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Category Archives: The 2015 Challenge

As 2015 draws to close it is time to review the year as it is, as it was. Reflecting on life that has been led by me in my Pete-centric universe.

  1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?

Well that is easy I wrote a Masonic paper with other people and compared  notes and learnt lots.

Completed 100days of being creative.

 

  1. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

  Did you have any Challenges in 2015 and were you successful, and will you have more Challenges for 2016?

“Challenge 2015”.  Was 3 things,  100days – PASSED, write an Esoteric Paper – PASSED x 4 and final the shared story, this was a failure due to the fact that life got on top of me for a bit.  For full review see the Lessons Learned Post.

 

2016  – the post describing this challenge is here.

 

  1. Did anyone close to you give birth?

The wife, that’s pretty close to me I think!

We had a Second Son called Callum, who is a happy little guy.

 

  1. Did anyone close to you die?

W.Bro Reg’s wife passed away, there have been others but I do not remember, but as we get into this time of the year more great friends may pass to the GL above!

 

  1. What countries did you visit?

No countries this year or hols, we when to North Wales but as that is a principality of Britain it not really count as separate country.

 

  1. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Money, but you can always say that.  Hmm perhaps more time ? Not really sure as this has been a good year

 

  1. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

26th May – Birth of Callum Edward Maguire

 

  1. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Birth of Callum?? Not that I really did much it was all Helen and the Medical staff – OK supportive role go me 🙂

Writing 4 Masonic Papers for Dr Lomas’ Portal – Why because  I disliked doing those sort of things when at School and Uni.

 

  1. What was your biggest failure?

Not being as patient with Henry as I could have been.

 

  1. Did you suffer illness or injury?

We were in a Car accident in March and according to the Docs I had muscle issues that required massage. Does it count ?

 

  1. What was the best thing you bought?

Nothing Springs to mind.  Masonic book

Ooo –  correction the new Sofas have arrived.

 

  1. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Henry for being a caring brother.

Helen for being an awesome Mother and Wife despite what she has had thrown at her.

 

  1. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Depressed    Facebook and there constant moaning about US Presidential candidates and there all out to get you..

Appalled -ISIS for their cowardly, idiotic behaviour.  Taking a religion and going, we will ignore those bits and just go on about 1 part.

 

  1. Where did most of your money go?

House funds  due to Maternity Pay

 

  1. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
  1. With some worries the Birth of Callum
  2. Seeing a Third Degree at the Lodge of Living Stones.
  3. The New Star Wars Movie

 

  1. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Infected Mushroom  –  Artillery

 

  1. Compared to this time last year, are you:
  2. a) happier or sadder?  – Happier
  3. b) thinner or fatter?  – Fatter, as I believe I am obese according to my height and weight.
  4. c) richer or poorer?  – Poorer with more things attacking my wage

 

  1. What do you wish you’d done more of?

More correspondence with friends and family. Just stayed in touch more. Same as last year  really as I did not do a good job. May create a sub challenge to email/write to family / friends

 

  1. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Getting angry at Henry for playing up when he is just trying to find his place in the new world of being a brother and no longer an only child.

 

  1. How will you be spending Christmas?

Christmas this year is at the sister’ place so should be fun nice !

 

  1. What was your favourite month of 2015?

May  – as Callum arrived

 

  1. Did you fall in love in 2015?

My new son Callum he is a lovable little fellow.

 

  1. How many one-night stands?

0

 

  1. What was your favourite TV programme?

I have enjoyed:

  • Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D
  • Elementary
  • Supernatural
  • Haven

But most enjoy able is the “Curse of  Oak island” a History programme that sees two brothers searching for Treasurer.  But whose is it ?

Templar

Pirates

7 must die before the secret will be revealed.  6 Dead so far –  Dun Dun Dunner!!

 

  1. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No one – I think this should be another question that should be replaced.

