Got a staggering 39 for this ace performance
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The X Factor 2009 - Lucie Jones - Live Show 4
Great version of the Guns and Roses’ classic “Sweet Child of Mine”. Lucie still my favourite for winning the competition and proving week by week her versatility at being able to sing a wide range of songs of different genres.
Strictly Come Dancing – S7 - Week 7: Phil Tufnell's Tango
Tuffers still getting a bit of stick for needing to practice more
Strictly Come Dancing – S7 - Week 7: Zoe Lucker's Samba
Unbelievably Zoe’s last dance before being voted out
Strictly Come Dancing – S7 - Week 7: Ali Bastian's Paso Doble
A great performance given her foot injury. Can’t believe she and Zoe were in the dance off this week, She survived though.
Football: Fulham 3-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
A disastrous result after last week’s victory over Man U.
Jayne Middlemiss wins Celebrity Masterchef
This is several months after the event. Discovered this about Jayne Middlemiss whilst trying to remember her name when I saw her on this morning’s Saturday Kitchen Live.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Obituary: Professor Michael Rose: sociologist and academic
Michael Rose’s name sounded familiar as I read his obituary earlier today. I have a vague recollection that he was the author of one (at least) of the many textbooks that I read whilst studying for my Business Studies/Management Science undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling between 1980 and 1984,
Singer: Amanda Blank
Guardian article:
Why we're Gaga for Amanda Blank
Now that La Roux and Little Boots have laid the groundwork, is the time right for the pottymouthed Spank Rock and Diplo collaborator?
Enjoyed this later Guardian review of "Shame on Me":
Starts out like New Order, which is good. Turns into Cascada, which isn't. Ends up sounding like DJ Tiesto remixing the Saturdays, which is indictable at The Hague, surely?
Book: “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest”, Stieg Larsson
The final part - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - of the trilogy by Stieg Larsson.
Guardian review
Author web site
Guardian’s In praise of… Stieg Larsson
Q&A: Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia founder
My greatest hope for the next 10 years? That we will, on the internet, continue to forge a new cultural dialogue of reason and respect for the individual
Democracy in the decade of Google
This is the greatest explosion of access to information, the potential for creativity and the ability to connect and communicate the world has ever seen.
Book: Robert Harris, “Lustrum”
The 2nd of the Cicero trilogy, “Lustrum” by Robert Harris.
Author page
Guardian review
Observer review
Telegraph interview
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Family trip to Bridlington
A glorious day’s weather – one of the clearest and brightest of the year. The whole family and Jean went over to Bridlington. All the usual stuff, arcades, fair rides and a great cod and chips! Hannah had an accident, banging her head badly on the side of the twister car (a very purple bruise and lump at the top of her ear and side of the head) but was soon back on a ride. On the way out of the town we stopped and spent a fortune at Memory Lane Sweet Shop.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Life Group: Meeting Notes: Work 5
Good turn out for this 4th in the series on the subject of being a Christian at work using a study guide - Psalms: Work Songs. Meeting at the Garsides.
Good discussion with Jon, Maria, Dave and Ben. Ben led.
Main theme was fear in our working lives and how that related to any fear of God using Psalm 34.
Part of the prayer time was praying for Ben before his trip this weekend to lead worship at the Burn in Berlin.
Football: Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool (Carling Cup)
A good game but a poor result! Alberto Aquilani made his Liverpool debut in this match coming on in the latter stages.
Swimming and Pizza Hut
Lazy start to the day and then went swimming at Shipley Pool. Great to chill with the kids. Hannah doing a great job at floating on her back and Isobel doing well at trying to swim. Very peckish after so late lunch, early tea at Pizza Hut in Bingley on the way home.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Magna Science Adventure Centre, Sheffield
The family and Jean went to Magna in Sheffield. Enjoyable time seeing the exhibits on the themes of air, fire, earth and water. The kids loved the outdoor water play area – weather wasn’t cold. Followed by a late lunch at Burger King on the M1 on the way home.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Punto poorly
First time in while. The engine warning light came on on the way back from Preston last week. Took it into Westfield today and it got sorted relatively cheaply so all sorted again (was an exhaust leak and an emissions issue plus fan belt tightened). As ever great service from the guys there.
TV: Lie to Me: Cal and Gillian
A number of YouTube users have posted videos of the dynamic of the 2 lead characters of Lie to Me – Cal and Gillian.
