It's been tough to select only two users for my SP delegation. I'm not a large account myself, so don't really have the ability to delegate the 3750SP necessary to offer each of these users a 250SP delegation...Although they are all worthy. My apologies, I can only select two.

<div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/8vlikxVS-klee-1949981_1280.jpg</div>

When I first started on the platform I worked hard to generate traction with established users through, what I hoped were, quality posts and lots of engagement through replies and comments. Very slowly my SP increased and after several months I attained the 500SP required to gain my vote-slider and I felt pretty happy with that reward-for-effort. Now, here I am giving 500SP away to a couple of users, SP that I would have loved to possess in my early days and weeks on the platform! It feels good to be able to show some generosity.

As I said, I cannot delegate to everyone however I hope that each of the nominated users see my gesture as an opportunity to gain some exposure. This is one of the reasons I have tagged them all, and those that nominated them, into my four previous blogs as it gave them some exposure they may not have received otherwise. 

#### Now for the winners of my delegation 

**Congratulations to @krazzytrukker&#127894; and @kansuze &#127894;	 who will both receive a 250SP delegation from me for the next 60 days. The delegation will begin shortly.**

I look forward to seeing how my small contribution may help those two users and how they utilise their new-found SP and also to seeing all of the nominated users progress through their Steemit journey. 

### Did my title say bonus delegation?

Yep, it sure did! You know what that means right? **A THIRD WINNER!** 

**It was so difficult to select just two winners that I decided to select a third. That person is @wildhomesteading &#127894; so congratulations to him! Thank you to my brother @tarazkp for offering the 250SP delegation for 60 days, going to this user.**

I'll do something similar again in the near future and will split the delegation up a little further so I can support more accounts. When the 60 days expires I'll re-delegate the 500SP again so it may pay to keep an eye on my blog. Your choice of course. 

To those nominated users in the list who took the time to engage directly with me through commenting and replies...I appreciated that greatly. It was nice to receive replies of gratitude, and the engagement in general.

### The nominations were:

- @johnb75 nominated by @mozz333
- @g-shot nominated by @photocircle
- @skramatters nominated by @por500bolos
- @aliciasteyn nominated by @acesontop
- @kansuze nominated by @hitmeasap
- @owasco nominated by @balticbadger
- @curatorcat nominated by @paulag @steevc @dswiggle @abh12345 @hanen
- @pixaroma nominated by @photocircle
- @bidesign nominated by @blockking
- @crohnschick nominated by @mattclarke
- @theonlyway nominated by @blessed-girl
- @wildhomesteading nominated by @newageinv and @curatorcat
- @nooblogger nominated by @brickmanbrad
- @mytechtrail nominated by @rishi556
- @krazzytrukker nominated by @denmarkguy 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 
P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

Im src <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/PIRO4D-2707530/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1949981">PIRO4D</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1949981">Pixabay</a>



My delegation winners...Plus bonus delegation! WTF?!

Once upon a time there was a day called Easter, a day commemorating the distribution of chocolate eggs by bunny rabbits and people getting to have time off work. Yay for Easter coming up this weekend, may the chocolate flow freely...But for me there's a more important day in April...The 25th.

Easter means a four day weekend for me and this year I'm taking the following Tuesday and Wednesday off as Thursday **25th April is ANZAC Day** here in Australia, a public holiday. That means I have seven days off in a row! I'm looking forward to that. 

***<a href="https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/traditions/anzac-day">ANZAC DAY</a>*** is one of the most important national days for me and here in Australia, a day that commemorates the anniversary of the first major military action by the **Australian and New Zealand Army Corps** forces in World War One. There will be services all around the world including at ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli, where those troops landed beginning what is now the ANZAC legend, and at other significant battlefield's on which our troops served.

I've lost mates on the battlefield and have others actively serving still so, for me, this is *their* day and is a day on which I, and select others, get together and think about them all, tell lies and talk bullshit in their honour.

I will be attending the Dawn Service at the Adelaide War Memorial on the 25th so it'll be an early 4am wakeup and then we'll head down to the Australian Light Horse Memorial for the service to commemorate the thousands of horses that carried their troopers into battle so valiantly during World War One. **I urge you to read this post I did on the Australian Light Horse which outlines their distinguished service and the tragedy that befell the thousands of Aussie horses at the end of the war.**  ***<a href="https://steemit.com/history/@galenkp/from-colonial-cavalry-to-the-australian-light-horse">Take the time to read it here please</a>***.

It's a solemn morning and tears will fall openly as we collectively remember our fallen, those who came back to face the struggle of life after serving, and those still active at home and around the world. But that soon gives way to the celebration of life, the one we live now. You see, those poor souls who paid the ultimate price did so that we could live on and so we do, whilst respectfully commemorating their sacrifice. I'll be spending it with a small group of friends and we'll hoist a few to those who are lost, but will never be forgotten.

I'm not completely sure of the significance of the day called Easter however many will respect the day and mark it in whatever way they see as appropriate. The same with ANZAC Day. The time off I have over this period will be spent productively engaging with life and in the pursuit of the best version of it I can muster, and looking after my wife as she has some medication to take which will make her feel sick. 

ANZAC Day holds a great deal of significance to many Australian's and we'll come together to remember, and commemorate, those who offered up their lives upon battlefield's far flung from home so that the people of those countries, and Aussie's back home, can live ours in freedom and comfort.

I took these photos when I spent a week exploring and paying my respects on the battlefields of World War One - The Western Front, in France and Belgium.

https://i.imgur.com/x3CNdNX.jpg
*Australian War Memorial - Villers Bretonneux, France. This massive construction holds the names of thousands and thousands of Australian's who lost their lives. A huge service will be held here on ANZAC Day, as always. Interestingly, in World War Two the very top tower was used as a snipers hide and bullet holes are still evident in the walls from gunfire aimed his way.*

https://i.imgur.com/9kxWPSj.jpg
*Le, Hamel, France - Australian Memorial - Note old World War One trench systems still visible and the flags of many nations flying: USA, Britain, Canada, France and Australia. These trenches held men from both sides over the years of the war and one gets a strange feeling when walking on them knowing what terrible things occured there.*

https://i.imgur.com/ODfw5R3.jpg
**_Whitney, Sergeant, Henry. 1509. 1st Battalion, Australian Infantry. AIF. 20 August 1916_** - *Back in 2009 we followed Henry's war on the Western Front until his death. His body was never found so his name is carved into the walls of the Australian War Memorial at Villers Bretonneux with thousands of other's. On our return we compiled all of the photo's, snippets and information into a book which we bound and handed to his family whom we know well. It was an emotional moment for them to receive it and some small relics dating back to the war which I found on the battlefield on which their relative fought.*

I understand that some may have different opinions about war, the futility of it, the way people are coerced or forced into it or the fact governments and corporations start them as part of their own agenda's...

ANZAC Day is not about that for me though, it's not the appropriate time to lay blame or promote agenda's. It's about the people who serve for whatever reason, the people who come back broken and those who simply don't come back at all. It's about showing them respect, supporting their families and and showing them that their loved ones' are not forgotten, that their sacrifice was for *something*. 

That's just me though. Maybe it's because I have seen mates march off and not return, their families struggle through the shattered pieces that remain of their lives and mates who survived the battlefield only to end life by their own hands and the PTSD complications they faced. It is for those people I commemorate the day. 

<center>**"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them."**</center>

<center>~*Lest we forget* ~</center> 











The significance of a day: 25 April

"*Attitude is everything"* - You've probably heard the phrase before, quite possibly even in  one of my blogs if you've read enough of them. Applying it, the correct attitude, can be critical to a persons' progression, social-standing, relationships and indeed their state of being, and conversely, the lack of the appropriate attitude can have a destructive effect, or at least, an effect that inhibits development, growth, satisfaction and overall results a person achieves, or is capable of achieving. The same for when people combine to form groups or teams. One person's attitude can make or break team spirit.

<div class="pull-left">https://i.imgur.com/c3d6Glx.jpg</div>

I'm writing this blog in the corner you see in the image. It's sort of cosy tucked away amongst the books and interesting items around me. I'm in a café, hidden down the back, with a coffee and small ginger biscuit (cookie)...I'm hiding to be honest. Why? I have a bad attitude and don't want it to spill over to other's.

Examples of how attitude affects a person, or team, are everywhere. Take the process the SEAL Teams use to select potential operators. It's called BUD/S (*Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL* training). It's a brutal 24-week selection process of physical, emotional and mental abuse that weeds out around 75% of the initial candidates leaving only 25% who go on to join the *Teams* and the brotherhood that is the Navy SEALS. I have never done it of course, however I've read countless books about it, and other military-selection processes, and one thing that comes through every time is the critical importance of *attitude*. The importance of the *right* attitude. It's not the strong and fit that make it through, it's the strong and fit with the *right attitude*! 

Fortunately the general population never has to endure the stress and pressure of BUD/S but is a typical person's attitude any less important? I think not. Imagine an office environment in which poor attitude's are allowed to fester. It wouldn't be very productive, or indeed a good environment to be in, would it? What about a relationship between husband and wife...Same thing right? 

Now, back to my own attitude...I've left the office for the day and arrived here at this café because of one big reason which relates to the lack of the *correct attitude*. You see, I removed myself from the team-environment I work in due to the high likelihood of my attitude affecting others and that's not acceptable. I'm fortunate in that I have the ability to do so and today I will not go back to the office, call clients, take phone calls or do anything that may allow my poor attitude to imprint a negative affect upon others. That's important because if attitude is everything negativity through poor attitude runs a very close second! 

