The beauty of writing

I have been writing with routine irregularity since I was at school. Using it as an escape, a way of unfurling demented thought and a sound board for my questioning mind.

In my early writing days I was concerned with the big issues of life as a teenager. Adventure, lust, heroism and self flagellation. Certainly a dizzying mix for any adult to write about, which is probably why it came so easy as a teenager.

Naturally I progressed as I grew older into more serious penmanship. Lust, adventure, love and self flagellation. (Heroism had been put to one side as tiresome.) Again I used pen and paper as a drug user utilises their vice, a means of escape, without questions.

Throughout the years I harboured pompous dreams of writing a novel. I knew it would be a best seller and so naturally I brooded over it for several years ;)

Now that I have grown (I dare not say grown up) I use writing as a release. I have a hectic, daydreaming mind that can accomplish very little without writing. Writing is my plumbers "sucker", unblocking the mess of thoughts, worries and dreams from the U-bend of my brain. Once free I can think much clearer and actually be quite organised!

Whether its scribbling about how I feel, writing for my book or tapping out lines for my blog it all helps. It also allows me to be more creative, to work on the book that I've always wanted to write, but always been prevented from completing.

I recently took an online test for ADHD and scored off the scale (not in a good way). However I am too laid back to get it checked properly. Instead by writing, running, doing yoga and cooking for my little one I am able to control my brain through positive action.

When I first started writing a diary (in which I manage to write a few times a week) I thought it would be stupid. I didn't think I would have anything to say. But the complete opposite has come true. I am able to see what I have achieved and focus on what I need to do next. I can clear my brain for free thinking and some fairly poetic and inspired philosophising. I'm not trying to save the world here, just my own sanity. But by expressing my hopes and worries in a written form, it enables me to look beyond and decide what action I need to take. Lets face it, we all talk a good game (none more so than I), but until we put thought into action we achieve very little.

So get writing people! You don't need to share it with anyone. You can write or type. Create a blog online and make it private, so only you can see it. That way you can use your mobile phone to update whatever you like, whenever you like. (Thanks Andrew for this suggestion.) Or if like me you like writing then get yourself a notebook and a comfortable pen and get rid of those thoughts. You'll thank yourself for taking action and stop dwelling in your daydreams.

Until the next time,

Tom :)

The tiling job

Apologies for not posting this earlier, but I was incredibly busy yesterday being productive. It doesn't happen often, so I made the most of it.



Here is one picture of the tiling job. It's not actually completed here as in my uber productive exuberance yesterday I forgot to take a photo! However I shall produce one next week. (To be honest you are not missing out. Just imagine that all the grout is there!)

I have a had a few days off work which has been fun, but as I type this I'm heading back to Gap. Hopefully we will be moderately busy, which will make time somehow speed up, this bringing me ever closer to the weekend and a trip to the beach on Sunday.

I have a separate, semi-profound blog post to come. As I've started up my book writing again I wanted to share some thoughts about it and the benefits of writing.

For all of those at home in England I'm sending you sunshine and smiles. Fortunately I have a surplus of both at the moment. So keep warm and keep smiling.

Tom :)




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Handyman business

These last two weeks I have completed a myriad of handyman jobs. Perhaps myriad makes it sound more impressive than it actually is, but "a few" doesn't quite cut it.

I've still been assisting customers at Gap, inspiring new fashion trends with every garment I suggest they should buy ;) But in between shifts I have helped my friend Jamie with his new house.

I say "new", but I am sure Jamie won't mind me saying that it is anything but that. I'm not sure of the exact age (my knowledge of Australian building isn't there yet), but I would take a stab at 100 years old. Fortunately the bits that are that old were built to last. It's actually the newer additions that have been built with a lacklustre approach. As a result I have had a little work to do!

Most recently this has included the removal and replacement of the bath panel and its retiling. I have a few photos of the water damage from the ill fitting shower screen (thrilling stuff) and the new bath panel replacement. I now have all the necessary tools to retile this weekend, so I shall post the finished product early next week.

I think the most interesting thing with this small project has been how quickly I have learnt new skills. I know that tiling isn't rocket science (no offence tilers), but doing a great job requires a lot of patience and a willingness to learn like a child. So it's thanks to Catherine and my copy of Readers Digest DIY that I am now able to tile as well as carry out my chippie duties. I have also found that my planning and thinking skills have been improved to at least a level of 15 (out of 100). I soon hope to receive a certificate ;)

Next week Catherine stars full time at the law firm in Double Bay. So be sure to drop her a line and wish her well. I think she's secretly missing her friends at home.

Have a great weekend campers!

Tom :)




Frame before



New frame


Bath panel on!


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Gidday!

This post is not about my finger. But since it had a fight with a mallet where it lost, got broken and its nail fell off a lot has happened. Mainly we moved to Sydney and a new and different life! However during that time Mr. Nail has slowly been recovering and with a lot of sunshine he is now (almost) surpassing his former glory!

Back to business! I thought I'd tap out a short update on Bronte life. There's not much excitement at the moment, so you won't be too jealous I promise.

