If we simplify the equation down into two parts, we have the choice to either do something, or not do something. We all do this so effortlessly, that perhaps we forget that we actually have this responsibility to ourselves. The difference however, lies in what comes next. From the action or lack thereof, we can either learn from it or choose to be ignorant.

So combining these two rules, we get four unique permutations; 1. Do and learn. 2. Do and don’t learn. 3. Don’t and learn. 4. Don’t and don’t learn.

There’s no right or wrong way to approach each situation, but you do have the option of at least the four choices above. It’s up to you to decide which one you do, but personally I’d avoid numbers 2, 3 and 4 whenever possible. The only situation where number 3 would come in handy, is if you’ve already done number 1. And I can’t for the life of me think of a situation where I’d want to not learn from a choice that I’ve made, which places 2 and 4 into the lazy pile.

Sometimes I struggle with the tools that we’ve been given to simplify and complicate our understanding of life. Often I wonder if I’m using a screwdriver to hammer in a nail.

The photography classes that I was arranging fell by the wayside. Regardless, I continued with the theme of ‘Hidden Beauty’ and the compositional element of ‘Filling the Frame’. I chose to Do and Learn. I did the photo assignment and learnt about brush strokes. I put the Peanut Butter in my cereal and learnt that every bowl of cereal from this day onwards, will always contain this amazing breakfast bowl ingredient.

I understand the need to believe in yourself, but why should it dominate the judgement of the people around you.

At a guess, I’d say it was just a force of habit, through years of practice of judging yourself on a never ending basis. So when it comes to forming ideas about other people, the easy path is always available. But to try to come to terms with the simple idea that someone else believes different to you, takes a lot more energy.

I’m considering a tattoo, made up of all different pieces that I will construct over the years, constantly growing into something more solid and wise. Each piece will be a lesson that goes up to make the belief system that I choose to subscribe to, as opposed to the one that was necessarily dealt out.

I don’t want you to subscribe to anything I do or believe, but I do want to hear about how you run things in your part of town. I went shopping in mine today, hence the ‘shopping spree’ images.

1. It’s not 100% original
2. I may not be legally allowed to claim complete copyright to my work
3. I rely on hashing together other people’s styles to create my own
4. I inevitably make compromises when choosing between images that exist in the stock.xchng library.

My skills as a photographer are more than competent to create textures that are equally as good, or better than any I could find on a free stock photography site. So today armed with my camera and a hangover, I did a texture shoot around Brighton. I look forward to one day having a vast collection of my own images to use, but for now… here are the results:

“Of course. We are cursed to only ever see the world through our own eyes. So we end up thinking we’re special, because that’s all we ever know.”

“But if everyone thinks they are special, doesn’t that make us all the same, and therefore not special?”

“Yep.”

“So does that mean I’m not special?”

“We are all special to someone, just not to everyone.”

What follows is the result of a tuna sandwich powered journey to London.

If you’re really serious about getting off the roundabout – perhaps you fancy a go on the swing or the fear inducing see-saw – then don’t do this or that, do something completely different. Do something completely unrelated. Since it’s your own hoop you’re playing with, surely you would have covered all known bases in order to keep you all warm and cosy inside. Which is exactly why I suggest doing something that you haven’t considered yet; something that might just bypass your life rules and regulations which you hold onto like a stroppy child. A pretty damn good way to break your own habits is to either a) confuse the hell out of yourself, b) get someone else to choose things for you , or c) try my personal favourite – just do something and ignore the consequences.