growing up

it's hard to standby sometimes and just watch.

often its only afterwards that you can look back... and if you're anything like me you kick yourself and say "if only i did that" or "i wish i could have done more".

this is one of those times where i just have to watch.

i kind of wrote about something similar here. its the watching the play of your children and realising that they are going through a hardship. an exclusion. a loneliness. hearing the words of those who are close to them say they don't like him. watch their friends "move on".

"its bound to happen"

"that's life"

"its an important life lesson"

its hard to stand by and just do nothing, trusting that the passing of time will be able to teach, to help grow and cultivate that precious character.

its not that i don't love any less my children by not jumping in. its not that i love them more by reminding them of the long term character building. no... and frankly all i can do is suffer with them as only a father can.

its not easy to stand and watch your children go through such exclusion.

Let's plan Warsaw

One of the simulation games that is being played here at this conference is one involving the place of stay here in Warsaw. It involves the soviet "gift" of a building from Stalin and planning what could be done with it. All the Polish people say it's an eye sore and stands for a reminder of Russian occupancy.

Here it is:




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Location:Jachranka,Poland

very cool

Home for a week

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Location:Jachranka,Poland

In Poland

I'm in my hotel in southern Warsaw. Very south and almost not Warsaw.

My reason for being here is two to be at a conference on the science and craft of gaming, especially as we are embracing this for our work and also to run a slum based simulation to this association. Looking at the programme it has all sorts of crazy and amazing simulations.

I must admit this is looking to be quite a cool conference... Even my colleague said "it looks like the people here actually want to be here compared to many of the other conferences that we have been to."

... More to come...


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Location:Warsaw

founder's wisdom

i'm fascinated by founding stories of organisations.

i find the early stages and early decisions utterly mesmerising.

when hearing from one very large charity a gentleman shared about their founder and what gave him his energy, zeal and fervour. For Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, he jotted down in his bible these words: "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God."

Mucking around on another app

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Sitting in the Pitt Room

Currently sitting in the Palace of Westminster listening to the effectiveness of aid.

I find myself wondering about this room. The Pitt room. He was a young leader and debated hard in his day. He was friends, I think, with one of my all time heroes William Wilberforce.

What rich history this room has. A privilege to be here.



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Location:Dean's Yard,London,United Kingdom