Stumbled over this music on Last FM about a fortnight ago. Very relaxing.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Relaxing Sunday
After the morning service at church, we got invited with the Egans for lunch at the Garsides. Glorious, sunny and hot day. Stayed all afternoon and left to go to the evening talk at church by Andy Bowerman.
Diversity win Britain’s Got Talent
These were the family’s faves. We voted for them in the semi-finals and last night to win.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tom and Janice renew their wedding vows
Isaac and I had our hair cut this morning with the barber saying that Isaac could come every Saturday morning because he enjoys Isaac’s football chat.
Tom and Janice are a great couple. They became Christians at Holme Christian Community a while ago and were baptised a few Sundays back. After 26 years of marriage, they wanted to renew their wedding vows - this time saying their vows to God in church. Great service and enjoyable reception at Tong Liberal Club.
Film: Religulous
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
RELIGULOUS (15) is a bold, irreverent attack on religion from American humourist Bill Maher, shot in the style of Borat as he seeks to expose narrow-mindedness. And he actually gets to the bottom of something: how people blindly follow rules imposed by religious leaders whether or not they are actually biblical.
As he travels around America, Maher's seemingly innocuous queries constantly reveal ignorance and prejudice. There are also striking observations of how Christianity, Islam and other belief systems impact culture - from violence and terrorism to debates about sexuality and creation! evolution. The film has a free-wheeling, cynical approach that's often hilariously entertaining, packed with pointed questions and cheap jokes, all framed as a quest to find out why people believe in "fairy tales". But this obscures the truth that his facts are often misleading or deliberately skewed.
Maher may have been raised Jewish-Catholic, but his agenda is purely agnostic-atheist, as revealed in his final rant to the camera. This kind of undermines his oft-repeated thesis: "I don't know; my product is doubt, not certainty."
And while we can't agree with much of what he says, we need to admit that Maher does have some valid points to make and that watching the film will help us understand how others see us. But it's not for the easily offended, or for anyone afraid to have their beliefs tested.
Trailer:
Film: Genova
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
GENOVA (15) tells a powerful story of emotional redemption as a father (Colin Firth) takes his two daughters (Willa Holland and Perla Haney-Jardine) to live in Italy after the death of his wife. What happens there is an inversion of the classic Don't Look Now, as the children seek to make sense of tragedy in ways that are painfully honest. And under the surface, director Michael Winterbottom catches the balance of love, resentment and understanding.
Trailer:
Film: The Age of Stupid
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
THE AGE OF STUPID (12) is a documentary that explores what humans have done to the planet through economic greed, social injustice and political aggression. Yes, climate change is the main issue, and it's intriguingly narrated by Pete Postlethwaite as a librarian in 2055 who recounts the earth's demise through the stories of six people in various regions in 2008. It's somewhat bleak and overstated, but also revealing, important and just a bit hopeful.
Trailer
Film: Gran Torino
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
GRAN TORINO (15) is a startlingly thoughtful look at how immigration is changing communities. Clint Eastwood directs the film with his usual elegance and economy, and he stars as a bigoted man forced to interact with his Hmong neighbours. As his world-view slowly shifts, the film finds real resonance and challenges us to find ways to make a difference in the lives of people around us. And the ending offers a seriously emotional shock of redemption.
Trailer:
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Man Utd
Watched this with Isaac, very one sided, Man U never showed up. Reminded me of the recent Spain/England final.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Bank Holiday Monday
A restful day at the end of the long weekend. Family trip to Borders for coffee at Starbucks. Whilst there read quite a bit of Clay Shirky’s book “Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations”.
Took Isaac to watch the Burnley v Sheffield United play-off match at the cricket club. Came away after the first half as Isaac not feeling too well.
Isaac, Rachael and I watched “Hancock” - the Will Smith film - while the girls played outside.
Continued watching Britain’s Got Talent. Semi-finals all week.
Learning Styles from Spring Harvest
At this year’s event, Spring Harvest streamed the main sessions based on people’s learning styles with this questionnaire helping attendees to discover their preferred learning style.
Spring Harvest’s learning styles descriptions
Fulltext follows:
You like the opportunity to generate a lot of ideas and to think on your feet . You like to start things off, have a go and try things out. You're open minded and enthusiastic about new ideas but tend to get bored with the details of implementation. You tend to act first and consider the implications afterwards. You love bouncing ideas off other people and solving problems as part of a team but you also enjoy the limelight!