The reason for my poor attitude today isn't work related, it's personal. Health related actually. I can't deal with it overnight either, the health aspect I mean. I *can* deal with the attitude problem though and that's why I've taken a break, removed myself from any opportunity to affect others, so I can begin to deal with myself and *get right*. How though? 

For me the big driving factor in life is my *design and create* ethos and running parallel with it is the most important question I could ever ask myself: **_WHY_**. 

Why do the things I do. Why should I do this or that. Why work hard. Why treat people with respect. Why be 100% present in each moment. Why show ownership and responsibility...Why, why, why? Indeed, why have the right attitude? 

I'm not going to tell you the answer though, it's simply not relevant, not to you anyway. Your **_why_** will be different to mine and therefore you may not understand mine, or me your's. The point I'm trying to make is that in understanding your **_why_**, believing in it and driving at it with every fibre of your being, can your attitude be adjusted. So I am here, right now, remembering my **_why_**, running it though my mind like a movie, feeling the emotion of it, the benefit of attaining and fulfilling it. 

That's my process. Your's may be different. I sat here doing this for the last 30 minutes then began this post as I was starting to feel a little better, more myself. I stopped writing, thought some more, felt some more, then wrote again. The reminder I gave myself of my **_why_** took an almost immediate affect on me and my attitude. Am I all fixed? Hell no! I still have the same problems, concerns, worries and challenges to face, only that I know **_why_** I want to face them, and how to.

I could have closed my office door, made a gin and tonic and drowned in my poor attitude like a sinking ship but I chose not to. I could have allowed my poor attitude to affect my team, co-workers and clients. I could have headed home and had my poor attitude affect negatively upon my wife, like it did last night, but I didn't. Why? Because of my **_why_**. It's *that* powerful.

Not everyone will understand, or choose even to contemplate, this concept and certainly many would never bring themselves to deploy it but some do and some might. It's to those people I speak right now, those enlightened few who look at themselves and wonder if they are the best version of themselves and living their best life. Know your **_why_**, be clear about it, and remind yourself of it often. Own it. And...Never allow your poor attitude to affect others, it's not fair on them. 

Just before I finish up and order another coffee...A couple of things...Yes, I feel much better after having written this blog. It's somewhat cathartic as in writing the words I'm forced to *hear* them, to live them. So, thank you Steemit blog. Also, a word on negativity: People, events, places, thoughts etc. This is what I suggest...*Don't go as often and don't stay as long, and if you can avoid going altogether, do that.*

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 
P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209

Take a short break. No, I'll take all afternoon and here's WHY

https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/xbm07ppa-hourglass-620397_1280.jpg

Do you know someone who has an SP of **499 or less who may benefit from a 250SP delegation for two months from me?** I'm selecting **two users to delegate to**, provided they meet the criteria. There is now **under 24 hours before nominations close** in my delegation offering. 
#### If you would like to nominate someone please check the criteria via the link below before doing so as only users meeting the criteria will be considered eligible.

***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">Read the details here - Original post</a>***

**Currently nominated users:**

1.	@skramatters nominated by @por500bolos
2.	@curatorcat nominated by @paulag, @steevc, @dswiggle, @abh12345 and @hanen
3.	@crohnschick nominated by @mattclarke
4.	@pixaroma nominated by @photocircle
5.	@owasco nominated by @balticbadger
6.	@theonlyway nominated by @blessed-girl
7.	@wildhomesteading nominated by @newageinv and @curatorcat
8.	@nooblogger nominated by @brickmanbrad
9.	@g-shot nominated by @photocircle
10.	 @mytechtrail nominated by @rishi556
11.	@johnb75 nominated by @mozz333
12.	@kansuze nominated by @hitmeasap
13.	 @krazzytrukker nominated by @denmarkguy 
14.	@aliciasteyn nominated by @acesontop
15.	 @bidesign nominated by @blockking

Once the payout occurs on the original post (the link above) no further entries will be considered. Please ensure you read the criteria or your nomination may be wasted. This is not a popularity contest so nominating someone who is already on the list above will not improve their chances of gaining my delegation.

I will take some time to consider each nominated account, verify they are a natural person with under 499SP, check out their blog and engagement-level and then will make a decision on which two accounts I will delegate to. 

There will be a post tagging the two eventual recipients of my delegation and it will start immediately. 

Good luck to all.

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 
P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

Im srce: <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/nile-598962/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=620397">nile</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=620397">Pixabay</a>


Nominations end soon for a chance at my 500SP delegation opportunity

OK, so I'll be honest, I'm not sure if this lizard is indeed *single* however I couldn't resist the pun in my title considering the name of this scaly South Australian is the *Shingle*back Lizard. 

To be honest it's unlikely a Shingleback of this size would be seeking a relationship considering that once they find a compatible mate they continue to pair with the same mate every spring for over 20 years, for life. This is almost unique to this type of lizard throughout the lizard world. How romantic and uncommon in this world of changing partners like one changes clothes.

I came across this little guy the other day wandering through some scrubland within the Monarto zoo which I visited on Sunday. That orange thing in its mouth is not its tongue, I think it found a dried apricot, or more likely, a fruit rollup, someone dropped and it was trying to consume it. I remember these lizards well from my youth being a kid growing up in the small *country town* I lived in. We used to call them *sleepy lizard's* or *stumpy's*. 

https://i.imgur.com/6c6f03o.jpg

This lizard is related to the more common *bluetongue* lizard and they belong to a lizard-family called skinks. Shinglebacks have a round stumpy tail and quite large scales making it look rough and bumpy. The stumpy tail resembles its head which confuses predators. You can see the colouring quite clearly and, as with the bluetongue lizard, the Shingleback's tongue is dark blue. This one was about 35 centimetres long which makes it a large adult.

https://i.imgur.com/9DAFQYm.jpg

The Shingleback lizard lives in the drier areas of the country, in the southern areas, and are experts at surviving in the harsh arid climates found there. Their skin is tough and thick to protect against predators and doubles as insulation to keep water-loss to a minimum. These lizards can go for months and months without eating as they store fat in their tail; A good season of eating and they're good to go for quite a while.

https://i.imgur.com/jaBKRMi.jpg

I'm sorry my photography skills aren't that great and so these photo's are not the best but you get the idea I suppose. I managed to get pretty close to the Larry the lizard as you can see. **Shinglebacks are vicious killers and move with lightening speed and reflexes often striking at humans without provocation inflicting grievous wounds often resulting in death...**

Actually that's not true at all...They don't move very fast at all which is possibly why they are often called *sleepy's* and one reason you sometimes see them flat on the road after being run over by a car I guess. They are not too scared of humans either. Shinglebacks will take on a predator though and are pretty good at scaring foxes and dingoes away, a couple of their natural predators.

They eat mostly vegetable matter like foliage, berries and fruits which is why this one probably thought Christmas came early when he found that rollup. They also love flowers, seasonally gorging themselves on blossoms, particularly yellow ones, if given the opportunity. They will also eat the occasional insect, spider or scorpion as well...And slow-moving American tourists also. Nah, not really...You'll have to come down here to find out for yourself, if you're game to.

It's not often one will see one of these so I thought it was cool to come across it. The poor old thing was having trouble downing that large rollup and I watched for a while as it tried to break it in half thrashing its head side to side in the attempt. The image below is slightly blurry as he moved his head right as I took it but it sort of shows how the lizard was trying to break it in half. 

https://i.imgur.com/t6YgeUT.jpg

After a while I said goodbye to the little guy and left him to his meal. It's autumn here so not sex-season for him so there's no shenanigans on the horizon however instead he'll be busy filling up that tail with food-stores (fat) in the advent of a lean winter. 

Anyway, my *shingle and ready to shmingle* title may have been misleading however if you happen to see one of these shingleback lizards in the wild make sure you don't get too close and let it go about it's day unmolested. If you're on the road take care if you see one and resist the urge you may have to run it over. Doing so would make you an asshole...They are slow moving and often attempt to cross in pairs, with their mate, so a little awareness can keep these slow little South Australian's safe when on the road. 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 



I'm Larry, and I'm shingle and ready to shmingle

As most of you know I'm a pirate...Not one of those ones who prey on shipping on the seven seas, just one who collects treasure. OK, so maybe I'm *not* a pirate, but if I *could* be one I think it would be a pretty cool thing. Alas, I can only aspire to it.

Some of you may recall I have a silver group at my office. It started when a few of the team found out I buy precious metals and they all jumped on board which was cool. We all do it for different reasons and some have a lot more than other's however we have fun talking about it and on those occasions when we actually make our purchases, which we did last week. 

