Mountain Biking is such fun! Thetford Forest, High Lodge © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
A fab Saturday of activities on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Procession (4th July) © Mark Ovens
A fab Saturday of activities on the day of the Lord Mayor’s Procession (4th July) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Monday, 13 July 2015
Digital connections and footprints in the world of pixels
How the world is changing; our connections are now mostly through the internet, our presence is seen by the digital footprints we leave behind. Those online channels allow us to communicate and are a platform for us to express ourselves. We use the applications and various system integrations to date and transfer money, the various ways of doing this is growing; social media, apps, online digital currencies. We scan, store barcodes, vouchers and docs we file away in the cloud for easy reach. Its uses are advancing rapidly, music, air con, heating, controlling the different devices in the home and car. What don’t we do with those digital connections in the world of pixels, scripts and program code?
It does save us time and increases our efficiency but does it really enrich our lives, human contact will still always be an important factor. Virtual reality could be a world where we could easily get lost. They say, that the technology will one day take over. Will it really be like a scene from Terminator? Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how it plays out, I’m curious to know what it will be like in another 20 years' time.
It does save us time and increases our efficiency but does it really enrich our lives, human contact will still always be an important factor. Virtual reality could be a world where we could easily get lost. They say, that the technology will one day take over. Will it really be like a scene from Terminator? Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how it plays out, I’m curious to know what it will be like in another 20 years' time.
Saturday, 2 May 2015
The endgame, where to now?
Does everybody have a plan, what are you striving for, what is it you want in life? To keep it short and within the defines of this paragraph, can I explain the insights of my mind and thoughts!? Patience is required for many life goals. Planning, dedication and avoiding distractions can be a challenge whilst we venture through life experiences and eventualities. In actuality, changes in circumstances can be a curve ball in life influencing our decisions, good or bad, making us steer life in a completely new direction, hindering the successes we seek to support our outlook. We must enjoy the ride, but can’t lose sight of our goals. But sure, these goals can evolve or change too. Don’t lose visibility of what’s important and ensure they’re factored into our decision-making. We all need the motivation to keep us energised and focussed to promote vigour and well-being, the all-important matter. Ok, that wasn’t such a short paragraph.
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Pic of me with kiddo! :) © Mark Ovens
Pic of me with kiddo! :) © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Social Media and where's it going?
Interesting points from a programme last night about how social media affects the younger generation and their mental wellbeing.
For most of us, we have learned to incorporate Social Media into our lives, but only as a tool to establish communication with friends' and old connections, keeping up to date with friends activities and sharing photographs, it’s not taken over our lives. It hasn’t distracted us from what is really important.
For the younger generation who doesn’t know what life is like without social media is another matter, they’re born into the world where it has become a big part of their daily routine, spending hours on it each day. I’m trying not to make myself sound old here, but there is a difference of what is seen to be a fair or reasonable usage of these applications in each of our lives, before it starts to take over and affect us mentally, especially for the young.
The documentary I saw last night reported the concern that young people strive to be liked and feel popular, they use it as a platform to boost their popularity, but it can also cause the opposite to happen, bullying has been an issue on this type of media for some time. The way they look is important to them, the poses they use in their selfies, the competitiveness of being unique and standing out above everybody else, this can have a negative effect and not help their self-esteem, it’s important that they learn to like themselves and not let others influence them or change them into somebody they’re not. The other topic is when individuals post personal information to their followers/connections not realising the impact it might have, some things should stay private, but that’s a whole different topic affecting all ages.
Technology is great, but just like many media devices and applications, a fair usage policy should apply to all. However much it can be addictive with the new developments and gimmicks on the web, it shouldn’t take over our lives. We should remember what is really important in our daily and weekly activities. Although we’re leading into a world of virtual reality which will create a host of other challenges (now that’s a whole different story), we do have the opportunity to control and discipline ourselves now.
I still like social media, it’s a great way for individuals and companies to reach out to friends, connections and customers, but let’s just keep an eye on our usage. Let’s just avoid it ruling our lives.
For most of us, we have learned to incorporate Social Media into our lives, but only as a tool to establish communication with friends' and old connections, keeping up to date with friends activities and sharing photographs, it’s not taken over our lives. It hasn’t distracted us from what is really important.
For the younger generation who doesn’t know what life is like without social media is another matter, they’re born into the world where it has become a big part of their daily routine, spending hours on it each day. I’m trying not to make myself sound old here, but there is a difference of what is seen to be a fair or reasonable usage of these applications in each of our lives, before it starts to take over and affect us mentally, especially for the young.
The documentary I saw last night reported the concern that young people strive to be liked and feel popular, they use it as a platform to boost their popularity, but it can also cause the opposite to happen, bullying has been an issue on this type of media for some time. The way they look is important to them, the poses they use in their selfies, the competitiveness of being unique and standing out above everybody else, this can have a negative effect and not help their self-esteem, it’s important that they learn to like themselves and not let others influence them or change them into somebody they’re not. The other topic is when individuals post personal information to their followers/connections not realising the impact it might have, some things should stay private, but that’s a whole different topic affecting all ages.