You learn best when you're involved in new experiences, problems and opportunities; when you're working with others and by being thrown in the deep end.
You learn less when listening to lectures or long explanations; or by following precise instructions, or when you're asked to think on your own.
You like to think about details carefully before taking action and you take a thoughtful approach. You enjoy being prepared and the chance to research and evaluate something. You welcome opportunities to rethink and reflect on what you've learned and to consider a situation from different perspectives. You like to make decisions in your own time, you keep a low profile and enjoy observing others and hearing their opinions before offering your own.
You learn best by reviewing what's happened and mulling over what you've learned and when you have time to complete tasks without tight deadlines.
You learn less when you're asked to lead, do something without preparation time or if you're thrown in at the deep end.
You are logical and objective and take a step by step approach to problem solving. You pay attention to the details and can be a perfectionist. You are good at translating what you see around you into theories and you're good at fitting things into an overall understanding. You're detached and analytical, rather than subjective or emotional in your thinking and you like to feel intellectually stretched.
You learn best in complex situations where you have to rely on skills and knowledge and when you can question and probe the ideas behind things.
You learn less in emotional situations or when the activity is unstructured or briefing is poor or when you have to do something without knowing about the principles or concepts involved.
You like to see how things work out in practice and you enjoy experimenting. You're a down-to-earth problem solver and you like concepts that can be readily applied to your everyday life. You can get impatient with lengthy conceptual discussions which you regard as impractical because you like to see the relevance of your work and to see a practical advantage from using what you've learned.
You learn best when there is an obvious link between the topic and job and when you have the chance to feedback on ideas. You love being shown techniques with obvious advantages (eg saving time or money) or when you are shown something you can copy (like a proven technique).
You learn less when there is no obvious or immediate benefit or no clear ‘how to’ guidelines on how to put an idea into practice.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
TV: South Bank Show on Peter Kosminsky
Informative and challenging profile of Peter Kosminsky. Great to hear a principled man talk about his art in such an open way and not giving in to criticism during his career. Peter is a film maker who combines fact, fiction, drama and journalism.
Telegraph article by Peter Kosminsky that Melvyn Bragg quoted from in the programme.
Trailer for Britz:
Clip from Warriors:
Diversity in the 1st Semi-Final of Britain’s Got Talent
Great performance to start the semi finals off. We voted for them!
Britain’s Got Talent: Diversity’s Semi-Final Performance
The Foggs love these guys and voted for them tonight.
Picnic at Bolton Abbey
A few of us went to Bolton Abbey for a Sunday afternoon picnic after church. Very warm and busy. Party included the Egans, Garsides, Ben, Sam/Will and their respective kids. Good time and very chilled.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Family Saturday
No ballet for Isobel today so we all went to the £1 showing of “Hotel for Dogs”.
Isobel then had a birthday party so I took Isaac and Hannah to Tesco to pick up some lunch (plus the Hancock DVD).
Lazy afternoon - enjoying the long bank holiday weekend.
Made some spring onion bhaljis and we all had TV evening with Robin Hood, Primeval and Britain’s Got Talent.
Desmond Tutu
I am glad I am part of the (global) church that includes Desmond Tutu in its numbers.
The secrets of a peacemaker
Desmond Tutu is renowned as the voice of conscience, a scourge of the unjust - but, he confides to Gary Younge, it's a put on. The real Tutu is rather different
Guardian interview (including audio)
Music: Escala debut album
The long-awaited debut album from Escala after their performances on Britain’s Got Talent a year ago.
Trailer:
Friday, May 22, 2009
Collette’s 40th
Went with Rachael and Jean to Collette’s 40th at the Guide Post. Great music as you would expect from Ossie. Sat with Ann and David and Jon/Cassie also sat with us. Great food - curry, samosas, apple pie and cream!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Film: Awaydays
Permission impossible
He had a track list to die for in his head, but only £10,000 in his pocket ... Kevin Sampson explains how he managed to wangle the ultimate soundtrack to his film
Trailer:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Church: Elders Meeting
Main focus of this meeting was the potential future use of the Edward Rainbow Centre for services to young children as and when we get the go ahead that the building is finally ours. Also had a freelance lady with us who has been working alongside David W on the business plan. Good stuff. Also great to hear how the Play Centre continues to open its doors to all sorts of kids and support the parents too.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Football: West Brom 0-2 Liverpool
Watched the second half of the match at the cricket club that saw West Brom relegated.
