My, doesn't time fly?!
How is it Sunday night all over again?
It doesn't seem 10 minutes since I was last sat here typing some words on screen for you to read and cutting it a little fine to not break my target of blogging once a week at the first hurdle!
Well here we are again...a wintery Sunday night after another long week (& weekend) at work and the sudden realisation that the clock is ticking ever closer to that weekly deadline!
And as the minutes tick away we also get ever closer to the final month of 2014... December (not that there is usually a different final month of each year but just bear with me)... a time of year that brings reflection, anticipation, celebrations and all manner of family gatherings.
So with that in mind I suppose I should use this blog to reflect upon what has the past week taught us since you heard from me last and look forward in anticipation to what the month ahead will hold?
Well other than work getting in the way (sorry I know I promised I wouldn't!), this past week has taught me one thing... sometimes we embrace the wrong parts of other societies...particularly from our American friends across the pond.
For this past week saw "Black Friday" arrive on these shores in it's greatest onslaught yet.
I for one fell victim to crashed websites and heavy traffic.
All in the name of grabbing a bargain...which is fine if we all remember that we are civil human beings... something a few hundred of the people I saw reported across the news stations seemed to have forgotten!
But what those same people are forgetting is that so called "Black Friday" exists in America due to their culture and history...something lost in translation as it makes its way across the water and over here simply in the form of queues, stampedes and aforementioned crashed websites.
In it's earliest sense, "Black Friday" has a history littered with racial connotations but in more recent time, it is part of the American holiday season and a mad dash to the shops the day after Thanksgiving to see what bargains can be had.
However, it seems to me that we are simply picking and choosing the parts of their culture that suit us (and the retailers) best... on this occasion we go crazy trying to get something new for ourselves or for one of the many Christmas presents we need to buy and conveniently forget to "give thanks" for the things that we do have.
Truth is when it comes to Christmas... no scrap that, when it comes to the whole of December and it seems now even earlier, we all get affected in one way or another. It's hard to escape even if you don't celebrate, as anyone that tries to simply "nip out to the shops" will attest to.
For some, this time of year brings magic and joy. For others...well...not so much!
For me, the build up and magic of Christmas starts now. December is when I let that festive spirit take hold. There's no stopping it and this year is no exception. With the countdown already on to finishing work, the list of presents to buy slowly being ticked off and the excitement of spending lazy days watching festive films and wrapping presents as well as pretty much every weekend planned in with family and friends, something tells me it's going to fly by!
Whichever way you look at it we should all enjoy the good times when they come and embrace whatever lies ahead...even if it does take twice as long due to queues!
I for one will open door number one on my advent calendar tomorrow (that's right, you're never too old!) and each day after that and be thankful for the many things I have in my life... right before I let work get in the way all over again, wonder where the days are going, search high and low for the remaining Christmas presents I need to get and try to fit a social life in as well.
It's a crazy time...but man do I love it! Happy December everyone!
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Sunday, 23 November 2014
And on the 22nd day he rested
Ok so I'm leaving it a little late, even in week one, to fulfil my promise of trying to blog at least once a week between now and the end of the year!
But as the deadline technically is 11:59pm tonight then I suggest we move past that...for this week at least!
To say that this has been a busy week would be subjective, if you count long working hours, heading to Glasgow and back for work and then returning home to leave the house for work within 10 hours, all before a thoroughly enjoyable evening spent watching the new Hunger Games film with friends as a busy week then that's where we'll start!
Being busy at work is becoming the norm of late... as you all know it's a constant excuse for my lack of blogging. Even my social life has increased somewhat over the past few months... as my bank balance can attest to!
So it is very hard to remember a time when the days don't merge in to each other, the need to unwind wasn't ever present, I didn't feel like I had to remind myself about the smallest details or have to rely on Facebook to remember when people have their birthdays!
Anyway, imagine my surprise to get 5 mins yesterday to relax and unwind scrolling through the various forms of social media.
There I was happily browsing the lives of others when I decided I would take a delve in to the wonders of my past social media exploits through the wonders of Timehop!
Waiting the modern sense of an eternity (i.e. 2 seconds) for the app to load, I was full of anticipation to see what statuses, tweets, pictures and posts had befallen the 22nd November in previous years and hopefully remember a time when I had...well...time!
And let's say I wasn't disappointed!... Well actually I was!
