mac make a big mistake - a gadget with unfortunate name

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Happy Christmas

I am in a bit of daze over Christmas preparations. I have lots of services to do before I have my dinner and the house is full of people. So, I am sorry if this posting will be brief. I just wanted to say Happy Christmas dear reader and I do hope you have a peaceful season.

the death of popular culture

I have had a bit of a bonkers 10 days - full of Christmas cheer, popular culture and a viva that nearly tipped me over the edge.

I missed a lot of the run up to Christmas last year because I was caught up in jury service but this year I am getting the full hit of being a priest at Christmas-time. There is so much to do - and advent has been a lively spiritual challenge for me. I am loving the waiting for Christmas and all the lead up to it. That said there have been a few things that have been quite disturbing - The X-Factor for one. I am not sure I can express my disdain for it without rude words but I will have a go. I once thought it was as innocuous as karaoke but now think it is destructive. You know, dear reader, that I love popular culture and can usually find some worth in nearly any of it (even Miley Cyrus has her good points) but xfactor is a cruel twisted popular culture that is sucking the life out of everything that is good about music. It is a vampire draining the life-blood from young people's talent and leaving them with nice teeth, lovely hair, shining legs and a look of vanity. I want it to stop - with all my of my heart I want it to stop. I want our young people to come back and stop following the nasty child catchers into the little box. I want them to run free and make pop music that is about them and not about a strange middle aged man who likes everything to be pretty. So there...

I am a bit tense at the moment (can you tell). I had my PhD thesis viva last Friday and whilst I am not knocking my achievements I still have some more work to do on it...work that I am disappointed about really. They are asking me to shift my work away from my practice and more toward the theory that underpins it. Of course my theory is completely sound and the work they are asking me to do is perfectly reasonable but I am gutted that I didn't express the worth of the practice clearly enough to validate it. It's not the end of the world but I do have to spend some time digesting their comments and working out what my response will be in terms of the work. It shouldn't take me too long to sort it out but at the moment I am not sure where the time will come from. Some reflection and careful prayer about time management, stress and workloads will also need to be done.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying advent and that your Christmas preparations are bringing you joy. Remember Jesus isn't just for Christmas and that when the heavens and the earth are reunited there will be salvation from xfactor and all bad things. Until then it is up to us to make this world a better place and fight against injustice (wherever we find it) and seek the Lord in all things good and worthy. Lets get to it.

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn' ft Stephen Hawking (Cosmos Remixed)

big thinking on a day off

bridlington beach huts

I am often jealous of people who live by the seaside (though to be honest I am a city dweller so perhaps it's best for it to continue as a holiday romance)...but, I am particularly impressed by this take on the advent calendar. Farli will know the answer to this - Is it possible that Bridlington Rocks!?

back blogging

Hello dear reader. Thanks for your patience whilst I have been away finishing off my PhD thesis - you'll be pleased to know it has been submitted to The University of Liverpool and I am now waiting for a viva date. So, I hope to be back here blogging on a regular basis. I am thinking about a re-brand (again) but I suspect that is a while off but in the meantime I will let you know about a few things that have been happening:
- Eva has started walking to school on her own
- We have adopted a puppy from Freshfields - his name is Jacob and he's very cute (as you can see above)
- Eva, mark and I have been to Belfast for a little jolly - which was great...lots of sitting about, chilling out, catching up with family and friends.
- I have had a cold - I feel much better now, though I am still very tired.
- I am at last feeling like I can get stuck in to parish life. I just hope nothing else comes along to get in the way of being able to be in the parish full time (apart from my more formal curacy training commitments of course).

So, with that in mind I had batter get back to parish life...

eternal earth bound pets

thanks to notbovvered for this link:

"You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved. But when the Rapture comes what's to become of your loving pets who are left behind? Eternal Earth-Bound Pets takes that burden off your mind."

a week

It has been a whole week since I last blogged and so much has happened...I can't even begin to start on the mad business of the week, the juggling I have done is week is exemplary and the mere fact that I have managed to get through without decking someone should been seen as a feat in itself.

Probably the main reason I have survived is that Becky has been here looking after Eva and keeping an eye on me - PhD fever has been quite bad and having someone to remind me that I am fine has been very useful. Also, Becky being about has helped me to keep up my parish commitments...of which there have been a few this week.