 

  1. What was the best book you read?

Well  I have not read this much this year,  Scared History of the World by Jonathan Black, I have partially read a lot of masonic books for the papers I have been writing, but no fiction books this time.

 

  1. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Last year I had no really new music,  this year  I found via a random youtube.com click.  Infected Mushroom.  They are awesome and I have since found an album called “Friends of Mushroom” epic and also Astrix just as good.

So I have had a great music year, that and getting to see Faithless live again and managing to  dance/jump around like an idiot again was the  best.

 

  1. What did you want and get?

A healthy second Son.

 

  1. What did you want and not get?

More sleep 🙂

 

  1. What was your favourite film of this year?

At the time of writing this it is – Spectre  the new bond as it was the best since Casino Royale. But I have not seen :

Star Wars : Force Awakens. – have seen it WOW oh WOW

 

  1. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Last years was not memorable,  this year’s; well,  I did a  Pekiti-Tirsia Kali seminar back at the old Horin Dojo. It was run by Pekiti Tirsia International member, currently headed by Tuhon Guro McGrath (President and Chief Instructor). It was brilliant 🙂

 

  1. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more

Not having to go to the hospital  every 3-4 weeks to check on the progress. Or H having to visit some medical centre every week since the Big C has been born.

 

  1. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Last year was Hats  this year it has been trainers. For the first time ever I bought a pair of VANS Pumps. In fact I have bought 3 sets of trainers this year and a pair of shoes. So I have an untouched pair in the garage.

 

  1. What kept you sane?

The voices in my head, and chanting ritual that I was trying to learn.

 

  1. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Adrianne Palicki – realised when I saw the trailer for Agents of Shield

 

 

  1. What political issue stirred you the most?

Election – as it was Election year and the Pollsters got is seriously wrong.

 

  1. Who did you miss?

No one that springs to mind.

 

  1. Who was the best new person you met?

Easy – the new Son, Callum Edward Maguire.  What a star, he is tough little guy with a big smile.

 

  1. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

Family is strong, fecking irritating.  But that is ok.

 

  1. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Depart with Artillery – By Infected Mushroom (click)

 

 

2015 is almost complete, it is time for a “Lessons Learnt” approach to this year’s challenge.  The imaginatively entitled “The Challenge 2015”.

The events that make up this challenge are :

  1. Experimental Story.
  2. 100 Days.
  3. An esoteric paper.

 

Experimental story:

This is writing a story with GreatGothNinja. We will take it in turns to write a section of the story over the next 52 weeks starting on the 29th December 2014.  Each Monday in 2015 will have a section of story posted to the official website.  Therefore part 1 will be appearing on the 5th December and will be written by me.

A little pressure but then this is the whole point of challenges to be well challenging !!!

So that was the plan,  in the words of Captain Sheridan for Babylon 5,” it failed”.  There is 13 weeks’ worth of a story, but  the pressures of doing the other challenges on top of this  one  was too much for me to bear, and my good friend GreatGothNinja presented a good case and concurred the issue was with me.  Awaiting the arrival and the preparing for it took up my time.

The unfinished story can be seen here: talexp.three-ninjas.co.uk it  may get resurrected next year it may not. Parts of my own work there may get recycled into other plans. Only  time will tell.

Event Success : FAIL

Percentage of task complete : 25{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba}

 

100 Days:

This annual challenge is returns by unpopular demand. Last year I managed to be creative for 70days over the allotted period. Which is to date my personal best, therefore the plan is to complete the 100days challenge.

This year it started on the 1st February 2015  and the 100th day was to be the 11th May 2015.  Last year I got to the lofty heights of 70days, that was my personal best so far, and  I have the great pleasure of  informing you that this year I completed the 100days challenge.

I was surprised by this but  I did it. The 100days can be seen under this link

Event Success : Complete

Percentage of task complete : 100{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba}

 

An Esoteric Paper:

To write paper on an esoteric subject with the view to publish in the web.

