I have been told that I should embrace different cultures. I should travel and experience different ways of life. To taste the fruits of foreign labors and to dip my toes in new waters. I have now realised that I may just be the Hair... when I always imagined I'd be the Tortoise.
In Asia I have come to find that I bump into people. I've been told I walk fast, but never at a speed that is faster than the average. In Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, they walk at a pace that is slow, a pace that seems to drag their hot feet and not get anywhere too quickly... With no need for speed, are we doing it all wrong?
We grow up with the knowledge that we should try and not be beaten to the post, a medal for the winners and the fast and hungry succeed. Did we forget about the Tortoise and Hair? Why do we speed up rather than slow down? Does Asia have it right - are we losing the race and burning out too quickly?
It's frustrating when you want to get somewhere fast, when all you want to do is reach your destination quickly and efficiently. I walk down the street in Singapore and I am getting no where fast. If the bus comes, they won't rush. If there is a queue they move down slowly and if there's choices to be made - they take their time. Food comes when it is ready and sometimes you wait till the other has finished before you get your starter. It seems so backward, but works at the same time.
The Tortoise takes breaks and slows down, not tiring itself out and the Hair peaks too early - Maybe the key is in the in-between.
Perhaps in this part of the world they can be slow and still be high achievers. It might work. Maybe we could take some of this on board and slow down the pace. Knocking into others is not good - but sometimes we need to be faster. Sometimes we can't be late and need to make that bus. Sometimes high speeds allow for more time for other more important things.
I have been told I need to travel. I need to experience and learn from other cultures. I understand this more than ever now. The key is not who wins in being fast or slow - it's the getting there. We could learn from the slow pace, as I am sure they can learn from a fast pace.
The Tortoise and Hair isn't a race. They have different qualities that are both needed and can be useful.
Learning from others makes you realise that sometimes there's no need to speed... and sometimes you need to find your own pace in the rat race of life. Fast or slow and sometimes in-between.
One size doesn't always fit all.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Working Progress
I once thought that money equaled success. I was completely wrong. Money can sometimes indicate a sign of a successful person, but it can also reflect someone who perhaps had just been lucky. Many people have stated that the one thing money cannot buy is happiness - a widely known statement which has held true against time and a fact that is both priceless and expensive at the same time.
Money aside - everyone has dreams and ambitions. Most are working towards something, through study, travelling, teaching and life itself. Sometimes I think that we never stop striving for things and sometimes I hope we never stop. We should want to better ourselves, work hard for our jobs, our dreams and put in the time and effort.
Life should be the happiness. If there's no work there's no accomplishment. I realise more than ever now something my Dad always tells me... You just have to try. It can be hard work getting there, it can leave you feeling defeated sometimes and sometimes it can leave you reaching those dreams.
A working progress is progress... So always keep going.
Money aside - everyone has dreams and ambitions. Most are working towards something, through study, travelling, teaching and life itself. Sometimes I think that we never stop striving for things and sometimes I hope we never stop. We should want to better ourselves, work hard for our jobs, our dreams and put in the time and effort.
Life should be the happiness. If there's no work there's no accomplishment. I realise more than ever now something my Dad always tells me... You just have to try. It can be hard work getting there, it can leave you feeling defeated sometimes and sometimes it can leave you reaching those dreams.
A working progress is progress... So always keep going.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Footprints
I always feel that if I could make a strong impact on someone's life, then I would have achieved something. I also believe that there are certain people that have made impacts on me and as much as i'm not always ready for them, they make me realise certain things and open my eyes.
To understand someone you are meant to walk a mile in anothers shoes, see it from their own perspective and realise something. I'm not sure if I am about to do that, or if I want to make my own footprints... I think no matter what you do, you always follow someone whether or not you mean too.
This is about a breath of fresh air and a chance to gain perspective, relax, reflect and reboot. Maybe walking in many peoples shoes and hopefully making my own waves, with my own footprints.
We have many influences in life and these have and continue to contribuate to the person we are. Life is all about expeirences, enjoying yourself and finding yourself.
I love it when someone makes an impact on me and I love it when I impact on someone.
We make our own footprints. We have to find our footprints.
To understand someone you are meant to walk a mile in anothers shoes, see it from their own perspective and realise something. I'm not sure if I am about to do that, or if I want to make my own footprints... I think no matter what you do, you always follow someone whether or not you mean too.
This is about a breath of fresh air and a chance to gain perspective, relax, reflect and reboot. Maybe walking in many peoples shoes and hopefully making my own waves, with my own footprints.
We have many influences in life and these have and continue to contribuate to the person we are. Life is all about expeirences, enjoying yourself and finding yourself.
I love it when someone makes an impact on me and I love it when I impact on someone.
We make our own footprints. We have to find our footprints.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Baggage
I look around as I wait patiently for the tube to start moving again. Being as its both rush hour and it's the season where layers are required, the hot and stuffy atmosphere is beginning to feel a little un-comfortable. I start to quickly realise where claustrophobia comes from and try and think of wide open spaces to allow me to breath.
Whilst imagining running through an empty field, my vision is filled with sweaty bodies once again and I start to look around. It’s the end of a long day and judging by the faces around me everyone is feeling it. There is not a person in my sight who doesn’t own a complete set of luggage that is swelling underneath their eyes, everybody has bags.
As I continue to stare in amazement at the tired eyes that dart around the crowded compartment, I realise that even the most perfect ladies have them. Even the lady that now has hidden behind what I can only assume to be her husband because of my staring; her tired expression fills her face that’s now buried beneath the comfort of her loved one. It seems that everyone without exception shares the need for a break, whatever that may be.
Throughout life there are certain feelings that although might get repressed by other things like dramas, relationships and jobs, remain there inside of us. The feelings of slightly itchy feet, twinges and gut instincts. That feeling that you haven’t completed some of the goals you wanted too and a feeling of a new direction being needed. A new plan.
These feelings become bugs. They might only come once a year like the Daddy Long legs, but like those bugs they can plague our minds and never feel like they will go away. They might become dormant through a love, a distraction or a challenge, but as quickly as it dives down, it can re-surface just as fast. Sometimes these nagging feelings will take over and make you face choices. Choices that could put on hold love, careers and sometimes family.
Every journey is said to have a destination, but shouldn’t life be more about embarking on several? Christopher Columbus set out to explore the world and discover new things, so what is stopping us?
As I look around this non-moving tube I realise, sometimes we run for a reason to escape and sometimes we are just tired and want to re-awaken the void. Sometimes we have had enough of being trodden down and need strength to stand again. Sometimes we need to fill the space that is created by wanting something or getting knocked back.
Sometimes we want to discover the world. Sometimes we want to realise our dreams and sometimes we just need fresh air and a new back garden.
The train is moving now, everyone looks relieved as they all want to get to their destinations. Everyone has baggage, everyone goes through change and we all grow, learn and discover. Don’t worry a ticket can be a return fair. Sometimes we just need to wake up.
Whilst imagining running through an empty field, my vision is filled with sweaty bodies once again and I start to look around. It’s the end of a long day and judging by the faces around me everyone is feeling it. There is not a person in my sight who doesn’t own a complete set of luggage that is swelling underneath their eyes, everybody has bags.
As I continue to stare in amazement at the tired eyes that dart around the crowded compartment, I realise that even the most perfect ladies have them. Even the lady that now has hidden behind what I can only assume to be her husband because of my staring; her tired expression fills her face that’s now buried beneath the comfort of her loved one. It seems that everyone without exception shares the need for a break, whatever that may be.
Throughout life there are certain feelings that although might get repressed by other things like dramas, relationships and jobs, remain there inside of us. The feelings of slightly itchy feet, twinges and gut instincts. That feeling that you haven’t completed some of the goals you wanted too and a feeling of a new direction being needed. A new plan.
These feelings become bugs. They might only come once a year like the Daddy Long legs, but like those bugs they can plague our minds and never feel like they will go away. They might become dormant through a love, a distraction or a challenge, but as quickly as it dives down, it can re-surface just as fast. Sometimes these nagging feelings will take over and make you face choices. Choices that could put on hold love, careers and sometimes family.
Every journey is said to have a destination, but shouldn’t life be more about embarking on several? Christopher Columbus set out to explore the world and discover new things, so what is stopping us?
As I look around this non-moving tube I realise, sometimes we run for a reason to escape and sometimes we are just tired and want to re-awaken the void. Sometimes we have had enough of being trodden down and need strength to stand again. Sometimes we need to fill the space that is created by wanting something or getting knocked back.
Sometimes we want to discover the world. Sometimes we want to realise our dreams and sometimes we just need fresh air and a new back garden.
The train is moving now, everyone looks relieved as they all want to get to their destinations. Everyone has baggage, everyone goes through change and we all grow, learn and discover. Don’t worry a ticket can be a return fair. Sometimes we just need to wake up.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Masks
A party is said to be held when marking occasions, the gathering of loved ones, a time to celebrate a wedding, birthday or new start in someone’s life. They’re a time to enjoy, laugh and then reflect about what the party actually represents. Some unique parties are fancy dress, we put on clothes we wouldn’t wear to take on a new persona for a night, sometimes covering a face and sometimes…hiding behind one.
A joker once told me a good punch can not be rushed, it takes the right amount of juices and spirits to hit the spots required to get a party started, relax your guests and hopefully make certain ruby slippered women eventually pass out!
A house party takes slightly more effort than a night out, the whole family helps as balloons go up, food and nibbles are prepared and the drinks lined up. It then comes to the mad rush to get showered and dressed into the costumes you decided on. The lights dim down and the music starts, guests arrive and the night begins.
When throwing a party the host is meant to circle the guests, making sure people know each other, drinks are flowing and everyone is having a good time. It is then down to the guests to socialise, laugh and start to relax into the true spirit of a good fancy dress party. It can start with the simplest of things, Tinkerbelle dancing in the corner leaving a trail of fairy dust that doesn't stop till the music ends. Scooby Doo running around making noise and jamming his scooter into legs and Sister Mary Clarence, the black Nun that even Willy Wonker can’t work out that she is in-fact white, topping her drink up for the 8th time 5 minutes into the night.
Some people will go to great lengths to get a grand costume. Some will spend lots, some will bargain hunt and some will come as themselves, sometimes to hide behind the clothes they feel most comfortable in and sometimes in fear of looking stupid, but ending up looking odd compared to everyone else. Pretty woman will spread her love with protection in the shape of ribbed, extra safe and flavoured condoms, flooding the party with this outfit extra, only to be found in the strangest of places the morning after. The 2 Jack Sparrows will laugh at the other and try to avoid standing too close. The northern cousin Sparrow will utter something that people still won’t understand, with Batman being his dad and drink flowing even more you start to realise the northern accents merge and even with a Pink Lady translator helping, I’d imagine it would still be near impossible to tell they only wanted another beer!
Laughter, music and dodgy wigs, a Cruella swearing her fur coat is not 101 Dalmatians and Lara Croft mixing snakebite thinking it would be a good idea, but regretting it in the morning when she hangs up her boots.
Then the turning point, people start to grow out of their costumes; they are falling back to their true selves. The white toga Julies Caesar wears, eventually can't hide the energy saving eccentric behind it as he turns off lights to save power, even when people are still dancing. Cleopatra is on a roll, taking pictures after finally getting to grips with the new age technology of the iPhone and never being seen without a drink, probably resulting in her walking like an Egyptian the next morning!
These are just outfits; they are what you put on for a party. In reality though, a costume to one is another’s work suit and a drawn on beauty spot can be a women’s true mark. Everybody has things they hide behind, for some they will sleep around; some will wear a face full of make-up in fear of people seeing what they hate and some wear a smile that really hides pain.
You then realise as you look around and then into the mirror, that the sunglasses which were part of your outfit the moment they were on, hide a tear that comes the moment you remember the reason for the party. You realise you are not Maverick from Topgun and this fancy dress night itself, hides behind the fact that is a leaving do of someone you care a lot about… Someone everyone cares a lot about and will miss. We can dress up and hide for one night, but we know who we are... Even superman couldn't really hide behind those glasses.
With the Terminator preferring to take Toto the dog home instead of a drunken Dorothy, who has tried to hide behind the innocent pigtails that in reality fell out long ago, the final straw then happens, an argument with everybody’s friend and beloved cowboy, Woody... All marking the end of the night, leaving the mess, memories and reflecting the good times had by all.
This fancy dress party was a send off, for a guy dressed in purple with a face painted white. A smile drawn on which he himself partly hid behind because of both the happy and sad reality that he was leaving these people, making a stage exist right into a new journey and hopefully a new career.
The real people hung up their costumes, look back at the photos and smile. Some will go home and continue to wear theirs. We might hide now and then from the way we are or people we are, but at the end of the night the make-up wears off, lights come up and nothing can hide the fact that everyone will miss the clown… something no mask could ever hide.
I guess the thing to remember is, even though people go away or hide behind a costume, they are always still really there... Just maybe they’ll take a little bit longer to reach.
Good Luck You x
A joker once told me a good punch can not be rushed, it takes the right amount of juices and spirits to hit the spots required to get a party started, relax your guests and hopefully make certain ruby slippered women eventually pass out!
A house party takes slightly more effort than a night out, the whole family helps as balloons go up, food and nibbles are prepared and the drinks lined up. It then comes to the mad rush to get showered and dressed into the costumes you decided on. The lights dim down and the music starts, guests arrive and the night begins.
When throwing a party the host is meant to circle the guests, making sure people know each other, drinks are flowing and everyone is having a good time. It is then down to the guests to socialise, laugh and start to relax into the true spirit of a good fancy dress party. It can start with the simplest of things, Tinkerbelle dancing in the corner leaving a trail of fairy dust that doesn't stop till the music ends. Scooby Doo running around making noise and jamming his scooter into legs and Sister Mary Clarence, the black Nun that even Willy Wonker can’t work out that she is in-fact white, topping her drink up for the 8th time 5 minutes into the night.
