A surprise today. I went to my publishers to talk about new ideas and copies of my new book rolled in as I was leaving. I called back later after a bout of shopping to collect a few of the books. It’s called ‘Don’t Worry: How To Beat The Seven Anxieties of Life’. A real thrill and it makes the agony that was the reality in writing this all worthwhile. Is it good? I could not possibly say. Well maybe I can! I like it.
I remember when I started this blog, quoting great 30’s diarist ‘Chips’ Channon who said there is not point in having a discrete diary, one might as well have a discrete soul. I have to break the rule. Commercial confidentially forbids me from divulging the topic of the book I hope to write early next year. But I am exhilarated at the freedom the style and content of the book gives me. As soon as I can I will share its format with you.
I took three hours out to walk around London. A couple of circuits of St James’s Park, The Mall, St Martin’s Lane, a bit of Oxford Street, Covent Garden and The Strand. I wonder how many people who spend their days amidst all this ever reflect on its lustre. I spoke to a friend of mine recently who loves the countryside and cannot work why anyone would want to live in a city. I asked him why and he said he needs room to breathe, to collect his thoughts and get some energy back. Cities do this for me. I can visit the country for a day and enjoy it but I have to admit that after a while I am twiddling my thumbs. Urban environments and in particular the greatest city in the world give me my energy. I like the great mass of humanity and all its creations speaking back to me in a way that the countryside cannot.
An enjoyable talk with Caroline and the babies on the phone. They will be joining me in London for Christmas. I cannot wait to see their joyous faces when they see the effort I am putting into decorating the house. In the evening my good training partner Nigel came down from Hull to stay the night so that we could discuss writing and training projects for the next year. We are writing a couple of pocketbooks for publication next year and met to hone in on content. Also to plan how to market ourselves better to the UN and other agencies after the success of our Autumn excursion to Kosovo. We imbibed a little in the evening to celebrate my new book. I gave him a copy of it as well as a terrific biography of cyclist Tom Simpson (‘Put me back on my bike’) who died while ascending the brutal Mont Ventoux in the 1967 Tour De France.
I realise as I look back at previous blogs how negative I have been about France. There are many things I do like about it – and after all I am currently educating my two children there. In the summer the south (and I am 10kms from the coast) is heaven writ large. Heat, Humanity and the pursuit of leisure combining together to form a sensuous feeling of oneness. Both my children will be fluent in English, French and Spanish. I say to my eldest daughter that if she can speak a second language (which she already can) and play an instrument (which she is on the way to doing) she will always be ok for a living. The world needs multi-linguists and wherever she is she can always busk. I recall writer Laurie Lee first inspiring the busking thought in me as he described earning his living in the 1930’s playing his fiddle in Southern England and then on the way down to Spain.
Finally I end today’s blog on a sad note. I went to see the house which my great-grandmother was born in and which I mentioned in my last blog. It is no longer there. Replaced by a hideous block of 1970’s flats courtesy of some ‘planning’ fool at Bromley Council no doubt. I texted my sister to let her know and I am sure she was as disappointed as I was.
Song of the Day: Everybody Here Wants You – Jeff Buckley
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Tea and Toast
I think I am one of the world’s lucky people. This morning (a Monday) I was able to go swimming at Beckenham Spa at 9.00am when the rest of the world was at, or on their way to work. Afterwards I had a cup of tea and some toast in a café while I read the paper and then went home (London home) and started work. I am not lazy! I worked all day yesterday and will probably work until about 9.00 tonight. But the point is, when I am not running seminars I can choose to work when I want. I work sixty hours a week, I am productive, but for the most part I decide when I do the sixty hours.
As I was of thinking about others trudging to work and how lucky I am not having to do it I reflected that my career choice is actually right for the kind of person I am. I think that many actually want the routine that their work gives them although in their worst moments I am sure they have the ‘let’s chuck it in and go and live on a Scottish croft’ thoughts. The point is that happiness in work comes from a good match between the job you do and the kind of person you are. But it does mean you being honest about the kind of person you are. I live a financially precarious life of feast or famine because of the nature of the work I do and that would not suit many people. I like it because it is what gives me some ‘snap’. Choose what is right for you. And believe me – you can make that choice.
