Everything Awesome

Although the title does preclude a gender, i hope the message doesnt. The message being, go prepared. So many problems, just wont become a problem, if you are prepared for them.

The classic “gentleman’s pat-down.” Whether you’re checking your pockets before leaving the house or making sure you haven’t lost your soul (or your keys) at a funeral, this mnemonic has a surprisingly long history.

While most people use it as a quick checklist to ensure they have their essentials, its roots are a bit more “holy.”

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The phrase is a mnemonic for the Sign of the Cross (the ritual gesture made by Christians, primarily Catholics). The movement of the hand corresponds to the items mentioned:

• Spectacles: Touching the forehead.
• Testicles: Touching the lower abdomen/waist.
• Wallet: Touching the left shoulder (where a man historically kept his wallet in an inside jacket pocket).
• Watch: Touching the right shoulder (referring to a pocket watch kept in the waistcoat).

Historical Context

• The “Pocket” Logic: The order reflects a time when men’s fashion was more formal. Most men were right-handed, so they kept their wallet in the left breast pocket (easy to reach with the right hand) and their pocket watch in the right waistcoat pocket.
• Pop Culture: You might recognize this from movies like Nuns on the Run (1990) or Austin Powers, where it’s used as a joke to help someone “fake” being religious. It also famously appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.
• The “Pocket Pat”: Today, it’s mostly used by people who aren’t necessarily religious but want a rhythmic way to ensure they haven’t forgotten their gear.

For me, as an outdoor professional, this tends to mean, phone, keys, penknife and specs. (plus first aid kit as a default)

When working, this could include, compass, or bike pocket multi tool,

Of course, in 2026, the modern version is probably more like: “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Vape”—though that doesn’t quite have the same theological ring to it.

How to Tell the Weather from Clouds

High-Level Clouds (Above 20,000 ft)

–

• Cirrus: Thin, wispy “mare’s tails.” Fair now, but rain likely in 24–48 hours.

• Cirrocumulus: “Mackerel scales.” Change in weather coming.

• Cirrostratus: Thin veil, creates a halo around sun/moon. Rain/snow in 12–24 hours.

Mid Level Clouds (6,500 – 20,000 ft)

• Altostratus: Gray sheet. Steady rain/snow arriving in a few hours.

• Altocumulus: Fluffy balls. On warm mornings, signals afternoon thunderstorms.

Low-Level Clouds (Below 6,500 ft)

• Cumulus: “Cotton balls.” Small means fair; vertical growth means storms.

• Stratus: Flat gray blanket. Gloomy with drizzle or mist.

• Stratocumulus: Lumpy and dark. Storm brewing or front passing.

Dan’ger Clouds

• Nimbostratus: Dark and thick. Steady, prolonged rain.

• Cumulonimbus: Towering with anvil top. Heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.

• Wall/Shelf Clouds: Wedge-shaped. Severe winds and potential tornadoes.

Quick Tips

• Vertical Growth: Atmosphere is unstable; expect a storm.

• Dark Color: Cloud is heavy with water; rain is imminent.

“

The Values Behind the Investment

Our most valuable asset is not our house, not our car and not any of our possessions.
Its ourselves. The best investment a person can make is in themselves.

At its core, self investment is rooted in a specific set of values that transform it from an act of vanity into an act of stewardship.

1. Self Efficacy and Agency

To invest in yourself, you must first believe that change is possible. This is the value of agency. It is the rejection of the “victim” mindset, choosing instead to believe that through effort and learning, you can alter your trajectory.

2. Long-Term Thinking (Delayed Gratification)

Society often rewards the “now.” Self investment requires patience. It is the understanding that reading a difficult book today might not pay off for a year, but the cumulative knowledge will eventually create a “compound interest” effect.

3. Humility

To invest in your growth, you must admit where you are lacking. This requires humility, the willingness to be a “beginner” again.

The Pillars of Self-Investment

• Intellectual Capital: Staying curious and learning how to learn.

• Physical and Mental Health: Investing in sleep, nutrition, and resilience.

• Social Capital: Building integrity and a network.

The Ultimate Return on Investment (ROI)

The true ROI of self-investment is freedom. The more skilled and resilient you become, the more options you have.

We here at Everything Awesome run some fantastic courses, you can learn new skills, make new friends, and invest!

Another “thing” i can offer.

Ringing Roger. Edale

Ringing Roger is a distinctive gritstone rock formation on the southern edge of Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District. It is a popular destination for walkers and hikers, with several circular routes starting from the village of Edale in Derbyshire. 

