Entry 12: Out Of Office (to the world)

For all Introverts out there, I have one question...have you ever thought about setting an out of office...but to the world?

This started back a couple of days ago around Wednesday in the office, I was speaking with a colleague passing the time while waiting for work to come in and he spoken about getting a new phone, I explained that I didn't like the whole concept of a mobile, He looked puzzled until I explained myself. I like a smart phone, but the concept of being able to be contacted anywhere, anytime, kind of irritates me. I would prefer to listen to voicemail messages and read emails/ Social messages when I get back from work/shops, and then choose to reply or ignore it for later. I managed to book off Friday for a 3 day weekend (mainly for sleeping and other jobs). I needed a idea and a plan that would allow me to relax on my much needed 3 day weekend without any interruptions, I pondered on the idea of setting an out of office message just to everyone and be left alone for a couple of days without being contacted.

It was quite lucky to have group chat with my main friends that we used to plan things and just talk. 

Friday went well, it was quite lucky not to be contacted during the day because I forgot to "Set my out of office". I managed to sleep in and then assist my dad with clearing out the shed, lots of dust was uncovered....which is an understatement...but anyway...I went out with a meal with my mates and had fun (mainly just me eating food while THEY socialised, which is my kind of social situations). After they dropped me off, I completely forgot to explain that I was "setting my out of office" on Friday, so I explained it to my mate after I got out of the car when him and another mate dropped me off. He did have something planned on Saturday evening which I guess he was going to surprise me with on Saturday evening; This isn't new to me, I'm used to the spontaneous outings (My mates aren't that great with planning *laughs* which is a gift and sometimes a curse). I then officially "Set my out of office" with sending a message explain that I wont be able to be contacted that evening and until Monday.

My results and conclusion about this...It went well (and is going well, I'm technically unable to be contacted until Monday). My Saturday went very quiet, didn't manage to do much (Mostly catching up of lack of sleep from Monday to Friday, which is usually my Saturday morning), and the knowledge that i wasn't going to be messaged helped me relax more. I would love to do this again, and recommend this to all those introverts that need to kindly inform your friends, that you just need a break away from all communication for a while...in the form of an out of office.

Entry 11: The Times They Are A-Changing....

I headed to broad-stairs for the day with the family and others from the church for the annual beach trip, I decided to get away for a while with the parents shopping, and came across a village local band playing acoustic music. we listened to them for a while and then waited for the lift to come back up to take us back to the beach. I had a song racking my brain...it being Bob Dyans The Times they are a changing. This is featured in the science fiction hero movie Watchmen. This song is played in the intro just after "something" occurs. I wont spoil it for those that have yet to see it, but its been out long enough for you to see it. Anyway, this song is played while they show various scenes from 1940's minute men to the "present day" watchmen.

I came to the conclusion on that day i was wearing the exactly the same thing i was wearing for last years beach trip (it had been washed since then don't worry). It made me think where i was a year ago. I was 17, Feeling stuck in a rut in sixth-form, coursework was piling up. Planning my First rock festival to get away. I was quite a mess back then, and i am still kind of,,,ish, Which compared to now, which is apprenticeship in IT, just come back from the same festival for the second time, and currently have work in the morning while writing this.

Lots of things can occur within a year. I have...I have completed education and begun work. Made Friends and i have Lost Friends. Helped people and hurt people. I have been in love...and I have lost said love. Lives have been born and lives have been taken. Escaped from issues, arguments and situations to be greeting with a different style of issues, arguments and situations.

What im trying to say is...The Times.....They are a-changing.

Entry 10: Emotions

(Quote 1) "Hate was all I knew, it built my world, it imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe. I thought I'd die with all my hate in my veins. But then something happened. It happened to me... just as it happened to you."

(Quote 2) Emotions: "A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others"

I don't like them. They get in the way and they cloud my judgement. Recently it been quite tough with sudden changes occurring within my life, that I have had to (well try at least) to get over, this can affect multiple emotions and I find it doesn't help within my line of work. My line of work requires problem solving and logical thinking. I'm not a big fan when it comes to emotions, I find emotions to be sudden, ever changing, and in some circumstances overpowering. I have decided to use the character V for the image for this Blog post due to a perfect example of strong emotions. (see Quote 1) This is taken from the Movie V for Vendetta, more specifically...this quote is taken during the argument between V and Evie. To gain some back story about the argument, Evie explained throughout the movie on how she didn't want to feel fear, V granted that wish. The way V portrays the feeling of hate is quite strong. It's used quite commonly within kids when they express their anger on another child hurting them. I have heard my parents and others say this too many times "Hate is such a strong word" and the thing is that it is....most people don't understand the meaning of Hate. The full meaning of Hate is to express a passion in the pure dislike of an object or person. If you look at it that way, Hate is quite a strong emotion to express, It requires most if not all strength into disliking something, being filled with rage to fuel your distaste and express your Hate. 

It can take control. It will take control. It has taken control.

People say we are our own worst enemy, the reason behind this is the fact that we know all our failings, our thoughts, past mistakes, it taunts us, plays tricks, pokes fun, buzz kills. If left without any change, it only grows in strength and harm.

"It happened to me... just as it happened to you"