When I return to the UK I realise what a fantastic time we are currently having in this country. I believe that the huge influx of young French, Polish, Scandanavians and so on is a great thing. It is a reflection that this country is dynamic, entrepreneurial and creative and provides great opportunity for those who want to take it. If I compare the energy here to the lack of it in France where I currently live then I begin to understand how fortunate we currently are. I hope it carries on. I am not a rabid free-marketeer but I do think the more that Governments keep out of our lives the better.
The happiest day of the previous week was the visit to my sister on Saturday. I saw my niece for the first time. A ball of gurgling, farting, eating contentment at six weeks old and a real treasure to watch. Of course memories of my two daughters at such sweet ages swirled around although I missed much of my youngest daughter’s first few months because of work. Motherhood has inspired her and her partner John to become genealogists and they have tracked our family trees back to the early 19th century. It turns out that my Great-grandmother, was born in 1875 at a house 500 metres away from my current London home. I am heading round there tomorrow to have a look at the house. Having this information means I can go to Bromley Library and get more information about her parents (my Great-Great Grandparents). In the afternoon my father and I went to watch rugby, his local team Havant against Henley in a cup match. Havant lost (just) in one of the best games I have seen for years. I can’t bear all the machismo around the rugby (drinking games, songs etc.) but I love the spectacle of the sport itself. So my gripe this week is just about the overall hype surrounding football. The so-called ‘beautiful game’ is played by less than beautiful people. And at least some of the supporters are myopic in the extreme. There is a world out there!
A crucial day tomorrow as I meet the Editorial Director of a major publisher to present my ideas for future books. I want 2007 to be a year of writing and considerably less travel. My suspicion is that it will be a year of a lot of both.
Instead of my song of the day I have included my Christmas Selection. A fairly understated selection so probably best listened to after an extended period of gluttony (Christmas evening being a good time). I have tried to span the decades from the 1950’s (Yusef Lateef), 1960’s (Stan Tracey), 1970’s (Lou Rawls, Gilberto Gil, David Crosby), 1980’s (Ben Watt, David Sylvian whose solo work is criminally underated, Orchestra Baobab), 1990’s (Moondog, Anouar Brahem, Shelby Lynne, Mazzy Star), noughties (Lambchop, Faithless, Olu Dara, Seu Jorge).
Song Artist
Some Things Don't Matter Ben Watt (Pillows & Prayers Vol.1)
Flora Gilberto Gil (Luar)
Coumba Orchestra Baobab(Pirates Choice [Disc 1])
Una Mujer Seu Jorge (Cru)
Plum Blossom Yusef Lateef (Eastern Sounds)
Neighborhoods Olu Dara (Neighborhoods)
Fade Into You Mazzy Star (So Tonight That I Might See)
Orpheus David Sylvian (Secrets of the Beehive)
The Daily Growl Lambchop (Is a Woman)
Traction In The Rain David Crosby (If I Could Only Remember My Name)
Crazy English Summer Faithless Feat (Outrospective)
Fujiyama, Pt. 2 - Lovesong Moondog (Elpmas)
Comme une absence Anouar Brahem (Khomsa)
Starless And Bible Black Stan Tracey Quartet (Under Milk Wood)
Leavin' Shelby Lynne (I am Shelby Lynne)
Trade Winds Lou Rawls (Classic Philly)
I get tired of profits of doom speaking about the state of modern music. It is as good as it has ever been. The tracks from 90’s and the noughties stand up against music from any era.
As I was of thinking about others trudging to work and how lucky I am not having to do it I reflected that my career choice is actually right for the kind of person I am. I think that many actually want the routine that their work gives them although in their worst moments I am sure they have the ‘let’s chuck it in and go and live on a Scottish croft’ thoughts. The point is that happiness in work comes from a good match between the job you do and the kind of person you are. But it does mean you being honest about the kind of person you are. I live a financially precarious life of feast or famine because of the nature of the work I do and that would not suit many people. I like it because it is what gives me some ‘snap’. Choose what is right for you. And believe me – you can make that choice.
