Justin does something even more unusual...

Those that know me are well aware of my somewhat random ideas and adventures that I get up to. Some (Aka Most!) don't understand many of them, but at least tolerate and humour me when I start to share my next plans.

So what have I done now? Well that requires a little explanation of the previous month or so. So get a warm cup of your favorite and setting in for story time...
Having previously done a little urban exploring, as well as taking up photography on a more serious level, I figured Id see what groups there are online for people wanting to partake in both of these strange and unusual activities. The idea of taking a photo isn't as simple as just hitting a button (something I learnt VERY quickly with an SLR) and learning to master it can take many years. And Urban exploring? What the hell is that? Basically it is finding and exploring abandoned buildings. Said buildings can be anything from houses and castles right through to hospitals & asylum and even factories. The surprising thing about this, is that many sites are usually right in plain view but we just block them out - Unwanted and unloved, they sit, slowly dying a little bit more every day. The great thing is that structures that have been abandoned like this make for great photos - with all the paint pealing off, the rubbish and furniture strewn about and the haunted/vacant look that you get from years of dust build up.

Yeah? All very interesting, but come onto the good part - what crazy thing have you done now??
Well to see what exciting locations are in my area, I thought Id join a local Urbex group and see who they are, and where they go to. Always a slight risk, as you can usually be sure there is one person who enjoys breaking into real live working factories and stealing stuff. Im up for exploring where your not meant to be, and at worse being pointedly asked to leave. Damaging and stealing stuff? Not so cool...
So, after having one or two tentative posts on the forums, someone asked for an expression of interest to fly to Krakow (Poland!) and explore the quarry that Schindler's List was filmed in! Well... Pros and cons with this. I love to travel. I love to take photos, and apparently I love to explore abandoned places. The one HUGE CON in all this? I have never met these people in my life!!!
So I put my name down, have bought the tickets and arranged for time of work. Yep - crazy, insane and possibly dangerously stupid. But what a way to meet people huh? Besides, if its good enough for Micheal Jordan and Thomas Edison, its good enough for me!

We are planning on meeting up before the flight over, and Ive had quite a few messages with one of the members who are arranging things. I'm sure its going to work out fine...

Breaking things down into bite sized pieces

Well its been a little while since Ive posted any love here, but I have now realised why after reading another useful blog. It turns out that when faced with a task that seems too large to tackle, its just easier to run and hide - or pretend that its not there. Instead what I should be doing is breaking things down into smaller tasks, which not only makes things easier to get done becasue your only tackling many small problems, but the sence of acheivement that comes on the completion of a task gives you the phycological boost to want to achieve more and more. Then, before you realise it, the huge problem that you couldnt bare to face has been sorted out!
If only I was told this when I was younger, and then I might have been inclined to finish my homework and achieved something greater in life! Instead what I have decided to do, is get some photos that Ive taken posted to the various online sites, as well as post something to this poor neglected page of mine. And Look - here is something posted!

Im proud of myself, for no other reason than I get to go to bed tonight with the sence of achievement - and thats a worthy reward in itself!

The other thing of mild interest that has taken any free time away (after photography, travel and general computer stuff) is the world of Geocaching. Many moons ago I discovered this crazy idea that people all over the world were doing, and figured Id check it out. So with my trusty Wingman, a borrowed GPS and more than a few cans of Scotch off we went in search of treasure! Well it turned out to be a lot of fun, but like most things I seem to get involved with it fell by the wayside until a friend recently mentioned it again. So now I find myself spending the weekends (and even after work!) out trecking through the English countryside, all in the search for small plastic lunchboxes containing....

The best bit about it though? Not so much the search for them (though there is a secret joy in knowing where something is hidden) but the fact that Im out in the fresh air, seeing parts of the countryside that some locals dont even know exists, and doing it with like-minded friends.
Things not so grand? The thought of geocaching come winter, and sludging through snowy fields while loosing feeling in various extremities. Thorns, thistles, stinging nettles, bees and wasps and various other murderous British flora and fauna.

But all in the name of good fun!