Visiting The Elderly

I won't say much about this one, as the subject probably doesn't want to be written about on the internet.

But I did visit my great aunt every month for six months. And the reason I did this in the first six months is that I'm hoping to keep it up as a habit. She always seems happy to see me and it's not a huge amount of effort, although finding the time is tricky!

Psycho!

I have never (to my knowledge) watched a black and white film, so this is on the list as I feel that its something cultural I should have done by now!

I had to choose carefully as I wanted to watch a "classic" but it couldn't be on top 20 list as I want to avoid overlaps where possible.

I picked Psycho because it is supposed the first and original horror film.

I watched it with my brother last night and we both really enjoyed. We both knew the iconic shower scene, but neither of us had figured there was a whole plot around it! For anyone who has not watched it, I won't give the plot away but go and watch it!

Bearing in mind the film was released in 1960, this film would have been shocking at the time. In this day and age the violence is nothing. I can only imagine it has its 15 rating for the pyschological angle, as you see hardly no blood, and no nudity to speak of. But 50 years ago, women were never in their underwear on screen, and according to wikipedia, this was one of the first films to show a toilet flushing! And some people objected to this!

Personally I found the small cast refreshing. I lose track of the characters in blockbusers these days, and I felt I was following this quite well. I loved the twists and turns of the plot and I'm so pleased this was on the list. Its also made me look forward to watching some more of the classic films on my top 20 list.

Rocking out with Ash

In November we ticked item 68 "Go to a rock gig with Dan" off the list.

It was on the list because I love live music. Its quite a big part of my life, and I usually have a gig lined up to go to, sometimes months away, but I like to know I have something to look forward to. Theres something about hearing the crashing guitars, and thumping bass right in front of you that is so energising... and I needed to know Dan gets this. Mostly because I'm hoping he wont think its a waste of money, I need these gigs in my life!

So we headed up to Shepherds Bush for Ash. We went to dinner first at a fab Thai restaurant and ate a really spicy curry, hence the need for the gigantic ice cream Dan is holding above! Stupidly we got one each and I wasn't able to finish mine, which is totally unheard of! I really like ice cream! But I was mindful I was about to go and jump and up and down for an hour or two!

Ash were excellent. I've seen them several times before, and they have always been great. They played a mix of the A-Z songs and old favourites. The crowd went mental for "Kung-Fu" I zoned out to my own little world for "Girl From Mars" but actually the best song was "Arcadia" which they opened with.

Apart from both feeling like we had eaten too much ice cream, it was the best night, I was so so happy and didn't want to end, and I think that answers my question about whether or not Dan gets it :)

Arcadia

Light up, spark the detonator

Now I'm homeward bound, way to see you later

If you make that step you're the instigator

Got my mind made up, I'll be your navigator

If you want me to travel over moonlit miles

For a precious smile

Following my lonely heart

Call on me, take me...

Far over the seas

I return in my dreams

Sailing home under the stars

To be safe in your arms

Ever near, travel through time

Ever close in my mind

Say you will truly be mine

Say you'll always be mine

We are a winning combination

We're two stars aligned in a constellation

When I get too low you're my inspiration

Never let me down, you're a revelation

One that comes along once in a lifetime

Oh I realise

You give me love free and wild

Oh my child, lead me...

Far over the seas

I return in my dreams

Sailing home under the stars

To be safe in your arms

Ever near, travel through time

Ever close in my mind

Say you will truly be mine

Say you'll always be mine

Our empire stretches from the deserts

To the ice fields

Love and courage can take us anywhere

We dare to go

Far over the seas

I return in my dreams

Sailing home under the stars

To be safe in your arms

Ever near, travel through time

Ever close in my mind

Say you will truly be mine

Say you'll always be mine

Item No 1

In one sense this is a cheating task. Trying to come up 101 things that are fun/interesting/worthwhile/exciting is quite tricky. And expensive. I had already received for my birthday in early 2010 before The Day Zero Project was conceived a voucher from my dad to go rally driving. I'd always fancied a track day of some sort, and so I figured I could stick this on the list, even though I was doing it anyway!

It turned out to be slightly more of a challenge than I anticipated. In August I had a small accident, and my little Puma was out of action for nearly two months, I'd only had it back a few days before the rally driving, and I was a little nervous of driving and scared of another crash. Not only did I drive the 2 and a half hours to Oxfordshire but I was then to throw myself round a deliberateley muddy course where the aim was to be out of control! I was scared!

