A moment of inspiration

Sometime in February I wrote a blog post bemoaning the amount of jobs that existed in this world which I thought contributed nothing to society (sports agents, political spin doctors and "life coaches" were among those I think I targeted with my ire).

I will admit though that the starting point of that blog was sports professionals; why, I thought, should people be paid for playing a game? What have they contributed to society by, for example, kicking a pig's bladder around a field for an hour and a half? How does that help anyone except themselves?

But there was something missing in my analysis I think, I failed to realise that the contribution to society from a person doesn't necessarily have to be tangible or measurable. Sometimes the contribution is more abstract, more difficult to define. Sometimes it is simply a case of providing inspiration, providing hope.

Our lives are essentially a collection of stories and memories; those of ourselves and those who we encounter along the way. We often have an unhealthy obsession with what other people are doing (our neighbours, celebrities etc...) but sometimes the stories that are told by other people's lives provide inspiration to our own. And this intangible element is one I admit I have overlooked in the past.

Sometimes we don't realise what can be achieved until we see other people achieve it. We seem to be overly cautious, finding reasons why things can't be done. Often all it takes is a spark, that moment of realisation that maybe whatever it is isn't beyond us. We hear people's stories, see where they came from and we begin to understand that people aren't so different in the end.

A lot of the time the only difference is whether some has taken that spark of inspiration (from wherever it comes) and chosen to do something with it. It is not always easy, or even obvious a lot of the time, but these moments cross our paths more frequently than we take them. So do we "sieze the day" as it were, accept the inspiration and try to mould it into something? Or do we resist the moment and shy away from the chance to maybe be an inspiration ourselves?

I believe it is within everyone to make that choice. That spark will come, the moment that has the potential to change everything if you just allow it to. Be bold, be courageous and, most importantly, don't be afraid. Fact is there may be very little stopping you except your imagination, your desire and your will. Life is short so make sure your story is the one that is heard, you never know who might be listening.

Till next time,
DT

Coming thick and fast

After a bit of a lull between challenges we have now hit "busy season". Between now and the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest on November the 8th I appear to be attempting the following:

• Total Warrior (10km)
• River Rat (10km)
• Tough Mudder (18km)
• Spartan (5km)
• Reaper (2 x 10km)
• Men's Health (10km)

Six challenges and 73km across a mere 101 days (plus hopefully this accursed zipline). 

The longest between events is 3 weeks and the shortest will be the few hours between the day and night versions of Reaper! I pretty much blame Rick entirely for this and I will make sure I moan at him continually before, during and after all of these events.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anything but genuinely excited about this little stretch. It is a chance to try and get myself fit and really get out there and do something positive. I'm lucky enough to be still able to even attempt these challenges and even more fortunate to be raising awareness and funds for such a fantastic charity along the way.

First up is Total Warrior (Challenge #15) on Saturday. It's been a wee while (April in fact) since I last encountered the mud and it'll be great to feel its sticky goodness again. Wish me luck and please check out the website if you get a chance. It would mean a lot.

Till next time,

DT

REVIEW: Dark Space (Dark Space #1) by Jasper T. Scott

Jasper T. Scott’s Dark Space is another one of the increasing number of self-published novels appearing these days, helped by the growing appetite for digital books and websites like Amazon offering this capability.

This was also another of Amazon’s recommendations based on my purchase history, and another book which cost me the square root of nothing on my kindle. There really are plenty of very good books out there which you can pick up for nothing (or very little) if you know where to look

There are some inherent problems with self-published books that you have to learn to be tolerant of; they simply don’t have the level of copy-editing or proof-reading available that the more traditionally published books too. So you get a few more grammatical and spelling errors and they occasional typesetting blooper.

But if you are able to get past this and enjoy the stories for what they are then there are some real gems out there.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The humans lost the war. The Sythians invaded the galaxy and all but wiped out human kind. A small pocket of them still survive, safe for now in the last remaining human sector, Dark Space. Human kind is on the brink of annihilation and only the starship Valiant, which guards the only route in or out of Dark Space, stands capable of defending them.

But how long will it be before the Sythians find them and finish the job? And will the Imperium tear itself apart from the inside and save the Sythians the trouble?

Dark Space itself is a gritty and grim place, a function of a broken down society struggling to survive. The protagonist (Ethan) is a freelance ex-convict who owes a big-time crime lord more than he has. In order to cover his debt he is coerced into infiltrating sabotaging the Valiant for the benefit of his creditor, but in doing so is he dooming human kind to their fate?

As the story progresses Ethan begins to learn more about the Imperium and their activities. Are they in actual fact jeopardising the entire human race rather than protecting as they claim to be? Before Ethan can gather all the facts, his mission takes a turn for the unexpected and he realises that there is so much more going on that he understood. Now it becomes a case of ensuring his own survival and trying to rescue those few people who still mean anything to him.

Scott draws on elements of numerous space-based science-fiction series such as Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica. The world he has created operates on the underbelly with shady characters, very little loyalty and an “everyman for himself” feel to it.