Anyway, I wish I could write more but I really must get on with preparing my latest thesis draft which is going to my favourite proof reader tomorrow...

run's house

Eva and I have most evenings to ourselves at the moment because Mark is off with Da Boyz...as a result we have been watching some rubbish TV. However, the best thing we have found to watch is Run's House 'an MTV reality series. It shows the family life of rapper and hip-hop music pioneer Joseph Simmons a.k.a. Rev Run.' We actually laugh out loud...

bad vicar

Jonathan Swales posted this on facebook today and it made me chuckle so I thought I would share it with you. I am still battling with my PhD tweeking (feels more like a rewrite at the moment)...and I also feel like a 'bad vicar' (though not in the same way as the vicar in the video). I am neglecting my flock with all this PhD stuff and it is making me all figetty widgetty. I want to get out there and do stuff but I am in here doing other stuff...anyway, best get on with that stuff!

stress and stuff

The stress of producing drafts of chapters and updating stuff is getting to me. I have taken to cake and other stress relievers. This week has been a mad time as it seems just as I get into writing I have another project on the go as well. Poor old Eva has had to go to our trusty childminders Heather and Eric for this week and next as both Mark and I are working. She is loving it though...it's just the having to get up for me to get her to south Liverpool by 9am that is hard (on both of us).

Monday was a PhD day that started wit an Every Child Matters group meeting to plan the playday event (which took place on Wednesday). So after and hour of sorting that out I came back to my office to crack on. I achieved quite a lot I think. Though I did have to do quite a lot of Greenbelt planning and got distracted by a few parish duties.

Tuesday was the day I shall refer to as Burger Day! I spent the morning with Henry and Mark (the reader at St Peter's church) planning the sermons and services for St Peters for Autumn and Winter. It was a great morning of sharing and panning. I had to then fix a puncture (we keep getting nails in the passenger tyre - not by accident I am afraid). Thankfully it just needed patching up and only cost £6 but I think I may have to deal with 'those that nail' because it is on its last patch. I then popped in to see the youth club and discovered that the BBQ for the playday hadn't been sorted so had to go to ASDA to get 200 burgers and then cook them. It took me 6 hours to pre-cook the burgers. The house stank of burgers, I stank of burgers and Joe managed to block the drain with the burger fat...so I had to get a plunger and industrial unblocker to free the yack. But it was all soothed by the lovely 3 course dinner Eva and Joe cooked Mark and I (and 2 guests). A lovely lovely treat.

Wednesday was the playday...we were opening a new playspace that has been created on derelict land near us. It is a nature play garden and has the potential to be fantastic. It all came together in the end - someone else took over the BBQ which meant I didn't have to stick of burger grease for 2 day running. The fire- engine turned up, the community police officers were positive, the housing associations were supporting and turned up with freebies and balloons, the street-dance group were great and the games (skipping workshop, drumming workshops, facepainting, flower arranging) that were organised for the kids went down well. The weather was great as well. I was very impressed by the whole event. But, I was cream crackered...and it was another day of low achievement on the PhD front.

Thursday I cleaned the church - the theatre company have vacated and it needed a good clean. Then cracked on with some work in the afternoon. Mainly prep for the 2 services I am leading and preaching for on Sunday.

Today is my day off... Eva has a friend over, I have just been to the shops and dropped off my sewing machine at the menders...now I am going to eat cake and read a book...Mark is off to set up the show for tonight at the old police station on Lark Lane. Joe is off out into town later and the girls are on a sleep over so it won't be a quiet night for me. Hey ho.

Just had a bit of time to look over my supervisors corrections of my latest chapter...it wasn't ALL bad. But there is a long way to go. Hey ho.

Dr Eisenbarth Wanderbuhn

A little while ago I put up a video on youtube of Mark and I's exploits at the circus with Dr Eisenbarth. The problem was that the video was too long and the quality had ended up being very pixilated. So, we have uploaded it again but this time it is 2 parts. Please remember that I shot this with super8 film so it has a strange quality anyway. It was only 10years ago but it feels like a lifetime away.

Part One


Part Two

top hat

here is a picture of me in my new top hat.

I have had a great day today. Not least because I have a great debate with Jonathan Swales about all kinds of things but which started with the equality of people and gender difference. I also participated in a great seminar about infant baptism. Added to this edifying conversation we had 'all day breakfast' for lunch, which really was a treat.

This evening we have the pleasure of welcoming Lee and Mary Barnes and Tom Donaghy to Loudon Bristol HQ for a spot of dinner. Mark has a fantastic menu planned. Before they arrive I have to do some reading and try to find places for all the stupid things I have been buying on ebay and additional furniture for the new house which doesn't have a proper place in this house.

