Stream of Consciousness Writing

Posted on May 23, 2008
Filed Under Life Hacks | Leave a Comment

Building I want to tell you about a technique that I have been using in order to replace journalling, which I have found does not work very well with me. This technique is similar to journalling, but has a few important differences. Both “stream of consciousness writing” and journalling have the emotional and “From the Heart” aspect to it, where the feeling is important, perhaps even more than the content. Both allow you to sort out, and put down on paper [or computer] what you are thinking and feeling at the time.

I have never been a fan of the Steve Pavlina school of journalling, whereby it is used as a problem solving tool. I believe that it is better not to think of it as a tool for problem solving, but rather as a means of expression. That is not to say that it cannot or should not be used in that manner, but that I have found that it is better (in spite of what Steve says on this subject) to actually go back and read what you have written. Sometimes I find something in there that I never noticed whilst I was writing. However, there are no “Journal Police”, to paraphrase a popular expression, so I wouldn’t recommend that you take what I have said here as an absolute. There is a lot of scope for manoeuvre on this.

I should probably tell you what is different from the standard sort of journal keeping that is normally(?) done, at least from what I’ve read about it. Firstly, I should point out that I am using Tomboy as the note taking application, which probably makes it a little bit different from conventional journals already, in that hyperlinking is supported, as well as various means of categorising the notes thus created. The major difference between journalling and the “stream of consciousness” that flows from my typing is that revision of the notes is perfectly legitimate thing to do. However, there are some caveats to the way that I handle this, which can probably be surmised from the title of this post.

There are two steps in the process, both of which are vital for the process to work successfully. They are detailed below. Read more

How to save money

Posted on February 27, 2008
Filed Under General, Life Hacks | 2 Comments

bag of money

Below are five tips that should put you on the right path to saving money.

Set up standing order to savings
By automatically shifting the money into your savings account, you will reduce the tendency to spend it, knowing that you will have to transfer the money back into your current account in order to do so.

Measure where your money is going
This post [lifehacker] shows you how to measure your finances in a way that is useful, and quite revealing. If you can see what your perception of your spending, and compare it with the actual spending you will be able to see where any discrepancies lie, and be able to act on it. The next point addresses just that. Read more

Short tips on how to annoy junk mail marketers

Posted on October 15, 2007
Filed Under General, Life Hacks | 1 Comment

This is a short tip on how to annoy junk mail marketers.

Complain on the company’s website, if they have one
Send the freepost envelope back with nothing in
Return mail addressed to “The Occupier” with the phrase “Not Known At This Address”

I would be interested in hearing your comments on how to deal with junk mail.

Microsoft attacks Google Apps

Posted on September 12, 2007
Filed Under News, Other | 1 Comment

The following statement was released by Microsoft concerning Google’s Google Apps software.

“Google has a history of releasing incomplete products, calling them beta software, and issuing updates on a ‘known only to Google’ schedule–this flies in the face of what enterprises want and need in their technology partners–what is Google doing that indicates they are in lock step with customer needs?”

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Read more

Suggestions on how to pray daily

Posted on September 11, 2007
Filed Under God | 2 Comments

I have to admit, this is turning into a mini series now. Again this is soemthing I feel very strongly is for me. It may also be for you. I don’t know. If you like this, or it has helped you, please comment to say so. I will be encouraged to try to write more.

“Talk with God often. Talk over your problems with Him. Let Him bear the weight of your troubles. (See Matthew 11:28; 1 Peter 5:7.)”

When we speak with God, we admit that we need Him and depend on Him for our very existence. With this in mind we can turn our worries over to God, in the rationale that we are doing what we can to reduce our anxiety, whilst not abdicating our responsibilities.

What I mean by the above is Read more

Increase your time with God

Posted on September 6, 2007
Filed Under God | 4 Comments

I am really writing this for myself, but if it helps anyone else, that will be an added bonus.

Tips for your daily devotional time with God.