He has managed to create an interesting universe here, one in which not everything is as it seems and there is far less black and white than we are often used to seeing. Pretty much every character we encounter has a fundamental flaw somewhere along the lines which is quite refreshing to see.

The action fairly cracks along in places with numerous space battles and plenty of interaction between the relatively limited number of characters. The plot does take some interesting twists along the way, particular a last chapter effort that feels both seismic and also very forced (if that makes sense). Time will tell whether this is an inspired decision or one to be regretted.

  

Scott’s characters are nothing too original or out of the box here. You have your lovable rouge, your sidekick/love interest, a thoroughly unlikeable but (probably) over-hyped bad guy and the various rag-tag assortment of military and civilian stereotypes that this type of work generally includes. They aren’t bad characters at all, and there is enough depth about most of them to get you suitably invested in their adventures. Just don’t expect anything you haven’t seen before

Some of the other reviews I have read are critical of the “science” aspects of the story, such as “you can’t see laser beams in space” but I am perfectly prepared to overlook minor details like this. To be honest, for me you can do whatever you want with the laws of physics in your universe as long as you are consistent with it.

So overall Dark Space was nothing earth-shattering but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The plot was of sufficient quality and depth to keep my interest and I like the universe Scott has created for his characters to play in. There is plenty here to suggest that the series will grow and improve as it goes along and he has left enough of a carrot to draw you back in for the later instalments.

Verdict: 4 stars out of 5

REVIEW: Land of Shadows (The Gatekeeper Series #1) by Jeff Gunzel

Well I'm nearly through my reviews of all my holiday books. Just in time to have another batch of books finished and in need of a review too!

This one was an "Amazon Recommended" book based on my previous purchases and my viewing history. It was also free I think so I wasn't expecting too much. I read a few reviews and most of them said that it wasn't a bad story but that it was let down by some really bad editing.

The book was actually self-published by Gunzel himself and I think I have an updated version because, to be honest, there were no more editing errors here than in any other book I've read recently.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Land of Shadows starts off at a reasonable pace, though there are some quite unpleasant scenes in the few first few chapters. This book is graphic in places and certainly not one to sit down with the kids and read! I found myself grimacing a couple of times early on but somehow the violence felt necessary.

Gunzel does however quickly set about laying down the characters and there is nothing new to readers of fantasy here. Eric, the Blacksmith's son, lives in a small rural village which is preparing for the annual summer harvest. He generally enjoys his life and has no real desire to leave. His best friend Jacob is a smooth-talking hit with the ladies who also knows his way around a quarterstaff.

Morcel is a mercenary who 10 years ago witnessed one atrocity too many and, as a result of his actions, ended up being branded a slave and forced to fight in the arenas in the capital. He has lasted longer than most but no-one lasts forever.

Jade is a young girl who has been training her whole life to fulfil her destiny. When The Gatekeeper comes of age she must find him and protect him with all her powers, as he is fated to save the world.

Sometime soon after Eric comes of age, things begin to happen. His village is attacked and he barely escapes with his life. He is eventually (despite at least one attempt on his life) rescued and along with his best friend Jacob and his "guardian" Jade sets of for the capital to begin to live up to the destiny he never knew he had.

In an interesting twist we are also given a glimpse into the life of the antagonist, a ruthless and cruel demon by the name of Dragot - who is also trying to find the Gatekeeper and destroy him before he can fulfil his destiny and save the world.

We are also given some background into the world of Tarmerria, its politics, history and the mysterious beings called "crytons" against whom the last war was fought. These clearly will become relevant soon but probably in a way no-one expected (again a classic fantasy plot line).

Make no mistake though, this is ambitious stuff. Gunzel has thought long and hard about this world and created a universe and story that goes far beyond the scope of this book. He should be given credit for that; a lot of people would settle for something safe with a nice easy plot which you can tie a bow round at the end. It is risky to invest the time and effort in creating a world when you have no idea whether the next instalment will ever see the light of day.

The plot itself is nothing original and pulls together elements from all the "best" fantasy series. There is a definite feeling of this being a collaboration of ideas-by-others in some places, but in Gunzel's defence there is very little in the fantasy genre that hasn't been done before in one guise or another!

I enjoyed the occasional glimpses into Dragot's world (if slightly sadistic and brutal) and don't real blame Gunzel from sticking to tried and tested techniques. The whole "farm-boy has to save the world but doesn't have any idea" could have come straight out of Wheel of Time or Eragon (to name just a few) but Gunzel does enough with his take to keep it fresh.

The characters of Eric and Jacob really do remind me at this early stage of Rand and Matt from the first few Wheel of Time novels, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing if Gunzel takes the time to develop them further in the later instalments.

Jade is more interesting but I hope that her character isn't reduced to the role of "romantic interest" only as is hinted at towards the end of the book. I think she has more to give and it would be disappointing if Gunzel went down this route too far.

Morcel, again, is someone we have encountered in different stories under different names but he also has enough about him to be interesting and worth finding out more about.