Next week is Catherine's last week waitressing before she becomes a full time lawyer (again!) She is really looking forward to getting back to the office (read without sarcasm) as she is diving into her new role with relish for law again. On a personal note I am happy to see her happy with work and having a better balance here in Sydney.

I am continuing to work full time at Gap giving unfortunate people advice on clothes. As yet I've had no complaints, but that may be due to me wearing Anthony's name badge. I have been doing some carpentry jobs, helping my friend Jamie to get his house renovated. I've really enjoyed getting back "on the tools". Hopefully I am going to start full time carpentry work in the next two weeks with a friend of Jamie's. Above all else I am here to learn (and have a good time) so that if we do come back I will be ready to jump into any carpentry going!

Other than that we are trying to enjoy the weather and beach as much as possible and do fun things with friends. We won't know whether we are staying longer until after our trip home to England, so we are making sure we enjoy ourselves.

We now have a rough schedule for April & May, so I'll post that on the next post.

Catherine and I have been trialling various yoga classes since we got here. Most studios give you a two week unlimited pass for $20, so we've been "doing the rounds" so to speak.

After our most recent trial we joined up with Power Living yoga at Bondi Junction because it has loads of classes and is convenient for both of us to get to straight from work. For $90 we have unlimited classes, so I am fully expecting my foot to be almost behind my head by the end of February!

To dispel any myths that some of you may have about "yoga", it is not namby pamby. This stuff is either hot yoga or very warm at the least. It's the kind of yoga whereby you sweat getting into and holding poses and frequently feel like you will fall over. Ah sorry, that may just be me. But nevertheless it is HARD.

The other side is the meditative one. There's not a lot of it, but it helps to focus the mind. Mostly you are focussing on what you are doing and not worrying about work etc.

"HIPPY!" You may cry. But having been involved in fitness training since I was 16 I can safely say that meditation is a part of all exercise. When I run I focus on my breathing, I try and relax, I am mindful of my strides, how I lift my knees and how I place my feet. I admit I've been doing this for a few years, so I focus on it more than most. But if you go for a run you will quite easily focus on that activity, that moment in time, just on you. That is a form of meditation. The same can be applied to weight training, acrobatics or plate spinning. There's a form of meditation in all. For me I find it in carpentry, writing, running and yoga. When I'm not doing those things regularly I can get grumpy all too easily (ask Catherine) and depressed for no reason.

So when you next have time to yourself, whether its walking, running, carpentry or puppy juggling just focus on that moment, that practice and you will have your meditation.

Until next time that is all from Yogi Tom.

:-)


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Dairy or dairy not?

As you can probably tell from the play on words title this post is briefly about cow products.



This is not dairy. But I wanted to include a tasty meal. I cooked this. It was extremely tasty.

Dairy or dairy not?

Catherine and I have been green (veggie to those that didn't read the previous blog) for three weeks. I've not had a single urge for a bacon sandwich or other meat meal. Instead I find that I have forgotten meat and misplaced the memories of meals involving animals. In its place I have discovered other ways to fulfill my protein and vitamin needs, by cooking delicious new meals involving a variety of veg and legumes.

I am amazed at how easy I have found it to relinquish meat and take to a veg diet. When we first started I said that I wasn't going to eat dairy and my intention was to just eat vegetables, legumes and grains. However I soon realised this would mean the curtailing of regular cups of tea, cafe coffees, pretty much any bakery product and worst of all, ice cream. I clearly hadn't thought this through. Needless to say I came to my senses quick enough (once told by Catherine what I couldn't have) and decided to keep dairy.

With this in mind I considered some dairy to be a useful dietary addition and other dairy to be superfluous to my healthy approach. I looked upon what I could realistically reduce and what made a big difference to my diet. After a rigorous process I discovered the following:

I love dairy.

This revelation (which I hadn't seen coming) was apparent in my consumption of tea, cappuccinos, cheese, bakery products, buttery toast and ice creams. I certainly don't eat a lot of the latter, but I enjoy my tea and coffees.

Tom's conclusion
As a result of my experiment I came upon this conclusion.

In terms of nutrition I don't believe that milk, cheese or any other form of dairy provides anything spectacular to the human body. Yes it provides calcium, but it's widely disputed whether the body can readily absorb it from dairy. As a protein source it's not amazing either and many other grain forms can provide it without the saturated fat. Aside from that many people struggle to digest dairy properly as they lose the digestive enzyme required after teething as children. I can get all of my protein needs from a variety of pulses, legumes and grains. I shouldn't need to supplement to achieve this. From vegetables, pulses and grains I can get all the nutrients I need to train effectively and recover appropriately. I don't need a multivitamin (or meat) to achieve that either.

I think above all else it simply comes down to a want versus need argument again. I don't need dairy to survive. It is not necessary to my health, however it comes down to living a balanced lifestyle. There is no question in my mind that milk makes a great cup of tea, cheese makes any boring meal tasty and ice cream is delicious on a hot day.

If I can lead a balanced lifestyle whereby I eat a healthy vegetarian diet, train hard AND enjoy a little of the "naughty" stuff, then I'll be happy. Becoming vegetarian was easy, but soya milk and a Vegemite rice cracker (minus the butter) are not the same as an English brew with milk and toast, butter and marmite!

