Decision Time - Blog on Hold for Now!

I have been doing so much thinking recently about how much I should be doing. I have already written about finally recognising that 'time is the key'. And, that is when I started to play 'The Time Game'. It has given me a new perspective on life. The battle between my head, 35 yrs old, and my body, 60 plus with another birthday on Saturday, is gathering force! And that is why I have decided that I must put my blog - neglected from time to time admittedly - on hold for the immediate future. I would never say never again, but my priority has to be Active Link - the independent community web site. And, finally, I have to admit, I can no longer juggle the same number of balls as I used to.
The idea behind Active Link is a simple one - good news and helpful information for people in my community of Kensington and Chelsea. I still need to prune the list of meetings I attend - too too many meetings! I have wanted to produce the web site for quite some time.  It seems the best way to use my skills and experience.

The story so far..........I am.a writer who has had a turbulent life that has included travelling the world extensively - initially as a cabin attendant with BA and after that as a journalist and broadcaster. I continued to travel on business as I provided communication services to businesses and organisations in the aviation and travel industries and also public bodies. Business attempts succeeded in part, but risk-taking - and setting up a business is by definition risk-taking - led to bankruptcy and loss of home. Health became ' interesting' and 'challenging' and with three chronic conditions then to manage, it was no longer possible to work 'flat out'. And so, I hit sixty and went bankrupt for a second time, leaving me really to have a fresh start. I have gone through the 'I hate ageing' phase - but have now started to really enjoy it. I have learnt a great deal about managing on less and life still has lots of laughter in it. I just need to focus now on one main activity and give it my all. I am fortunate in having good friends and a very large cat and a very small and old poodle. Life is good. But, I am putting the blog on hold. I may pick it up again one day. Thank you to those who have visited the site.  And, I leave you for now with pix of both Benjy (cat) and Millie (the poodle) to enjoy - I do! And, also this thought. It is my firm belief  that whatever life hurls at you, it is nearly always possible to survive and, as I have found, fate may well direct you on some new and exciting journeys.

Suspicion or Opportunity?

I have had a busy few days - both irritating and rewarding. Political correctness is, sadly, still too much in evidence. I was asked recently to help organise a community and police meeting. I had found good speakers and apparently -  I understand now mistakenly, "it was a misunderstanding"  - I was asked to find a venue. This I did, But then came the problem. The offer of a meeting room provided by a new local business constituted 'corporate hospitality'.  Oh please! It is ok to accept grants and the like from government or local government. And, of course there would be no hidden agenda there, would there? I get really weary of the hypocrisy uttered by the politically correct lobby. I have a much more straightforward approach. Residents and businesses are both the responsibility of the police to police. And so, doesn't it make sense for us, said residents and businesses, to work together -  to cooperate? Oh, and by the way, I am not talking about the police. They can sometimes be really practical and sensible sometimes. And, I believe in working with them. We are lucky to have the police we have, but we shouldn't take them for granted. There are people on some of these so-called 'official bodies', like to pretend they are 'holding the police to account' and 'accepting corporate hospitality would be a conflict of interest'. A strange set of priorities.

As it happens, I am now organising the whole meeting in my area, inviting everyone, and I think it will go well - judging from early responses to the invitation! I am grateful to the newest business to arrive in the area - MetroBank. I am trying to work out how Metrobank might extract their influence afterwards - a meeting room for an organisation without premises - that should be worth?!! There are decent and ethical businesses around - even some banks!  And judging from their fair charging policy, I am starting to think that Metrobank  is one ok business. Actually, it has a very constructive and active 'community policy' too!

Eureka!!!!!

I have finally cracked it! In my recent three plus weeks of a 'breathless break' - asthma and chest infection actually, but that is boring - I finally realised where I have been going wrong. It really is down to, as I have decided to call it, the 'Time Game'.
I did nothing but rest, read and think on my break. Finally my mind cleared. Increase time spent and it leads to savings in money, improvement in health and loss of weight - really and I'll prove it.
Ok, so how did I work this one out. Because I spent so much time thinking, I remembered my mother's oft repeated phrase - "more haste less speed". In honesty I have not only lived my life in the fast lane - until I could no longer - but add headless chicken, like a hamster on a wheel in a cage and juggling more balls than I could manage, then you may get the idea.

I have finally slowed down - in everything. And I'll start to recount my findings in future Blogs. But, it is such a good feeling.  

A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL

I seem to have created an unfortunate custom of being ill before and during Christmas. And, this year it is still continuing. Sorry to have been absent. I know I am a wimp!! BACK SOON, I hope

No Christmas Tree Shortage Here!

There may be a Christmas Tree crisis somewhere, according to the Daily Mail, but not at the corner of Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street. A playfully 'flamboyant' Ray of Flower Corner,showing one of his 'real' trees that have been selling like 'hot cakes'. Prices up to around £100 - and that is before you even start adding lights and at least one fairy!
According to the Daily Mail, we spend £250 million a year buying eight million real Christmas Trees a year. But, last year's harsh weather damaged around a third of the trees growing in Britain. They become vulnerable to frost damage at temperatures below minus 8c - and heavy snowfall can snap branches. With a 'white Christmas' being confidently predicted this year, added to the vicious weather we experienced recently, I suspect that 'artificial Christmas Trees' could be a growth business for 2011. If you are an optimist, as I believe I am, there is always a 'winner' in virtually every 'crisis' story!

The Old Weather Excuse!

The Royal Mail has announced that there are no guarantees on delivery of Christmas mail - because of the weather. Yeah, right!
I know that we Brits discuss the weather more than most nationalities I have come across in my years of travel. But, I am now drawn to the conclusion that we probably, as a nation, use weather as our excuse for failure in delivery and service more often than it should be.
I was reminded too the other night when I saw this incredible sky of the old maxim - pink sky at night, a shepherd's delight; pink sky in the morning, a shepherd's warning! I think it worked this time round too. My frustration in taking photographs often stems from the feeling that I am not quite capturing the full glory of nature, but in this instance, I think I might have come close!

Real Music not Musak

I hate some things about the build up to Christmas. Most of all I dislike the 'musak' that plays endlessly in some stores It also starts far too early in the year. But, I return to liking the run up to Christmas when the traditional side is on display. Yesterday it was the yearly Community Carol Service held at St Mary Abbots and sponsored by Associated Newspapers. It is also supported by a number of local businesses who supply refreshments for those attending to enjoy after the service. The children's Class Four Choir from St Barnabas and St Philip's School provided the Aah Factor.  The professional choir of St Mary Abbots was joined by the professional Choir of St Brides's Fleet Street, the journalists church, provided the Wow factor. The music was glorious. That is what I like for my Christmas.
It has been a busy few days. After the Community Carol Service I had to get ready for the last Police and Community Working Group, Kensington Sector, for the year. Thanks to the generosity of the K & K Hotel in Earls Court, the meeting had a very festive air - but there was no music.Just lovely decorations and mulled wine and mince pies. Well OK, I like that bit of Christmas too. It is just the 'musak' I hate.