Some people will go to great lengths to get a grand costume. Some will spend lots, some will bargain hunt and some will come as themselves, sometimes to hide behind the clothes they feel most comfortable in and sometimes in fear of looking stupid, but ending up looking odd compared to everyone else. Pretty woman will spread her love with protection in the shape of ribbed, extra safe and flavoured condoms, flooding the party with this outfit extra, only to be found in the strangest of places the morning after. The 2 Jack Sparrows will laugh at the other and try to avoid standing too close. The northern cousin Sparrow will utter something that people still won’t understand, with Batman being his dad and drink flowing even more you start to realise the northern accents merge and even with a Pink Lady translator helping, I’d imagine it would still be near impossible to tell they only wanted another beer!
Laughter, music and dodgy wigs, a Cruella swearing her fur coat is not 101 Dalmatians and Lara Croft mixing snakebite thinking it would be a good idea, but regretting it in the morning when she hangs up her boots.
Then the turning point, people start to grow out of their costumes; they are falling back to their true selves. The white toga Julies Caesar wears, eventually can't hide the energy saving eccentric behind it as he turns off lights to save power, even when people are still dancing. Cleopatra is on a roll, taking pictures after finally getting to grips with the new age technology of the iPhone and never being seen without a drink, probably resulting in her walking like an Egyptian the next morning!
These are just outfits; they are what you put on for a party. In reality though, a costume to one is another’s work suit and a drawn on beauty spot can be a women’s true mark. Everybody has things they hide behind, for some they will sleep around; some will wear a face full of make-up in fear of people seeing what they hate and some wear a smile that really hides pain.
You then realise as you look around and then into the mirror, that the sunglasses which were part of your outfit the moment they were on, hide a tear that comes the moment you remember the reason for the party. You realise you are not Maverick from Topgun and this fancy dress night itself, hides behind the fact that is a leaving do of someone you care a lot about… Someone everyone cares a lot about and will miss. We can dress up and hide for one night, but we know who we are... Even superman couldn't really hide behind those glasses.
With the Terminator preferring to take Toto the dog home instead of a drunken Dorothy, who has tried to hide behind the innocent pigtails that in reality fell out long ago, the final straw then happens, an argument with everybody’s friend and beloved cowboy, Woody... All marking the end of the night, leaving the mess, memories and reflecting the good times had by all.
This fancy dress party was a send off, for a guy dressed in purple with a face painted white. A smile drawn on which he himself partly hid behind because of both the happy and sad reality that he was leaving these people, making a stage exist right into a new journey and hopefully a new career.
The real people hung up their costumes, look back at the photos and smile. Some will go home and continue to wear theirs. We might hide now and then from the way we are or people we are, but at the end of the night the make-up wears off, lights come up and nothing can hide the fact that everyone will miss the clown… something no mask could ever hide.
I guess the thing to remember is, even though people go away or hide behind a costume, they are always still really there... Just maybe they’ll take a little bit longer to reach.
Good Luck You x
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Burnt Out
We always crave the hot weather, hate it when it rains and get annoyed what the wind can do to our hair. We complain about how cold it is and how many layers we need, until of course it gets warm and we gradually end up complaining about the moths in our room and how we can't sleep in the heat... Then up go the umbrellas and we finally get back to complaining about the return of the rain.
We always dream of what we don't have… always craving a different season.
Sleep could perhaps be one of the most important parts to life, our routines and our health. It is something we need to go on, a way to re-charge the batteries and stop the clock for a bit, or at least so we can hold off the Botox a little longer.
I have always been advised don't burn the candle at both ends; don’t spread yourself too thin and run yourself into your reserve tank... Yet still do it.
Laying in the sun, soaking up the rays and chatting with friends, all sounds very chilled out and relaxing… but that's the thing, It drains us more, makes us even more tired and if we didn't use lotion, we end up being one tired burnt out orange… an Essex girls dream.
Why when we are tired do we feel the need to get away? Relax in the sun... Yet come back from holiday less enthusiastic about the boring day job and craving to book another one? Craving even more change.
That's the thing about dreaming of the perfect weather and perfect settings, escaping your life... When we actually get it, we realise it has just as many faults as the rainy days. The thing is, perfect weather in life is gladly received, but storms happen and it's lasting them that matters. You quickly realise that every season has its down parts, but that’s just life sometimes, you realise that its more about seeing past the clouds and perfect really comes down to the individual.
Remember this, a warm shower is nice and can be a relaxing way to wash... But a cold shower can be a refreshing wake up and maybe just what you need.
There's no shame in chasing the sun, looking for adventure, getting away and re-charging the batteries. As long as you appreciate that the sun can shine, the rain can fall, seasons change and you're not the only one that battles against the wind.
The great thing about different seasons, even if you might get wind swept, wet or loose some sleep, we all go through them together. Some enjoy them more than others, some are pleased to see the back of them, but the thing to remember is, your favourite ones always come back.
So even if it’s raining, open your window, enjoy the heat when it’s here and look forward to your season, even if you have to wait a little while for it to come back around again… my guess is it’ll be worth it.
We always dream of what we don't have… always craving a different season.
Sleep could perhaps be one of the most important parts to life, our routines and our health. It is something we need to go on, a way to re-charge the batteries and stop the clock for a bit, or at least so we can hold off the Botox a little longer.
I have always been advised don't burn the candle at both ends; don’t spread yourself too thin and run yourself into your reserve tank... Yet still do it.
Laying in the sun, soaking up the rays and chatting with friends, all sounds very chilled out and relaxing… but that's the thing, It drains us more, makes us even more tired and if we didn't use lotion, we end up being one tired burnt out orange… an Essex girls dream.
Why when we are tired do we feel the need to get away? Relax in the sun... Yet come back from holiday less enthusiastic about the boring day job and craving to book another one? Craving even more change.
That's the thing about dreaming of the perfect weather and perfect settings, escaping your life... When we actually get it, we realise it has just as many faults as the rainy days. The thing is, perfect weather in life is gladly received, but storms happen and it's lasting them that matters. You quickly realise that every season has its down parts, but that’s just life sometimes, you realise that its more about seeing past the clouds and perfect really comes down to the individual.
Remember this, a warm shower is nice and can be a relaxing way to wash... But a cold shower can be a refreshing wake up and maybe just what you need.
There's no shame in chasing the sun, looking for adventure, getting away and re-charging the batteries. As long as you appreciate that the sun can shine, the rain can fall, seasons change and you're not the only one that battles against the wind.
The great thing about different seasons, even if you might get wind swept, wet or loose some sleep, we all go through them together. Some enjoy them more than others, some are pleased to see the back of them, but the thing to remember is, your favourite ones always come back.
So even if it’s raining, open your window, enjoy the heat when it’s here and look forward to your season, even if you have to wait a little while for it to come back around again… my guess is it’ll be worth it.
Monday, 2 August 2010
The Wanted
Sometimes in life there are the things we dream of and other times there are the things that we want so badly we end up feeling we need them to survive. There are the careers we aspire too, the journeys we want to go on and the person who we strive to be... but as long as we try and are happy, that’s all that really matters.
I was once told there is nothing wrong with wanting something, as long as you work hard for it, earn it and deserve it. This is true in many ways and in some ways becomes a harsh truth. It's all very well wanting something, but sometimes making it happen takes a bit longer and much more effort.
Each person has a different goal, some work years perfecting a talent, working their way to the top or always playing the lottery with the same set of numbers forever hoping to win. Life is a lottery, sometimes it takes one go and sometimes it takes a million, but you really do have to be in it to win it.
No one ever realised their dreams from giving up, people only delayed them by putting them off. Sometimes you can be so much more than what you think, sometimes you might surprise yourself.
Be humble, be true and be a nice you. Wanting is only part of the equation, working and striving and not forgetting people is all part of it. Failing and trying again is something that can teach us and make us grow better and stronger. One avenue might not be right for you and another direction could be perfect.
I once thought that reaching a dream was all that mattered and I quickly realised this is completely untrue. We should always dream and if we are lucky to reach it we should dream bigger, we should always want because it is who we are and makes us develop. It's healthy to want and be wanted; if in return, we appreciate. Sometimes others may want the things we have, the career we are in or the role we play. Reaching a dream is fantastic but don’t forget to open your eyes wider and see past it. Dreams change; people grow but always remember the important things in life.
That’s the thing about wanting, it forever changes, goal posts always move and we continue to try to reach new heights. Everyone has their dreams and reaching them is really rewarding but not the end of the world, no one should have just one dream… Everyone can achieve.
Some people go for number one, whether or not you reach that goal is irrelevant in the end because it is exactly that, one goal... There are many more. If you do succeed then congratulations and if you're striving to succeed or starting something new then good luck. Don't be scared to dream, because everyone can reach their number one... Everyone has a wanted goal.
Be proud of the things you achieve and be proud for others… Congratulations to all those who have reached their number one, don’t stop dreaming.
Part of the fun is learning from mistakes and then making the right ones. In a weird way rejection can be one of life’s biggest surprises and can make us work harder. Someone’s number 10 could be their number 1. Dream big, try hard and always remember the things that matter. We don’t have to reach dreams to survive as long as you do your best in life…who is your number 1.
I was once told there is nothing wrong with wanting something, as long as you work hard for it, earn it and deserve it. This is true in many ways and in some ways becomes a harsh truth. It's all very well wanting something, but sometimes making it happen takes a bit longer and much more effort.
Each person has a different goal, some work years perfecting a talent, working their way to the top or always playing the lottery with the same set of numbers forever hoping to win. Life is a lottery, sometimes it takes one go and sometimes it takes a million, but you really do have to be in it to win it.
No one ever realised their dreams from giving up, people only delayed them by putting them off. Sometimes you can be so much more than what you think, sometimes you might surprise yourself.
Be humble, be true and be a nice you. Wanting is only part of the equation, working and striving and not forgetting people is all part of it. Failing and trying again is something that can teach us and make us grow better and stronger. One avenue might not be right for you and another direction could be perfect.
I once thought that reaching a dream was all that mattered and I quickly realised this is completely untrue. We should always dream and if we are lucky to reach it we should dream bigger, we should always want because it is who we are and makes us develop. It's healthy to want and be wanted; if in return, we appreciate. Sometimes others may want the things we have, the career we are in or the role we play. Reaching a dream is fantastic but don’t forget to open your eyes wider and see past it. Dreams change; people grow but always remember the important things in life.
That’s the thing about wanting, it forever changes, goal posts always move and we continue to try to reach new heights. Everyone has their dreams and reaching them is really rewarding but not the end of the world, no one should have just one dream… Everyone can achieve.
Some people go for number one, whether or not you reach that goal is irrelevant in the end because it is exactly that, one goal... There are many more. If you do succeed then congratulations and if you're striving to succeed or starting something new then good luck. Don't be scared to dream, because everyone can reach their number one... Everyone has a wanted goal.
Be proud of the things you achieve and be proud for others… Congratulations to all those who have reached their number one, don’t stop dreaming.
Part of the fun is learning from mistakes and then making the right ones. In a weird way rejection can be one of life’s biggest surprises and can make us work harder. Someone’s number 10 could be their number 1. Dream big, try hard and always remember the things that matter. We don’t have to reach dreams to survive as long as you do your best in life…who is your number 1.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Draw the Line
"Grab your coat, you've pulled." "Did it hurt? When you fell from heaven?" "That’s a nice shirt, it would look better on my bedroom floor!" "Wow your eye lashes are really long, close them a minute and let me see them better..." Are you falling for these lines? One too many and you might just reach for the coat, take off your shirt and close your eyes.
We've all heard about the classic code talk, the funny pick me ups and the witty remarks... But who would use them and would they really work?
Sometimes the nicest complements are that knowing look from someone, the subtle detail someone remembers about you or that extra long touch you share... But in the beginning did it really start with you being tired from running around all day in some strangers head. Does it all start with a pinch of the bum and a chat up line?
Could we really fall for a joke?
Some say the key to happiness is laughter, the ability to make someone smile. Someone to make you giggle and snort accidently, making you cringe and pray they say something quickly to fill the silence and forget about the rather loud pig noise you just squealed.
The truth is, it's not about the line that's used however lame or funny it might be. It's about the fact someone has come up to you and bothered to introduce themselves... Granted sometimes they'll want a wham bam thanks for the cuppa, a quickie with no strings attached and hopefully no nine month call later... but sometimes they're breaking the ice, showing their funny side and making you smile. Sometimes a line is worth your time.
A girl I know got approached in a club, he said she was beautiful and would she marry him... She giggled and noticed his accent and charm. She later realised he was in fact serious and looking for a green card, coming up to her after actually asking half the club! Not so flattering even when the line might be true. I guess sometimes you really need to read in-between the line!!
Sometimes people prefer to go straight for a sex on the beach, mudslide, screw driver, screaming organism and a shot of that slippery nipple, but sometimes they’ll fancy a normal drink, sometimes they'll want a vodka and coke, but just aren't sure what you'll say. Sometimes a cocktail is easier than a straight up drink.
Some people don't even need a line they'll bypass the JD and coke and go straight for a between the sheets! For the not so quick, a chat up is fine... As long as it's not a stand up routine and you don't milk the cow!
The fact is, no one really knows how anything is meant to start. Sure people write books, tell you to follow rules, play the game but when the club closes and last orders are in, it’s really only down to you. People are all looking for different things, some will try the line, some will want to wine and dine and some maybe need to be given a chance for you to realise who they are. Sometimes a pick me up might seem like a joke, but you just want to hope that if its not, the jokes not on you.
Laughter really can make you smile... A line can make you remember and who knows your clothes might really look good on the bedroom floor and stay there.
