Whatever we choose to do to earn a crust, we do it because we have to. We need to live somewhere, sustain ourselves, and buy things. That’s a sweeping generalisation, but it’s true for most of us. But our work shouldn’t define us. Work isn’t who we are, it’s simply what we do.
I ‘humanised’ my brand as I built my holiday accommodation business, which is part of why it’s done ok. There are lots of cliches about people buying people, but they’re all true. This page has a few ramblings by me when I have time to do it. You might feel a connection with me when you read some of the things on here, or you may feel that I’m up myself. I don’t mind which, as the overall result is that I am where I want to be, by being who I am. You can’t please everybody, no matter how hard you try.
I wish I had time to add more stuff on here, but for now it is what it is.
I got fired from Woolworths.
Picture the scene. 1981, a 17-year-old me was working as a part-time cleaner in Woolworths in Colchester, after school and on Saturdays to earn some cash. My job was to use one of those electric upright floor polishers. I have to tell you that whilst I did earn money, I actually loved it. Running around…
Rise: The extinction of humanity.
Could this be the beginning of the end of civilisation as we know it? “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”. No idea where I first heard that but that’s how I feel about the world of Artificial Intelligence. I’ve been getting increasingly concerned about the acceleration of AI, as more and more geeks…
Consumer confidence looking good
I read a very interesting article in The Times this week about positive consumer optimism despite the cost of living crisis. Not only did I consider this great news for my Barns & Barges, but for the country as a whole. Read on if you’re so minded… Consumers are becoming more likely to spend on…
March 23rd, three years on…
Lockdown. Remember a time when that word never really existed in common parlance? Here we are again at the 23rd of March. A date that is burned into the back of my brain for all eternity. It’s the date that my business was forced to close by the government, three years ago now. How long…
The changing face of the world of work
The world of work has changed forever. What do I actually mean by this? Well, years ago I was in the world of the office worker. I spent a couple of decades in the corporate world where the idea of working from home was completely alien. If you managed to get a job where one…
At what cost?
As I write, Partygate etc still rumbles on to decide whether or not all the FACTS we know that PROVE the big oaf was lying, actually prove that he was lying. Which we know he was, cos we were following the rules, which were really clear. We all understood them. Cos we are not stupid,…
Why is Social Media full of mentalists?
I think on the whole, Social media is a good thing. I’ve used it massively to my advantage to build my brands and my business, but I don’t use it so much personally. The trouble is, it gives everyone a voice, for better or for worse. Often worse. My style that has organically grown somehow,…
Why are so many adverts crap?
Okay, strap yourselves in, it’s rant o’clock and if you’re up for it, I’m taking you on a journey. Anyway, buckle up, put your feet up and come with me for a ride. I’m going to have a pop again at the advertising world. There are a number of adverts that are currently getting right…
A river runs through it
The River Colne runs through my garden, and it’s a very pleasant place to exist. On New Years Day 2023 I decided to try and find the source of the river, which I have always understood to be somewhere near Saffron Walden As you can see from the main photo above, it is fairly wide…
Strikes
This is about strikes, and my opinion of them. The thing is, this is my website and I can do what I want with it. As I said on the homepage, I can say whatever I want cos it’s mine. Other viewpoints are available. There’s a post a while back about a worthless thief of…
I made a table
Not the most exciting title in the world I grant you, but it’s what it is. For decades I’ve dreamed of having a long, grand dining table, fit for a king. Or at least a medieval banquet. I’m afraid I quiver at the price of such items, so imagine my joy when I came across…
The life and lies of Johnson
If you know me, you’ll be aware that I despise this man. As I type this, he is currently Prime Minister of our country. Hopefully as you read it, he won’t be. I’m more than happy for you to read this and decide that you have no time for someone like me expressing my political…
The advent of the Dadvent
December 2019 was conundrum time… It’s the 3rd of December and you’re meeting your Daughter the next day for dinner. You buy her an Advent Calendar every year, despite the fact that She’s now 27 years old. You go to 6 shops, and none of them have any left! What do you do? You make…
Work, me, life
Whatever we choose to do to earn a crust, we do it because we have to. We need to live somewhere, sustain ourselves, and buy things. That’s a sweeping generalisation, but it’s true for most of us. But our work shouldn’t define us. Work isn’t who we are, it’s simply what we do. I ‘humanised’…
Lockdown to John O’Groats
I’m riding my bike from Lands end to John O’Groats to raise money for Suffolk Mind. I literally do not have the time now that we are so busy again after lockdown, to properly cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, however, I am going to do the distance. All 839 miles of the length…