Well it’s not long now before this year is out and the new year is in. I’m amazed how quickly it comes around. This year has seen a reasonable amount of change, on the most part, it has introduced to me new friends, friendships that have grown into something I now value greatly.
I have disappointingly lost the odd friend too, for two very different reasons. One is just purely because values change and outlooks differ. In some cases, people just change, sometimes not for the better. The main thing is, I’ve glained more friends compared to the ones I’ve lost. To me, that’s what matters most. One friendship unfortunately ended abruptly due to their passing, their life taken away too early, this was a real shock and really adds a very different perspective to your life and outlook.
So as I reflect on this year and looking forward to what’s ahead in the new year, one thing is for sure, I will be bringing some amazing friendships with me into 2018. I look forward to the time I’ll spend with them and the adventures we’ll have together.
So for 2018, I want to continue to explore, grow my new friendships…let loose and be brave. I’m sure I can manage that! Now I need to come up with a new list of challenges for the coming year. I already have one in mind, I just need to consider some others. I’m hoping I’ll achieve them, just like the ones I’ve achieved this year. So to you all, set some goals, challenging and enjoyable ones. All the best for the New Year!
Saturday, 23 December 2017
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
When you try to be clever with mirrors! © Mark Ovens
When you try to be clever with mirrors! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Saturday, 23 September 2017
A level of acceptance
I’m very much one of those who feels very disappointed when I’m let down, especially as I stick to every commitment I make, my word is my bond and I’m quite proud of that. I just wish there were more people out there who would see the importance of this. If you really knew me, you’d know this.
I guess it’s another sign of how society is changing, technology is allowing it too easy for people to cancel commitments, but in a way that enables a person to hide behind a text message rather than talking face to face or even picking up the phone. I would like to see less texting and more people talking again, a price of a call is very little these days or even free for many mobile users as part of their inclusive minutes. Technology is great, but it can have it’s downsides too, especially when it comes to human/social interactions.
I guess it’s another sign of how society is changing, technology is allowing it too easy for people to cancel commitments, but in a way that enables a person to hide behind a text message rather than talking face to face or even picking up the phone. I would like to see less texting and more people talking again, a price of a call is very little these days or even free for many mobile users as part of their inclusive minutes. Technology is great, but it can have it’s downsides too, especially when it comes to human/social interactions.
Friday, 22 September 2017
Kiddo and I feeling all celeb-like backstage at the theatre, hanging out in the dressing room! © Mark Ovens
Kiddo and I feeling all celeb-like backstage at the theatre, hanging out in the dressing room! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 25 June 2017
What amazing colours! © Mark Ovens
What amazing colours! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Saturday, 24 June 2017
If only ‘personalities’ could truly be dissected and analysed!?
Whilst I sit here drinking my elderflower cordial staring at the dual screens suffering from a slight writers block, and listening to Chainsmokers & Coldplay ‘Something just like this’, it makes me think, yea…I can relate to this track. It’s triggering so many thoughts in my head, it mentions my geeky side but at the same time, probably…and kind of highlighting my foibles. Ok, I might have some odd character traits and geekiness about me, but I’m analytical, I like detail and logic, I like retro and movies, the sensation of flying, freedom, sci-fi and the unusual…I find it hard to see why some people do what they do. As Spock from Star Trek would say, “it’s illogical”, why can’t some people come to my way of thinking, it frustrates the hell out of me when people don’t follow the simple order of things or just simply don’t do things properly.
Whilst I’m humming to the track, I can’t help but feel that there are very few people with the same character traits as me…I find it quite unusual for someone to have very similar thought patterns. I don’t know what to think of it, is there some hidden meaning somewhere in this universe, is there writing on the wall I’m unintentionally ignoring, am I in this instance missing the absolute obvious!? I think I lie to myself sometimes, I think and feel one thing, but the signals I send out can convey something very different, who am I protecting here and why do I do this!? Sending out all these mixed messages. I’m logical but I send out confusion. I’d love my personality to be dissected and to understand why I do what I do. Although I presume it’s the same for all of us!? Some individuals having a complex, anybody suffering from anxiety, all the different trigger points that can cause a sporadic reaction. I think many of us compartmentalise our lives due to this.
So, whilst I reflect on these anomalies in my life…I also think, ‘pizza’…ok, I’m easily distracted too, but I’m hungry and it’s just logical to go and feed my belly. Over and out!
Whilst I’m humming to the track, I can’t help but feel that there are very few people with the same character traits as me…I find it quite unusual for someone to have very similar thought patterns. I don’t know what to think of it, is there some hidden meaning somewhere in this universe, is there writing on the wall I’m unintentionally ignoring, am I in this instance missing the absolute obvious!? I think I lie to myself sometimes, I think and feel one thing, but the signals I send out can convey something very different, who am I protecting here and why do I do this!? Sending out all these mixed messages. I’m logical but I send out confusion. I’d love my personality to be dissected and to understand why I do what I do. Although I presume it’s the same for all of us!? Some individuals having a complex, anybody suffering from anxiety, all the different trigger points that can cause a sporadic reaction. I think many of us compartmentalise our lives due to this.
So, whilst I reflect on these anomalies in my life…I also think, ‘pizza’…ok, I’m easily distracted too, but I’m hungry and it’s just logical to go and feed my belly. Over and out!
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Away with the fairies…lost in the toonz! © Mark Ovens
Away with the fairies…lost in the toonz! © Mark Ovens, Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK. I love a good picture!
Sunday, 1 January 2017
2017 has landed - it brings opportunity!
Well, the new year has come around very quickly, time to reflect and set the goals for 2017. Last year I managed to achieve all the things I wanted to do and I hope it will continue into this year too. It proves with a little focus and determination, whether breaking a couple of bones through the process, the grit and perseverance will get you there, bruises and injuries heal…just learn to prevent them from happening again. Don’t let the fear of picking up a few knocks along the way put you off.
I look forward to the new adventures and activities that 2017 will bring me. What we need to learn from 2016, is that we don’t live forever, don’t put off the things you’ve always wanted to do, make it your new year’s resolution to follow your dreams and face your challenges, get onto it right away!
I look forward to the new adventures and activities that 2017 will bring me. What we need to learn from 2016, is that we don’t live forever, don’t put off the things you’ve always wanted to do, make it your new year’s resolution to follow your dreams and face your challenges, get onto it right away!
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!
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!?
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!?
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