For what lay on my screen in front of me wasn't an array of photos or witty statuses.
Nor was it a feast of tweets, retweets or check ins.
Alas, it would appear that in the modern technological era (or Anno Facebook as it may as well be called), the 21st of November is a day of rest!
As you can see, at no point in this date have I posted a picture, updated my status, tweeted or retweeted or tagged myself anywhere.
How can that be? Surely I've done something to shout about on each of the 365 days over the course of the last 7 years or more? Apparently not!
A massive part of me feels sad for the need to validate our lives by checking in, tagging friends or being tagged as well as updating statuses and taking selfies! However, I am a modern metrosexual man who understands the importance of rolling with the times and embracing culture...
It's something we've been doing for years and never realised it.
I bet I'm not the only person who grew up surrounded by photo albums and camera rolls? Mums worldwide are stereotypically renowned for getting the photos out at the first opportunity during an evening of entertaining friends and relatives.
We also horde memorabilia from places we've visited, concerts we've attended or even stubs from movies we've seen, all so we can look upon them and relive those moments whenever the mood takes us!
So it may seem pointless to repost things you've already posted years before but for me I'll let this one slide as it is just the modern way of taking time to reflect on where we've been, appreciate what we have now and use it to spur us on to where we want to be!
Now, I know you're wondering if come 22nd November 2015 I'll be able to open up Timehop (or whatever technological item we're using then) and look back on a date to remember... Well you'll just have to keep checking back between now and then to see if I reveal any details... A cheap way of ensuring reader retention but it's all I've got with this deadline looming!
But as the deadline technically is 11:59pm tonight then I suggest we move past that...for this week at least!
To say that this has been a busy week would be subjective, if you count long working hours, heading to Glasgow and back for work and then returning home to leave the house for work within 10 hours, all before a thoroughly enjoyable evening spent watching the new Hunger Games film with friends as a busy week then that's where we'll start!
Being busy at work is becoming the norm of late... as you all know it's a constant excuse for my lack of blogging. Even my social life has increased somewhat over the past few months... as my bank balance can attest to!
So it is very hard to remember a time when the days don't merge in to each other, the need to unwind wasn't ever present, I didn't feel like I had to remind myself about the smallest details or have to rely on Facebook to remember when people have their birthdays!
Anyway, imagine my surprise to get 5 mins yesterday to relax and unwind scrolling through the various forms of social media.
There I was happily browsing the lives of others when I decided I would take a delve in to the wonders of my past social media exploits through the wonders of Timehop!
Waiting the modern sense of an eternity (i.e. 2 seconds) for the app to load, I was full of anticipation to see what statuses, tweets, pictures and posts had befallen the 22nd November in previous years and hopefully remember a time when I had...well...time!
And let's say I wasn't disappointed!... Well actually I was!
For what lay on my screen in front of me wasn't an array of photos or witty statuses.
Nor was it a feast of tweets, retweets or check ins.
Alas, it would appear that in the modern technological era (or Anno Facebook as it may as well be called), the 21st of November is a day of rest!
As you can see, at no point in this date have I posted a picture, updated my status, tweeted or retweeted or tagged myself anywhere.
How can that be? Surely I've done something to shout about on each of the 365 days over the course of the last 7 years or more? Apparently not!
A massive part of me feels sad for the need to validate our lives by checking in, tagging friends or being tagged as well as updating statuses and taking selfies! However, I am a modern metrosexual man who understands the importance of rolling with the times and embracing culture...
It's something we've been doing for years and never realised it.
I bet I'm not the only person who grew up surrounded by photo albums and camera rolls? Mums worldwide are stereotypically renowned for getting the photos out at the first opportunity during an evening of entertaining friends and relatives.
We also horde memorabilia from places we've visited, concerts we've attended or even stubs from movies we've seen, all so we can look upon them and relive those moments whenever the mood takes us!
So it may seem pointless to repost things you've already posted years before but for me I'll let this one slide as it is just the modern way of taking time to reflect on where we've been, appreciate what we have now and use it to spur us on to where we want to be!
Now, I know you're wondering if come 22nd November 2015 I'll be able to open up Timehop (or whatever technological item we're using then) and look back on a date to remember... Well you'll just have to keep checking back between now and then to see if I reveal any details... A cheap way of ensuring reader retention but it's all I've got with this deadline looming!
p.s. In case you were wondering and can't tell from the costumed dinosaur at the bottom of the picture then the "News from 1995" is that 19 years ago yesterday the first Toy Story film was released in cinemas...makes you feel old doesn't it?!...maybe, just maybe, some times it's dangerous to reminisce!
