Reading and Writing

The topic being discussed on the radio, as I listen to it commuting to work, is “Reading and Writing.” Specifically, it revolves around a scheme being launched today to encourage children to read more and to engage in and experiment with writing.

The discussion is following the usual format of a radio show. Lots of advice is being offered from expert, professional and interested parties regarding how best to go about the process of engaging young people in books.

It is being suggested that parents should actively enthuse their children through reading to them, buying them books to read and taking them to the library on a regular basis. It is also mentioned that contemporary culture, interests and habits war with the basic concept of concentrating for long periods of time on one particular item.

Time constraints have been referenced, along with the prevalent existence of modern technology, personal interests and indeed abilities. Undoubtedly, as with many issues, “Reading and Writing” is a worthy topic for discussion.

In my opinion, the burden of responsibility fundamentally falls on the parents, especially when considering children of a very young age.

As a child, I was certainly actively encouraged to read. My parents had masses of books on an array of subjects and I also received plenty of books myself as gifts for birthdays or as Christmas presents. I also went on to study languages and other areas of literature at an advanced level.

Over the years, I have certainly read an awful lot and in many languages. However, I hesitate to say whether I actually enjoy reading. I suppose I must do, as I have read things, such as the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, from cover to cover on more than one occasion. I have even read stuff like Dante's - “Divina Comedia,” in the original Italian, although I have to admit that was a little beyond me.

"Beyond me..."

If asked what my favourite book is, I would struggle to answer, but then again, I would be the same if asked for a film or a song. I suppose, I know what I like and what I do not like, but I do not really have any desire to choose a favourite. I have read books covering a huge variety of genres, from Asterix to Shakespeare, but I actually prefer biographies.

To return to the point about today's discussion, despite all my reading over the years, I rarely read now. Well, that is to say that I rarely sit down and read a novel. Of course, I read the news and I look things up and read information so as to learn about different things, but I do not sit down and read purely for entertainment.

Neither do I really have any books in the house. I still have a load at my parents house but I do not possess my own collection. For one thing, I do not really like the clutter.

On the radio, they are making the link between reading and writing. It is argued that a good writer ought to improve his/her skills by reading and vice-versa. I also enjoy writing. I used to write a lot more than I do now, in a similar way to reading.

Equally, when it comes to writing, I have never viewed myself as imaginative or creative, not in terms of the subject matter. I have never tended to make up a story. I can be imaginative, creative and colourful with the language I use, or through observations, angles or perceptions, but all based on observations founded in fact.

I must use all the skills honed over the years through reading and writing. I assume I use them now in the way I learn and play music. I have reams of material that in a way map my technical progress and also my thought processes over various courses of time.

It is absolutely indisputable that reading and writing are vitally important for young people. They are not only necessary core academic skills, but they also serve a vital purpose when considering all round well-being and in particular, mental health.

Ultimately, I do find it strange how many people appear at their wit's end when contemplating how best to get a child to engage in reading and writing. What is the best book to read? How often should they read? When should they read?

From a personal perspective, it comes down to interest. Let them read what they like. I would ensure there are options aplenty and that literature is readily accessible, but it is futile to encourage to the point of pressure and exhaustion.

Encourage through example, good intentions and support. That is about all you can do really. Things have a funny way of working out, but when it comes down to it, people do what they want.

Friday

It is Friday today which is a welcome relief. It has been a relatively busy week in that I have worked five full-days since Monday, which is not something that has been that common for me for a while.

It is lunch-time now so I only have a short afternoon to go. It ought not to be a bad afternoon either. Then, it will be back home, get the heating on, sort out the “Friday Follows” and settle into a good Friday night

I am happy to admit that I have really taken to Twitter. It is somewhat bizarre, as I have never been into that sort of thing before but I really do have a great deal of fun with it.

Some of the aspects that I particularly enjoy include the fact that people within my circles are so encouraging and supportive. I genuinely gain a lot of inspiration from different characters, either through what they have been doing or something that they tweet.

Cheers Tweeps!

It is amazing but it does support all those theories and sayings that the little things really do count. The tiniest of compliments or mentions is very warmly received and appreciated.

I mention that it is bizarre and in essence, it is exactly that. Why on earth would I post messages, images, comments to people that I have only met via the internet, especially when considering it is viewable by anybody in the world? There are items that are posted that could be frowned upon, or worse, by a potential employer, but I do it anyway.

