Am I Crazy?

To be or not to be - that is the question?

Of course this is a famous quote from Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.

I often ask myself a very similar question.

"What do I make of myself?"

You see my real torment in life is exactly that. I often feel attracted to playing so many different roles depending on how my mood takes me.

I often feel that I've brought the essence of many previous 'past life experiences' into this present incarnation. (Sorry if that sounds a little weird.) I often feel confused about exactly who I am and exactly where my true purpose lies.

I can only vaguely describe my situation as the following; I often find myself as a Healer, Teacher, Coach, Warrior, Philosopher, Peacemaker, Entrepreneur, Writer, Poet, Lover, Artist, Musician, Buddhist Monk.

I also have a deep sense in feeling that I'm intuitive, but practical. I like to seek out adventure and relish a good challenge, but deep down I'm attracted toward inner-peace and search for tranquility. I yearn for modern technology and all that it brings, however at the same time I appreciate history and tradition.

I aim to be wealthy and rich, but respect and love the most simplest things in life, such as watching a golden sunset. I find comfort in the countryside, but also enjoy the buzz and excitement of the metropolis.

So as you can see from the above, I'm exactly as my father used to say - "a crazy mixed up kid"

I guess from this perspective he was probably right. At least one things for sure.......... you couldn't classify me as being - dull or boring!

Although I have to add ~ there's still nothing wrong with being dull or boring either.

Ali's Birthday

As I've probably mentioned before, family birthday's in our household are always quite an important occasion and last week it was the turn of my wife Ali.

Although it's always important not to give-away a ladies age, what I can say is that Ali was born in a very significant year. To give you a small clue, it was the year that the England football team last won a major international trophy.

To celebrate her special day I'd planned for us to spend a night away at our favourite Countryside Hotel and an evening-out at the the Theatre Royal in Norwich. Overall it was a lovely weekend and we both enjoyed ourselves very much.

Talking of birthday's - my special birthday is approaching very quickly and Ali has arealdy told me that she has planned to take me away somewhere special, it's a place where we can relax and enjoy each others company.

Doesn't that sound inviting!

Scotland

I've just managed to add a couple of pictures from our most recent trip to Thurso, Scotland.

The first is looking out over Dunnet Head, which is Britain's most northerly point and the second is the Orkney Islands, featuring the 'Old Man Of Hoy'. (click on the pic's for more detail) Both of these photo's were taken from my Hotel bedroom window, so please excuse the clarity.

While the rest of the country was basking in glorious sunshine, In Caithness it was snowing and cold, however the place still had a beauty of it's own and as you can see from the photo's there's something majestically about the scenery.

Water-Feature

Personally I like being near water.

Lucky enough for me my Mother and Father-In -Law recently gave me a water-feature that they no longer wanted.

Thinking it would be just a short job to insert it into my garden I set about making plans for the forthcoming bank holiday weekend to start work.

After looking ahead to the five-day weather forecast, it predicted colder weather coming in by the end of the week, which is typical for bank holidays in the UK. Realising this I decided to bring my work plans forward.

So yesterday my son Jason and I set about digging a large hole ready to place the water feature in. Little did we know the effort required in placing the item into its designated spot.

The whole point of me mentioning this in my post today, is just to say that I'd forgotten what it was like to do some actual physical manual labour. I think Jason discovered this as well !

When I was younger, I had done plenty of labouring work for builders, plasterers, landscape gardener's and all sorts - however this was back-breaking at its very best.

Eventually I completed the task after about six hours, mainly because of the hard clay soil. I have to say that by the end of it I was completely knackered.

Today the water-feature is working lovely and makes a beautiful addition to the garden, bringing a sense of peace and tranquillity.

If someone was to ask me to do all again today, there would definitely be some unmentionable words used in return.

I send out my respect to all those Labourers who do this kind of work day-in-day out!

Life Is Good!

During the winter months I follow the laws of nature and tend to hibernate, mind you as soon a Spring comes - I'm up up and away.

I love to exercise as you've probably noticed if you're a regular visitor to my blog and if I get a good sweat on its all the better.

Recently I'm back to running on my treadmill. Every morning I arise at 7.00am, spend approximately 20 minutes meditating and then I head off to my garage and its 30mins running.

It's a fantastic way to start the day. After breakfast and a shower, I usually go off to work- well if you can call it work. I either decide to practice my own martial training, or prepare for classes in the evening.

I don't think that I have much to complain about and I'm truly grateful for all the good things that come my way.

Oh yes and the total icing on the cake is that I get to take my wife out to lunch most day's. I have to say that - Life is Good!!

Back From Scotland

Like many other people, we had our flights cancelled due to the volcanic ash. The only other option for us was to drive all the way to Aberdeen in Scotland which is 546 miles.

After spending approximately 11 hours behind the wheel we eventually arrived at our destination. The day after that we completed our journey to Thurso, which again took another five hours (211 miles.)

Having just returned home, the only way that I can describe this experience of driving such a long distance is like the equivalent to having 'Jet Lag' (only without the jet.)

Thankfully I have today to recover before returning back to the classes tomorrow.

Thurso - Scotland

Have you ever heard of a town called Thurso ?

Well to inform you a little more, it's the most northly town on the British mainland, approx 25 miles from John O'Groats.

This coming weekend I'm due to visit there with my family to celebrate 20 year of Kuk Sool Won in Caithness.

To be exact, Thurso is around 700 miles away from my home and it will be my 31st visit to this remote location in the Highlands.

Twenty years ago I was encouraged by one of my martial art students to visit and help start the first ever Scottish Kuk Sool there.

After the first initial visit I was hooked by the warmth and friendliness of the locals, and was subsequently made an 'honourary Scotsman' and informed to 'hast ye back'. which I did. (several times)

As a matter of fact, I've worked out that this is my 31st trip to Thurso, Caithness; covering a total of 43,000 miles. That's committment (or madness) for you!!

Anyway it will be an emotional reunion for the family - Thurso has been like our second home and we still have many good friends that we're looking forward to seeing again.

I just know that it will be fantastic and memorable trip.