z0man's Personal Corner

My Current Rail Station Issues

2010-06-28T00:09:00.002-07:00

I just wrote this quickly, so I will be still tidying and grammar checking on and off whenever I get time.

This entry is also posted on Reddit for views

I am a seasonal monthly train ticket buyer and I also buy a plus bus ticket to help with my travels costing roughly £200 a month. This is my experience of travel to work and when I loose a bag on a train.

Ash Station cannot afford a public bridge yet somehow why hasn't anyone bothered to start a requested donations from the public for a bridge? Start early would be best yet I am wondering how much does a bridge cost....

Penalized for Loosing Bag on Train

From Reading to Ash, I left my fave green ruck sack on the train. Turns out First Great Western has their lost property HQ at the corner of the UK country called, "Bristol Temple Meads".
I was given 3 options to getting my lost property back:

Get a member of family to drive there and pick it up.
Get a courier to pick it up
Or pick it up myself

Luckily I lived in Reading so my ticket cost me £45, I cannot imagine what it the ticket would of cost if I lived in Scotland.
Oh and there is a charge depending on the size of the baggage. Mine was class C or something like that at £5 yet I was bill at Bristol for £3, which I guess is ok considering they were holding the bag. Thankfully and they topped up my bottle of water which was nice of the staff. So in total, Great First Western got £47 quid out of me, for loosing my bag.

I got to the Bristol Temple Meads, they then tell me if I booked a week in advance... I would saved £20 :/ Bit late to tell me now and they not tell me on the phone when I was reporting it lost?.

Salvaging the Lost Property
The day I lost my property, I walked close to my work area in Aldershot, I realized I forgot my bag. I called up "First Great Western" and they said they would not call the train unless it was an emergency... We live in a digital the age where communication is plentiful can't they atleast signal something or mark for train to be check at the end of the day?.

They will not transport the property incase of further liability, a long time ago, they used to deliver mail and transported lost property on the train on the "Ticket Conductors Carriage". I guess this is their cut backs for the service to save money :/

Saw this Handy Computer at Bristol Temple Meads Station's Lost Property office. It shows the stations everywhere around the UK. I have a feeling they didn't even bother using such a computer when I reported my lost bag.

My Journey to Bristol to pick up lost property

My journay to Work is Roughly this long

On the way back, home to Reading I fell on the sleep on the train and ended up in London. The ticket officer wondered why I fell a sleep on the train as I showed him the ticket I used to to get to Bristol Temple Meads.

He shook his head thinking I was some idiot :/

Oh and here is my return ticket and charge from Bristol Temple Meads Lost Property Office

My thoughts for Improvement
Get scanner installed and fax, so people can send in identification digitally showing their address and then post it for them with the charge for posting and service for packing? Or even transport the baggage to the traveller's home town station?

Could the Lost Property offices of all train services be centralized in the centre of the UK and or other countries?

Ash to Aldershot [Insert Walkway here] [My regular journey]

National Rail advertises the journey from Reading to Aldershot, that I change at Ash.
My journey to work, seems roughly ok in the morning, yet I notice the service lacks during the day and after 5:30pm. And quite often, the staff on First Train, always signals to Hurry up every time due to this....

View Larger Map

Train Signal Road Crossing blocks us from even getting to the other side of the platform. Each day I use the service, my frustration grows slowly as I keep seeing trains that I am on time for, rush off due to the Train Signal Road Crossing. Every once in a while I hear the ticket officer shouting out, "CA'MON HURRY UP!!".

Probably 20% of my time is lost due to the poor quality of service that Ash Station gives. Sometimes I have to wait an hour, even though I am on time for the trains and then get blocked by the Train Signal Road Crossing... I some times wave goodbye from the train from the other side of the barrier just to make myself feel better.

Bridge or Walkway between platforms.
Have Ash actually made any effort in all their time? Please I like to hear of any stories. Think they have some space for something to help the travellers for Ash can they afford it, could us the travelers help fund it?

Each day I use the service and bump into the Train Signal Crossing barrier, my motivation to moaning about these issues grows. Hence this big blog post with Google Maps and street view shots.

In fact if I start getting donations into my Paypal account as of now for help to funding a possible walkway between...It would probably motivate me to start a site to keep track of the progress and search for anyone willing to help it officially happen. None of the money will be for me but for the people of Ash Station travelers.

WARNING: May Contain Nuts

2010-05-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

I will be at the South Street Arts Centre this Tuesday(11 May) at 7:30pm to speak about my experience with mental health. The show is called:

WARNING:May Contain Nuts!

Please don't be shy and come visit the show.

Tickets :£6, Concessions £3

Walk: Abingdon to Oxford - Sept09

2009-09-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

It was meant to be a short walk due to one of my rambler friends having a hip problem. It got better some how.

The plan was to take a bus to "Abingdon" and then walk yet we kept missing the bus and ended up from a little further. :/

Here is a few pictures that I managed to take.Don't believe them personally

Lovely view of the Moment (Gimped)

NOW THAT! Is an interesting Building

Walk : Richmond to Central London 09

2009-09-02T16:05:00.001-07:00

Roughly 14.75 miles (Give or take a couple of miles)

Apologises for the Delay

I pondered whether to publish them in Facebook first or in my blog.... I decided the lata then changed my mind, so I thought I do both.

Facebook friends can now comment on any photo, label, draw...whatever on the photos.

Hi res available here.

Enjoy :)

NHS Berkshire Community Meeting

2009-09-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

I recently attended an NHS Berkshire community meeting at "Reading Resource". At first I didn't want to go as I wasn't used to them. Yet I got persuaded by key people(Who I help freely) to really attend, so I did and didn't expect myself coming feeling happy. Guess you could I was, 'Crawling out of my hole'.

I knew the NHS was in trouble with finance due to recession etc, yet I didn't expect them to show this desperate feel for help. This meeting got me caring for the NHS Service almost pretty darn quick, I knew some how my complex brain should be able to bring up some questions to help show my care. After a good 30 minutes in betweens I managed to fire out some questions :)

Like myself currently a 'service user' due to my history of depression on and off, I can see the through all the questions of the other users wondering where is all the money going and will they have enough money to pay for such therapy services. That 2nd person said, "Tell us what we shouldn't be doing and what we SHOULD do", which I then knew it was my time to fire some questions.

After hearing the NHS Berkshire paid for 18 talk therapies, made my brain click about, "Have they utilized Instant Messaging yet?". I saw in the news that it has been a proven therapy to help "depression" sufferers (I can vouch for that myself). I can tell they knew little knowledge of "Open source" technology as they responded to my questions most interestingly about, "They still pay for software licenses regularly".

The 2nd person then said, "We have to grab your contact details and I am sure the computer team would be interested to hear your views", which kind of shocked me, oh by the way and not to sound so boasting, that person is 'The Chief Executive of Care Trust for Berkshire' her name is 'Phillipa Slinger'. At least that's how I thought it sounded as I frantically asked around about that person.

They admit it will take a few years to make the changes, yet some how they are VERY willing to "Change" :) "Where there is a will there is a way" :) Oh by the way I have managed to change 3 people into "Open Source". Makes me wonder if I can convenience a whole service.

I will share some of my experiences of how "Change" can create some bizarre scary emotions in us, which I have slowly learnt to understand. It's like a major jolt..."no no no no no no way!" after hearing some news that they have do change their ways which they have so been used to for years and years. It's like, 'Why do I need the Internet when I can perfectly well know, I can buy a news paper in the corner shop that I can hold physically in my hands'. ....I shall stop here before this post gets any bigger :P

On a side note, check out Amy's Ghost events they have quite a chilling yet emotionally relaxing sounds with a chello included?!! I got to see them when a friend invited me over to see him play in Reading at RISC Cafe, sadly I missed him as he was presenting yet enjoyed Amy's Ghost :)

xkcd : Ahhh Bacon

2009-06-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

Bizzare Consequences

2009-06-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Having just been in my flat for 4 months, police bashed the front door to the house. I feared for my personal possessions as well as myself. They are a part of my future career.

IMPORTANT: I live in a house split into two flats.
The police DID NOT bash my inner flat door.

Whoa!?
Police separated a mother from her child as the mother had a psychological break down apparently. She is hopefully getting the support she needs and the child is being looked after.

