sick

both Mark and I are not well - I have a virus (cold sore, head ache, sickly), Mark is cream crackered - he's been working all week, then sorting Eva out and being in charge of the house and because I am busy and ill he takes the brunt of domestic chores. It is grim when we both are ill. He's gone to bed and I am bathing Eva. It is shame that we aren't firing on all cylinders because we had 2 invites out this evening. Firstly, we were asked overt to the Broadway's to the private view of their exhibition; secondly Steve Tunnicliff and Adam Bond asked if we fancied a curry. We hardly ever get out and we end up doing nothing, going to bed early and, in my case, reading Moltman's The Crucified God (Oh Joy).

I have a busy weekend ahead of me. It is academic awards at Trinity on Saturday - I can't get to the ceremony because there isn't childcare and Eva has her penultimate dance class before she has the Christmas show. I have a very large shopping trip to do - we haven't been to the shop since last Fri and have been living on Birthday leftovers for a week (tonight's pasta bake whilst being quite tasty used up all the remaining veg). Jenny Low is coming over for afternoon tea, as she is a vicar I shall we uttering the immortal lines (More tea vicar) with relish (though milk is traditional - see what I did there?). Sunday I might skive off morning church because I think I need a rest but I am just as likely to decide to get up and go. In the evening is Foundation middle sized service - all things in common? which I hope I will get to (as long as I have completed my sermon, read some stuff on Paul's attitude to the cross, and had at least 3 hours cuddling with Eva).

youtube

seems to have just disappeared - puff and it has gone. It will probably be back on by tomorrow but it got me thinking about how reliant I have become on such strange communication - things that happen somewhere else and that I have no real control of. When t'internet broke in out house at the weekend it was liberating (as I have already mentioned) but it was also a bit scary. I needed to write an essay and a sermon and it would have been useful to get on-line to check a few things: I copy bible passages via t'internet, find references, look up journals, use Wikipedia (just too often for my own good) and just love to surf for mindless stuff to chill out. But I wonder if I am actually over stimulating my brain, putting too much stuff in my head and communicating in an irrational and person-less way? If I carry on using this technology I need to find a healthier way to use it. I am becoming too dependent and to be honest if I can't control the mechanism of communication I can not rely on it and so it is useless to me.

So, Youtube is down and as a result I can not access my videos or check comments that have been left - therefore it is an unreliable form of communication and I should not trust it. It is just a game and I can walk away from it (if I keep telling myself this and it might actually become true). The irony of my posting this via my blog is not lost on me.

photos of trinity college

Trinity Library


Mark has been taking photos of college for some publicity. They cover a normal day at Trinity - chapel, lectures, community coffee, library, bookshop, lunch...that sort of thing. Anyway, If you'd like to take a look then go to Mark's Picasa page.

I am struggling with a nasty virus at the moment. Got a cold sore and feel sick. I am going to get an early night and hope that tomorrow brings a bit more positive health vibes. I have so much to do and feel under a great deal of pressure. I am sure it will all get done but I could really do with NOT being ill. hey ho.

birthday cards

I am so grateful to my lovely friends for their birthday kindness and generosity. I have lots of lovely cards and presents and because my Mum was so generous I think I am going to be able to finally, after nearly a year of saving up, buy a macbook (they didn’t have any in at John Lewis when I went at the weekend – JL offer a 2 year guarantee so are my choice of supplier). So, I really am a very fortunate birthday girl. Except it isn’t my birthday anymore…and I would like some advice on how long to keep my cards up. I think a week is about right but I am already thinking they need to come down. What do you think? What is official card etiquette?

t'internet

Cheers! (not sure about this photo - I hadn't even had a drink and I have boss eyes, my hair is also flat. Hey ho)





Had a low tech weekend because the internet broke down at our house. So, I couldn't email or blog. It was very strange but liberating.

Anyway, I had a great party on Friday - as you know, because you were there...weren't you? - I haven't been up that late for ages and I danced and danced until my feet swelled up and my back ached (actually that didn't happen until the next day). I ate too much cake. I still have one more cake to eat - let me know if you'd like a piece - but it's shop bought!!! It was great to see so many people from out of town and witness Foundation, Trinity and Liverpool people mixing. I think we did very well.

