WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 2015 07:30 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (1st July 1945)
Moscow...
Treaty negotiations between Moscow and China begin

Berlin...
After prolonged delaying tactics by the Soviets, the first US occupation forces arrive in the city

Tarakan...
Australian 26th Infantry Brigade patrols and mops up Japanese stragglers

Borneo...
USN Task Group 78.2 lands 7th Australian infantry division near Balikpapan. 
A Japanese counter-attack against the beachhead is repulsed overnight

Off Japan...
Two Japanese vessels are sunk and two damaged by mines

China...
Japanese vessel Shinneisho Maru is sunk by US FEAF aircraft at mouth of the Yangtze River

Yellow Sea...
Four Japanese Vessels are sunk by USN submarine Haddo

Burma...
Isolated remnants of Japanese 28th Army are rallying in the Pegu Yomas in preparation for breaking out to the east

Today's Air Raids...
Celebes Island on military targets by US FEAF
Phillippines on isolated Japanese-occupied islands by US 5th Air Force
Japan on Chiran airfield, Kumamoto, Ube, Shimonoseki, Kure, military targets, targets of opportunity and offshore minelaying by US 7th and 20th Air Forces
East China Sea minelaying by USN PB4Y-2 aircraft

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Shopping
Me Time
Meditation
Making supper
Client session and follow up
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,981 (down 1)
Non-followed eliminated = 2
both untraced
Unfollowers eliminated = 1
@WyattVW
New Followers followed back = 2
@RajQuic, @funnyyjokeess 
Spammers not followed back = 0

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

So another month begins! The major event of this month will be Son's long holiday in Belarus. Though as parents we will miss him, it's an experience that will do him the world of good, having to organize his own life for a while. It will also be nice to have it a little more free n' easy round the house. 

From around the age of 14 to a year ago was something of a "Golden Age" in our relationship, where we were best mates. Inevitably though, he is finding his own way and getting restless, and the lion's share of his time is shut away in his room in pursuit of his relationship with his long-distance girlfriend. He has also taken to spouting negative and politically naive bollocks when he does emerge, and our quality time has shriveled to the odd moment.

All this is of course completely normal, natural and right, and we remain on good terms, and every worthy parent must go through this phased letting-go. Letting go and letting all things pass is fundamental to my philosophy, but you can find yourself clinging without realizing it. In Son's case I probably have, missing that "Golden Age" of closeness. It's time to subconsciously as well as consciously embrace the change and refocus on the pursuit of the destiny of this particular character.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU

Is there anything that it's time to let go of?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

Warm, dry and sunny throughout, somewhat cloudy in the afternoon

A light to moderate easterly or south-easterly will blow throughout

Max Temp = 27 degC at 2pm

Min Temp = 16 degC at 7am

Sunrise at 04:40

Sunset at 21:41

Moon: 

Weathertrack: Britain is between an anticyclone over the Baltic and a weak depression over Ireland, both drawing up warm African air from the south

Air Pressure: 1014 millibars and falling

6. TODAY'S ONELINER

Fairy tales have a tendency to dragon :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!

The Last Leg - on UK government cuts

8. TRIVIA

Bird strikes cause $300 million of damage each year to aircraft. The first recorded bird strike was in 1905, when Orville Wright’s plane hit a bird and killed it.

9. ZEN WISDOM

Each time you fall down, just get back up. If you can pick yourself up, you can also move forward.

TUESDAY 30th JUNE 2015 06:28 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (30th June 1945)
Moscow...
The Japanese government orders its ambassador in Moscow to meet with Molotov about a new economic and military agreement, but Molotov refuses to meet with him

France...
General Collins and headquarters of US VII Corps depart Le Havre for the United States and subsequent transfer to the Pacific

Bougainville Island...
Australian II Corps is attacking Japanese 17th Army along the Buin Road

Borneo...
USN and RAN warships of Task Force 74 with air support bombard targets around Balikpapan
Offshore, Japanese vessel Bandai Maru sunk by USN submarines Baya and Capitaine

Luzon...
US headquarters declares a formal end of the campaign on Luzon
US 8th Army relieves 6th Army for mopping up operations, whilst 6th Army prepares for the invasion of Japan