Sunday, 16 November 2014
I had a dream...
In which I wrote an entire blog post...which must have been a dream as it has been well over 3 months since I last wrote one of those!
I can blame my usual factors of working too much; Life getting in the way or simply not having enough hours in the day but truth is...I had lost that loving feeling with writing this blog.
"Sacrilege!" I hear you shout! Well not entirely...you see, it's not that I had nothing to write about, in fact the past 3 months have been some of the most life changing Ibhave so far experienced. Instead, it was more that I was my own critique...every time I would start writing I wouldn't be happy where it was going or I would try to put too many different things in and suddenly it's an essay that makes little sense to me let alone all of you lovely readers!
And of course, I have been working too much; Life HAS been getting in the way AND there are simply not enough hours in the day! Sorry, couldn't resist!
Then to top it all, using the wonders of modern technology* (*Read Timehop) I was able to see that 2 years ago I posted on another modern platform** (**Read Twitter) that I was suffering with major writers block!
Now you may be wondering why this comes as a surprise to myself, seeing as it happened to me and 9 out of 10 of my blog posts will contain some reference to me apologising for not blogging or reciting the blogging equivalent of the Catholic mantra, "Forgive me dear readers for it has been (insert time frame here) since my last blog!
However, it may not have come as a surprise but it sure acted as a kick up the backside... especially when I then reposted that Timehop status on Facebook and got some exceptionally motivating team talks from friends and family! Suddenly I can't hide anymore...
But maybe that's the secret! I let goals slip away from me with writing, even the #RandomTasks couldn't keep motivation high!
Whilst we're on the subject though and for those of you still on the edge of your seat wondering whether I managed to hit double figures in April for my yoga activities (yes that's right, it's been that long since I bored you with this topic)...well wonder no more...well slightly longer as I prolong this section and type random words just to keep the suspense (a real poor form of suspense, especially if you compare it to a Hitchcock thriller)...anyway, where was I?
Oh yes, yoga, well I can reveal I did indeed hit 10 yoga sessions in April! Huzzah!
And whilst I'm avoiding the subject that I haven't blogged much over the past few months, I may as well fill you in that I managed exactly the same number of yoga sessions throughout May as well!
June saw me reach a grand total of 8 and July fettered away with a mere 2...the decline inevitable when looking back over previous years' attempts to sustain a healthy lifestyle!
And now August, September and October are but a distant memory I can reveal that the only trend forming is a negative one...on this front anyway...as a grand total of zero was also "achieved" in those months too...something tells me that these #RandomTasks weren't as effective as I had hoped all those months ago!
Anyway, back to the epiphany...
I'm usually someone who strives to be well prepared, focussed and take a good run up at tasks...but mostly end up doing my best (subject to opinion) work when under pressure with the deadline looming.
Throughout school, college and university I would always start day one of an assignment or exam with all the right intentions: planning, research, study partners etc but more often than not I would find myself learning the most in last minute revision or working against the clock to get work finished.
Even in my working life, sometimes it is the impending feeling of failure to meet a deadline that drives me on to complete a task (shhhh...don't tell my bosses though!), so I'm guessing this is just the way my mind works...best or otherwise!
Maybe, just maybe, setting myself a time oriented #RandomTask as my last one of the year will help stir the creative writing juices and see the year out the way I intended!
#8 Between now and 31st December 2014 I am going to publish a minimum of one new blog post per week (Monday to Sunday)
It's not going to be easy if my history of blog posting is anything to go by and I have no doubt there will be a future blog post from me apologising for my tardiness between blog posts but my commitment is to make sure that my tardiness is ever decreasing and ultimately I am going to try my hardest to make sure you never have to read those 5 immortal words again...that life got in the way!...well after now, obviously I needed to use them then for effect, but starting now!
And so a promise is a promise! It's time to blow away the cobwebs, write about the good and bad things life throws my way and hopefully...just hopefully, write something that not only I enjoy, but one or two of you do too!
Oh and for those of you with incredible memories (seriously, if you did remember then after reading this you really should get in touch with MENSA!), I failed miserably in finally getting around to finishing to read Danny Wallace's "Charlotte Street" (otherwise known as #RandomTask 7) so let's just mark this down as "Ongoing".