Land of Shadows is actually quite short and Gunzel packs a fair amount into the story. He is also trying to establish the characters and the environment at the same time too. As a result, some of the pacing can feel slightly inconsistent and rushed in places. I'd rather it was this way than the other way (turgid boring passages about nothing) but I felt he could have balanced things a touch better occasionally.

All in all though I was pleasantly surprised by Land of Shadows and will definitely be reading the rest of the series if it continues in this vein. I found the characters and storyline to be interesting, if not unique, and enjoyed enough of the universe Gunzel has created to be enticed back for another go.

Verdict: 4 stars out of 5

REVIEW: Raising Steam (Discworld #40) by Terry Pratchett

It is over 30 years since Terry Pratchett's first foray into the magical realm of the Discworld. 40 stories and 10-20 other publications have since followed, with over 80 million books sold in 37 different languages. If you want to talk about an epic series, then you have to look no further.

They don't have the depth of a Wheel of Time or a Lord of the Rings but the way Pratchett runs multiple themes through the series gives them a unique feel. While there is essentially a reading order to them you can often pick up any of the books and become immersed very quickly in an environment that is familiar.

The other good things about the Discworld series is the way Pratchett uses the events on Discworld to satirise real life, or alternatively basing his tales on something on our "roundworld". Raising Steam is one of the latter, heralding the Age of the Railways.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The world is changing. A young man from Sto Lat has worked out how to harness steam, now the race is on to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the advent of the railways. As always with anything new on the Discworld, it can only happen with the "permission" and input of Lord Vetinari. And when Vetinari needs a civil servant to keep the interests of Ankh-Morpork to the fore, he calls on Moist von Lipwig.

Having rescued the Royal Mint and fixed the Post Office, Moist is in the ideal position to maximise the potential of the railways, for profit of course. This is the third book to feature the ex-con von Lipwig and it follows a similar feel to the others. Moist somehow always manages to dig himself out of the holes that Vetinari happily puts him in.

Throw in a dwarf rebellion, some gender politics and plenty of goblins and you can very quickly see that Raising Steam is typically Pratchett. The old characters that we know and love are back, as good as ever. The news ones he weaves in are interesting and perfectly rendered in your mind within no time at all. The universe of the Discworld is 40+ books old but it never feels full or contradictory with things that have been before.

You kind of know where the story is going quite early in the piece, but that has always been Pratchett's way. He has always been more about the little touches; the nods to his fans, the throwaway lines that turn out to be very important, the small elements as opposed to relying on blockbusting plot twists or huge sweeping set pieces.

This story isn't actually one of his better ones. Once again the little touches are great but I felt the overall plot line was a little bit uninteresting this time. It's not by any stretch bad but I don't think it is one of his best. The idea of introducing the railways is great and the bits of the story around this are really enjoyable.

It was the dwarf rebellion story which felt a bit "tacked on", almost like Pratchett needed somewhere to go on the railway and this was what he came up with. It doesn't feel organic and natural. That particular plotline also got tied up a bit too quickly for my liking - once the train arrived everything went back to normal. Again, that just added to the feeling that the plotlines didn't really come together naturally.

Its amazing that Pratchett is still churning out these stories though, his mind seems as sharp as every despite the Alzheimer's which can't make his brand of story telling easy. Overall this is a pretty typical Pratchett tale, if you like what he brings to the table then you can't go wrong with this. It's not one of the classic Discworld tales but it is plenty good enough to keep you entertained for a bit, and there are (as always) one or two cracking moments which make the journey worthwhile.

Verdict: 4 stars out of 5

REVIEW: Black Lung Captain (Ketty Jay Tales #2) by Chris Wooding

*SPOILER ALERT*

So he were are again. Back in Chris Wooding's Firefly-inspired universe with Captain Frey and his ragtag bunch of misfits. A year has passed since the events of Retribution Falls and the crew of the Ketty Jay are pretty much exactly where we left them, doing the odd bit of smuggling and petty theft and hoping not to attract the attention of the Coalition Navy or the Century Knights.

The plot of Black Lung Captain follows a similar pattern to Retribution Falls. Once again Darian receives an offer that seems too good to be true, once again he takes it against his better judgement and once it again it blows up in his face. The crew are then forced to team up with someone they would rather not, someone who has a connection to Frey's past and who has already betrayed them once before.

Throw in a dark backstory for one of the characters, the odd revelation and plenty of things blowing up (both deliberately and accidentally) and you have the recipe for a good old fashioned adventure.

For those of you who have read the first book this slots nicely into place as a follow up. I guess this is your typical second book in a series. They tend to be a bit more expansive and a bit "braver", now that the author knows he has got the first one published and he can let his creativity shine through a bit more.

The story is a bit grander and the author is able to dedicate more time to the development of the characters and their backstories; always tricky to do with the first one as you are not sure whether this is the only book in the series that will ever see the light of day.

Wooding does a pretty decent job of spinning an enjoyable yarn too. There is nothing particularly ground-breaking here but there is enough to keep you entertained and a few nice little touches and twists which enable this to rise above the "normal".

The character dynamics are becoming more well defined and the interplay between them feels natural and organic. We are learning more about this world every day and you sense that Wooding has something more than just your "caper of the week" planned for the later installments.