And, all is well because I have a new top hat!!!

babies and glastonbury

Mark has sent me on some excellent pictures of the new Belfast babies - Sam and Angie. What fantastic babies they are and everyone looks so proud and made up with the beautiful bundles of joy. many blessings to both families. I am unfortunately not going to be able to get over to see them when Mark, Joe and Eva go to Belfast for half-term. I have to stay here to revise for this stupid exam. Hey ho.

Today I have been to Glastonbury on a DOCTRINE OF GOD, CHRISTIAN HOPE AND LIBERATION module day out to explore Christian expressions of faith in the town and alternative spiritualities. It was a jolly good day: I sampled some good cake, had a walk round the Abbey, got some lavender oil from a shop under the Goddess Temple, listened to the curate of St John's church talk about her experience of being a priest in the town, listened to the Goddess Temple Melissa speak about her experiences and did a spot of shopping. All in a days work for an ordinand in the Church of England!

I am trying to get an early night and sort my reading out for tomorrow. So, best get off and do that.

finance

Today we had a visit from the clergy finance people to talk about stipends, housing and pensions. I am just starting and already thinking about my retirement (in 25years time!). I have to say it is a very scary thing for me to think about money but I guess I need to have a bit of think about it. We will be in dire straits if we don't plan ahead but Mark has decided that he is going to make lots of money and all will be well. I am hoping this is true but I might just seek some professional help just in case.

It is a very hot day and I am not getting very far with my revision. I have spent the last 20mins or so trying to bid on a top hat on ebay. I want one for 'events' - I really wish I had had one for Julian and Andrew's do (see pic above and for a load more pictures see Mark's Picasa site). Anyway, after many days trying I now have a 1930's silk top hat (for £20). Oh joy.

I am off to a Brownie meeting with Eva in a short while and Becky's over for tea so best get on.

prison

I am just back from Bristol prison and all that sleeping yesterday seems such a long way away. I was up early and now I am in need of a further rest and food (I think there's a bit of last night's takeaway to eat). Mark and Eva are doing a it of work on the garden and I am trying to bid on a top hat on ebay. Life's hard isn't it!

I am hoping that we will get out to see Steve and Moira's exhibition on the Bristol Arts trail later. But we also have Elise and her granny coming over for dinner. So, it's all go here. Anyway, it is a lovely day and I need some lunch so I'm off to sit in the garden.

bed

I am in bed. I am feeling a bit groggy and think here is the best place to be for a while. Mark has an unexpected day off so we are taking it easy because there are going to be a few very busy weeks ahead. Eva has a friend over (they had a sleep over last night and are still playing quite happily). I am rather hoping to get sausage sandwich in bed quite soon (the wonderful Mark is busy creating breakfast) and I might even have a doze again. I am sorry if you are reading this from a busy office, whilst doing an essay, if you are dealing with children or just feeling like you are sleep deprived or don't get enough time to yourself. Believe me I know how you feel...and today's lie in in bed is very unusual and long overdue. I know that is only a slight consolation. I can only hope you get a chance like this too sometime soon.

Not a lot on today but tomorrow I am off to Horfield prison to hear Geoff preach at 2 morning services in the prison chapel. The only thing is I have to be out the house by 7.45am. hey ho. At least I am back home by 11am.

dodgy tummy on Ascension Day

Miniature from Rabbula Gospels
(Mesopotamia, 6th century)





I have a bit of a weird tummy bug thing that seems to also make my head ache. I am trying to keep eating (one of my main objectives in life is to maintain a steady flow of food) but really I have lost heart for it. Anyway, I have been keeping on doing the stuff I need to do but tonight I feel rubbish. Which is a shame because this weekend is Julian and Andrews wedding and I have been looking forward to it for ages and ages and ages. Mark and Eva are camping in a field in Shropshire Elise and I are staying in a B&B. Oh joy. Perhaps if I eat only a boiled egg for tea I will feel ok tomorrow? I do hope so.

This week has been very busy. Tuesday night we had the fantastic Broadway's over for supper. What great company they are! If I could take them with us to Liverpool that would be great. But I think they have a life they are enjoying down here so I will have to deal with that!