Saturday was a very chilled out recovery day - Andrea and I spent most of it (when we eventually got up) on the sofas putting the world to rights. Sunday was back to normal(ish) with preaching teams in the evening (Geoff's turn at St Mary's Shirehampton). He was very good.

So, that was the edited version of the weekend. The full version is available in person.

Today is back to normal. I have some chores to do, a lot of reading to get through and the next edition of Wholly Trinity to publish. So, I'd best be off.

40

I really haven't blogged since Sunday. It is, as Steve points out a record...but I just haven't had a spare moment. I had an essay to write on Monday which spilled into Tues so I had to juggle that with lectures, college stuff and seeing Mark and Eva (I have to say I have spent approx 3hrs this week with my family - which is shocking) - I had an ethics lecture on Tues evening so missed Spooks (which I caught up on last night at 11pm and was terrible so if you haven't seen it don't waste an hour of your precious life doing so); then Wednesday I was at college all day and as it was Federation Communion in the evening I was out again until 9.30pm. Now, I am not telling you this to exact your pity but to explain my blogging absence. I love what I am doing, yes I get sad when I don't see Eva and Mark and tired when I don't get to sit down and read Heat magazine and doze with the TV on but I love being at Trinity, being in community, deepening my relationship with God and learning about theology. It is an opportunity that I'm very grateful for. So, when I woke up this morning and magically I am 40 years old I know that I am extremely blessed.

I can't believe I am 40 today though. But, if I needed proof it came in the shape of a giant pink heart shaped cake that Jen in the Trinity kitchen made for me (pictures to come). I shared the cake with everyone at coffee this morning then started sneezing...and haven't stopped. So, I have come home for antihistamine and a rest. Back in for tea and a lecture tonight though. Mum is on her way and I have heat magazine to read.

I promise not to leave you alone in the virtual world for so long again. Much love and blessings dear reader. xxx

end of the weekend

It is nearly over and I really need more of it. I have had a great lazy weekend - just seeing people and chilling out. I didn't even get the hoover out or do any baking. I mostly read some books (I know I shouldn't have but I really need to keep on top of Trinity college reading and even though I promised myself I wouldn't I gave in today and read some stuff about preaching in a postmodern context - It was quite interesting really and I am quite pleased that I got into it. Now I can almost definitely write an essay tomorrow) and slept (had 2 lie in's this weekend). We went over to some friends for lunch yesterday and today we had people over for afternoon tea. So, a chilled out social kind of weekend. Just dinner, Strictly Come Dancing and Foundation to do before bed. The back to college tomorrow. Can't believe this was my last weekend being 30(odd). I am nearly ready to be 40...but not quite.

mix up with blogs

sorry to post the 24 thing twice. I thought I was posting it to the Wholly Trinity Blog but got mixed up. It was a bit of a crazy day yesterday and I have to say my brain was frazzled by the end of it. I had led pastoral group prayers first thing then had to preach on Ruth 1 at 11am. I also had a bit of a meltdown because I am working so hard but my brain isn't behaving itself. I keep getting words mixed up, I a being clumsy and forgetful which is usually a sign that I am not coping with stuff. My dyslexic symptoms kick in and my poor old brain starts shutting down a bit (probably why I got the posting mixed up). It is difficult to know what to do when this happens - sometimes it is best to just rest it, not let it have any more information, not read or watch serious tv or radio 4 - if I take this approach I find that pulp tv, loud pop music and white wine are good medicine. The other approach is to fight the symptoms and keep on with the academic discipline. Seeing as I had been pushing through the week and it had only got worse I went for the first option and sat in watching the 'pudsey bear show' with Elise's granny Roselene, we chewed the cud put the world to rights and I had a little cry.

I am trying to rest this weekend. Not going to make my brain do very much and hope that my monday it has started functioning at a reasonable level again. So, I must go now because even this is making my head hurt.

