Photography

I took a photography class last year and I haven't done very much with it. My focus last year was to get some other bits of studying out of the way. Now that I'm done with that, I hope to be able to spend more time on my photography.I'm going to start with a weekly photography assignment to get me back into the swing of taking pictur...

Book time to eat the dog, soap making b sarah a...

The age of cheap

David Bosshart in his book 'The age of cheap,' proposes a very interesting theory. He says, that the welfare state in western europe essentially developed because it was competing with communism. With the fall of communism in 1989, competition was removed and thus the 'motivation to finance the welfare stat...

The weather

I now understand the British obsession with the weather. It's because the weather here is so gloomy. Even I have started talking about the weather.Yesterday for example, was a glorious winter day - relatively warm and SUNNY! I spent most of the day outside and on my way back home, I starting thinking about how wonderful it is to live in London.I'm consumed by thoughts of what to (workwise), so much so that over the last few months, I've ignored the cultural and creative opportunities London throws at you - museums, art galleries,...

Managing language

I'm struggling with language at the moment. Russian and French that is. Every time I want to say something in French, the equivalent Russian word pops into my head. Very annoying. Does anybody have any tips on 'managing' langua...

Careers for the global nomad

I have a friend's 17 year old daughter staying with me at the moment. She's in London to attend interviews at universities she's applied to. We got talking about whether a 17-year-old really knows what she wants to do. I mean most teenagers might think it would be great to be a doctor or lawyer or dentist but have no real world information on what the job is actually like. It got me thinking about my own career and the careers of people around me.... ones I know personally and others (the more famous types) who are always the...

Meditation: Getting Started

"A few basic exercises on focusing your attention.- Begin by sitting on a cushion with your legs crossed or, if that's uncomfortable, in a chair or even lying on your back, but always with your back straight and body relaxed. Your eyes may be closed, half-closed or open.- Be at ease. Be still. Be vigilant.- Take three slow, gentle, deep breaths, breathing in and out through the nostrils. Let your awareness permeate your entire body as you breathe, noting any sensations that arise. Now settle your respiration in its natural flow....