A Perfect Geographical Tribute

This is just so poignant.

Discovered recently by a passing hot air balloonist, this heart shaped feature emerges as a vision from the surrounding woods.



The story behind it which I saw in the Daily Mail is a real tearjerker though.

A man who's wife passed away 17 years ago wished to create a lasting tribute to the woman he had loved for so many years.

"The farmer planted thousands of oak saplings in a six-acre field – but left a heart-shaped area in the middle, with the point facing towards his wife’s childhood home."
-- from the Mail Online

You can actually see this in Google Earth.



Or if you don't have Google Earth, you can see it upside down in Google Maps.

Rochester Row

Eight thirty, and shutters up,
The lone drummer, swaying in the breeze,

Chimes ring out for ten,
The bookbinders bound by the awning,

For some their time has come,
With dignity, she lays them to rest,

Ants search for their next lair to colonise,
Pacing to the beat of the speaker's voice,

With wispy hair and apple in hand,
The ink pours into storytelling mode,

Back to their posts in all directions,
March the armies of orange blue and white,

Five thirty the exodus begins,
Delta, Victor, India, India.

I Could Listen To You All Day

We all have voices that we like to listen to. Sometimes, it's the familiar, comforting person such as a parent, or good friend. Other times though, there are certain people who we don't know per se, but there is something about their voice that we really like.

Below are some clips of famous people who have voices that I really like. So in no specific order, here are my favourite voices! It turns out that I really like English accents that are well enunciated, with a hint of Scottish sometimes!

Who would be yours?

Richard Wilson



Judi Dench - who is said to have components of the perfect voice



Joanna Lumley (she starts speaking at 1 minute)



Sir David Attenborough



Matthew Macfadyen - specifically in the M&S Simply Food adverts. Even though I am a completely straight guy, I almost go weak at the knees when I hear his voice in these adverts.....almost!



Ronnie Corbett



Dick Van Dyke, specifically as Dr Sloan though! And when it's combined with some singing, I can't help but smile. This starts around the 2 minute mark.



Keeley Hawes, who is actually married to Matthew Macfadyen! Their kids are destined to grow up with the perfect accents!

June Has Flown Past - Literally!

June has seen two military flypasts for London with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and annual Trooping the Colour. Here are some photographs that I took of the flypasts. Some are better than others, but enjoy!

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Flypast



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Trooping the Colour 2012 Flypast



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The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Sixty years in the making,

Four days of pomp and pageantry,

Giddy-up, giddy-up,

The sun reflects off the stirrups,

The armada sets sail,

The river teaming with oars,

A guard of honour lines the route,

A magic horse opens up the clouds,

A sea of ants sets up camp beneath a clear sky,

Crotches and quavers ring out for "Mummy" and co,

The ants dance, shout and sing,

A million diamonds launched into the sky,

Her loyal subjects offer their thanks,

Together with the roar of fast jets,

Trooping the colours of red, white and blue,

United we say in God save the Queen.

My Latest Shot of The Cheese

I grabbed this one the other night. Quite happy with it!


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How Homer Simpson Is Helping Me To Breathe

Recently, I made a post about how I was starting the practice of Mindfulness Meditation. I said in that post, regarding any changes that I may notice as a result of the practices that "As these evolve, I may share some of them here." In fact, I am going to change that slightly and not share a change per se, but a process I am struggling with, but beginning to improve upon -- all with the help of my hero, Homer Simpson.

A key component of Mindfulness is to pay attention to the breath to help develop attention training.

I have been finding this very difficult. I am still finding it quite challenging, but hey I am in the process of learning. I have just embarked upon this practice. I would not expect myself to become fluent in a language I cannot speak instantly. I would need to spend time on my verbs, or trying to figure out why if I only want to thank one person I still say thanks when I think it should be just "thank". Anyway, I digress.

Yes, so focusing my attention on the breath. What I found has been happening, is that as soon as I turn my attention to my breath, it feels awkward, unnatural and forced. I think what is happening here in part is that I am making a judgement on what it should/shouldn't feel like and trying to force my breathing to fit that idea, instead of just letting the breath be.

Enter Homer Simpson. What I've been practicing is to pretend that I am Homer Simpson. One of the scenes that Homer is often shown in is repeating the simple action of something. In this case below, you'll see him activating a hospital bed. "Bed goes up, bed goes down, bed goes up, bed goes down", and so on. I am trying to just have that notion of "notice the breath goes in, notice the breath goes out" (whether that be noticed in the nostrils, abdomen or whole body experience). The only point of difference from the video is that Homer is making the bed go up and down, where as I am just noticing when the action of breath takes place.

If you're like me (first contact your doctor and ask to see their psychiatrist), and struggling to breath properly, let Homer help you. He is a man of great wisdom.



Mmmmm forbidden happiness.