Here is the freaky points:
Having bumped into a person over 4 times within a short period of a few days, the way he spoke to me just freaked me. That person had a phone call from the mother and he didn't know her!?

The Times of bumping into a person, "Who helps build confidence"?

Walked past him in a street cluelessly and noticed him at the corner of my eye
Met him at a bus stop, then after a bizarre Then he said this is my lucky day and gave his number to me!?). Greeting and saying such confidence building courses in singing will help me.... He's doing it wrong!!! Get an official card or website first!
He was outside my flat the next day the door was broken into by the police!!!? He had a bizarre phone call from a strange woman saying she is very stressed, he knows the landlord and wishes to move in next to me!?
He came back and luckily my dad was with me to transport me back to his house.

Freaked
Throughout these experiences, my anxiety was all over the place. I started to freak after having a fair number of friends, family and three police officers saying that the house is insecure.

Wise Moves
Having established my new future career goals to helping people get to work as well as myself, I'm slowly actioning small steps one by one, I don't want to mentally fall over again!! sheez.

Till the door is fixed, I feel safer at my parents for now, currently taking it easy and to stick to my regular routine as best as possible, considering my developing environment has gone.

I also felt it was a good idea to forward my experiences with bumping into this strange person 4 times, to the police. I hope the person is genuine and be wise to learn, 'how not to approach people'. If he is genuine then take I take this post to be also a personal appology to that person.

Issy Busy Lets Get Busy...

2009-05-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Busy = Healthy right? ... Wrong. TOO much busy is unhealthy, being busy is ok. Throughout all my support I have been given I have been constantly reminded to, "take small steps, don't rush and take care of yourself".

Having established my new career dreams I am now putting them into action. Thanks to a small crowd of friends and connections I have made, my dream is slowly coming to a reality!!! Yet through out all these steps I still suffer anxiety :/ Yet I am trying to remind myself it is healthy anxiety of the unknown and that I cannot predict the future.

A Social Business Enterprise
Only certain people know the details, I am working with someone to creating a plan, currently at revision7, yet I am still trying to get more support around me to get this become more solid. Planning to go on a course to show me the basics of running a business (reminders of book keeping etc).

Small Key Steps

WEBSITES:Having made my first social networking site, I am now using the basis of that framework to establish social sites to benefit organizations. Currently 2 websites are being made as I speak. Having no internet in the home has made the development of this sluggish, yet somehow I almost finished one of them. Regular Internet chores at my friend's, organization's and family's Internet has help keep my researh up with my current technological enhancements.

COURSES: I am being amazed at how many people being intrigued with my knowledge so I wish to share this to others. I am slowly creating guides to help train people, course I am also trying set up training, so I can properly train. Thanks to some key new friends giving me a first few pointers.

PRACTICING: Currently volunteering still at 3 organizations before I go for the big "W". One particular organization I am providing full IT support for free. I need to feel some reassurance about my abilities.

Mental Connections
The people and friends I am surrounded with want me to succeed and wish to support me the best they can, and love them for that very much and wish to help them back in turn also in some way eventually.

I have friends to remind me to take a break.
I have friends who love sharing knowledge with me.
I have friends reminding me to not over load myself.
I have friends AND public organizations supporting me and my dreams.

This to all my old and new friends and those organizations who have been very understanding of me...

"I love you guys".

Lack of Internet = Becareful Weekly

2009-05-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

My plans have back fired for me to having some kind of regular internet access via public organizations and volunteer opportunities... Instead I have made myself too busy before I can get a chance to utilize the Internet.

day 6 and 7
That's for my count before I wish to access the Internet. My parents know I am struggling to make ends meet whilst trying to help myself and help others. I am extremely thankful for having such loving parents, they understand my need for my Internet access. They wish for me to succeed as I wish for them to lead a less stress free life.

Get lots done during the Week
Keeping my Internet surfing slacked to weekly, I seem to be busy doing lots of interesting new tasks as well as my important tasks. Yet there is a slight negative side for the weekend, that I may go into overdrive surfing and not sleep well :/

Before I Surf Pleasurably
Once a week a get my opportunity to surf the Internet for my needs. Before I do any pleasurable surfing I always do my important Internet chores, as if I did it the other way round, I'd never get anything done!

Lost or Stolen Mobile?

2009-04-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

I recently lost my phone after walking into a "Cash Generator" shop. I guess I may of been a little careless. Yet I normally keep it in my jean pockets. I felt stressed alright, here is what I did to help ease the stress.

Let the local places you been to know you have lost a phone, get them to scan their cameras for any evidence of pick pocketing possibly.
Call up your mobile service provider and bar the SIM. They will also bar the phone and you will get a free replacement SIM card mailed to you. Any credit you had on there will be transfered across.
Report the mobile phone lost to the "Non emergency" police.
Let your friends and anyone else know that you can no longer be reached on the mobile phone via social network sites like Twitter and Facebook.
If you used the calendar on the phone, spend the rest of the time remember the next week's schedule and write it on paper.
Think up some means for a replacement for dairy, alarm and clock.

I managed to calm down after doing the above actions. I feel kinda gutted but life throws some interesting things at ya to make it interesting.

Think I may get an old fashioned wrist watch and diary.... DAG NAMIT FUZZIN RUZZIN WUZZIN!

My new Love for Poetry (really).

2009-04-10T13:55:00.001-07:00

It was witnessing my first 3 poets perform live, that they made me fall for the thing, they started it!!! Hearing it not being sung is far more intriguing.

You will see on my right side, poets I now follow :) I know singers are poets in their own right so that's why I slapped mark in there :P Pete the Temp, Danny Chivers, and John Haggot are my first live poet performances I have witnessed and fell for every one of them!

My father also told me of these guys I plan to read up more...
Thomas Malory (POWERFUL stuff)
William Wordsworth (Romantic messy poetry)
Percy Bysshe Shelley (funny enough his sister wrote Frankenstien).

Be Hold my Ultimate first 6 best Camera Shots

2009-04-02T16:36:00.000-07:00

Took a small photo course and found myself taking much better better pictures than normal now :)

Hopefully plan to blog about how these were made.

Day of the Dead...

2009-03-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

Listen to it here! Very surreal stuff.

No TV License for Me

2009-03-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

When I moved into my flat and living off peanuts, I decided to minimalize as much money bills as possible. Also I don't watch TV myself unless I stumble across it once in a while. I Use the Internet. Yet still I have no Internet in my flat still, so I am thankful for the organizations, my friends and family who have allowed me to use theirs for on and off.

After over 3 weeks of living in a flat, I have recieved a very interesting and yet imtimidating letter, what caught my eye was, "Enforcement Officers have been notified" in big bold RED LETTERS, as if I have done something terribly wrong. So apparently I have to let these people inspect my house to make sure I am not using any kind of equipment to watch live TV.

I have a TV tuner card but I am not using it, infact the ariel cable is not in use, there is no plug on it. So touch wood they should be in and out. The bit of the TV tuner I'm still interested in, is the remote control reciver, it be can coded to control the PC in various ways. I have managed this on Windows XP, yet I wish to experiment with Linux. This is why I have not removed it yet.

However if they say I have to remove the TV card, I will of course remove it and feel I am being forced and I will further loath the TV and the license it self.

The BBC services are nice, I do admit I watch the iPlayer on and off, yet I feel they need to change some of their ways, especially sending imtimidating letters straight way, rather than friendly ones with some more common questions and answers.

I have to buy a TV license if I watch live television broadcasts on the Internet. So I don't plan on visiting "BBC News" live broadcast link on their website. Yet this made me question will they be following what I browse online? I rang the people to let them know I have read their surprise letter and stated that I am not using a TV or ariel, I also raised my concern about my privacy Internet surfing privacy, they said "They do not have the authority".

Minor Update
I recieved a nicer letter through the post confirming that I have called them up and told them I am not using the arial.

If the do wish to come and investigate my flat, which they stated in the nice letter it will be only a few minutes of my my time, I will let them. I have nothing to hide, yet I still feel that some of this needs changing somehow. "Being felt intimidated straight away". IF they mentioned more nicely that will be coming round to check, I'd be more happier about all this. Just didn't like that intimidation feeling when I haven't done anything wrong!? Think the gas person coming to check my parents meter is nicer.

