There’s a real malaise out there at the moment — a big collective meh.A “can’t be arsed” energy that’s seeping into everything. People are doing less, achieving less, putting in less… yet complaining more.Everything’s expensive… resources are tight… opportunities feel scarce…But at some point you’ve got to find some energy. And the doom talk?“The world... Continue Reading →

We used to laugh at conspiracy theorists — I did anyway, but now… who even knows what’s real anymore? We scroll past fake news, AI-cloned presenters and deepfake “breaking stories” that look more real than the real thing. Familiar faces saying weird things they never said, celebs doing new tricks from beyond the grave, politicians... Continue Reading →

A game of cat and mouse today at the #weymouth #70.3 The swim was canceled due to poor weather and so it was all about the bike and run. Whilst starting together, Matts superior bike legs and fitness left me gasping for breath, and so I had to hold back at half way, to avoid... Continue Reading →

Retirement: Still me, just slightly better - When Is Enough? At 51, retirement crosses my mind more than it used to. Not because I dislike my work. In truth, I wear several hats that I mostly enjoy. I’m a Sales and Marketing Director for a software company, which pays well and strokes the ego. I... Continue Reading →

The Misguided March: For my male mates, and the ladies trying to copy them. "You think you have time," Jack Kornfield once said - but do you?For many high-achieving men in their 40s and 50s, the relentless pursuit of success has become a suffocating burden.The corporate warriors who played by the rules, arrived early, stayed... Continue Reading →

From Idea to Impact: The Tidy Garden. Five months ago, The Tidy Garden was just a simple idea—something I started on the side to keep active and offer a bit of help to local people with their gardens. No business plan, no strategy, just a name, a rake, and a willingness to see where it... Continue Reading →

There’s something about approaching 50 that makes you reflect. Not in a crisis-driven, red-sports-car kind of way, but in a quiet, content acknowledgment of the journey so far. If you’d met me at 40, you might not have predicted how things look today. At 40, I was heavier, slower and drifting. Fitness wasn’t a priority... Continue Reading →

The world of work is changing. Gone are the days when a single 9-to-5 job was the only way to earn a living. These days, having a side hustle—a part-time venture alongside your main job—has become the norm. And let’s be honest, if your side hustle is something you enjoy, gets you outdoors, and brings... Continue Reading →

Let’s talk about something that’s becoming far too common: being ghosted by a cashier. You know the drill. You approach the counter and expect a simple interaction. Maybe a smile or a brief exchange of words, but instead, you are met with… nothing. They’re there, sure, but their attention? Entirely elsewhere. It feels rude, doesn’t... Continue Reading →

A little side project I've been working on for a while.... After long days working as a Sales and Marketing Director, there’s nothing better than stepping outside. I love breathing in the fresh air and sitting in the garden. I enjoy being alongside nature and my hand-dug nature pond. My professional world is filled with... Continue Reading →

So, you’ve just received the invite to the Christmas party and you're thinking - Who actually wants to go to that? A recent invite that I received was to the Bracknell Forest Runners Christmas party! What could be more awkward than trying to bond with people you only know as The Heavy Breather, Mrs Snot,... Continue Reading →

The Comeback King He’s back again, with tariffs high,Riding a rocket through darkened sky.“Make imports pay!” his rallying call,Whilst mixing cement, re-building the wall. Across the seas, he stirs the mess,No women in charge, not a single dress.Oil prices spike, but he doesn’t care,He’s got golf, and orange hair to prepare. Ukraine? he shrugs, “Hey,... Continue Reading →

I've often been told 'you should write a book' - so I have.... A super special thanks to my editor chum Mrs Meech. She's a proper author who's encouraged me to see this through to the end. Please check her out - Nicola Meech - and do buy her books! Other thanks to my tiny... Continue Reading →

Be honest. Life can sometimes feel like a drag, almost like a chore, right? So assuming you're human and your life isn't perfect, I thought I’d share my thoughts. Stop Wandering - Set Up Camp Here People like me are always itching to move on, do more, find a better spot and it often feels... Continue Reading →

I like writing poems,Most are poor,I’ll post them here weekly,You can offer a score. A simple process,I boil the kettle,In less than 5 minutesTo test I'm not mental? Corned Beef - A mans delight. So picture the scene,It’s twelve fourteen,It’s lunchtime soon,You know what I mean? I’ve done the toast,And buttered it twice,The biscuits are... Continue Reading →

I believe it is essential that our kids understand the value of money, graft for what they have, value what's in their pocket and recognise that nothing comes easy. As such, they both work and have from a young age whilst studying.It is my believe that if we give them everything, or it's handed to... Continue Reading →

“I don’t know how you do it”, is often what people first say, followed by “What type of calls do you get?”, and that’s normally when I think hard before offering a reply, which is often: Why wouldn’t you be a Samaritan? Firstly: Not everyone calls to kill themselves. There are many dark moments, but... Continue Reading →

Pre-Covid I was getting bored, which is rarely a good thing for people like me, and so I needed a new target.  Something hard, something that would keep me focused for a year or so, and something that might impact my life long-term. And thanks to a friend, who won’t even remember their comment, that... Continue Reading →

It’s a simple question isn’t it? Whilst often used as a conversation starter, with no real meaning, this question can be all it takes to encourage someone trying not to drink, to take their first.     Saying no to the offer of an alcoholic drink, especially at a work or social events, will be a... Continue Reading →

The Gospel Pass (Welsh: Bwlch yr Efengyl) is at the head of the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains in Wales, and it was the destination for Manzone7. Whilst the local town Hay-on-Wye has fast made itself the capital of the Literary festival, the only thing we’d be reading this weekend was a map, and badly… because we were... Continue Reading →

When it comes to fads, you name it, I’ve tried it.  Literally nothing has quite filled the hole in this soul, but let me tell you, that trying to get fit comes pretty close. Yep, it seems I’ve become an ex-drinking, ex-weed smoking, almost vegetarian exercise nutjob - #sorrynotsorry  But before you read on, understand... Continue Reading →

Hi Paul. You’re reading this letter because in 30 years’ time, when you’re 46, you looked back having recognised that it was at this point in your life, you needed a little support. This is because you’re just about to arrive at a number of crossroads, all at the same time, and it’s going to... Continue Reading →

I happily blame my #BRF buddy Nick for losing three nights of my life to this book by Rich Roll. Having met Nick at my running club, I wasn't overly surprised that his book recommendation was a running book - but it wasn’t the book I thought it would be. Some may know I often... Continue Reading →

The first chat is often splattered with hilarious stories surrounding booze, cars, work situations, money etc and it's always insightful, but as a professional listener, I’m hearing a different narrative. ‘Please like me’ is what they are saying – ‘I’m fun?’. But they are no-longer having fun, and it’s why they’re talking to me. I... Continue Reading →

Swanage is a coastal town and civil parish in the south east of Dorset, England and it is at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck Population: 9,601 and that’s where the http://www.Camping-Jedi.com trip started this October. Other than the chat with PC Plod on the way, who gifted me 3 special points, it was... Continue Reading →