I decided to do something a little different this time and purchase two-ounce coins which I have not purchased previously. Below you'll see some images of what arrived. I managed, through loads of saving my pennies, to buy six of these so a total of 12 ounces of silver. 

https://i.imgur.com/tyXEEzo.jpg
*Front image showing the Australian koala.*
https://i.imgur.com/pvRyVqe.jpg
*Rear of the coin showing the head of Queen Elizabeth II, the year and weight.*

https://i.imgur.com/m3kxgdt.jpg
*Here I've taken a shot to show you the difference between a one ounce coin and the two ounce ones, on the left. As you can see the two ounce coin is thicker.*

I'm not sure how much silver my silver group has purchased collectively since it started but I'd say a fair amount. The cool thing is that everyone isn't just pulling money out of their bank accounts or housekeeping money, they're saving it! We are all going without things to have the ability to purchase some silver. I think that's what makes this so cool, people actively working towards something they see as more valuable than a second coffee purchased each day, or that mid-afternoon snack at their desk. 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 
If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

**P.s.** I just want to give a shoutout to a fellow Steemit-user. I was fortunate enough to be the lucky winner of an ounce of silver that the most excellent @balticbadger was giving away in a raffle. Below you can see the front and back of the silver ounce I won. I haven't got one of these so I'm pretty happy to have been the lucky winner. @balticbadger actually raffled off a few items so there were some other winers as well which is cool. Right now my dragon silver is probably at 40,000 feet somewhere in the belly of an aircraft but it'll be here soon...Thanks to the good sir BalticB!

Images below borrowed from @balticbadger's ***<a href="https://steemit.com/raffle/@balticbadger/silver-raffle">blog.</a>*** You should check out his work as he does some good stuff. Throw him some Steemit love! 

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/4C7fZFgC-4HFqJv9qRjVeVQzX3gvDHytNF793bg88B7fESPieLQ8dxHzZ1i3f9AzecjVti1wwFUA3JgwWBTm8PNovKxVcL1KJjVnBzPh3bwBRi4v2xwijc13pCEG4orrXQa6mAZhZSyRmov7dX9y52BZYPtZjvGrkPfsoLXDQfrW.jpeg</div><div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/ha9jLtEg-4HFqJv9qRjVeVQzX3gvDHytNF793bg88B7fESPieLQ8dxHi8JemYBz6JjRpqDTaTX4FYsPB197iTiZ3JkGAdSQaQTHe3yqmhKkU7uXNcmCxEJqGU53YpjhyCCCHrQYnULEmvLyAe7DShLfUQirVPvFW5WsbXR49xwyg.jpeg</div>









Heavy silver koala's and a silver dragon

Hi guys, as part of my 500SP delegation initiative I wanted to update the users who have been nominated. The list of fourteen nominations is below and considering I'm selecting two accounts that's reasonable odds for those nominated. 

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/GZzNWewD-guy-2609240_1280.jpg</div>

Please take the time to take a look at the blogs of the nominated users as you may find something interesting there. This initiative is not just about delegating my SP to two users, it's also about offering a little extra exposure to all who are nominated via my own feed and by any *resteeming* that occurs.  That's where you come in, and why I urge you to take a look at their blogs and offer up a little support. At this stage I have only had a very quick glance at the nominated accounts through lack of time but it looks like it will be a pretty difficult decision when that times comes. 

**Here's the list and the names of who nominated them also:**


1.	@skramatters nominated by @por500bolos
2.	@curatorcat nominated by @paulag, @steevc, @dswiggle and @hanen
3.	@crohnschick nominated by @mattclarke
4.	@pixaroma nominated by @photocircle
5.	@owasco nominated by @balticbadger
6.	@theonlyway nominated by @blessed-girl
7.	@wildhomesteading nominated by @newageinv and @curatorcat
8.	@nooblogger nominated by @brickmanbrad
9.	@g-shot nominated by @photocircle
10.	 @mytechtrail nominated by @rishi556
11.	@johnb75 nominated by @mozz333
12.	@kansuze nominated by @hitmeasap
13.	@krazzytrukker nominated by @denmarkguy 
14. @aliciasteyn nominated by @acesontop
15. @bidesign nominated by @blockking

If you have nominated someone and they are ineligible they will not appear in the list. Check the quide-lines for successful nomination ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">here</a>***. Users who have been nominated more than once will only appear once. 

##### Know someone worthy of a nomination? Read the ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">guidelines</a>*** and nominate them as this small support could mean everything to them and their ongoing Steemit journey.

I'm sure there's a few worthy users who would appreciate a couple of months of delegated SP so please check the ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">guidelines</a>*** out and then nominate if you feel like it. So far all of the nominated users have shown a lot of gratitude towards the person who nominated them so let's help them reach their true potential huh?

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

***<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/guy-man-male-people-hands-reach-2609240/">im srce</a>***

Second "nominations" update - @galenkp delegating 500SP to new users - Nominations closing in just a few days

https://i.imgur.com/w0s11l9.jpg

Do you stand out amongst the other's, a pillar of light, or are you faceless, nameless distinguished only by the fact you are *indistinguishable* amongst the multitudes; Another grey-man brushing hurriedly by on the road of life. Caught up in falsity and oblivious to the colour lying beneath the surface of your bland uncaring façade, the mask of ego and hubris you wear so well.

It doesn't have to be that way. You are not detritus, life's cast-off, blown out of control by a cold wind down endless streets of concrete and misery. You have a choice and the choice is yours, always. Why don't you see that every colour and a colourful life lies somewhere within you if only you found the courage to look. Can you see? It's right there! Hidden only  by the fallaciousness you've been fed; The reliance on the superficial, the counterfeit reality the world presents as value.

Like the flame starved of air you've become cold, an ember; Grey, ashen and cold but there's life in you yet, you just need to see it, to spark it.

*You're the strong winds that blow across grassy plains, the diamond that glint's like snow in the sun. You're the Autumn leaves falling red, yellow, golden-brown and the soothing sounds that come with the rains. You're a million stars that light up your path and a thousand birds in flight wheeling as one. Every colour is within you, and can emerge when you choose, so take a look sometime, you may be amazed what you find and how brightly you shine.*

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 









Hidden colour

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/562689c6c0a87974156f80640019bb8c558bc042.jpg)

Hey ya'll, we're just hanging around with the white rhino at the moment at the Monarto zoo. If you haven't seen one of these things up close you're missing out...These lads are big! It's been a good day so far, the weather is good and the animals seem friendly, fortunately.

We're off to see the carnivores now, the cheetah, lions and hyenas. Hopefully they don't decide I'm a delectable morsel they might like for lunch! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

*Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default*

Posted using [Partiko Android](https://partiko.app/referral/galenkp)

Live action: Safari Sunday - Monarto open plains zoo

It's safari Sunday today and you know what that means right? Yep, it means it's safari Sunday! Hmm, ok so that sounded better in my head but roll with it ok? Even the greatest writers falter at times, so cut me some slack. &#128514;	

We're heading on an adventure today, to the ***<a href="https://www.monartozoo.com.au/">Monarto Zoo</a>*** to check out the locals...Well, they're not really *true* locals because these guys and girls don't come from Australia however they are here and so they're official Aussies! We've packed a picnic and are taking the one hour drive on the South Eastern Freeway to the zoo for the day. 

https://i.imgur.com/d1R86JM.jpg

The zoo has all sorts of animals including lions, zebra, hyenas, giraffe, white rhino, bison, blackbuck, cheetah, chimps and many others including my favourites...Meerkats! I borrowed these images from one of my brother's as Safari Sunday hasn't actually happened yet, you're reading this ahead of time and my photo's won't be as good anyway. These were taken on safari in Kenya although I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Sunday so it wasn't legit! &#128521;

https://i.imgur.com/FQMYx2e.jpg

Monarto has just completed a new lion experience exhibit which allows people to get right inside the lions area by way of a tunnel that pops up in the middle of their territory. The people are protected by a wide glass dome over their heads and have a 360 degree view of the lions. I think it would be more fun to see no safety dome there which would make for some lively photos... But that's just me. It's probably not a legit option unfortunately.

https://i.imgur.com/LCNLN6h.jpg

The waterhole area of the zoo is really cool because they have a huge boardwalk that takes people out into what essentially is a simulated African savannah waterhole. It's huge! All the animals roam around freely interacting if they like or just keeping to themselves. We'll spend a lot of time in this area. Also, visitors can get on buses and drive inside the area as well. Doing that for sure! 

https://i.imgur.com/WHT1wCA.jpg

The last time I was at Monarto I had the chance to get up close to a white rhino and actually touch it which was a first for me. They feel as rough as you'd expect but also soft...Which sounds funny. I mean probably not soft, but *alive*. I always thought they would feel as hard as rock. They don't. It's sort of like the first time you hold a crocodile...They are remarkably soft. 

We'll be stopping for a picnic in the zoo which should be cool. It's going to be a 28 degree day with no rain so it should be nice. I prepared all the stuff, *I know, what a good husband* and we have some treats also. It's actually my mother in-laws birthday so I have a little birthday cake to reveal for her, and us of course. *I know, perfect son in-law right?*. 

Last night we went to her place and gave her the gifts we bought. She got a Nespresso coffee machine and we set that up then smashed out a few coffees in some new cups we also got her. We had cake too...Probably shouldn't have considering I have cake for today but what the hell. 

My mother in-law is still trying to recover from cancer and so we can't do too much with her sometimes although we're trying to prioritise spending time with her and doing loads of things, when her strength permits, to make the most of the time I suppose. 

https://i.imgur.com/yNAoEIX.jpg

So, safari Sunday is happening...Or has happened, if you're reading this late. I'm sure I'll have a photo or two which I might share if they come out ok.

I hope all of you guys are having a great weekend and are creating your own memories because after all, what else is there but that which we have right now? Might as well live it right? 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

Sunday safari is legit

I went to see my dad today and he had no idea who I was...It was unpleasant. I prompted him once on who I actually was however decided to simply let it go and play the role of whoever he thought I was considering he didn't catch on that I was his son. My dad lives in a nursing home and suffers from dementia so his memory is not so good. He has other complications and at almost 83 years old that's to be expected I suppose. 