I think that fundamentally, it comes down to both human nature and the current global situation. I believe a lot of people have reached the point whereby they could quite frankly not care less about what the supposed hierarchy may think, they are going to do it anyway.

From a personal perspective, as mentioned, I gain such a lot from using Twitter. I am reasonably careful with what I tweet or post online and my interests have led me to some truly inspirational, friendly and fascinating people. Others may not have had such luck because there are undoubtedly some imbeciles who tweet, in the same way as there are buffoons everywhere in society.

Contrastingly, the whole online social networking arena could be construed as fairly 'sad'. Would it not be better to go out in the local area and meet like-minded people with whom I could interact in a similar fashion to that done via Twitter?

The concept is an obvious one and undoubtedly attractive. However, the reality is again different. Once more, the global economy determines that a night in with a few home-prepared drinks and my Twitter community is significantly cheaper than a night out at the pub or in town.

Furthermore, were I to venture into town, would I find like-minded people? I very much doubt it. My interests are obvious if you view my Twitter companions and yet if I were to venture into town tonight, what would I encounter? It does not bare thinking about really, but suffice is to say that the majority of night-spots would be packed out with school kids, at best.

All in all, I am content with my plans for the evening. I will set myself up with my guitar, a few drinks. I will pop the TV on in the background and I will keep my Twitter Timeline in my eye-line. Hopefully, I will keep up with the “Friday Follows” and I will refrain from tweeting anything too daft as the night draws on.

Enjoy your Friday!

☺ Keep Smiling ☺

I Am Pumped

I really need to do something. I am bouncing as a result of some sort of energy waves at the moment. I am getting stimulation from all kinds of weird things. My mind is spinning with activity and I feel inspired by even the tiniest of incidents. I hardly eat, I rarely sleep, I still consume alcohol and yet, I am pumped!

Perhaps it is some strange high-octane combination of the truncated sleep patterns, dietary deficiency and ethanol, but if this keeps up, everyone should try it. At least it is a natural high.

I do not take drugs. I never have done. I have a huge aversion to chemicals and pills of any form. I do not even take paracetamol/aspirin. I have always believed if you start making use of medication to alter physical or mental ailments, you are taking away the natural role of the body.

Once you have done that, you lose the natural equilibrium, without which, you never know where you are. Eventually, you correct everything with something, which is fundamentally heading in the wrong direction. What you ought to do is get back to your inner core.

I must make it clear I have absolutely no authority, training, nor credentials to make these assertions, other than this is my blog, so I can write whatever I like. Furthermore, I am a physically fit, intelligent and seriously jacked up son of a bitch, who feels like he is going to shoot up into the stratosphere and save the universe. So, who doesn't want to feel like me?

I am going to do something. There is a high energy out there. If you look for it, you will find it. It might not be obvious. You might have to search through the gloomy crowds and into the darker corners. Maybe it is up in the air, high in the sky, or perhaps it is right in your lap.

That energy. That raw fuel. That unadulterated inspiration is lurking somewhere and it is a fire-fighting, pile-driving, baby-bouncing gift from God.

Maybe it is an over-hyped intelligence, an elevated IQ or a maniacal tendency that explains this unrelenting, incessant and insatiable brain train, or maybe I am just taking the piss.

I have to use this energy. I need to focus it to ensure it is appreciated to its full potential.

I am not being confrontational. I do not want to bang heads. I want to be useful, helpful and positively outstanding.

Now is the time. The time is right. It is time to do it. I am ready. I am pumped. I have got the energy. Is there anyone out there who wants a piece of this energy? Who wants to share this fuel? Who wants to partake in this phenomenon?

All you have to do is ask.

This is no rage against the machine. I AM the machine!!!

Bring it on!

☺ Keep Smiling ☺

Tagliatelle and Meatballs

I enjoy cooking. I learnt a lot from my parents as a child. The evening meal was always a family focal point and I spent hours over the years in the kitchen watching, helping and eventually, cooking by myself.

I have also studied languages and have studied abroad, albeit only in Europe. I have lived and worked in France and Italy so have picked up on a few things.

I particularly like Mediterranean cuisine – lots of tomatoes, peppers, olives etc. A dish like Paella is ideal.