Okinawa...
US 10th Army declares mopping up operations complete

Off Japan...
The Japanese lose a cargo ship and an escort destroyer to mines, with four other ships damaged

Indochina...
Chinese forces invade Tonkin province

China...
Japanese 23rd Army is withdrawing to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River
Chinese forces capture Chungchin
General Stratemeyer takes command of US Army Air Forces China Theater with 10th Air Force and 14th Air Force

Today's Air Raids...
Balikpapan and military targets in Borneo by US FEAF
Sakishima Islands on airfields by USN aircraft
East China Sea minelaying by USN PB4Y-2 aircraft

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Client sessions and follow up
Ironing
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,982 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 0
Unfollowers eliminated = 1
@SaadRasheed
New Followers followed back = 1
@BonnieMoehle

Spammers not followed back = 0

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

I never forget the fact that I am emotionally fragile and have big buttons that can be pushed. Yes I have learned to mange myself, and a big part of that is creating a suitable environment, ruthlessly excluding from it the "button-pushers", but my essential nature remains. Being fully aware of this is actually a strength, keeping me in touch with reality and preventing me overreaching myself or overplaying my hand. 

The fragile, temporary ephemeral nature of life causes me to savour every temporary moment, though I have noticed that this attitude of grateful for now tends to lead to a more generous portion of it. When it all does pass I will be able to proudly say that once I had awakened, I made the absolute most of it.

Though I am enjoying what I have, I agree with the Buddhist maxim that the cause of all suffering is attachment. You cannot hold on to anything in life - it will invariably escape your grasp. It's better to treat everything nice like an orgasm - don't analyze it or mourn that it won't stay, just ride it as it thunders through.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU

Do you have the right attitude towards things you value in your life?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

Warm, dry and sunny throughout, clear skies overnight

A moderate south-easterly will blow throughout

Max Temp = 24 degC at 3pm

Min Temp = 16 degC at 7am

Sunrise at 04:39

Sunset at 21:41

Moon: 

Weathertrack: An anticyclone over northern Europe will keep Britain dry and drive up very warm air from Africa

Air Pressure: 1019 millibars and falling slightly

6. TODAY'S ONELINER

If you hate people asking you for a lift, say yes the first time then don't show up :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!

Trevor Noah on Zambia

8. TRIVIA

The most important holiday in China is the Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year. The Chinese traditionally believe that every person turns one year older on the New Year and, thus, that day is considered to be everyone’s birthday.

9. ZEN WISDOM

When we care for others our own strength to live increases. When we help people expand their state of life, our lives also expand. Actions to benefit others are not separate from actions to benefit oneself. Our lives and the lives of others are ultimately inseparable.

MONDAY 29th JUNE 2015 06:11 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (29th June 1945)
Ruthenia ...
The province of Ruthenia is formally ceded by Czechoslovakia to the Soviet Union

Washington DC...
President Truman reviews plans for landings on Kyushu in November and Honshu in March 1946

Bougainville Island...
Australian II Corps is attacking Japanese 17th Army along the Buin Road

Borneo...
Australian 9th Infantry Division finishes mopping up around Beaufort
USN and RAN warships of Task Force 74 with air support bombard targets around Balikpapan

Luzon...
US FEAF aircraft attacks pockets of Japanese forces

Okinawa...
US 10th Army with air support continues mopping up operations

Kume Shima...
US 10th Army declares the island secure

Tokyo...
The Japanese government presents the Soviet ambassador a proposal about a new economic and military agreement

Off Japan...
Japanese vessel Kyokuto Maru is sunk and four others are damaged by mines

China...
Kweilin-Liuchow operations: 
With Japanese 11th Army withdrawing toward Kweilin, Chinese 46th Army recovers Liuchow
Chinese 46th Army pursues the retreating Japanese to Lapao and Linchiang

Today's Air Raids...
Balikpapan and military targets in Borneo by US FEAF
Shinchiku, Formosa by US FEAF
Sakishima Islands on airfields by USN aircraft
Japan on airfields on Kyushu by US 7th Air Force
Kudamastsu, Japan by US 20th Air Force
Off Japan minelaying by US 20th Air Force
East China Sea minelaying by USN PB4Y-2 aircraft
China on bridges at Chungmow, transportation lines, Japanese positions, and other targets at multiple locations by US 14th Air Force