One of my friends mentioned to me that I had to pay them, I retaliated by saying, 'visit my blog entry', then decided to rip out the tuner card (despite I am not using it or having any antenna cable plugged into it), let alone no Internet.

No Legal Weight
Apparently there is no legal weight, yet the first intermidating letter looks like it does.
Have a further read with the links below.

Further Reading
BBCresistance and TV licensing
Do you need a tv license to watch tv on the internet?
http://www.televisionlicence.info/

Lady in Distress

2009-03-14T06:25:00.001-07:00

Had an interesting small dog walk last night, can't seem to get it out of my head still.

Whilst getting to the entrance of the park, I saw a comotion of people up ahead mainly all teenagers, I saw one with a torch just running away from some hedges saying, "Couldn't find anything". I could hear them commenting on me and my dog, they were saying things like "Look at the size of that dog", "Maybe he can help".

Time I got up, I was stopped by one them and quickly bluttered out, "Can you help!?, this lady has lost her bag and stuff and we're struggling to understand". I saw the lady looking in major distress and upset. I remained calmed best I could and showed some authority, I tried to piece together the problem, "PLEASE one person at a time", yet dispite the quick sudden silence, one person came up to me with a sycastic smile, "Don't worry about this, she does all the time and she isn't really worth worrying about...", then some bigger person came over and hooked him over his head and dragged him aside, which I was thankful for. The lady started to crying, so I decided to matters into my own hands and signaled her to come with me.

THE STRESS
From all the random sentences thrown at me, I managed to get a rough idea what the main problem was. She went out drinking to forget her troubles and stresses in life and one too many drinks, made loose her senses a bit and she even admits it. She lost her bag apparently it was stolen and the contents of the bag; had her keys to her front door, her money she recently took out, her only mobile phone, and her address book. She was also in major panic of haven been robbed. Whilst walking to her house, I could feel her mental stress and I knew I couldn't leave her alone until I have tried to help a little further.

Time I got to her house, told her we was going to call the police and I assured her I will be with her during the time of speaking with them. After a good moment of debating that me and the police gather she hasn't been robbed of any possessions in the house, emergency police services gave us a number to call about reporting missing/stolen items from venues.

Turns out the number was an 0845 number and she had no land line or mobile (obviously), so I decided to say we'll call them from my parents home, at that moment I started to panic myself about my parents thoughts and future thoughts.

The Calming
I remained calmed and walked her to my parents house. My dad came down and I told the story and offered a drink to the lady. I took to making us all drinks and stayed with the lady whilst she called up the 0845 number, also helped her remember the contents of her bags during the time and she was given a reference number.

After my mum and I chatted with her treated to her to some food and drink and she bursted into tears and cryed out, "She misses her son". So I got some details and started searching the Internet, eventually got her up and had look at some faces I managed to find, no luck thuogh. After a while of googling, I managed to salvage an address for her. I hope its the correct one, the young 16 year old is under the care of some house in Cornwall, Truro.

Just before I left the computer, I tried to search for any possible helpful organizations that may be able to help, in the end I printed out CAB (Citizen Advice Bureau) details and told to visit them Monday.

POSSIBLE FRIEND NEAR BY!?
I asked if she had any friends near by that she could stay with for the night, she said yes and I walked to her friends. I knew she needed some mental support, after knocking on her door and some ranting on the other side, I knew she wasn't the best friend I hoped she was, in the end I walked her all the way home, even let her wear my jacket as she was cold.

Cats, a little more help and a little thankyou
I wanted to make sure got in back into her house safely as she felt worried she wouldn't be able to get back into her house. She struggled to even open up her back door, which made me panic there and I quickly tried to open the door myself.

Thankfully the door open and she invited me into the house and she wanted me to see her cats. She had no milk so she treated me to some "hot blackcurrent drink". Whilst sitting down and seeing each of her cats, I finally realize I am seeing the owner of the cats that 'Tom the family dog' has always tried to chase after.

Saw some photographs and got to see her daughter and son she hasn't seen for years. I finally came to realize she was a majorly distressed person and needs more help than just from me alone.

Saw a 'Freeview Digital Box' unattached and I thought I may of been able to get it working just before leaving. Proved myself wrong after spending an hour or so trying to get it working and even felt a current going through the cable that is attached to the ariel. I could sense she was mentally not well as she was getting slightly angry on and off and then appologising.

Just before I left I told her to make sure the windows are shut and I even saw a window broken at the back, turns out shes been hassled by trouble makers more often than I thought. I also said if there are any further support I can think of I will let her know.

Final Thoughts
I even remined her to go visit the CAB first thing monday as she has only enough for a couple of days.

As of now after writing this true event in blog, I am still at a bother about seeing a majorly troubled person, even I have reminded her to, "never give up trying".

She needs a lot of mental support and guidance to get herself back together, I really hope she'll looks for it Monday.

Letting Loose and Clowning Around

2009-03-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.nosetonose.info/

I was invited to Reading's "Resource Café and Art Gallery" to experience a workshop like never before, very intriguing one too.

They motivate the group people participating with various activities to help loosen the mind and have a laugh at the same time, not forgetting the great work out you get physically without realizing it till the last moment.

VERY WORTH WHILE.

So if you hear of this in your area, go for it.

PS: My anxiety levels went up to begin with, then somehow felt completely free of everything during the final performance.

Not every day you get permission to just clown around.

Been rather Flustered with New things

2009-03-06T04:08:00.001-08:00

Things are busy at the moment and that I have been unable to keep updating my blogs and study fully.

Currently still moving into my first flat
Getting into photography, taken up a basic course in photography to hopefully get really good shots for my website projects, along with many other things. Just started a blog to keep my findings online.
Still helping my troubled parents issues on and off, still keeping my mind cool as possible, like everyone else on this planet.
Just started up my volunteer opportunity with no Internet, computer desk or chair, been slow developing yet thankfully making slow progress too.
Dealing with tooth issues and this 17th March 2009 I will be getting a wisdom tooth out just to stop this silly hole from producing evil things in my mouth.

My future is still uncertain but enjoying these new experiences (excluding the wisdom tooth situation).

Lack of Face to Face Contact, Harmful!?

2009-02-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

Social Networking : Lack of Face to Face contact could harm health?

Hmmm

half and half, too much of anything is bad for us.

Even NHS:Choices has a lot of information.

So staying online constantly and not seeing people in the real world as regular as brushing your teeth, is bad and so will the teeth if you stop regularly brushing.

My first thoughts anyway.

Google Earth : Sky, Ocean and Earth, all explorable! :)

2009-02-15T05:06:00.000-08:00

Found this yesterday, and it's just nice to travel the world with out much worry ^^. Looking at islands like this one ^^, learning new species, stars and ocean discoveries!

I'm in over my head here.

Esther Dyson : An Inspiration to me

2009-02-02T14:10:00.001-08:00

Read this BBC news article about here recently.

The first lady of the internet on her accidental career

Ms Dyson has taken her money and invested early and often in companies such as Google, Orbtiz, 23andMe, Flickr, Del.icio.us, Dopplr and Powerset to name but a few.

"I was a good saver and I got 25 cents an hour babysitting if the kids were awake and 12.5 cents if they were asleep. That was how I made money until I got a job in a library when I was 14.

"I've been working for money ever since."

"Yes I want to make money so that I can reinvest it and keep doing this. But I'm not thinking how rich I'm going to get, I'm thinking what exciting new things am I going to help make happen?"

She is even on many boards of non profit organizations.

Further Reading at wikepedia.

Reading List : Survey answered as requested

2009-01-30T12:39:00.002-08:00

I was touched when I was approached for my blogs to be put on to the Reading List, for this to happen, I had to provide survery of my blogs, so here are my answers :)

============================================
Questionnaire follows:
============================================

A1 - Who are you?
My name is Paul Burden and these blogs are my discoveries in various interests I wish to understand and maintain, also to encourage my grammer as most of my first posts may have the odd grammer problem, which I eventually fix.

Originally I made the alias "z0manifest" to keep email spam at bay, 'non manifestation' and another way to think of it is, 'zero manifest'. Later shortened it to z0man for my online friends. The idea for the alias came from seeing another friend's alias.

