So I have been wondering when it is that we lose are risk taking behaviour or maybe it is more about when we develop the notion of something being risky?
When we are children we try, do, experience difficult and new things every moment of the day. We learn to ride bikes, we learn to read, we climb trees, ride horses at break neck speed and we create and explore our imagination.
I have had a number of conversations with friends who are considering the next step in their life: to have another baby, to seek another job, to date a boy, to marry, to move house or country. Now while none of these things are straight forward it is curious that we no longer embrace change, every where we look are choices where something must be sacrificed to achieve the next thing. I am sure that a child of 5 doesn’t debate the use of paints over crayons, the merit of cycling with or with training wheels?
So when is it that we learn to be afraid of change? And when is it that we look for certainty before leaping? When is it that we learn that to do something is riskier than actually doing nothing?
And it is this notion that is most curious. Why is it that inaction is seen as less risky? To stay in a relationship that doesn’t work seems silly. But does the reverse? To dive into a relationship that may work is risky. To stay in a job you don’t like is crazy but to leave it is risky.
Odd isn’t it. 
So I am going to challenge myself to try to see the status quo as the most risky position and the change as the least when the next opportunity arrives.
Look out!
Facebook is an amazing innovation. 
It allows us to dip into the lives of friends, family, acquaintances and other random people you meet at a click. It is staggering what gets announced on that site. The spectrum is huge; what people had for breakfast, engagements, pregnancies, hangovers and births. Birthday cards are redundant you can leave a note on their ‘facebook wall’!
It has to be the most effective, yet laziest way to communicate with people!
The other curious feature is the profile picture. There is a lot of communication in that image; new parents always have their new baby as their facebook identity, new couples display two smiling faces, single boys have action shots, people younger than me have random, quirky shots. It is all rather intriguing.
So I wonder quite what I project with my picture choices, my one line update?
A few weeks ago now – I dashed off to see the Normandy beaches along with the likes of Barack Obama, and the required splash of royalty and policticians. As with all places in Europe that have seen the ravages of war early last century, it is almost unfathamable what had happened. The beach is sandy, the sea tranquil. In fact you can even by a sneaky icecream on top of the dunes.
A far cry to the noise, carnage and fear that was experienced along the coast line in June, 65 years ago. And despite these memories there were veterns in uniform with families and friends. Smiling and chatting in groups. This being said if you watched carefully you could see a moment of sorrow flicker across their face. I can not imagine what it must take to go to war – then or now.
I suspect it is a compulsion rather than anything more calculated that led those people to jump from boats and planes into an armed, and equally as bold and frightened enemy.
War remains such a curiosity for many. While we were there talking to the people who were there, who fought, we met as many people who were playing ‘dress ups’; wearing the kit, sleeping in replica-camps and zooming about in replica cars. It did seem a bit odd to have the fantasy-fancy dress camp together with the real thing. Peculiar.
I am pleased to have been. To have listened to the people who were there.
Where is the sunshine? This is summer after all. 
It was even the soltice this weekend – lots of people floating about in long frocks at Stonehenge, people playing violins in amongst the ancient stones. The peak of the sunlit days been and gone. But where is the heat?
Where are the hot days? Where you are desperate for watermelon, shade and ice blocks in your drinks!
Today was grey – looking out the window nothing but pale grey clouds…………So is it to early to be moan the lost summer 2009?
Having decided to take a break from the blog so many outrageous things have happened that I am back!
First there was the tube strike. I still do not understand what that was about – beyond my assumptions that they want more money, less hours. The usual. What they achieved was complete grid lock on the streets and roads of London. Hobbling what was left of the public transport system.
Why: If there is a transport strike why do people think that it is a good idea to drive to work? Do they think that no one else is going to also have this genius idea?
Equally annoying was that it was the week I decided to sell my bike – whoops!
Second I have met yet another guy who thinks that it is okay that the first time you meet to ask whether you want children and why you don’t have a little bundle of joy yet? And to further outrage explained that the best way to divide up the household chores was that the person who doesn’t work does all of them, and the person who gets to go to work is the one who earns the most. Well that would be the man on average!?
Why: and where do these people come from? The 1950s?
Third, in the third week of May, beginning of June the media proclaims, predicts and promises that this summer will be the best ever – droughts and hose pipe bans are predicted.
Why: do they do this? It never comes true and raises expectations of suntans, BBQs and swimming.
If you have any other ‘why’s let me know. I have to dash to work now but feel better with the venting of the spleen…. oh but I have two more:
Why do tights that are ladder resistant also make a hole in the toe?
Why do I always chose boys I can’t have?
Hurrumph…. right best go to work!
As is the tradition in summer people take a break or a holiday. And I am going to do just that for the next few weeks – so shall be back at the end of July.
So just to let those who read often I am still here but am having trouble finding inspiration (or the right amount of frustration) to fill the pages at the moment.
So to quote the over quoted ” I will be back”
Just in July!
