RobSwan.Com

Just a quick note that Ange is performing live on 10 radio today on Doug Parish’s show at 4 o’clock.

You can listen live here:

http://www.10radio.2md.co.uk/index.php?page=Listen

Maybe it’s something to do with getting engaged, or something to do with money being really tight at the moment. Maybe it’s got something to do with the appeal of 0% finance during a credit crisis and the common sense of owning a safer more reliable bike with modern brakes…

… or maybe it’s because it looks amazing and it’s fast as f**k.

Whatever the reason I found myself test riding a 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 at lunch time today. It’s basically a slightly more sensibly tuned and geared R6 engine in a naked chassis. With 0% finance it’s only £109 a month OTR, which makes it genuinely affordable (in a “we really don’t have enough money but we’ll survive anyway” sort of a way).

It’s only 50cc larger than the GPz, but it’s got 25 years of technological advances on it’s side and almost twice the horse power at the rear wheel. The only thing that slightly puts me off is the audible whine of the fuel injection at low speeds and a feeling of treachery towards Kawasaki…

I’m tempted. I’m very, very tempted… is this a good idea or not…?

‘cor blimey. I updated my relationship status on Facebook a mater of hours ago and I’ve already been flooded with well wishes. Thank you everyone.

Anyone who hasn’t noticed or had access to my Facebook status, I proposed to Ange last night (and she said yes!).

Regardless of the practicalities we’ve set the date for 5th September 2009. I say that; but it transpires Ange has planned every aspect of the wedding out already anyway. No word of a lie she’s on the phone right now discussing table centre pieces.

For anyone who wants a bit more of a background on the proposal:

I’ve been trying to do it for months. But just not been able to work my way around the practicalities of it. Tradition dictates I’m supposed to spend two months salary on a ring; but how do I do that when we’re living on the breadline and my salary goes into our join account? Then there was the issue of timing; everyone else seemed to be getting married and I was trying to find a window where it wasn’t inappropriate, wasn’t expected or pressured, but was still romantic enough to live up to expectations…

This weekend was Liz and Andy’s wedding, following hot on the heels of David and Gems. I spent most of the morning listening to Andy talking about how he knew Liz was the one and how happy he was. It made be realize that trying to wait for the perfect moment meant I was going to keep on moving the goalposts of expectation and never ask. Or, even worse, end up trying too hard.

It came up in conversation later than evening that (and I quote Ange) “if you proposed with one of those penny-sweet rings I’d be happy”… and (after gaining the required permissions) whilst toasting the bride and groom I found myself on one knee with a ring made from ribbon.

It was absolutely perfect.

The ring will be replaced as soon as we can find something together; but the date is set, I get to call Ange my fiancé, and she gets to talk about our wedding as much as she wants.