Church: Meeting Notes: David W
Jeremiah 36 extracts
the king wanted to know what God wanted to say but then burned the scroll because he did not like what he heard
cf us going out to the lost and not being stuck within 4 walls
NOT critical BUT factual
to be successful need release of God’s power
honouring God and the people of God
Holy Spirit is wounded when we do not honour those who preach
Holy Spirit has yearning for us
Ephesians 4:30: do not grieve the Holy Spirit by how you live
we do not save people, the Holy Spirit knocks on people’s hearts
fear of compromise: 2 Chronicles 1:8, do not be stubborn
do not conform to religiosity, application to us
do what we can so that God can move
running out of time to do what God has asked us to do as church/ individuals
stand up and be counted
do not just play church on Sunday
beware evangelism and being ready, we will never be ready
when we can’t do things, we can become vulnerable and exposed so God can work through us
Jesus, Peter and water, did not let Peter down
God hears the prayers of the righteous
we have grieved the Holy Spirit by our action/inaction
in relationship with someone you spend time with them
do you spend time with God?
Matthew 16:13-20 (read from The Truth, new New Testament translation from Colin Urquhart)
vision of 1,000, numbers lower now than 10 years old
do not try to do things in your own strength
In praise of . . .JB Priestley
The latest article in this ongoing Guardian series.
Wikipedia entry
Profile by his son in the Guardian
Obituary: John Sienkiewicz, town planner
Imaginative civil servant with a key role in planning London's infrastructure
Music: Adrian Munsey, “Forgotten”
Saw this video a few weeks ago on the O music channel on Sky. The video was filmed at Callanish on the Outer Hebrides.
Interview: Nandan Nilekani, Infosys
Nandan Nilekani: the 'Bill Gates of Bangalore' with a social conscience to match
Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, shares his views on open markets and the failure of public systems
Guardian interview
One para from the article:
For an IT geek turned businessman, his new book, Imagining India: Ideas for the New Century, is chock full of sophisticated analysis. The political philosophy may be familiar, but Nilekani brings a wealth of knowledge about history, politics and education that would put most modern western business leaders to shame. With his charitable foundations and corporate university, Nilekani sees himself as heir to the tradition of earlier businesses like Cadbury and Lever Brothers, whose social vision is rather rarer in Britain today.
Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, shares his views on open markets and the failure of public systems
Guardian interview
One para from the article:
For an IT geek turned businessman, his new book, Imagining India: Ideas for the New Century, is chock full of sophisticated analysis. The political philosophy may be familiar, but Nilekani brings a wealth of knowledge about history, politics and education that would put most modern western business leaders to shame. With his charitable foundations and corporate university, Nilekani sees himself as heir to the tradition of earlier businesses like Cadbury and Lever Brothers, whose social vision is rather rarer in Britain today.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Trip to York
We all went to see my sister and nephew in York but the eye infection prevented seeing them.
We had a great lunch at Luigi’s, food was great as was service. I had a Calzone Kiev that Isobel also enjoyed. Really chilled lunch and a good way to end Isaac’s SATS test week.
Did pick up assorted Christmas and Birthday presents from my sister though and the WH Smith vouchers that the kids got were spent straightaway at Monks Cross. Stopped past the designer outlet for the kids to play on the covered play area.
TV: In praise of . . . Yes Minister
Another in the Guardian series, this one on Yes Minister, the TV series that was followed by Yes, Prime Minister.
This clip was one of my fave scenes.
Kite Festival
One for Dave E who is really into kite flying.
Berck-sur-Mer, France, 19 April 2009: A kite flier sends cartoon character Sylvester into the air during Europe's biggest kite festival, which attracts enthusiasts to northern France from around the world
(from The Guardian)
Web: GigaPan photography
Friday, May 15, 2009
Obituary: Patrick Kinna, confidential secretary to Winston Churchill
Patrick Kinna (on the left) with Churchill and Stalin in Moscow, August 1942
Film: The Terminal
Watched this in two sessions having recorded it off the TV some weeks ago. Enjoyed it. Never recognised Catherine Zeta-Jones though.
Trailer:
Why say grace?
Loved this Maggie Dawn Guardian article posted on their web site today.
Why say grace?
How can we say grace in a society when it is no longer clear who or what is being thanked for the meal?
Why say grace?
How can we say grace in a society when it is no longer clear who or what is being thanked for the meal?