I have also long had an affinity with Italy and for years as a kid, lasagna was my favourite dish. I used to do some mean desserts as well, such as Tiramisù (until I checked the nutritional values).

An Italian dish that is always a hit is meatballs. It can be served with anything you like really but spaghetti works well and I prefer tagliatelle.

“Tagliatelle and meatballs” is the dish I am going to describe here. This dish is a guide, not an exact recipe. It is more the style, influence and flavour that I wish to convey.

Ingredients: (you choose the quantities) Mince (beef), onion, garlic, black pepper, herbs (basil and oregano), passata, tomato purée, red wine, mushrooms.

To make the meatballs:

Finely dice some of the onion (not too much), garlic, black pepper and herbs. Ensure the mince is chilled. Combine everything by hand. When done, separate into equal pieces. (Keep the meatballs fairly small).

Oil you hands (olive oil). Squeeze, roll and shape the pieces of mince mixture individually to form meatballs. The coldness of the mince will ensure the mixture holds together (no need for egg, breadcrumbs etc) and the oil on your hands will prevent the meat from sticking.

When all the meatballs are made, fry them in a pan and set aside.

For the sauce:

Use a good sized casserole dish and introduce the ingredients as you would for any normal tomato-based sauce – ie. onions, garlic, seasoning, tomatoes...

Then add the wine. Make sure to use plenty of tomato and initially, the consistency will be thin.

Leave to simmer extremely gently for as long as possible. The richness of the sauce will depend upon this. Even add water, to ensure it simmers for long enough before reaching the ideal consistency.

The sauce can be left and re-heated or used when ready.

At around 10–20 minutes before serving, add the meatballs and heat everything through. Correct the thickness with tomato purée as you wish.

Serve with tagliatelle and freshly grated parmesan (ideally, Parmigiano Reggiano).

You can vary this dish in all sorts of ways, depending on taste-buds, whims and budgets. Peppers and a bit of heat work well. Balsamic vinegar can replace wine and you can try different meats.

NB – Do not forget the oil on your hands and do not use egg, breadcrumb or flour.

Buon Appetito!

☺ Keep Smiling ☺

Plans

I have been blogging quite a lot recently. There are a number of reasons for that. Reasons, such as: a blog ought to be kept up to date; it does not take long if you are in the right frame of mind; and I enjoy writing (equally, when I am in the right frame of mind).

Furthermore, I never like to leave one of my 'inspirational moments' flagged up for too long at the top of the list as “latest blog.” Don't tell anyone, but I like to conceal them in the annals. My 'moments' are not hidden but while I am sharing and revealing pieces of me, I do not want people to make too many assumptions. I prefer a 'scattering.'

Today, I will reveal my plans. Nothing earth-shattering once more, just my plans for the day.

I did weights this morning – just free-weights at home. I tweaked my back a little, which was careless but it will pass. Obviously, I am now writing my blog and then I will have a quick scoot through the 'form' for the horse racing, which will be on the TV later. I will probably record that on the DVR.

I am not very good at the 'form' any more. I used to be but I do not spend enough time on it these days. I only put a couple of quid on, merely to maintain an interest. I am not a gambler. Gambling is a mug's game. I only bet what I am prepared to lose.

After that, I will have a bit of lunch. I am going to try to cut down on the portions a little bit. I am in decent shape but there is always room for improvement. Actually, I have always been pretty good with my diet, although I ought to drink a little less.

The weather is not bad today, so I will probably fit in a bit of golf, although it does get dark early. The membership fees are due at the end of the month. I am undecided as to whether I will renew. I enjoy my golf, but it is a lot of money and as always I still hope that I will have buggered off somewhere, sometime soon, so I would not be around here to use it.

The main focus of the day will be the guitar. I always play for a few hours and I go over and over the songs that I know. I do it while I have the TV on, or while I am having a snifter or following Twitter, but I would quite like to concentrate on something specific and new today – either a song or a solo. I learn them from Licklibrary DVD's and they do not take me long any more.

All that should take me into the evening, when I will be able to drift away into the night.

That should do it.

Those are my plans. Enjoy your day!

(Editorial note: By "snifter," I mean “drink” ☺)

☺ Keep Smiling ☺

LOVE

The creative juices are flowing now, so I am going to have a crack at a new genre. Forget the rest, I am going to share some feelings of LOVE.

