Lance Armstrong and Arduinos

Lance Armstrong; how very disappointing.

The arduino, purchased as a Christmas present for one of my children, has been a huge success and will pass into family legend as one of the most successful Christmas gifts ever.  It has occupied minds and resulted in hours spent on the computer, not in addicted and anti-social game playing, but in thoughtful and detailed programming.

We have been treated to speakers blaring, lights flashing in a variety of combinations as well as for varying lengths of time, and planned projects for movement sensors and remote controlled everything.  I have learnt the importance of brackets, spacing and repeated lines of code; it’s all a foreign language to me, but the general air of industry is gratifying to behold.

I wonder if Mr Armstrong’s thirteen year old son, who has defended him so vigorously and for so long, is finding joy and comfort in the gifts which he received at Christmas.  I sincerely hope that there is something, during this very confusing and difficult period of his life, which is bringing interest, distraction and bright dreams.

As parents, our responsibility and duty to be role models brimming with integrity and authenticity can never be overstated.

Live well, not merely for your own sake, but for that of the vulnerable and hopeful folk who are watching you.

 

iammother

New Year’s Resolutions…and Dissolutions!

Vegetating corpulently on the sofa, in a gluttony induced semi-coma, is perhaps not the ideal setting for an objective perusal of the past year.  Neither is it the optimum situation for objective goal setting.  Still, here we are and “needs must”!

Was 2010 all that you had hoped?  Did it fulfil the promise or potential which you gleefully anticipated at the beginning of the year?  (My 2010 was a whirlwind of unexpected events.)  For good or ill, it’s over and New Year sends an opportunity for a deep breath and renewed determination.

So, here are some dissolutions and resolutions to ponder.

Dissolutions or Dissoluteness – You Pick!

1.  The Nationwide’s eejit decision to close its agencies – without adequate member consultation.  (Why exactly did we fight off the building society crunchers, a few years ago?)  Not in my name…

2.  RBS Business Division morphing into Santander.  Am I the only one who hears, “We are Borg… sorry, Santander”?!

3.  Wholesale rejection of the honourable age old tradition of local justice; the closure of magistrates’ courts up and down the land.

Resolutions – Optional and, at least, Not Destructive!

1.  Adopt a healthier lifestyle – if you choose!

2.  Clear under the bed and one other glory hole.

3.  Find that matching shoe.

4.  Sleep better; stress less.

5.  Book a day to worry about all those issues; form a plan, then move on.

6.  Choose to view life as an adventure – not as an obstacle course.

7.  You are the main character in your life story; live well.

8.  Give up one negative habit.

9.  Smile more.

10.  Enjoy a holiday – especially, if you stay at home.

A peaceful, progressive and productive New Year to you and yours