When I return to the UK I realise what a fantastic time we are currently having in this country. I believe that the huge influx of young French, Polish, Scandanavians and so on is a great thing. It is a reflection that this country is dynamic, entrepreneurial and creative and provides great opportunity for those who want to take it. If I compare the energy here to the lack of it in France where I currently live then I begin to understand how fortunate we currently are. I hope it carries on. I am not a rabid free-marketeer but I do think the more that Governments keep out of our lives the better.
The happiest day of the previous week was the visit to my sister on Saturday. I saw my niece for the first time. A ball of gurgling, farting, eating contentment at six weeks old and a real treasure to watch. Of course memories of my two daughters at such sweet ages swirled around although I missed much of my youngest daughter’s first few months because of work. Motherhood has inspired her and her partner John to become genealogists and they have tracked our family trees back to the early 19th century. It turns out that my Great-grandmother, was born in 1875 at a house 500 metres away from my current London home. I am heading round there tomorrow to have a look at the house. Having this information means I can go to Bromley Library and get more information about her parents (my Great-Great Grandparents). In the afternoon my father and I went to watch rugby, his local team Havant against Henley in a cup match. Havant lost (just) in one of the best games I have seen for years. I can’t bear all the machismo around the rugby (drinking games, songs etc.) but I love the spectacle of the sport itself. So my gripe this week is just about the overall hype surrounding football. The so-called ‘beautiful game’ is played by less than beautiful people. And at least some of the supporters are myopic in the extreme. There is a world out there!
A crucial day tomorrow as I meet the Editorial Director of a major publisher to present my ideas for future books. I want 2007 to be a year of writing and considerably less travel. My suspicion is that it will be a year of a lot of both.
Instead of my song of the day I have included my Christmas Selection. A fairly understated selection so probably best listened to after an extended period of gluttony (Christmas evening being a good time). I have tried to span the decades from the 1950’s (Yusef Lateef), 1960’s (Stan Tracey), 1970’s (Lou Rawls, Gilberto Gil, David Crosby), 1980’s (Ben Watt, David Sylvian whose solo work is criminally underated, Orchestra Baobab), 1990’s (Moondog, Anouar Brahem, Shelby Lynne, Mazzy Star), noughties (Lambchop, Faithless, Olu Dara, Seu Jorge).
Song Artist
Some Things Don't Matter Ben Watt (Pillows & Prayers Vol.1)
Flora Gilberto Gil (Luar)
Coumba Orchestra Baobab(Pirates Choice [Disc 1])
Una Mujer Seu Jorge (Cru)
Plum Blossom Yusef Lateef (Eastern Sounds)
Neighborhoods Olu Dara (Neighborhoods)
Fade Into You Mazzy Star (So Tonight That I Might See)
Orpheus David Sylvian (Secrets of the Beehive)
The Daily Growl Lambchop (Is a Woman)
Traction In The Rain David Crosby (If I Could Only Remember My Name)
Crazy English Summer Faithless Feat (Outrospective)
Fujiyama, Pt. 2 - Lovesong Moondog (Elpmas)
Comme une absence Anouar Brahem (Khomsa)
Starless And Bible Black Stan Tracey Quartet (Under Milk Wood)
Leavin' Shelby Lynne (I am Shelby Lynne)
Trade Winds Lou Rawls (Classic Philly)
I get tired of profits of doom speaking about the state of modern music. It is as good as it has ever been. The tracks from 90’s and the noughties stand up against music from any era.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Schoolchildren
I learned a great lesson yesterday. I worked with a group of schoolchildren who sit on the student council at their school. They are at a very tough school but professional etiquette means it will have to be nameless. What I got was what I didn't really expect. They were a reasonably confident group, seemed to know quite a bit about the world and could express themselves - aged between 11 and 17. What many couldn't do was read properly. The greater confidence that young people have is heartening. And I wonder what effect the lack of reading skills will have. Given that young people always 'shape' their environment I suspect that for many it will not hold them back as they will shape the world the way they want it. Confidence and an ability to express yourself takes you a long way. But I wonder why the skills were so poor.