Back in 2005 I was originally very cautious and scared of being open and sharing my thoughts online, blogging was very new, then in 2007 having suffered and still am suffering from mental health issues, decided to utilize my blogs to keep my interests up as well explore new avenues.

A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
I have several actually, in order of creation (Top being the first)

Tech/Geek Corner
Personal Corner
Blender Moments
Game Experiences
z0man's Dev
Political Thoughts
z0man's Parkour

A3 - When did you write your first post?
January 2005

Back in my young naive years, a close friend of mine came round and we drank beer, watched videos, experimented with his new small camera gadget and then became amused at the orbs from the random camera shots we took.

A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
As of now including this one, around 253

B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
Everything you see in my links and labels at my personal corner blog.

B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
Encourage openness and thinking outside the box, shame the corrupt.

B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
At the moment only this free social web application called shared-cookbook. Not sure how long the site will last unless I get more support. I hope to develop the site a little further to support financial estimates of shopping.

B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
I enjoy seeing new inspiring creations, such as websites, games and films.

C1 - What are your connections with Reading?
After leaving the Royal Navy my father was very keen to get me interested and working with computers, also he knew that the job aspects in Scotland was not so bright. Having found out that Berkshire is meant to be Silicon Valley of the UK, he decided to settle the family down south (Not sure how true that is now).

Practically lived in Reading all my life, accept for 2 years of it was in the US . Yes I tried to live in the US, my deepest love for someone turned complicated, learnt various lessons, split on a mutual agreement and still friends, enough said there.

C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
Reading Bus Service.

C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
Too many pubs.

C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
less pubs and more cheap fun reactional physical activties such as, bowling, archery, and shooting people with pretend laser guns.

Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
Yes :)

Time to Change!!!

2009-01-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

WOW!!!! A campaign called, "Time to Change" costing roughly £18 million to help break the myths of mental health!!! Never thought I'd see such a campaign highlighting Mental Health problems.

The article stating the launch is here.

I Over excited myself....

2009-01-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

After a meeting with this volunteer opportunity, their organization is the dream find for me, they treated me to lunch :)

Spent the last day planning and writing up any possible interesting features we could add to a web service, a couple of nice ideas popped out during our meeting so they have been slapped into the plan ^^.

I was so pumped that day I exhausted myself the next day, even fell physically ill that day too (oops). I've calmed down and waiting for their feedback on my recent plan updates, even showed them logo design ideas.

I have to get two references and a police check, the organization deals with people of a young age group. Bonus, I will be working on a new machine, be seeing people on and off in the office and they buying my lunch and travel expenses! Course I still have to wait for their feed.

On top of providing a web service for them, I hope to enlighten their organization with open source solutions (They seem very intrigued).

New Project Getting Pumped Up

2009-01-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

Didn't think I'd ever see the day where I'd be so pumped about a new project like this before.

The Meeting
No Internet but after a chat, showed them Open-source software, shared some of my thoughts how the site should function, they seem happy with me.

Pumped Up
After the meeting, went into hyper mode planning more features not yet finalized.
Hopefully the organization can me on track, going to share a plan file together see :P

NEVER RUSH!!!
Can't go rushing into anything even if things are pumped up.
I know the people I spoke had this "Pumped Up" feeling too.

RULE 1
Don't get any Web host until the site main core features are fully implemented and tested :P

Prepare for a Shock

2009-01-18T08:07:00.000-08:00

The Iceman - watch more funny videos

I also finally managed to stop laughing at this and figured out who created the funny "Masters of the Internet" video clips. The guy who created it is non other than Peter antencio

Inspiring person that Peter.

Supportive Sites

2009-01-17T17:28:00.001-08:00

Horsesmouth
Very open place covering many topics of our lives. From workplace and family, to learning and finding new career paths.

http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk/

My Best Advice: Young Low

2009-01-14T15:29:00.000-08:00

BBC has published yet another interesting article with unemployment.

'Working, what's the point?'

Shows two young people under 25 struggling get back into work, low and depressed.
I can understand they low moods, they have to mentally push themselves out of it.

"Can't work", "no one will hire me".

My Advice to Those two people in the Article.
Stop smoking
This will aid in saving up for further travelling expenses possibly.
To get to the courses.
Use all resources available for quiting, getting close friends/family to remind why you try trying to quit, start taking patches, use the non-smoking clinics.
Apparently takes 90 days to give up a human addiction (+10 days to be safe).

Stop watching the TV
This causes your brain to go into passive mode and become less active. Use the Internet more constructively to exercise the mind, encouraging yourself to explore other interests online.
Learn something new on the internet also. http://www.reddit.com/ is a nice place to start.

Stay healthy as best you can
Eat healthy, Drink healthy, happy body, happy mind.
Remind yourself to get into some daily routine and exercise, possibly arrange some activity with friends. Like walking somewhere on just a lunch.

Never give up trying either
If you ever feel low, speak to someone don't bottle it up, even it means chatting to people online you have never even met face to face.

Young People Disturbed

2009-01-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

1 in 10 young people find life meaningless.

Yes not being in work or education can be depressing too :( I sure hope they have access to the Internet and use it to it's full extent. Yes everyone who suffers these symptoms require every support possible to curb it.

Even though this is bad news for young people, including myself having experienced some episodes. Any article relating to "mental health" is always encouraging and inspiring for me to try and help in some way.

I regularly devote some of my time, chatting to mentally troubled people online.
I try to encourage people to try new things and being open about issues.
I research and suggest ways to treat these symptoms.
I like to enlighten people who are poorly educated about these issues.
I was inspired to make a website from these issues (more will come).

Full article here. This young person is an example of positive attitudes, change.

UPDATE
Believe I have what I am looking for and it is called, "Reading Refocus".
They seem very open and they like to also think different and try new things like I have.
They are looking for someone who to help update their website.
Possibly a mentor in technologies for people.
So this sounds like a gold mine for me.
I will look forward to this :)
I have butter flies now...
Didn't think I'd ever find a volunteer opportunty like this.

UPDATE2
Argh nothing is going to happen till the 19th Jan, I have to be paitent here! ? Good comes to those who wait. ^^. The person I am to meet about this opportunity, has a cold :(

Cluttered House Despite Self Clean Image

2009-01-02T19:17:00.001-08:00

This news article caught my eye. Unfortunity he died and been laughed at paramedic (aparently). I strongly believe he fell down due to his parents passing away.

What was interesting to note, despite his untidy house and cluttered mess, he still managed to keep himself looking tidy, clean and smart for when he left his house!!

See the article here.

Films I need to look out For

2008-12-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Hot Fuzz

1st Jan 09 : Walk

2008-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

No :/ One of my rambler friends are busy. I had this mad obsession to go walking on that VERY DAY! Something tells me he's going to get drunk :P Well patience is a virtue I guess.

Maybe sometime, in January anyway.

Awww.

Seems I enjoy these bizarre dates 888 and 119!!!

MERRY XMAS : Love is all you need.

2008-12-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to friends of the family, have given us motivation and support and they ask for the odd help :) Ever so grateful for the opportunity.

I helped fix a computer from tons of viruses and resolved their search issues. I get £40. That money was then passed onto helping my parents bill issues.

I help fix a computer from sluggish speeds and finding the main reason to the their common new symptoms. I get £30. That money went to buying a new pair of sleepers for my Dad.

Yet to my mental state, have no confidence in working for strangers. Thanks to my previous hiccup of a career choice.

Love is all you need.

I hope :)

Why I love reddit.com

2008-12-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

More socially friendlier, as you know there are no Digg gangs.
It's not just about voting the best comments, they grey out the vote counts to point this issue out. Also the grey out votes encourages the users to read the article before voting.
It's not in your face colors.
You can ask the whole social network a question and they will respond.
You can change your mind about votes
If you see some embarrassing mistake you can quickly edit it.
Their cool Firefox addon, "socialite".