Some people just don’t know where to begin…
We've all heard about the classic code talk, the funny pick me ups and the witty remarks... But who would use them and would they really work?
Sometimes the nicest complements are that knowing look from someone, the subtle detail someone remembers about you or that extra long touch you share... But in the beginning did it really start with you being tired from running around all day in some strangers head. Does it all start with a pinch of the bum and a chat up line?
Could we really fall for a joke?
Some say the key to happiness is laughter, the ability to make someone smile. Someone to make you giggle and snort accidently, making you cringe and pray they say something quickly to fill the silence and forget about the rather loud pig noise you just squealed.
The truth is, it's not about the line that's used however lame or funny it might be. It's about the fact someone has come up to you and bothered to introduce themselves... Granted sometimes they'll want a wham bam thanks for the cuppa, a quickie with no strings attached and hopefully no nine month call later... but sometimes they're breaking the ice, showing their funny side and making you smile. Sometimes a line is worth your time.
A girl I know got approached in a club, he said she was beautiful and would she marry him... She giggled and noticed his accent and charm. She later realised he was in fact serious and looking for a green card, coming up to her after actually asking half the club! Not so flattering even when the line might be true. I guess sometimes you really need to read in-between the line!!
Sometimes people prefer to go straight for a sex on the beach, mudslide, screw driver, screaming organism and a shot of that slippery nipple, but sometimes they’ll fancy a normal drink, sometimes they'll want a vodka and coke, but just aren't sure what you'll say. Sometimes a cocktail is easier than a straight up drink.
Some people don't even need a line they'll bypass the JD and coke and go straight for a between the sheets! For the not so quick, a chat up is fine... As long as it's not a stand up routine and you don't milk the cow!
The fact is, no one really knows how anything is meant to start. Sure people write books, tell you to follow rules, play the game but when the club closes and last orders are in, it’s really only down to you. People are all looking for different things, some will try the line, some will want to wine and dine and some maybe need to be given a chance for you to realise who they are. Sometimes a pick me up might seem like a joke, but you just want to hope that if its not, the jokes not on you.
Laughter really can make you smile... A line can make you remember and who knows your clothes might really look good on the bedroom floor and stay there.
Some people just don’t know where to begin…
Monday, 5 July 2010
Field Running
If certain aspects of the past didn't happen, we might not have had the pain, but we also wouldn't have had the experiences or the motivation to move forward. These experiences change our lives everyday we live them and every decision we make ripples and paths a future.
I remember when I was younger my Nan had a huge field at the bottom of her garden. It was full of high corn rows and when they weren't cut down and had time to grow, they could reach your neck. It didn't hide you, but the field was huge and you could run through it for ages! We would run, play and spend hours amongst the vast yellow crops. It didn't matter what happened outside of the field, because whilst we were in there playing, it seemed like the world stood still. We escaped and ran through the deep endless corn.
Wouldn't it be nice to run through a field with that same feeling? Not thinking about money, past mistakes or future ones. Running in the field when you're young, without worries or a past to think about! I guess as you grow up your field becomes smaller. You don't run as far and you think more often about choices you made and decisions to take.
I realise now more than ever, we can run in fields and get away from life, the only difference now is we run with experience. It's these experiences that make us better runners. Whilst we might have had a care free run in a field back when we were young, our run now might be different, but we can still control the direction and speed we take.
That's the thing about life, sometimes we come across parts that are hard, tough and testing, decisions get made and it is scary... But at the end of the day you really have to run with it.
We all make mistakes. We all have regrets and we all have hopes for our futures. Sometimes you just need to step back to move forward. Sometimes we want to just have a run in the field again.
No one said life would be easy... So if no one said it, then there’s no one that can say you’re not in control of how easy you make it.
I once heard, that to really find yourself you sometimes need to run away. I disagree; I think you don't stop finding yourself throughout life... We continue to make mistakes, take journeys and go forward learning and developing as we go. Life is all about enjoying it to its full running through fields and chasing our dreams.
Just because sometimes we run, it doesn't mean we don't like what we leave behind... Sometimes we just need to do things we dream of. Sometimes it's not running, sometimes it's living... And sometimes we run back.
Sometimes we run because we fear what will happen if we don't and other times we don't even realise we're running.
Life isn't a stroll, it's a run and we're forever running, learning and growing... Sometimes with people by our sides and sometimes with a hope that we'll win our race, whatever that may be.
To my Nan who wanted us to chase our dreams, be happy and let us run in the field.
I remember when I was younger my Nan had a huge field at the bottom of her garden. It was full of high corn rows and when they weren't cut down and had time to grow, they could reach your neck. It didn't hide you, but the field was huge and you could run through it for ages! We would run, play and spend hours amongst the vast yellow crops. It didn't matter what happened outside of the field, because whilst we were in there playing, it seemed like the world stood still. We escaped and ran through the deep endless corn.
Wouldn't it be nice to run through a field with that same feeling? Not thinking about money, past mistakes or future ones. Running in the field when you're young, without worries or a past to think about! I guess as you grow up your field becomes smaller. You don't run as far and you think more often about choices you made and decisions to take.
I realise now more than ever, we can run in fields and get away from life, the only difference now is we run with experience. It's these experiences that make us better runners. Whilst we might have had a care free run in a field back when we were young, our run now might be different, but we can still control the direction and speed we take.
That's the thing about life, sometimes we come across parts that are hard, tough and testing, decisions get made and it is scary... But at the end of the day you really have to run with it.
We all make mistakes. We all have regrets and we all have hopes for our futures. Sometimes you just need to step back to move forward. Sometimes we want to just have a run in the field again.
No one said life would be easy... So if no one said it, then there’s no one that can say you’re not in control of how easy you make it.
I once heard, that to really find yourself you sometimes need to run away. I disagree; I think you don't stop finding yourself throughout life... We continue to make mistakes, take journeys and go forward learning and developing as we go. Life is all about enjoying it to its full running through fields and chasing our dreams.
Just because sometimes we run, it doesn't mean we don't like what we leave behind... Sometimes we just need to do things we dream of. Sometimes it's not running, sometimes it's living... And sometimes we run back.
Sometimes we run because we fear what will happen if we don't and other times we don't even realise we're running.
Life isn't a stroll, it's a run and we're forever running, learning and growing... Sometimes with people by our sides and sometimes with a hope that we'll win our race, whatever that may be.
To my Nan who wanted us to chase our dreams, be happy and let us run in the field.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Mugs
A gift is said to be a token to express that feeling we get when thinking of someone. It could be a present from a trip abroad, a spur of the moment gift that made you remember them or a planned present to show how much they mean to you. A gift heightens a feeling; it's an action backing up the words.
Someone once asked me what would be the perfect present? To be honest I can't remember the answer. That's the thing about a gift, it can be amazing to receive, sometimes something you'll never forget... But at the end of the day it is just that, a token. The real gift is the meaning behind it.
Meeting the family of a new partner is something you can't plan. You can try to be nice, be yourself, rein in the things you don't want to say and make sure you complement the dinner even if the cat’s food looked more appetising!
It's when you meet the brother on the stairs for the first time, staring at you whilst you wait for your date to get ready. Making you sweat, making you hope the ground swallows you up and making you think waiting in the car wouldn't have been so bad. It's the cousin that comes from the north who talks to you and you try your hardest to answer them, even though you didn't really understand what they said! It's the mother that welcomes you into her home but questions everything you do, questioning your intentions, only to protect her own. It's the sister with the crazy son who sings an Abba song right in front of you and then asks who that strange boy is pointing in your direction. It's the brother, the cat that dribbles, the dad that wears jogging bottoms with a shirt and finally the crazy girl that is engaged to the brother, the girl that is scared of tomato ketchup, has a laugh that breaks glass and tries to compare her crazy self to you!
It's a family that accepts you. A family that one day will bring you back a gift from their holiday, a gift because you might just be worth one. A family that gives you a mug.
That's the amazing thing about a gift; it could be small, big or something that others see different to you. A gift is not just what you receive... It's the intention behind it.
Actions might speak louder than words, gifts might be a way of saying something that can't be said in any other way, but just remember... Some of the best gifts don't come wrapped, packaged or cost a penny. Some of the best gifts are the ones we know are there without having to have anything to show for them.
The perfect present I guess, is the things that make us happy. Our family, friends and just enjoying life.
Maybe the best gifts in life really are free and others are the little extras that surprise us. We all have our mugs and sometimes it's just really nice to be thought of.
Sometimes having a great family and meeting new people can be a gift in itself.
Someone once asked me what would be the perfect present? To be honest I can't remember the answer. That's the thing about a gift, it can be amazing to receive, sometimes something you'll never forget... But at the end of the day it is just that, a token. The real gift is the meaning behind it.
Meeting the family of a new partner is something you can't plan. You can try to be nice, be yourself, rein in the things you don't want to say and make sure you complement the dinner even if the cat’s food looked more appetising!
It's when you meet the brother on the stairs for the first time, staring at you whilst you wait for your date to get ready. Making you sweat, making you hope the ground swallows you up and making you think waiting in the car wouldn't have been so bad. It's the cousin that comes from the north who talks to you and you try your hardest to answer them, even though you didn't really understand what they said! It's the mother that welcomes you into her home but questions everything you do, questioning your intentions, only to protect her own. It's the sister with the crazy son who sings an Abba song right in front of you and then asks who that strange boy is pointing in your direction. It's the brother, the cat that dribbles, the dad that wears jogging bottoms with a shirt and finally the crazy girl that is engaged to the brother, the girl that is scared of tomato ketchup, has a laugh that breaks glass and tries to compare her crazy self to you!
It's a family that accepts you. A family that one day will bring you back a gift from their holiday, a gift because you might just be worth one. A family that gives you a mug.
That's the amazing thing about a gift; it could be small, big or something that others see different to you. A gift is not just what you receive... It's the intention behind it.
Actions might speak louder than words, gifts might be a way of saying something that can't be said in any other way, but just remember... Some of the best gifts don't come wrapped, packaged or cost a penny. Some of the best gifts are the ones we know are there without having to have anything to show for them.
The perfect present I guess, is the things that make us happy. Our family, friends and just enjoying life.
Maybe the best gifts in life really are free and others are the little extras that surprise us. We all have our mugs and sometimes it's just really nice to be thought of.
Sometimes having a great family and meeting new people can be a gift in itself.
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Twists of Fake
Some people say you spend your life looking for a diamond in the rough. Someone to laugh with, connect too and someone that makes you shine. Some people say real diamonds won't scratch on glass... However, some diamonds become fakes, no matter how real they were when they were first given to you.
My mum was on holiday one time, a hot break away with my sister and me. One blistering day in the Majorcan sun we decided to take the day trip to the markets. As we walked amongst the gold’s and the scarves, we bargained a fake Nike belt for me, a handbag for my sister and tried to find a watch for my mum.
After looking through what felt like hundreds of watches my mum finally settled on a silver Gucci replica. Satisfied with the purchase and back on the coach due to leave in 10 minutes we looked at the goods. My fake Nike, my sister’s fake bag and my mum’s fake Gucci watch.... A watch that actually was more fake than we thought, it was a watch that quite clearly read, Cuggi instead of Gucci. My mum was not one to be cheated, even from a cheat. We ran back to the stall showed the fake fake and mum haggled a quick change. A different watch but nice and spelt correctly. We got back to the coach with seconds to spare and my mum tried on her new fake watch... Her new fake child’s size Gucci that did not fit adults. The Cuggi might have been an obvious fake, but at least it fitted.
That's the thing about a fake, people say they can spot one a mile off, yet they still fool most and people still buy them.
Sometimes a fake can be there to protect us... It can be an easier way out, a safer way than lying in the sun perhaps. Sometimes what comes out of the bottle, even though it can streak, maybe make you orange, it still puts you in control.
There are things in life that blind us, things that we can’t see past no matter how much people whisper in your ear or try and make you see the truth. A fake is not something we purchase, not something we choose. A fake is something that happens sometimes. It could be because we are afraid of the truth, don’t see the truth, don't like the truth or run from it.
The thing about a fake, whether it's knowing yourself, realising at some point or never finding out... who cares? We are all diamonds; just some won't cut glass, some might not sparkle as much and some may cover up things they don’t want us to see.
And then it dawned on me... It doesn't really matter if it's a fake, as long as the thought behind it was 100 percent real. As long as you believe in the truth behind it, a Cuggi might be the best fit, a tan might last all year long and as long as it’s authentic on the inside then the best things that are real no matter where they are from or how much they cost… are not that fake at all.
My mum was on holiday one time, a hot break away with my sister and me. One blistering day in the Majorcan sun we decided to take the day trip to the markets. As we walked amongst the gold’s and the scarves, we bargained a fake Nike belt for me, a handbag for my sister and tried to find a watch for my mum.
After looking through what felt like hundreds of watches my mum finally settled on a silver Gucci replica. Satisfied with the purchase and back on the coach due to leave in 10 minutes we looked at the goods. My fake Nike, my sister’s fake bag and my mum’s fake Gucci watch.... A watch that actually was more fake than we thought, it was a watch that quite clearly read, Cuggi instead of Gucci. My mum was not one to be cheated, even from a cheat. We ran back to the stall showed the fake fake and mum haggled a quick change. A different watch but nice and spelt correctly. We got back to the coach with seconds to spare and my mum tried on her new fake watch... Her new fake child’s size Gucci that did not fit adults. The Cuggi might have been an obvious fake, but at least it fitted.
That's the thing about a fake, people say they can spot one a mile off, yet they still fool most and people still buy them.
Sometimes a fake can be there to protect us... It can be an easier way out, a safer way than lying in the sun perhaps. Sometimes what comes out of the bottle, even though it can streak, maybe make you orange, it still puts you in control.