You started with a safety briefing, which I don't remember much of, except being told that you mustnt worry about the car as its not yours and to "drive it like you stole it". I decided then to sign up to the insurance they offered. Apparently they dont have many proper crashes, but I could all too easily imagine myself driving into a tree, despite Dans encouraging pep talks.

They drove us up to a building by the track, which was a mile long and twisted and turned over a couple of acres. A tractor went round watering the track to make it easy to slide at slow speeds. Somehow I was first in my group of 4 and straight into the Puma! I can't tell you if its the same as driving my Puma on the road, as Rally driving is just so different. You never got out of 3rd gear as they wanted you to concentrate on the steering. And your aim is to slide the car round corners which I would never dream of doing in my precious car. For my first 15 minute go I was rubbish. The instructor must have wondered what I was doing there. I didn't want to go fast, I couldnt seem to turn properly into corners. I didn't get the hang of handbrake turns as I've never been a boy racer so never tried before! I got out the car thinking the time had gone slowly and worried I wasting an expensive day out.

In the wait til my next go I gave myself a bit of a talking to. I'd asked for this birthday present, and then dragged Dan all the way to Oxfordshire, just so he could photograph me, when he'd already driven 5 hours to see me. And he didn't even get a go! I owed to myself, Dan and Dad to make sure I gave it a proper try.

The second 15 minutes went a lot better. Something clicked in my brain and I was lot better at drifting round the corners. I still turned the steering wheel too much on the handbrake turns, forgetting that the point was that I was sliding and not needing to turn the wheel. This session went far too quickly and I wanted to keep going and I was immediately itching to get back behind the wheel.

The third outing was fantastic. I nailed the handbrake turns to the delight of my instructor (who needn't have sounded quite so surprised I got it), and as I threw the car round the corners, sliding sideways at every opportunity I may even have let out a whoop or two of joy! As we went round for the last lap, my instructor asked if I was proud of myself, as I should be. And I finished with a big grin, knowing that there they probably wasn't a career in rally driving awaiting me but I'd made a massive improvement from the start of the day.

I also got taken out for a spin with a rally driver who was a lot faster than me! I wouldn't say it was scary as such, just very impressive now I knew how difficult it was to do!

In all I definitely enjoyed the day. I'd been wanting to do something like this and I feel as though I achieved something even though I wouldn't say I was a better driver because of it. It was a fantastic day out - thanks Dad!

Apocalypse Now!

On Saturday I watched another of the top 20 films (I can't remember what number this comes in on!) the redux version of Apocalypse Now.

Well. It's pretty long! It was also kinda boring... There were one or two fantastic scenes. It was very well filmed.

I can't really think of much more to say about it. I don't think I'll watch it again! But I am pleased to have watched it, as it explains a lot of references from other films!

I am never quite sure what to make of war films, they make me very sad for the senseless waste of life, and it also makes me sad about the ongoing wars in the world, and that the waste isn't finished yet.

I do feel like I watched a cinematic masterpiece. But it didn't move me (unless confusion at the ending counts) and I didn't learn anything and I didn't love any of the characters...

Becoming A Surf Chick!

Item 56: To be able to stand up on a surfboard

Two weekends ago I headed to Newquay with a friend and a company called Big Friday who whisk you from London to Cornwall for a weekend of surfing. Its the second time I've done it, I wasn't very good the first time, but I did really enjoy it.

My aim for the weekend was to be able to stand up, and I made sure the instructors were aware of this!! During the first lesson on the Saturday, I didn't really manage it. You are taught a 4 step movement which is supposed to make it dead easy to stand up.

Step One - Lying the board facing straight ahead (not as easy it sounds that one!) see the waves coming and paddle paddle paddle like crazy!
Step Two - From legs out straight bring your knees in, with your hands on the rails (side) of the board. I managed this most of the time if I'd caught the wave properly.
Step Three - Keping your hands where they are, bring the lead foot forward so you are kneeling on only one knee.
Step Four - Put your kneeling foot on the board, and then raise up into a crouch, twisting so your body is facing along the beach, but your head looks forward to the beach and thats where are you arms go too.

At least, that was my understanding of it :)

I did manage to stand several times, in fact thinking about it, Saturdays instructor saw me do it as he thought it hilarious that I got up into a crouch/standing position and yelled "that counts! I've done it!" and promptly fell off!

