Still life goes on!

This blog, as you may well have noticed (and I don’t mean to insult your intelligence, honest), is called Still Life Goes On! That doesn’t mean that it’s a blog about still life as in painting oranges and apples and even bananas – if you really want to mix it up – it means it’s, well, a blog about life going on and similar things. But that said, and as much as it’s a good title in my humble opinion, even I get annoyed with people who say things like “still, life goes on!” and related things. Because sometimes, when you’re having a really bad day, those words are the last things on earth that you want to hear, right? Sometimes, when it feels like life won’t go on, you want someone else to share the pain you’re feeling (or maybe it’s just me?).

Say, for example, that you’re off to Iraq in a few days and although most things appear to be sorted out, your specialist and very hard to come by armed forces insurance still isn’t. Now, in that situation, facing the potential of being blown up or killed, words like the aforementioned could very well tip you over the edge like Michael Douglas in Falling Down (I was reminded to write about this because I was on the bus the other day when an old man who wouldn’t mind his own business interrupted two soldiers conversing about this very subject).

So I suppose what I am saying is this: think before you open your mouth. Sometimes people just need a few more sympathetic words, so don’t just reel off the same old positive message. Especially not to a guy in the armed forces who has no insurance and is about to walk into a war-zone.

It’s hard to think that in the beginning, when the game of football consisted of kicking about a heavy old pig’s bladder filled with blood or whatever it was, people thought it would ever go anywhere.
But indeed, go somewhere it has: nowadays, football is generally thought of as much more important than even the biggest issues, such as Global Warming, how Ann Widdecombe looks in a dress (on second thoughts, don’t answer that) and Will Noel Edmonds ever get off the telly? My point? Even the energy saving expert people will happily admit that we spend far too much energy, time and money on The Beautiful Game. For proof, please check out the link:
http://www.eniginpartners.com/2010/06/10/world-cup-fever-enigin-style/
And it looks highly unlikely that the genera public’s fascination with Ann Widdecombe in a dress and football is going to end any time soon. Which presents a problem to us all who love the legendary football: how we will justify the growing demands (and costs) in spending that amount of energy.
By the looks of things, Enigin intend to justify it by doing their bit to sell energy saving products, which, from what I have seen of their websites and blogs, seems to be a rather good idea. And before you start thinking that that means lots of expensive gadgets that the average man / woman on the street could never afford, think again; nearly all of Enigin’s products are every day things which regular businesses, of literally any size, can afford to put into practice.

When I worked at the local supermarket I used to hear all the time about “the importance of selling”. My manager Edward, king of the baldies (who everyone knew was having an affair with smelly Helen at the fish-counter) really loved this subject. I wasn’t really interested in it and to be honest I just thought it was all being over-complicated. I also thought that Edward was gross because he nearly always smelled of fish in the mornings, even though he was adamant that he had been nowhere near any. How hard can selling stuff be? I thought. Surely it’s simply a case of offering someone something at a price which undercuts someone else. Hey presto, you’re selling. And I wish he would dump Helen. I also thought that a lot… Then, some time later, the importance of selling hit me like a bowling ball to the face. I had a job selling used cars and it was a nightmare. There was an art to it that I had completely missed learning! This article from Enigin PLC is about selling and I would advise you to read it so you don’t make the mistakes I did… http://www.eniginsales.com/2010/08/10/50/ Now I know that selling, really selling and doing it well, really is as difficult as dumping a lady who’s idea of a good time is mackerel in tomato sauce at lunch-time. It takes skill and patience and a lot of balls to sell properly without annoying everyone around you. At the above article you’ll find advice on selling which will prove invaluable, it’s just a shame it came a few years too late for me…

The telegraph recently reported some crime figures for 2009 and 2010. these figures had a huge difference between the police reported figures and the british crime survey. You can see the figures for yourself here.

When you see these you will be shocked I believe. The difference of reporting comes to figure of over five million! That correct. Five million! No typos here. Was this in one particular year? No. this pattern carries through a clearly graphed five year period from 2004 through to 2009.

