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Sunday, 27 November 2016

If I hadn’t of looked up, I would have missed the view! ©


If I hadn’t of looked up, I would have missed the view! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Saturday, 26 November 2016

The era of resistance, regime change and disruption

The current ‘society of change’ resisting convention - but is it for the good? As a whole we are revolting against what is expected, forcing a regime change and going against the grain becoming the normality. It’s from any small decision-making opportunity online on a survey through to polls in politics. Is this the next phase of evolution? We appear to be choosing to go into disruption mode, is rebellion a too stronger term for this? As we’re choosing to turn everything upside down just to see what happens, resisting convention even if it means for many that it could be costly and knowingly pushing us all into a long period of instability. This is a new trend that is occurring in many walks of life and territories across the globe.

What are we calling this phase of life? Does my article title truly reflect this phase of human character? With new technology and social media providing new ways of communicating, shaping change in how we interact with each other, our behaviour is changing especially in the younger generation and creeping through the generations before them, to engage or respond is taken to be positive, to do the opposite with the intention to ignore the donor with an absent response is becoming an accepted method of dismissal. Being courteous is a manner that is fading from our reality, the days are gone when face to face communication would occur to acknowledge that there is a disconnect, to have integrity and confidence to say ‘sorry, it’s not for me’. We pass through each other’s lives in increased silence similar to as we do in our digital form, unless there is an obvious signal displayed or intention pending. So in any interaction, the saying ‘don’t expect anything from anybody and you won’t be disappointed’ is so much more relevant now than it ever was.

This behavioural trait is a symptom of business, passing through making opportunities and relationships, if it didn’t work out then you just moved on. Just like the term, ‘it’s nothing personal, it’s just business’, this seems to have leaked out into our personal interactions and lifestyle. It’s just as well as we are all adaptive. So from me to you, ‘it’s nothing personal, it’s just life’.

So do we have more of this to come, less consideration of others, forcing society to go against convention, a self-regarding disruptive path? Interesting times!

Saturday, 24 September 2016

Rome is such an amazing place to go exploring; the Colosseum! ©


Rome is such an amazing place to go exploring; the Colosseum (in Italy)! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Friday, 23 September 2016

Putting on my adventure hat

So when I say putting on my adventure hat, it’s when I’m in that mood…when I just want to get out there and explore. I’m not saying I’m an Indiana Jones type of guy or anything, although wouldn’t the chance be a fine thing!? Saying that, maybe dodging the bullets wouldn’t be so good!

There is so much of the world to see, whether it’s going overseas, going on a road trip in your own country, going into the countryside or doing something a little different that you wouldn’t normally do, the point is, anything that you haven’t done before becomes an adventure. I like to do new things, I think many of us thrive on it. I appreciate that there are also many people out there who are happy to be a homebody, but it’s not for me.

Sometimes you need to shake it up a bit, try some new hobbies, maybe yoga or join a club that brings people together such as cooking evenings - isn’t this the latest trend? Go on, make a cake! Ok, not so sure that making a cake is appealing to me, but many of us are loving it at the moment. I’m happy for someone to bake me a gooey cake though…and I’m happy to watch! At least to dip my finger in the cake mix.

I think I’m at that stage that I’m ready to take on another hobby or plan a new adventure. The question is, what comes next!?

Friday, 5 August 2016

A cool sea-breeze walk along the Essex coastline :) ©


A cool sea-breeze walk along the Essex coastline :) ©, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Wednesday, 3 August 2016

Don’t sabotage your own happiness

Some people just can’t help sabotage their own happiness by letting their emotions dictate their life. I think we have all been guilty of that, although I don’t pretend that I have a complete handle on it all the time, but I do find more success in it, which is when I do notice more of those around me that don’t. If you understand The Chimp Paradox then you’ll be able to make some sense of it all. For me, it has given me the ability to look at things from a new perspective, I’m not so controlled by my emotions. When things are good, I don’t feel the need to look for faults that aren’t there, which many around me still do.

‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, that’s a quote that springs to mind. I’ve been renowned to strive for perfection, but this isn’t always necessary in many cases, the fact that some things aren’t perfect can make things more unique and won’t create restraints that stops flexibility or puts up walls. People have room to breathe and have the motivation to do the things they want to do and not put things off. I think this is one problem that many struggle with. Practice mindfulness and identify the areas where you can improve your resolve, introduce more calm into your life and control the random thoughts and emotions.