Technology is great, but just like many media devices and applications, a fair usage policy should apply to all. However much it can be addictive with the new developments and gimmicks on the web, it shouldn’t take over our lives. We should remember what is really important in our daily and weekly activities. Although we’re leading into a world of virtual reality which will create a host of other challenges (now that’s a whole different story), we do have the opportunity to control and discipline ourselves now.
I still like social media, it’s a great way for individuals and companies to reach out to friends, connections and customers, but let’s just keep an eye on our usage. Let’s just avoid it ruling our lives.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
We’re the ultimate partners in crime; clearly I’m the one in red and blue. Kapow! © Mark Ovens
We’re the ultimate partners in crime; clearly I’m the one in red and blue. Kapow! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Anniversary celebrations!
The time has just flown by…and may we have many many more! Did I believe it would happen? Well I did start to lose faith in relationships, but after meeting this person, my view and perception had changed, after a very long stretch my positivity had been restored. This person has a very similar outlook in life to me, has an adventurous spirit and actually is the ying to my yang, it could only go one way. She’s beautiful inside and out.
Saturday, 11 October 2014
What a treat; the shades have been out again! © Mark Ovens
What a treat; the shades have been out again! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Friday, 5 September 2014
Viewing life from a new perspective
It’s strange how when time goes by we start to look at things differently; the things that didn’t matter so much in the past suddenly become relevant, the things that bothered us back then seem so unimportant. They say we grow wiser the older we become, but unfortunately it all comes at a price.
The challenges in our health and appearance with the slowdown of our metabolism occurs, the aging lines upon our faces that become increasingly visible as time passes, the change in the colour of our hair that turns our status and categorisation within society to the new label of ‘the older generation’. Can life be so hard?
The one thing that does remain is the ability to appreciate the simple things in life, keeping active and making the most of the free time we have available, regardless of the increasing need for discipline to achieve this. The quality of our relationships improves, along with the decisions we make in life getting better. The consistent urge to explore with our partners is more recognisable and true.
The fact remains, that we all do improve with age, no matter what the side effects may be. We will create new adventures and experiences that haven’t been discovered before. You truly do make the most of each day and appreciate the time with the ones you cherish. Live it, enjoy it!
The challenges in our health and appearance with the slowdown of our metabolism occurs, the aging lines upon our faces that become increasingly visible as time passes, the change in the colour of our hair that turns our status and categorisation within society to the new label of ‘the older generation’. Can life be so hard?
The one thing that does remain is the ability to appreciate the simple things in life, keeping active and making the most of the free time we have available, regardless of the increasing need for discipline to achieve this. The quality of our relationships improves, along with the decisions we make in life getting better. The consistent urge to explore with our partners is more recognisable and true.
The fact remains, that we all do improve with age, no matter what the side effects may be. We will create new adventures and experiences that haven’t been discovered before. You truly do make the most of each day and appreciate the time with the ones you cherish. Live it, enjoy it!
Sunday, 3 August 2014
I fancy a brew, where’s Polly when you need her!? © Mark Ovens
I fancy a brew, where’s Polly when you need her!? © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Do I know you in this part of your universe?
Do you really know someone? We all have a work and personal life, for
most people we act very differently within each of these environments.
In our personal life we are able to let ourselves go and not feel as
though we have any restraints. For work, is it because we are
contractually obligated to fulfil a role that we act in a way that is
expected of us!? Not many people mix the two. Are we seeing these people
for who they really are?
Nowadays, it seems that most people have more than just the two personas. For example, many people have an online persona which is easier to control and manage, we can contemplate the topics that we post about ourselves, we would post the good stuff, right!? I certainly don’t think anybody would want to read the negative moments, although the odd one would add some realism to what is published from time to time. It allows others to see, watch and read our digital footprints for themselves.
This particular skill from the virtual world is rubbing off on the way we are in the real world. Our universes are becoming more complex. Is it just evolution, or is it also possible that some individuals could suffer from split personalities or some form of a personality disorder in the future. There is so much more of a focus on how we are perceived from each of these different viewpoints. It all seemed a lot more simpler before mobile phones and the internet.
We all act quite differently when it comes to family, personal life, at work and even our digital selves…which part of your universe are you in today!?
Nowadays, it seems that most people have more than just the two personas. For example, many people have an online persona which is easier to control and manage, we can contemplate the topics that we post about ourselves, we would post the good stuff, right!? I certainly don’t think anybody would want to read the negative moments, although the odd one would add some realism to what is published from time to time. It allows others to see, watch and read our digital footprints for themselves.
This particular skill from the virtual world is rubbing off on the way we are in the real world. Our universes are becoming more complex. Is it just evolution, or is it also possible that some individuals could suffer from split personalities or some form of a personality disorder in the future. There is so much more of a focus on how we are perceived from each of these different viewpoints. It all seemed a lot more simpler before mobile phones and the internet.
We all act quite differently when it comes to family, personal life, at work and even our digital selves…which part of your universe are you in today!?
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