TV: The Restaurant
Great to have this series back for a 3rd series. The family all love watching this.
TV: The Thick of It
Saw part of the first episode of this comedy drama series over the weekend.
(beware strong language)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
"The Role of the Head Coach Achieving Success" discussion at the Global Sport Summit 2009
Full transcript featuring Matt Lorenzo (host), Fabio Capello (England football manager), Andy Flower (England cricket director), Mike Holmgren (Former NFL coach of the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks), Martin Johnson (England rugby team manager).
Football: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Caught the second half of this match with Isaac at the cricket club so managed to see the 2 goals. The first one was astounding from Torres and the second was the icing on the cake!
Evangelist: Mark Greenwood
It was great having Mark with us this morning to preach. He also led a session after lunch with the church leadership team and other leaders, Mark is one of the rare preachers like Jeff Lucas who deliberately uses humour in his talks to open people up. Mark will also be with us next year for an evangelism bootcamp.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The X Factor 2009 - Lucie Jones - Live Show 3
Lucie wins over Cheryl Cole and Louie Walsh is also complimentary about this latest Lucie performance.
Football: Bradford 1 - 0 Hereford (League 2)
Went with Isaac on Will’s season ticket to see the match. Very high up in the stand, great view. This was the match after the beach ball incident at the Sunderland v Liverpool match last week so there were a number of beach balls flying around in the 2nd half mostly bought by the guys in front of us – one even let Isaac have one and counted down before Isaac threw his into the crowd around us. Followed by lots of football chants with words changed to include “beach ball”. After a Bradford player was sent off with 10 minutes to go, we all chanted “Stuart McCall’s Bradford Army” to make up an extra player for the rest of the match. Great stuff and a win as well!
Fever Ray free download live tracks in today’s Guardian
Not heard of Fever Ray until this offer. Good listening . . .
Hosting Ben for breakfast
Hosted Ben for his auction winning scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast at the Foggs. Went down well to rave reviews. Isaac had food with us. Followed by sharing the first episode of Modern Family with Ben who thought it was great too!
Friday, October 23, 2009
The boys in Leeds
Isaac and I continued our half term holiday with a trip to Leeds, including Game, Starbucks, Borders and Wesley Owen followed by food shopping at Sainsburys at White Rose. Made burgers for lunch.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
National Football Museum, Preston
Day 1 of my holidays to be with Isaac on Thursday and Friday of his 1st of 2 weeks off at half term, The rest of the family are only off the 2nd week.
Took Isaac and his friend Ethan up to the National Football Museum in Preston which is part of the Deepdale Stadium, home of Preston North End. An enjoyable day and good to see some of the exhibits there including the history of football.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Football: Liverpool 1 - 2 Lyon (Champions League)
A 4th successive defeat for Liverpool, the first such run for 22 years, so not looking good at the moment.
Parents session for the girls at school
Great to hear how Isobel and Hannah are getting on so well so soon into the new school year with their new teachers. Very proud parents still!
U2 gig to be streamed on YouTube
BBC article
I probably won't see it live - tucked up in bed! But will look forward to seeing some clips after.
The gig in question is the 25th October date at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, USA.
I probably won't see it live - tucked up in bed! But will look forward to seeing some clips after.
The gig in question is the 25th October date at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, USA.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Culture Club: Slam (book)
The latest session of the Culture Club looking at the book “Slam” by Nick Hornby. Details of the session here (which includes a video interview with the author and the Damaris study guide that I used).
Great discussion on a range of subjects relating to teenage pregnancy, guidance, parenting etc with Eryl, Hilary, Tracey, Ann, Ben and Mark. All gave the thumbs up to the book due to it being a good read, funny, not moralising, being one of the few books that helps you get into the mind of a male teenager and paints a real picture of what teenage pregnancy means for all the parties involved.
Busy Sunday
Early start to set-up and lead All Age Worship this morning, followed by Bring and Share lunch and then a church meeting which are usually on a Tuesday evening. I was tired and not too with it during the meeting. After a couple of hours at home ironing and reading the paper, I was back at church leading the latest Culture Club session.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The X Factor 2009 - Lucie Jones - Live Show 2
Lucie Jones is still my favourite act on this year’s X Factor.
Saturday with the Fogg Kids
This was the Saturday when Rachael took Lynsey Christmas shopping at the Trafford Centre – Rachael offered this service as one of the church fundraising auction “lots” a couple or so weeks ago.