The visit left me feeling pretty flat though, and wondering if that is what I have to look forward to in my older age. Indeed, is that what we *all* have to look forward to? 

<center>https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/bfGAMGM6-P1060113.jpeg</center>

<center>*"A graveyard of stones, memories, wilting flowers and pain
Some old and others fresh, new grass craving summers' rain
Derelict, memories passed, forgotten, faded, irrevocably lost
Worn stones, broken dreams, names hidden by creeping moss
Once loved, cherished, held closely yet time passed them by
Now gone, like light in their eyes, memories get old and die."*</center>

We will all get old and die one day, well, that's assuming we don't die prematurely, and whilst some may stay sharp of mind until the end, some will not. It's not a great prospect I suppose however that dark thought reflects back to me and punctuates my ethos that you can read at the end of my posts. **_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_**. It also gives credence to the *live your best life* and the be the best version of yourself as often as possible* ethos. Well, in my mind it does anyway, and so I do...As often as I can.

I left my dad this afternoon after spending almost an hour there. I recorded a couple videos of him saying hello and blowing kisses to his grandchildren, @smallsteps and my other brothers' 8 month old son, which I have now sent through; As they are both located a long way from here it's the least I can do. I suppose I do it in a bid to create memories for those two young kids and yet will those memories fade like the poem above says? Well, yes I assume so at some stage. It's the turning of the wheel of life right? I mean nothing lasts forever, nothing.

I think about my dad sometimes and look at the life he lead and whilst it could have been better, or maybe just *different*, he was happy. He has told me so many times. I take comfort in that and in that I have the ability to make, and retain, memories at the moment. And so I do. It's ironic that the things he cites as the best in his life are his children and yet now he cannot recall them effectively mostly, certainly not today.

*The headstone you see in this image was taken by me in Cornwall last year. I was there retracing my ancestry on my mothers, father's side. I've gone back to 1451 and then lost the trail. This headstone is from the early 1700's and is located at a church gravesite, one of the oldest church sites in the area, and it holds many of the people that came before me, family members who broke ground and paved the path that leads to me...Gone now, but not forgotten.* 



**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 





It's me dad, your son...

I am originally from Bangladesh, so rice is the main food as usual, and in great quantity. Wheat being the second main food which is also a carbohydrate based grain.I wanted to lose a bit of fat and I decided to reduce my carbohydrate intake, especially in my last meal and incorporate intermittent fasting (around 14 hour fast). 

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/36d09893e97e2602b1841e2e541ef762cdcacfae.jpg)

Typically bengalis a lot of times will eat some animal products (meat, fish or eggs) with a lot of rice. The quantity of rice seems to be more prominent for people who may not have enough animal products to go around. So I see it as an economic solution rather than a health one.  

Intermittent fasting fits well into my schedule where I don't have to eat breakfast before work. It was perfect for me. 

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/42ac078e1292593ec7558ad75fc676e45bb84760.jpg)

If I felt too hungry I would consume some type of food with high in fats, such as coffee with cream. Ofcourse in low quantities.  

I would have carbohydrates * AFTER * my gym session. It would replace the depleted glycogen in the muscles. 

#These were the benefits:

### No craving for sugar. 
This was great. I never had a massive craving for sugar but with a lower carb higher fat and protein diet I felt even less tempted by the sugary foods.

### Felt full longer:
I ate carbohydrates during Sunday and I just felt hungry and hungry.  Couldn't go over 3 hours without feeling hungry despite the amount of food. 

I like doing intermittent fasting, and this was made easier with lower carbohydrates and higher fats and protein. 

### No sugar crash, better clarity and mood:
I have been happier on a lower carbohydrate diet. I could concentrate better and felt less sluggish. The difference was significant.  

Energy levels were smooth and consistent. I felt good. 

### I was recomping bit better. 
I lost a bit of fat and gained a bit of muscle. Although the changes were very small, my chiropractor noticed it and so did my wife. 

The machine in my gym showed my body fat from.19.3% to 16.9%. Granted these machines are not accurate, however if it shows a reduction and I and people around me can see a reduction in fat, then I must have reduced body fat.  

### I enjoy food more

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/97cb8028553116b852fcd4002e89957e1baa40d1.jpg)

I have never been a fan of lots of rice. Rice doesn't have any great taste. It's the meat, fish, eggs and dairy along with the spices and seasoning that gave the flavour (at least to me it does). Just look at the picture above and tell me if you don't love it.

I enjoy food with more meat and fish and less rice. It taste much better.

### I get less cold and illness

This is the honest truth. I read up that this will be the case but didn't believe it. But I guess it's true for me.

*Disclaimer: this is just what I did and I am not a nutritionist or a doctor. Please do your own research and visit a qualified medical practioner. 

Posted using [Partiko Android](https://partiko.app/referral/shadlife)

Reducing my carbohydrates was the best dietary decision I made in my life. 

Yesterday I announced that I will be delegating 500 Steem Power between two steemit users for a period of two months each. It's not a competition and no effort is really required...Just a nomination for entry from another user. ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">See the original post here on how to nominate</a>***.

Today I wanted to update everyone on the nominations. **You see, this is not just about the actual delegation itself, it's also about helping these people to gain a little extra exposure that these accounts may not usually get.** Only two can gain my delegation however by being nominated it means those users have engaged on the platform and *someone* feels they are worthy of a little assistance provided by way of my delegation. 

For any reading this I suggest you check out the list of Steemit users below which outline the nominee's I have received so far, and the user(s) who nominated them. 

Please note that the only users eligible for my delegation are those who have **_under 499SP._** Nominating someone who has more than that wastes your nomination as anyone with 500SP or more will not receive my delegation. I outlined the parameters in the original post which you can read ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">here</a>***. Don't waste your nomination, check out the original post first.

The list of eligible users I have received is as follows, with the user who nominated them also:

1. @skramatters by @por500bolos
2. @curatorcat by @paulag and @steevc
3. @crohnschick by @mattclarke
4. @pixaroma by @photocircle
5. @g-shot by @photocircle
5. @owasco by @balticbadger
6. @theonlyway by @blessed-girl
7. @wildhomesteading by @newageinv
8. @nooblogger by @brickmanbrad

If you have nominated someone and they are ineligible they will not appear in the list. Check the quidelines for successful nomination ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">here</a>***. Users who have been nominated more than once will only appear once. I will also only be accepting one nomination from each user. I should have made that clear initially. My apology. This has now been amended. @photocircle, your two nominations will stand. 

##### If you know someone worthy of a nomination please read the ***<a href="https://steemit.com/steemit/@galenkp/i-m-delegating-500sp-to-two-users-for-two-months-nominations-required">guidelines</a>*** and nominate them if they meet the requirements. Don't let someone deserving miss this opportunity. Lets get them on the way to *dolphin-status.*

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/gIV9mppO-dolphin-1001312_1280.jpg</div>

My hope is that this small gesture assists a couple of deserving accounts and helps them on their way towards a great Steemit journey. Depending on the response I get and how successful this is I will do it again and possibly expand the delegation to a third user or increase the amount of delegation. 

I urge you to nominate someone you feel is worthy however please review the guidelines so you do not waste your nomination. 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

***<a href="
https://pixabay.com/photos/dolphin-animal-blue-animals-zoo-1001312/">im srce</a>***

@galenkp delegating 500SP to new users: First nominations update

I'm often amazed at the lengths marketers go to attract our attention and help us part with our money. We certainly live in the age of consumerism and many succumb to the lure dangled in front of them and before long are handing over money to purchase whatever new thing the marketers put in front of them.

I'm not typically that way inclined preferring to buy things when I need to and getting the most amount of use out of the things I have before buying more. Usually, but not always. 

Recently one of the national supermarket chains here in Australia recently caught my attention and turned me into a bit of a zombie, or maybe a puppet on a string is a more apt description but before you judge let me explain. Then you can judge.

As you all know there's not much I wouldn't do for my little niece @smallsteps who has me wrapped around her little finger. So, when I saw the supermarket promotion I thought of her immediately. So yeah, **I guess I'm blaming my two and a half year old niece for my shopping addiction.**

<div class="pull-left">https://i.imgur.com/KHK6y3M.jpg</div>

**The promotion:** The supermarket released a series of Disney-branded tiles, small pieces of metal printed with Disney characters on one side and letters of the alphabet on the other. They also had a foldable game-board on offer, with designated spots to locate the tiles which held them in place. 

It was a pretty simple concept that required the shopper to do their weekly shop in the supermarket and in reward for doing so they would receive some tiles. Considering we do our weekly shop at their supermarkets we thought it would be a good idea to collect them for my niece; She's bilingual, that means speaks two languages, with Finnish being her first language and we thought the tiles might help with her english. 

For the last several weeks we've been slowly collecting the tiles and enthusiastically locating them on the board in their designated spot. The idea is to collect all 36 tiles and have some additional ones so that there were doubles of the letters. The problem was that they were wrapped so we couldn't see what we were getting. 

The promotion has come to a close now and unfortunately we are 3 tiles/characters short from completing the full set but we have about 50 spare tiles, doubles of characters, all with various letters on the back so it'll have to do.

