Seems apt given my last post was 2011.

New product available from tonight

As you may know, I sell my shirts, stickers and prints via Redbubble. This morning I woke up to an email telling me that as from today my designs will be available as iPhone cases.

Now this was spooky timing given the news today of the untimely death of Steve Jobs. I'm not such an Apple fan that I'm going to add to the outpouring of grief that I've seen on my Facebook feed today though. The news that he lost his life at such a young age is tragic but I'm sure the phones will keep coming.

Anyway, some Thundermonkey designs for your iPhone from tonight.

New shirt time - big update

First up, a little tribute to FFC and their former full name.

And the newest legend at Falkirk.

Followed by the first in my Alphabet series, the letter R.

And finally, a new mash-up.  Dr Seuss collides with Jabba's house band.

I'll get an update about how the half marathon went and how well my charity fund-raising ended up once the mental scars heal.

The Hills Are Alive...With The Sound Of Spewing

As promised, here's a mega-update to bring you up to speed with my half-marathon training.  It's been eventful.

26.07.2011
My run in numbers:
Miles - 10
Time - 87:24 mins
Flies ingested - 3
Side of the road landfill site induced vomit sessions - 2

Crossing the tracks at Polmont

Crossing the Viaduct/Aquaduct?

The view from the top

Even at 8pm the sun was blazing

A combination of the run, the heat, taking in too much water and the putrid stench of the baking landfill site almost brought me to my knees.  I had to bring up my pre-run snack at the side of the road.  I wasn't finished.  About a minute later I said hello to my lunch.

31.07.2011

This was the big one, a 7 mile trek from Linlithgow to the top of Cockleroy, the tallest peak in Beecraigs Country Park.  I made it up to Polmont station to catch an early, early train to Linlithgow.  I had arranged to meet Ross Nisbet on the train but he wasn't there.  I noticed his face peaking through the door between carriages and went through to see what the matter was.  His train pass had expired and the conductor was closing in fast.  To cut an enthralling story short he had to hide in the toilets until we got to Linlithgow.

Not having a penny between us we decided not to run the risk of a date with the transport police on the train back.  Instead of a murderous 3.5 mile uphill run to the top we just ran back the 9km to Polmont, along the Union Canal.  It was a blessing in disguise as the run was hard going.  We had to stop a few times but it was great to chew the fat .  Nizzy had to run from Polmont back into Falkirk so I ran part of the way to top the run up to 8.23 miles.  Over 18 miles ran this week - check me out.

08.08.2011

After the heroics ofthe week before I really let myself down.  It took me over a week to get back out for a run.  I did a quick 4 miles to ease myself back into things.  I decided to run with Serena Williams.  I have her Nike+ training playlist.  She tells you when to take it easy and when to step the pace up.  The music however is really dreadful - Maroon 5, Black Eyed Peas and a Fergie solo track, The Pussycat Dolls and a Nicole Sherthingy solo track.  Perhaps it was the awful music but by the time the 3rd speed session came around I really, really hated Serena Williams and her smug voice.  I suppose she was being 'motivational' but hearing her mock me while the Black Eyed Peas are twating on about their humps ain't my thing.

A good idea in theory ruined by a selection of tracks my 4 year old would probably come up with.

That's me off to bed, I'll finish my catch up tomorrow. 

Night night

Belated Great Scottish Run training update on it's way.

Yep, I've been lazy when it comes to updating everyone with my training but fear not - I've not been lazy with my training.

A big update is on it's way tonight with tales of murderous hills, decomposing critters, a surprising amount of vomit and a little projectile faeces.

Bet you can't wait!

Remember, you can still sponsor me at www.justgiving/dcumming

Ciao.

And we're off!

Threadless have accepted my Cutie Pie submission.  Click on the banner below and get voting!



Hopefully it will get past the 24 hour cutoff point and then onto the full week of votes.

Cutie Pie pending Threadless approval

I've gone and pushed Cutie Pie into the running at Threadless after 2 guys confirmed I should submit it.  As ever, fingers crossed and if you fancy voting for it I'll let you know if it's accepted.

Cutie Pie: A new kids Tee

Here's my newest kids shirt. 

It's in a similar vein to my previous kids tee - Sweet as a Nut.

They are available in baby and kids sizes up to age 12. I've also made both shirts available in adult sizes for those who like to delude themselves.

You can buy them at the website:

Cutie Pie

Sweet as a Nut

I think I'm going to consider a kids section for the website and give a few designs a bit of an overhaul.  I generally make my tees available in all sizes (depending on the content) but it would be nice to have one place that they can all hang out together.  Watch this space.

I really should have links on my shirts to similar designs as well.  I'm thinking along the lines of iTunes and Amazon in a "You may like this" fashion.  Talk about a work in progress. 

Potential addition?

Ginger God - a new FFC shirt available now.

Here's my latest Falkirk FC shirt and it's another tribute to a Falkirk legend.  I'm fairly pleased with the result and fans of a certain age will instantly recognise it as Peter Houston.  I started with the ginger hair and moustache before realising I didn't actually need any further detail.  Applying the same logic to the rest I'm hoping I've got a style that will prove a hit.  I can see this working for a number of players so watch this space.

Buy Houstie Hardcore at Thundermonkey T-Shirts

The fact I made a sale within 15 minutes of putting up on Redbubble is encouraging.  It did get me thinking though that there's going to be a time where Falkirk players from the 80's and 90's will become less of an option.  The guys who grew up watching these players will be at a stage where they are maybe getting too old for t-shirts.  I'll let sales and page views guide me.  The problem with football players these days is they are so one-dimensional.  The current lot at FFC fail to inspire on the pitch so have little chance of inspiring any t-shirts.