In the bleak midwinter....

I went on a "retreat" with my local ACE group, organised by the stalwart and much-loved group leader Mike Wilsher. Out into the wilds of mid-Wales we went, to spend a couple of days in reflection and discussion with fellow professionals at the Ceridwen Centre. Very nice it was too, full of insights and magic moments and good wholesome food.

The obligatory walk up hill and down valley was long enough and muddy enough to satisfy manly pride and work up a good appetite.

Disappointments were few indeed - just the absence of Welsh accents (apart from our own cod Welsh) and few breaks in the low cloud and horizontal rain. Still, we could have had similar weather in Seattle and it would have been a lot more time-consuming and expensive to go there.

So here's a big thank you to our hosts Simone and Roger for the hospitality, great food and a rollicking good poem performed live by Simone, a big thank you to all in the group for being real without being (too) revolting, and a big thank you to Mike himself for making it all happen and keeping it happening.

Photographic inspiration from Nat Coalson

Sometimes I come across a site that just blows me away. This week it's been the turn of Colorado-based photographer and artist Nathaniel Coalson.

Looking through his images reminds me of watching a great all-round athlete, such as Michel Platini at his peak - it looks natural, effortlessly graceful. Platini could dribble, tackle, pass, run and shoot all with equal mastery. Similarly, Nat's images have a common quality of artistry whether they're abstract, nature or impressionistic.

Nat has the mojo.

The art of being late with New Year wishes

It probably says a lot about modern living and/or the human mind and/or my own "powers" of organisation that Christmas and New Year suddenly find me unprepared every year. Actually it's probably all down to denial - I really dread the "festive season" so I'm metaphorically sticking my fingers in my ears, closing my eyes tightly shut, singing LaLaLa very loud and waiting until it all goes away.

Anyway, it's all over now for another year but not quite too late yet to wish you all a year that exceeds your expectations in good things.

Bucking the social networking trend

A few days ago I made a snap decision to take a "sabbatical" from online social networking at Ecademy. I've been very active there for the last three years, so it's a deeply-ingrained habit.

I told my kids this morning that I had given up Ecademy for a while, with the intention of having more time for them, and I hoped they would have more time for me too. Between us, we seen to default to screens (TV, computers) all too easily when we're feeling a little anxious or bored. They were pretty pleased.

It's no use me despairing that the kids spend too much time interacting with screens when I do precisely that myself. Lead by example! So I'm keeping this short ;)