It’s not always easy to know what to do for the best. I remember years ago, before the advent of widespread email, writing to a penfriend (a girl in the Middle East for some reason) about not having the answer book to life. We were both trying to decide what to do with our lives and were uncertain. I compared the certainty of academic study with my uncertainty about life in general and was reminded of being in maths class and finding the answer book to our maths book in an old storeroom. I thought having the answer book meant I had it made - life in that subject would be simple; but I was wrong in the long term because it taught reliance on an external source. This approach set me up to thinking in the wrong frame for quite some time that all problems could be solved with silver bullets (when the truth is they usually can’t be solved in a prescribed way). Some problems can be solved quickly with the right approach. Other problems seem to require dedication and persistency e.g. improving in a foreign language.

So, with no answer book about what would be best for the future but relying on my own competencies and skills and with only a few reservations, I gave notice at work this week. It’s a small risk but I know I can find something else because I have many options available. First, I have been accepted to a UK university to study for a PhD and I am waiting to find out if I will get the scholarship funding. Another plus is I have been accepted for a special program of work in the summer in Liverpool - this will allow me to save several thousands of pounds. It’s all good as far as it goes but where is it leading?

Being reminded of The 4 Hour Work Week, I read the chapter on killing one’s job. If you can, in no way, figure out a way to work remotely, Ferriss suggests it might be time to start looking for a new job. That’s how it is with me. I know it’s possible to work during the summer and to escape the current situation, but longer term the goal is to develop something more along the lines of the The 4 Hour Work Week: reduced hours and working for one’s self.

I’ve looked into a move to Barcelona, Madrid and even Italy. I’m working on the Michel Thomas Spanish course and trying to get my head around conditional verbs (”I would do it”!) - it seems I have missed something because this grammar point is hard to follow on CD 7 whereas the rest of the course has not been too challenging for me. But tolerating ambiguity is part of being a successful language learner so I’ll try to roll with it.

Also, I have an interview for a job in Hong Kong next week. But do I want to do another two years out there in the heat and humidity? It’s hard to decide but that is life. I have to choose because no one will choose for me. There’s no answer book. I’m reminded of existentialism - Sartre, Kundera and Houellebecq, especially, come to mind. We have to make our own decisions in life and take responsibility for what we choose.

Let’s not be in the position of the person who said ‘I used to be decisive but I’m not sure now’. Take action, take a chance that might pay off then correct it if necessary. Thanks, Tim Ferriss and other guiding lights.

I just finished Neil Strauss’ book ‘Emergency’. It’s about how Neil (Style) decides to learn the skills necessary to survive if the worst happens e.g. there is a major catastrophe. He learns to live in the wild, how to evade followers, pick locks, shoot properly, plan an escape to a safe location etc. The book was a great read and I enjoyed it even more than ‘The Game’, for some reason. Perhaps this was because I knew the people and techniques in ‘The Game’, pretty well whereas ‘Emergency’, provided more of a learning experience.

I’ve looked into some of the ideas Neil writes about over the years. Years ago, I bought lock picks and trained myself in using them. I got a 2nd passport for my mother, partly in the knowledge that it might make it easier for me to get a 2nd passport too. I’ve thought about escape locations and have some in mind. Do governments let people travel during an all out war? What was the situation during World War 2? Did people need special permission to leave the country or could anyone just get onto a boat and sail to the Americas or Iceland?

In terms of money, I’ve diversified where I keep my money. In the event of a (more serious) financial meltdown I have a plan B but admit I could do more in this area. It certainly would be useful to get the kind of training Neil writes about, especially the outdoor training. In a city, I think I could take care of myself to a certain extent - I can fight having trained in judo and karate. At school almost no one messed with me. Likewise, when it comes to persuasion I think I could talk people into helping to some extent but these skills will only go so far when a real emergency strikes.

Are there courses in Europe which teach the skills Neil writes about? Even if one learned only some of the skills mentioned in ‘Emergency’, one would be far more prepared for eventualities. And apart from that, being able to handle yourself, survive and protect people is damn cool and does wonders for your self-reliance and state.

I’m reminded of the Tough Guy Challenge I sometimes put myself through (see earlier posts). It’s good for city based social engineering training. What I need is a similar challenge for the outdoors to learn to handle nature.

Neil if you are reading this, drop me a line and we’ll hang out in the Lake District in November. No tents allowed.

Still waiting for Barry Kirkey to reschedule - he had to work the night of our planned interview.

Barry Kirkey is an old friend of mine from our Real Social Dynamics days. He is also known as ‘26′ and ‘Extramask’ in The Game by Neil Strauss. Back in the day we were sarging London together with Tyler Durden, Mystery and Papa.

Barry got in contact with me recently and invited me onto his radio show. You can get his show at http:www.revolution31.com.

 I’m looking forward to it. Here’s to the good old days!

At the weekend, I met Paul Gascoigne, England football player, in a club in Newcastle. Here is my report (video footage available):

On Friday I met Paul Gascoigne (Gazza), the former England footballer, in a club in Newcastle. Days earlier, I’d been telling my girl about the best goal I ever saw. It was Paul Gascoigne’s goal for England against Scotland in 1996. I showed her the goal on Youtube and she had to admit to being impressed at Gazza’s skill in chipping the ball over Colin Hendry’s head, running around him and volleying the ball into the back of the net.

Now, sitting in the corner of the club was Gazza and his two friends. Or should I call them ‘minders’? Or maybe they were ‘carers’ because Gazza was in a bad state. He was totally wasted from the booze and hardly knew where he was. I didn’t recognise him at first, but sure enough, I looked again, and it was definitely him.

Gazza was drinking Guinness and seemed to also be under the influence of his friends who were lining up shots for him and moving him around the club. ‘Paul, over here! Gazza, man, this is yours’, beckoning to him and trying to get him to focus. Gazza staggered around half-propped up by the people shaking his hand. There was a private party upstairs and hot girls were coming down to meet him. Some hugged him but he didn’t seem to quite register who they were. A vacant smile suggested enjoyment, generally, though.
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