Unprepared For Your Golden Heart

Well now my little cherubs (cherub?!), it's been far too long since I posted a Mark Knopfler video. So here is one.

I just love the lyrics for this song, they're so beautiful (as they all too often are from Mr Knopfler!). Full lyrics (which I strongly recommend reading) can be found here at MarkKnopfler.com

"Nothing in the world prepared me for your heart,
Your heart,
Nothing in the world that I love more,
Your heart,
Your heart,
Your Golden Heart"


A slightly higher quality video of the song is available here. I just didn't use it because "Embedding disabled by request".

Have You Got The Knowledge?

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have a huge appetite for all things geographical. I'm also fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind, in particular the functions of the amygdalae and hippocampus.

Combining these two loves leads me to be a big fan of "The Knowledge".

"It is the world's most demanding training course for taxicab-drivers, and applicants will usually need at least twelve 'Appearances' (attempts at the final test), after preparation averaging 34 months, to pass the examination. Medical tests have discovered that London cab drivers tend to have developed an especially big hippocampus, a region of the brain implicated in navigational ability."
-- Source, Wikipedia

I'm always intrigued and fascinated at what is going on inside the minds of the drivers, the different connections that take place during a job. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Black cab drivers and tip favourably as I believe their dedication to master the skills required to navigate London's maze of streets deserve reward. These people are the expert workhorses that help millions of Londoners and tourists reach their destination quickly and in safety. I take my hat off to each and every one of them.

More about The Knowledge from Transport for London.

......Well, it's not every day you end up writing a blog post about taxi drivers and their neurological development, but hey it's my blog!

Life In An "Open" Prison

Twice in my life, I have suffered with acute, "clinical" depression.

At present, this beast is tamed and I look forward to challenges. Each day part me worries of its return and only time will answer this question. An optimistically realist answer would be; it will likely return at some point, but by being better equipped, this beast's head can be severed sooner than later before its devouring of me begins in earnest.

I also know I am not suffering now and have not suffered for some time when I am able to put thoughts into words, so the below really should read was.

Those who have experienced depression know of its soul sapping ability. Those who have not, be thankful. Only when the mist has burned off can one see and feel the extremity of delusions this illness produces.

This post seeks not to encourage, nor discourage the stigma of mental illness. Personally, I have no qualms about discussing it for it has made me what I am -- freakin' awesome ;)

My view is that just as inappropriate as I believe it to be when someone (who has what I regard as an unhealthy attitude towards mental health) proceeds to tell me to pull myself together, is that it's just as inappropriate for me to tell someone how they should think. All I say is that I would welcome with open arms someone who wanted to understand more about psychological illness, as much as I hope someone would try to understand/accept me during times of difficulty.

Imprisoned in a room with no locks

It's cloudy today,
The sun is shining outside.
I'm cold,
Yet it's a lovely warm day,
All the plants and flowers, dead,
A garden in full bloom,

My favourite film is on TV today,
It's a shame there's nothing on,
My beloved music collection,
Not one song I like,

My own mind,
Mine,
Turning on itself,
Scaring its owner,

Victim, or criminal,
Who am I?

I'm one very scared little boy.

How Short Can A Poem Be?

Well, I dunno, but I wanted to note this moment with one.

Today, the weather is warm and sunny here in the UK. Just now, whilst writing something else on my computer, a lovely cool gust of wind entered my room through the open window.

Gust

A visitor who need never knock,
Welcome always with open arms,
Carrying the notes of a thousand tunes,
Gently she surrounds me,
Hairs stand on end,
Eyelashes flicker,
A concoction of smells fill my nose,
Ahh, lovely.

What It Means To Be A (Great) Parent

I just love this advert that's on at the moment! No matter how often I watch it, I get a small lump in my throat (shock horror, man with emotions. Plop!). I like it not because of the brand (it's just a Vodafone advert), but just how well it's been put together and how sincere it is.

If like me, you're really close to your parents and have a relationship with them based on unconditional love, you'll most likely agree with me how well it summarizes what it means to be a great parent -- and how as the "children" of these amazing individuals, we have been given a gift more precious than anything else....

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

Because my lovely and pretty Mummy knows I like long funny words, she sent me this postcard when she was on holiday recently....



And if you want to know how this is pronounced, click the play button on the video below.....Yeah, I can't say it either!



More information about Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

From The Undecided Electorates

- An open letter from decent undecided electorates.

Dear Decided Electorate and Politicians,

We are perfectly capable of deciding, through the intelligent studying of each of the party's policies who we will vote for.

Scare mongering tactics have the following two effects:

A) Causing offense because you forget that like you do, we actually all have a complete independent and equal entitlement to vote for whoever we like. Please look up the phrase "mutual respect" in the dictionary.

B) Those who engage in a media frenzy of saying why one would be wrong for voting for option A, B, or C seek only to risk loosing the votes of undecided electorate due to presenting a set of behaviours that produce feelings of "Actually, don't think I really want to associate myself with a psyche such as that".

We do not plan to criticise or praise your chosen party. Instead, we simply applaud that you recognise the importance and fortune you have in being able to vote, freely.

Yours sincerely,
Phil, on behalf of all equal individuals.

Don, The Carpenter

During my pre-teen/early teen years, I was having some problems at school - not settling in or adjusting to my new school etc. One of the activities I did to take my mind off things was to spend some time with a friend of my parents who was a carpenter. Together we would make bits and bobs out of wood. The "masterpiece" being a big rabbit hutch for the two rabbits my sister and I had recently been given.

Although old enough to be my grandad, I enjoyed spending time with Don who was aware that at the time I needed a break from the difficulties I was having at school.

I still remember admiring his skills as a craftsman. His attention to detail and passion for doing a good job, meritorious.

The Carpenter's Operation

All scrubbed up and ready to go,
The surgeon's instruments get into character,
Now is the time for the procedure to begin,
As I watch this master's story unfold,

Laid out the patient awaits his treatment,
Your passion making an inspiring statement,
Commencing the forging of grain and knot,
Your taming of the wood delicately forethought,

The floor sits covered in a fresh snowfall covered landscape,
Each gentle manoeuvre making ready an avalanche of sawdust,
Your friends in the chisels, saws, hammers and nails,
Call for your attention as you mold your next masterpiece.

Does Whatever A Blog Post Does

Check out this wonderful piano composition of The Simpsons theme tune.

Spectacular skill!