<div class="pull-right">https://i.imgur.com/lWlg2ZG.jpg</div>

We're a little disappointed that we can't finish the set but I think @smallsteps won't mind so much. She is such a lovely little girl, good-natured and caring so I'm sure she'll have a lot of fun with it regardless. 

Today I posted it to Finland which, from here in Australia, will take around 7-10 days. We send a little stuff here and there and always receive a video once the packages arrive which makes us very happy. She's always so amazed at what she pulls out of the boxes we send and hopefully this time will be the same. You'll see in the image to the right I have spelled out our names. The other day she spelled my name out with the little letters she has at home already which is a pretty cool thing to be able to to at her age, especially considering she has to think in two languages. She's a smart cookie...Takes after her uncle. (If you know me you know that's *not* true at all...If you don't know me...Yeah, I'm at genius level!)

So, now I've explained my shopping addiction I think it'll make more sense. To be honest we didn't shop any more than we normally do however were able to snaffle additional tiles each time we went because the register girls know us pretty well. This is a good thing considering that they handed them out at the rate of 1 tile for every $30 spent! That makes these tiles more expensive than an ounce of silver! 


**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

Shopping for my niece

I have noticed a few Steemit users putting in some effort in support of new users through initiatives like the *Redfish* and #tenkminnows  power up leagues that @paulag works on and also through users like @abh12345 and my brother @tarazkp who have supported many users over their time on the platform. Well done to you **_and to all the others who have done so as well_**. I am sure there are many out there who are grateful for your assistance and have carried that torch forward in their own journey. I am one of those who my brother helped and so it's time to pay it forward.

### Do you know someone who needs help getting on track?

![IMG_0529 3.jpeg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/9wknvl0b-IMG_0529203.jpeg)

I have done a couple of little things here and there on the platform, generous things, however have decided to throw my hat in the ring with the likes of the very generous and community-oriented aforementioned, and un-named users before me, with an offer of an SP delegation to a couple of users. There's nothing you have to do to have the chance...Just be nominated by another user in the format below. Read on for the details.

**What you will receive:**

- 250SP delegation from me for 2 months (60 days). This is 250SP each, for two individual users.

**To be considered:**

- You must be nominated by another user and you must have an SP of 499SP and less. Nominations must be natural people, not bots. This will be checked of course.

**How do you nominate a user:**

- Simply reply to this post and in *50 words or less* tell me why you have chosen to nominate the user and why they deserve my 250SP delegation for 2 months. Please also tag the user you nominate.
- [Edit] Please limit your nominations to one user only.

**Can you nominate yourself:**

- You can however you will not be selected. This initiative is designed to support users who actively post and engage on the platform which is why nominations must come from another user and not oneself. If you have been active and have engaged your efforts will be rewarded by a nomination.

**How long do you have to nominate:**

- I will take a look at all the nomination replies on the expiration of 7 days from this post going live. I will be selecting the users to receive my delegation personally and my decision will be final. 

**What is the selection criteria:**

- As above, nominations must have under 499SP, at the time of being considered. I will weigh up the 50 word reason given by the nominator and will also take a look at the nominee's feed, replies and comments. 

**Why am I doing this:**

- I hope to help a couple of users who are struggling to bring it all together. My hope is that the people who are nominated, and subsequently delegated to, take advantage of the increased SP to **_get after it_** and push forward with their Steemit journey.
- I want to give a little something back to the platform because I have taken so much enjoyment from it.
- I want to demonstrate that the platform cares about new users, that it is possible, through active engagement, to build relationships and grow and that there is a lot of value to be found, not just from a crypto/financial perspective.
- Lastly...Well, because I try to be the best version of myself that I can be, as often as possible and this is me simply doing that.

So, I hope this makes sense. Please keep in mind I am not a Steemit whiz-kid and so I may have messed this up in some way. If I have please be lenient and respectful when you point it out to me...Or not, it's your decision. 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209

I'm delegating 500SP to two users for two months: Nominations required

The fire burns low. Happily dancing yellow flames long ago gave way to the deep orange-red of glowing embers. The heat is satisfying as is the sounds of *pop, hiss and crackle* coming from the campfire...The only sound that disturbs the silence of the deep Flinders Ranges night. 

I sit comfortable and content, legs outstretched to the fiercely-hot fire happy within the cocoon of heat it radiates and stare into the hypnotic fire as if within it I could find the answer to...Well, to everything there ever was. It's not there of course, the answer to everything is not something any human will ever know, or *should* ever know.

<div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/iwdQJkw4-IMG_0290201.jpeg</div>

We finished dinner a couple of hours ago, a simple meal cooked on the same fire I now sit beside, and cleaned up just as the sun sank below the horizon. We always stop to watch for those early risers, the first stars that pop glimmering in the sky as it darkens, and then hurriedly completed the chores eager to take our seats for the show about to start. The greatest show on earth, and off it too.

It's cold, enough to need gloves and a beanie when away from the fire; Nights can be brutally cold out here and once away from the cocoon of heat emanating from the fire dew is quick to settle on us blanketing our shoulders and heads like a crown of diamonds. 

A shift into a more comfortable position on my camping chair is a good opportunity to reach for my steaming coffee and take a sip. I take a deep breath filling my lungs with the clear, crisp air and glance over at my wife. 

She hates the cold. She looks like an eskimo huddled there in beanie, scarf, gloves and ***<a href="https://www.drizabone.com.au/oilskin">Driza-bone oilskin coat</a>*** but she flashes her pirate smile and for an instant I see flames dancing provocatively in her eyes; The devil, or just *devilish*...?

That scene is one we have starred in many times. I suppose it's one you may not understand unless you have done it though. Many people don't like camping, or don't have the opportunity to do it, and so may never understand, or value, the purity of it. There is something *raw* and unadulterated about that moment when the camp chores are done, the fire burns low and the stars come out to play. It's magical and it always makes me feel small, incredibly small and insignificant. 

The main image above shows a section of Brachina Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. It's almost 500km north from the city of Adelaide and it's remote location and lack of people and infrastructure means it is dark at night, and quiet...Dark is when the stars are the best of course and we make the most of it. 

This rock formation and gorge itself is old. The rocks in Brachina Gorge were previously sediments deposited in the shallow, elongate basin called the Adelaide Geosyncline some 650 to 500 million years ago. Over the subsequent millions of years mountain-formation occurred and now...Well, it's one of my favourite places to go camping. 

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/MQc02iDx-IMG_0977202.jpeg</div>

It feels *Primordial* in the day time and at night even more so. As I said, it's dark, and when we camp there we're often the only people around. Perfect.

It can be spooky but I'm comfortable in the dark and have been in far worse, and inhospitable, places in the dead of night. This place holds no fear for me, and my wife...Well, she has me there so it's all good. 

During the day we hike and occupy ourselves with reading, writing and some painting here and there. My wife paints, not me. I also test my survival skills in various ways; Things like lighting fire without matches or lighters, building traps and snares, tracking game and the like. We also jump in our off roader and hit the tracks as well. There's plenty to do and not doing anything is time well-spent also.

At night it's time for star-gazing and deep conversation, or simple silence. It's a special time and considering the silence the location affords, the billions of stars overhead and the *primal* feel of the area it makes for the ideal place to reflect and connect. 

<div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/mBPCCAv5-IMG_1449.jpeg</div>

The image above shows *Faith* my devil-wife [shh, don't tell her I called her that] beside one of our campfires in beanie, scarf, gloves and oilskin coat. This one was not taken at night obviously, but you can see that I'm serious about fire right? 

I normally get the fire going around 5pm, sometimes earlier when it's really cold, which means it's ready to cook on by around 6pm. We then stoke it up with some good wood and get it roaring until full-dark when we allow it to die down for the light-show above. Watching those stars, finding the constellations and calling out the shooting stars is simply magical. Again, you won't get it if you've never done it. 

The image above right is a section of the Southern Flinders Ranges, a little to the south of Brachina Gorge, another favourite spot of ours. Do you see that track? It leads all the way into the distance and to the very top of this mountain range. It's not a difficult four wheel drive track but in places is serious enough that it'll send you plummeting to your death if you get it wrong. OK, it's pretty serious I guess. Some skills are required.

I'm fortunate to have a partner with an adventurous side. **She is just as comfortable sleeping under 5 stars at a hotel or millions of them in the outback.** We have spent so many amazing moments in each other's company and many of those have been whilst camping in the remote areas of Australia. Being so far away from other people can feel a little frightening for some and it's not necessarily something one should be doing with no preparation or skills. However, it's rewarding and can allow one the distance from modern society that is required to just *be still* and to listen to oneself and the plant that hosts us. Out here, places like this, is where true peace is found.

My wife and I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many amazing moments all around the world and yet we count camping in the remote places of Australia as equal amongst even the most amazing of locations. Out there, in the peaceful serenity one gets from being a long way from everyone else, we find perfection...Well, perfect enough as perfection isn't attainable.



**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

Primordial | Peaceful | Perfect (enough)

It seems like forever since I turned 69...I remember the day I did so quite vividly, fondly, and yet since turning 69 all I've wanted to do was turn 70. Some would say I should be content with 69 however 70 simply *has* to be better than 69 right? ...69 is still good though, am I right people? &#128521;


<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/sFZ5EbOQ-CMOS0441.jpg</div>

I refer, of course, to my Steemit reputation score. Sure, it probably doesn't mean much, at this stage at least, however it represents effort, consistent posting and subsequent voting on those posts by other users. 

