What a Sight!

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

CeCe and I went back to our roots: a place where we once really got to know each other – Devon. Friends of ours were getting married, and plus we will take any excuse to get out of London.

But while we were in Devon we saw something amazing. We came out of a café to see a massive 8-foot robot walking the streets and singing! I photographed what I was looking at:























And I’m sure you guessed what I asked the Robot to do:






















Duly refreshed with the country air and spirit, CeCe and I spent the long journey home working on Dream#1. I’m hoping to have some news just before Xmas break.

What a Sight!

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

CeCe and I went back to our roots: a place where we once really got to know each other – Devon. Friends of ours were getting married, and plus we will take any excuse to get out of London.

But while we were in Devon we saw something amazing. We came out of a café to see a massive 8-foot robot walking the streets and singing! I photographed what I was looking at:























And I’m sure you guessed what I asked the Robot to do:






















Duly refreshed with the country air and spirit, CeCe and I spent the long journey home working on Dream#1. I’m hoping to have some news just before Xmas break.

The Honeymoon is Over… Or Starting Anew?

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

Wow, what a week. The times they are a changin’, and how!

Just as the dust was settling in Soho on my new job – which I started last week – I got called out of the blue with an offer I couldn’t refuse. A digital agency wanted me as an account manager (permanent role) for a well known world wide brand.

Oh the dilemma! I considered everything, and because the Soho role was only freelance with a contractual week’s notice, I decided to accept the permanent role which was much more up my alley.

The Soho people were gutted to be sure, but understanding. Above all, I explained that I did not want to sit still in one role if it meant I would be living everyday full of regret for not having chased an opportunity.

So this month – November – I’ve changed jobs three times, but I feel as if I've landed right where I want to. Like the AreYouMyWife journey, random events contrived in my favour after I put myself out there to the world with no expectations.

Accepting a permanent role also means that CeCe and I are one step closer to being “settled” here in London for a little while.

And I’ve also come to realise that if I want to grow my relationship with CeCe and have a life outside work, one of two things must happen regarding OUDBOD dreams. I either:


1) Scale down my efforts which will delay a lot of things, or


2) Get some help from the outside and work smarter, not harder

Obviously people are already helping me by submitting photos and digital art of the Door in locations all over the world. And another friend is helping me behind the scenes by maintaining Are-You-My.com. But I’m going to need more help to achieve Dream#1 and Dream#3.

Amazingly, through the process of finding my new job, I think I might have met the right person to help me with my big targets.

The Honeymoon is Over… Or Starting Anew?

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

Wow, what a week. The times they are a changin’, and how!

Just as the dust was settling in Soho on my new job – which I started last week – I got called out of the blue with an offer I couldn’t refuse. A digital agency wanted me as an account manager (permanent role) for a well known world wide brand.

Oh the dilemma! I considered everything, and because the Soho role was only freelance with a contractual week’s notice, I decided to accept the permanent role which was much more up my alley.

The Soho people were gutted to be sure, but understanding. Above all, I explained that I did not want to sit still in one role if it meant I would be living everyday full of regret for not having chased an opportunity.

So this month – November – I’ve changed jobs three times, but I feel as if I've landed right where I want to. Like the AreYouMyWife journey, random events contrived in my favour after I put myself out there to the world with no expectations.

Accepting a permanent role also means that CeCe and I are one step closer to being “settled” here in London for a little while.

And I’ve also come to realise that if I want to grow my relationship with CeCe and have a life outside work, one of two things must happen regarding OUDBOD dreams. I either:


1) Scale down my efforts which will delay a lot of things, or


2) Get some help from the outside and work smarter, not harder

Obviously people are already helping me by submitting photos and digital art of the Door in locations all over the world. And another friend is helping me behind the scenes by maintaining Are-You-My.com. But I’m going to need more help to achieve Dream#1 and Dream#3.

Amazingly, through the process of finding my new job, I think I might have met the right person to help me with my big targets.