I also stood up several times on the Sunday (always immediately coming off) and I was spotted by others in the group. Unfortunately there is no photo. Although if you were in the water and moving it wasn't that cold. We soon discovered if you stopped to take photos it becomes cold pretty damn quick!

I think I will be back again for another try, but I am pleased with achievement. I am relieved I didn't get bitten by the surf bug, as I have neither the time or cash to get involved in another hobby. There were some on the trip who had spent most weekends of the summer in Newquay and had all their own equipment. I don't think I'll be doing that, but I would like to take Dan along. Its all part of my love of Cornwall, being there and playing in the sea that I usually stand and look at gives another perspective to my favourite place.

Compassion

Item 30: Find someone who inspires me and follow them on facebook

I didn't really know what I was aiming for when I thought up this challenge. It was based on several thoughts along the lines of thinking that I check facebook (several) times daily. I pick up on friends good and bad moods. Sometimes I learn interesting things from news items people to their walls. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the pain and suffering my friends are going through. I was looking for someone who cold provide me with a "Thought For The Day" type thing, to provide perhaps some spiritual input into what can otherwise be a varied media.

I found what I was looking for accidentally.

I sponsor a child in El Salvador (I put on facebook recently he's from Guatemala but I was wrong - oops!) called Kevin. I find it hilarious that he has the least southern american name you could think of! The company I do this through is called Compassion. I recently found them on facebook, "liked" them and moved on without really noticing what I'd done.

Compassion are the single most inspiring thing I have come across on facebook. They are very active and post at least daily on topics like "funny things sponsor children write in their letters" or counting down to the trip some sponsors did recently to meet their children, and then links to the amazing blogs written of the visits.

I am reminded daily of Kevin, and I have started writing to him again (Item 23) and praying for him more often. I am also reminded constantly of the fact that I have so much in this world, and there are children out there who have so little. I have no idea how to change the imbalance. I know I can't change the world. But maybe I can have some impact on one little boys life.

In fact, I've been so inspired, I'm going to sponsor a second child. It costs very little (only £21 a month) but it gives them education both in terms of schooling and health and nutritional supplement if they need it as well as a centre for activities.

I didn't even realise I'd found my small daily dose of spirituality, as these things often do it came along as a surprise.

Cheesecake Success

I am not very good at desserts. I usually only see the final item sitting on my plate so I don't know what it should like while I'm making it, or before it goes in the oven/sets so I don't have much confidence.

So one thing on my list was to make a cheesecake. I love cheesecake :) And I would like to have a dessert I can make and be sure that I can take it to peoples houses and it tastes ok.

This Friday was my turn to host the Girls Night so in a fit of organisation I kept Thursday night free for cheesecake making, safe in the knowledge that should disaster strike I could purchase a dessert on Friday after work.

My first problem was not reading the recipe correctly. For some reason I had it in my head you use cottage cheese in cheesecake. The one ingredient I couldn't find in Tesco was cottage cheese. So laden with bags I headed for M&S which did have it.

I made my biscuit base and went to make the mix. Which of course began "mix the ingredients with the cream cheese....." A quick google convinced me cottage cheese was not an alternative substitute so I headed back for Tesco which did of have cream cheese after all!

If I continue on my dessert making quest, I shall need to invest in some gadgets as my arm nearly fell off hand whisking the mix.

It all looked good coming out the oven and I was desperate to try some but managed to leave it intact before serving it to the girls. It could be that they were just being polite but everyone seemed to like it. I was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like actual cheesecake!

I asked the girls if they thought this counted as "having learnt to make cheesecake" and they said it did. I may well make it again soon to "defluke" it. And I think my dad and brother might like to eat it!

Right, now I'm off to google to see what I can do with my two pots of cottage cheese...

Nick And Norahs Infinite Playlist

My brother who is partner in crime as far as this list is concerned leant me the first book for item 45, to read 20 books recommended by 20 friends.

I read it two weeks ago now, on the train from Kings Cross to Hull. Its only a short book so I read the whole lot in one go.

It was a fantastic book. Made even more brilliant by the fact it was apparently written by two authors who were taking it in turns to write a chapter so they never really knew where the story was going.

Its tells the story of a first date, with many twists and turns and exes along the way. It captures the excitement of that feeling of potential when you meet someone new, the way you sound someone out, how important it is that they have at least heard of your favourite band.

All through the book I was thinking of a song my brother wrote with the line "I want a love like in the movies" and he said afterwards he wrote that thinking about this book (also made into a film).

I've got my fingers crossed for him he finds it.

Finally I'm A Qualified Accountant!

