2010 - Page 9 of 18 - Antony Simpson is an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.

A new design and a new beginning

Wednesday 12 May 2010 / Antony Simpson / 2 Comments

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A warm welcome my newly designed blog, Version 9 (see Geeky Post: Website Development for previous designs). I can’t take credit for the design, the good people at WordPress Theme Designer created the design and I’ve simply tweaked it with their support.

There were two reasons for the new design. The first was in response to feedback. People said that I write about a such diverse variety of topics that they struggle to catergorise my blog and choose articles that interest them. So hopefully this design will make it much easier to pick out posts that interest you? Comments welcome.

The second reason for the redesign was because I felt it was a good time for a new design as soon I embark on a new chapter in my life. So get a brew, get comfy and I will tell you what’s happened in the last month…

The story starts a few months ago Boyfriend-W came to visit, which I blogged about in a post entitled Meeting Family, Getting Closer & Making Plans. One evening on this visit he is sat up on the bed and I’m hoping on one foot putting on my jeans he looks at me.
“Antony.” he says, “Come and live with me in Benidorm.”
After my inital shock and asking for sometime to think and thinking about it I decided I would. Afterall he makes me happy and our relationship seems to go from strengh to strengh.

So the last month has been a busy one. I asked work to give me six months unpaid leave which they kindly agreed and I am eternally greatful for. I’ve spent countless evenings sorting & packing. I’ve taken and sent things over to Bendorm. I’ve thrown lots of rubbish out, given lots of things away and packed things for storage at mums or one of my close friends.

My apartment (see The Move) I have put up for rent through an agency. I’ve been telephoning and emailing various companies to end contracts and notifing relevant institutions of my change of address.

Finally add on top of that seemingly endless social engagements as I try to meet up with as many family and friends as I can before I leave (all of which I am going to miss dearly) and you can understand why I haven’t blogged in a month.

So as I start on my next adventure with Boyfriend-W in Benidorm in the next few weeks, look forward to normal blogging service resuming.

Write soon,

Antony

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What influences my IDENTITY?

Thursday 22 April 2010 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

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Identity could be described as “qualities, characteristics, thoughts, opinions and emotions that makes an individual who they are”.

I know who I am, but what influences my identity? Well see below:

(Click on image for full size image)

The influences in the inner circle are micro influences meaning that they are individual to me and my life. The influences in the outer circle are macro influences that influence all of our identities. As you can see I have a diverse range of influences on my identity as we all do.

However most importantly to me is how I show the world (and everyone in it) who I am. I do this by:
1. Expressing what I think and feel
2. My actions and omissions and
3. How I treat others

Blog soon,

Antony

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Gross National Happiness

Monday 19 April 2010 / Antony Simpson / 2 Comments

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This seemingly small country has something rather unique and wonderful about it. Rather than measure the growth of a country by it’s economy it measures it by how happy the people are. According to Gross National Happiness they ask a selection of citizens how they feel about a variety of areas of living including: Time use, Living Standards, Good Governance, Psychological Wellbeing, Community Vitality, Culture, Health, Education & Ecology.

And according to Wikipedia in 1972 the ruler of Bhutan king Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that he wanted a system of monitoring the growth of his nation that fitted in with the country’s Buddhist religion and so Gross National Happiness was developed.

I think the world would be a much better place if other countries adopted this system of measuring their growth. I’m sure many of you could argue against this and I’m sure the system has plenty of criticisms. But for me given the choice between happiness and money, I’d go for happiness every time as money can’t buy happiness.

Just thought I’d share something that brightened my day,

Antony

(Image provided by Google Maps, Copyright reserved by Google)

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A Sad Truth

Saturday 17 April 2010 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

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The sad truth is that homophobia still exists in the world today. Some people still believe that it is a heterosexual world and that being gay is wrong and worthy of a beating. For some reason it’s usually heterosexual men that are the perpetrators towards gay men. See this video:

Now before you strug this off as American, do you remember the case of a gay teenager Michael Causer in Liverpool (a city close to were I live)? He got murdered on his way home.

Homophobia is alive in every country of the world, and we should not forget it.

With love,

Antony

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