Shrink or be Shrunk, Your Brain on Anti-Depressants

New research just out 2 weeks ago has determined that people who suffer with depression are also likely to suffer with brain shrinkage. It appears that depression causes the hypothalamus areas of the brain to atrophy under prolonged periods of stress and depression.

They hypothalamus works in conjunction with the limbic system which is the emotion-control center for your brain. The good news is that those who have taken anti-depressants for long term treatment have little or no atrophy of the brain.

Psychologists have suggested that those suffering with anxiety and depressive symptoms could be helped greatly by a combination of anti-depressant treatment and therapy. According to this study that is exactly what needs to happen.

Too often people refuse to take anti-depressants because they believe that by doing so they might appear weak. They refuse to go to therapy for the same reason. Now there is scientific proof that taking anti-depressants and going to therapy is not only the fastest way to end your depression and anxiety, but it is necessary for the normal functioning of your brain.

Stop giving in to your pride and start taking care of your brain.

Click here for full research article

Shrink or be Shrunk, Your Brain on Anti-Depressants

New research just out 2 weeks ago has determined that people who suffer with depression are also likely to suffer with brain shrinkage. It appears that depression causes the hypothalamus areas of the brain to atrophy under prolonged periods of stress and depression.

They hypothalamus works in conjunction with the limbic system which is the emotion-control center for your brain. The good news is that those who have taken anti-depressants for long term treatment have little or no atrophy of the brain.

Psychologists have suggested that those suffering with anxiety and depressive symptoms could be helped greatly by a combination of anti-depressant treatment and therapy. According to this study that is exactly what needs to happen.

Too often people refuse to take anti-depressants because they believe that by doing so they might appear weak. They refuse to go to therapy for the same reason. Now there is scientific proof that taking anti-depressants and going to therapy is not only the fastest way to end your depression and anxiety, but it is necessary for the normal functioning of your brain.

Stop giving in to your pride and start taking care of your brain.

Click here for full research article

The Tree Hole Project

A tree hole is a good place to hide something; it is also a good place to find something- a paper doll, a trinket, a game, a handwritten note.
I am recently very interested in the accidental observer rather than the gallery goer. When you find or see something new on your way to work or school, it alters your day.
The edition of 25 hand-pulled silkscreened paper houses were placed in downtown tree holes in Halifax. The bottom of each object reads finders keepers. beljen@hotmail.com.

The Tree Hole Project

A tree hole is a good place to hide something; it is also a good place to find something- a paper doll, a trinket, a game, a handwritten note.
I am recently very interested in the accidental observer rather than the gallery goer. When you find or see something new on your way to work or school, it alters your day.
The edition of 25 hand-pulled silkscreened paper houses were placed in downtown tree holes in Halifax. The bottom of each object reads finders keepers. beljen@hotmail.com.

There is no “I” in Team, but there is in Time

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

I sometimes hate time because it slips away so damn fast when you need it, and hangs around too long when you don’t. Lately, it’s been slipping real fast.

Around all the things that have been happening since AYMW calmed down – moving in with CeCe, finding work the hard way, a few assaults on my bank account and spirit – CeCe and I have been trying to push our own ideas and OUDBOD dreams forward.

And I think I may have got lost in the nitty gritty of some of those dreams, to the detriment of our relationship. It’s true, good relationships are built on time-tested foundations. And to be sure, there is no shortcut – you gotta spend time with each other.

Living together obviously helps. But I must confess that on many occasions I’ve had my head buried in my laptop when CeCe gets home, and lately I have been very unlike the way I once presented myself to the world on AreYouMyWife: outgoing, adventurous, spontaneous.

The new quieter routine and slower pace of life I find myself in partly comes down to a lack of funds (and the urge to save up again), partly because we do need some down time after AYMW, and mostly because I imposed some deadlines on myself to get certain things done… Deadlines that came and went and had to get moved forward.

I guess life happens when you make plans, and it’s important not to miss life. CeCe has brought me a lot of balance, and with open dialogue we make sure to let the other know what’s on our mind all the time.