As for Black Lung Captain itself, well it contains the usual amounts of intrigue and suspense. Wooding has thrown a few of the characters onto seemingly independent "story arcs" and there are several questions that get at least partially looked at through the book.

• What is the exact nature of the Manes and how does Jez fit in with them?
• Can Crake ever atone for his mistake in the first book?
• Will Hawkings get one over on the cat?
• Can Trinica and Frey put aside their past differences and work together, despite barely being able to stand each other?

I really did enjoy this book, it ripped along at a reasonably rate and (though the plot was nothing particularly new or clever) the story had enough about it to keep me entertained. The characters are becoming more rounded and even likeable in some cases, and there is plenty hinted at to imply that this series might be gathering a good bit of momentum.

Verdict: 4 stars out of 5

Challenges and Travelling

Been a busy day today. First thing this morning my brother-in-law and I headed over to Leeds for the Asda Foundation 10km run - Challenge #14 on Tom's Many Silly Adventures. We survived in one piece which is obviously great news indeed!!

A full review can be found at my Silly Adventures website. Don't forget why I am doing these events though, to raise money for Friends of Serenity and raise awareness of Trisomy 13 and other syndromes caused by chromosomal abnormalities. I'm delighted to report that we got confirmation of our full charity status this week, which is fantastic news and testament to all the hard work being put in by everyone.

So please please please visit the website and direct friends and family to it aswell. The more awareness we can raise, the more we can try to do something about these illnesses in addition to helping those who are dealing with them. Thank you.

In other news, I've finished my travel blog from my recent trip to Lisbon. It can be found here, any and all comments and thoughts are welcome. Hopefully you'll find it interesting, informative and useful if you have any plans to go to Lisbon. I'd definitely recommend you do, it is a great city with plenty to do and see.

I'm aware that I'm still a good 3/4 book reviews and one MOOC review behind schedule (at least) so I've got plenty to keep me going over the next week or so. Hopefully I'll have something on every day but for now, thanks for taking the time to read :o) As always, any feedback and comments are much appreciated - either on here or to doctortomowens@gmail.com

Till next time,
DT

REVIEW: Way of Kings Part 2 (Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

I finished Part 1 of Sanderson's epic-starting Way of Kings in about May time. I don't really like getting too immersed in one particular universe at any one time so I had to quickly remind myself where I had left this one. It proved very easy to do, mainly due to Sanderson's typically fantastic story-telling.

In actual fact, Brandon didn't really want to split this in two but the first book of the series is simply too large to put in one tome. So consequently the break point between the books is quite arbitrary so it doesn't feel like a new story. It's kind of like the 4 hour version of Lord of the Rings where you've got to flip the DVD over after about 2 hours or so!

*SPOILER ALERT*

So we are plunged right back into where we left off. Sanderson has always liked to weave strands together rather than rely on a single fast-paced plot to carry the narrative. That is part of the reason he did such a good job with tying up Robert Jordan's many Wheel of Time loose threads. And Way of Kings has three or four seemingly disparate plotlines that he is starting to bring into alignment.

Brandon wanted a big first book (or at least felt it was merited) partly because he wanted to take enough time to set the scene and develop the characters but also have a decent enough story to carry through the book. His characters are always engaging and interesting, and Way of Kings is no different. 

Kaladin is still stuck at the Shattered Plains, trying desperately not to get himself or any of his bridge crew killed. But is he more than he seems?

Dalinar's visions are becoming stronger and more incisive, but can he discover their meaning before it drives him insane? The war isn't going anywhere fast, the highprinces seemingly content to have the odd skirmish with the Parshendi but wary of committing more than they want to.

In the capital Shallan is fighting between loyalty to her family and her desire to learn about the world under the care of Jasnah. A stunning revelation changes everything for Shallan and she has a tough decision to make. Once which will change her life completely.

Where does Szeth fit in to everything? Who controls him, and what is their ultimate aim? 

And what happened with the Knights Radiant? Will they rise again to save the world from the Desolation?

You genuinely care about the people he is writing about, you want to know more about them and you find the pages flying by as you are drawn in to the world and its history. Sanderson doesn't do things by half and he loves to create huge universes for his characters to play in. The surface has only just been scratched but once again you are itching to know more.

The genre here is nothing you haven't seen before; fantasy and magic, an enemy to face down, epic battles, political infighting and squabbling, romance etc.. But Sanderson does these things so well that you don't really mind. He always manages to throw enough twists in to keep things interesting and his magic systems are among the best there are.

This is an epic-scale story, there is so much going on and even more hinted at. I read a lot of books and have a lot of series going on at once, but Sanderson's are always memorable and they are the ones that I graviate towards almost without thinking. His attention to detail, his love of his craft and his infectious desire to entertain keep me coming back more and more.

The second book of this (proposed) ten book epic is already out and it won't be very long at all until I'm cracking through that. This is what Sanderson does, he reels you in and keeps you desperate to get the next installment in your hands. 

Verdict: 4.5 stars out of 5

So much to catch up on!

Wow it has been a busy week or so.