There are things in life that blind us, things that we can’t see past no matter how much people whisper in your ear or try and make you see the truth. A fake is not something we purchase, not something we choose. A fake is something that happens sometimes. It could be because we are afraid of the truth, don’t see the truth, don't like the truth or run from it.
The thing about a fake, whether it's knowing yourself, realising at some point or never finding out... who cares? We are all diamonds; just some won't cut glass, some might not sparkle as much and some may cover up things they don’t want us to see.
And then it dawned on me... It doesn't really matter if it's a fake, as long as the thought behind it was 100 percent real. As long as you believe in the truth behind it, a Cuggi might be the best fit, a tan might last all year long and as long as it’s authentic on the inside then the best things that are real no matter where they are from or how much they cost… are not that fake at all.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
The Tattoo
A ring is said to symbolise many things, a phone call, love and friendship. After a weekend spent at a wedding in France... the greatest thing a ring could possibly represent is a need, a comfort and ultimately, true happiness.
If a ring is said to be a symbol, then it is a mark. Something designed to remember, a tattoo. The deepest thing that enforces a memory however, is not the ring that you wear or the ink that stains the body, but the passion behind it. A passion that even without a tattoo or ring, you'd never forget.
I was once on holiday with friends, we walked past a henna lady every night and finally a friend and I decided to get one. Mine was a Libra scale at the back of my neck. Even though it wasn't with a needle, the scratching nature nearly made me pass out, along with the thought, 'who else has this scratched?' Then my friend was up, she decided that she would have her boyfriends name across her bum. MATT, was imprinted across her right cheek and as soon as she was done, she felt dizzy and needed to sit down. After quickly feeling better she hopped up to reveal her boyfriends name smudged over her bum. The tattoo was re-done, luckily Henna lasts a week...
That’s the thing with a tattoo and a ring; they're something that’s meant to be there forever. Representing a truth, a passion, but now something that can also be removed and can be annulled.
Should we stick to a transfer and be safe, or just think more before the Ink and truly honour the passion?
My Nan always insisted on 3 rings. 3 rings as soon as we got home from visiting her. It was not the fact she wanted a chat, nor to make sure her phone worked, it was for her to know the people she cared about and passion that drove her were safe.
That's the thing about life... At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter about the size of the ring or the tattoo that marks a date. It is about what the ring represents and the story of how it came about.
The journey is just as important as the result.
Sometimes nothing could represent the massive scale of someone’s passion and sometimes we might just need 3 rings.
To Claire and Anthony, a couple that had the passion, then the rings. Congratulations.
If a ring is said to be a symbol, then it is a mark. Something designed to remember, a tattoo. The deepest thing that enforces a memory however, is not the ring that you wear or the ink that stains the body, but the passion behind it. A passion that even without a tattoo or ring, you'd never forget.
I was once on holiday with friends, we walked past a henna lady every night and finally a friend and I decided to get one. Mine was a Libra scale at the back of my neck. Even though it wasn't with a needle, the scratching nature nearly made me pass out, along with the thought, 'who else has this scratched?' Then my friend was up, she decided that she would have her boyfriends name across her bum. MATT, was imprinted across her right cheek and as soon as she was done, she felt dizzy and needed to sit down. After quickly feeling better she hopped up to reveal her boyfriends name smudged over her bum. The tattoo was re-done, luckily Henna lasts a week...
That’s the thing with a tattoo and a ring; they're something that’s meant to be there forever. Representing a truth, a passion, but now something that can also be removed and can be annulled.
Should we stick to a transfer and be safe, or just think more before the Ink and truly honour the passion?
My Nan always insisted on 3 rings. 3 rings as soon as we got home from visiting her. It was not the fact she wanted a chat, nor to make sure her phone worked, it was for her to know the people she cared about and passion that drove her were safe.
That's the thing about life... At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter about the size of the ring or the tattoo that marks a date. It is about what the ring represents and the story of how it came about.
The journey is just as important as the result.
Sometimes nothing could represent the massive scale of someone’s passion and sometimes we might just need 3 rings.
To Claire and Anthony, a couple that had the passion, then the rings. Congratulations.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Life's Pleasures
Hoovering up, polishing and trying to get it done quick and painlessly. Then, getting spun around, your favourite top being ripped open. You left standing there exposed, half naked, angry and still with half the room to tidy. Not a scene from an X rated movie, but from a friend whose boyfriend tried spicing up the cleaning he found boring. Everyone has needs, his being sex and hers being the need to clean the carpet where he wanted loving but all she could think about was ‘shake n vac’!
Some people see sex as a fundamental need in a relationship, craving it, wanting it and in many ways using it as a bargaining chip.
It's what happens after sex that is the real test. You can have meaningless one night stands and feel nothing. Wink at a stranger at a party and end up on a bathroom floor, knowing the next time you see them, all you'll think about is how much the hot tap burnt against your bum, not about how much you liked it in the bathtub and how romantic it was with the toilet seat up.
It's when you role over and look at the person, if they’re special you realise, sex is needed, but it is a small part of love. A small part of being an us, a duo and definitely not the biggest thing you end up missing when you're a solo.
Circumstance can play perhaps the biggest part in what we need. It could come out of the blue, from a break up, family, a new relationship, a loss or an excitement. Every circumstance produces different needs, large and small. Sometimes it can alter the type of need needed and indeed make us realise, what we want and need can actually be very different.
Sometimes belief can become our biggest need, it happens without us wanting it and comes to us best when we never expect it. Belief is needed so badly, that if we do not get enough, we seek it through other channels, church, strangers and books.
It is the kind of belief that you get from someone, the belief that comes at a time when you need that extra push of faith and the belief that supports you no matter what, that truly fulfills needs.
Everyone needs something, whether it might be down to drinking too much water before bed and getting up 8 times in the night trying not to wake the person snoring next to you. It’s talking about issues, however small they may be. It’s that something you know is crazy but you need someone to believe in, especially during times of risk, change of direction and just needing support.
That’s the thing about needs, you’re not alone. Whatever it is, someone else needs something too. Life is about catering to these and not forgetting your own at the same time... Sometimes what we need and want end up not mattering, sometimes you realise that what you actually needed wasn't that important in the first place.
My friend with the ripped top needed to feel better, so she ripped his! Later realising it was his one of a kind Liverpool football shirt! Then she had a need to put down her duster and make more mess than expected in the half tidy room… Sometimes realising other peoples needs can be just as important.
Needs can change, but are always there. Sometimes it's sex, sometimes it family, sometimes it's belief and sometimes it can just be a cuddle.
Someone once asked me what is true happiness? I replied, it’s the small valuable things, its family, friends and it is when you smile without even realising it. Happiness is something that can just creep up on us. Could happiness actually be all we really need?
Needs can seem bigger in our heads, especially when our greatest need could just be life’s simple pleasures.
Some people see sex as a fundamental need in a relationship, craving it, wanting it and in many ways using it as a bargaining chip.
It's what happens after sex that is the real test. You can have meaningless one night stands and feel nothing. Wink at a stranger at a party and end up on a bathroom floor, knowing the next time you see them, all you'll think about is how much the hot tap burnt against your bum, not about how much you liked it in the bathtub and how romantic it was with the toilet seat up.
It's when you role over and look at the person, if they’re special you realise, sex is needed, but it is a small part of love. A small part of being an us, a duo and definitely not the biggest thing you end up missing when you're a solo.
Circumstance can play perhaps the biggest part in what we need. It could come out of the blue, from a break up, family, a new relationship, a loss or an excitement. Every circumstance produces different needs, large and small. Sometimes it can alter the type of need needed and indeed make us realise, what we want and need can actually be very different.
Sometimes belief can become our biggest need, it happens without us wanting it and comes to us best when we never expect it. Belief is needed so badly, that if we do not get enough, we seek it through other channels, church, strangers and books.
It is the kind of belief that you get from someone, the belief that comes at a time when you need that extra push of faith and the belief that supports you no matter what, that truly fulfills needs.
Everyone needs something, whether it might be down to drinking too much water before bed and getting up 8 times in the night trying not to wake the person snoring next to you. It’s talking about issues, however small they may be. It’s that something you know is crazy but you need someone to believe in, especially during times of risk, change of direction and just needing support.
That’s the thing about needs, you’re not alone. Whatever it is, someone else needs something too. Life is about catering to these and not forgetting your own at the same time... Sometimes what we need and want end up not mattering, sometimes you realise that what you actually needed wasn't that important in the first place.
My friend with the ripped top needed to feel better, so she ripped his! Later realising it was his one of a kind Liverpool football shirt! Then she had a need to put down her duster and make more mess than expected in the half tidy room… Sometimes realising other peoples needs can be just as important.
Needs can change, but are always there. Sometimes it's sex, sometimes it family, sometimes it's belief and sometimes it can just be a cuddle.
Someone once asked me what is true happiness? I replied, it’s the small valuable things, its family, friends and it is when you smile without even realising it. Happiness is something that can just creep up on us. Could happiness actually be all we really need?
Needs can seem bigger in our heads, especially when our greatest need could just be life’s simple pleasures.
Monday, 10 May 2010
The Coffee Bean
Throughout life there are a lot of things that we take for granted. The beach we see every day, the water that runs out of our taps and the petrol we pour into our car. We rarely stop and think, wow or how much effort got us this in the first place?
Sometimes it's easy to forget the value of what we have and how we got there.
Traditionally hand picked, only the finest and ripest made the cut. Starting out as just a berry and changing through many processes into a bean. Beans, which have a long way to go until getting close to being ready to pour into a cup for our pleasure. After a long roasting session and very strict storage conditions, the beans can then be grinded down and packaged, available on our shelves for us to chuck into our basket without a second thought.
Some people state that your heart flutters when you are in love, it's a sign that you're excited beyond belief and can't contain the intense feeling you have inside. Sometimes a fluttering heart can be nerves, drugs, lack of food and sometimes it can be an over dose of coffee.
In a crowded lounge ready to go on a night out, it isn't really the most convenient place or time for a heart to start with irregular beats. Jumping around my chest like it's having a party with my vital organs and stopping suddenly, then minutes later dancing again! Clearly a party I wasn't invited too or meant to attend because it quickly became apparent that these palpitations weren't going away anytime soon. A night of worry right up until I put my head on the pillow and instead of having to count sheep, I had the annoyance of counting my irregular heart beats.
I'm always told, never Google symptoms, they'll come up with stuff you just wouldn’t want to know. Unfortunately... I always Google. On this occasion, it seemed that apart from a really serious illness, it was extremely common and could be caused by a number of things.
Whilst pondering over the day and what might have caused it, I quickly realised that my 4 cups of coffee that I had drunk were not four cups at all. They were made for me by a culprit that I shall not name but everyone knows, at least 2 of them must have had 4 spoonfuls of coffee in them... resulting in my 4 cup day, being a 10 cup day. Thank you.
Too much caffeine can result in heart palpitations.
Life has become all about forgetting the little things. We are quick to jump to any conclusion; we worry about the tiny things but don't think of the easiest solutions. We take things for granted then get annoyed when they're out of stock.
Who would have thought my fluttering heart and all the worry it caused might have just come from the tiny coffee bean.
It is easy to forget how lucky we are, it's easy to forget the small things in life... but sometimes the smallest beans can bring the biggest reactions. Sometimes they can bring us the most happiness.
Don't be a Jack and take your beans for granted. You never know what they may grow into. Stopping and thinking about the how, makes you remember and appreciate even the things you didn’t know you were thankful for.
A fluttering heart can mean many things…
Sometimes it's easy to forget the value of what we have and how we got there.
Traditionally hand picked, only the finest and ripest made the cut. Starting out as just a berry and changing through many processes into a bean. Beans, which have a long way to go until getting close to being ready to pour into a cup for our pleasure. After a long roasting session and very strict storage conditions, the beans can then be grinded down and packaged, available on our shelves for us to chuck into our basket without a second thought.
Some people state that your heart flutters when you are in love, it's a sign that you're excited beyond belief and can't contain the intense feeling you have inside. Sometimes a fluttering heart can be nerves, drugs, lack of food and sometimes it can be an over dose of coffee.
In a crowded lounge ready to go on a night out, it isn't really the most convenient place or time for a heart to start with irregular beats. Jumping around my chest like it's having a party with my vital organs and stopping suddenly, then minutes later dancing again! Clearly a party I wasn't invited too or meant to attend because it quickly became apparent that these palpitations weren't going away anytime soon. A night of worry right up until I put my head on the pillow and instead of having to count sheep, I had the annoyance of counting my irregular heart beats.
I'm always told, never Google symptoms, they'll come up with stuff you just wouldn’t want to know. Unfortunately... I always Google. On this occasion, it seemed that apart from a really serious illness, it was extremely common and could be caused by a number of things.
Whilst pondering over the day and what might have caused it, I quickly realised that my 4 cups of coffee that I had drunk were not four cups at all. They were made for me by a culprit that I shall not name but everyone knows, at least 2 of them must have had 4 spoonfuls of coffee in them... resulting in my 4 cup day, being a 10 cup day. Thank you.
Too much caffeine can result in heart palpitations.
Life has become all about forgetting the little things. We are quick to jump to any conclusion; we worry about the tiny things but don't think of the easiest solutions. We take things for granted then get annoyed when they're out of stock.
Who would have thought my fluttering heart and all the worry it caused might have just come from the tiny coffee bean.
It is easy to forget how lucky we are, it's easy to forget the small things in life... but sometimes the smallest beans can bring the biggest reactions. Sometimes they can bring us the most happiness.
Don't be a Jack and take your beans for granted. You never know what they may grow into. Stopping and thinking about the how, makes you remember and appreciate even the things you didn’t know you were thankful for.