So how could such a large discrepancy come about. Are the police or government under reporting? If crime figures are down it certainly looks good for the government in power. Maybe people feel more comfortable reporting crime to the british crime survey instead. However when theres a crime one would normally report it to the police. Not some organization that happens to be conducting a survey on the crime in Britain.

This observation can bring one to ponder on just where the British crime survey gets their figures. Or should we be turning our attention to how the Police come up with their figures and the motives for doing so. Are crimes under reported to police or do police under report the crimes? Do the police have difference classifications of what is considered a crime? Is this maybe the reason for the discrepancy (five million worth)?

Perhaps what the police classify as a crime and what the british crime survey classify as a crime are tow different things? So what types of crimes police wouldn’t see as a crime. Maybe an attempted bulgary by a minor of ten who just smashed a window at a Hotel in Looe but didn’t get to take anything wouldn’t technically be a crime because he’s “blameless” as he’s under age and cannot be tried in a court of law. Makes one wonder–

In my opinion one of the greatest things about the internet is the way you can be looking for one thing (movie reviews for example) and then suddenly stumble across something fantastic that you didn’t even know you were interested in. Today I was looking for paint for the front door, and within minutes I was reading about how big and impressive beavers are and that some aren’t actually as skilled at building dams as they would like you to think (how embarrassing is that for a beaver?). Just what I needed to start my Monday morning!

True as that is, I have never found anything that interesting when searching for information on how to save energy. Until today. Today I stumbled across a company called Enigin, and what I found was a blog (one of many I should say, because they seem mad keen on them…) that talked about all kinds of other things which the people want to know about.

If you ask me that’s the key, because when people find blogs that contain not only one source of information they are much more likely to stay there and read all the other stuff on offer. I am a good example of this. After reading the aforementioned piece (that you should have read by now, so what are you waiting for?) I clicked about the place and found a slew of interesting articles on energy saving inventions and such. You should do the same, really. It’s stuff that will benefit future generations, and make our world a much happier place.

Years ago (before becoming "grown up"and getting jobs like my rubbish one: Manager in Soft skill training ), us young ones used to go to a place called “The Spinney”. A typical day at The Spinney was full of adventure, risk, and exactly the kind of fun that adults tried to stop us having.

A typical day went like this:

1) Negotiate the dodgy stream where a troll was said to live, but we never saw him (or it).

2) Negotiate the dodgy fence where Mr Carmichael the old git lived next to. The dodgy fence always made a screeching sound, and after hearing this for many years Mr Carmichael was expert at listening out for it.

3) Run past the bit where there was glass and stuff, towards the entrance of The Spinney.

4) Climb over the barbed-wire fence at the entrance and in to the magical world of fun.

5) Inside The Spinney we’d all run about chasing each other with twigs. Whoever had the biggest twig tended to do the most chasing and was the most feared. If you had a small twig then in some ways it was better (because you could throw it at your opponent more easily than you could if it was big and bulky), but in some ways it was worse. Getting poked with a big stick is never fun.

6) Spend all day in there chucking things in the manky green stagnant water. On a good day someone might fall in with all their clothes on. On a great day someone would end up in tears and we’d abandon them, hide, then jump out like monsters when they walked past!

Why is it that everyone knows information – tricks of the trade which should really be free all round – but few of these people will share any of their expertise with those who are just starting out? Take graphic design for example. It’s something that can be learnt, yes, and of course the most of it is natural ability that can not be taught, but it’s also something that can be sort of handed down from one graphic designer to the next. We’re talking the simple little things: design tips, advice on what to do and what not to do. That kind of thing. And yes, while there are more people out there who want to keep their secrets all secretive and locked up forever until the day they die, there are a few people who are only too pleased to share their wealth of knowledge and will do so while even smiling. Click the link to learn something right here, right now!

I find the Enigin dudes attitude impressive to say the least. The blog doesn’t try to sell you anything, all the information is absolutely free to everyone, and all they ask in return is that you keep an eye on the energy you are using and tell others to do the same. Now, in my book that’s a pretty good compromise. Don’t you think?