I'm very grateful to those who vote on my posts and even more grateful to those who read and comment on them as that interaction seems to validate the time and effort I [mostly] put into my posts. So, thank you to those people who have stuck with me since June 2017.

So, I noticed today that my reputation score is sitting on **69.999** which is pretty cool. This means that this actual post should see me hit a rep of 70 which I see as a huge achievement. I can recall the very day I started my Steemit journey, in fact I can recall where I was *sitting* when I wrote my introduction post and now, almost two years later here I am, still posting daily and still enjoying it. 

https://i.imgur.com/nBwc4Lz.jpg

I think it would be cool to see whose vote pushes me to a reputation score of 70 however I'm not sure that can be tracked and besides, it may be a bot I guess? If someone knows how to do it let  me know as I'd like to reward that user (as long it's not a bot) with something.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the enjoyment I've had with the platform and the interaction I have gained from some pretty cool people that without Steemit I would never have had. I don't know what the future of Steemit holds however I hope it's colourful and bright like the flower in the image above, rather than grey and drab like the rest of that photo...And I hope for all our sake's that this thing goes from strength to strength. 

Thanks to all of you voters who help me along with a vote or two, I appreciate it, and to those who interact with me please know that I value you greatly. To new users, any that may be reading this...Stick with it, engage with others, answer comments and comment with validity. I believe wholeheartedly that that is the way forward for you. It worked for me.

Now...Back to waiting to turn 70...

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

69 is awesome...70 is better

We, as humans, are often faced with adversity, challenges in life, and sometimes they alter who we are, and indeed *what* we are. We deal with those challenges in different ways sometimes falling in a heap and giving in and at other times fighting tooth and nail to overcome them. I've seen strong people driven to their knees and people one would expect not to cope stand tall and triumph. It's all subjective and how each of us deals with the challenge of adversity is unknown until we are directly faced with it.

Recently my family has faced one such challenge and whilst we are certainly not out of the danger zone prospects seem to looking quite good and so I thought I'd write a little about it. I'm referring to the recent battle with cancer my wife's mother has faced. Some of you may know about this however until now I have not mentioned the nature of the cancer and the severity of it. 

It started over six months ago when my wife *Faith* and I returned from Europe after six weeks of holidaying. Within 48 hours of us returning we were in the hospital with her mum and a couple of days later she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had an operation date booked. That operation removed most of her bowel and it was found the cancer was a little more widespread than at first thought however the surgeon's were confident they had caught it in the *nick of time*. I'll not go into details of course, however soon after the operation the six month course of chemotherapy began. 

<div class="pull-left">https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmWjXVGDp5qbfcNEBH4acTFTY1PB1iX62A6gSJETQ58gtt</div>

Just for the record, we are not strangers to cancer as my wife's father died aged 33 (when my wife was 11) from it and my mother also succumbed to cancer at age 59. Like most people we had been exposed to it however this time it was different, especially for my wife considering the loss of her dad at such a young age; She is very close with her mum. We had some idea what to expect however didn't think for a moment that it would go as wrong as it did once the chemotherapy started. 

My wife stayed with her mum throughout the treatments or she would come and stay at our place for a few days after the actual chemo-drugs were administered. It was a terrible time as her mum was violently ill, life-threateningly so, and in and out of hospital for weeks and weeks. As it turned out the hospital had gotten the chemo *mixture* wrong and the drugs were killing her. Again, I won't go into it in detail but she was rushed back to hospital six or seven times by ambulance and once by my wife, on each occasion on the brink of death. 

She was taken off all chemo drugs and they went back to the drawing board to determine the right mix. After a month off from the drugs to recover her strength she finally went back on it and it seemed to work. She would have chemo-drugs pumped into her for 3 days, then none for 11 days then more drugs for another 3 days and another 11 day break. That continued for six months and in the process she has suffered some unpleasant symptoms, some of which may stay with her for life. 

Throughout the entire ordeal my wife cared for her mum, either at our house or when she stayed over at her mum's. She also ran our business, kept our house and managed not to break down in the meantime. She's also been facilitating a renovation of her mum's house with fresh paint inside (she prepares the walls and ceiling and paints herself), and has had new floors put down, paving and retaining wall work outside plus a mini-renovation of the kitchen. She has done a remarkable job and sometimes when I sit back and consider everything she has achieved in that time PLUS handle the emotional stress and worry of her mum's illness...Well, it makes me very proud of her. 

<div class="pull-right">https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQ6wJBcPqtfwTEVt1cm1BJcQFEoEqKVV44A9ezMW61BVG</div>

The last several months have taken their toll on all three of us and we are only now starting to find some normality here and there. My mother in law has had to deal with the massive change to her life, the prospect of death and the loss of her partner of 25 years to cancer *in the same week she was diagnosed herself!* Yeah, I know right? 

My wife has dealt with...Well, with everything I guess. She has been amazing and I know I'm biased in this regard but I don't know anyone who is as strong as her. And me? Well, I've tried to stay as low-impact as I can and help out where I can. I don't know how much help I was though, probably not too much,  but I tried.

Anyway, to celebrate the end of the treatment we have decided to go on a holiday. My mother in-law has never been overseas so we are going to take her to New Zealand. I know, you may not think that's a big deal but there are reasons we are unable to fly further. We will be there for about 12 days and are only going to the South island so we get to spend some quality time exploring. We also have to move at a pace my mother in-law can sustain. 

We will be taking a helicopter ride to set down on Mt Earlslaw Burn (pictured immediately above) and a glacier, will be boat-cruising on Milford Sound (main picture above), doing a jet boat adventure ride on the Shotover River, the gondola ride 450m above Queenstown and then star-watching and a whole heap of other things as well. I think we'll eat a lot too...Trust me...We'll *eat!*

I booked the flights, hire car and the helo-tour a couple of days ago and am looking at accommodation at the moment so it's all happening! 

<div class="pull-left">https://i.imgur.com/mnmTT7a.jpg</div>

We are making this trip all about my wife's mum so whatever she wants to do we are doing. She will have to take some care along the way and won't be able to get as adventurous as she may like but I think she'll enjoy it. I'm really keen to make it happen and to ensure she has a great time and for me it's as much about her as it is my wife as they *both* deserve a great break! [*You can see us all here selfied last weekend. As you can see my mother in-law's hair is coming back.*]

Bowel cancer kills over 5,300 Australians a year, that's around 14 people a day, and has a 5-year survival rate of 69%. Fortunately my mother in-law has made it this far and it seems that things are on the right track although it's still early days. This is why we are taking this trip; Because there is no better time than *NOW* to live life. Don't you think? I'm looking forward to heading off in October, and to sharing this new Zealand experience with my wife and her mum. She has some testing in the intervening period however with an attitude like hers and the support my wife gives her I'm confident she'll kick cancer's ass! She is not the fall in a heap sort of character and my wife takes after her as well. They both need a break though so I hope life can be a little more kind from here...

In case you are wondering, ***<a href="https://www.maori.com/aotearoa">Aotearoa</a>*** is the Maori word for new Zealand and it translates literally to **_land of the long white cloud._**


**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 

***<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/mitre-peak-milford-sound-landscape-2278361/">im srce</a>***
***<a href="https://www.nomadsafaris.co.nz/gallery/lord-of-the-rings-gallery/#gallery/102d299294c1f7a74ae3a555e5195ec0/123">im srce</a>***

Aotearoa: Land of the Long White Cloud

https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/ZbCgeH6R-P1090175.jpeg

Hands up who likes travel...Go on, get ya hand up if you love it! OK, put your hand down, no one can *actually* see you...We do, like travel I mean. Travel is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things my wife and I do and we have been fortunate enough to have placed ourselves in a position to be able to travel around the world a little. We have similar interests mostly and enough mutual respect that if there's an interest the other has we support it. 

So, our travels have seen us trek far away and remote places, visit famous art galleries and museums, well known tourist icons, major cities, small map-dot locations most may never visit...And just about everything in between. The great thing is we do it together and *that's* what makes it so valuable. 

One spot we really enjoyed was our recent trip to Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The park is set around a Baroque country house built between 1692 and 1704 for William Blathwayt on the site of a former manor house. It's interesting to note that the *manor of Dyrham* has been recorded since 1086; Just a bit of history there huh? The park encompasses the house, orangery, stables and parish church and the park itself of course. The images directly below were taken in the gardens near the house. 

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/u8eOtM2R-P1090228.jpeg</div><div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/zpPJH2FA-P1090203.jpeg</div>

Below you can see *Faith* standing at the top of the hill which looks down over the valley below, essentially rolling fields of grain dotted here and there with livestock. You can see the valley a little better in the very last image below which shows some of the deer in the foreground and the fields beyond. It was a very nice view and a peaceful spot to sit and enjoy. To the left of my wife below you can see a log-seat on which we sat and just soaked it in. The second image to the right is Dyrham House itself. 

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/qSkm28Zw-P1090165.jpeg</div><div class="pull-right">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/yA4DDhgz-P1090194.jpg</div>

The park offers excellent views from almost every point but the best vantage points are found whilst walking its 270 acres of parkland and walking paths. We walked around for a couple of hours, often joined by members from the herd of fallow deer from time to time and then headed towards the house gardens and interior.