Interview: Justin King, Chief Executive, Sainsbury's
A Guardian interview from back in March. An ex-Asda man.
Toys: Lego
Never mind the recession - Lego is now so popular that there are 62 little coloured blocks for every person on the planet. Yet only five years ago this family business was on the brink of ruin. Jon Henley reports from the Danish town where it all began
Guardian article
Guardian slideshow
The Lego version of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration. More than a thousand tiny figures were created out of Lego bricks to be part of the festivities
Photograph: Sipa Press/Rex Features
Digital Scrapbooking
Not made a foray into this area but read this T&A article recently and was interested to see this Scrap Girls site re digital layouts. Rachael is the more creative one in the house but I have my moments.
Eye Infection
Rounding off a week where I have been quite poorly, GP prescribed antibiotic eye drops for my left eye.
Five mistakes managers make most often
This Tech Republic blog post was passed round at work earlier today.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Film: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Isaac loves Transformers as indicated by his chats with Ben . . .
Trailer 1
Trailer 2
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Life Group: Meeting Notes: Kinsman-Redeemer: Can Satan be Defeated? (Ephesians) #7
I sub-ed for Maria and led the meeting with Joly, Tracey, Ben and Dave E.
Did chapter 7 from the Kay Arthur book “Lord, is it Warfare?: Teach Me to Stand : a Devotional Study on Spiritual Victory”
I played another excerpt from an Alistair Begg sermon series on Ruth. This one talking about hymn books and how we spend time with God. Good discussion.
Open prayer time.
Film: The Burning Plain
This film caught my attention as it was written and directed by Guillermo Arriaga in his directorial debut after writing the screenplay for Babel (2006).
Trailer:
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Family Saturday
Morning spent catching up on sermon notes updating to blog.
Went with the family to Dewsbury to pick up some clothes from the Thomas-es at the Branch bookshop cafe.
Girls went to get hair cuts in town while Isaac had an inaugural game of football croquet at Lister Park
Bed early feeling rough - sore throat, headache, ache-ey limbs.
Sunday was equally rough, bed even earlier!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Church: Elders Meeting Notes
Main agenda item was discussion of the Edge project and resourcing post Chris leaving us.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Film: Katyn
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
KATYN (15), impeccably directed by Polish master Andrzej Wajda, tells the long-hidden story of the murder of 12,000 Polish officers in the early 1940s, which the Soviets blamed on the Nazis for nearly 50 years. It's an extremely grim slice of history, but the film centres on the wives of the missing men as they tenaciously seek the truth in an increasingly murky time and place. It's also a cautionary tale about how important it is to keep government leaders in check.
Film: Sugar
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
SUGAR (15) tells a stunning story about immigration through the eyes of a young baseball player from the Dominican Republic who's drafted into the American minor leagues. His new life with a conservative family on a Midwestern farm is full of cultural barriers and his career brings even bigger obstacles to face. Inventively shot in an almost documentary style, this film dares to explore real happiness as opposed to Hollywood's clichéd idea of success.
TV: Compulsion
A 2-hour ITV drama broadcast this evening, starring Parminder Nagra and Ray Winstone - an odd couple to say the least.
Film: Is Anybody There?
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
IS ANYBODY THERE? (12) traces the offbeat friendship between a boy (Bill Milner) who lives in a nursing home and a cantankerous new resident (Michael Caine), a magician who refuses to quietly fade away. Their interaction and adventures are often hilarious, but the film achieves a perfect balance between the witty banter and the often grim realities of life. The entire cast is terrific, including Anne-Marie Duff and David Morrissey as the boy's parents.
Film: Helen
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
HELEN (PG) centres on a 17-year-old (Annie Townsend) raised in care and about to be released without ever having experienced what it's like to be loved. Meanwhile, at school she's asked to stand in for a missing girl in a reconstruction of her disappearance, during which she makes an unexpected connection with the girl's parents. While building a powerful sense of expectation, this artful film is a tender, emotional look at a child emerging from society's margins.
Bank Holiday Monday
Lazy, restful day. Lots of home chores, blogging,took the kids to Lister Park in the afternoon.
Wrote up the Church Leadership Team post-its from the recent meeting.
Watched “Compulsion” with Rachael. A bit of an unbelievable story line.
Ended the day blogging the most recent set of films from IDEA magazine.