As this Day Zero list was written in July 2010 I had already sat my final ACCA exams, and I was hoping that I had passed them all and ACCA qualification was only short way away making this a fairly easy one to tick off the list... Still I stuck it on the list as it does represent a huge achievement, and there was always a chance I'd fail one and have to re-take!

The thing is, I didn't even mean to be an accountant. I actually wanted to work in publishing or something as I love books! But after leaving school I didn't have much clue about getting myself a job and ended up applying for a purchase ledger assistant as the advert said "would suit school leaver" and dad threatened to withdraw my allowance if I didn't apply for that job!

The rest, as they say is history. I hated the first few months of purchase ledger. I couldn't add up a manual cashbook and I struggled to reconcile anything. I couldn't work out why my boss would like me for a few weeks at a time and then suddenly find all my errors at once until it occurred to me this tended to happen around month end when the accounts were prepared... Then one day it suddenly clicked and everything fell into place.

I didn't start studying until a couple of years later. I was doing a job in Blackpool which was half accounts and half HR both of which I enjoyed. Lots of the people my age in the office were apprentices, earning a pittance while allowed 2 days a week at college and I was quite in awe of their dedication to their careers. When I returned to Tunbridge Wells a few months later I decided to focus on accounting as it had a more clear cut career path, and I started studying AAT in the evenings. I chose AAT because I was fairly certain the proper exams would be too difficult for me.

Doing AAT was a slog. Two evenings a week at college was a big chunk of time to give up, and although I did later switch to mornings, I then had to work later in the evenings to make the hours up. However I finished the three years easily, doing little revision and only needing to do one retake, also making some friends for life along the way. I did have to re-take one exam, although that one was so poorly written they had to re-mark everyones. I still failed after the re-mark... but I choose to believe that was down to an odd paper!

I thought I'd go onto to ACCA and see how it went. My plan was basically to stop if it was too hard! But again, I found it wasn't too difficult, the teachers at BPP were brilliant and although I wasn't getting outstanding results, the passes kept piling up.

The last two papers of Level 2 were suddenly very difficult. The concepts were harder to wrap your head around and you were expected to memorise long formulas that in real life you'd look up on google. Level 3 continued as a struggle with my first failure on the Ethics paper (I have no idea how that happened!) and exam P2 required more memorising, this time of around 20 International Accounting Standards and its only due to the fact my brother will do anything for a free meal, including test me on incomprehensible ISAs that I passed that exam.

Yesterday I passed Ethics with one of my best marks so far, and now I'm qualified. Seven years after I started. (Not six as I posted on facebook, I may have miscounted ahem...) I'm so relieved. Its lovely to think of life stretching before me with no college and no exams. I have a chance now to get on with all the other things I've wanted to do, but studying took up too much of a chunk of time to be able to commit too. Most of them are on the list of course!

I know I couldn't have done it with the friends who drove me to college, those who helped me revise, the ones I knew were praying for me and the ones I didn't know about and everyone who just believed I could it. Corny, but true, so thanks :)

Between The Sunset And The Sea - A Sunset Day

Item 34. Take a good photo of the sunset from my front room window.

This item has been a bit of an going challenge for me. I moved into the flat about a year ago, and for 12 months have been treated to spectacular sunsets in the skies over Tunbridge Wells. Even on the days the clouds don't turn pink and orange, the blue merging from light to dark has been breathtaking.

Can I capture this in a photograph? No. The colours never seem right, I always get too many trees, you can't get round the telegraph wires being in the way. No photo has been quite right.

Tonight I used the theory that if I took lots of photos, at least one had to be ok! And I think its worked. Its not a brilliant photo, the telegraph wires are still in the way for a start, but I do think it might be the best I'm going to get from this specific window.

I spent a much needed calming half an hour gazing out the window, taking pictures and thanking God for the amazing show.

The Chronicles Of Narnia

I'll be honest, this item was added as I got stuck before I reached 101, and I thought it would be easy to do. I didnt have much rationale behind it, except that I remember reading them as a kid and despite weekly Sunday School attendance I didn't pick up on the Christian allegory.

Reading them through, I can hardly remember most of the books. I think I remember The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe better from the original film. And I don't think I'd read all the books as a kid as I think I found some of them boring. However it could be my memory deceiving me, as I had a cuddly toy mouse called Reepicheep aged 8 yet none of The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader was familiar to me!

