Good news, bad news, relatively indifferent news, bad news that's not really so bad...

See if you can guess which of these stories is which.

1) I have had to change rooms in our office.

2) The stock market as it relates to me.

3) My nice watch (a confirmation gift from an ex-girlfriend) has moved a total of 25 minutes since Monday.

4) An old rugby teammate will probably be joining me in the 12 hour race.

Go ahead and lock in your answers.  I'll read this while I wait.

Done?  Good.

1) I have had to change rooms in our office... relatively indifferent news.  It sounds like the kind of change that would disturb things in my life, but it's fine.  I no longer have a window, but I do have a room entirely to myself when Parliament isn't sitting.  I've also gotten rid of a number of things that were just taking up space.

2) The stock market as it relates to me... good news.  Overall the market is down so far in 2011, but everyday seems to bring good news for me as ARX, VMG, Cash Converters, and especially AUT have jumped considerably.  Even PVE has shown signs of life after being in the doldrums for a long time.  Still no hurry to sell though.

3) The watch... bad news.  I reckon I'll probably need to get a new battery.  I really like this watch and it has personal significance as it was bought by someone who knew I wouldn't have bought such a watch for myself.  Tonight I will probably have it looked at on the way home.  (I do wish shops in Australia were open later like they are in North America.)

4) Company on the 12 hour race... bad news that's not really so bad.  At first it bothered me because I felt as though it made my own determination to endure such a hardship less significant.  I know it shouldn't bother me and that it's petty, but I was all set to go with this and be all cool and unique, only for someone to come in and undermine my cool uniquitude.  Today I was walking/running to work and he passed by on his bike and we chatted a bit, and it doesn't bother me so much.  In the end it might be nice to have someone I know out there with me on the night.

My back feels a bit better, but time will tell how it holds up.  In the meantime I am still limited in what I can do (nothing that involves pressing while seated or lying down and pushups are tough.)  Here's hoping that things clear up and I can get back to my full suite of exercises soon.  The foam roller things that my physio recommended to me will be a regular fixture of workouts over the next couple of weeks.  I was at the gym last night later than normal which meant I avoided the resolutionaries who seem to come in and take over the place right after work.  Lucky for me that at all times of the day, nobody else seems to want to play with kettlebells.  Mmmmmmmmm.  Kettlebells.

Tomorrow I'm off for a long walk very early in the morning which will take me to isolated places where I can sing nice and loud without disturbing anyone.