Ah, time. If only there was more of it to spare. On that note, I want to take this opportunity to thank a lot of people all over the world for investing their creativity and time into Are-You-My.com… just look at some of these:

There is no “I” in Team, but there is in Time

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

I sometimes hate time because it slips away so damn fast when you need it, and hangs around too long when you don’t. Lately, it’s been slipping real fast.

Around all the things that have been happening since AYMW calmed down – moving in with CeCe, finding work the hard way, a few assaults on my bank account and spirit – CeCe and I have been trying to push our own ideas and OUDBOD dreams forward.

And I think I may have got lost in the nitty gritty of some of those dreams, to the detriment of our relationship. It’s true, good relationships are built on time-tested foundations. And to be sure, there is no shortcut – you gotta spend time with each other.

Living together obviously helps. But I must confess that on many occasions I’ve had my head buried in my laptop when CeCe gets home, and lately I have been very unlike the way I once presented myself to the world on AreYouMyWife: outgoing, adventurous, spontaneous.

The new quieter routine and slower pace of life I find myself in partly comes down to a lack of funds (and the urge to save up again), partly because we do need some down time after AYMW, and mostly because I imposed some deadlines on myself to get certain things done… Deadlines that came and went and had to get moved forward.

I guess life happens when you make plans, and it’s important not to miss life. CeCe has brought me a lot of balance, and with open dialogue we make sure to let the other know what’s on our mind all the time.

Ah, time. If only there was more of it to spare. On that note, I want to take this opportunity to thank a lot of people all over the world for investing their creativity and time into Are-You-My.com… just look at some of these:

Soho Strollin'

An update from OurUltimateDate.com


Started the new job today, and all is well. I know all too well about “honeymoon” periods with new jobs, so I won’t be prone to exaggerating, but it feels right at the start.

I have been getting such awesome “Door submissions” – which I’ll add to the collection up after this weekend (it’s become a “batch” thing.)

Duly inspired, I decided to make the Door a part of my stroll on the way to work in Soho.

Soho Strollin'

An update from OurUltimateDate.com


Started the new job today, and all is well. I know all too well about “honeymoon” periods with new jobs, so I won’t be prone to exaggerating, but it feels right at the start.

I have been getting such awesome “Door submissions” – which I’ll add to the collection up after this weekend (it’s become a “batch” thing.)

Duly inspired, I decided to make the Door a part of my stroll on the way to work in Soho.

Who's Living in Your Neighborhood?

A few statistics about your neighborhood:

• One out of every 100 people in the population has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• Ten percent of the population have experienced depression this year and half of them deal with a lifetime of depressive episodes. Forty-five percent of your neighbors experience an episode of depression sometime before the age of 45.
• Fifteen percent of the general population has a diagnosable personality disorder.
• 0.5 – 2.5 percent of your neighbors suffer with clinical paranoia.
• Two percent of your neighbors have Antisocial Personality Disorder (formerly known as sociopaths)
• Two percent have incurable Borderline Personality Disorder
• One percent is diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and another 15% have significant symptoms of the disorder.
• Five percent have a schizoid or schizotypal disorder.
• Ten percent are significantly physically disabled.
• 2.6 to 3.4% are legally blind.
• 8.2% have significant hearing impairments – 0.8% have severe to profound hearing impairments.
• Three percent are mentally retarded.
• Between one and eight percent of children have specific learning disabilities.
• Between 0.5-1.5% have recurring seizures.
• forty-four percent of your neighbors have been divorced at least once.

Chances are that you or someone close to you suffers some form of mental, physical or emotional disability. Isn't it time that we removed the stigmas and reserved our judgment?

Who's Living in Your Neighborhood?