#RandomTasks Set = 8 Completed = 4 Pending = 2 Failed = 2
I can blame my usual factors of working too much; Life getting in the way or simply not having enough hours in the day but truth is...I had lost that loving feeling with writing this blog.
"Sacrilege!" I hear you shout! Well not entirely...you see, it's not that I had nothing to write about, in fact the past 3 months have been some of the most life changing Ibhave so far experienced. Instead, it was more that I was my own critique...every time I would start writing I wouldn't be happy where it was going or I would try to put too many different things in and suddenly it's an essay that makes little sense to me let alone all of you lovely readers!
And of course, I have been working too much; Life HAS been getting in the way AND there are simply not enough hours in the day! Sorry, couldn't resist!
Then to top it all, using the wonders of modern technology* (*Read Timehop) I was able to see that 2 years ago I posted on another modern platform** (**Read Twitter) that I was suffering with major writers block!
Now you may be wondering why this comes as a surprise to myself, seeing as it happened to me and 9 out of 10 of my blog posts will contain some reference to me apologising for not blogging or reciting the blogging equivalent of the Catholic mantra, "Forgive me dear readers for it has been (insert time frame here) since my last blog!
However, it may not have come as a surprise but it sure acted as a kick up the backside... especially when I then reposted that Timehop status on Facebook and got some exceptionally motivating team talks from friends and family! Suddenly I can't hide anymore...
But maybe that's the secret! I let goals slip away from me with writing, even the #RandomTasks couldn't keep motivation high!
Whilst we're on the subject though and for those of you still on the edge of your seat wondering whether I managed to hit double figures in April for my yoga activities (yes that's right, it's been that long since I bored you with this topic)...well wonder no more...well slightly longer as I prolong this section and type random words just to keep the suspense (a real poor form of suspense, especially if you compare it to a Hitchcock thriller)...anyway, where was I?
Oh yes, yoga, well I can reveal I did indeed hit 10 yoga sessions in April! Huzzah!
And whilst I'm avoiding the subject that I haven't blogged much over the past few months, I may as well fill you in that I managed exactly the same number of yoga sessions throughout May as well!
June saw me reach a grand total of 8 and July fettered away with a mere 2...the decline inevitable when looking back over previous years' attempts to sustain a healthy lifestyle!
And now August, September and October are but a distant memory I can reveal that the only trend forming is a negative one...on this front anyway...as a grand total of zero was also "achieved" in those months too...something tells me that these #RandomTasks weren't as effective as I had hoped all those months ago!
Anyway, back to the epiphany...
I'm usually someone who strives to be well prepared, focussed and take a good run up at tasks...but mostly end up doing my best (subject to opinion) work when under pressure with the deadline looming.
Throughout school, college and university I would always start day one of an assignment or exam with all the right intentions: planning, research, study partners etc but more often than not I would find myself learning the most in last minute revision or working against the clock to get work finished.
Even in my working life, sometimes it is the impending feeling of failure to meet a deadline that drives me on to complete a task (shhhh...don't tell my bosses though!), so I'm guessing this is just the way my mind works...best or otherwise!
Maybe, just maybe, setting myself a time oriented #RandomTask as my last one of the year will help stir the creative writing juices and see the year out the way I intended!
#8 Between now and 31st December 2014 I am going to publish a minimum of one new blog post per week (Monday to Sunday)
It's not going to be easy if my history of blog posting is anything to go by and I have no doubt there will be a future blog post from me apologising for my tardiness between blog posts but my commitment is to make sure that my tardiness is ever decreasing and ultimately I am going to try my hardest to make sure you never have to read those 5 immortal words again...that life got in the way!...well after now, obviously I needed to use them then for effect, but starting now!
And so a promise is a promise! It's time to blow away the cobwebs, write about the good and bad things life throws my way and hopefully...just hopefully, write something that not only I enjoy, but one or two of you do too!
Oh and for those of you with incredible memories (seriously, if you did remember then after reading this you really should get in touch with MENSA!), I failed miserably in finally getting around to finishing to read Danny Wallace's "Charlotte Street" (otherwise known as #RandomTask 7) so let's just mark this down as "Ongoing".
#RandomTasks Set = 8 Completed = 4 Pending = 2 Failed = 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)