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
The Milk Run
Housework, including "ironing marathon"
Client prep and follow up
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,982 (down 1)
Non-followed eliminated = 1
@margartbarnes68
Unfollowers eliminated = 0
New Followers followed back = 0

Spammers not followed back = 0

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

I seem to be needing a lot less sleep of late, getting by on around 5 hours, and an hour of meditation per day. I'm just kinda going with it an observing with interest. I think it's mainly down to being happy and stress-free. I sleep more when upset about something, as does Missus, though she still needs much more sleep than me.

The way to live in paradise and not self-sabotage it is, I have concluded, by treating each day like it was the last one, and expressing profound gratitude for all its blessings, where I was loved and I made a difference. It's then wonderful to get another one. I know full well that I am mortal and one day will eventually be the last one. That focuses the mind wonderfully.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Do you regularly think of the things for which you're profoundly grateful?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
Dry cloudy and mild throughout, with sunny periods around beginning and end
A light south-westerly will swing south-easterly in the late evening
Max Temp = 17 degC at 3pm
Min Temp = 13 degC at 6am
Sunrise at 04:39
Sunset at 21:42
Moon: 

Weathertrack: An anticyclone moving rapidly north-east from the Bay of Biscay to northern Europe will keep Britain dry today

Air Pressure: 1020 millibars and static

6. TODAY'S ONELINER

When I'm in a car wash, I like to close my eyes and pretend I'm in a car :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!

Bill Maher on unnecessary British accents

8. TRIVIA

The length of all Chinese defense walls built over the last 2,000 years is approximately 31,070 miles (50,000 km). Earth’s circumference is only 24,854 miles (40,000 km)

9. ZEN WISDOM

The biggest obstacles to our progress exist within our own lives in the form of cowardice and the tendency to give up. Breaking through these barriers will unleash a surging wave of change.

SUNDAY 28th JUNE 2015 06:14 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (28th June 1945)
Poland...
The Provisional Government of The Republic of Poland is renamed The Provisional Government of National Unity, dominated by members imposed by Moscow

In the Pacific...
IJN submarine I-36 launches a Kaiten manned suicide torpedo which unsuccessfully attacks USN vessel Antares. The Kaiten is sunk and I-36 is damaged by USN destroyer Sproston

Borneo...
Australian 9th Infantry Division is attacking around Beaufort
USN and RAN warships of Task Force 74 bombard targets around Balikpapan with heavy US FEAF air support

Tarakan...
The RAAF establish the island as their major airbase

Luzon...
US 6th Army declare the island liberated, though pockets of Japanese resistance remain in the mountains

Okinawa...
US 10th Army continues mopping up Japanese pockets with air support

Off Japan...
Japanese vessel Daikokusan Maru is sunk and two others are damaged by mines

Today's Air Raids...
Limboeng and Langoan airfields, Celebes Island by US FEAF
Sakishima Islands on airfields by USN aircraft
Okayama, Sasebo, Moji and Nobeoka, Japan by US 20th Air force 
Japan on military targets by US 7th Air Force
China on transportation lines, Japanese positions, and other targets around Puchou, Kiehsiu, Neikiuhsien, Hsihsiakou, Suchow, Yoyang, and Gangsha by US 14th Air Force fighters

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
The Milk Run
Ironing
Client prep and follow up
Lunch
Meditation
Me Time
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,983 (down 1)
Non-followed eliminated = 1
untraced
Unfollowers eliminated = 1
@SZAKIUDDIN

New Followers followed back = 0

Spammers not followed back = 1

@margartbarnes68

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

A hassle-free Weekend Job has left me free to focus on the oncoming week - a busy one for clients! There's something comforting and cosy about a "just get on with it" kinda week. It also needs to be a week to address the slip-up in sleep and meditation discipline that happened over last week. I intend to ensure a full programme of brain shut-downs to allow mind and body to be fully maintained! Today as a priority in the afternoon I will be paying off accumulated sleep debt.