Tuesday, 2 August 2016

An updated pic of me, the other one was getting a little old! © Mark Ovens


An updated pic of me, the other one was getting a little old! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Monday, 25 April 2016

We’re a funny bunch of creatures

Some people appear to put on an act to win others over, in all forms of relationships. I have to say, that’s a waste of effort and unsustainable. It’s all about being natural and being comfortable in your own body and mind. You would really hope that others would accept us for how we are. If you’re happy with the way you are and you feel that you are a good person, then that’s good enough for me.

Of course, this doesn’t include how we generally want to challenge or better ourselves, I’m talking more about our general make up, our genetic code, our genes, our characteristics and personalities, even our quirky little ways…that I’m sure most people do have. There will be some people out there who will find our quirky little ways endearing. I have to say, I’ve grown up with my foibles and I rather quite like them! It’s these little things that adds to our uniqueness, why hide them!? They will always come out in the end, anyway. So don’t be the person that someone expects you to be, just be you!

Friday, 8 April 2016

I have a new Marvel mug. Look, they almost match! Who said Marvel and DC can’t work together!? :) ©


I have a new Marvel mug. Look, they almost match! Who said Marvel and DC can’t work together!? :) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Hiding behind technology

Technology has moved on considerably, it has allowed us to communicate in so many different ways, but each method has its specific uses. Some mediums being on a more formal basis and seen to be commonly used in a professional environment and for replacing the old conventional methods of letter writing, such as email. The millennials are growing up with social media and texting, using their own language to interact but it has also become a way to deliver sensitive and bad news that should be delivered in person, with sensitivity and empathy in mind.

For some young people it has become an acceptable way of communicating and delivering various sensitive announcements via text and even social media. Too many people, this can be seen as being disrespectful, a long relationship that has earned respect and integrity over a long period of time can quickly generate resentment and mistrust, the risk of losing credibility is also at stake, it can be seen to be tactless with very little thought given. It seems some people don’t seem to be brave enough to meet people face to face to deliver news of a sensitive nature to their friends, even making a phone call appears to be too much effort these days, talking on the same mobile device that some people choose to text from appears to be too much trouble.

I love technology, but each medium has its place, social skills is also what should be important to people. Society needs to understand that just because technology is there, it doesn’t mean we can hide behind it. Just like in business, it’s always best to meet in person, if that’s not possible due to locality, then the next best thing is to talk on the phone, even video calls have become very popular. The concern is that I hear miscommunication happening more often, along with misinterpretation of messages, even people being in long relationships or friendships that have ended in a very abrupt ‘out of the blue’ manner due to a delivery of a message transported via text or email causing shock and upset. A connection that has lasted for years deserves more. Have we as a society lost our principles and tact, are we losing empathy for other people’s feelings. Are we becoming selfish and only thinking of ourselves to get out of a difficult situation and choosing the easiest option with no care for others!? Aren’t we also making ourselves more thick-skinned and fickle when dealing with these actions, or is that me being cynical?

For those that recognise the trait and living in a digital world, we need to convey some basic principles and communication etiquette. Instil this practice in those that need guidance. ‘Treat others as you expect to be treated’, I live by that quote. Let’s work on it!

Sunday, 13 March 2016

Breaking in my new retro ‘Justice League’ mug! :) © Mark Ovens


Breaking in my new retro ‘Justice League’ mug! :) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!

Saturday, 12 March 2016

The ingredients and formulas within us

It’s a funny old life, it has a way of constantly throwing new things at us, and it’s those things that can get in the way of relationships and activities in our lives, which demands the constant change of priorities. We all experience personal problems, family concerns, issues at home or work, even illness etc, along with the everyday distractions. As humans, we can’t focus on everything at the same time and certainly not focussing on any one thing indefinitely, we weren’t really made that way. It’s this particular challenge that can work against us, it’s a juggling act. Nobody gets it right and nobody gets everything they want, because we are all continuously juggling, each and every one of us. We’re all in the same boat. If everybody can grasp this, then imagine how life could be? Maybe it could be that little bit easier with everybody possibly being a little more understanding, improving the way we view particular situations? Managing our own expectations, shouldn’t we also be considering that too?

We all desire acceptance based on our different complex personalities, lifestyle, gender type and responsibilities. We’re all unique, we can’t be changed, other than how we naturally grow, adapt and better ourselves, we also have different obligations and needs from life. The ingredients in relationships are becoming steadily more complex and finding the correct formula between two people are also increasingly challenging. There are things we can be doing that alleviates pressure from ourselves and others, which can contribute to happiness and contentment within our relationships. We’re all seeking out that magic formula and harmony that can occur between two people. Why do we have to be such complex creatures!?

In the meantime, do the things you want to do, assign yourself life challenges and adventures. For those people who stick around, they’ll be with you because they choose to be there beside you for the ride.