Key features of the Ringing Roger walk

• Location: The hike begins in the village of Edale, a well-known hub for walkers and the start of the Pennine Way.
• Steep ascent: The initial climb out of Edale towards Ringing Roger is steep and can be challenging, but it is rewarded with superb views of the surrounding area, including the Great Ridge.
• Scenic path: The path up to the rocks is often paved and stepped to help with the ascent.
• Rock formations: The walk includes a scramble over the gritstone outcrops of Ringing Roger itself, which are believed to be a variation of “ringing roches,” referring to the sound the wind makes whistling through the rocks.
• Kinder Scout edge: From Ringing Roger, many routes continue along the southern edge of the Kinder Scout plateau, passing other rock formations like Upper Tor and Nether Tor.
• Descent options: Popular descents typically lead down via Grindsbrook Clough or Grindslow Knoll, returning hikers to Edale.
• Trail length and duration: Routes vary in length and difficulty. For example, a shorter 4-mile loop can take 2–3 hours, while longer 7–10 mile routes can take over 4 hours. 

Things to consider

• Footwear: The terrain can be rocky and uneven, so sturdy walking boots are highly recommended.
• Navigation: In poor visibility or foggy conditions, it is possible to become disoriented, so a map and compass are essential.
• Weather: The exposed nature of the Kinder Scout plateau means the weather can be colder and windier than in the village, so it’s wise to carry extra layers. 

Everything Awesome can organise some unforgettable hikes in that area. The views are astounding.

Contact us for more details.

The idea of a “personal car park” usually conjures images of concrete slabs and reserved spaces, but for me, it’s something far more magnificent: the entire expanse of the Peak District National Park. It’s where I escape the hum of daily life, trading traffic jams for winding lanes and the claustrophobia of the urban grind for the endless horizon. This isn’t just a place to park my vehicle; it’s where I park my worries, my stresses, and my digital distractions, allowing my mind to breathe freely amidst nature’s grandeur.

Stepping out into the Peaks is an immediate sensory feast. The air, crisp and clean, carries the scent of damp earth and heather, often with a hint of sheep on the breeze. My eyes drink in the undulating landscape – the soft, rounded hills of the White Peak giving way to the dramatic, rugged gritstone edges of the Dark Peak. Each turn of the road, each ascent up a well-worn path, unveils a new vista, a fresh masterpiece painted by ancient geological forces and centuries of human interaction. Sunlight dapples through ancient woodlands, illuminating moss-covered stones, while the calls of curlews echo across vast moorlands.

This “car park” offers more than just stunning views; it offers solace and rejuvenation. I find myself drawn to the quiet valleys where crystal-clear streams tumble over rocks, or to the exhilarating heights of Mam Tor, where the wind whips through my hair, carrying away every last shred of tension. Whether I’m tackling a challenging ascent up Kinder Scout, enjoying a gentle stroll through a charming Dales village like Castleton, or simply sitting by a drystone wall, watching the clouds scud across the sky, I feel an profound sense of connection and belonging.

It’s a place of contrasts, of raw beauty and gentle serenity. The wild, untamed expanses remind me of nature’s power, while the cosy pubs and quaint tearooms offer warmth and respite. Every visit feels like hitting a reset button, a chance to recalibrate and reconnect with what truly matters. My personal car park is far more than a parking spot; it’s a sanctuary, an adventure playground, and a constant source of wonder that always leaves me refreshed and ready to face the world, until my next return.

The Dunning Kruger effect describes a cognitive bias where people with limited knowledge or skill in a specific area tend to overestimate their abilities and competence in that area. This bias can lead them to incorrectly perceive themselves as more skilled than they are, and also mistakenly underestimate the abilities of others, according to Psychology Today. 

Key aspects of the Dunning-Kruger effect:

• Overestimation of Abilities:Individuals lacking expertise or knowledge in a particular domain may be overly confident in their abilities and overestimate how much they understand or know. 
• Lack of Metacognition:This bias is often linked to a deficiency in metacognition, the ability to think about one’s own thinking and performance. 
• Reverse Effect:While commonly described as a bias of those with low competence, some theorists also discuss the opposite effect, where highly skilled individuals might underestimate their abilities relative to others, according to Britannica. 
• Unawareness of Ignorance:Individuals with low competence may not be able to recognize their mistakes or limitations, further reinforcing their inflated sense of ability. 

Examples of the Dunning-Kruger effect:

• Beginning Aviators:A new pilot might overestimate their ability to handle complex flight maneuvers, according to the British Psychological Society. 
• Medical Residents:Junior doctors may think they are capable of treating patients more effectively than they actually are, according to the British Psychological Society. 

Personally, i think i live most of my life about half way up the Slope of Enlightenment, Or, is this just me sitting on the Peak or Mount Stupid?

But, as a sports coach, i may be able to help, wherever you are.

Living the best life.

My life, so many things are unimportant, age, gender, religion, colour, income, social standing. None of these make any difference at all.

A bold statement!

Standing at the top of a drop in, Mountain bike, Snowboard, Ski,   Pushing the tail of a skateboard over the coping,  ready to drop into that bowl, Rolling into some downhill MTB, Hanging off a rope, with rock in front of me, and birds behind.

I live a world where  as a 60-year-old man it’s cool for me to chat to a 15-year-old boy if he is doing something Uber fucking cool and that 15-year-old boy at the same time will chat away to me because he hopes I’m still doing this shit when he is my age.
There are no obstacles other than self imposed ones.  Free your mind from those, make friends because they have shared interests and the world will just feel better.