Quote: Internet Person

2008-11-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

I have heard this saying before, a friend of mine put it rather well :)

(05:16:27) Tim Skinner: I suppose online it's easier to be the person I'd like to be rather than the person I am

How I Quit Smoking

2008-11-26T13:06:00.001-08:00

After smoking for years from starting age of 16 till 29. I said to my Dad when I initially started, 'That I'd stop if I smoke more than 10 a day'. I failed there for a bit...Well for a while. BUT I FINALLY ACHIEVED IT FINALLY!!! Here is how I managed to quit.

Initially

I kept reducing my intake of cigarettes.
I calmed myself from packs to roll ups.
Then from rolled up smaller and smaller
Rule 1 smoke outside (My dad has asthma and he managed to quit smoking).
There was a time I went on packs again, then I changed back to roll ups and reduced my intake again.

First Baby Steps

Went up to a pharmacy with my Mum to stop smoking together. We both got pack of "Nicotine Patches". Since I was on a low intake of nicotine I had the smaller dosage of patches.
The patches helped me calmed my cravings.
I quit smoking on 8/8/2008, the date was also an encouragement as the numbers looked catchy to me.
I believe after 3 weeks of using patches, I decided to totally stop the patches also.
Whenever I had a craving I'd quickly tell someone I had that feeling. My parents mostly, they reminded me I was giving up. I thought I'd keep a journal to help cement those thoughts (You need an OkCupid account to see it). Visit this this link to see comments.

FINALLY

After over 2 months of NOT smoking, the craving subsided. Yet it sparks minorly when I see or smell smoke. I kept reminding my brain why I stopped.
After over 3 months, I despise and loath cigarettes now. I no longer require cigarettes. Happy to say I am offically, "A non Smoker" (really 08/08/08).

I feel more happy and healthier since I stopped. Now I have to put up with my lungs cleansing itself up (Worth it by miles).
PS: My mum still smokes.
I also now strongly practice "Teetotalism" which is far more healthier and encourages variety in our drinks.

Geeking Out Online is healthy for Teens

2008-11-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

A study found that all this "geeking out" online is healthy for teens.

Geeking Out
Teens are exploring their creativity and passion by spending time online doing the following

Gaming / Surfing / Socializing / Sharing Creative Works

"They are learning the technological skills and literacy needed for the contemporary world," said the report's author, Dr Mimi Ito.

Makes me Wonder
Surely "Geeking Out" for adults can be helpful for us too.

Well it has for me still

Full article here.

Positive Energy People

2008-11-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

The following is very inspiring and motivational when you...

See and talk to a person just glowing with 'Positive Energy'

PS: That person also needs be knowledgeable with the words "mental health". People who do not understand those words, can hurt your emotional support more.

The positive person I saw today is named, "Micheal". He brought up words and sentences that just blew me away. One of his positive phrases was

"You dig up a pebble from the sand and you see dirt over it. Dust off the dirt off the pebble and you see the beauty again of that pebble".

Independence needs to be 'Nurtured'

2008-11-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

I was told this from a new friend I made, who lives in Hong Kong. I strongly really respect that as she is 100% right. She also said,

"we are not born with this skill"

I really do admire her independence and choice of words, especially when she can travel around the world on such little cash.

These words has made me realize that I have only just begun to try and nurture mine.

Reading to Marlow

2008-11-16T11:23:00.001-08:00

The photos was kinda boring and was a smallish walk. we also didn't want to over do it due to our last walk. So Chuck..."Juice it!!!" :P (Special thanks to Mike Beastall to doing this version for me, basically encouraging me to looking up online how he did his version)

Click image for larger view :P

Oh whilst browsing this latest ramble photo collection, think of the song "Tongue Tied" from Red Dwarf

OK....enjoy our boring photos here :P

Power of 5 Helps our Mental Health

2008-11-15T08:51:00.001-08:00

I cannot remember where I found this image but the article did mention, if you can manage at least 5 of these, that it help our mental health.

Symptoms of mental health can cause exhausting and fatigue which can make all these almost unbearable.

But if you do managed to to some, that should count a little at least.

Internet = Biggest Open Network Ever

2008-11-14T20:01:00.001-08:00

WikiLeaks my new source of interest. Open Network, freedom of speech, sharing....Is what we all want. But not everyone agrees.

"Wikileaks will remain a place where people of the world may safely expose injustice and corruption"

This site basically allows people to anonymously and safely leak documents on to the internet. Do I dare calling this fun to read? Anything to dish the dirt of bad anything, naming the shame.

BBC Radio 4 show interviews a copyright lawyer for Scientology, you can hear the full interview here.

The What tarot card resembles you Test

2008-11-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

Your result for The What tarot card resembles you Test...

The Hermit

You scored 41 change, 42 wellbeing, 61 wisdom, and 55 truth

He has mastered all elements of the past key numbers and stands on top of the mountain of attainment. The snowy peaks is symbolic of his isolation because his wisdom sets him apart from the rest. In this position, he holds his lantern to light the way for the rest to follow his path to enlightenment, for knowledge is meaningless unless we turn and show others what we have learned. The lantern light is 2 triangles, one face up and the other face down. As is above, so below. A triangle only holds 180 degrees, but the combination of 2 triangles equals 360 degrees. A circle has 360 degrees and is the symbol of the creator, endless. 360 degrees and 180 degrees both vibrate at a number 9, the vibration of this cards.

some extra words:

being introspective

thinking things over

focusing inward

concentrating less on the senses

quieting yourself

looking for answers within

needing to understand

searching

seeking greater understanding

looking for something

wanting the truth at all costs

going on a personal quest

needing more

desiring a new direction

receiving/giving guidance

going to/being a mentor

accepting/offering wise counsel

learning from/being a guru

turning to/being a trusted teacher

being helped/helping

seeking solitude

needing to be alone

desiring stillness

withdrawing from the world

experiencing seclusion

giving up distractions

retreating into a private world

Take The What tarot card resembles you Test at HelloQuizzy

Drunken Journo Resigns

2008-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

I have to say, he resigned in style for sure. My only comment about this situation, 'That is taking advantage of drunk's behaviour'. Oh the camera angling was done very well and I must admit it did make me laugh.

Here is Adam Smith sober, and his response regarding his moment online.

Read the full article here.

South Park : Pull an nighter on Episode

2008-11-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

Due to Obama and McCain being Historical, sure is nice to see an example of dedicated working here to celebrate it. A clip from South Park's "Season 12 About Last Night..."

I may seem Active Online....

2008-11-05T18:48:00.001-08:00

But really I am not really fully active for myself in the REAL world.

Social Networking Beneficial!!!

2008-11-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

After reading a couple of new articles about social networking, it has made my eyebrows raise.

Facebook 'improves social skills'

Bosses 'should embrace Facebook'

BRACE THEM TO THEIR POTENTIAL!

Course theres this thing of, "Too much of anything can be bad for us"...hmmm

Felt I needed to let something Out

2008-10-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

After having a downer about how governments runs things.

I felt I needed to understand more about political issues, and see how things are debated rather than not listen to it. People need to listen and note things down. Don't ignore.

Felt since the US is in HIGH fly about about elections, and I am wondering who is the real good candidate, so....

Here are my thoughts about US Election 2008.

Had an interesting Chat

2008-10-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

With my neighbour, I was at first rude with him. Then we had a long chat, turned out good in the end. Kinda pointed to me that being stuck in doors 24/7 can make almost anyone mad.

He gave me an interesting tip about my current situation, that I will try and put into action.

Get dressed, have a shower, clean myself up. Go into town and observe people with a cup of tea.

Homer Everyday

2008-10-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

I know this is old news but I have only just re-discovered this recently...

Noah.K has and is still photographing himself everyday. The film below of Noah is of 6 years worth, and The Simpsons creators honoured him by parodying his movie clip. The first clip of "Home Everyday" was on Youtube, then Fox deleted it because of copyright infringement. So the creators made a personal one for him in the end, they even emulated Youtube voting :)

Homer Every Day from Noah K. on Vimeo.

everyday from Noah K. on Vimeo.

Resume Site Updated 2008

2008-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd update my Resume (aka CV ) site to show off my latest work. Updated my "Employment History", also decided to explain certain GAPS in my employment history.

This site is an ever going project, made for my well-being. Basically showcasing everything I have ever done in my lifetime.

