crepe

I must report that Eva and I had a fab crepe at John Lewis last night - after some gentle shopping because Eva had a filling and was feeling a bit vulnerable. I bought the vase I was after...but haven't had time to unwrap it. Had a mad couple of days and definitely don't feel like I am keeping up with events this week.
Where am I?
Being in my little office blogging is a bit of a sanctuary from the madness out in the real world. Not that I can avoid it. It's just nice every so often to have a bit of a hide to recap and recoup. So, that's what I am doing...sitting in my office sharing my stuff with you and with God.

I am off to Kate's 40th birthday bash soon so I must get some prayers in and then get m glad rags on.

My favourite news report of the day is that Gordon Brown's phone went off while he was addressing political and business leaders in Davos - oh dear...it's not looking good is it!?

out of sorts

I am a little bit out of sorts. I am waiting in for the washing machine man and really want him to get here so I can get out the house. The washing machine blew up again on Monday and I do not deal with this sort of thing very well - as regular readers will recall. Also, I have to take Eva to the dentist later and I know I am going to be in trouble again because I am pretty sure she has a black tooth (I just hope it is a baby tooth!). It seems that no matter how few sweets she eats (she has sweets on Fridays) and how often she cleans her teeth (twice a day) she has bad teeth. I am going to have to ask for further professional advice and I may have to ask the dentist to not be quite so nice and tell her like it is...which I am not looking forward to at all.

I have, however, managed to clear my desk of all things except sorting out my receipts for the tax man. I hate this job - all money matters fill me with horror and sorting out receipts seems to be so cruel. I can't really explain why I hat it so but just moaning about it is putting it off for a bit longer so that is a small piece of happiness.

I might take Eva out for a crepe at John Lewis after the dentist just to cheer us up. I might even splash out and spend my Christmas vouchers on a vase. Anyway, best get on with the receipt chore - I am sure I will feel better after it's done and I will then deserve a crepe!

My favourite news story of the day is of the Armarna Princess the fake Egyptian statue which was bought by Bolton Museum a few years back and they have rather boldly put on display again but as a 'beautiful fake' - good on them!

bits and bobs

I am just off to PCC so I can only fit in a few observations...

It took me nearly 30mins to get to church down the road at St Peter's (a 5mins drive normally!) last night because of the Liverpool: Everton Derby game. The traffic was crazy and made much worse by foolish driving. If only curates could have a lights on their cars (what colour would be appropriate) to get passed all the fuss when it is church time. "Move along young man I am a curate don't you know I have a church service to lead" But, sadly I have no traffic rights with my collar on that without. hey ho...

I am doing quite a lot of walking at the moment and there seems a steady increase in dog poo in the area.

I am really enjoying The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson - well worth a read if you like modern crime thrillers.

I am loving the 15 mins extra light of an evening.

Anway, I must dash - and put the heating on in church...

barack's bible

Barack Obama had to re-swear the oath of allegiance but there wasn't a bible to hand! According to the Mirror (which I am reading daily for educational purposes at the moment). So they had to improvise. Apparently, Barack had packed his away for the move to the Whitehouse and the special one that usually does the job had been returned to the museum. I wonder how many of us can't find our bibles to do our swearing? If anyone is at a loss I have 15 Good News versions in my office used for Homegroup, 2 NIV's (one given to me by the bishop at ordination), 3 NRSV's, I Jerusalem, 1 Living, 2 King James (I being the family bible, the other being my baptism bible), one that is of unknown translation, 1 Word on the Street (does that count?), and a Message...if only Barack had known.

Whilst I am on the subject of Barack (I think as we now twitter together we are now on first name terms!?) Jonny Baker has written a great blog about his networking skills in the 0tees...the Social Pulpit is worth a read.

re:jesus - Jesus and Karl Marx

Sorry to be absent from here but I have been blogging at re:jesus - here is my latest offering - Conversations with Jesus - Jesus and Karl Marx.