The following is completely fictitious, therefore meaningless, untroublesome and unimportant. In which case, I shall name the lady, Gwendoline.

******************************

There is something about Gwendoline that entirely captivates me.   She is a girl of the night, a thinker and a dreamer. She has depths that I can only touch upon in my imagination.

I cannot seem to grasp what it is that obsesses me so. It is not her beauty, sheer as it may be.  I melt at the very sight of her and yet it is not the sexual attraction that manifests itself so intensely in my soul.

I linger on her every word.  I spend hours waiting and when those words arrive, I study them and analyse them as though they were a precious diamond.  I seek hidden messages or intentions.  I strive helplessly to discover an inkling more about the woman that addles me so.

My whole being has changed overnight. She is my first thought when I wake in the morning and my final thought before I go to sleep at night, She possesses me all through the day. I have changed how I eat and how I drink. My sleep revolves around her waking hours.

There are times when I physically shake – not tremble, nor tingle but vigorously shake - when in actuality, she has done nothing to cause such a reaction.

It is simply her very being. There is no real justification, nor rhyme, nor reason.

LOVE can be the only justification. Pure, complete and inexplicable LOVE.

I LOVE her mind, her body and her soul. Even the sin and danger in her, that should ward me off, do not quell my passion. I know that she will posses me. She will own me, rule me and preside over me and yet, I feel helpless in face of my unrelenting emotions.

It is inexplicable and yet real and I could never bare to lose it.

Gwendoline, my darling, you complete me.

**********************************

My Own Comment:

“Oh my Gawd!!! Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawdy!!!” (Amusing, though!!!)

☺ Keep Smiling ☺

Please feel free to comment for yourself :)

Patience is a Virtue

It is often said that patience is a virtue. Well, I certainly hope so. I have always trusted that time takes care of itself and that eventually you will reach your destiny. I suppose it is essentially believing in fate.

However, I do have major reservations about a blind trust in fate, as that does harbour the suggestion that there is no point in doing anything because it is all mapped out anyway. That is not really what I mean.

I am nowhere near reaching my destiny yet but it honestly does not worry me. I am not married, I do not have a career and I am in a job that bores me. I live in a place, where I do not want to live and at face value, I appear to be surrounded by very few prospects.

Depressing?  No. Worrying  No. Surprising?  Yes. I was a bright kid in school and very successful academically. I very nearly went to Oxford, but I bungled the interview. I think there was pretty much a universal assumption that I was set to be a high-flyer.

Liam "The Scholar"

A high-flyer, I am not, but I cannot complain, as I have never been driven by the desire for money. Fundamentally, I think it is the cause of so many ills. We would be better off without it.

I have also been a talented sportsman and athlete. I never made the big-time in sports but I have done what I wanted. I have competed at a high level in a variety of disciplines and I have indulged myself in them at the time I believed I should. I always wanted to do sport as much as I could while I was young.

Liam "The Athlete"

I am thirty-two years old but I am the youngest thirty-two year old I know. I have an active mind and an active body. There are so many people I see who are successful in certain areas but I would not trade places with them. Some are dull, others angry. I see sad people, mad people and bad people. There are also unhealthy people, stupid people and dishonest people. They all have their own destiny. It is not mine.

Something that I have always hated in society is how people seem to live in boxes. So many live in boxes both literally, in terms of modern housing developments and metaphorically, as in “this is my life, I must just accept it.” That is insanity. You have no idea what your life has in store for you.

A few years ago, after an evening out, a colleague asked me if I liked living where I do. I could not help laughing as I replied in the negative and explained I would rather live on my own on the top of a mountain. He appeared shocked.

Ambition ought to be limitless. I suppose what is really at the core of my aspirations is that I will not allow anyone to categorise me. There is no single box in which you can place me – not professionally, socially, spiritually, or any other way.

Liam "The Rebel"

A lot of people worry about the future. In my mind, as long as I keep myself healthy, I can do whatever I like, whatever age I am. If on the other hand I am not healthy, well then I might just as likely be dead, so again it does not really matter.

I do not like to map things out but that is not to say that I do not think about the future. There are little pictures that pop into my head of what life might be like years from now. They are all pretty tranquil. I am not going to describe them here, but rest assured, they are good pictures, happy pictures and joyful pictures.

Patience is a virtue and I will be alright.

☺ Keep Smiling ☺