Month completed: February 2010

One of the main reasons I started Project 183 was to try out a whole bunch of new activities and see if I discovered any that could become great hobbies for me to keep enjoying for many years.

So far, I have found a few that were OK, but that I have no real interest in continuing (such as ninjutsu).

Last weekend, I discovered one that I will definitely be continuing with – bridge.

I took a two day course over Saturday and Sunday called ‘Learn to play bridge in a weekend’. Seven hours both days, including a three hour tournament at the end of the second day, was enough for me to realise that bridge is something I want to keep going with.

It is a great thinking game with tactics galore and with a constant risk/reward tightrope to be walked. Plus, it is a really social game that can be enjoyed by all ages (our course had 21 people, who aged from 20 to 70, and everything in between).

I am now planning to join the Canary Wharf Bridge Club, which plays each Wednesday night. And I can’t wait to get started.

For any bridge player out there who is interested, I played a weak one no trumps. If you want to play a game with me and you are in London, let me know.

Just read about Kashi Samaddar, an Indian man who has set a world record by travelling to EVERY country in the world. Read all about it here.

His journey took just over six years, and £350,000 to complete, and came with many misfortunes along the way, including being stuck in Nauru for a month and a half after the plane out of the island was cancelled eight times.

A genuine jetsetter if ever there was one.

Last weekend I kickstarted two new goals.

1. I bought a violin for Goal 15 (Play violin at least twice a month for six consecutive months). My one from Australia is still in Australia, and so I decided to splash out on a nice new one for while I am in the UK.

2. I signed up for the London Triathalon for Goal 146 (Complete a triathalon). It is a 1,500m swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run, and right now I have no idea how I am going to do it! If it was easy though, it wouldn’t be a challenge.

Good luck to everyone who has made a 2010 resolution.

Monina Velarde, a clever designer, has developed a simple tool for anyone struggling to come up with their new year’s resolution.

Head to the site, click one button, and your inspirational resolution is delivered. Simple.

Check it out here.

[The Daily What]

Have a great night tonight everyone, and thanks for taking an interest in my project during 2009.

Here’s to a big 2010!

Despite not many goals being crossed off at the moment, there are a few that are progressing.

- For goal 1 (take a meditation class), I have found the place that I am going to do the class

- For goal 21 (learn to play bridge), I have signed up to do a weekend course at the start of February

- For goal 26 (start a business), I am currently reaching the end of an 8-week entrepreneurial course

- For goal 31 (learn the flag of every country), I have bought a book called ‘The Complete Flags of the World’

- For goal 39 (get a meaningful tattoo), I am regularly seeking the permission of my better half, Nat (so far to no avail!)

- For goal 54 (do a wine appreciation course), Nat and I are signed up to do a course in January

- For goal 56 (play in a Scrabble tournament), I have now signed up as a member of the Association of British Scrabble Players

- For goal 62 (take Nat out to dinner six months in a row), this started officially last month

- For goal 101 (volunteer for five charities), I am about to register as a volunteer for Food Chain, as well as Cats Protection

- For goal 136 (busk as a human statue), I have an idea for how I am going to tackle this one (and there are some good tips here)

- For goal 151 (do a short course in French), there is a 10-week Thursday night course that Nat and I will start in January

- For goal 180 (do 10 things from the Change the World book), I have finally bought the book!

Sometimes, even when I am not knocking goals off the list, it is nice to take a step back and realise that I am still making good progress. This is meant to be about the journey, not the destination, so right now, I am happy with where the Project is at.

Plus, I am now officially one-third of the way through the list. Here’s to the next two-thirds!

I have written occasionally on this blog about people who inspire me.

Now I have decided to make this more of a regular feature of the blog, and when I hear about someone who does something inspirational, or even just plain nice, I am going to shout about it for everyone to hear.

Which brings me to Nigel Parker, who was given the honour of turning on the Christmas light at Portishead this year (a very big honour that is usually reserved for celebrities). Nigel looks to be one of the nicest blokes around, and if you are feeling a little down today, just take a leaf from Nigel’s book.

Here’s the video. If you come across anyone that you think is an inspiration, please let me know. Everyone needs a little inspiration.

Month completed: November 2009

There is something quite nice, I find, about doing a jigsaw puzzle. I think it might be that in order to solve it most efficiently, you need to develop a process (i.e. start by finding the corner pieces, then the side pieces, then all the bits that are just sky and so on).

Being random in approach and having no process at all means the job will fail or take ten times as long.

A little like life perhaps.

The other thing I like about a jigsaw is seeing the finished product. Which is why for this goal, I decided to embark on a 540-piece 3D puzzle of the globe, because the finished product is a great piece to display.

And as I found, quite a challenge not just finding the right pieces, but also the act of putting them together.

Here’s some shots, of the start, the middle and the end of the puzzle.

Just getting started – wondering just where to start

This thing is starting to take some shape. If I stopped now it would make a cool, but very fragile, fruit bowl

I have conquered the world!

I really enjoyed this goal, and think I will buy another – in a toy store the other day I saw one called ‘Pooh Sticks‘ – I was tempted but held off. What a ridiculous name.

Month completed: November 2009

I saw this goal as a scientific experiment – to evaluate one of the many teeth whitening kits out on the market in London.

To get a one hour teeth whitening session in London you are looking at upwards of £150, so I instead opted for a ‘at-home’ solution from Boots for £28.

This kit involved a three step process, which included wearing a mouthpiece with whitening gel for 15 minutes each morning and each night for two weeks.

It was a bit annoying to use, but after the two weeks, here were the results.

BEFORE

AFTER

As you may be able to tell, there is quite a difference between the two. The product does work.

Will I give it another go? Probably not. At nearly £30 a kit, I can think of much better things to spend my money on.

p.s. if anyone call tell me what the brown spot on my tooth on the top right in both photos, I would be interested to know!

Month completed: October 2009

In an earlier post I mentioned that the new flat that Nat and I moved in to in June has no TV.

Now, in early November, it still doesn’t.

The only TV we now watch is Home and Away (how embarrassing, I know) and the occasional documentary, via the Internet on-demand channels.

I remember back in Melbourne, the latest episode of Survivor, or Australian Idol, or whatever the latest hit show is, was the number one topic of discussion every day in the office.

So missing out on the main TV shows there meant not being part of the discussion.

But one thing I have noticed is that TV is rarely discussed around the office water cooler in London. Activities that people are up to seem to take precedent, which is a welcome change.

After five months now with no TV, I am starting to miss it though. It is nice to plonk in front of the couch at the end of a hard day, and escape with some mindless program.

Maybe I will make it a joint Christmas present for the house