All Blogs

Mostly photography, but sometimes tea and other thoughts

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Jack of All Trades, Master of Some

October 22, 2016

Over the last few years, by pursuing anything that stirs my interest, I’ve built up a varied skill base. Although tai chi has been consistent throughout, I enjoy the learning process as much as steady focus on a single discipline. I try my hands at many different things. Recently, a few people have commented on this approach. They use different metaphors: Jack of all trades or wearing many hats. But, many strings to your bow is my favourite. Something about this

Swooping, Smelling Roses, and Stopping

October 22, 2016

I haven’t written much for two weeks. I’ve been busy. Setting up a limited company ready for trading by Black Friday, within a month of its conception, is a bit of a task it seems. While applying the lean philosophy, our MVP has still taken a lot of work. (I’m sure I’ll do a post on this, so stay tuned.) Although I’ve not been writing – prose, that is (lot’s of copy) – I’ve read several books and listened to the

The Golden Elixir

October 22, 2016

Standing in her kitchen, it was the first time Eli and I had seen each other in some time. ‘Tea?’ she asked. ‘Of course.’ What else? I occupied myself, surveying the pictures on her walls while she set a tray with china teapot and matching Chinese-style cups. She produced a jar from a cupboard. It was hand labelled ‘Ed’s Magic Oolong’. The word is out, it seems. After decanting a few grains and adding hot water, she swirled the contents before

Same Shit Different Office

October 21, 2016

I sat in the office of a client, in a building situated near Taganskaya metro station, west Moscow. Taganskaya is a beautiful district which remains unscarred by the architectural harikiri of the 1960s. Unlike in other areas of the city, there are no ugly Khrushchyovka and every building is a feast to look at. Earlier in the day, as I’d made my way to work from the metro, through tumbling clumps of plane blossom, which flurried to avoid my step, I’d

On Arriving

October 21, 2016

I’ve been two months now, living in Moscow. And, I’m finally settled, and comfortable enough – in a manic routine (thanks IH) – to spend some time doing the things I love. Time to blow the dust from my keyboard and bash out some writing. Getting back to it, my writing’s not flowing with ease. I’m rusty. The last thing I recorded were some reflections on landing. Reading back over it I’m amazed by the contrast: Step in from street. Heat

Tying Shoes, Toaking and Tai Chi

August 25, 2016

I’m 28 now and around Christmas time I thought it was about time I learn to tie my shoes. I don’t know how I stumbled on his site – I love how niche the internet goes – but according to Ian Fieggen, aka Professor Shoelace, for the best part of three decades I’ve been doing it wrong. Instead of the orthodox reef knot, I have been securing my shoes with ‘granny knots’. The Professor goes into detail in this video, but