This site is a regular personal exercise routine. Every time some new piece of web technology evolves, I re-design this site from scratch. Dispite being called "PJB2", the screenshot you are looking at above is the 5th version, you can see the earlier versions in the "Portfolio" section of the site.

I have just one requirement to this ever evolving site project. That it is not dependant on any server side technology such as PHP or MySQL.

Visit the site here.

Moment of Thought

2008-10-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

TOO MUCH of ANYTHING is bad for us :(
Watch the the following to see why in a fun way :)

Goodbye Moderation
What if Bender changed from a robot to a human?
Futurama : Season 4 Episode 3

Don't believe I have flu.

2008-10-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

You know when you limbs ache and feel weak when you have the flu?

Well that is what I feel like every day since I have been on a couple of pills for the past year. Yet I have managed to walk far distances.

Something also tells me it is due to my diet also, I have been lacking in eating the required food everyday. This is due to the depressed feelings I have been having the puts me off a lot of things.

I used to feel more energetic just before I resigned from last job placement. I resigned due to my body and mind state could not handle the pressure I have been having. On top of that I have been recovering from failed relationship that seemed like it could of work out. Also does not help to see your parents struggle in life either.

All these factors disable me mentally and at cost of my interests in alsorts of things in life. I still keep trying to push myself mentally to do things. Creating the site "Shared CookBook", practicing Teetotalism, my last walk lasted around 26 miles to place (Reading to Windsor).

I launched a Shared Cookbook Website

2008-10-08T04:26:00.000-07:00

http://sharedcookbook.com

This is no ordinary cookbook though, you can invent any measure you like :) So people can choose to vote for either it to be either "Good, Funny, Silly, Bad, or flag". I have kept the common reserved measures to help with the conversion system later, such as teaspoon and tablespoon.

Why I built this site?
This website was inspired by people who suffer from diabetes and mental health issues. There is quite a few other reasons also which you can read in the about section.

Saves Time
My dad is a diabetic and used to budget his food. All of food has to be hand made and not processes so he can stay healthy as possible. He is also a fanatic to not being wasteful, so he'd total up his shopping of ingredients then dive into the food cupboard and substitute what he already got.

Hate Food Shopping
Also when creating your shopping list manually, you'd have this randomly scattered up of ingredients. Wouldn't it be nice to just browse the food supermarket more quickly? "Shared Cookbook" does this :)

Cluttered free Design!
All other sites looked too busy, complicated looking and messy. "Shared Cookbook" aims to be, "the most user friendly recipe site".

The Site Features
Everyone knows what "Search is" :P I will explain below all the other main features of the site.

No Ingredients and Measures!?
Every user has their own food cupboard of common ingredients, this is so chef's don't step on each other's toes really.

When a user registers their ingredients cupboard is empty, so how do you fill this up? Go straight to "Your Recipes", then add and modify each of your recipes. As you add ingredients to your newly created recipe, it will automatically fill your cupboard up.

Menus
Users do not have to start filling in recipes if they do not wish to, they can just start searching for recipes that seem nice to them and then add them to their menus.

"Mexican for 2"
"My Fav Recipes that Serves 1"
"My Soups for my regular Event".
"Full course Indian for 4"
"My regular weekly recipes (breakfast,lunch,dinner)"

Shopping Lists
Each menu created can generate shopping lists. Once the user clicks on "Get Shopping List" for their desired menu, it will generate a rough summary of all ingredients summed up (or added up roughly).

Why rough? Well there is no conversion system in place yet. How much grammes is, "A knob of butter"?

Social Features
Each user has their own rapsheet or profile. this helps other users browse recipes.

Users can vote for either "Good/Funny/Silly/Bad" or worse "Flag". The voting system is further explained on the website. Basically the author of the site has a sense of humor and wishes to see funny recipes too.

Users can also comment on each other recipes (There is a toggle to stop further comments).

There is a basic forum area to see the latest announcements and discuss issues about the site or their recipes. Although the author of site (me), feels it may not be needed so he not fully implemented it yet. As each recipe has it's own comment system.

Why can't I delete my Recipe?
Why did you put the recipe on the Internet? Why delete? There are a few reasons why this is done,

To keep other user's menus in order.
To encourage nice input and not silly or abusive content.
Green site - Encourage recycling (Silly one on my behalf really)

Course if it is an abusive recipe, the users will alert the admins of the site by "flagging" them.

Multi-Lingual Supportted
Providing you have added your ingredients in your chosen language, you can consider this site almost mult-language supported. At the moment it can translate to German and French.

Site set to French and Editing Recipe

Site set to German and Shopping List Generated

Finally
Enjoy it whilst it last. My parents kindly funded me for 1 year hosting.
There is a credits page of how I built it. Also read the about section :)

What sites influenced the design?
OkCupid
Digg
YouTube

How many programmed the site?
Just one.

Who is your staff?
Just me :(

What is your budget?
The more supporters I get for this site the better the site's future will be.

Films I wish to see

2008-09-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Guns at Batasi
Fast Food Nation (book and film I'd like to see)

Healthy Wellbeing explained in Style

2008-09-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

I admire the BBC's new headroom.

Space elevator

2008-09-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

I could of sworn the idea was to the space station only!? This picture makes it look a "Futurama" of a joke :P I wonder if you they could have another space lift going to Mars? I always wanted to go there. Full article here.

Teetotalism

2008-09-01T23:47:00.000-07:00

Currently practicing Teetotalism and I have found myself

Feeling more energy
Less tired
and more happier

Don't think I will ever change this now.

Anti Colouring Books and Colouring books

2008-08-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Not only great for kids, but a breath of fresh air for the brain. NOTE: No need for virtual gun reloads required lol.

http://www.susanstriker.com/

Inspirational Writer

2008-08-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

Daniel Frederick Wallace

What a writer, that is all I can say for now
Are You Dave Gorman?
Yes Man

Reading to Windsor

2008-08-25T12:14:00.001-07:00

Click image for photo gallery. :)

TR2N : Made Whole World Wet their Pants

2008-08-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

I can really relate to this person. Even I hunted around for a better quality to pop in my 'Inspirational Playlist'.

Like music and other creative new new stuff, that they do successfully just as my heading says. Not only does it make you inspire but also boost motivation and self-esteem. Don't get too obsessive about it, keep yourself under control and revisit them whenever you feel you need a boost.

In my opnion anyway, it sure did it to me.

Oh here is the bigger and better version here :P

A fools Hope

2008-08-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Recently saw "The Shawshank Redemption".

I never managed to see this film all the way through. Till today thanks to Channel 4 [Films].
Movies before you see, before you die.

I did see it from beginning to end. I gave me 1% hope +10% on the motivation.

Go see it...

Before you die.

My first OkCupid Test

2008-08-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

I kept wanting to create one of these tests, and eventually I did it. Soon it became live, 33 takers took it! Very interesting how their "Test Editor" works.

Any it's called "Could we be Creatively matched? Test".
Word of warning this is my first proper test on HelloQuizzy.

Oh and then I improved it a bit more, you can try my test here.

Could this be me!?

2008-08-01T04:11:00.000-07:00

I decided to look up the meaning, "eccentric". It kind of shocked me :( No wonder I am mainly single.

But can't we all be one?

Albert Einstein, was also known to pick up and smoke discarded cigarette butts on the street^{[citation needed]}, pilot his sailboat on windless days ("for the challenge")^{[citation needed]}, and lecture his 8-year-old nephew on physics (including a 2-hour exposition on the fascinating Newtonian properties of soap bubbles).

OkCupid: The Politics Test

2008-07-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

You are a
Social Conservative
(35% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(35% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Totalitarian

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Cool Memory Game

2008-07-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Guests and members of OkCupid can play this, go check it out here.

Reading to Wallingford

2008-07-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

I had a rough night and had a few hours sleep and we have talked about this walk for around 12 days, well since the 12th of July. I didn't want to let my rambler friends down as it is not the same without the 3 of us.