24: The Unaired 1994 Pilot

....when technology was much much more basic



I post this here for Paul. xxx

clerical wear/ware

what do you think - should it be wear or ware. I guess the stuff does extend beyond clothes and into fancy nick nacks...hoods, scarves, frilly surplice. here has been some debate in the Loudon house about this as I have been looking at catalogues and have been measured for a cassock, surplice, clerical shirts and a cape (the thing I like best is the cape). I look like a pudding and I am not happy about it. Even if I lost loads of weight and grew my hair I can't see how I am ever going to look tidy in clerical wear/ware. I manage to make even the nicest clothes look scruffy - a skill that I was born with. The whole being measured by the clerical outfitters - J&M was reminisent of my school days when Thomas Plant used to come to school to get us sorted for our uniforms. We wore Welsh Tweed which is the most impractical material for teenage girls - it frayed, got covered in food (it had to be dry cleaned!!) and was inflexible. I always felt spending so much money on impractical clothing that had no meaning beyond the convention of that institution was a waste and a symbol of our arrogance, affluence and being 'other'. I wonder if caught up in my response to the clerical wear/ware are simular concerns?

I wonder how long it will take for me to feel comfortable in the vicar uniform or even if I will end up wearing it all that much? I guess time will tell. In the meatime I have to get the right clothes for my ordination so I will order them as requested.

By the way I prefer the 'clerical wear' option...

Steve and Moira Broadway

Last night Mark and I had a lovely meal at the house of Steve and Moira Broadway. A fab dinner (roast pork, red cabbage and roast veggies, apple crumble for pudding - yum
yum!) and great conversation. Steve and I met in cyberspace blogging then in real life at Foundation - but actually sitting down to a meal and having a face-to-face conversation has alluded us for almost a year. So, it was great to spend time with Moira and Steve, visit their lovely house, see the exhibition space in the basement and just hang out together. Thanks to the Broadway's for making us feel so welcome and special. xxx

On Sunday my college pastoral group came over to ours for a pot-luck lunch. Over 25 people (including babies, children and teenagers) in our little house was a bit of a squeeze for a sit-down meal but somehow we managed it - a bit of fork rotation was required, but hey ho! Despite my initial disappointment at having to change groups this year I am really enjoying the new group and the opportunity to meet some new people. We are quite a diverse group - ages, gender, married, single, some living in Bristol others commuting, with and without children - and as we get to know each we are starting to find our common focus and the way we can support each other in Trinity community life. I had a great time. The one thing about a small house is that it doesn't take long to clear up - I was sorted by the time Strictly Come Dancing results show started. But, I was exhausted!

Stevie Wonder - Superstition live on Sesame Street

given that I featured James Blunt on Sesame Street the other day I thought I should put this up as well - Mark sent it to me the other day as the antidote to the JB appearance.

24: The Unaired 1994 Pilot

....when technology was much much more basic

weekend

It is Saturday again! Where did the week go?
Monday - catching up with essay stuff, reading and adm' - thoug I didn't get as much done as I had hoped!
Tuesday - went to chapel in college at 8.40am then to a Conference - The Estate We're In - organised by the National Estate Churches Network in Avonmouth. It was a great day but very tiring. The keynote speaker was Rebecca Tunstall, London School of Economics, author of 25 years on 20 Estates: Turning the Tide? which is available at the Joseph Rowtree website. It was very useful and inspiring to meet people who are working on estates and catch their vision for the spirituality of such places.
In the evening I had a lecture - on Ethics, a new course I started this week - which continues until Christmas. So, didn't get home until 10pm.
Wednesday - college all day and I led chapel in the evening, my pastoral group tutor was leading communion and I deaconed. I think I did alight, not too many mistakes. Had tea at college and home by 8pm
Thursday - in for chapel at 8.40am, a new course on Romans in the morning, some time off in the afternoon then in for another lecture in the evening. back home by 10pm.
Friday - in chapel for 8.40am, Homiletics in the morning, then course board in the afternoon. Home by 6pm - earliest this week and the first time since Monday I saw Eva before bed!
Saturday - I took Mark to work this morning at 8.30am, Eva to dancing at 10.30am, done soem flower arranging in church and been to see Jenny Low. This afternoon I have been sorting stuff out for visitor tomorrow. I am in need of some time out really but don't know when that will happen. I have tried to do too much again and am feeling a bit worse for wear. I might make it as far as Strictly Come Dancing but to be honest I could quite happily go to bed now. So, a cup of tea and a cake and see what happens next...

my birthday

I am going to be 40 on the 22nd November - I know it is very difficult to believe this because I have such perfect skin and act like a 16year old but it is true. Having fiffed and faffed about and made no decision about what to do to celebrate the milestone I finally came up with a party plan last night...

