No, I am a supporter

Do you see yourself as a leader?

There are too many people who think they have what it takes to be a leader. But you can do other things, like being a follower, a loner, a supporter.

If you care about people or things think about using your compassion and being a supporter in some way. That could be financially, or morally, or emotionally. By supporting others you can reinforce friendship, but also possibly productivity, or yours and theirs emotional wellbeing. As the saying goes, love one another as you would like to be loved yourself. X

Can’t watch!

I started watching the paralympics tennis and our man was loosing. I tried ignoring it and he started to win. Now I’m caught between wanting to watch and see who wins and not watching so I don’t jinx it!

It’s odd to feel I have any influence over the outcome. But listening to the game seems OK? Very strange. I’ve had this happen in other situations. The football world Cup was on, I watched, we lost. So I’d rather not watch and allow others to see the result no matter what happens!

Awesome

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

I do sometimes use the word awesome on social media. It sort of explains my thoughts about some of the images online. But to be honest it is too easy to use. You don’t have to think of more subtle descriptions.

An ‘awesome’ limerick:

There once was an awesome post

On a website I used to host….

I realised my words

Were really absurd

And I hated ‘awesome’ most.

I just think it exaggerates the importance of an object ot person. To look on something in awe, is to see something of great style, beauty or extraordinary complexity. You would not call a bag of crisps awesome. Nor would you describe a cup of cappuccino and a muffin at the local cafe awesome as you took ten photographs of them. My point is words like awesome should only be used in exceptional circumstances. I need to give it up.

I hope I have something to say.

Why do you blog?

I like to share my art and ideas. I’m quite eclectic, a Jack of all trades. When I was little I was always getting bored, wanting to do interesting things. I was the one who held the snake and the tarantula when they were brought into school to show us what they were like. I used to climb up ropes and hang upside down from the top bar of the swings. I was very competitive and enjoyed running, then eventually cycling. Art was my main interest, and I’ve done many paintings and murals, but I also love science. I guess I should have been a teacher as I’m enthusiastic about explaining things. I guess that’s what my blog is about. Looking into nooks and crannies, finding things out. I’m possibly not as interesting as I think I am! But I hope people enjoy it.

Don’t ask!

How are you feeling right now?

I just want to be well

Not feeling low

Tired and fed up

Don’t do this?

Be careful not to…

Avoid salt

Don’t eat cheese

Remember to wrap up warm

Think calm thoughts

Measure your blood pressure

Check your eyes

Don’t eat too much…..

And pray to stay alive each night!

Water storage

How would you design the city of the future?

Cities are working out how to store water and prevent flooding, with massive tunnels below them to allow water to flow away. Storage spaces to trap water then release it slowly as the waters receded. Having beavers upstream in rivers to dam and slow the flow of water downstream. And also reinstating rush beds or filter beds to hold onto the fluid and clean any sewage that has leaked into waterways. You could also build buildings up on higher ground or stilts. Or raise buildings in heavy rain or storm conditions. There is still a lot we can do to combat climate change.

I struggle

What brings you peace?

Last night I wanted a peaceful night’s sleep. I was tired and it was hot. I don’t sleep well these days

I tried to do some relaxation techniques but they didn’t work. I tried listening to the radio on low, but no use. Then I came downstairs and put the TV on quietly. Sometimes that works. Finally I found an app that plays the sound of waves, with video up to 11 hours. It promised peace and rest. I must have had it on too loud, I listened for a couple of hours. The only thing that happened was that I nodded off for a few minutes, then the cat jumped on the bed and woke me up again. Argh! Finally I came downstairs again and fell asleep in exhaustion.

Bravery?

I decided to write a poem on a poetry page on Facebook. Here it is.

I would like to be brave and post something here.


But my poems are mostly spontaneous.


An explosion of thought on the page.


My mind dances around thoughts,


Spiralling into nooks and crannies.


Flying across the landscape of my brain.


Hopefully landing safely and intact.

Helped pay at the till

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

Whether someone is a few pence, or a couple of pounds short when they are shopping I don’t mind offering to help out.

Why not? They might be short on funds, or just unable to pay because of a computer problem. Maybe they chose the same as normal but prices have increased because of inflation? Let’s face it, life is getting harder for everyone.

I think what goes around comes around and the world needs a little more generosity. You have to be aware of problems though, I think I have to be sensible, but that shouldn’t stop me or anyone else using a random act of kindness to help others.

Fed up of AI

I keep seeing images of things that are clearly done with AI, people with scrambled faces or 6 fingers. I love astronomy, but sometimes the pictures can’t be real. There are videos of the moon being hit by a massive asteroid and disintegrating, or photos purporting to be close ups of black holes. At best these are using AI for artistic licence or an impression of what something looks like. But at worst they are meant to fool you. Maybe to confuse or to scam? I’m glad there is an option now for people to label their posts as AI generated. But do you think the scammers would use labels? I doubt it.

What’s also annoying is that websites use algorithms, if you like this you might want to look at something similar. But the new group isn’t necessarily well managed and then the garbage sneaks through.

So beware of what you see and try and fact check if you can. Don’t be fooled or scammed.