A fluttering heart can mean many things…
Monday, 26 April 2010
Against the Wind
Morning, often the hardest part of the day, especially when you have to get up for work… even more so if you dislike the job you do. However, waking up to sun filtering through the blinds always seems to put me in a good mood. It makes getting up easier and a lot quicker.
Running in the morning with the sun on your back is like a mirage, it looks great but it’s actually not what it seems. The heat, the straining of the eyes and the fact you keep thinking you’d rather lay in the garden than be sweating and looking like limp lettuce, all adds to make the run harder.
The great thing about running in the sun with the wind against you, is when you reach the point to turn back, the wind then gives you the push you need and works with you... Perfect, especially if you are about to reach the point of giving up. Unless of course like this particular morning, Mother Nature was not on your side. Just when you turn, the wind turned with you, making you struggle even more against the wind, which once again pushes you back as you try to move forward.
Sometimes you just can't wait for weather to change… you just have to go with it.
Picking up speed, leaning over the edge splashing against the salt soaked ocean and chasing the sun... Sailing perfection, until the wind drops, the rope slacks and the boom swings round whacking you in the face... Making you fall into the water, bruised and remembering exactly why you wear a life jacket.
The weather can be predicted, it can be extremely accurate, help us plan our days and our outfits. The weather can also change, the predictions can be wrong and we have to adapt.
People often run their lives around weather, food can’t be grown until certain conditions allow it and no one wants to lie on a beach in the rain.
Life is like weather. You can plan it in detail, you can prepare for things and it can throw us in many directions. It can change without warning, it can be sunny, cloudy and it can feel like it’s rained for days… and then sometimes, we discover rainbows.
That's the thing about nature, sometimes it will be against you, and sometimes it will challenge you and give you a struggle... But sometimes it's worth the effort to keep going, pushing through. Some things are worth the fight.
Life is definitely like a race, but it is also a race that doesn't just award first place. It is a race everyone can win. It sometimes will cause you pain, put pressure and stress on you, make you compete with others and allow you to excel where others might slow down... And like most things, a race can be hard, but much better if there is someone running by your side... Be them whatever part of your life.
Sometimes you just need the right pair of trainers, a safe life jacket and great support around you. The wind might be against you at times, but it doesn’t matter, we have the tools to work through it.
Don’t let bad weather get you down.
Running in the morning with the sun on your back is like a mirage, it looks great but it’s actually not what it seems. The heat, the straining of the eyes and the fact you keep thinking you’d rather lay in the garden than be sweating and looking like limp lettuce, all adds to make the run harder.
The great thing about running in the sun with the wind against you, is when you reach the point to turn back, the wind then gives you the push you need and works with you... Perfect, especially if you are about to reach the point of giving up. Unless of course like this particular morning, Mother Nature was not on your side. Just when you turn, the wind turned with you, making you struggle even more against the wind, which once again pushes you back as you try to move forward.
Sometimes you just can't wait for weather to change… you just have to go with it.
Picking up speed, leaning over the edge splashing against the salt soaked ocean and chasing the sun... Sailing perfection, until the wind drops, the rope slacks and the boom swings round whacking you in the face... Making you fall into the water, bruised and remembering exactly why you wear a life jacket.
The weather can be predicted, it can be extremely accurate, help us plan our days and our outfits. The weather can also change, the predictions can be wrong and we have to adapt.
People often run their lives around weather, food can’t be grown until certain conditions allow it and no one wants to lie on a beach in the rain.
Life is like weather. You can plan it in detail, you can prepare for things and it can throw us in many directions. It can change without warning, it can be sunny, cloudy and it can feel like it’s rained for days… and then sometimes, we discover rainbows.
That's the thing about nature, sometimes it will be against you, and sometimes it will challenge you and give you a struggle... But sometimes it's worth the effort to keep going, pushing through. Some things are worth the fight.
Life is definitely like a race, but it is also a race that doesn't just award first place. It is a race everyone can win. It sometimes will cause you pain, put pressure and stress on you, make you compete with others and allow you to excel where others might slow down... And like most things, a race can be hard, but much better if there is someone running by your side... Be them whatever part of your life.
Sometimes you just need the right pair of trainers, a safe life jacket and great support around you. The wind might be against you at times, but it doesn’t matter, we have the tools to work through it.
Don’t let bad weather get you down.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
The Label
Introductions, the first taste of making an impression, showing someone who you are in a short space of time... An introduction that most of the time allows people to brand you.
It's apparently rude to ask when voting which side you're backing, which box you're ticking and who you've decided would best back you. However, through a process where we are giving ourselves freedom of speech... Just how many boxes do we fit in and why has life become all about labels?
When did it start being about what we are and not who we are?
If voting is such a private thing, then someone should really tell this to my neighbour who has put up a big conservative flag across their house. They did apologise as I walked up to my house, then shouted as if part of the campaign themselves, “Back Conservative!” They really are such private people.
It seems we have become a race striving to define what each and every person is. Sexuality, status, race... Forgetting that these are also things that have been targeted and turned against us in the past.
The fact is, everyone is and has many labels... For most they are something to hold onto, something that is needed. Putting people in boxes, categories and branding is our way of telling each other who and what we are. It's not just a label, its comfort.
Something un-defined can be scary.
Life has become about what label you wear, gay, straight, black, white, married, single the on-going list is endless. This is ok; just don't find yourself stopping at the label. Because under each very different brand is a person.
An introduction is only a snippet, sometimes we box too soon and sometimes we get it wrong.
The biggest label we wear is the one we give ourselves! The voice in our heads that call us ugly when we feel fat, making us feel uncomfortable. The decisions we make that might not always be right and the fear we have if others brand us wrong.
Everyone fears what box we tick.
That’s the brilliant thing about being branded, everyone see’s it different. Some will brand you wrong. No one will see the same label as you, it’s hard to judge when we all have labels and then theirs some that will see past the label. Some will see you.
I have learnt that you just have to love the label you wear. Use you're vote, but don't get annoyed if you don't win. Everyone has a box.
Don’t always let introductions get in the way.
It’s not bad to be branded, but remember we all do it and then also remember…Life’s so much more than just a label.
It's apparently rude to ask when voting which side you're backing, which box you're ticking and who you've decided would best back you. However, through a process where we are giving ourselves freedom of speech... Just how many boxes do we fit in and why has life become all about labels?
When did it start being about what we are and not who we are?
If voting is such a private thing, then someone should really tell this to my neighbour who has put up a big conservative flag across their house. They did apologise as I walked up to my house, then shouted as if part of the campaign themselves, “Back Conservative!” They really are such private people.
It seems we have become a race striving to define what each and every person is. Sexuality, status, race... Forgetting that these are also things that have been targeted and turned against us in the past.
The fact is, everyone is and has many labels... For most they are something to hold onto, something that is needed. Putting people in boxes, categories and branding is our way of telling each other who and what we are. It's not just a label, its comfort.
Something un-defined can be scary.
Life has become about what label you wear, gay, straight, black, white, married, single the on-going list is endless. This is ok; just don't find yourself stopping at the label. Because under each very different brand is a person.
An introduction is only a snippet, sometimes we box too soon and sometimes we get it wrong.
The biggest label we wear is the one we give ourselves! The voice in our heads that call us ugly when we feel fat, making us feel uncomfortable. The decisions we make that might not always be right and the fear we have if others brand us wrong.
Everyone fears what box we tick.
That’s the brilliant thing about being branded, everyone see’s it different. Some will brand you wrong. No one will see the same label as you, it’s hard to judge when we all have labels and then theirs some that will see past the label. Some will see you.
I have learnt that you just have to love the label you wear. Use you're vote, but don't get annoyed if you don't win. Everyone has a box.
Don’t always let introductions get in the way.
It’s not bad to be branded, but remember we all do it and then also remember…Life’s so much more than just a label.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Tablets
Many people state the best cure for most common things is fresh air, to let the body naturally work itself out or a good night’s sleep. For whatever reason be it addictions, cravings or the need to calm the storm... we all have our drugs.
If I suffered from lack of sleep, couldn't get settled and had sleepless nights all the time, would I turn to a sleeping pill? I can quite easily say no, partly because I don't suffer from that and partly because I am the type of person to take one and worry that I would never wake up again! However, waking up a week later would definitely be refreshing...
Illegal drugs are always topics of conversation. From school we are taught they are wrong, don't smoke, don't pop pills and don't snort coke. To some, this makes them want to try them more, some would never try them, some get addicted and some ruin their lives because of it. These become their drugs.
If a drug becomes something you're addicted too, surely this stems to more than the tablets we use to cure our headaches, the heroin that gets injected to feed cravings and the pot you smoke to nurse the addiction.
A drug is anything and anyone...
To say drugs are bad would be a statement wrong in so many ways. Granted, drugs used in the wrong way are not good. Many drugs however cure illness, bring people back to life and sometimes help us to survive.
People are drugs, a lot of time they can leave you wanting more. They can feed your addiction, they can hurt you and they can be your best friend. Just because the drug of your choice might be a partner, a pet or a friend, it doesn’t always mean it's a bad thing.
A drug used in the right way can be amazing.
Everyone has their drugs.
The funny thing is though; a good night’s sleep really does make you feel better. Fresh air can clear your head and sometimes our drugs are only a small part of what actually exists!
A drug used in the right way can help you, but at the end of the day there’s more to a person than a drug. It's like the cover of that book, what’s underneath can be just as amazing.
Drugs and addictions come and go, but the real things that keep us alive are the people we have in our lives. The people that are there to support, love, care and be addicted to the good things in life. A good addiction can just be the start of so much more.
A headache tablet doesn't just cure headaches you know!
Be more than just a drug... be amazing.
If I suffered from lack of sleep, couldn't get settled and had sleepless nights all the time, would I turn to a sleeping pill? I can quite easily say no, partly because I don't suffer from that and partly because I am the type of person to take one and worry that I would never wake up again! However, waking up a week later would definitely be refreshing...
Illegal drugs are always topics of conversation. From school we are taught they are wrong, don't smoke, don't pop pills and don't snort coke. To some, this makes them want to try them more, some would never try them, some get addicted and some ruin their lives because of it. These become their drugs.
If a drug becomes something you're addicted too, surely this stems to more than the tablets we use to cure our headaches, the heroin that gets injected to feed cravings and the pot you smoke to nurse the addiction.
A drug is anything and anyone...
To say drugs are bad would be a statement wrong in so many ways. Granted, drugs used in the wrong way are not good. Many drugs however cure illness, bring people back to life and sometimes help us to survive.
People are drugs, a lot of time they can leave you wanting more. They can feed your addiction, they can hurt you and they can be your best friend. Just because the drug of your choice might be a partner, a pet or a friend, it doesn’t always mean it's a bad thing.
A drug used in the right way can be amazing.
Everyone has their drugs.
The funny thing is though; a good night’s sleep really does make you feel better. Fresh air can clear your head and sometimes our drugs are only a small part of what actually exists!
A drug used in the right way can help you, but at the end of the day there’s more to a person than a drug. It's like the cover of that book, what’s underneath can be just as amazing.
Drugs and addictions come and go, but the real things that keep us alive are the people we have in our lives. The people that are there to support, love, care and be addicted to the good things in life. A good addiction can just be the start of so much more.
A headache tablet doesn't just cure headaches you know!
Be more than just a drug... be amazing.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Who we are
Many people say decisions we make shape our lives and path our future. Some say our parents give us the foundations and we build the life on top of them.
The truth is, we are who we decide to be, only sometimes we build on the foundations with the wrong bricks!
Often when my mum got angry at me, she would state I was not the son she had raised. Apart from being paranoid that I was swapped at play group I realised that I was the son my mum raised, but as I got older I was also the person I raised.
When so many problem children and young adults are the subject of news stories many people turn quickly to the parents, wondering if they were to blame for the bad decisions their children made! But at what age do we stop blaming someone else and start thinking about our own actions?
Through life you'll be sure to meet many types of people from many different backgrounds. Some will be rich, some poor, some white, some black and some many different colours on the outside and in, even pink! They may have been brought up in these categories or may have developed them through things that happened or decisions made... But they are just like you, trying to build their lives.
I have a friend; I use the word friend in a loose way, not because I hate them but because I don't always agree with how they are. His family appears to come from money and he is stuck in this mind set going about his life with money and what he has as seemingly part of his personality. He talks down to people worst off, treats waiters like his personnel staff and offends without even being aware of it. He does all this and doesn't realise he doesn't need too.
He apparently has a side that's great, which I haven't really seen, he believes this is how he should be and thinks it impresses... He is who he is because it's what he believes he should be. It's almost as if his bricks are complete but missing at the same time. He is who he is, but could be so much more.
I have always been brought up to respect others, to care about feelings and to try and lead an honest and good life. My parents are great and did bring me and my sister up well. But I am not perfect, no one is! I have picked many bad bricks and I'm pretty sure I will again, I guess that in a way, it is part of who I am.
The great thing about building lives is they can withhold a re-build.
Some people you'll dislike because you feel they might not deserve what they have and some you'll feel sorry for not having as much. Then they’ll be some that won't care about any of that...
Who are we? Different! The world would be a pretty boring place if we weren't.
That's the thing we don't always remember, it doesn't really matter where you come from, it only matters where you're going. If you are lucky enough to come from solid foundations, which doesn't only mean wealth, it means love, happiness and support, then respect those and still grow...
At the end of the day, life isn't about who you dislike or who gets ahead when you fall behind. Life is about who you are, inside and out.
Be the best you can be.
Bricks might wear, but we have the tools to rebuild.
The question is, who do you want to be?
The truth is, we are who we decide to be, only sometimes we build on the foundations with the wrong bricks!
Often when my mum got angry at me, she would state I was not the son she had raised. Apart from being paranoid that I was swapped at play group I realised that I was the son my mum raised, but as I got older I was also the person I raised.