4. TODAY'S SELF OBSERVATION
Are you looking after yourself properly?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
Dry and cloudy start
Rain arrives by mid-morning and may be heavy for a time
Skies will start to clear slowly in the afternoon and it will be sunny by dusk
A moderate south-westerly will blow throughout
Max Temp = 17 degC at 3pm
Min Temp = 13 fegC at 6am
Sunrise at 04:38
Sunset at 21:42
Moon:

Weathertrack: A cold front will cross the country today, then an anticyclone will build behind it
Air Pressure: 1016 millibars and static

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
When butterflies fall in love, do they feel humans in their stomachs? :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
John Oliver on FIFA

8. TRIVIA
On impulse drive, it would take 400,000 years for Star Trek’s USS Enterprise to cross the galaxy.

9. ZEN WISDOM
All considerations of position, wealth and reputation aside, the greatest and most enduring triumph as a human being lies in knowing that one is doing one's best.

SATURDAY 27th JUNE 2015 05:31 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (27th June 1945)
Czechoslovakia...
Emil Hacha, former president of the German puppet government of Protectorate of Bohemia-Moravia, dies in prison

Washington DC...
Secretary of State Edward Stettinius resigns at behest of President Truman, succeeded by James F. Byrnes

Off the Marianas...
IJN submarine I-165 is sunk by USN PV-1 aircraft

Off Rabaul, New Britain...
Japanese vessel Hozu Maru is sunk by US aircraft 

New Guinea...
Australian 6th Infantry Division is attacking up Mount Shiburangu

Borneo...
Australian 9th Infantry Division captures Beaufort
USN and RAN warships of Task Force 74 bombard targets around Balikpapan
USN destroyer Caldwell is damaged by a mine off Balikpapan
IJN sub chaser Ch-2 is sunk by USN submarine Blueback

Luzon...
With US FEAF support, US 6th Army finishes clearing the Cagayan Valley

Okinawa...
With USN and USMC aircraft support, US 10th Army continues mopping up operations

Off Japan...
IJN auxiliary minelayer Kyushu Maru is sunk by USN aircraft
Three Japanese vessels are sunk and three damaged by mines

China...
Chinese 29th Army recovers Liucheng

Today's Air Raids...
Truk Atoll by US 7th Air Force
Sakishima Islands on airfields by USN aircraft
Off Japan minelaying by US 20th Air Force
East China Sea minelaying by USN PB4Y-2 aircraft

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Client session
Shift 2 of the Weekend Job
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,984 (up 1)
Non-followed eliminated = 0
Unfollowers eliminated = 0

New Followers followed back = 0

Spammers not followed back = 1

@lupiryhaqex

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

Nothing like a smooth successful day to raise morale, and Friday was definitely one of those! I feel nothing but gratitude. However, I would often prefer that my mood was not so vulnerable to circumstances. But that said, I have come to learn that emotions are crucial in human relationships - they are the glue that keeps us together. There is no incentive to hang with someone who is stone cold.

I think there has to be full acceptance of the nature of this character, and at the same time elevating consciousness above it, so I can fully enjoy the movie with grateful fascination

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you in control of how you make your loved ones feel?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
Dry and sunny throughout with a moderate westerly wind
Max Temp = 17 degC at 2pm
Min Temp = 12 degC at 6am
Sunrise at 04:38
Sunset at 21:42
Moon: 

Weathertrack: A passing ridge of high pressure will keep Britain dry and sunny today

Air Pressure: 1016 millibars and rising slightly

6. TODAY'S ONELINER

Procastination - we'll be discussing that later :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!

The Graham Norton Show - The vibrator in the charity shop window

8. TRIVIA

In 1985, co-founder Steve Jobs lost a power struggle with the board of directors at Apple and left the company. He founded a computer platform, NeXT, that same year. In 1996, a floundering Apple bought NeXT and brought Jobs back to the company. Much of the OS X operating system is built on NeXT technology. Additionally, once Jobs returned, he pulled Apple from the brink of bankruptcy, tripled annual sales, doubled Mac’s market share, and increased Apple’s stock 1,300%.

