Swimming

 What is it that makes swimming so appealing to some people, and deeply horrifying to others? I feel the sensation of letting go, diving under, and climbing back to the surface exhilarating, yet deeply relaxing. Yet I know people who freeze solid at the prospect of taking a quick swim. Their view of swimming is reclining, on a lilo, in the Mediterranean, or some other 'warm' place. I must admit, going swimming in February, in a reservoir, was one of the coldest experiences of my life. The speed at which it went from OK, to 'FREEZING', was quite phenomenal, and really opened my eyes to the possible dangers of swimming.

 I'll keep on rebuilding my strength, piece by piece, on this long, slippery road, and keep swimming! Yes, I may not be of Olympic standard, but I believe it is good to have some physical strength, even if it only ghets used breaking up fights between drunkards........

Gotta be Somebody

Listening to Nickelback's, 'Gotta be Somebody', reawakens something inside me. Is there a 'special someone' out there? Or do we make do? Admittedly I am probably not the best, as, of yet, I have not been involved seriously with anyone. One of my friends friends came out last year as 'asexual'. Before then, I had never even heard of the term. Now, it seems to be around every day. Is 'Sherlock' asexual? Or is he just trying to suppress the inner emotion? Who are we to question, and judge other people? Being in the same class as circa.15 males, between 16 and 17, really opens my eyes. There is only 1 girl on the course, and, to be quite honest, I have no idea how she copes. How can you be so crass, ill mannered, and generally obnoxious to other civilised human beings? It really is a case of  being drawn down to the lowest denominator, which, in this case can be very low on occasion!

Modern life

The Internet is an amazing, and, quite frankly, a slightly worrying being. It lets me listen to music, uploaded by someone on the other side of the world, within milliseconds of it being uploaded. It lets me communicate with relatives 2000 miles away, and all, relatively freely. But at what cost? Already, many illnesses have been linked to the 'new' forms of technology, most recently 'Ipad shoulder', which comes from looking at a screen on your knee. Get outside?? Have a life outside of the office, and go for a walk? All things that, until recently, people did on a weekly basis, if not a daily one. Get outside, and experience even just a portion of the great outdoors...... You won't regret it!

Finance

 I would say, my main fault is that I have no 'save' instinct. I would quite happily spend £30 a week, without waiting for it to save up into a usable sum. Why? It's not as if I fall for the advertising, as most of the products I purchase are not advertised widely, being knives, and para/550 cord. I believe it is a deeper fear, that I can't let it accumulate, and then watch it vanish in the blink of an eye. I caught myself today, wondering what would I do if I won the Lottery/Euromillions/Premium Bonds, and had decided upon purchasing a car, going to university, and moving to the United States of America, though not necessarily in that order. And giving some money to family and close friends, but definitely not announcing myself as a winner. And also buying a nice rifle, and a Rockstead knife, just because I could afford one. Why not?

 Back to the uncomfortable business of 'money'..... how is it that, in less than 30 years, we have managed to transform global money transfers from a relatively elitist enclave, to an everyday occurrence?  I can, in the blink of an eye, send money from England, to the far reaches of Mongolia, or at least to someone with internet access anywhere on the globe. In a way, I think it both connects us, as an entity, able to communicate over fast distances, and, at the same time, hide us away from the world. Why go down to the shops, when you can order all you need for doorstep delivery?

College

 I am really starting to enjoy this college malarkey... What other college would present you with a lesson on rifle and shotgun maintenance in the morning. This was followed by a lecture in the afternoon, on how to set snares, followed by being given a fenn mark 4, to place anywhere on campus, within reason!
 Yes, admittedly, some aspects are not the most pleasant, mainly the constant questioning as to why I don't drink, and the constant disrespect shown by 'some' of my fellow pupils, towards teachers, and general lack of manners. However, thrashing someone with a cane, for disobedience, is no longer allowed... in some circumstances, a pity.
 However, overall, I believe this course to one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life so far, and, whilst not thankful for my illness by any stretch of the imagination, I am grateful for my recovery to this stage, and hopefully continuing recovery. It has shown me a completely different aspect of life, and for that, I am happy!

Rope Tying

Just a hint- rope burn 'hurts'.... creating a key fob, using a round sinnet knot (can't believe I have never used this one before!), and then putting a handle on a knife. Not the best idea after an session of rock climbing. My fingers still haven't forgiven me. Presently, I am hopefully going to settle down, and watch the new 'Sherlock' episode, after waiting 6 hours for it to download- 512 kbps internet is not the greatest in the world.

Back at college

 Now back at college, after a rather uneventful weekend, consisting mainly of shooting on a gaming console, and watching 'the last three days', which was a rather good film, with a clever twist at the end.
 Rather fittingly, the first thing I did, when back at college, was, after putting a clothes wash on, was sharpening someone else's knife. Why? Because I am possibly the only person at college with a sharpening stone. Why? If you bring a knife to college, which is another reason why I love this college, you surely expect it to lose it's edge....... 
 Anyway, overall, the past couple of weeks have gone well. Other than my arms looking like I have had a go at them with a small knife/pin combo. I can recommend not hedge laying in a shirt, with the sleeves rolled up- feels fine, until the day after, when your arms turn into a mass of scratches. It makes writing by hand a little difficult, as now the forearms are a little tender, but hey, we live and learn.