When so many problem children and young adults are the subject of news stories many people turn quickly to the parents, wondering if they were to blame for the bad decisions their children made! But at what age do we stop blaming someone else and start thinking about our own actions?
Through life you'll be sure to meet many types of people from many different backgrounds. Some will be rich, some poor, some white, some black and some many different colours on the outside and in, even pink! They may have been brought up in these categories or may have developed them through things that happened or decisions made... But they are just like you, trying to build their lives.
I have a friend; I use the word friend in a loose way, not because I hate them but because I don't always agree with how they are. His family appears to come from money and he is stuck in this mind set going about his life with money and what he has as seemingly part of his personality. He talks down to people worst off, treats waiters like his personnel staff and offends without even being aware of it. He does all this and doesn't realise he doesn't need too.
He apparently has a side that's great, which I haven't really seen, he believes this is how he should be and thinks it impresses... He is who he is because it's what he believes he should be. It's almost as if his bricks are complete but missing at the same time. He is who he is, but could be so much more.
I have always been brought up to respect others, to care about feelings and to try and lead an honest and good life. My parents are great and did bring me and my sister up well. But I am not perfect, no one is! I have picked many bad bricks and I'm pretty sure I will again, I guess that in a way, it is part of who I am.
The great thing about building lives is they can withhold a re-build.
Some people you'll dislike because you feel they might not deserve what they have and some you'll feel sorry for not having as much. Then they’ll be some that won't care about any of that...
Who are we? Different! The world would be a pretty boring place if we weren't.
That's the thing we don't always remember, it doesn't really matter where you come from, it only matters where you're going. If you are lucky enough to come from solid foundations, which doesn't only mean wealth, it means love, happiness and support, then respect those and still grow...
At the end of the day, life isn't about who you dislike or who gets ahead when you fall behind. Life is about who you are, inside and out.
Be the best you can be.
Bricks might wear, but we have the tools to rebuild.
The question is, who do you want to be?
Monday, 22 March 2010
Expectations
It is easy for people to say, 'Never judge a book by its cover!' But it is even harder for people to do.
I have heard that the greatest expectation to get over is the ones we set ourselves. If this is true, then we really are our own worst critic.
Parents, family and friends all have different expectations for each other... whether they admit to them or not. Some care, expecting good results and some expect others to fail, to lose out and to never reach their dreams.
Some peoples expectations are developed from anger and jealously... some people hate and don't just expect us to fail, but want us too.
The thing is... everyone expects something different and because of this, a lot of people will be let down and let you down.
It is in the way we dress, how we speak and the company we select. It is where we live, our family name and the job we have. It is the ring we wear, the bruises we show and the choices we make... it is expectations from who we are and the things we do.
Most people have dreams, goals they'd like to reach. My mum plays the lottery every week and expects to win any day now. She still checks her emails to see if she has won, even though her expectations know she probably hasn't... but wouldn't it be nice.
We all have expectations; some are viewed as pressure to do well. Striving to do what everyone has told us we will achieve and worrying we won't. Worrying we'll disappoint and worrying we'll fall.
An expectation is something others think they will see, our own expectations are things we hope others will see and when we expect from others, that’s what we hope to see.
The great thing about expectations is, it doesn't matter if we don't always succeed in them. My dad always tells me... I will be happy, as long as you tried your best.
We always expect... so just try your best, no one who cares will ask anymore of you.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, they’ll always be expectations.
I have heard that the greatest expectation to get over is the ones we set ourselves. If this is true, then we really are our own worst critic.
Parents, family and friends all have different expectations for each other... whether they admit to them or not. Some care, expecting good results and some expect others to fail, to lose out and to never reach their dreams.
Some peoples expectations are developed from anger and jealously... some people hate and don't just expect us to fail, but want us too.
The thing is... everyone expects something different and because of this, a lot of people will be let down and let you down.
It is in the way we dress, how we speak and the company we select. It is where we live, our family name and the job we have. It is the ring we wear, the bruises we show and the choices we make... it is expectations from who we are and the things we do.
Most people have dreams, goals they'd like to reach. My mum plays the lottery every week and expects to win any day now. She still checks her emails to see if she has won, even though her expectations know she probably hasn't... but wouldn't it be nice.
We all have expectations; some are viewed as pressure to do well. Striving to do what everyone has told us we will achieve and worrying we won't. Worrying we'll disappoint and worrying we'll fall.
An expectation is something others think they will see, our own expectations are things we hope others will see and when we expect from others, that’s what we hope to see.
The great thing about expectations is, it doesn't matter if we don't always succeed in them. My dad always tells me... I will be happy, as long as you tried your best.
We always expect... so just try your best, no one who cares will ask anymore of you.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, they’ll always be expectations.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Seeing Red
In the short time I've been driving, one piece of advice I always hear is... Never let the petrol run down to red. In the short time I've been driving, I almost always hold my breath hoping that I'd make it to a petrol station, because I am the person that always runs it down to red.
Today was no exception, I pulled up to the station just in time... thanking out loud to no one and secretly patting the dash board as if it were a dog.
As I filled up allowing my motor to re-hydrate I looked around. I looked to my left and saw a man yawning as he pumped petrol into his car, to my right a lady was squeezing the handle so tightly she must have been in a rush hoping the fuel would flow faster!
Petrol pumps are a lot like using a urinal... when you’re done you shake it and return it back to its home.
I paid for the drink and drove off on my journey to work... knowing that the tank was a little bit fuller and my wallet was a lot lighter!
The more I drove the more I looked around.
I would look at the car next to me as I waited for the lights, I would pretend not to stare at the man shouting at his wife/mistress/lover and I would get shy as I got caught staring at a man who had a huge beard but no hair.
The more I looked around the more I realised... No one smiled.
Ladies, men, workers, joggers and truck drivers. Not one of them smiling. I then looked into the rear view mirror and to my surprise, nor was I.
If you look around, a glance, a quick scan, just how many people are smiling? Why is it that we go about our day only smiling when we see people or find something funny?
What happened to the smile?
I had roughly 10 minutes left of my journey, bad enough as I was already 4 minutes late. I decided to smile.
As I smiled I turned up the music, I looked to my left and right, I found it started to make me laugh... I then nearly hit a curb and swerved. I resumed my smile and started to realise people didn't really smile back; one man looked at me as if I was crazy and another nearly swerved himself!
I quickly found a smile un-nerves and shakes us. It is not what we are use to seeing.
If I drove to work and saw a man grinning I'd probably laugh, I’d probably smile myself. The fact is, sometimes we are too tired, too self-conscious or just don't realise that we have something to smile about.
No one smiles all the time and if you do then great. The reality is people need something, someone or a memory to provoke a smile.
We all have things that bring us down, we all have days where a smile is the last thing we want to do... but sometimes a smile is what we need even when you're running on empty and in danger of breaking down. They say a smile goes a long way, a smile is free and a smile causes less wrinkles... A smile is like saying you're ok.
Remember that.
Everyone deserves a smile... So who are you smiling about?
Today was no exception, I pulled up to the station just in time... thanking out loud to no one and secretly patting the dash board as if it were a dog.
As I filled up allowing my motor to re-hydrate I looked around. I looked to my left and saw a man yawning as he pumped petrol into his car, to my right a lady was squeezing the handle so tightly she must have been in a rush hoping the fuel would flow faster!
Petrol pumps are a lot like using a urinal... when you’re done you shake it and return it back to its home.
I paid for the drink and drove off on my journey to work... knowing that the tank was a little bit fuller and my wallet was a lot lighter!
The more I drove the more I looked around.
I would look at the car next to me as I waited for the lights, I would pretend not to stare at the man shouting at his wife/mistress/lover and I would get shy as I got caught staring at a man who had a huge beard but no hair.
The more I looked around the more I realised... No one smiled.
Ladies, men, workers, joggers and truck drivers. Not one of them smiling. I then looked into the rear view mirror and to my surprise, nor was I.
If you look around, a glance, a quick scan, just how many people are smiling? Why is it that we go about our day only smiling when we see people or find something funny?
What happened to the smile?
I had roughly 10 minutes left of my journey, bad enough as I was already 4 minutes late. I decided to smile.
As I smiled I turned up the music, I looked to my left and right, I found it started to make me laugh... I then nearly hit a curb and swerved. I resumed my smile and started to realise people didn't really smile back; one man looked at me as if I was crazy and another nearly swerved himself!
I quickly found a smile un-nerves and shakes us. It is not what we are use to seeing.
If I drove to work and saw a man grinning I'd probably laugh, I’d probably smile myself. The fact is, sometimes we are too tired, too self-conscious or just don't realise that we have something to smile about.
No one smiles all the time and if you do then great. The reality is people need something, someone or a memory to provoke a smile.
We all have things that bring us down, we all have days where a smile is the last thing we want to do... but sometimes a smile is what we need even when you're running on empty and in danger of breaking down. They say a smile goes a long way, a smile is free and a smile causes less wrinkles... A smile is like saying you're ok.
Remember that.
Everyone deserves a smile... So who are you smiling about?
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Pedalling
I can’t really remember how old I was when I learnt how to ride my push bike without stabilisers. I remember my dad running beside me, pushing me, fearing that he'd let go. Then with a final push I remember he did and I pedalled... and then fell off.
Balance.
The key to riding a bike without stabilisers, its all in the balance. At the time we probably didn't want to fall off, we didn't want to fail, but looking back you realise... sometimes you need to fall.
A week ago I drove to work as I do every morning, a lady flashed me with her lights and I presumed she meant for me to turn mine on. I continued to drive as it was daylight. I got to work and went about my day, until it came to lunch. I went to go to my car and realised it was a little lop-sided.
My back tyre was flat.
I have never changed a tyre, not surprising I guess. Luckily a guy from my work knew how to. As I stood and watched my car being jacked up, I realised, it's funny how something so small like the nail that punctured my tyre, could prevent me from going about my day.
As annoying as it was, I'm kind of glad it happened. I went and got my punctured tyre repaired for the total price of £9.98 and felt road worthy once again.
Someone once told me, "Why do we fall? To get back up again!" This line would have been really nice, if I didn't later realise that he had got it from a Batman film. So thank you Batman, because those wise words you probably muttered as you saved a man's life, actually ring true.
There are many things that happen, bumps in the road, failing your driving test, not getting the job you desired or passing out from too much alcohol. The list is endless and that is because sometimes there are things that we need to learn before we can pedal on our own.
There are many things I fail at, but that's ok. With every fail I gain more knowledge, knowledge to try again.
Sometimes you just need a little push.
Balance.
The key to riding a bike without stabilisers, its all in the balance. At the time we probably didn't want to fall off, we didn't want to fail, but looking back you realise... sometimes you need to fall.
A week ago I drove to work as I do every morning, a lady flashed me with her lights and I presumed she meant for me to turn mine on. I continued to drive as it was daylight. I got to work and went about my day, until it came to lunch. I went to go to my car and realised it was a little lop-sided.
My back tyre was flat.
I have never changed a tyre, not surprising I guess. Luckily a guy from my work knew how to. As I stood and watched my car being jacked up, I realised, it's funny how something so small like the nail that punctured my tyre, could prevent me from going about my day.
As annoying as it was, I'm kind of glad it happened. I went and got my punctured tyre repaired for the total price of £9.98 and felt road worthy once again.
Someone once told me, "Why do we fall? To get back up again!" This line would have been really nice, if I didn't later realise that he had got it from a Batman film. So thank you Batman, because those wise words you probably muttered as you saved a man's life, actually ring true.
There are many things that happen, bumps in the road, failing your driving test, not getting the job you desired or passing out from too much alcohol. The list is endless and that is because sometimes there are things that we need to learn before we can pedal on our own.
There are many things I fail at, but that's ok. With every fail I gain more knowledge, knowledge to try again.
Sometimes you just need a little push.
Monday, 1 March 2010
The New Coat Hanger
A trend setter is someone who does not follow, does not stick to rules and always strives to take their image further than the last time they changed it. A trend setter is also someone who is a risk taker, someone that dares and sometimes makes a hit, but quite often misses at the same time.
Not everything is always how you expect it to be. This statement could not be truer about my attendance at London Fashion Week.
Fashion is said to be the art form we wear, but just how many people wear it?
Bright lights, flashing cameras, people wearing outside the box clothes and the highest heels even in the pouring rain. Fashion Week arrives... and the weather will not rain on this parade.
To be in the audience viewing a show that is watched by millions, millions of people who want to be in the very seat I sat in, was an experience that I will always remember. An experience where I get to see fashion happening in front of my eyes and realise the true birth place of new and current trends coming alive.
As the lights dimmed and the catwalk lit up, I strangely got excited and with a heavy beat kicking in and the first model striking a pose, I quickly realised that this is why people come to fashion week... Drama.
Seeing a model up close is like seeing an animal in the zoo... they photograph beautifully in pictures but in real life they are not looking as hot as they are made out to be.
As the models walked through many outfit changes, it quickly dawned on me the missing link to the zoo. In model world I don't think feeding hour happens that much...if at all.
Some were skinny, but in an ok way, but many were painfully thin and looking in bad condition with blood spots on legs, bones sticking out and drawn faces.
The modern day coat hanger was definitely the wire version.
With each outfit followed by a more vibrant one, the whole experience made you crave to see more. Designs were hits and misses at the same time and everyone in attendance became a judge. Judging if they'd wear it, like it or toss it on the sale rack.
As the lights came up and the show was over I looked around and saw smiling faces, whispering girls and strutting ladies. Fashion week had happened before my eyes and it was everything I didn't expect.
It was a place where people were who they wanted to be. People would wear the outfits I judged wrongly and people hated the outfits I liked.
