Sitting On Top Of The World 

My First Blog. By Matt Rider Age 30 11/12ths

"Write a Blog" they said... "it'll be fun" they said... "it's the future of communication and relationship" they said... "you're sad and non-trendy if you don't" they said.

"But what's the point of a Blog" I asked them... Silence. Oh well... "I'll try anything once" I said. Except noone heard.

Well, it's January 5th and for me that's pretty much the start of a New Year... about the time that I usually remember that I ought to write some Thankyou cards for my Christmas pressies and that I really should of made a New Year's Resolution but I can never think of anything trendy or worthwhile and hey, it's too late now anyway. :)

Anyhoo - I have just read Sophie's Blog and was so impressed that I decided to start my own...

...

... and thats as far as I got.

Then I thought, what about a pithy, life-changing or thought-provoking quote... or just one that pokes fun at Americans (because I know that Chris B will like that and as we all know that you can't please everyone all the time, at least I can please one person... well... once) Incidentally, Chris, we need your postal address to send you a wedding invite, thanks!

Where was I? Oh yes, a quote:

"We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world."
- J. Danforth Quayle, former U.S. Vice-President, September 21, 1988

Hmmm... shouldn't of built it up so much really. A better plan would be to sudden-

"I think men who have pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They have experience pain and bought jewellery."
- Rita Rudner

-ly insert a quote with no warning... :o)

Quite topical that one too, as I know no less than SIX couples that are getting married this year!

Incidentally, today is my parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary so many, many congratulations to them.

Aha - News! That's maybe what you put in a Blog... hmmm...

And then I thought, what about a tip in each blog? Something handy for everyday life like... erm... oh I don't know... Top Ten Tips for taking pictures with your mobile phone? Good idea 'they' said...

TOP TEN TIPS FOR TAKING PHOTOS WITH YOUR MOBILE PHONE:

1. Take lots of pictures (you can delete unwanted ones later)
2. Move in close (1 to 2 feet from subject - with the low resolution and lack of zoom, fill the frame!)
3. Shoot at eye level (when photographing people or animals - creates a personal and inviting picture)
4. Watch the light (without a flash, poor light = poor picture)
5. Use a plain background (dont detract from your subject)
6. Try different angles (make it more interesting - shoot from above, below, diagonally, horizontally)
7. Set resolution to high (it might make no visible difference on the phone but it will on your PC)
8. Discover your camera phone's capabilities (black & white, sepia, caller ID, flash, zoom, wallpaper, self-timer)
9. Be courteous (and legal! Check that you are allowed to use it and ask any strangers' permissions)
10. Don't forget your regular camera (for birthdays, holidays etc make sure you take a decent hi-res or analogue camera too)
11. Store and share pictures (store online to save space on your phone, http://www.snapfish.co.uk are awesome). Yes I know that's 11 tips but stop being smart and just enjoy the only free thing you're likely to get today!

See - something that everyone can benefit from. :o)

What on earth else could I include in this Blog, I mused?

Useless facts!!! I thought. So duly:

Did you know that in 1983, a Japanese artist, Tadahiko Ogawa, made a copy of the Mona Lisa completely out of ordinary toast? Whilst the world's longest hot dog was 1,996-foot wiener made by the Sara Lee Corporation for Atlanta's 1996 Olympics.

So this Blog is possibly interesting, informative, amusing... but something is missing.

...

Originality.

Excellent. A photo of my own perhaps? "Perfect" they said. "Look who are you anyway?!", I asked...

...

...

... well, that shut them up.

So above, I have posted a photo that I took just before Christmas on top of a fiercely windy and bitterly cold Cleeve Hill on the edge of the Cotswolds whilst out with George, Al and Martina.

And with that I am done! Exhausted by my creativity and the sheer excitement of all this Blogging... am I any closer to knowing exactly what a Blog should be? Maybe, maybe not - and that I think is exactly the point.




It is, 'they' said...

:o)

Until next time.

Matt

(All quotes, news, tips, usless facts and photos gratefully received! Any ideas on who 'they' are would be nice too)