I haven’t tried, but I bet they’d even email you if you emailed them (as advanced as these lot are, they haven’t yet progressed to the stage where they can read your mind through your finger-tips through the keyboard. Sorry.)

Throughout the years Robin Hood has been depicted as a hero. He has always been seen as a wonderful man that was willing to risk his own neck to help the less fortunate of his community. He is viewed as a sort of martyr. Well these views are not entirely true.

In reality there are two different views of Robin Hood. It is said that their were many different Robin Hoods. Robin Hood has been said to be the name that was given to any of the number of thieves that were living in the forest to hide from the law. Others say that the real Robin Hood did not steal from those that were well off to give to those that were less fortunate but instead just stole out of greed. He did not share his wealth at all.

The new Robin Hood movie featuring Russell Crowe shows a different character. This Robin Hood is still courageous and daring. Shown as will to stand up for what he believes is right. He still fights the evil Prince John. He is now a hero and a leader. He leads his allies into battle against Normandy and tries to fight from being in a civil war. There is no talk of robbing from the rich, stealing damsels, or saving children. He just fights for what he sees as being right and backs down from no one. He does not let anyone see his fear and shows others that fighting for what you believe in is always worth it, no matter what the cost is.

This is a very inspiring movie. It does have some blood. It does have some romance for the ladies and some bits of compassion. Robin Hood helps to open our eyes that even in today’s time we should stand up for what we know is right no matter what the cost. Now if only I could be just as inspired with my goals for fast weight loss.

Everyone has a different idea of what is the most important thing to have to get you through life with a fair degree of success. Some say luck. Others say money. Some say "The National Lottery, of course". Some people don’t know what it is, but think that it could be more to do with being in the right place at the right time than anything. Now, while all of these things may well be true, I believe it’s something else that gets you through life in one piece, and with success. Another person who agrees with me airs his feelings on Enigin Partners.

It’s determination, of course. Now please make yourself at home, because I would like to tell you a story…

Back when we had two budgies, Determined Teddy (that was the actual name he lived and died with), was always the one who did better; he always got more grain and affection (not that he deserved it, he was a vicious little thing). Little Sally unfortunately came off worse. At feeding time it was Determined Teddy’s show. And the reason why? What got him his name, of course. He was a determined little fella. If he wanted something then he would stop at nothing to get it.

Something from Determined Teddy rubbed off on me. So, for years after Teddy’s demise, whenever I encountered a tricky situation, I would consider how he would have approached it (if he had had hands and feet and a brain bigger than a pea, that is). So you could say that it was Determined Teddy who got me through. Without his courageous (some might say bone-headed approach to taking on life, I don’t think I’d have managed half as well.

I am a workaholic. I love working and a self-confessed perfectionist. I have been working all my life and that is for a total of 23 years! Of course, we have different situations in life that fuels us to work hard. Everyone of us has reasons for doing so and most likely this is due to our desire for economic stability. Lately, as I turned 45, I have been sorting my life and decided to turn into meditation and physical exercise to keep me balance.

I also take time to read motivational and affirmation mailers to make me conscious about myself, the people and things around me. There is nothing wrong with being productive. We are all encourage to be productive. However, nothing can also stops us to pause and take a moment of your hectic schedule to smell the flowers around. Learn to appreciate nature and the things around you and you will be surprise about the peace and freedom it will bring to you.

When you are tempted to go on a holiday vacation to recharge your energy, please feel free to do so! Actually book those holidays you have been putting off and go and get that Botox treatment, that were always too expensive for this tax year. Remember that it keeps our life in balance and our health risk free. Work is always there and there will be always be lots of them to do. Relaxation, rest, pleasure and fun should be guilt-free. Take time off and schedule your vacation but never neglect the responsibilities on hand that should be prioritized.

Furthermore, learn to manage your time for this is also called the management of life. Learn to make use of your life to the fullest and do not life used you. This maybe profound but true enough It happens to all of us when we are no longer in control of our lives.