The Pessimism and Occasional Optimism of Juvenile Adulthood

You may have noticed I have this photo as the background to my blog: Those who have seen my web log profile will also see that I have listed The above film as my favourite film. Here's why: The 2013 remake of the classic short story inspired me when I first saw it many months ago. It combined many of my favoured interests, such as Greenland, Iceland,  Eyjafjallajökull   (pronounced I-yaf-yalla-yo-hull with the extra throatiness on the last syllable.) and bicycles along with a story of chasing your dream. Now while I could happily talk about any of the above subjects with willingness, I get the impression that in order to appeal to a wider demographic I need to give some form of motivational rubbish while still linking it to the main topic of conversation. Life can not be given. It must be chased. After all, there is no sense of achievement unless you have worked to earn it. Everyone at some stage in their life will have a dream. A dream which should be fu...

This article sadly won't be about the true legend of words that is Sir Terry Pratchett. Instead it will be based around something I experienced recently. I have played the violin for a long time. Not for much longer but the important thing is that I currently do. Anyway, I was asked to play the violin for an elderly social group and one thing struck me. The interest and care they showed for us as we played was truly wonderful. In a modern society that often leaves the elderly feeling isolated and marginalised it was heart-warming to see them united and out about. But that isn't my main talking point. During the meeting, they were informed of sad news that a close, much-loved member of their club had passed after a brief battle with the embuggerment that is Cancer. What struck me was their dealings with death. The instant shock was evident as you'd expect from almost anyone, but their ability to so quickly forget about his lack of presence and focus on their happy and ...