This was the plan, after not being able to come up with any decent ideas,  I suggested to GreatGothNinja that we asked our twitter friends, which Doc  suggested we should join him in his writing a paper on the 2 Pillars. Which he has been assigned for his quarterly paper to the associate LOLS members. The deadline was 1st March 2015.

We both agreed so did our Canadian brother Gord, so when the 1st March came 3 pdfs were sent out to the four of us. But just as we were about to discuss them.  But the Doc had a new plan, soon we all had invites to join www.Openlodge.com. Once we had joined this site we all got promoted to  the Robert Lomas Portal for Masonic study.  Here the Doc, GreatGothNinja and I uploaded our papers. Unfortunately Gord was unable to get a paper prepared due to other commitments.  A discussion was had about what we had written, and more understanding in Masonic matters  occurred.

After the comedown of completing this extremely stressful task of writing a paper on the same  subject as the Doc. Who is a World renowned published author in masonic  writing.  Also a lecturer whose job it would have been to mark such papers.  About a week or two later a message appears on OpenLodge, a new topic had arrived, Without Scruple or Diffidence.  Without thinking too much about it the process started again:

  • Read title
  • Think about it
  • Research
  • Plan paper
  • Write paper.

 

But this was the second paper and now things became more difficult, so it was a shorter paper than the previous one.  When all four were published to the Doc’s  Portal, on reviewing  2 of the papers and think they had gone of topic, I discussed it with the Mentor of LOLS and the Doc. So that when topic 3 arrived  I decided I would not  look at the first level of the title “The Significance of the Third Degree”  I changed my research plan and read all round the subject. This was my favourite paper of the year to do,  I learnt so much and it changed my view of the Royal Arch. I had originally seen it as hurdle to allow me to get to  the Templars.  But now I realise its more than that. But the way it is sold in Craft Masonry is wrong, and the powers that be should review their approach to the Royal Arch in connection to the 3rd Degree.

This week I finished the 4th paper which was the “Using All the working tools of a Master Mason” I again learnt a lot and about how the ritual we know today has not always been as we have come to believe. Also in discussing what I have been up to this year with the Elder of Westminster Lodge, I have now been hit with a paper to write for him on Aprons.

On reflection from the writer’s block this time last year.  On the event of doing one paper, FOUR have been completed and one is due end of Jan, with the Doc saying the 8th Dec is when the next topic is due arrive.  It has become some sort of addiction.

Event Success : Complete

Percentage of task complete : 100{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba} + 100{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba} +100{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba} + 100{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba}  = 400{aa1fa390bbc9d269570451bc587ff4575656a4de8aa16bce1026e126cd0a00ba}

 

Conclusion

Those were the Challenges for 2015 and in conclusion  it was a very productive year , I believe it was the most productive year ever. Well at least since these challenges have occurred. Yes the Story event was a failure but in the words of Meatloaf,” Two out of Three, ain’t bad”.  But the paper event lasted 4 quarters.

Lessons Learnt :

  • Trying something new , you may enjoy it
  • Don’t take on to much as some aspects may fail

 

So with this in mind  and 2016 is fast approaching, the question remains what has Artisan 2016 have in store.

So you may have noticed a mushroom theme this year, well this is because I stumbled across a trance music group called infected mushroom and this has been a bit of a muse .

So here is a current meme in this world with some thoughts to leave you    with.

Till next year.
  

a 100 days to be creative 

Drawing, writing or poetry 

Fitting it in through the day

As this work does not pay

Never going for sculpture or pottery 

But looking in places for a narrative.
Today is the ninety ninth day

Highest day we have ever achieved 

Seventy was the best 

But if this done and can be believed 

That Monday is the final day
—————————

Idiot left phone on charge and did not press send idiot.

the cock crowed at first light

Waking up the household

The rooks in the rookery tool flight 

The man appeared from the house into the cold
He left his house in a rush

For the time had come 

To make a stand and to push