The kids and I went to see Inkheart for a £1 each at Cineworld as part of their Movies for Juniors series. Quite scary for the kids but we lasted the full film. Then off to Mama Mia’s in the centre of town for lunch. Isobel did a good job of eating a majority of a pizza calzone (which I also had) while Isaac and Hannah shared a pizza. We all had ice cream to finish.
Lazy rest of the day with a Morrisons trip to get stuff for tea and for the bring and share lunch tomorrow at church.
Rachael was back earlier than I expected with some funny stories of her trip with Lynsey.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Amazon Kindle 2: Centuries of evolved beauty rinsed away
This week Amazon announced the UK launch of its latest generation of e-reader. But don't all rush at once, warns one American writer – despite the hype, the Kindle 2 is still no match for the book
Guardian article
Guardian article
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Life Group: Meeting Notes: Work 4
Good turn out for this 4th in the series on the subject of being a Christian at work using a study guide - Psalms: Work Songs. Meeting at the Garsides.
Good discussion with Jon, Maria, Lynsey, Ronnie, Dave and Ben. Dave led.
Main theme was busyness in our lives using Psalm 62.
Isaac’s first parents evening at secondary school
Isaac has started well by all accounts mixing well with all ages and getting on with the studies.
How Michael Stipe and R.E.M. rediscovered their best songs (Album: Live at the Olympia 39 Songs)
A series of concerts by R.E.M. in a small and intimate Irish venue laid bare a creative process once steeped in enigma
Times article
Official site for Live at the Olympia 39 Songs
Wikipedia entry for the album
From Twitter to MySpace, social networks are now run by women over 35
Times article from the Saturday edition
The article references the Lady Geek blog whose strapline is “Helping businesses sell technology to women”
Monday, October 12, 2009
REM: free Itunes tracks from The Times
5 live and 5 studio tracks were available from The Times on Saturday including 3 of my faves: Losing My Religion, The One I Love and Orange Crush. Great tunes.
How Michael Stipe and R.E.M. rediscovered their best songs (Times article)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Song: Alexandra Burke, “Bad Boys”
Performance on The X Factor 2009 Live Results 1 show.
Official video
Wikipedia entries for Alexandra Burke and the Bad Boys single
Book: The Joy of Eating
Reviewed in Saturday’s Guardian
A richly imaginative anthology of the best writing about food from women around the world and throughout history. Includes well-known and surprising names: Elizabeth David, J.K. Rowling, Claudia Roden and more.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Isobel’s Dance Show
The whole family, Jean and Helen went to see Isobel’s dance show at Cleckheaton Town Hall. Isobel’s class teacher also came to see Isobel and brought another teacher. isobel was great and knew the dances well and was a great performer.
Football: Ukraine 1-0 England (World Cup qualifier)
England keeper Robert Green was sent off as Ukraine wrecked their 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers.
Football: Bradford 2-3 Crewe A (League 2)
Iain invited me to the game today. Had a couple of beers at the New Beehive before the game with Iain and his son, Tom, plus a number of friends and family of Iain who had come from various places outside Bradford to watch the game.
Missed Crewe’s first goal queuing up for tickets to get in! £20 was the ticket price. Watched the first half on my own directly behind the goal (had to move my head to get the crossbar out of the way!). Joined Iain at half time in the top tier of the Carlsberg stand.
Isaac was at the game too with Will and Neil
Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize
The US president, Barack Obama, said today he was "surprised and deeply humbled" after being awarded the 2009 Nobel peace prize, a decision that stunned international experts.
(from Nobel peace prize awarded to Barack Obama)
Friday, October 09, 2009
Thursday, October 08, 2009
TV: Lie to Me (Series 2)
One of the few must-watch TV drama series for me. 2nd series started on Sky One tonight.
An interview with Monica Raymund, my fave character:
The Camerons at the Conservative Party Conference: David
David Cameron's war on the state
• Big government 'to blame for Britain's broken society'
• Tory leader says he is ready to be tested as prime minister
• Responsibility and family at centre of Conservative vision
(from David Cameron's war on the state)
David Cameron speech: The long climb ... and the view from the summit
The Camerons at the Conservative Party Conference: Sarah
No £600 designer frock this, like the one Sarah Brown sported in Brighton last week. No, Sam Cam's grey polka dot dress cost £65 from M&S. More significantly, it has featured prominently on every high street and in every magazine this summer.