Build time into your schedule for reading, preferably in the morning when your mind is fresh and rested. If, like me, you are a night owl, do it in the evening, as you will just hate doing it otherwise. Basically, make this as easy as possible for yourself and you will be more likely to keep it up. Which leads us on to…
Make it a habit - Keep going even if it seems hard to find the time to do it or you don’t seem to be getting anywhere - It is important that you spend this time wisely. Once you have persevered for a while it will become easier, as your mind will accept that this time is for you to be with God, and is not to be compromised.
There will be times when finding the time to do this, or the energy, will be difficult, but you should keep it up. The best way to do this is to not let yourself miss two days in a row. If you find you forgot, in the busyness of life, to speak with God today, resolve that you will not make it two days in a row, this will stop you straying off-track, and being absorbed into the daily grind.

New straw man poll available

Posted on September 6, 2007
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment

I’m interested in what browsers people are using, so please answer the question below. Its for a good cause.

What browser are you using to access this site?

What do you think of the current site layout?

Sidebar updates

Posted on August 26, 2007
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment

I have added to the sidebar a list of items in Google Reader that I think are worth highlighting or sharing. Please let me know if you find any other sites or posts that are worthy of attention.
Edit: I have actually removed it, as it looked rubbish compared with the rest of the site. I have also reduced the number of sidebar entries so the page takes less time to load.

Avoiding the Reciprocity Norm

Posted on June 26, 2007
Filed Under Life Hacks | Leave a Comment

Sometimes in this world its hard to avoid things. One of the hardest things to avoid appears to be the reciprocity norm. First I will explain briefly what this term means, then I will give an example from real life, and thirdly I will expose the implications that this has on our thinking and actions.

However, this is not an essay, so don’t expect too much.

Basically the reciprocity norm is the expectation, or obligation that is placed on you when someone does you a favour, or gives you a gift. You are obligated to return in kind. I will give an example of what might happen.

A “charity mugger” comes up to you in the street and gives you a small token gift, then proceeds to immediately ask you for money. The premise is that because you have been given something, you feel obligated to return the favour, however small, with a monetary donation to the charity. Note that this obligation is felt no matter what your personal views considering charitable giving, or the specific charity in question.

The obvious way to avoid this is to avoid receiving the gift in the first place.

However, there are some ways in which this is either not possible, or the tactic comes in different forms. For instance, a salesman might spend a long time with you, telling you about the product. You are reluctant to waste his time, so you reciprocate by buying something from him. The answer to this is that you don’t actually need to give him anything. The company that he works for pays him to do this to you.

When someone gives you a gift, of time, a flower, whatever - the fact it is a gift obligates you to return something. I am not suggesting that you break the reciprocity norm, in fact the opposite. By avoiding it you run the risk of cognitive dissonance, and feeling guilty. No! I am merely suggesting that if someone gives you a gift with the intention of getting something out of you, they are acting unethically. Despite this, I would suggest that the best remedy you can give is a heartfelt thanks.

If you feel that you are being manipulated, thank them for what they have done, and get out of there as soon as reasonable. For a gift, if it is truly a gift, deserves a thank you. Some gifts may merit more than that, but that is not the spirit of a true gift.

A true gift will never demand restitution.

By all means, if you feel that the deal is a good one, I am not saying reject it, but if you feel like the walls are closing in and restricting your actions, it may be time to say thank you and goodnight.

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How to leave a good comment, and lasting impression on someone’s site

Posted on June 26, 2007
Filed Under General, Other | 5 Comments

Much has been written on this subject, not all of it good. I thought I would chime in with my tuppence worth. There are three main rules to follow if you comment on this site, which will avoid your comment getting relegated to the spam folder, deleted, or worse, laughed at then one of the above.

Rule 1.

No advertising of sites that are nothing to do with the post. This includes whether you are attempting to get links to viagra, or just trying to get people to your own site. Obviously if you put your own site in the url textbox I am not going to penalise you for that (unless you are advertising the site without posting a valid comment).

Rule 2.

Keep the comment relevant to the topic of the post, or other comments on the post. Any off-topic comments I reserve the right to delete without warning.

Rule 3.

Keep your language clean. I don’t mind disagreements, but if the comment is written in vulgar, inflammatory or otherwise disrespectful, then I WILL delete it. End of story.

Hope this clarifies the commenting policy on this site, and I look forward to receiving more comments.

BTW, and this is directed at you spammers, I run askimet on this site, so your comments won’t ever reach the post, and rest assured that if you do, I will immediately remove them. Why do you waste your time on doing things like this that are pointless anyway?

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