Closing Ceremony

The Countdown to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is almost done, the World Cup starts today. I'll drop in from time to time to give you some updates, but the purpose of the blog has been fulfilled. I am genuinely surprised at how much I've enjoyed the discipline of daily updates, and how much writing has helped me think things through.

My break started properly when I returned from holiday in China last September. I tried to give myself space, space away from the world of corporate ghosts, in order to discover a new path. I became desperate at points. Ultimately, the magic 8-ball said, "Ask again later".

I have to return to the world of ghosts for a while, but I'm going to maintain a golden thread back to this space. I will develop technical skills in home fermentation, needlepoint tapestry and brewing. If these don't work out I'll find other technical skills, but they're a good start. I will read the complete works of Bruno Latour and continue to follow contemporary sociology. I will seek opportunities to volunteer in my local community. My emotions have felt closer to the surface in recent weeks, I want to keep them there - I will continue to read the modern classics of Japanese literature. Moving to Bath or Bristol will require me to find a new tai chi teacher - I will use this as an opportunity to rededicate myself to my tai chi practice, as I have become very complacent. I will continue to study the key religious texts of Taoism, even if my studies are hopelessly warped by my status as a Westerner. I will obey the Five Nevers as much as possible. I will halve my drinking. I will find a way to continue making and performing music. Hopefully, I will buy my wife a dog.

By doing all this, I will construct a sort of spaceship or spacesuit that will keep me well supplied with oxygen as I navigate the world of ghosts. This protective layer will stop me from confusing the ghost world with the real world. It will give me a fighting chance of eventually escaping the ghost world completely.

Thanks for reading!