Mrs Beamish

I have been sent this by a fellow curate...having had a 'moment' during the peace this morning it rings a strange bell.

secret platform below grand central station

This intrigued me when I saw it today - news of a secret railway platform.

re:jesus - Coronation Street Cross

My latest posting for re:jesus...

Morrissey

For goodness sake someone love Morrisey will you...it's got so bad he's throwing his arms around Paris cos only stone and steel accept his love...well, he made me laugh out loud with his joyful moaning (and his fab catching of the tambourine) . Anyway, I am off to Paris to give him a big hug.

Eva's letter to Santa

Mark was cleaning Eva's bedroom today and found this letter to Santa on her window-sill. It is an extra-ordinary insight into her inner world and it made tears come out my eyes and my heart ached a little (if you click on it it will get bigger!)...

trinity media

Have branched out to on-line MP3's (thanks for the tip Jon) and it's very exciting...

New Calvinists

Fascinating article on Mars Hill church, Seattle found in the New York Times...

ordination tips

me and my fellow deacons on ordination day!







I was asked today if I had any tips about ordination/starting a curacy. Having had a little think here they are:

- get to know the people who are responsible for your house - we have had a terrible time sorting out the building and it really needed careful negotiation

- set boundaries about answering the door/phone asap...I live in a vicarage and get a lot of cold calls...I wish I had been clearer about when I would answer, what I would have ready for people (food parcels etc) and how I would deal with emergencies (don't assume your parish/incumbent has a policy)

- find a spiritual adviser or someone outside of the parish to speak to about stuff (concerns, spiritual blockages, irritating situations etc etc)

- be prepared to be as flexible as possible over as much as possible - choose to 'debate' only things that are really important to you...

- when you first start it might feel a bit slow - enjoy the slow bit because it gets busy!

- finals, finishing essays, finishing college, leaving college friends, moving, getting family settled, sorting the house, meeting new people, getting ready for retreat, doing retreat, the ordination service etc is all very very tiring - a roller-coaster you have to get on and just hold on tight . There is a period of time when you feel very special (and you are, we all are in God's sight!) but it is important to know that that feeling is not going to last and not to give yourself a hard time when it calms down and (possibly) you don't feel so great about yourself for a bit - it happened to me about 3 days after ordination. It does pass but it was quite painful - I actually felt bereaved. It is ok to have a little cry and a large g&t (or cake or whatever)!

- try to keep in touch with a few theological college friends and keep the network going - great for mutual support and a sounding board

- be very very loving to your family, friends and supporters because they are as exhausted as you but don't get all the attention at ordination.

- if people say 'what would you like as an ordination present' say 'book tokens'.

- make sure you go for a wee before the ordination service starts - it's a long service and you'll be wearing strange clothes for the first time.

- don't wear new shoes for ordination.


So, I hope that helps!?

Christmas - what's the point?

I know it's a bit late but this amused me...

God versus the Advertising Standards Authority
Uploaded by TimClague

ps sorry I am back to links and very little comment...I promise I will explain my lack of interweb attention when I can!

U2

Mark sent me this...to cheer me up...and it did!



"I'm touching Edge's bum" nearly finished me off!

new year - same old me!

The Gaffer Tape that is holding me together!





I am afraid my blogging is slowing down again mainly due to my schedule being completely bonkers. I am being pulled in two different directions at the moment with work commitments and am failing to fill in the gaps. Great big nasty holes are appearing in my world and I haven't the time to sort them out (guess that's what gaffer tape is for)...hey ho.

In order to try to speed things up I have decided to try to twitter (see new widget to the right) but so far I am not even managing to keep that up.

That said I do have some new year resolutions (intentions) to offer:
- Finish PhD (really this has to be done by this summer)
- do more re:jesus blogging
- get (much more) stuck into parish life
- become a priest (in June, I hope)
- find out how to fill in a tax return
- fill in a tax return
- send tax return off
- spend more time with my friends (but not until I finish my PhD!)
- be a more tolerant family member (probably not going to progress this until the PhD is finished but I will at least have a go)

Anyway, best go and do some of the above...

Happy New Year!