The grounds surrounding the house are natural although closer to the house are more formal gardens in which we spent a lot of time considering my wife's love of gardening. we went into the parish church as well which is surrounded by a very old graveyard.

https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/DHk1o6he-P1090171.jpeg

The house is under extensive renovations however it still mostly accessible to the public which permitted us a glimpse of life in the early 1700's and an opportunity to view some of the artwork and furniture which is all original. The *baroque* style of building was a very ornate and extravagant style which is evidenced right throughout the house and furniture...All except the kitchens and servants areas which, as you would expect, are utilitarian. Construction was completed in limestone with lead and slate roofing and as you can imagine requires a great deal of effort and financial support to maintain and repair. 

Overall we had a good time and considering it wasn't on our agenda for this particular trip we are glad we took a few hours to explore the place. We just happened to pass by just before the park opened so were one of the first in and therefore our walk around the park was uninterrupted by others which is exactly how we like it. The views were really nice, the air crisp and fresh and the locals, well, you can see how friendly the deer were. 

On our travels we've done some pretty amazing things, some a little crazy, but we've survived them and have the memories of everything we've done to look back on. 

Our trips aren't always filled with adrenalin-pumping activities, nor are they always museums, parks and art galleries, they tend to be a balance between them, oh, and of course food always features prominently when we travel! Some of the most interesting things we have come across have been by mistake which is one of the reasons we don't heavily structure our itineraries when travelling. Something we *always* do however is plan our trips together and allow room for each of us to add in some element that is important to us as individuals. 

The worlds largest army tank museum. A tour of the Ferrari factory. A day exploring Versailles. A week-long trek on the Kokoda Trail. A float plane flight over Lago di Como. The Louvre. Discovering ancient Rome. Spaghetti in Venice. Camping under a million stars and 850,000 year old mountains in the Flinders Ranges. Hot air ballooning over the Loire Valley. Reading in a bookshop in Paris. The Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux. Ice caves in Werfen. Hitlers Eagles Nest. A monastery in Tuscany. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Retracing my ancestry in Cornwall...Far too many places and things to list...We've done so much over the years...And have more to come with flights for our next adventure booked last night!

It's a nice balance, the one we reach, and probably why after almost 32 years of being together our relationship still works...No, it doesn't just *work*, it thrives. We find balance in each other and the things we do.

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 







Baroque country houses, deer and the Gloucestershire countryside

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/d2ff1a42aeefca30cc007320797bb993d4884532.jpg)

Finding presence is a task I set myself in life, every day of it. *Presence*, in the context I mean here, is the act of being **within** each and every moment, really *there*, 100 percent! I’ve found it allows for better engagement with the task and activity or person I am with which, of course, extends to myself; Being present when it comes to oneself is just as important as when with other people.
 
Today I’ve had one of *those days* that got away from me; No matter how hard I tried to keep it on the rails I’d set for the day it ran off and on a tangent. It was frustrating and unproductive. Well, not totally unproductive, but not as efficient as I would have liked and the results I harvested were diminished because of it. The day is not over yet however I needed to get away and find some *presence* within myself, to hit the pause button of life and bring myself back to a more centred position from which to launch the rest of the day. I do this in different ways depending on circumstances and opportunities but usually it means doing something that I enjoy, a small thing that holds life at arms’ length and permits some time to refocus.
 
Today it was a coffee and apricot health bar thing at a local café which was great because it was mid-afternoon, that quiet time between lunch and end of work hours, and there was very few people there. I sat, watched the world go by and enjoyed a 20 minute respite. I didn’t think about work, about the rest of the day…About anything really. I cleared my head and found presence, sort of purged the pent-up emotion or pressure that was blocking my progression through the day. It’s a process Ihave perfected over the years and I’ve found the benefits to be numerous. I feel better, return to the task or situation more engaged and feel more productive if at work and certainly find more value in the things I do outside of work. Because of this process.
 
I’m a believer in being truly present in my life, the things I do. That presence comes in various ways and the way it is deployed is situational however in each and every moment of my life I apply it, or at least I attempt to do so. Having it front-of-mind brings it to reality more often than not thinking about it and using this method I find greater enjoyment, value and perspective in my life. Whether I’m sitting on the couch watching GOT, the Walking Dead or some other show, listing to some favorite tunes, shooting guns, hiking in the bush, in a work meeting or enjoying my life together with my partner I apply *presence* and it returns life-value, greater satisfaction and results; No matter what I’m doing I always focus hard on that thing.
 
What do you do to centre yourself, to snap you back to attention and focus? Is there a process you prefer and which gives you greater results? Meditation, yoga, head outside with shoes and socks off and do some grounding? I’d be interested to know how you keep yourself on track and ** 100 percent within** the moments of your life.
 
*Design and create your ideal life, don’t live it by default* - @galenkp
 
P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209
    

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Present and accounted for...

Accuracy in life can be of critical importance don't you think? I mean if a person isn't accurate errors occur, errors which can have negative impact later on. Well, whether you concur or not I believe it to be so and so my reality is thus.

<div class="pull-right">https://i.imgur.com/UEfoXJf.jpg</div>

As a long range rifleman I understand the relevance of accuracy to the end result of sending a projectile speeding towards its target down range. 

A great number of things need to concatenate for that bullet to accurately make it down range and each element needs to be performed accurately including the stages of making the ammunition [I make my own], setting up the rifle, reading the environmental factors immediately prior to making the shot and of course the actual process of taking the shot. This small collection is, of course, only a very broad list of the elements. 

Each element is important and a breakdown in the process at any point will affect the eventual shot, the ability to deliver it with accuracy and within a suitable time frame. 

One element that may not be apparent to many shooters is the importance of levelling the sights. When the rifle sights are not level they are considered to be canted. The word **_cant_** refers to the rifle sights not being level to gravity, not the ground or terrain the rifle is resting on, but the actual planet, to **_gravity_**. It is highly important and super-easy to solve. It is that which I will do in this post today.

<div class="pull-left">https://i.imgur.com/uW2WnoV.jpg</div>

A rifle resting on its bipod and butt stock on a slab of concrete may look level to the naked eye however it may not be level to a *plumb line*. It is this *cant* that causes problems when the round is sent downrange. 

The image here shows shows two rifle scope turrets and two plumb lines and an arrow pointing to each. You will note the turret on the right side is off-set, that is, *canted* to the right, and there's a second line running off to the right. That second line shows the angle of cant and it is *that* error we need to correct. 

This condition can exist even if the rifle is on a level surface like concrete. Moving forward I'll explain why the cant angle needs to be addressed and briefly how it makes the eventual shot inaccurate. I always intend to make these sort of posts easy to follow though so if I get too complicated, which I probably won't, hit me up on Discord and give me a slappin'!

So, we understand that the image on the left as above is the configuration we need when making a long range shot with accuracy, but what about the right side, the *canted* image?

In this scenario the scope's **_vertical adjustment path_** is not aligned with gravity. When the shooter inputs an adjustment to the vertical (elevation) turret of the scope that is in this condition the adjustment is not entirely vertical as it relates to gravity. With a canted scope part of that vertical adjustment ends up in the horizontal direction causing error on *that* plane. The operator will not get the full-intended vertical adjustment either, however that error-input would be much less than the horizontal error. The degree of error is proportional to the amount of cant and vertical adjustment. [More cant and more elevation/vertical adjustment = greater inaccuracy. 

*The image below shows the elevation (vertical adjustment) turret on one of my rifle systems. This is a Kahles 624i 6-24x56 scope, a high-end unit worth around $4,000 here in Australia.*

https://i.imgur.com/WMlSNvR.jpg

**So, how much does this cant affect an actual shot?** The below figures should demonstrate that very clearly. The scenario assumes a .243 Winchester calibre with a 105gr Hybrid projectile at 3000fps MV (feet per second muzzle velocity - This is the speed at which the bullet exists the muzzle which is the hole at the end of the long bit of the rifle.)

OK here goes...

**The following data assumes a 3 degree left cant on the rifle system. You will note the vertical error is minor when compared to the horizontal error.**

It's clear to see that a small cant of 3 degrees has a massive effect on horizontal error down range. Even at 300 yards, a very easy shot, you can see a 1 inch error and then at 500 yards a 3.1 inch error which is easily enough to destroy the effectiveness of the shot. It's interesting to note that the vertical error out to 1000 yards is much smaller, under half an inch. Not great, but acceptable. It's the horizontal error that is the big problem. 

|Range in yards|Horizontal error|Vertical error|
|-|-|-|
|200|-0.4"|0.0"|
|300|-1.0"|0.0"|
|400|-1.9"|0.0"|
|500|-3.1"|-0.1"|
|700|-6.8"|-0.2"|
|900|-12.4"|-0.3"|
|1000|-16.2"|-0.4"|
|1200|-20.8"|-0.5"|

**How does the operator rectify the cant that terrain or, indeed, the shooter him/herself applies to the rifle system.** Well, it's remarkably simple. One correctly installs a scope level device. 

You will note on the image above that green bubble level mounted to my rifle and below another image showing a second which is mounted more towards the front. These devices are simple in their brilliance and as you have probably worked out are used as a guide to *quite literally* level the rifle system prior to sending a round down range. 

I mentioned *correctly installed* above and that's critical. If a scope level is simply mounted and not *levelled* initially then the readings it provides will be wrong. So there is a process to correctly level them when installing, in fact theres a few different ways to do so but I always use a plumb line. I won't go into it today though. 

