Ok, so I’m in my hotel room and switch on the TV…hmm not much on, let’s check out CNN for the first time. Wow, I thought I was watching a spoof comedy. Patronizing, Fear-inducing, bubble-gum ‘news’. In a month when the BBC is getting attacked from all angles I instantly realised how good we’ve got it. Now I’m sure some of you, who are better read than myself will be shouting ‘but the BBC is just a platform for the establishment’ or some other ‘radical’ statement. My point being that at least we start off with some ‘objectivity’.

Anyway, let me explain. I’m enrolled on a Masters course with the Open University. Contrary to popular belief you do actually come into contact with other people on these courses, hence I’ve arrived at a weekend’s residential school. With these kind of things there’s always a possibility that you get stuck with the tutor from ‘Ferris Buellers Day Off’ (if you don’t know what I’m talking about shame on you). In comes this guy called Sultan who was born in a mud-hut in Zanzibar. I kid you not. This guy is now a highly paid consultant in Knowledge Management. So the next time you sit there and moan that you can’t do something or there’s too many obstacles, think about what Sultan’s experiences must have been like. The thing that struck me was his delivery. It’s amazing the difference your tonality and body language makes. This guy was in his 60’s and had more energy and enthusiasm than most people I know. He was presenting the same material as everyone else but other groups were complaining how bored they were. I guess the lesson here is that if what you’re doing doesn’t make you excited, change it. I can hear your words now…’but it’s too difficult to…’ NO IT’S NOT!!!!!

With this in mind you’re going to be seeing a lot of changes at eporecords. We kind of ran out of steam after setting this site up but I can see the possibilities more clearly now.

Talk to Strangers

In my bid to bring about world peace and harmony I’ve been trying a new one-man strategy. It seems so simple that I can’t understand why no one’s thought of it. Ok, here it is…I’ve been talking to people in a courteous manner. Since I’ve started doing this I’ve met loads of interesting people, in the last few days I’ve talked to someone who used to work for MI5, an ex professional runner, and a plumber. I learnt more insight about new subjects and understood people just that little bit better. I’ve also left these people (I hope) feeling a bit better (most people like to feel listened too). Now, don’t get me wrong, this has sometimes backfired. I didn’t really want to end up listening about stamp collecting…although I now know the most popular stamps in Poland. Ok, so my own personal challenge is to start at least three conversations this week with people not from my usual social circle. Who knows what I might discover. I’ll let you know how I get on next time…

It’s Not An Age Thing…

Sometimes you get more than you expected from a night out. At my local small venue they were hosting ‘films from the punkrock underground’, hosted by a guy called John Robb ( Goldblade http://www.goldblade.com and Channel 4 ). Fascinating insight into the history of some of your favourite bands. That was great in itself but the main thing I took from the evening was that we shouldn’t sit on our arses, consuming whatever we’re given. Robb’s passionate plea, was that we should be creating our own culture, doing it our way and not accept the drivel that’s sometimes presented as what we should be listening too. At first, I was impressed that this 42 year old was so passionate about punk rock but after some deliberation I was annoyed at my initial thoughts. It’s not about age at all, it’s about having the motivation to do something. If you loose your ability to question, to spend a bit of time searching for new ideas and insights, then you’re just going to be a passive consumer. It’s just a shame more people couldn’t be bothered to turn up and hear his message.

Over to You

If you’ve got as far as reading this column then firstly, thanks very much, I’m impressed. Secondly, if you’d like to contribute to this website then get in touch. Perhaps a cd or gig review? A guest column (any subject) ? etc etc…

Until next time…

Eddietowers