How to be Free, I think.

Freedom, say it to yourself...what comes to mind? The demolition of the Berlin wall...or the perfect surf spot? The philosophy of freedom is associated with liberty, which as Wikipedia would have it is the condition in which an individual has the ability to act according to his or her own will. Liberty and freedom, sound good to you?

But how do we get it?

Liberty and freedom are always talked about. Trust me I work in a restaurant that pays poorly and I’m surrounded by poor and hormonal students...you name it we’ve whined about it. And Liberty and freedom are at the top of the list.

You wanna get it? Then you gotta figure out what it is.

Quote “Freedom is when you got nothing else to lose.” I work with a buddy of mine every Saturday in a restaurant that’s part of a pretty big chain. I won’t mention names, so that I can say whatever I like. ;-)

Girl troubles. You can tell when a guys having them. His shoulders are slunk, conversations dryer than normal and every other word is a sigh. Walking around in a daze thinking about how to put things right. We are completely, utterly, pathetic. But we’d never let you know that. She’s got you by the heart strings and you need to pull something out of your pocket just so you can see her smile again. Normally the kinds of stunts we plan in this situation are dubbed, “Going for broke” and normally we wouldn’t do something this daring. But when we’ve got nothing else to lose, well my buddy figures that’s when we’re free. Maybe he’s on to something.

I thought freedom came at a price. In order to achieve my freedom I might need an eye opening amount of money. How do I get this money? I work. A lot. Thinking about that doesn’t make me feel very “free” and I won’t be. Not at first. But eventually I will be able to “afford” to be free. I’ll be able to afford freedoms “Price”. Right? I don’t know...what would I buy? A car? That could get me places, but then there’s insurance, tax, MOT. Money, money, money. That means more hours at work, and that means less “Feeling free.” Freedom’s looking expensive. But is that where it is? At the end of the working tunnel? In my view to achieve freedom, I’ll have to wait till
retirement. That can’t be right. Something’s wrong here.

So far we have two extreme views of freedom.

One, have nothing.

Two, have everything.

Neither of those views are going to work...not on their own...but what if we mix things up a little? Why must freedom be a final destination, the end of my journey? Why do I have to struggle up till that point?

See the truth is...going for broke? Is a last minute ditch attempt at a daring rescue...you’ve usually reached rock bottom around then, not so fun. And having everything? That’s just placing faith in material possessions...you’ll get bored of that sofa pretty quick.

Maybe there is no finding happiness...but instead there is being happy. What I’m about to say may sound different, but if you look at it closely it could be the key to a few things...

Ghandi, an internationally esteemed Indian philosopher once said “be the change...you want to see”.

Why?

Well, what if...you learn to enjoy life, learn to smile. Laugh things off; let it roll of your back. Focus on the good, strengthen the bad...let the stress go. I’m not saying be happy where you are, you can stick that idea because I don’t want to work in a restaurant all my life...I’m simply saying try out a few of these things...and you'll begin to learn how to begin being free.

We're so used to having a confined way of thinking, with most of us just about concentrating on survival that we dont really know what freedom is. Or how to allow ourselves to feel it.

But after adopting these "outside the box" habits, I think you’ll start seeing things in a different light...I honestly believe that when you reach this achievable height...you’ll have the clarity to figure out your freedom pretty quickly...and have a better time doing it and a better chance of achieving it.

Be carefree, but not too carefree...get a good balance...and your well on your way.

Now I don’t have this down to a fine art, at the end of the day this is just a view. But at least it’s a view that comes from a guy in the same shoes.

But for what it's worth, my two cents? ...Mix it up a little.

Today, there was snow...Christmas is coming.

It snowed today, reminding us all that Christmas is on its way! Usually the people of England have to wait for the coca cola advert with the big red truck before anyone feels festive! But this year we had some snow before the big day!

They say that to dream about clean pure snow signifies a fresh start. I don't have to have a whip round to guess we could all do with one of those. So christmas is coming up and after that it'll be 2010. Oh and don't forget, according to the mayans the worlds all supposed to end by 2012! So what are you going to do with this new start? Hows your life going to go from now on? Any new years resolutions?

