All good things must end. So with a month left on the clock here in Kenya, I am reminded that the ‘next stage’ of life looms. At the end of 2009 I took a break from the day-in day-out drive of running a business – partly because I was burnt out, and partly because the … Continue reading Looking To The Future (Then Trying To Ignore It)
Category: Lifestyle
Truth is God
Your closest friends, partners or family – do they know how you really feel? I feel that as a society, we tell people too often what they want to hear. ‘Oooh, what a nice dress’ or ‘yes I absolutely agree’, or ‘what a nice little dog’ are expressions that spring too rapidly to our lips, … Continue reading Truth is God
Building a Simple House… or Not
When I set off for this magical land, Kenya, 7 months ago to build a house many, my friends and family included, thought I was a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic. The jury is still out. The house is going smashingly, but there are a few things I’ve learnt along the way about … Continue reading Building a Simple House… or Not
No News Is Good News
Apparently there’s a mad despot at large, causing difficulties for his nation and the world beyond. Sorry, I take that back... There’s always a mad despot at large. Probably always will be. The madder, the badder and the more shocking, the more newspapers (or now e-subscriptions) the media sell. One of the things I’ve tried … Continue reading No News Is Good News
Angling for Simplicity
We’re programmed to do things: Get up early. Read a book. Don’t slouch in front of the telly. Be productive. Get going. Time is money. Life’s too short. Bollocks to that. I read a delightful interview with Chris Yates the other day – which can be found here. Not only did I love the picture … Continue reading Angling for Simplicity
Ode to Life and Africa
It was with great sadness that I learned that one of my friends passed away last week. Even though I wrote about impermanence recently, it is still hard, so very hard, to know such a colourful life is no more. I remember spending a month sitting on the shores of Lake Malawi next to my … Continue reading Ode to Life and Africa
The Simple House
A few people have asked me what I'm doing posting simple thoughts from Kenya, rather than from within a yurt near Glastonbury, or in Marin. Which, given my skin's disposition to redden at the slightest hint of sun, or hypocrisy, is a fair question. I realise I've neglected to mention what I'm up to. Shame on … Continue reading The Simple House
How To Do Lazy Days Properly (Part 2)
When thinking about the VLD, I decided to do some research into taking time off in general. Yes, there is a delightful irony in spending time working on finding out about taking time off... but I enjoyed it, so there. It seems I'm not alone when it comes to promoting VLD (Very Lazy Days). Some … Continue reading How To Do Lazy Days Properly (Part 2)
The VLD – How To Do Lazy Days Properly
This post is a tribute to Randall Sadleir, the grandfather of one of my greatest friends. ‘Randy’ was a master of acronym – a trait that was passed onto his son, who endearingly called Randy BOB, short for ‘Blind Old Bastard’. Or, when he had his cataracts removed, Ex-BOB. Randy lived in a basement flat, … Continue reading The VLD – How To Do Lazy Days Properly
Girls Gone Mild – The Power of The Ordinary
The great lesson ... is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that is to be found in one's daily life, in one's neighbors, friends, and family, in one's back yard ... -- Abraham Maslow I’ve read T.S Eliot’s The Lovesong of J Alfred Prufrock a few hundred times. Each time I read it I … Continue reading Girls Gone Mild – The Power of The Ordinary
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