The day we walked was 26th of July, funnily enough one of my musican friends, messaged me personally the day before, asking me to meet up with him at the 3Bs. I was really hoping to get home early for a few hours rest to see him play and I kept thinking, "I wonder if I could make it". Unfortuntily I didn't make it, no thanks to rough sleep and the really beating tough sun weather we had :( .... I'd be sure to make his next one in Reading for sure. Still beating my head about it on and off as he messaged me personally!! The day before the walk ... hmm I did send him a picture through my phone half way on the trip :/

Makes me wonder if its worth really sharing calendars, such as Google? Think I'd be willing to get his website RSS feed friendly for his Live concert dates. Then slap a blimming widget somewhere to read it the thing.

Anyway.... very worth while trip of 15 miles(roughly) maybe, more due to our slight detours lol. The Google map screenshot is rough and not really accurate but it just gives you a rough idea :P Better Quality Pics here.

Heath Ledger : Joker and the Poncy Press.

2008-07-27T05:23:00.001-07:00

I am not normally a person to talk about celebrities but this really caught me.

A friend treated me to seeing this film, I helped pay for the snacks. I thought, he did damn good job of the Joker. The film's requirement was to be more realistic and he done it flawlessly. I am wondering if Heath actually saw himself on and off during the making. After seeing it and reading more news about him, I felt I needed to share my thoughts on this also.

I feel this role was probably very deep. Knowing that he stayed in a hotel for a month, there was times couldn't sleep for 2 hours a day, his brain couldn't stop thinking to rest. I was shocked to hearing that.

It was not the film that killed or some murder, or that he kill himself. It was down to really personal stuff. Apparently his last relationship has just broken up and he ended up hiding himself amongst work. By the evidence seen on E! story, they found 6 perscribed pills, unfortuntly they were a leathal combination of drugs. He didn't know they were a lethal combination, he's no real doctor who knows about this. But if you do all the proper research you will see.

What's with Christian Bale being a nasty man? Apparently both Heath are Christian was getting to be really good friends. As stated at Christians imdb profile and at this tribute site for Heath.

I had to be really sure of this, so I done a lot of investigating heh. He really made his final completed film performance legendary, However it is not totally his last ever apparence. There was a new film that he started working on the film and is in dilemma because of his unfortunite events, they have managed to get 3 main stream actors to try and play the rest of his parts. The whole crew are struggling to finish off the film would you believe (Emotionally).

I don't think I can see another film with a different Joker as good as him. After finding out about him more, I am kind of fan him of him and really respect how he built up his life. He is a true creative inspiration.

The money system is not perfect either :( You pay people soo much money, people will want to know why they are paid soo much or just want to get nosy. What is also interesting is everyone still goes to the footballs even though the ticket prices are high, stop going to them and the tickets will fall. That is all I am going to say. My dad still wonders why a footballer get's paid soo much more money when a firemen saves lives and they get paid far less... It all boils down to GREED. I must admit I have been bought my fair share of festival tickets, yet the prices just keep going up each time. I swear it's something to do with inflation in someway. Mind you I've known to be wrong on such delicate matters.

RIP Heath. And I hope Christian get his privacy also.

Uplifting Music

2008-07-24T12:05:00.001-07:00

Aw music, saw this band on a talk show and couldn't help but say, 'WOW'. They play in sync with each other on 5 pianos.

The 5 Browns

I like to listen to music whilst I work, it helps carm the frustrations I bump into along the way. Certain music can change my working styles and speed so I make sure that they are all uplifting. Avoid the sad feeling ones and the too over powerful songs that could be too fast, furious and loud.

Cvil and Desperate Times

2008-07-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

The world is not all civil. The choices we make we tried to predict it be for the best, in saddly most cases can be bad. When major situations end up being a pickle of a mess because of wrong choices. You seek to put back right asap to the best of your abilities.

But be careful to think things through before doing something risky. Think of the current situation you are in. Is the choice going to damaged you further? Is it going to destory yourself? Don't go over board.

Think least risk order atleast. Don't forget people don't just say, "Take care of yourself" for no reason. Take care of yourself and then others.

Links to Desperate Events
Woman Kills Self Before Forclosure

Light Dark Humor at Suicide

2008-07-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Survey reveals Discrimination with Mental Health

2008-07-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Read the full article here.

Wall-E

2008-07-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

I <3 Pixar :D

Radiohead : House of Cards

2008-07-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

I know this should be in techi section but, I needed to blog this PERSONALLY. As it is a motivational inspirational masterpiece, probably the most beautiful song and video I have seen in a while, no cameras were used in the making!. They provided alsorts of materials and documentation on how to create your own similar visuals.

All the documentation and materials required and be found here :)

Dr Horrible

2008-07-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

One of my fav writers has done something bald. Joss Whedon has made an interesting sing along sketch. Apparently during the WGA strike, he started writing a three part musical episodes for the Internet.

Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog

He is releasing each one online and is also available on iTunes. There is also a fan site made for the show here that goes deeper into the making.

FMG9 : Folding Machine Gun

2008-07-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Probably the handiest thing in remote areas or in dodgy areas.

Treated my Desktop

2008-07-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

Thought for my own birthday, I'd change all my themes in my ubuntu to something different for a change.

Gnome Apperance Custom Settings
Window Theme : Esco
Color / Window : #C3E7FF
Control : Human Marine
ToolTip Text : black/white

Other Stuff
Panel-Backgrounds : Glassy panels
Sound : Dream
GDM Login Screen : Neskowin Beach
Background : Various Elements (Water)

Rawr Top

2008-07-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

Once in a blue moon, I am top in the google search results :P

I seem to be always in battle with these other guys :P

Monolith in my bedroom :P

2008-07-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Amusing pic, if you have ever seen 2001 or 2010 then you may find this amusing :P

Next best thing to EEe PC :P

2008-07-10T01:33:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd boast about my new laptop, next best thing to ASUS's Eee PC :P

The "VTech Advance Xtra".

Only takes 3 AA batteries, neat huh? And if I drop it, the CPU won't break, well if I drop it hard enough it could though.

The following features are provided

80 activities teaches English, French, maths, geography, history, science and logic skills
Arcade-style adventure games, with 2-player options
Makes curriculum fun while the Advanced Memory System automatically adjusts to suit their learning level
Assess performance with the Progress Report
Includes 2 additional cartridges for extra fun!
3 x AA batteries included
Manufacturer's recommended age 5 - 8 years +

Roughly costs £24.99, you grab one these funky laptop beauties

Awww I'm a kidding ya :P

Really my mum helps kids to school on a bus and she found it lying around in one of the seats. It is in safe hands and is going back to it's rightful owner soon ^^.

I was impressed with the features and I think it is cool for kids to learn how to use a laptop.

OkCupid : Monty Python Movie Trivia Result

2008-07-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

Your result for The Monty Python Movie Trivia Test...

Sir Galahad

You scored a 67% knowledge on the Monty Python Trivia Test.

Sir Galahad was by no means a dumb man. He was a little slower than some of the others...but a girl could choose worse. He had common sense with a handful of smarts. You know your Python information enough to carry on a conversation very well regarding the Holy Grail. Watch the Meaning of Life and you may find you're a bigger fan than you ever could have imagined.

Take The Monty Python Movie Trivia Test at HelloQuizzy

Social Balancing Virtual and REAL

2008-07-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Interesting article on Facebook with teens, give them a bleak view on life.

Read the fully story by clicking here.

An IQ Adventure Test I actually Liked

2008-07-04T18:45:00.001-07:00

Done my fair share of IQ tests, never happy with the result lol. Normally I hate IQ tests....

But this one I recently took on okcupid, I felt was more pleasing than most others.

Funny Clips I cannot Embed

2008-06-30T01:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.veryfunnyads.com/index.html?id=25417

George Carlin [May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008]

2008-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

And to think at some point in my time, I thought he was some musician from Bill and Ted.

After enjoying my first sketch of him about "Relgion is Bull?*%!"

I plan to look for more of his sketches.

Interesting Musicians

2008-06-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

Rising Artists

Mark Alder
Alison Krauss

Already Established Artists
Radiohead
Coldplay

My Old Bedroom turned Computer Suite

2008-06-01T03:12:00.001-07:00

From Left Right
Test Bed Machine / My machine / My Dad's / My Mum's

What was once my old bedroom, is now a computer suite. With scanner and printer attached, networked and all connected to the Internet. We all sit in here quite regularly.

My Life Line Origami Art Project: Prototype works

2008-05-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

The results of the working prototype is here.