I am in Birmingham for the week. It has always been unfashionable to say so but I actually like Birmingham. It has energy, modernity and a completely regenerated area around Broad Street. This is sited around the huge number of canals Birmingham has (you probably already know that it has more than Venice). And I get more work in Birmingham than any other UK City. And it is only 90 minutes from London by train (why would anyone drive here?). When I talk about Birmingham to people abroad they are amazed to learn that it is the UK's second largest city. It really has no profile.
I bought a children's book which everyone it seems is recommending - 'You are a bad man Mr Gum' by Andy Stanton. I cannot see it's appeal but I am hoping my daughter can.
I am looking forward to Christmas. All the family in the UK. Christmas in London. I am beginning to not like France much. It feels like the whole is far less than the sum of its parts. It lacks creative energy and its people seem to lack initiative. I am not the first to say this (and many of the french I meet abroad say it too). As these are the two things that I value above almost anything else in places I go to I think I know the basis of my dissatisfaction. We are considering a move to Montpellier - I think the best city in France for youthful vibrancy and we hope that will do the trick.
Track of the day: Soul Sacrifice: Santana at Woodstock (I bought the DVD for a fiver).
I am in Birmingham for the week. It has always been unfashionable to say so but I actually like Birmingham. It has energy, modernity and a completely regenerated area around Broad Street. This is sited around the huge number of canals Birmingham has (you probably already know that it has more than Venice). And I get more work in Birmingham than any other UK City. And it is only 90 minutes from London by train (why would anyone drive here?). When I talk about Birmingham to people abroad they are amazed to learn that it is the UK's second largest city. It really has no profile.
I bought a children's book which everyone it seems is recommending - 'You are a bad man Mr Gum' by Andy Stanton. I cannot see it's appeal but I am hoping my daughter can.
I am looking forward to Christmas. All the family in the UK. Christmas in London. I am beginning to not like France much. It feels like the whole is far less than the sum of its parts. It lacks creative energy and its people seem to lack initiative. I am not the first to say this (and many of the french I meet abroad say it too). As these are the two things that I value above almost anything else in places I go to I think I know the basis of my dissatisfaction. We are considering a move to Montpellier - I think the best city in France for youthful vibrancy and we hope that will do the trick.
Track of the day: Soul Sacrifice: Santana at Woodstock (I bought the DVD for a fiver).
Friday, December 01, 2006
Space
I read today that Britain may become part of the mission to return humans to the moon by 2020. The words of NASA said ‘to the solar system and beyond’ after that date. I am thrilled by this and also disappointed that I will not be around to see humans circling Saturn or Jupiter. Many of the outer planets are made of gas and also have rings so gaining close entry to the core would be too perilous. But what an amazing prospect that one of our race could get close. I am a strong believer in multi time dimensions however and also believe that once we have worked out how to travel faster than the speed of light we will all be back anyhow. But this could take thousands of years. I guess this also raises the prospect of us being able to shape history. If we can travel forward very quickly we can also travel backwards very quickly. That means we could change historical events. So, maybe we are being manipulated by people in time dimensions ahead of us? I will stop there.
A day of preparation as I head back for the UK tomorrow. Five days of seminars next week – creativity for school children, stress for adults and diversity for adults too. The children will join me on Dec 20 for a UK Christmas. I will use the time until then wisely. I am preparing a paper on the ‘intrapreneur’ for a new book project. A book to help people get on at work.
My friend Adam (who first got me into blogging) recommended a great blog this morning and I share it with you:
http://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_halfanhour_archive.html
Isn’t it interesting that MS Word doesn’t recognize the word ‘blog’ or blogger’.
I will resume my blog when I reach Birmingham late Monday afternoon.
Song of the day: Karin Krog - Hold out Your Hand
A day of preparation as I head back for the UK tomorrow. Five days of seminars next week – creativity for school children, stress for adults and diversity for adults too. The children will join me on Dec 20 for a UK Christmas. I will use the time until then wisely. I am preparing a paper on the ‘intrapreneur’ for a new book project. A book to help people get on at work.
My friend Adam (who first got me into blogging) recommended a great blog this morning and I share it with you:
http://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_halfanhour_archive.html
Isn’t it interesting that MS Word doesn’t recognize the word ‘blog’ or blogger’.
I will resume my blog when I reach Birmingham late Monday afternoon.
Song of the day: Karin Krog - Hold out Your Hand
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