I've been off enjoying the sun in Portugal and ticking capital city #16 off my list - Lisbon. I'll be doing a full TravelPod blog  as soon as I get a chance to so watch out for that in the next few days so keep an eye out for the link.

Travelling always gives me time to read a lot so I've also got four (yes, FOUR) book reviews to get through. The second part of Brandon Sanderson's epic-opening Way of Kings will be first up followed by book #2 of Chris Wooding's Firefly-inspired Ketty Jay Series. I also got time to finally crack through Terry Pratchett's latest discworld offering, Raising Steam, as well as starting a new series called The Gate Keeper which has a "standard" plot of "farm boy has to save the world" but was very enjoyable in its own right.

I also managed to finish my third MOOC, this one called Introduction to Forensic Science so that will be getting a quick review when I get a chance. I've got a couple more on the go as well so that is definitely keeping me nice and busy just in case I ever thought of having a rest.

The charity work is flying along with another challenge coming up on Sunday. Gareth (my brother-in-law) and I will be running the Asda Foundation 10km in Leeds. Well I say running, I'll be taking part and Gareth will probably do the running.

Add in some exciting news for our Friends of Serenity founder Jo who has been shortlisted for a couple of gongs at the Butterfly Awards (which celebrate survivors and champions of baby loss) and you can see it is full speed ahead there too aswell.

Plus it is my birthday tomorrow and I tend to get all introspective and reflective around my birthday these days. Hence I've got a couple of my more traditional blog posts that I'll be rolling out at some point.

Wow. Like I said, it has been a busy week or so. I like busy weeks. It is good to feel engaged and productive with my condition and I'm clearly on one of those manic cycles so I'd best take advantage while I can!!

Till tomorrow,
DT

Caught in a loop

Have you ever noticed that the same ideas keep coming round in your head? The same thoughts, the same concepts. Often they are subtly different but sometimes it is just the same thing looping round and round and round. I came to write my blog tonight and the first five topics I thought about have all been done at some point in the not too distant past.

It's not as if the world is short of things to write about either. I just seem to keep returning to the same things over and over again. I suppose it is the human brain equivalent of some kind of feedback loop, once you start thinking about one thing you are always drawn back to it. There is one particular drinking game (the Name Game) - some of the rules have been semi-nicked from here - that showcases this phenomenon quite accurately.

Everybody sits in a circle and someone starts by saying the name of someone famous, or pretty close to being famous as far as those people are concerned.

The next person says a name that starts with the first letter of the last name of the previous name. For example,

 
    Mel Brooks
        |
        Bart Simpson
             |
             Steve Redgrave
                   |
                   Richard Burton 
                           |
                           Bill Clinton
                                |
                                Chris Brown

If a player can't think of a name IMMEDIATELY, they must drink for the DURATION until they can think of an appropriate name.

Now you'd be amazed how difficult it is at this point to think of some whose first name begins with a B and who isn't either Bill Clinton or Bart Simpson! Why? Why does the brain get locked into this loop whereby all you can think of is TWO people in the whole world whose first name begins with a B.

I'm sure there is some very technical psychological terms for this behvaiour but, short of that, I'm going to describe this as a teeny bit bizarre. The mind has got locked into a weird loop and (maybe as you are under pressure and/or quite boozed) it reverts back to its short term memory and tries to drag stuff up from there. Maybe I'm talking crap, but it seems a pretty reasonable explanation!

Well that is pretty much what has been going on in my head everytime I've tried to think of a blog post recently. I'm putting it down to the need for a holiday but who knows what is actually going on up there. All I know is that I can guarantee within a few weeks I'll be thinking "why don't I write a blog about how difficult it is to write original posts". The whole cycle will happily repeat itself over and over it seems.

On the plus side I have just about managed to write a blog post about the fact that I can't think of anything new to write about, so maybe the old grey matter isn't as useless as I'm giving it (lack of) credit for!

Till next time,
DT

Quick Friends of Serenity Update

It's been a month or so since I last gave you on update on the Friends of Serenity adventure. We are flying along with our fund-raising efforts, with almost £15,000 raised to date. Plenty of people as well as myself are getting involved in challenges and the like and it is fantastic to see so many folks rallying to the cause. Check out the Recent News section of the Friends of Serenity website for more information, and to find a cause to donate to if you want to contribute.

As for myself, well its that time again when a big raft of challenges get booked and I start to worry that I maybe need to get a bit more training done!! My Silly Challenges website has all the information about what I'm doing and when, please go and check out the extent of my crazy ideas for the next few months.

What is coming up soon? Well touch wood I will FINALLY be doing Challenge #6 which is the 1.5km long Snowdon Zipline. Check out the website to see this amazing experience and also check out some of the other cool things they offer (hint: it involves underground trampolines). Challenge #6 is scheduled for Friday, I'll keep you posted.

Challenge #14 will be on 20th July - the Asda Foundation Leeds 10km and the next mud run will be on the 2nd August. We've plenty more to come in the rest of the year; a 10 km "wet" obstacle race, Tough Mudder, Spartan and a repeat of Manchester Men's Health. All good fun and plenty to keep me fit.

In addition check out my latest news post with a bit of information about a new mud/obstacle racing team that I've joined. Team Primal is brand new and we really looking forward to getting some quality training in before tackling some great events. These things are always better with friends after all.

So that is where we are at the moment. I'll have a full review of Challenge #6 on Friday if it goes according to plan. In the meantime, try something fun and different yourself - it's well worth the effort!!

Till next time,
DT

Learning Online

I successfully completed my very first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) the other week, and with a 92% final grade too - which proves I've still retained some smarts despite everything!! For those of you who haven't encountered MOOCs before I shall quote the Wikipedia entry for you;

A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC; /muːk/) is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via theweb. In addition to traditional course materials such as videos, readings, and problem sets, MOOCs provide interactive user forums that help build a community for students, professors, and teaching assistants (TAs). MOOCs are a recent development in distance education which began to emerge in 2012.

In simple terms, they are online "modules" in various topics that can be bundled together or taken individually. Most of the time you can do the course for free but if you want a certificate then you often have to pay a small fee for one. Typically the duration is 6-8 weeks with about 3-4 hours per week of work required (depending on your pre-existing knowledge and your ambitions).

There are several well established course providers online such as edX, Coursera and FutureLearn (an Open University initiative) and the list of Universities who offer courses through these providers is impressive, including such heavyweights as MIT, Harvard, Edinburgh and Warwick. I've found the range of courses available to be impressive too, there is definitely something for everyone.

QUICK REVIEW
The one I recently completed was an 8 week course called Tropical Coastal Ecosystems run by the University of Queensland on the edX platform. This was one of those that actually gives you a nice shiny certificate for free, which was nice.

The course itself appears pretty typical of most of the MOOCs I've seen; weekly lectures and lecture questions which account for maybe 25% of the marks, homework each week which accounts for maybe 50% of the marks in total and a final exam/project for the remaining 25% ish.

This was a very enjoyable course from start to finish, it is a really nice balance of topics concerning both the science of these environments but also the challenges associated with maintaining and preserving. I didn't find it too challenging but definitely learnt loads and found it fascinating from start to finish. It does take a bit of work and you can't just breeze through it but it is definitely one worth having a pop at.

So go check out those websites, find something that interests you and treat yourself to a bit of intellectual stimulation. It is great fun and you never know what you might find out.

Till next time,
DT

Things that happen: Part 3 - Reaction

A little bit later than originally planned but time for Part 3 of my little blog mini-series about events and their impacts.

I've already looked at two critical elements for determining the overall effect that a particular event might have, namely the context and the timing. I now want to look at the third important element, possibly the most vital of them all, which is reaction.

In terms of our ability to affect and control the impact of events we have a much more limited influence on timing and context. Yes we can anticipate events and try to alter the profile of an impact, so to speak, but we generally have very little control over these aspects. Reaction on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish.

The impact of an event is often only as important or as unimportant as WE choose to make it. I'm not saying shitty things don't happen or that everything can be fixed with a "can do" attitude. I'm just saying that often our reaction to an event can be the most important factor in determining the impact or severity of that event. Perspective and a hint of positivity can go a long way.

It is difficult sometimes obviously. Not everything can be dealt with positively, and not everything should be. There are certain events for which there is no rational and logical approach. Some things need to be cried about, some things ARE the end of the world and some things should be taken seriously. But it is important to always remember that your reaction is one of the things that define an event and often a sense of proportion can be lost when reactions are, well, "poor".

I have been terrible in that past at this. My reaction to certain things is a big part of the reason I am where I am. There were things that, looking back now, I got terribly terribly wrong. Events that were difficult were made impossible and events that were trivial were made difficult. Situations that should have been easy to solve became difficult and my life ended up taking a path it probably didn't have to.

The most important thing is to learn to recognise HOW your behaviour and reaction to an event can affect its impact, even after the event has happened. This is not something that is particular common in nature where cause tends to lead to effect with no place for post-event "control". But we have the ability and the power to shape that effect, to make it what we need it to be and not just a function of the factors which caused it.

This is why I think our reaction to things is even more important than the timing or the context. We can have a direct influence on things (both for good and for bad) and I think too many people don't understand that. Or maybe they sub-consciously don't enjoy the responsibility. A lot of people are too quick to complain when everything goes against them without realising that a lot of the time (not all of the time I grant you) their reaction to things can actually greatly influence the net impact. Maybe they like being able to blame something rather than face the (sometimes difficult) choice of what can be done about it.

I have found it a very important step at dealing with my bipolar. Sometimes it can feel like the world is spiralling away from you and there is nothing you can do about it. You feel trapped, isolated and complete helpless. But that doesn't have to be the case all the time. There are things we can do about it, things we can control which can help with managing the situations.

Positivity and an understanding that WE have a much greater say in things than we sometimes believe is a small step of the way. And if we also become better at finding a sense of perspective and taking some responsibility for events then I genuinely think we can make a difference.

So always remember, events are shaped by causes - but they are often shaped just as importantly by how WE react to them and how we choose to allow the consequences and impacts to manifest.

Till next time,
DT

Slight change of plans

Tonight was supposed to Part 3 of my little mini-series but unfortunately something has come up so I won't get to writing a new post today. I'll do it tomorrow instead :-)

To fill the gap I'm going to cheat MASSIVELY and re-use a post from a good few years ago. I've seriously been neglecting my live music fix this year and am hoping I should be able to get to a few gigs before Christmas if I get my ass in gear. To try and inspire me, I dug out my "best gigs I've ever been to" post and have shamelessly copied it here. I think it is still relevant and hopefully will get you thinking about yours.

#8 Madness – Nynex Arena, Manchester (late 1990s)

My very first live music gig (if you don’t count classical music spectaculars at Tatton Park). Madness seem to have the ability to put anyone in a good mood; that upbeat jazzy ska style just gets your feet moving. Despite not knowing that many of their tunes at the time I went with a few mates, mainly as it wasn’t that expensive and I figured it was as good a way to spend a Friday evening as anything else on the table. By the end I was a fully converted Madness fan and the love affair with live music had begun. I saw them the at V- 2012 and they hadn't lost a step. Not a bad place to start.

#7 Newton Faulkner – The Lowry, Manchester (2010)

Occasionally an act comes along that you simply need to experience live in order to appreciate how talented they are and to get a better understanding of what they and their music are all about. Newton Faulkner is that guy. First things first, he is good, very good. He is even better live. It is not just the music but the whole ambience and good old fashioned “down-to-earthiness” he brings which makes him so appealing. 
He is busy (playing almost every sound himself via a bizarre arrangement of contraptions), he is conversational throughout and he appears to be having just as much fun playing to the audience as the audience is watching him. The Lowry was the perfect setting too, feeling slightly more intimate than an outdoor stage or big venue yet with exceptional acoustics which really enhanced the full range of sounds and tones Newton brings. Oh and he looks a bit like Sideshow Bob!

#6 The Proclaimers – T in the Park (2003)    

Sometimes a good gig can be made as much by the company you are in as the band themselves. T in the Park 2003 was a festival that will forever live in the memory; I have more stories to tell from those 3 days deep in the countryside than from every other festival put together. This day particularly there was a buzz in the air, it was 30+ degrees and the sun was shining. 
Mid afternoon found a group of about 6-8 of us standing at the 2^nd stage at T in the Park surrounded by thousands of (mainly) Scots dancing like a bunch of absolute monkeys to I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). We danced like that for the best part of an hour, basking in the simple pleasures of good old-fashioned tunes you can sing your heart out to and the after effects of too much Tennents, Buckfast and general revellery from the night before.

#5 Ocean Colour Scene – Manchester Apollo (2011)

I’m a big believer that going to see a band live should be a completely different experience when compared to listening to an album by yourself at home. It’s a vastly contrasting environment and the last thing you want is to simply hear the album as you would at home. EXCEPT this time. Ocean Colour Scene’s “Moseley Shoals” Tour was the antithesis of everything I’ve just said, and it was brilliant. Despite knowing (for the first ¾ of the gig anyway) exactly what was coming next the sense of excitement was still there throughout. 
From the opening bars of Riverboat Song, through Day We Caught the Train and The Circle and on into some of the lesser known gems towards the end of the album, this was an example of how to keep it simple and yet it was an absolute triumph. Sometimes, when an album is this good, just play the damn thing from start to finish. Oh, and the “extra” tunes after the break didn’t exactly let the side down either.

#4 Foo Fighters – Leeds Festival (2002)

Nirvana were ones of those bands that I was generally aware of without really knowing a great deal of their stuff. Every knew Kurt Cobain and his story but a couple of years before I’d caught a few songs from a band called the Foo Fighters lead by someone that one of my friends described as “the REALLY talented one out of Nirvana”. It was decent enough and between that 2000 show and this one I’d bought everything they had ever recorded and was fully ready for the follow-up. 
What I wasn’t ready for was Dave Grohl’s energy, enthusiasm and considerable talent. Make no mistake, this is no drummer who ended up leading a band by a curious set of circumstances, Dave Grohl is as good a front man as there is out right now. He is multi-talented (just check out the Foo’s first album where he plays everything himself), a real showman and a seemingly genuinely likeable guy who doesn’t appear to take himself too seriously, no doubt influenced by the torment from seeing Cobain destroyed by the same thing. 
On this night he and the band were simply magnificent and this was a tour de force of live grunge/soft rock. From the opening choppy guitar work at the start of All My Life through classics such as Monkey Wrench, Learn to Fly and My Hero to the sensational encore consisting of the acoustic, haunting Tired of You and the magnificence of Everlong this was breathtaking.

#3 The Prodigy – V Festival (2005)

Three years after seeing a pretty disappointing Prodigy set at Leeds Festival I didn’t have massive hopes for this gig but the alternative was the Scissor Sisters and (with all due respect) there wasn’t much of a conversation to be had. What a decision. Part of Prodigy’s 10 year celebrations, this was simply mind-blowing from the opening notes through 90 minutes of bedlam to a jaw-dropping finish on Smack My Bitch Up and Outer Space.  Every band member was on top form and the razor sharp performances still bring a tingle all these years later. Fireworks were going off, the whole place absolutely buzzed from start to finish and words really can’t articulate what it felt to be in that crowd that night.

#2 Muse – Lancashire CCC (2010)

I am an unashamed Muse fan. I have everything they have ever released and have seen them numerous times in concert spanning the years and all the studio albums. Of all the Muse gigs though, something about this early September evening at Old Trafford CC will live in the memory for a long time. I was expecting great things and was not disappointed. As the sun set over the stage; the explosion of noise, sound and vibrancy started and didn’t stop for nigh on 2 hours. 
Matt Bellamy’s haunting voice transcends the whole thing but these guys really are a perfect combination of power and finesse and are masters of performance. Song after song was performed to perfection with the patented Muse touches; think long solos, huge sing-a-longs, expertly choreographed lights/effects and a playlist picked to perfection with the ideal balance of new, old, slow and fast. This was a band at the absolute height of their powers.

#1 Oasis – Reading Festival (2000)

My first festival, first night headliners, pouring rain, electrical thunderstorm going off all around the venue. This was, quite simply, the greatest set or gig I have ever had the privilege to witness. It was mind-blowing, nerve-tingling and almost life-alteringly good. They’ve had their ups and downs but on this August night in a field in Southern England, Oasis were simply transcendent. This was live music at its absolute pinnacle, nothing else seemed to matter except to be there and soak in every single minute. They were simply epic from start to finish. 
Every time I hear Don’t Look Back in Anger my whole body shivers as I remember this night. Noel barely sang a word of it; he didn’t need to as the crowd sang it for him. Champagne Supernova would have lifted every roof off every venue in the world bar none and the sing-along to Wonderwall could probably have been heard around the globe. For a 20 year old (at the time) Mancunian this was seminal. Possibly I will never see or hear the like again but to have witnessed something like this just once is enough.

So there you have it. 8 amazing gigs for 8 very different reasons. Hopefully that has inspired you to get out and get listening to some live music, it really is the way forward.

Till tomorrow,
DT

Things that happen: Part 2 - Context

Part 2 of my little mini-series concerning events and their impacts. Last time I talked about the importance of timing and how that can influence the overall actual impact of an event. But often just as important as timing is the context of an event, the background against which that event might take place.

Things are rarely black and white. It is rarely the case that something is completely one thing or the other. Shades of grey permeate all aspects of our life - not THOSE shades of grey though, I'll be steering well clear of those! And it is the same with events, the context is so important to determining the impact which a particular occurrence will ultimately have.

The first thing to remember with events is that the impact will be inherently different for all observers of that event. For example, the impact of a train delay is inextricably linked to your other travel plans. A minor train delay can have essentially one of three major impacts (1) it might make you late for your next connection - negative impact (2) your previous connection was late but the delay has allowed you to make this connection - positive impact (3) you don't have a connection - neutral impact. One event, three contexts and so three net impacts.

But there are other scenarios in which context is vital. Some occurrences of the "same" event can have vastly different impacts dependent on the other conditions and criteria. For example, losing your keys is usually much more of a concern when you are trying to get into somewhere as opposed to getting out. The critical event is essentially identical but the impact is significantly less in one scenario than the other.

We have to be careful to take context into account when analysing an event and the impact it is having. The same event won't always have the same impact. The severity of the impact is also subject to the context - we are back again at shades of grey rather than a black and white view of things.

One of the things I know I have been poor at in the past is overreaction - overplaying the impact of something without stopping to really think about the context. Treating things as a "disaster" without really taking the time to actually consider what the impact really was. I know it used to drive Nat crazy and I can definitely understand where she was coming from on that front!!

So it is key to take a step back from events and assess the impact properly. Don't just assume that the impact is always the same for similar events and try to consider the positive contextual aspects as well as concentrating on the fact that it could be a disaster. And also think about the scale of the impact, as it is rarely at one end or the other.

I touched last week on events in which time and context were both key factors in determining an overall impact and in truth it is more often the case that the impact is a function of both of these rather than just one.. Rarely do you have time without context (or vice-versa) and the interplay between the two is important in determining the overall impact.

Timing and context are both inherent factors to an event and you often don't have a significant amount of real influence on these. Usually the best you can do is try to prepare and to minimise the negative impact from the event. This leads on to the factor that I want to talk about next time, the reaction to an event.

In many ways this is the key element, as this is the one that you have the most control over and the one that you can manipulate with a much higher degree of freedom. So in the next blog I will look at this, at how the event impact can actually be shaped by what takes place AFTERWARDS, rather than before and during.

Hope you are enjoying this little mini-series. I'm hoping to do a few more along similar lines so any feedback you have would be great. You can either make comments at the bottom or if not then drop me an email at doctortomowens@gmail.com - it will make a nice change from offers of 2 for 1 spa days and emails from my long lost "relatives" in various countries I'm not 100% sure exist!

Till next time,
DT