9. ZEN WISDOM

To lose hope or give up one’s goals because of the setbacks of the moment is to diminish one’s own life potential. Hopes, dreams, faith and sense of mission enable us to lead fulfilling lives.

FRIDAY 26th JUNE 2015 07:01 BST

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (26th June 1945)
San Francisco, USA...
The charter of the United Nations is formally signed by all the delegates

Off the Kuril Islands...
USN destroyers Bearss, John Hood, Jarvis, and Porter sink three IJN auxillary sub-chasers and a guardboat

Borneo...
Australian 9th Infantry Division are attacking into Beaufort
USN and RAN warships of Task Force 74 with US FEAF support bombard onshore targets around Balikpapan whilst USN underwater demolition teams continue operations along the beaches. A USN minesweeper is sunk and another written off during mine-clearing

Luzon...
US 6th Army is advancing around Alcala

Mindanao...
US 8th Army reaches Pinamola

Okinawa...
US 10th Army with air support continues mopping up operations

Kume Shima...
USN Task Group 31.24 lands a USMC reconaissance force

Off Japan...
Japanese vessel Eikan Maru and IJN gunboat Kamitsu Maru are sunk by USN submarine Parche
IJN escort destroyer Enoki is sunk and IJN destroyer Hatsuume damaged by mines

China...
Chinese forces recover Liuchow airfield as Japanese forces continue to withdraw

Today's Air Raids...
Limboeng airfield, Celebes by US FEAF
Ensuiko, Formosa by US FEAF
Sakishima Islands on airfields by USN aircraft
Japan on Osaka, Kagamigahara, Akashi, Eitoku, Nagoya, Yokkaichi and military targets by US 20th Air Force
East China Sea minelaying by USN PB4Y-2 aircraft - Japanese vessel Kisei Go is sunk
China on Yoyang, Hengyang, Chenghsien, Linfen, Tsinan, and Yutze by US 14th Air Force

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Client session and follow up
Meditation
Me Time
Shift 1 of the Weekend Job
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,983 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 2
AviationJobsMe +1 untraced

Unfollowers eliminated = 0

New Followers followed back = 2

@HeidiHardhail, @LucasJRobak

Spammers not followed back = 0

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

Viagra, I have noticed, doesn't work on a full stomach, or at least not for an impractical number of hours. With an altered evening where I had consumed a hefty quantity of pizza beforehand, even a double dose proved ineffective. Now Missus, horny as she is, is completely understanding about failures to launch, but all my sense of perspective evaporates into a cloud of embarrassment, deflated male ego and tantrum.

Thanks to my training, my loved ones were not hurt or upset by my loss of composure as I vented it elsewhere on my own, though the cat pushed its luck pestering me at the wrong time, narrowly avoiding a kick. I skulked into the Consulting Room, my "man shed" after Missus went to sleep and consequently lost half a night's sleep being upset, extended by an albeit successful solo performance just to convince myself I was still capable.

Like many of my clients I have to come to terms with the loss of health/capacity and accept how it is. In fact, that's one good thing - I can relate to clients struggling with acceptance. Though my own buttons remain easily pushed, my training enables me to limit the damage and considerably speed up the regaining of composure, and that's generally how it is with most issues - you can't cure them, only prevent them ruining your life by managing them effectively.

A big change btw has been brought about by the elimination of refined sugar from my diet, and now when I'm hungry I don't overeat or behave like a raging psychopath - and even more encouraging, I think the message that sugar is killing us is getting out there. 

With composure restored, albeit with a sleep debt hanging over me, onward into the new day...

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you struggling to come to terms with something?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
Dry and overcast, with skies clearing in the evening
A light to moderate south-westerly will swing westerly in the evening
Max Temp = 17 degC at 3pm
Min Temp = 14 degC at midnight
Sunrise at 04:37
Sunset at 21:42
Moon: 

Weathertrack: Weak weather fronts will cross Britain today before a ridge of high pressure builds behind them
Air Pressure: 1015 millibars and static

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank - give him a bank and he can rob the world! :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Bill Burr on chick flick lovemaking scenes

8. TRIVIA
Egypt gets only one inch of rain per year. England in a year will get 40

9. ZEN WISDOM
It’s important to have the courage to say what needs to be said at the crucial moment