Wednesday was a college day full of spirituality, meetings and chatting about curacies and stuff. I got an early night because we had Ascension Day communion at 8am - which meant leaving home at 7.40am. Too early to praise the Lord even if it is the day he went up to heaven. I did have quite a good go at being joyful though it was quite a challenge by 11am having had 2 hours if lectures and waiting for a seminar on the sacraments. The best thing that happened today was getting the fantastic clerical shirt that Amanda Judge has handmade for me. It is black and made of lovely linen. I am so pleased with it. Just need some trousers now and I will be set for ordination clothes. I also had my hair cut - there is no blue left, just my natural mouse brown hair!

Well I had better go and sort out tea for Mark and boil my egg!

A just peace on Israel's 60th anniversary

I got this through my Ekklesia mailing today and I would be interested to know what you think? If you are church leader could you sign up for this?

The Declaration
We, the undersigned, church leaders and representatives of our different denominations and organisations, join together on the 60th anniversary of the Israeli state to offer a contribution to that which makes for peace.

We recognise that today, millions of Israelis and Jews around the world will joyfully mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel (Yom Ha'atzmaut). For many, this landmark powerfully symbolises the Jewish people’s ability to defy the power of hatred so destructively embodied in the Nazi Holocaust. Additionally, it is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of cultural, economic and scientific achievements of Israeli society, in all its vitality and diversity.

We also recognise that this same day, millions of Palestinians living inside Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the worldwide diaspora, will mourn 60 years since over 700,000 of them were uprooted from their homes and forbidden from returning, while more than 400 villages were destroyed (al-Nakba). For them, this day is not just about the remembrance of a past catastrophic dispossession, dispersal, and loss; it is also a reminder that their struggle for self-determination and restitution is ongoing.

To hold both of these responses together in balanced tension is not easy. But it is vital if a peaceful way forward is to be forged, and is central to the Biblical call to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). We acknowledge with sorrow that for the last 60 years, while extending empathy and support to the Israeli narrative of independence and struggle, many of us in the church worldwide have denied the same solidarity to the Palestinians, deaf to their cries of pain and distress.
To acknowledge and respect these dual histories is not, by itself, sufficient, but does offer a paradigm for building a peaceful future. Many lives have been lost, and there has been much suffering. The weak are exploited by the strong, while fear and bitterness stunt the imagination and cripple the capacity for forgiveness.

We therefore urge all those working for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine to consider that any lasting solution must be built on the foundation of justice, which is rooted in the very character of God. After all, it is justice that “will produce lasting peace and security” (Isaiah 32:17). Let us commit ourselves in prophetic word and practical deed to a courageous settlement whose details will honour both peoples’ shared love for the land, and protect the individual and collective rights of Jews and Palestinians in the Holy Land.
“Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid” (Micah 4:4)


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Ekklesia write:
"Ask your church or organisations to join Desmond Tutu, Walter Brueggemann, Ekklesia, bishops and many others in signing the joint declaration by Christian Leaders on Israel's 60th Anniversary, calling for a just peace."

If you want more information or want to sign up go to Joint declaration by Christian Leaders on Israel’s 60th Anniversary.

weekend

Having a rubbish weekend last time it is only fair that this one was a blinder. Friday night I polished off a bottle of white wine that was sitting about and watched some bits and bobs of catch-up tv. Not that there's much to catch-up at the moment - I am enjoying the medieval stuff on BBC4 but a lot of it is very ponderous and poncy, some of it good and much of it less informative than it pretends to be. Anyway, I caught up and crashed out - I was very very tired (it has been a bit of a week).

Saturday was great - we had Liz H's baby shower at ours. I am not sure that it was a conventional baby shower as it was more like a relaxing tea party in the garden with scones, tea, cucumber sandwiches and more cake than can be imagined - pictures to follow! It was lovely having people round, chilling out, telling stories and having a laugh. can't believe that come August both Liz and Elise will have small babies! Wow. What an amazing thing that is!

We are still eating cake today...I had some for breakfast (is that wrong, especially on a Sunday!?). A baptism at church - which was lovely. Actually the whole service was cracking. St Peter's is really coming alive for me again - I can't analyse that at the moment so I will have to get back to it at some point. Anyway, we went to the Wheelers for lunch which was a real treat. Fab food including a very nice pudding (chocolate fudge cake with raspberries - yum yum) a great tour of their new house - which is pretty impressive - on 3 levels including 3 toilets and a chapel! What more could you ask for? They have kindly lent us their roof box for Andrew and Julian's wedding so we will be able to get the tent in the car - phew!

After Eva went to bed Mark and I watched the first series of Gavin and Stacey and ate a rather appropriate omelette (cheese and ham). Perfect end to a lovely weekend.

- I have just realised that this is a rather food driven post (hey ho)!