Why do I use two? Well, in case one fails. I had one fail in a competition once. It was in Northern Territory some 3,000 kilometres away from home. The scope level came loose and turned around mid-competition and with no way to level it...Well, the table above shows what a 3 degree cant can do to a shot. I finished 17th out of 55 shooters over a two day practical-long-range event when I should have finished in the top 6. I was not well pleased. I have two mounted now as being prepared is a part of my life ethos. If both fail I *hear* you thinking? Well yeah, then I'm fucked.

https://i.imgur.com/edAaEMr.jpg

The rear-mounted level is by Vortex and the front-mounted one is by Accuracy 1st and is a more expensive unit which, interestingly, was the one that failed. The front one is considered to be more accurate as it uses a ceramic ball inside rather than a bubble like the Vortex unit. The theory is that the size of the bubble can expand and contract with temperature and altitude and the ceramic ball will not. The ball is floated in fluid in case you were wondering. Different bubble sizes can introduce inaccuracy. The front-mounted unit also has a Tritium vial inserted in the back. Tritium is a radioactive isotope that glows constantly for around 25 years. This means in low light or night time shooting I can still see the readings on that level. Tricky huh?

Both of my scope levels are observed with my left eye as I'm a right hand shooter. A check on the scope level is the last thing I do prior to initiating my breathing and trigger-pull process. Once that check is made I simply fall into the practiced routine of breathing and trigger-pull which rolls out smoothly and without thought. A little squeeze on the trigger and it breaks sending the round down range towards its target.

If you are still here then good on you, I'm really pleased. I'm almost done so hang in there for a bit longer. 

The operator could never shoot from a perfectly level position without a scope level. A target shooter may reference a structure on a range to gain a pretty close guide, a post or wall for instance, but in the field it's not so easy and who knows if those structures are even level to gravity? That's where the scope level comes into its own. Rolling terrain can trick the eye into thinking the cross hairs are level and the consequence of a shot in this condition could be disastrous. The human eye is only able to resolve cant to a degree of (+/-) 3 degrees and so the scope level is required. 

So, there you have it. A very basic explanation of cant, how it can affect a rifle shot and how to mitigate it. I have purposely omitted many details and tried to keep things pretty simple. It's not because I think you're incapable of understanding it, only because I didn't want this post to be any longer than 1679 words. [Nailed it!]

Oh, just a quick word to clarify something...The scope level is mounted to the scope and the scope is mounted to the gun. Make sense? The scope needs to be levelled prior to the *scope level* being mounted as the cross hairs need to be perfectly aligned to gravity first. Then the scope level is mounted to also be level to gravity ensuring that both align. There's no point having a perfectly set up scope level if the scope is not also. Savvy?

I hope I made this post somewhat enjoyable and easy to follow. I'm open to questions, and of course ridicule, as its the interweb and I'm sure there's a keyboard warrior out there somewhere who got the highest score on some computer game that knows better than me. I'm always keen to get some feedback so **_send it_**. [That's a play on words as *send it* is what a spotter will say to a shooter when all is in readiness for the shot - See what I did there?] 

Ok, I'm out. Later people. 

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209

Level to gravity

We're coming to you live from a nice little spot to the south east of Adelaide today! It's called Clayton Bay about one hundred kilometres from the city of Adelaide. You can see us here grinning like a couple idiots.


![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/a0ea0413f79282e55c11574b9e634b1706d8763d.jpg)



Today it's about 22 degrees and partially cloudy with a breeze so kind of perfect to be honest. As you can see behind us Clayton Bay is on a lake, Lake Alexandrina, and it's looking pretty nice today. The town itself is more a holiday spot with many vacation shacks and some permanent residents. The shacks are pretty much houses, not huts made of drift wood and sticks though. A holiday home here will set a person back between $300,000-$550,000. 

We stopped in for a picnic on the banks of the lake and to watch the yachts racing on the water and even had a visit from a roving band of jet skiiers and some pelicans...Just on *pelicans*, did you know their beak can hold more food than their *belly-can*? (See what I did there?) 😂 OK, I know it's a bad dad-joke!

We've spent the last hour watching a dad and his two sons wind surfing, trying to anyway, and it was cool to see the kids having a go rather than playing video games. Well done to that dad! 

Anyway, I better get back to enjoying the day. I hope you're all having a great weekend and that my dad joke doesn't cause anyone to stop following me. 😉 I'll probably do a post later in in the week about Clayton Bay but have to see what sort of photos I got on my camera first. For now it's good bye. 

*Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default*

Posted using [Partiko Android](https://partiko.app/referral/galenkp)

Live Action: Clayton Bay, South Australia

Last week was remarkable for its mediocrity. I know, kind of boring right? It would have been nice to describe a week in which I cured cancer, landed a manned-flight on Mars or found the first asshole to start the duckface-pout-trend and slap them...But alas, no such luck. Nope, just a pretty standard week really. One thing that *was* interesting though was some new music I've been listening to. It's not a new band by any means although I've not heard their music before and thanks to a good buddy of mine I have now. Nice one bro.

The band is called ***<a href="http://www.atreyuofficial.com/">Atreyu</a>*** a five man *metalcore* outfit who hail from The OC in California (Orange County). The guys have released seven [studio] albums since 2002 with the latest being *In Our Wake* released in 2018. You can see the cover pictured below, taken from their webpage.

<div class="pull-left">https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/M0mAA23I-Screen20Shot202019-04-0520at209.32.4420pm.png</div>

*Retribution* was the original name of the band however the name change to Atreyu came after some of the members and their musical direction also changed. 

Some may recall the name *Atreyu* from the a book called *The Neverending Story* by Michael Ende. In the book Atreyu is a boy-warrior tasked with finding a cure for the ailing Empress and is aided on his quest by his luckdragon called Falkor, a quest in which many adventures ensue. Anyway, it's a cool name. 

Below is a track from their latest album. I haven't heard all of their music yet but over the week heard a great deal of it and it seems with this latest release they have *matured* and have *invested more of themselves* and individual journey's in their work. It feels like a more sophisticated album than their previous releases and one I feel heralds their *coming of age* for lack of a better expression. The vocals also seem stronger and more diverse than their last offerings and it lends this album more depth especially on the symphonic tracks with guest-appearances by M. Shadows and Aaron Gillespie of *Avenged Sevenfold* and *Underoath* respectively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_JgjdxX40

Atreyu's music isn't for everyone of course, it's metal and many don't see the value in it. I for one have a very diverse musical taste though and listen to so many different bands and artists. 80% of what I listen to is modern country music because I'm a country boy at heart and the other 20% is made up of other genre's including classical and of course some metal. 

My week was unremarkable in most ways however finding this cool band has been a fortunate discovery so thanks to my mate **_Dan_**. You're a bloody rough bastard but I know you've got my six and that I can rely on you. Thanks bro, for this band and for standing shoulder to shoulder with me.

Music means a lot to me and I know there's other's on the platform who also love it and couldn't live without it. Have you discovered a new band or favourite song lately? It would be cool if you shared it with everyone. Maybe, if enough people get on board, it could be a *thing*, like a music-suggestion club or something. 

Anyway, if you don't mind a bit of metal, get your ears onto Atreyu and enjoy!

**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** - @galenkp 

P.s. If anyone wants to hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209 











Precious metal

![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/9527e3be099abb4c9e898c74afaaa794fe7c3657.jpg)

A crime was committed, nothing of a violent nature but a crime nonetheless. It was premeditated, planned and strategically executed with the precision and finesse that only a true professional could deliver. Each element, like the individual instruments in a symphony orchestra, came together to perform a flawless and expertly crafted operation, each piece combining with the next in a masterpiece of criminal activity.

Alas, the perpetrator has a conscience and feels the need to confess his crime, to admit to his evil ways and deny the lure of the dark side. Well, on this occasion anyway. 

Ok, so the *crime* wasn't against humanity, society or the mega-rich operator of a Las Vegas casino in an *Oceans 12-style* cash and jewelry heist. No, it was a crime against oneself, one's health and future wellbeing, but a crime that was always going to happen. It was a crime that I committed against myself. Yes, I am indeed the perpetrator of this crime...No crime scene investigator required. I confess.

Last night my co-criminal, and partner in crime *Faith*, descended upon the inner-city shopping precinct that is Rundle Mall and executed our cunning plan to nab ourselves some chocolate from Koko Black, that most excellent of chocolate shops. Our plan went exactly as we had rehearsed it and in only a couple of minutes we ran from Koko Black to our getaway car, an Aston Martin Valkyrie, and sped away into the distance...Well, no not at all but we certainly ambled away with our stolen goods...Hmm, well no not exactly...We strolled away with our purchased chocolates eager to delve into that nondescript brown paper bag and taste the delights secured within. 

The *crime*? Well, as I said earlier, it was a crime against my health as I'm diabetic and chocolates are not on my list of prescribed foods...In fact, you may be surprised to hear, I'm not supposed to be eating chocolate. I know right? Who would have thought! 

Anyway, I ate 3: Macadamia, Baileys and a Scotch Whisky one. They were terrible. Nah, that's a lie. They were sensational! I savoured each knowing that within 10 minutes I'd be suffering with a strong headache and sure enough...Boom, there it was. 

So there you have my confession...My freely-offered admission of guilt. Do the crime, do the time they say and my penance, my penalty, was the resulting headache. To be honest this sort of  diabetic-related crime is rare for me as I'm a pretty committed diabetic so on those occasions it happens I simply plead insanity and move on. Seems to work fine. Last night's backslide into a life of crime was momentary and I've been good ever since...Honest I have. 😉

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