s Up And Running, where I purchased my water bottles the lady helping me with my questions asked me if I could bring back my bib so they can hang it on the wall. I’ll do this with my daughter who also seems to be interested in running. (Pic to follow).
My trip to Cluj-Napoca, 13th Wizz Air Half Marathon, 14/04/2024

Apr 16th, 2024

Some pics from the event.
My trip to Cluj-Napoca, The Best Of Vandalf, 15/04/2024

Apr 15th, 2024

Here I’m uploading pics of my loyal companion, teddy, who finally got name, Vandalf!

It looks like Vandalf likes Rammstein!

All this time I thought Vandalf is a pacifist, but it seems he is not afraid to use weaponry. I feel a bit safer now 🙃

OK then, if you insist, have a little swim 🙈

No, you’re not swimming here. It’s dangerous!

Better be cool with Police, so don’t vandalise any properties again, understand?

Don’t go too close, you realise you’re from flammable material right? RIGHT?

Do you want to be a smart meter installer? I think you just saw Honey and thought you can get some off the gas meter. Now come down!

Don’t look Vandalf!

This is more appropriate for you. Unfortunately we will miss this 😭

Don’t read that, I think you’re weird enough already 😅

What? Do you want to distill absinth now? I rather you just do minor vandalism than start brewing alcohol illegally!

What do you see there?

So you had a lightbulb moment, can you tell me what brilliant idea you had? I’d like it to be how to make lots of money so we can move to Cluj 😀

Don’t worry Vandalf, we’re all outlaws in someone else’s world.

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality. Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see…

Come on Vandalf, I know you don’t want to go back to UK, but you have to be strong. Well, one of us has to and it ain’t gonna be me 😂🙈

Seriously?!

A little snack before the flight.

I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains.
My trip to Cluj-Napoca, City view, 13/04/2024

Apr 13th, 2024

Just some pics I took walking around the city.
My trip to Cluj-Napoca, Steampunk museum, 13/04/2024

Apr 13th, 2024

I am so glad I came across this place when I was searching for famous restaurant Roata, my eyes immediately spotted STEAMPUNK on Google maps and oh boy did the place deliver! Absolutely loved it!