(from Samantha Cameron's classy act at the Conservative conference)
Microsoft's Live Mesh
Triggered by John, a work colleague, I am looking into Microsoft's Live Mesh
Synchronizing life
Sync, share, and access the information you care about—wherever you happen to be.
This is another option for keeping files on the web that can be accessed via any web-connected PC. Others being Google Docs et al (but not MS proprietary files) and Microsoft's Office Live Workspace.
Synchronizing life
Sync, share, and access the information you care about—wherever you happen to be.
This is another option for keeping files on the web that can be accessed via any web-connected PC. Others being Google Docs et al (but not MS proprietary files) and Microsoft's Office Live Workspace.
The slow rise of e-books
An articlein Research Information authored by Arnaud Pellé, a work colleague.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Blaise Pascal quote on silence and solitude
The sum of a man's problems come from his inability to be alone in a silent room.
Blaise Pascal
Teacher: Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg is one of my favourite preacher/teachers, I had the privilege of hearing him speak in person many years ago at Spring Harvest. I could listen to him all day.
Wikipedia entry
Flyleaf notes from Alistair’s Bible
Truth for Life (Alistair’s radio ministry)
Biography
I was reminded of his love of hymns and hymn books in one of his talks that I heard again in the car today. He mentioned a couple of hymns in the talk as follows:
O Lord of Heav’n and earth and sea,
To Thee all praise and glory be;
How shall we show our love to Thee,
Who givest all?
The golden sunshine, vernal air,
Sweet flowers and fruits, Thy love declare;
Where harvests ripen, Thou art there,
Who givest all.
For peaceful homes and healthful days,
For all the blessings earth displays,
We owe Thee thankfulness and praise,
Who givest all.
Thou didst not spare Thine only Son,
But gav’st Him for a world undone,
And freely, with that blessèd One,
Thou givest all.
Thou giv’st the Spirit’s blessèd dower,
Spirit of life and love and power,
And dost His sevenfold graces shower
Upon us all.
For souls redeemed, for sins forgiv’n,
For means of grace and hopes of Heav’n,
Father, all praise to Thee be giv’n,
Who givest all.
We lose what on ourselves we spend,
We have as treasure without end
Whatever, Lord, to Thee we lend,
Who givest all.
Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee,
Repaid a thousand-fold will be;
Then gladly will we give to Thee
Who givest all.
To Thee, from Whom we all derive
Our life, our gifts, our power to give:
O may we ever with Thee live,
Who givest all
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And this 2nd hymn:
New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.
New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be,
As more of heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.
We need not bid, for cloistered cell,
Our neighbor and our words farewell,
Nor strive to find ourselves too high
For sinful man beneath the sky.
The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask;
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.
Seek we no more; content with these,
Let present rapture, comfort, ease—
As heaven shall bid them, come and go:
The secret this of rest below.
Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love,
Fit us for perfect rest above,
And help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Sunday’s sermon from Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, using as a backdrop the article “We are all Hindus now”. The sermon starts at 22:30 here.
Internet infrastructure in Africa
Eric, a work colleague, passed me the graphic shwoign the undersea cable internet infrastructure from this blog post earlier today.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Church: Elders Meeting: Notes
This was a special session led by Bernie who took us through the SWOT Analysis produced by each team in the Care Centre and taking feedback from the meeting away to add to the Care Centre Business Plan.
Monday, October 05, 2009
My media: Maxine Peake, actress
Stumbled over this weekly Monday Guardian series again over lunch today. Great questions to ask of anyone.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Somewhere to Stay: Carbisdale Castle
Rob S, a work colleague in Birmingham, was the best man at a wedding that took place at Carbisdale Castle a couple or so weekends back. Looks a great place.
Fun and Fund Weekend: Sunday
The final figure for the fundraising weekend after the morning service at church was £3,820.
Lunch at the Egans after the service with Sue, Anthony and Ben to plan the next All Age Worship meeting (the next mark of a disciple we are doing is over-confidence).
Got in the car afterwards to come home and heard the Chelsea/ Liverpool game still going on so after we dropped the girls off at home, Isaac and I caught the last half hour of the game at East Bierley Cricket Club.
Football: Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Caught the last half hour of this game at East Bierley Cricket Club after the planning session at Ann and Dave’s. Not great for Liverpool.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Obituary: Oliver Horsbrugh, television director
He directed a number of TV programmes that I remember from my growing up years including The Brothers and A Kind of Loving.
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