A few statistics about your neighborhood:

• One out of every 100 people in the population has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• Ten percent of the population have experienced depression this year and half of them deal with a lifetime of depressive episodes. Forty-five percent of your neighbors experience an episode of depression sometime before the age of 45.
• Fifteen percent of the general population has a diagnosable personality disorder.
• 0.5 – 2.5 percent of your neighbors suffer with clinical paranoia.
• Two percent of your neighbors have Antisocial Personality Disorder (formerly known as sociopaths)
• Two percent have incurable Borderline Personality Disorder
• One percent is diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and another 15% have significant symptoms of the disorder.
• Five percent have a schizoid or schizotypal disorder.
• Ten percent are significantly physically disabled.
• 2.6 to 3.4% are legally blind.
• 8.2% have significant hearing impairments – 0.8% have severe to profound hearing impairments.
• Three percent are mentally retarded.
• Between one and eight percent of children have specific learning disabilities.
• Between 0.5-1.5% have recurring seizures.
• forty-four percent of your neighbors have been divorced at least once.

Chances are that you or someone close to you suffers some form of mental, physical or emotional disability. Isn't it time that we removed the stigmas and reserved our judgment?

Touchdown!

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

What an exciting week. After what happened last week, CeCe and I are both feeling big time jubilation once again.

In CeCe’s case she – like me – has been through the ringer in terms of dealing with recruitment agents that just don’t give a *&^#. So she decided to take a more direct – and old fashioned – approach to chasing her dream industry, and it bore fruit. She’s just waiting on a follow-up, and hopefully we’ll have good news in the coming weeks.

Meantime she continues her part time studies at the London College of Fashion, learning stuff every Thursday about an industry I can’t even pretend to understand. I’m a jeans and t-shirt man. Fabrics scare me.

On my front, I can safely report that the news is nothing but good. Next week I start an exciting freelance role in the digital realm with a big firm. And talk about location, location, location, they are based in the Soho district, which is easy to get to from where we live AND where I want to be: in the heart of Creative London!

It seems as if our patience and persistence have finally been rewarded and we are now striding towards where we want to be on individual levels, and well as a team. And this weekend I plan to take a major step towards OUDBOD Dream#1.

And as you probably have noticed, people are really getting into the teaser campaign for Dream#3, which is located on Are-You-My.com. Not only am I getting lots of cool photography of the symbol of my next endeavour, but also digital artwork! So get involved… It’s looking like I’ll be in a better position soon to really reward creativity in 2008.

<- Click here if your into FaceCrack

Touchdown!

An update from OurUltimateDate.com

What an exciting week. After what happened last week, CeCe and I are both feeling big time jubilation once again.

In CeCe’s case she – like me – has been through the ringer in terms of dealing with recruitment agents that just don’t give a *&^#. So she decided to take a more direct – and old fashioned – approach to chasing her dream industry, and it bore fruit. She’s just waiting on a follow-up, and hopefully we’ll have good news in the coming weeks.

Meantime she continues her part time studies at the London College of Fashion, learning stuff every Thursday about an industry I can’t even pretend to understand. I’m a jeans and t-shirt man. Fabrics scare me.

On my front, I can safely report that the news is nothing but good. Next week I start an exciting freelance role in the digital realm with a big firm. And talk about location, location, location, they are based in the Soho district, which is easy to get to from where we live AND where I want to be: in the heart of Creative London!

It seems as if our patience and persistence have finally been rewarded and we are now striding towards where we want to be on individual levels, and well as a team. And this weekend I plan to take a major step towards OUDBOD Dream#1.

And as you probably have noticed, people are really getting into the teaser campaign for Dream#3, which is located on Are-You-My.com. Not only am I getting lots of cool photography of the symbol of my next endeavour, but also digital artwork! So get involved… It’s looking like I’ll be in a better position soon to really reward creativity in 2008.

<- Click here if your into FaceCrack

Doors Glorious Doors

Update from OurUltimateDate.com


AYMW Video#66 - One Door Closes, Millions More Open

(Video not working? Click here)

Doors Glorious Doors

Update from OurUltimateDate.com


AYMW Video#66 - One Door Closes, Millions More Open

(Video not working? Click here)