I did enjoy the books, they were easy to read, fast paced and did hold my interest. I still hardly noticed the Christian story as there are also a lot of magical happenings.

I'm pleased to have read them again, but probably won't be in a hurry to re-read them. So the box set will probably be passed to someones children at some point as its taking up precious room on my full book shelves!

A Surprise Completion And My First Disappointment

Item 66 was to get a good photo of me and Dan together. The aim was for me to like it enough to use it as my profile picture on facebook for a while.

On Saturday we were a BBQ and my lovely friend Lynda took a couple photos of us, including this one here, and you know what, I like it. I think we've both looked better in photos, but this is the first one where we've both looked good in the same one, and we were both genuinely laughing a lot when it was taken, which I think makes it good. Thanks Lynda!

The disappointment was that we watched number 13 off the top 20 film list 2001: Space Odyssey. Oh my goodness what a load of rubbish that was! I can't tell you what the film was about. There are monkeys. A lot of it is in space. And there was a giant baby. No one said a word. I couldn't discern a plot line. I know I'm a bit traditional, but I like my films with a beginning and a middle and an end. The end can be a little ambiguous, but I like to be sure its finished and not randomly cut off because the budget ran out.

While watching the film, to stop me falling asleep from boredom, I googled the film to try and find out why it is so highly regarded. I still can't work it out. Wikipedia says that Kubrick (the director) always refused to explain what happens, preferring to leave the viewer to work it out for themselves, which I believe reinforces my point that nothing happens.

I'm actually quite sad about this, the whole point of the list is to do those things you don't always mean to do, but don't get round to. Its about grabbing life with both hands and living to your full potential. And I just wasted 2 hours and 20 minutes of my precious Sunday afternoon watching various different film shots of space while listening to some classical music. I don't feel this enhanced my life cultrally at all. I should have watched Wall-e again instead.

Climbing a Grade 5 - Attempt No 1

The sunset over Bowles rocks yesterday evening. The colours were more spectacular in real life, my photo taking has let it down.

So item no.52 on my list is to climb a grade 5 route. Climbers reading this may notice I have been deliberately vague :)

I haven't specified indoors or outdoors. I haven't specified grade 5a, 5b or 5c (they get progressively harder, after 5c it goes to 6a). I haven't specified if I have to climb it in one go, if I slip off, but then go back to the same point and climb it again, or rest on the rope does that count?

Basically the answer is I havent decided yet! To complete, in any shape or form, a 5a/b/c wil be such an achievement and show a marked improvement since I started climbing nearly a year and a half ago. And thats really what this item is about. To get better.

Yesterday, I made a very good attempt at a grade 5a at Harrisons. I fell off, but re-did the move and carried on. Unfortunately I also couldnt quite get over the top. I was so tired from the effort of getting there, and also for the last push there is only one point of contact. You have one good foot hold but there is nowhere for the other foot and nothing except flat rock to balance your hands against...

It has reminded me I need to BMF properly to increase my overall strength and fitness again.

Work In Progress

Thanks to the help of my fantastic brother I started work on 4 items on the list last night!

We have our socialising down to a fine art now. I instruct him on when and where to turn up, and what he needs to bring, and what job he will be doing for me and what the reward is!

So last night he dutifully turned up after work and was fed pork with cider and mustard sauce and crushed new potatos which is the first of 12 new recipes I'm going to cook over 12 months (Item 90).

We then headed off to visit our elderly relative, and she was so delighted to see us I was pleased we'd made the effort. (Item 27).

Back at my flat Graham began my guitar lessons. He knows an awful lot and I wish I could remember more of it today, but the thing I do remember is that holding chords down really hurts your fingers! I think this is going to be harder than I anticipated, but it was quite fun, and I hope we do it again soon. I must practise the chords I learnt and see if I can get a bit better at moving from one to another, currently there is a 30 second pause while I say "ummmmm..... oh yes! No... thats not quite right...." which is not good enough! Still good progress for a first attempt I feel! (Item 50)

Graham is also going to keep an eye out for a black and white film for me (Item 48). I had assumed I'd have one to hire on my BT Vision, but it seems I don't, and Graham thinks he can find one in the sale for nearly the same price as rental, so hopefully one will come up soon, I really need to get something else crossed off the list!

Item 31

11 days into the 1001 and I have completed my first item which is this blog.

I must admit I have had a little (ok, quite a lot) of help from my personal IT help desk. It was quite a lot harder than I thought!

I'm pleased to have got something crossed off the list. Right, better pick something else to work on now...