Film: Good
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
GOOD (12) is a slow-burning parable set during the rise of Hitler's Germany, as an anti-government professor (Viggo Mortensen) only joins the Nazi party to save his job. But this starts an almost imperceptible slide toward becoming a ruthless SS officer, all the while declaring his loyalty to his Jewish best friend (Jason Isaacs). This is a clever, dark and extremely haunting film about how easy it is for ethics and morality to be undermined if you're not paying attention.
Exhibition: Don MCcullin, In England
From a couple of pages on the National Media Museum web site:
”From Friday 8 May - Sunday 27 September 2009 in Gallery Two, The National Media Museum presents Don McCullin's personal vision of England, in photographs taken over a 50-year career. Raw, powerful, compassionate images of an England where the line between the wealthy and the deprived is as defined as ever.”
”Don McCullin is one of Britain’s greatest photographers. He has travelled the world, capturing raw, powerful images of war, famine and disaster – but throughout his career he has also photographed his own country.
This exhibition presents a personal portrait of England, created during a period spanning over 50 years. It is a dark, often uncomfortable vision of a divided nation where the gulf between rich and poor remains as defined as ever. However, McCullin balances his anger at social injustice with great humanity, compassion, lyricism and occasional humour.”
Film: Synecdoche, New York
Advertised in Saturday’s Guardian
Reviewed by Damaris in the May/June 2009 issue of IDEA Magazine:
SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK (15) is a curious concoction, as a playwright (Philip Seymour Hoffman) uses an arts grant to recreate his whole life on a massive stage. The title is a brainy pun, and writerdirector Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine) packs this fiendishly surreal film with so many witty observations that we're never quite sure what's truly going on. But along the way, he also finds honest emotional resonance in his growing cast of terrific characters.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Family Sunday
Church in the morning and then we had Ben, Anthony and the Egans round for a curry extravaganza lunch before All Age Worship planning. The planning was not easy again - the next mark of a disciple is “incapable”. Finished finally at 6pm.
Rachael and the girls went to see the Hannah Montana film with Cassie and Lucy while Isaac stayed at home with me. In-between playing with the DSi, Isaac watched the X2 film. I caught up with the backlog of old papers.
Rachael came back with McDonalds which were eaten while watching Anger Management.
World Fact Files from The Guardian
These country profiles were part of a series of supplements in The Guardian a fortnight ago.
Church: Meeting Notes (Bob)
Just prior to the sermon we sang “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
this sermon started when Jennifer played the “How Great is Our God” DVD
the creation of what we see, read about plus the creation of what we do not see (the life that is to come)
2 books start “in the beginning” - Genesis and John, means before anything
God cannot be controlled by time
Fred Hoyle: steady state theory
clump of atoms bumping together
nothing to do with God apparently
Hawking book: beginning of time imposed by someone outside time
what did God do? some specualtion from me, re atmosphere, building blocks, cf carbon dating
Genesis story of creation
man and cheetah, elephant, swim over ocean
things that separate us from animals = heirs to promise and a choice to make re spending eternity with God
Mark’s gospel quote re heart, mind, soul and strength, Jesus quoting from Deuteronomy, Jesus added mind
heart, seat of our emotions (bowels)
soul, most important part in our creation, is the eternal us, will last forever either in heaven or hell; favourite hymn - O Jesus I Have Promised (to the right tune!);
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
Peter urges us to understand things that fight our soul
mind: migratory birds etc, instinct, Adam/Eve could reason things out but got it wrong, choice, some call it free will
how big is God’s creation? cf Babel tower
perishable body raised as imperishable
natural and supernatural body
victory through Jesus
can’t see a soul!! will continue to exist
Dan Chesney, when he spoke here, really helped me understand the whole subject of the “inner man” (NASB)
2 Cor . . .do not lose heart, outer man is decaying but inner man being renewed day by day
Romans: For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man (NASB), inner being (NIV)
Ephesians: that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Family Saturday
Mainly spent Saturday with Isaac as the girls were attending/helping at Femi’s birthday party at church.
Shopping trip to Tesco to pick up stuff for the spring onion bhajis. Then on to M&S to pick up some outdoor games (large playing cards, rounders set and football croquet). Quick lunch and then on to East Bierley for my first pint as a member at East Bierley Cricket Club. Isaac watched Man U beat Middlesbrough while I read the paper plus a game of pool.
Cooked some spring onion bhajis (recipe) and these all went rapidly while we all watched Robin Good, Primeval and Britain’s Got Talent. Bhajis were not bad for a first attempt and the mixture despite looking quite small actually went a fair way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