I realise even more now than ever... Fashion is a hit and a miss. It is loved and it is hated, it is something where everyone has an opinion and it is a form of expression. Much like life, fashion is something unique to everyone. No designer can cater to everyone's needs, but a trend can be done in many ways, tailoring to each individual.
At the end of the day, we are all just individuals.
Not everything is always how you expect it to be. This statement could not be truer about my attendance at London Fashion Week.
Fashion is said to be the art form we wear, but just how many people wear it?
Bright lights, flashing cameras, people wearing outside the box clothes and the highest heels even in the pouring rain. Fashion Week arrives... and the weather will not rain on this parade.
To be in the audience viewing a show that is watched by millions, millions of people who want to be in the very seat I sat in, was an experience that I will always remember. An experience where I get to see fashion happening in front of my eyes and realise the true birth place of new and current trends coming alive.
As the lights dimmed and the catwalk lit up, I strangely got excited and with a heavy beat kicking in and the first model striking a pose, I quickly realised that this is why people come to fashion week... Drama.
Seeing a model up close is like seeing an animal in the zoo... they photograph beautifully in pictures but in real life they are not looking as hot as they are made out to be.
As the models walked through many outfit changes, it quickly dawned on me the missing link to the zoo. In model world I don't think feeding hour happens that much...if at all.
Some were skinny, but in an ok way, but many were painfully thin and looking in bad condition with blood spots on legs, bones sticking out and drawn faces.
The modern day coat hanger was definitely the wire version.
With each outfit followed by a more vibrant one, the whole experience made you crave to see more. Designs were hits and misses at the same time and everyone in attendance became a judge. Judging if they'd wear it, like it or toss it on the sale rack.
As the lights came up and the show was over I looked around and saw smiling faces, whispering girls and strutting ladies. Fashion week had happened before my eyes and it was everything I didn't expect.
It was a place where people were who they wanted to be. People would wear the outfits I judged wrongly and people hated the outfits I liked.
I realise even more now than ever... Fashion is a hit and a miss. It is loved and it is hated, it is something where everyone has an opinion and it is a form of expression. Much like life, fashion is something unique to everyone. No designer can cater to everyone's needs, but a trend can be done in many ways, tailoring to each individual.
At the end of the day, we are all just individuals.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
New Directions
Some say the greatest fear is the un-known... Not knowing what lurks in the shadows, not knowing a career direction and not knowing where you'll go.
But surely with every un-known, there must be a person that knows?
To stick to the yellow brick road that is life and go on with no bumps, diversions and no strays off the path would be easy, but surely a life stuck in a comfort zone? A life that might never realize its full potential and a life never knowing what is beyond the trail.
Some people are happy to go along and live their life like this. Some call it a bubble... However, some people know no different and get their bubble burst without warning or wanting it.
To the passing eye, the lady that works in my canteen might just be a middle aged kind hearted woman. A lady who reads her paper at 3pm, who always serves me with a smile and a lady that always laughs at me even though I'm sure I never say anything funny.
A lady that calls me Andy.
I had never noticed she did it, until the other day when I was at the till. I stood there and she said, "How are you today Andy?" I looked at her blankly and for a split second said nothing. I then handed her the money and said, "I'm good thank you." I turned and walked away wondering why she just called me Andy and more to the point, why I just accepted it and replied to it.
When dealing with the un-known, is it sometimes better to just guess?
A friend of mine has taught me a valuable lesson. He came out of a very long relationship and had to re-build a life that he had some what lost contact with. He re-developed strong friendships and new goals.
He threw himself into this un-known and turned it into a new direction. He didn't know where he was going or who he'd meet but he guessed his way through it and the guessing turned into knowing, making the un-known not seem so un-familiar.
It is fine to not know where you are going; who you are and be scared of the un-known... at the end of the day we are all just guessing.
Andy
But surely with every un-known, there must be a person that knows?
To stick to the yellow brick road that is life and go on with no bumps, diversions and no strays off the path would be easy, but surely a life stuck in a comfort zone? A life that might never realize its full potential and a life never knowing what is beyond the trail.
Some people are happy to go along and live their life like this. Some call it a bubble... However, some people know no different and get their bubble burst without warning or wanting it.
To the passing eye, the lady that works in my canteen might just be a middle aged kind hearted woman. A lady who reads her paper at 3pm, who always serves me with a smile and a lady that always laughs at me even though I'm sure I never say anything funny.
A lady that calls me Andy.
I had never noticed she did it, until the other day when I was at the till. I stood there and she said, "How are you today Andy?" I looked at her blankly and for a split second said nothing. I then handed her the money and said, "I'm good thank you." I turned and walked away wondering why she just called me Andy and more to the point, why I just accepted it and replied to it.
When dealing with the un-known, is it sometimes better to just guess?
A friend of mine has taught me a valuable lesson. He came out of a very long relationship and had to re-build a life that he had some what lost contact with. He re-developed strong friendships and new goals.
He threw himself into this un-known and turned it into a new direction. He didn't know where he was going or who he'd meet but he guessed his way through it and the guessing turned into knowing, making the un-known not seem so un-familiar.
It is fine to not know where you are going; who you are and be scared of the un-known... at the end of the day we are all just guessing.
Andy
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
House Sweet Home
Bed's made, carpets cleaned and the smell of polish covering every available surface. Shoes in the cupboard, coats hanging up and when everyone’s out, you walking around naked.
Is your house, your home?
Most people have some sort of routine... That’s life, even if you feel you haven't, you most probably have.
I often think I don't have a routine, I'm not always on time and sometimes I do things in very irregular ways. I guess a routine can be as simple as having coffee every morning, always having a shower and never skipping breakfast.
To enjoy a house the main thing you need is comfort. I'm not talking fluffy cushions, bed-spreads from John Lewis and lamp shades from Next... I mean the comfortable feeling that lives inside us. That warm haze you get from your home, that feeling you get when you've found the right house and the feeling you yearn for when you're away from it.
This feeling provides the foundations of comfort and you provide the furnishings, enabling a house to become a home.
Landscape gardeners... mainly men who don't mind getting muddy, making noise and drinking all your tea. Gardiners that like to take their time and charge for it too. Gardiners that you forget are there and soon want them to hurry up and finish!
For lack of routine in my life, I get up at different times every day. On a working morning I have to be up with an alarm, but Saturdays are bliss as I rise when I am ready.
Sundays are said to be the day of rest, I say the weekend is all about resting. Days of rest are days you can do as you please.
I am not a naked person... I can't sleep naked and usually run to the shower clutching a towel. But sometimes, when everyone is out and you wake up, it just happens.
Stumble out of bed rubbing my eyes, one foot follows the other. Walking across my room taking my boxers off as I reach my blind... rolling up the blind ready for the morning sun.
The gardeners work Saturdays.
I launch myself back making more of a show than the one the two gardeners just witnessed and the other missing the action. I sit behind my bed on the other side cringing at what just happened and daring not to look.
Yes. Yes, I just showed all that I have to three gardeners that are here for another two weeks. I just showed the people I have to make small talk with in the morning and tea for when I come home, all my morning glory.
I crawled out of my room and stayed behind walls and out of the windows site for most of the day. Praying they would hurry up and go, praying they’d finish early and keeping my blind closed.
I have now discovered a house is not a home till it is complete. Completing a house is a hard task and something that could take months, even years. You have to appreciate what you have and realise that if home is where the heart is, then work at it. A wall is not built in a day.
In the mean time remember this… nakedness is something that is better when the blinds are pulled down.
Is your house, your home?
Most people have some sort of routine... That’s life, even if you feel you haven't, you most probably have.
I often think I don't have a routine, I'm not always on time and sometimes I do things in very irregular ways. I guess a routine can be as simple as having coffee every morning, always having a shower and never skipping breakfast.
To enjoy a house the main thing you need is comfort. I'm not talking fluffy cushions, bed-spreads from John Lewis and lamp shades from Next... I mean the comfortable feeling that lives inside us. That warm haze you get from your home, that feeling you get when you've found the right house and the feeling you yearn for when you're away from it.
This feeling provides the foundations of comfort and you provide the furnishings, enabling a house to become a home.
Landscape gardeners... mainly men who don't mind getting muddy, making noise and drinking all your tea. Gardiners that like to take their time and charge for it too. Gardiners that you forget are there and soon want them to hurry up and finish!
For lack of routine in my life, I get up at different times every day. On a working morning I have to be up with an alarm, but Saturdays are bliss as I rise when I am ready.
Sundays are said to be the day of rest, I say the weekend is all about resting. Days of rest are days you can do as you please.
I am not a naked person... I can't sleep naked and usually run to the shower clutching a towel. But sometimes, when everyone is out and you wake up, it just happens.
Stumble out of bed rubbing my eyes, one foot follows the other. Walking across my room taking my boxers off as I reach my blind... rolling up the blind ready for the morning sun.
The gardeners work Saturdays.
I launch myself back making more of a show than the one the two gardeners just witnessed and the other missing the action. I sit behind my bed on the other side cringing at what just happened and daring not to look.
Yes. Yes, I just showed all that I have to three gardeners that are here for another two weeks. I just showed the people I have to make small talk with in the morning and tea for when I come home, all my morning glory.
I crawled out of my room and stayed behind walls and out of the windows site for most of the day. Praying they would hurry up and go, praying they’d finish early and keeping my blind closed.
I have now discovered a house is not a home till it is complete. Completing a house is a hard task and something that could take months, even years. You have to appreciate what you have and realise that if home is where the heart is, then work at it. A wall is not built in a day.
In the mean time remember this… nakedness is something that is better when the blinds are pulled down.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
A happy valentine...
A card from a question mark, a flower that has a thorn and food that adds calories as you look at it... Happy Valentines.
Some people say that it is a day that is hated or love. A day that rivals Marmite, a day that card companies love and a day that is full of mixed emotions.
In my opinion... Its a day that I love.
A very good friend advised me that Valentines Day is for people that are single or in a fresh relationship. She is coming up to her fourth year and although there is a strong relationship there, she just doesnt see the fuss surrounding the day. My parents are the same and most of my friends who are in long term relationships share these views.
So where is the love?
Is it left on the shelves with the bad cards? Left with the people craving it as they watch another rom-com... or is it just merely underneath the bells and whistles.
Love in any shape or form is not something that, if true, is packed into one day. Love is something that lasts forever...
Yes, celebrate your love. Wine and dine, romance one another but then wake up and do it all again. Love is like that puppy... It should not just be for christmas, but for life.
Single, paired or going with the flow... Love is in our bestest friends, our families, our partners and in everyone somewhere.
Don't be down on this day, don't be ashamed to love this day, don't forget who you love and don't save it all up for just one day a year... wheres the fun in it.
You have the Love... even if you havent found it yet and if you have, cherish it.
Enjoy your Valentines Day, whatever type it is.
x
Some people say that it is a day that is hated or love. A day that rivals Marmite, a day that card companies love and a day that is full of mixed emotions.
In my opinion... Its a day that I love.
A very good friend advised me that Valentines Day is for people that are single or in a fresh relationship. She is coming up to her fourth year and although there is a strong relationship there, she just doesnt see the fuss surrounding the day. My parents are the same and most of my friends who are in long term relationships share these views.
So where is the love?
Is it left on the shelves with the bad cards? Left with the people craving it as they watch another rom-com... or is it just merely underneath the bells and whistles.
Love in any shape or form is not something that, if true, is packed into one day. Love is something that lasts forever...
Yes, celebrate your love. Wine and dine, romance one another but then wake up and do it all again. Love is like that puppy... It should not just be for christmas, but for life.
Single, paired or going with the flow... Love is in our bestest friends, our families, our partners and in everyone somewhere.
Don't be down on this day, don't be ashamed to love this day, don't forget who you love and don't save it all up for just one day a year... wheres the fun in it.
You have the Love... even if you havent found it yet and if you have, cherish it.
Enjoy your Valentines Day, whatever type it is.
x
Saturday, 13 February 2010
New York
They say that New York is a city of dreams, a city that never sleeps, a place where you can escape the world, shop, site see and relax... I say it is a place unlike any other.
To say I had a fear of flying would be slightly extreme. I will get on the plane, it's just the take off, landing and little bumps in between that make me grip the seats and pray to whoever will listen that I will make a safe journey, in a tin can over the sea, miles in the air.
There is something slightly exciting about going back to a place you have been to before. Don't get me wrong, going away to new places is amazing, discovering un-seen things and enjoying fresh memories... But sometimes going back to a place can shed new light on things you might have missed the last time.
Money, Tickets, Passport... Check! Sister... Check, Dad and Step-mum tagging along on our holiday... Check!
W hotels are well known for class, taste, expense and quality. Our hotel didn't fail to disappoint on any of these things. Situated in a prime location and armed with everything we needed, our holiday began... and after a lot of ups and downs, it was welcomed with open arms by the four of us that went.
Gym at the crack of dawn with my marathon runner of a dad, followed by big breakfasts, shopping till the shops shut, long lunches and evenings filled with laughter, wine and excellent food.
A holiday that makes you smile.
A museum is a place where you go to see history, art or find out fascinating details about things you never even knew. A museum is not meant to be a place where you take a photo of an artist’s picture and make it look like you took it yourself... dad!
Some say that having fun makes time fly and being bored makes us clock watch. It’s annoying at how true this statement is. The 5 day trip did fly by, packed with so much and so many stories and memories freshly created and imprinted into my mind.
It was a city where we did sleep... I think they got that bit wrong, as it was my jet lag that made home become the place I didn’t sleep.
They say it is a place where dreams come true... I say it is a place that provokes the massive potential in us all. A place to remember...
Great times.
To say I had a fear of flying would be slightly extreme. I will get on the plane, it's just the take off, landing and little bumps in between that make me grip the seats and pray to whoever will listen that I will make a safe journey, in a tin can over the sea, miles in the air.