Things I used to make this
Image Scanner : Scan in my pieces of stuff.
Gimp : To cut my pieces scanned into transparency space.
Inkscape : To create my design and assemble.
A4 Paper : My media solution.
Super Glue : Stuff to glue my pieces of paper together.

How I came about the Idea
It is a prototype, as I bumped into a couple of issues. What is great about this piece, is that I can fold it various ways and fold it into my pocket. The idea sprouted from two places.

One was a suggestion from a counsellor to create an artistic impression of my life, known as a 'life line art'. You can do this in any form of art, from scrap booking like, to water colours. I was pondering then how to go about doing it.

A few weeks later I created an Origami Workshop for a day to a social community place, called, 'Holybrook Center'. Which went well, I taught 6 people how to do origami and created two models. Also gave them a 3rd diagram to take home. The chairwoman of this community organises various workshops and she is an artist her self. She showed me a 'scrap booking' piece that had this origami like technique. The my brain clicked to wanting to making something like this..

I knew how to finally create my 'life line' project, so I went straight to using Inkscape to create and plan my design. During that process I learning how to use this nice piece of software.

The issues I bumped into whilst assembling this: I didn't have pritstick, so I used super glue. I had to trim some over lapping pieces, I meant to rotate the black/white square in Inkscape.

Game of Life

2008-05-27T03:23:00.000-07:00

François-Marie Arouet

Said

“Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.”

Human

2008-05-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

A snippet from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human

Motivation and emotion

Motivation is the driving force of desire behind all deliberate actions of human beings. Motivation is based on emotion — specifically, on the search for satisfaction (positive emotional experiences), and the avoidance of conflict. Positive and negative is defined by the individual brain state, which may be influenced by social norms: a person may be driven to self-injury or violence because their brain is conditioned to create a positive response to these actions. Motivation is important because it is involved in the performance of all learned responses. Within psychology, conflict avoidance and the libido are seen to be primary motivators. Within economics motivation is often seen to be based on financial incentives, moral incentives, or coercive incentives. Religions generally posit divine or demonic influences.

Books of Interest

2008-05-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Paperback)
Pema Chodron

Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion
Pema Chodron

running with scissors
augusten burroughs

Quotes I need to write somewhere else
"Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff" by Richard Carlson, PH.D.

"If you don't have life throwing shit at you, you won't have anything to sing about" by some song writer I need to look up.

Lost all Trust

2008-05-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

I lost a lot of trust of both worlds....

REAL and VIRTUALLY.

Discovered this in my last counsellor meeting. It is important is to slowly regain trust of both realms.

Over 1yr and half ago, I lost all respect for the Internet and social sites. Since that period I am now a member of various places online that keep me busy.

For the real world, I have few close friends but they cannot be with me everyday. I walk the dog everyday. Recently I a stranger come up to me and asked if I'd be interested in breeding my dog. Turns out his a real dog lover and even baby sits some of his family and friend dogs. We have started to arrange for regular walks. And on top of that I am getting to know a few new friends.

Whole World is a Shitstorm

2008-05-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

To be more accurate.
Good and bad weather....Life is like a tidel wave. Full of ups (Positive moments) and downs(Negatgive moments).

Encouragement

2008-05-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon a couple of interesting photos about smoking. I have been trying to stop on and off. This just one of my ways to encourage my trying even more.

Gambling Moments in Anger

2008-05-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

I was given a new piece of instructions to remember amongst all over instructions to remember. I muddled myself at the beginning, the newly placed curtains were confusing me, I placed my new item in place. Then waited 3 secs to push the prop. Then.....

PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has been ringing in my head since Tuesday afternoon. I cannot sleep because of it. I hope it goes by Wednesday.

It has been echoing in my mind ever since I got home. Ever since I made that cup of tea, made my late dinner. Ever since I updated my online document files. Ever since I read news online. Ever since I updated my blogs. Ever since I checked how my friends are doing. Ever since I tried to sleep....My mind is in torment at this moment.

Yet I was re-assured I was doing a good job. Cheers and good health to all! ^^. He is under a lot of stress and he did say that and assured me again I was doing a job. So he was understanding that he over did it. He also wants me to do a good job. Also that we our performance will be live this Thursday it was our last rehearsal. For some reason I cannot seem to keep my anxiety under control :( I have been trying to distract my mind. Then after a long while of trying, I decided to study...."anger". I also take pills to help lower it. Till over time I will be used to it.

During my school years, I thought if you have been a very bad boy you get shouted out and then given detention. But really in the real adult world....Stress exists majorly. We all have stress buckets, and they can all over flow. We all get shouted out for suttle mistakes that we just suddenly get unlucky moments of being the one that needs to be shouted at. That bad kids swore and the good kids don't.....Man this is confusing........

A snippet of interest from wikipedia: Anger ::::

According to Leland R. Beaumont, each instance of anger demands making a choice:^[34]

Respond with hostile action, including overt violence
Respond with hostile inaction, such as withdrawing or stonewalling
Initiate a dominance contest
Harbor resentment
Work to better understand and constructively resolve the issue

Modern psychologists view anger as a primary, natural, and mature emotion experienced by all humans at times, and as something that has functional value for survival. Anger can mobilize psychological resources for corrective action. Uncontrolled anger can however negatively affect personal or social well-being.^[8]^[6]

While many philosophers and writers have warned against the spontaneous and uncontrolled fits of anger, there has been disagreement over the intrinsic value of anger.^[9] Dealing with anger has been addressed in the writings of earliest philosophers up to modern times. Modern psychologists, in contrast to the earlier writers, have also pointed out the possible harmful effects of suppression of anger.^[9]

Life is full of ups and down

2008-05-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought everything was getting better for the best, and things almost look plain sailing. Somebody decides to throw shit right in your face, throw you on the ground and stamp on it till your face turns bloody as hell. Your skull is cracked in various place, you almost unconscious yet you have just a little amount of energy to stare into the sky.

Nobody said life was fair. ..... It never really is. It is the choices you make in life that makes your future. We get ups and down through out life like a sound wave. I am going through a rough patch, yet again. I am not a criminal, I don't do drugs, I have never started fights, I don't cause trouble, I always work to the best of my abilities. Yet cannot seem to get the right help. Dispite the factors around me, my life still treats me like fucking shite, course these are my choices. it is my doing. If I want the pain to just go, i can make it go, that will be my choice if I want and nobody else's. By writing an entry in this journal is a choice, yet I know some people may hate my words and dislike me for them. This entry could even in danger my possible future career in some company. Course this is my choice.

Humans are a vicious species, we constantly fight, from verbally in work, in government, to fighting for peace in other countries. Life is a stress hole to almost the whole of the population of this planet. We all have problems, even the rich. Nobody really cares for one unit loss. Babies are born by the second, we've lost tons and tons of humans in this world as it is.

Yet dispite all this fighting and killing, I am hoping this week will be a positive one, even though my luck does not look that great. Theres always hope.....I hope. Especially with friends and people who do care.

Newbury to Calcot then Reading

2008-05-09T15:52:00.001-07:00

16ish mile walk from Newbury back home to Reading

We kind of cheated when we got to Calcot as one my rambler friends over did it. So we took the bus home from Calcot.

Enjoy the pleasant views of the canels in high res here
Oh theres a few spooky shots in there :P

My Fav foods

2008-05-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Italian
Home made Italian bolognaise with bacon bits
Pizza topping types and sauces
Sausage Casserolle with Pasta and Extra Veg Goodness
Chicken Pasta

Sainsbury's

(with juicy bits), Pure Orange Juice, from concentrate

3 for
£2.25

Brain Connections

2008-05-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

Our brains always strive for connection.

Se echoes of previous experiences, our brains always remember lost connections.

It hurts at times yes, but these echoes is meant to be nice to know you experienced those connections.

If one side of the connection is faulty, then the connection needs to be repaired. Sometimes these connections were so strong that it takes time for our brain to adjust to find a new connection that has similar to traits to the last connection.

So it is important to still remember that last connection experience. We not like plugs where we can simply change sockets. It is the beauty of life evolving.

The program "Life" demonstrates this very well.

Plays I wish to watch

2008-05-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Mousetrap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mousetrap

Wicked the Musical
http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk