Play, Hardship and Hustle
A Tidbit, Quote and Question on Play, Hardship and Hustle
Another Day in the Life: Friday 17th March 2023
Just another blog about just another Friday 🙂
Day in the Life: Friday 10th March 2023
Just a blog about just a day 🙂
Self-Bestowed Blessings and Time Running Out
A Tidbit, Quote and Question on Self-Bestowed Blessings and Time Running Out
AMA: What is the biggest challenge for young people in Guernsey?
I will answer by first giving you answers from a group of young people I work with, then my own thoughts.
A Tantrum, Timidity and Treating Life
A Tidbit, Quote and Question on a Tantrum, Timidity and Treating Life
Frustration, Chasing Fun and Blunting Attention
A Tidbit, Quote and Question on Frustration, Chasing Fun and Blunting Attention
Starting Tidbits, Quotes and Questions
I am starting a twice-monthly journal on this blog with one tidbit from me, one quote from someone else and one question for you
Taxi Tidbits
I have been driving a taxi most mornings over the last three months. Rising well before any hint of dawn, mostly I am driving mostly from 5am until mid-morning, taxiing all and sundry to and from Guernsey Airport, and elsewhere around our little island. Early on in the job, I found myself thinking about my…
Teenage Tearaways and Farming Babies
I try to remember that I might be the only positively impactful adult this young person has spent appreciable time with in their day, and, too often, their whole week.
Thirty: What Happens Now?!
Sense a change of season today? I have just finished a year working in the most rewarding position I’ve held in my life so far, as a youth worker. When colleague asked why I was leaving, I caught myself saying it’s ‘unfortunate’ the role isn’t financially rewarding. This is not what I truly think. What…
Discipline: Helping or Hurting?
The teacher threatened to phone Dad if they didn’t behave. This young person replied, “Don’t you f***ing dare!”
My Youth Club
It’s some feeling, leaving club after belting out Bohemian Rhapsody with operatic passion, alongside kids whose private lives I know to be traumatised and traumatising, having carved out of their day two hours of good, clean, safe fun.
A Couple of Dear Old Dead Shags
The impossible majesty of a new day announces itself with the sun rising over Herm. A flock of ducks flies by, beating and quacking, in perfect V formation. He is gone, but he is present. He is free.
Advocacy: Giving Kids a Voice
The most time consuming, the most emotionally consuming, and the most rewarding part of my job is providing advocacy
Talking Shop: Jobs, Careers and Callings
Don’t mind me as I eat my words about talking shop. I promise, it’s bloody interesting, with vicissitudes of gravity and levity that whip from heart-wrenching to hilarious and back again in the space of hours, sometimes minutes.
Early Bird Catches The Chirp
Mornings are an eternally appreciating asset: they increase in value as long as you own them. If you own your morning, you can afford all that your day demands of you.
Return to Guern: What’s New, What’s Good
What’s new? What’s good? What’s the story morning glory? What’s the word humming bird?
AMA #10: Travelling Solo or in Company
AMA #10: “Do you prefer to travel alone, or with friends or a travel partner?”
AMA #9: Safety and Female Solo Travelling
AMA #9: “Did you feel unsafe? Do you think a solo female traveller would travel as freely?”
AMA #8: Iraqi Kurdistan
AMA #8: “What did you think of Kurdistan?”
AMA #7: Did You Want to Integrate?
AMA #7: “Did you want to stay longer in any of the places to the point of integrating more in their community and society?”
AMA #6: Highest Highs and Lowest Low
AMA #6: “What was the highest high and the lowest low you felt over your travels?”
AMA #5: LGBTQ+
AMA #5: “Is the West’s view of LGBTQ inequality in these countries justified?”
AMA #4: Money, Money, Money
AMA #4: “I used to travel with travellers cheques sewn and concealed in various places, no cashpoint cards, etc. How did you get by?”
AMA #3: Food
AMA #3: “Give us a quick breakdown and overview of the food in each of the countries visited, please?”
AMA #2: Unforgettable Memories
AMA #2: “Tell us about unforgettable memories from each country”
AMA #1: The Most Beautiful Smiles
AMA #1: “Where did you see the most beautiful smiles?”
The Hotel Quarantina and Ask Me Anything
Commencing a double-decker quarantine, here’s how I came to be here and what I will be doing in this time. Plus, Ask Me Anything!
Big Up The Banya
As my body is being seared, and in front of me stands a burly Kyrgyz fellow, butt-naked but for his woollen hat, whirling a towel around like a lasso and causing us untold discomfort, it occurs to me I should write about the Russian banya.
See You on the Other Side
I quite often get questioned on how I bid people farewell. Here is why.
Day 1 of 5: Hitchhike and Chirp
The first day from a spontaneous hitchhiking trip across Kyrgyzstan.
Japanese Buddhism in Kyrgyzstan
Utkur knocks the gong, before beginning the mantra, “Naaam-uuuuu-myooooh hoooooo reeeeeng gehhhhhhh kyooooooo”, in a deeply resonant, throaty chant that sends goosebumps shooting down my arms and makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
Dima
I spoke to Dima, an Israeli-born Russian who works as a security equipment salesperson in ex-Soviet republics. Dima has spent many of his adult years travelling and spent three of his younger years in hospital after having his arms almost blown off by a shotgun. For that story and for Dima’s thoughts on freedom and…
Oscar
I spoke with Oscar, a Spanish 24 year old teacher of world history and bar owner living in Bishkek with his Kyrgyz wife.
On Letters
There is nothing in the digital sphere that can compete with the handwritten letter.
Bema
I spoke with Bema, a 31 year old Kyrgyz polyglot who formerly worked as a tour guide and owned her own pizzeria here in Kyrgyzstan.
Oh I Like to Climb a Mountain…
As I stop short of the precipice, I think, “Wouldn’t this be fun if there wasn’t the impending doom, and I had some gloves and a jacket and some boots on.”
First Impressions of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
A short and sweet piece relating my first impressions of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Live, Laugh, Love or Load, Aim, Fire!
“If you don’t feel securely situated in Live, Laugh, Love, then you should probably Load, Aim, Fire.”
A Winding, Wine-Soaked Ramble on Alcohol
As a drinker of enthusiasm myself, I endorse highfalutin ways of saying a slurp of the red stuff with friends and music is restorative, and can give more than it takes from you.
Life is but a Dream Within a Dream
Wise words offer shortcuts into higher positions of perspective, attained without really having to ‘do’ anything, except meditate on the wisdom contained within the words you read.
Hot Curries and Cold Swims
“Cold is just an attitude, man!” I say to those who shiver at the thought of a wintry sea swim. “Cold is just a conspiracy of the energy companies and Dry Robe salespeople.”
An Ageing Ramble
Your physical age gives only a vague indication of your health, happiness, spirit and soul.
Praise Be To Sea
Many complain before, many yelp during, so few complain after.
Chirping in the Rain
Is that not how kids should be, after being inside at school? Exercised and knackered and cold and all played out. Just chirping in the rain.
Beanjar, Glorious Beanjar
I had the inspired idea to share the recipe for my glorious beanjar.
Waiter’s Ramble
It’s high time I rambled about my time as a waiter and other aspects of the hospitality industry.
Huzzah! New Project Incoming…
I am delighted to announce a new Guernsey-based collaborative project, due to be launched at the end of this month…
On Giving Up Smoking
My story with smoking – and stopping.
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The Works and Chirps of a Guernseyman 