Activities in no particular order: actor, singer, songwriter, artist, writer, financial software developer.
Category: Journal
Journal 2021-02-28
I remember as a young kid once being reprimanded by a stranger in a shop because I said that I didn’t like some latest fad with clothes (bizarrely at the time there was a short-lived fashion of wearing patches of cartoon pictures on denim). The explanation given was that it is popular, so I am wrong for not liking it too. The fashion changed a few months later and no doubt she changed to what she was supposed to like – to behave how she was supposed to behave and to insist on others behaving that way too.
Journal 2021-02-13
I haven’t been able to do much aerobic exercise this week because of the snow and the Covid-shut gyms. One thing I have noticed is that I can suddenly lift much more because of the inactivity. It just goes to show why ultra-strong athletes have to sacrifice aerobic fitness in order to optimise their strength training.
Journal 2021-02-12
Imagine if each of your waking thoughts were logged and at the end of the day you read them back.
It would be line after line of the same thoughts pointlessly repeated.
Imagine if this were a person hanging around saying this monologue to you.
Would you be wanting more or trying to get some peace and quiet?
Journal 2021-02-10
It seems that in the not too distant future a person can have a digital avatar that is convincingly human. So in effect people can design or choose how they want to look online; or at least greatly augment their appearance.
People could look like anything and any age, in real-time video, using widespread technology!
Journal 2021-02-09
I am currently surrounded by ice crystals floating down through silence into soft glowing snow. The only sound is the pulse of my breathing.
Journal 2021-02-07
Where would I live if I could live anywhere? I am British, I owe my freedoms and opportunities in life to this country and I would never give-up British citizenship; however, if I could live anywhere in the world, would I choose here? I think, yes, but only for the summer months. London is a magnificent city steeped in multifaceted layers of history, a true world hub for almost any interest or activity; the countryside and coasts can be beautiful, relaxing and even inspiring when in the mood – but it is undoubtedly the months of perpetual darkness and dreariness that dampen its desirability. I like sunlight and sea; rivers and lakes; mountains and forests, with access to community and civilisation. I am not partial to extremes of hot and cold, or lawlessness and iniquity – or wild-fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. I think I will explore northeast Florida with my fantasy checklist when life eventually becomes more normal.
Journal 2021-02-06
Reading 2 to 3 hours every day for a year is probably enough to skim through the complete works of Shakespeare; and this will still probably miss 90% of the meaning and richness of the text.
Journal 2021-01-24
The “us” and “them” mentality is the biggest obstacle to overcome. There is only we.
Journal 2021-01-23
A successful society unlocks all people’s potential for kindness, fulfilment and happiness.
Journal 2021-01-17
Job: employed at a financial markets brokerage firm.
Side-project: writing an algorithmic trading terminal. This may sound like a huge project but I have actually already written all the back-end code – it’s just a case of placing a GUI on top. I will gradually iterate to a stand-alone FinTech App for people to optimise and automate their finances.
Music: recording a cappella versions of powerful old songs. Also putting lyrics to classical music then singing a cappella.
Filming: have added some poems to the list of scenes I am shooting.
Journal 2021-01-02
I describe creative activities by five broad categories: music, performance art, visual art, writing, ideas.
Examples:
At present my paid activities can often be included in ideas.
I would include any type of personal presentation as the acting form of performance art.
Journal 2020-12-31
Upload speeds:
Handwriting = 40 words per minute (wpm)
Touch-typing = 70 wpm
Speaking = 150 wpm
Download speeds:
Listening = 150 wpm
Reading = 200 wpm
Thoughts: 1,000 to 5,000 wpm
Journal 2020-12-30
2017 – Coming soon……
2018 – Coming soon….
2019 – Coming soon..
2020 – Coming soon
2021 – ?
Journal 2020-12-29
The art of any performance is truthfully interacting with the situation that is arising.
If all the world is a stage, then not knowing the future – or the fact that you are acting – helps create a great performance.
Journal 2020-12-13
2021 could be a lot worse or a lot better than 2020. I will bet on better.
Journal 2020-12-07
Driving in London last night, I witnessed three separate angry outbursts in the space of five minutes by people on the roads. I always notice that the “crazy level” goes up a few notches when driving inside the M25, but that condensed series of events was the worst I’ve seen.
Journal 2020-12-05
Live a day like it is a life in entirety.
First thought on waking is gratitude for the new day you will see.
Last thought is gratitude for the day you have lived.
Journal 2020-12-01
It’s wrong to assume that a conversation is about what is said.
Journal 2020-11-29
A background script to run
Triggered on recognition event()
Action.Pause
Script exit
Notice…..
Kindness.
Journal 2020-11-28
The verbal attacker desires to assert their ego over the other.
Journal 2020-11-27
Any person is much more than even a diverse array of influences.
So I’m really not into social twittery on twit-twat and faceblobber; my summary identity is a tortoise in hare’s clothing etc etc Twitter Twiddle Twaddle blah blah rhubarb. I am not a number, I am a blancmange, or something…
Journal 2020-11-26
Mistakes are lessons, only when the reasons are noticed; otherwise they are habits practiced each day.
Journal 2020-11-22
The things you disparage others for are often the same things you do yourself.
Journal 2020-11-20
Never ever put yourself down.
Reasons:
- Some people will revel in doing it for you. For their sake as much as yours, don’t make the conditions easy for them.
- Don’t diminish life; whoever you are, you are amazing and unique.
- Faux modesty is dishonesty.
- Don’t insult other people’s good opinions.
- Be strong for others.
Some personal pep talk points:
- Be in a position to help.
- Your growth should enable others to grow too.
- This isn’t a zero-sum game.
- Relative measurements are irrelevant.
- Have fun!