Lets take a look back at the world of 09...

January 20th 2009 sees the inaugeration of the 44th but 1st African American president of the United states of america.

Launching from Cape Carnival Air Force station, florida USA, KEPLER the space Photometer has gone to search for Extrasolar planets in the Milky Way Galaxy on March the 7th.

April 21st UNESCO gives us the WORLD DIGITAL LIBRARY (WDL)Making it possible to to discover, learn about and enjoy cultural treasures from around the world!

June 25th marks the loss of world renown Michael Jackson and from July to September Sweden takes presidency of the European Union, the indigenous people of Bolivia can govern themselves and world leaders announce G-20 will grow and replace G-8's role to prevent another financial crisis.

October to December Europeans discover 32 exoplanets, NASA finds "Significant" water in the moons "Cabeus Crater" and the mouthful that is UNFCCC holds a climate change conference.

I'm pretty sure there's a bunch more stuff, but trust me there's a LOT of bad news! Instead of depressing you, I'm going to try and give you hope for the times ahead.

Take all the good you can from this year and take it with you to next year. The goods always lighter to carry than the bad =]Good luck with your new start =]

Working 9-5...well...till six actually.

I work in a restaurant. This means I do not do, and or have no control over certain things. For instance, Sir...or Madam...


I do not write the prices. Neither mine nor your opinion can change the price on the sticker in the next five minutes, or while I serve you. This is not because I have sold my soul to my workplace manager board and am therefore a monster. It is merely because I am the Saturday boy.

Yes. We will run out of teaspoons from time to time. I try my best to make sure this does not happen to you. If this does happen to you, no I do not expect you to have to stir it with your finger. And no I do not expect you to swish it around by the handle until the sugar dissolves. Because then I have to clear up the hot drink you spill, whilst you tell me you swished it to prove your point. I will try to get you some more teaspoons. This takes over five seconds, and yes you can fit the word Mississippi between saying those numbers.

I am not allowed to kill anyone. That is why I let you moan. It is not your right to do so. If there is a problem you may explain it and even make a formal complaint I honestly will try my best to help you. I do however understand your decision not to write up a formal account and just shout at me instead, seeing as the problem was you and your entire family could not eat your meals because there was no salad cream. I would not want that read back to me either.

Yes. I saw you do that. Please don’t do that. It embarrassed both of us. I wish I hadn’t seen.

I cannot let you have something for free if the scanner does not pick it up.


I did not, nor do I have the power to, do the following things before you reached my till:

• Fill up the Argos queue with people
• Fill up all the parking spaces
• Make your shopping heavy
• Convince your child to be naughty
• Raid your bank account
• Make it hot
• Make it rain
• Design time length for parking tickets

• Buy everything you want in other shops so that you couldn’t have them and therefore had to come here

• Lose your purse/wallet
• Get your bank cards cancelled
• Design the knives and forks
• Catch the fish myself


If I tell you that you will find teabags in the tea pots, and you find the teapot without one I have not tried to sell you water. The person before you has snabbed an extra teabag. I did not tell them to do this. I will get you a teabag.

I hope this helps you dear customer, to understand MY predicament. Now, enjoy your meal, and please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

12:47 on a friday morning

I work in a restaurant. It’s a small job but the pay covers my college fees. In a job like mine where hundreds of people are just flowing past you start to learn something about people, about life, and experiences.

I go to a college. I’m in an IT course that should guarantee a good future. In a course like mine where you work with people, for people, to help the world’s people, you learn a few things. You learn about people, life and experiences.

I go to a church. I sit in the chairs always feeling like I should be up the front. In a church like mine, where you work with people, for people, to help the world’s people, you learn a few things. You learn about people, life and experiences.

In all of these places, including the ones I haven't yet mentioned and the ones too come; I have learned one reoccurring lesson.

The world is mad.

I look forward to writing this blog.