I have an evening lecture on the 22nd so will be in LR2 looking at Galations and 1 Corinthians with David Wenham et al until 10pm. So, I will have a party (at our house) on Friday 23rd November and you are invited. But you have to tell me you are coming to get any further information. See you then.

Ken Dodd

I have been looking at youtube videos and found this from the I am Here local history project in Liverpool. This one is great but there are so many more that it is well worth taking a look at them. Enjoy this Ken Dodd story Told by May.

ken dodd on songs of praise

I don't usually watch Songs of Praise but tonight was an exception. The thought of seeing the Bishop of Liverpool and Ken Dodd on the same show, in the same room and nearly on the same couch was enough to keep me tuned in. I can tell you that it was one of the most entertaining TV shows I have seen for quite some time (Strictly Come Dancing apart). It was a tribute to Ken on his 80th birthday. Ken was on top form (so was the Bishop) and he sang two songs (Ken not the Bishop) - the Footprints songs which was filmed on Formby Beach with the sea out (so no sea to been seen) and Happiness accompanied by a gospel choir and assorted children from the Cathedral Choir. It was one of the most extra-ordinary things I have ever seen on the BBC. If you missed it you really should try to watch it on catch up. If anyone records it could I have a copy.

I have tried to look for a recording of the show on youtube but there really isn't very much Doddy stuff on there at all. This is the best I could do. Here is Ken with Dickie Mint...

spicegirls - headline

I heard this for the first time today - is it me or does it sound like they are singing about headlice...? Well most of them have children now so perhaps it is an issue that is close to their hearts. To be honest I think it is a bit rubbish. It doesn't do anything for me, doesn't break any new ground and I am not getting the spice girls retro thing at all - just doesn't sit right with me (unlike the Take That effort which just felt so right). Anyway if you need to hear it go to PopJustice.

This is the video, what are they doing? what are they wearing? Good pop videos have a point but I have no idea what is going on here...

curacy

This is St Peter's Church, Everton











This is the vicarage where we will be living (current curate is standing at her front door!)















This is St John Chrysostom Church, Everton











While we were in Liverpool we confirmed a number things and spent some time meeting people from the churches where I am going to be curate next year. You may well have picked up that the curacy was sorted in August but as these things are complicated and the system of confirmation of posts is such that it has been tricky to officially let you know about it. But, I think it is safe to let the cat out of the bag now. We are very excited about he prospect of being back in Liverpool and living in Everton - we have not ever lived in this part of town and in this sort of environment. But we relish the thought of being there and are looking forward to it. My new boss (the Vicar) is Henry Corbett is great. He and his wife Jane have been very supportive and helpful. The fact that they care so much about the community, Everton and social justice is impressive.

So, more of the bits of this plan come together over the last few days - sorting out a school for Eva - St Margaret's C of E school, Everton, meeting local people as Henry's future colleague and thinking about moving into the house that Debbie currently lives in. It seems a long way away but also frighteningly imminent. I am still here doing this training but I am also getting ready to be somewhere else. It is a tricky situation to be in and one that I must keep clear headed about. Make the most of opportunities here and not lose focus of what I am doing in the here and now.

...talking of which I feel I have jet lag (and Liverpool is only 250miles away) - we got in at 1am this morning and I have been getting my head round the trip all day. I am a bit fuzzy in the head and need to get to bed - if only to stop this day and get ready for the next one! Tomorrow will begin with a new focus on getting down to working hard on Trinity College matters and enjoying the moment.