There is something slightly exciting about going back to a place you have been to before. Don't get me wrong, going away to new places is amazing, discovering un-seen things and enjoying fresh memories... But sometimes going back to a place can shed new light on things you might have missed the last time.
Money, Tickets, Passport... Check! Sister... Check, Dad and Step-mum tagging along on our holiday... Check!
W hotels are well known for class, taste, expense and quality. Our hotel didn't fail to disappoint on any of these things. Situated in a prime location and armed with everything we needed, our holiday began... and after a lot of ups and downs, it was welcomed with open arms by the four of us that went.
Gym at the crack of dawn with my marathon runner of a dad, followed by big breakfasts, shopping till the shops shut, long lunches and evenings filled with laughter, wine and excellent food.
A holiday that makes you smile.
A museum is a place where you go to see history, art or find out fascinating details about things you never even knew. A museum is not meant to be a place where you take a photo of an artist’s picture and make it look like you took it yourself... dad!
Some say that having fun makes time fly and being bored makes us clock watch. It’s annoying at how true this statement is. The 5 day trip did fly by, packed with so much and so many stories and memories freshly created and imprinted into my mind.
It was a city where we did sleep... I think they got that bit wrong, as it was my jet lag that made home become the place I didn’t sleep.
They say it is a place where dreams come true... I say it is a place that provokes the massive potential in us all. A place to remember...
Great times.
Looking back
Every now and then something throws us. Whether its a past memory, a faded dream or facing an un-certain future. Instead of looking back, sometimes maybe we should just turn around and face it.
If a place can trigger a memory or a feeling and make you feel strong enough to remember and miss something, then surely it is time to stop running. Stop thinking and start going with those feelings.
To live a life where you are always stopped in your tracks by a smell, memory, photo you keep in the drawer you never open or the ring you sometimes slip on to see how it feels and remember a past.
Life is far too short not to act. We get these feelings come to us for reasons, un-finished endings, un-certain futures...
It is not about why, but more about what you do about them?
To miss someone or something can be a great pain... but to miss someone and still be able to do something about it is just a great shame. Some people don't get the chance to tell people how they feel.
Take your chance.
If a place can trigger a memory or a feeling and make you feel strong enough to remember and miss something, then surely it is time to stop running. Stop thinking and start going with those feelings.
To live a life where you are always stopped in your tracks by a smell, memory, photo you keep in the drawer you never open or the ring you sometimes slip on to see how it feels and remember a past.
Life is far too short not to act. We get these feelings come to us for reasons, un-finished endings, un-certain futures...
It is not about why, but more about what you do about them?
To miss someone or something can be a great pain... but to miss someone and still be able to do something about it is just a great shame. Some people don't get the chance to tell people how they feel.
Take your chance.
Friday, 8 January 2010
A Final Fairwell
Goodbye's are never the easiest thing. Hello's are so much better... Unfortunately goodbye's happen and we need to deal with them the best way we can.
To say that a funeral is hard would be a lie. A funeral is something different for every person. For some it is losing a friend, for others it is losing family and for the gay priest giving the service, it's his 9-5 job.
The time came yesterday at 11am to say fairwell to my much loved Nan. After shedding enough tears before hand, I felt I was prepared to keep a dry face throughout the service... Its funny how things hit you.
The ever falling snow didn't stop a moving service, a service filled with love and respect for a loving and kind person.
Funeral's force you to face a goodbye you never intended on saying and make you think about life. Life is something that a lot of the time we live with our eyes closed. We stumble along and hit bumps in the road that make us re-open them once more.
Open your eyes.
To live life to the full is to remember what you have learnt and keep learning and growing. A memory can make us smile forever, so keep forming new memories to form new smiles.
Forever in my heart.
I am so proud of the people I love.
and Miss Jeni Rodger... all my own words.
x
To say that a funeral is hard would be a lie. A funeral is something different for every person. For some it is losing a friend, for others it is losing family and for the gay priest giving the service, it's his 9-5 job.
The time came yesterday at 11am to say fairwell to my much loved Nan. After shedding enough tears before hand, I felt I was prepared to keep a dry face throughout the service... Its funny how things hit you.
The ever falling snow didn't stop a moving service, a service filled with love and respect for a loving and kind person.
Funeral's force you to face a goodbye you never intended on saying and make you think about life. Life is something that a lot of the time we live with our eyes closed. We stumble along and hit bumps in the road that make us re-open them once more.
Open your eyes.
To live life to the full is to remember what you have learnt and keep learning and growing. A memory can make us smile forever, so keep forming new memories to form new smiles.
Forever in my heart.
I am so proud of the people I love.
and Miss Jeni Rodger... all my own words.
x
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Gym Dreams
You know the holiday season has come to an end when the gym starts getting crowded, you double take at the people that you swear were thinner the last time you saw them and you have to queue for machines.
Obviously I continued to go to the gym the whole time I was off...
It's weird but true, when you go to the gym you sort of have a time slot. You don't mean too, but you seem to end up going every day at the same sort of time. This ultimately leads you to see the same faces and this leads you to meeting Gym Man...
Gym Man is one of those guys that is there all the time, always wears shorts and always makes you forget how to do whatever it was you were doing.
The Gym Man that I see is built like a tank.
No matter what I am doing, be it sit up or running on the treadmill, he stares. It becomes such an un-comfortable stare that I have to turn away.
At first I thought he had seen how I was doing the sit-ups and thought I was doing them wrong, but then it was as I stood waiting for water, as I picked up weights or as I chatted to familier faces. He stared.
The stare followed me around the gym as Gym Man worked out.
The other week I stared back.
He was on the mats where I was having a break in-between sit up sets and I watched as he did his one handed press ups. As he finished his set he looked up to me looking. In my head I was screaming, "DANIEL turn away. Stop looking. DANIEL HE IS NOW LOOKING AT YOU! This is un-comfortable. TURN AWAY."
My mouth opened as if to speak and he looked down and started on his next set of one handed push ups. I got up feeling completely stupid and started to walk away. I saw him stop and look up and watch me go.
What was his problem?
Every time it was the same odd stare, intense and un-comfortable.
I don't know about anyone else, but I usually go to the gym not doing my hair and looking a bit rough and ready... This is usually what I do.
Yesterday I was ready to get back into the gym, full swing. I had my new jogging bottoms on that were slightly too big and walked into the gym (usual time) with a smile.
So what if I had done my hair today, so what if I might have worn a top that was ironed and so what if I had freshened my breath before I came. I was there to work out nothing else and work out is what I would do.
There he was.
I started the run on the treadmill, he hadn't noticed me.
I continued to run. Whilst side tracked in looking at Gym Man, I slowly started to realise that my 'slightly too big joggers' were now below my boxers. I pulled them up and held them, looking straight towards Gym Man, feeling relieved he wasn't looking back this time.
I finished my run without revealing anymore of my body and casually walked past Gym Man as he stood pumping up his arms.
Nothing.
He didn't even blink. I turned around and went to go back to the treadmill, pretending to have forgotten something. I slowly went to walk past him again and it was as if I wasn't there. I was tempted to pretend to knock past him, but felt stupid and went to the mats.
I started my sit ups laughing to myself that I had done my hair. I realised I was actually laughing out loud, not too loudly, but loud enough! I turned to my left to see Gym Man was next to me.
He stared. I shot my head the other way cursing at myself for laughing out loud and looking like a complete idiot.
I turned back and he was gone.
I left the gym confused. Was Gym Man into me? Was Gym Man just a guy that stares? Did Gym Man only like me when I was rough and ready?
Just who is Gym Man?
Obviously I continued to go to the gym the whole time I was off...
It's weird but true, when you go to the gym you sort of have a time slot. You don't mean too, but you seem to end up going every day at the same sort of time. This ultimately leads you to see the same faces and this leads you to meeting Gym Man...
Gym Man is one of those guys that is there all the time, always wears shorts and always makes you forget how to do whatever it was you were doing.
The Gym Man that I see is built like a tank.
No matter what I am doing, be it sit up or running on the treadmill, he stares. It becomes such an un-comfortable stare that I have to turn away.
At first I thought he had seen how I was doing the sit-ups and thought I was doing them wrong, but then it was as I stood waiting for water, as I picked up weights or as I chatted to familier faces. He stared.
The stare followed me around the gym as Gym Man worked out.
The other week I stared back.
He was on the mats where I was having a break in-between sit up sets and I watched as he did his one handed press ups. As he finished his set he looked up to me looking. In my head I was screaming, "DANIEL turn away. Stop looking. DANIEL HE IS NOW LOOKING AT YOU! This is un-comfortable. TURN AWAY."
My mouth opened as if to speak and he looked down and started on his next set of one handed push ups. I got up feeling completely stupid and started to walk away. I saw him stop and look up and watch me go.
What was his problem?
Every time it was the same odd stare, intense and un-comfortable.
I don't know about anyone else, but I usually go to the gym not doing my hair and looking a bit rough and ready... This is usually what I do.
Yesterday I was ready to get back into the gym, full swing. I had my new jogging bottoms on that were slightly too big and walked into the gym (usual time) with a smile.
So what if I had done my hair today, so what if I might have worn a top that was ironed and so what if I had freshened my breath before I came. I was there to work out nothing else and work out is what I would do.
There he was.
I started the run on the treadmill, he hadn't noticed me.
I continued to run. Whilst side tracked in looking at Gym Man, I slowly started to realise that my 'slightly too big joggers' were now below my boxers. I pulled them up and held them, looking straight towards Gym Man, feeling relieved he wasn't looking back this time.
I finished my run without revealing anymore of my body and casually walked past Gym Man as he stood pumping up his arms.
Nothing.
He didn't even blink. I turned around and went to go back to the treadmill, pretending to have forgotten something. I slowly went to walk past him again and it was as if I wasn't there. I was tempted to pretend to knock past him, but felt stupid and went to the mats.
I started my sit ups laughing to myself that I had done my hair. I realised I was actually laughing out loud, not too loudly, but loud enough! I turned to my left to see Gym Man was next to me.
He stared. I shot my head the other way cursing at myself for laughing out loud and looking like a complete idiot.
I turned back and he was gone.
I left the gym confused. Was Gym Man into me? Was Gym Man just a guy that stares? Did Gym Man only like me when I was rough and ready?
Just who is Gym Man?
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Ghost stories
Everyone has their own opinion on whether or not ghosts exist. Arguements, discussions and debates happen constantly about whether its all in our head or at the end of the bed?
I have not long moved, but my old house was an old three story big house. My mum always tells me she can sense whether a house is haunted or not and always stated that this house was not.
Comforting... that is until a few months back before we moved.
My brother manages a bar, its a taxi ride from our house and he doesn't drive. He always comes home late and nearly always forgets his keys.
My parents were away again (they're always off on long weekends or trips to far away places.)
It was a week night and after the gym, dinner and a long night in front of the television I was ready to head up to bed. A jumpy person anyway, I double check doors, windows and a couple/all of the rooms.
I finally get into bed and drift off to sleep.
I wake up to the door bell ringing. I looked to my phone and it was around 3am. I cannot believe my brother had forgotten his keys again.
I went to get out of bed and my mobile starts ringing, it's my brother. I go to answer but he hangs up.
As I sit on my bed about to ring him back, I hear the front door open and close, realising he must have found his keys.
With the comfort and knowledge he was home, I fell to sleep quickly not hearing him come up.
I woke in the morning to another phone call. My brother again.
I answered.
"Hi, Sorry if I woke you last night, saw the time and so I hung up."
I replied, "Thats ok, I thought you had forgotten your keys."
He responded, "Nah, I was just ringing to let you know I wasn't coming home last night. Still at my friends now."
A chill went down my spine and I sat there frozen.
I got up and went downstairs. The front door was still closed.
To say that I was freaked out would be a slight exaggeration. To say I slept with the lights off for the rest of the time my parents were away, would be a complete lie.
Every night after, I would wait until my brother got in and made sure he was home before going to sleep. Slightly embrassing when I nearly hugged the random girl he brought home, ring him when he was sleeping and be glad if he was bringing his friends home... All in the name of fear!
I have not long moved, but my old house was an old three story big house. My mum always tells me she can sense whether a house is haunted or not and always stated that this house was not.
Comforting... that is until a few months back before we moved.
My brother manages a bar, its a taxi ride from our house and he doesn't drive. He always comes home late and nearly always forgets his keys.
My parents were away again (they're always off on long weekends or trips to far away places.)
It was a week night and after the gym, dinner and a long night in front of the television I was ready to head up to bed. A jumpy person anyway, I double check doors, windows and a couple/all of the rooms.
I finally get into bed and drift off to sleep.
I wake up to the door bell ringing. I looked to my phone and it was around 3am. I cannot believe my brother had forgotten his keys again.
I went to get out of bed and my mobile starts ringing, it's my brother. I go to answer but he hangs up.
As I sit on my bed about to ring him back, I hear the front door open and close, realising he must have found his keys.
With the comfort and knowledge he was home, I fell to sleep quickly not hearing him come up.
I woke in the morning to another phone call. My brother again.
I answered.
"Hi, Sorry if I woke you last night, saw the time and so I hung up."
I replied, "Thats ok, I thought you had forgotten your keys."
He responded, "Nah, I was just ringing to let you know I wasn't coming home last night. Still at my friends now."
A chill went down my spine and I sat there frozen.
I got up and went downstairs. The front door was still closed.
To say that I was freaked out would be a slight exaggeration. To say I slept with the lights off for the rest of the time my parents were away, would be a complete lie.
Every night after, I would wait until my brother got in and made sure he was home before going to sleep. Slightly embrassing when I nearly hugged the random girl he brought home, ring him when he was sleeping and be glad if he was bringing his friends home... All in the name of fear!
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