Stuff or experience?

Stuff is nice to have. The wide screen TV,  PS4, the coffee machine, the nice car. It's stuff we all want, but do we need it? No do we hell.

I have decided this year I will buy no stuff. I will instead spend any money I have on experiences. As nice as stuff is it doesn't really impress anyone; except yourself.

What impresses people is the story about when you escaped the lion attack or fell off the trampoline. I realise them examples are at both ends of the "interesting" spectrum, but you get my point.

When was the last time a successful relationship (friendly or romantic) started with the words "i have a XBOX 1". The truth is that conversation never happened. If you managed it then you are the exception that proves the rule.

So this year don't spend your money on stuff spend it on experiences. Anything new or old pastimes you could get involved in again. Not only does it make you more interesting but you will meet interesting people at the same time. Them people will fill up your life with things far more important than stuff.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Don't forget to follow

2nd january

It's been a great day today apart from feel exhausted. It's my own fault for binging on box sets last night

Me and Freya (my 6 year old daughter) looked after a friends baby this morning and she (alice) was really well behaved which was good. I had been a little bit nervous before she arrived. I managed to be sufficiently awesome to entertain  her.

This afternoon we went to the cinema together all 5 of us. We went to watch Charlie Brown which was nice. The film was not great but as a exercise in nonsense appreciation it was fun.

This evening I have watched Ella enchanted which was really good and I had never seen it before. In fairness I can watch Anna Hatherway all day.

Food wise it started well with porridge then at lunch whole grain rice mushrooms and chicken. It did slip at tea time as we had KFC on our way home from the pictures. I am not beating myself up over it which is a good.

I am lacking motivation getting started with my podcast. I think it's due to everyone being off work and school.

Also need to really start writing down some more of this pirate story before my head explodes. Under the strain of imagination.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

1st january 2016

Well about 5 years ago I had a really vivid dream that I was going to die in February 2016. Let's hope that premonition does not come true.

Resolutions: nothing new just my constant battle with food. Hopefully I can overcome it in the next 12 months.

I am planning on not being such a massive hypochondriac this year. I know I have mental health issues but I think I can keep a grip this year.

Boys own book club. My plan to get this launched is my most important one of the year.

Also carry on with my script. I Might Turn It Into A Book Not really sure yet. 

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

New podcast and food today

Well its not been too bad today stuck to my food apart from a few pringles this evening.

I guess I can deal with that. Just see if I can make it through the rest of new years eve.

Also listen in for my new morning podcast. Do pigs have eyebrows starting tomorrow and running as daily as I can. It will be about 15 mins each day will be mainly audio but will try to do a few as Vlogs. I will discuss life in general but get in touch with ideas of things you want to talk about

Happy new year

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Fat fat fatty fat fat

I am really struggling with food intake. I try my best but every day I find it difficult not to binge.

I realise it's a weakness but I just can't help myself. I think if food addiction is a real thing then I may have it.

How can I turn things around? I plan my food I buy healthy I make it to early evening then everyday I manage to justify it in my head. Then I feel guilty and plan on better the next day.

I really want to change so am going to document my daily food from here on out

Today
Breakfast - carrot sticks
Lunch - brown rice and stir fry veg
Tea - sausage cassarole
.
.
.Then

a bagette
A ham sandwich
A bag of crisps
2 bread rolls

I still feel like I want to eat. It's proper shirt feeling. I feel guilty and my emotional go to is eating. It's a vicious circle really.

I know this is very self indulgent but I needed to get it out there

My plan tomorrow is

Porridge for breakfast
Soup and a roll for lunch
Homemade chicken pie for tea with veg and new potatoes.

I will see if I can stick to that.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

First steps with the book clubs

It's quite easy to have ideas but it's really hard to get traction on them and to build momentum.

This whole idea comes from a report by https://www.literacytrust.org.uk it explains the massive gap in literacy between boys and girls.

While the whole idea is about enjoying reading it's also really important that this idea makes it into the public conciseness. This well help to perpetuate the idea of reading in young males.

So share and #boysownbookclub along with ideas of book that you enjoyed as a teenager as well as getting yourself back into the habit of reading.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

Boys own book club

So this is my new little idea. I am going to run a blog/vlog/podcast about reading and sharing books within the male population.

Reading is so good for you with so many benifits.

1. It reduces stress
2. It increases knowledge
3. Provides mental stimulation
4. Improves memory

To find out more check out this article:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html

So once you have taken the benifits into account and have realised what reading can do for you where should you start?

Well for me the book I always recommend is "The Alchemist" by paulo coelho. It changed my life. After reading this book my world upended and I left the army after 12 years. Some people I have recommended it to don't like it some love it and some have had similar experiences as me.

As for books for boys there is plenty of pulp out there that you can new rip through. I will chat about them in the next few days.

If you would like to be involved in the project leave a comment. Recommend a book. In the near future I will be trying to start book groups in my local area. If you want to set up your own then why not give it a go. A book a fortnight then meet at the pub, club, cafe or gym to discuss it.

The thing we need most to get started are ideas for books and short reviews. Reviews can be writen/ video or audio. Send them in I will post them.

What have you got to loose

Stay safe, speak soon,

Russ