So for now I will continue my healthy balance and rejoice in my next ice cream, without attacking the cheese, pastries and cream every night!

Tom :)





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Going Green

I can be quite disorganised. It is part of my nature. Part of being a daydreamer. In the past I have attempted (and failed) to write a regular blog, posting on the same day each week. Naturally this is beneficial to many people, except me. So as I am now writing everyday I will at random and surprise junctures post something. It could be short. It could be long. It could be profound. It could be nonsense. It COULD be many things. One thing it will not be is organised. It will be a daydreamers splurge. I bring that splurge to you and look forward to your comments.

Now this is an update. It's a short-ish post about turning vegetarian.

I recently read the book "Eat Animals" (it's a great read, look it up) as I received a gift voucher from my Mum for Christmas. In writing that last line I feel like I am ten years old again! The logistical ease of a gift voucher when you are on the other side of the World is clear. But it also gives the receiver choice. I had a great deal of choice as the voucher was generous and Kindle books are cheaper than paperback ;) Cut a long story short I bought the above mentioned book.

"Eat Animals" is a book about the current state of farming in the US, with a foreword about the very similar state of British farming. It talks of the growing, medicating, welfare and slaughter of chickens, pigs, turkeys, fish and cows. It is meant to be eye opening, but it is factual with it. The references in the book are testament to a great deal of research.

As a result of reading the book I CHOSE to become vegetarian. It wasn't the author telling me (he doesn't), nor was it the healthy lifestyle led by Australians (I could've read it in Poland and I would've done the same). My choice was based on the lost ethics of farming, the lack of welfare for animals, the health implications of eating medicated animals, the environmental impacts of farming, the sadistic treatment of animals in slaughter and the ridiculously low cost of meat. The last one may be a surprise. But consider this. How can meat not increase in price to the same extent as other products that we purchase? How does a farmer supply cheap meat when everything else is naturally becoming more expensive over the years? That's where factory farming, medication and a short animal life comes into play. But don't let me ruin the book, it's much better in the author's words. I am just giving some reasoning to my decision. All the facts are available in black and white if you want to take notice. There are numerous YouTube videos showing the abuse and lack of welfare in farming today. It just depends if YOU choose to open your eyes and ears to it.

Oh how serious of me! It's only because the easiest thing I had ever done (in "going green") has attracted the most questions and comments. I am not trying to convert lots of people (yet ;)), but friends and family still think its strange. In some respects I think people are threatened by anything/anyone that is different, that says "I'm not going to do that just because it is the norm". Probably best not to get me onto religion. That's another story completely ;)

To finish I am happily eating many different and tasty meals. I love cooking anyway and Catherine and I prepare our lunches every evening. Now I am looking to create delicious meals that anyone would eat from "The Accidental Vegetarian". I have more energy than I thought possible. I am running faster and training more than I ever used to. I am happy, not grumpy. I am quietly getting on with life and just so happen to be green!

Until next time,

Tom :-)



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A new year down under

I've finally found a new way to write my blogs as BlogPress no longer wants to go to landscape mode. This is a pain in the arse when trying to write a blog from an iPhone! I would write it from a computer but it is nicer to write at the beach ;)

We've now been in Sydney for two and a half months (how time flies!) We have done a great deal in that time and look forward to the rest of 2013 being both productive and fun.

When we arrived in Sydney we stayed with our good friends Geoff and Harriet. Their generosity and kindness in our first weeks made our new life easier, even when things weren't happening on the job front. Their lovely home in Cammeray was a perfect base, from which we applied for jobs and researched apartments to rent.

Three weeks after arriving we moved into our own flat on Henrietta Street in Waverley. It is perfect for the two of us, only a 15 minute walk down to Bronte beach and a 15 minute walk from Bondi Junction and the shops. We have already got into the Aussie lifestyle; swimming regularly and running along the coastal path or in Centennial Park. After all that is why we left Blighty to come here!

Jobs have been a different story however and not as easy to come by as our apartment. Having hoped to get labouring work before building up contacts I found it difficult to get anything. Without several health and safety tickets and a good deal of experience there was not a lot of jobs I could apply for. However I got an interim job at Gap before Christmas and hope to start carpentry work with a friend in February. Catherine also got an interim job waitressing, but has recently started work at a friend's law firm. The hours are much more sociable (no more late finishes) and it gives her a chance to get back to loving law.

There is lots more I could say, but I'll save it for future posts and more photos!

I'll sign off with this thought.
The people here are friendly and the lifestyle is great. The weather allows us to swim in the sea and run in the sun. Coming here has given me time to think of what I am lucky to have and what I lack in my life. The latter is not as important as I once thought. It has helped show that I am healthy and have the love of a very special girl. It has opened my eyes to my wonderful friends and family back home and here in Sydney. Above all it has shown that wherever we lay our hats is our home, but our hearts will always be with those we leave behind. We can make our own happiness wherever we are in the World, we just have to realise that we often already have all that we need.

Tom :)









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