First serious snow of the winter finally closed the schools. Rachael's/ 2 girls' schools in Bradford closed were closed, Isaac not impressed as his school was open, I went to work.
Rachael and the girls put up the Christmas tree and decs while they were on a snow day.
One for those who want to get more deeply into the facts behind period dramas of this era. a 3 x 60 minute BBC2 series starting this week.
Amanda Vickery: At Home with the Georgians from Yale University Press UK on Vimeo.
Insight into the management of TV presenters who work as a pair, changing channels/programmes/times of transmission and the pressure of viewing numbers.
Amazed to read the frequent expletives from Adrian, not good and does not add weight or anything else to the points being made. Having said that I do think that the BBC handled the situation badly.
Like all successful presenting teams, they are a lot like a married couple – intimate, affectionate and irreverent. They defend each other a lot, and seem to be more hurt by media criticism of each other than of themselves. The endless speculation that surrounded their relationship during the One Show has at last receded, but everyone used to suspect Chiles was a little bit in love with Bleakley. He always denied it, but he did once say of the rumours, "It was like West Brom being linked with Ronaldo or something. Look at her and look at me. West Brom might quite like to sign Ronaldo, but it is simply not going to happen," – which gave the impression he'd have signed Bleakley like a shot.
The quote above and their working relationship reminded me of “office spouses” from a GQ article from a few years ago.
Aaron Lennon struck an injury-time winner as he earned Tottenham a dramatic league win against Liverpool.
BBC report
Guardian report
Prep-ed for the next All Age Worship at HCC over at Lynsey’s plus Ann and Dave. Doing the Christingle as the main input. Struggled to find really good video clip to use. Still on the hunt . . .
Great choice of vid clip from Sam for the 1st Sunday in Advent in this morning’s meeting. Never seen it before. Went down well.
An insider’s account of the preparations for and execution of the negotiations that led to the current government coalition.
Guardian book review
Publisher book page
David Laws Wikipedia entry
Path to power... the Lib Dem negotiating team outside the party’s HQ, 10 May (from left) David Laws, Danny Alexander, Chris Huhne and Andrew Stunnell Photograph: Dan Chung
One for Isaac who continues to be car mad and a Top Gear addict!
given public voting ann in every week, can see gavin going this week, a shame as always been a katya fan #scd
they survived to dance another day
A poor performance with a number of mistakes.
kara/artem still going great guns, another great frock, need week when they are both fit/well to get all 10s #scd
erin's prediction was right pamela/james was dance of night love her playful attitude and giving it welly plus 2nd wk 2 10s #scd
Met at Joly and Tracey’s house with Joly, Tracey, Anthony (first time!), Jon, Dave, Ben and Lyns. Ronnie, Dorothy, Dave, Ben and Jon. Ben led us in worship. I led a study on Habakkuk using this study. Study made us try to give a title to each “woe” was hard but worth the struggle! Reminded me of this piece on the way that the military name operations and how good it is when sermons are titled ahead of time.
Jason Price's first goal for Bradford earned them a draw with Accrington Stanley and ended the Bantams' three-match losing run.
BBC report
A BBC Wales initiative with Colin Jackson from a couple of years ago.
Raise Your Game with Colin Jackson is aimed at inspiring and motivating people from all walks of life.
The legendary athlete explains, "If I could just bottle the determination and drive of sportspeople, I would be worth a fortune! Anybody wanting to raise their game - whether it's to get a new job, pass an important exam or even lose some weight and get fit - can learn some vital lessons!"
This website highlights the determination needed by sportsmen and sportswomen to achieve their goals and ambitions through a series of video clips, interviews, diaries and stories.
. . .
There are 5 steps to success in achieving your goals. Sportspeople use these words time and again when talking about their lives, and not just in relation to their sport.
Stumbled over these authors and books when they were interviewed on the BBC post Ed Miliband defeating his older brother David to the Labour party leadership.
Daily Telegraph article by Tim Lott featured in the BBC clip
Seven Secrets of Successful Parenting from Karen and Georgia on Vimeo.
This is from back in September. During the piece he announced a $100m grant to help reform schools in the U.S.
Mark Zuckerberg (far right) poses with Oprah Winfrey, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (left) and Mayor Cory Booker
Lowest score on the night – apart from Ann.
Do enjoy watching Patsy dance.
The week that Felicity went out. Should have been Ann as it should have been for most if not all weeks.
Still not a huge fan of this couple. Not their best dance to date.
Usual high standard from this couple.
James’ 1st 10 in 5 years of Strictly and they got 2.
Tremendous hip action from Matt. Highest score.
Another upward move on the rollercoaster.
Liverpool's first-half barrage secured an easy win over a West Ham side that looked worryingly weak at Anfield.
BBC report
Macclesfield extended their unbeaten run to six matches as Ross Draper grabbed the only goal at Bradford.
BBC report
HCC’s turn to host the local churches men’s breakfast, Good breakfast and discussion that was deliberately confrontationally set up with 2 sides arguing the cases for once saved always saved and faith without works against the contrary cases. Isaac enjoyed the cut and thrust!
Rachael and the girls out all day at Sundown Adventureland so we had a Dad and Son day.
Another great newsreaders dance performance for Children In Need. The men got off lightly. Great costumes too.
Daily Mail article earlier in the week
Saw this German artist’s work featured on tonight’s The Culture Show. A new artist to me.
I heard this programme as a regular listener to the podcast. Great music choices by Kathy Burke including The Specials. Joy Division, Sex Pistols and Lady Gaga.
A late England rally could not disguise a gulf in class and technique as France earned a deserved victory at Wembley.
BBC report
Fabio Capello's experimental England brushed aside by resurgent France
Guardian report
A week after the AGM, this meeting reviewed the whole meeting and agreed actions for how to further improve the meeting moving forward including inputs, running the meeting etc to really showcase all the great work that goes on through the work of Holme Christian Community.
Saw this for the first time yesterday. Enjoying Pamela’s performances and positive attitude to the series.
A big Jimmy McGovern fan so this was a must-watch drama series about ordinary people who find themselves in the dock. Great scriptwriter.
Episode 2 clips and interview with Mackenzie Crook
Via a Google Search Alert for Spring Harvest
This collection of monologues, to read or perform, retell the stories of biblical men through the eyes of Mrs Adam, Mrs David (HRH), Mrs Balthasar, Mrs Solomon the 364th, Mrs Pilate and more.
Also see this Mrs Bartimaeus piece that Abby did for CBM:
Abby Guinness performance at CBM's World Sight Day event from CBMUK on Vimeo.
Led the latest Culture Club meeting when we watched the film “Sherrybaby”.
Attended by Ben, Hilary, Tracey, John, Ann and Mark. A few sexually explicit scenes. We were surprised that this was only a 15. Great Maggie Gyllenhaal performance. Prompted some great discussion about those on the margins.
Meeting details here.
Great home baking from Rachael.
Patsy has also improved through the series and does remind me of the Minogues . . .
Enjoyed this dance from one of my fave couples . .
A great dance but they are not my faves.
Another poor result for Liverpool, the rollercoaster season continues . . .
Stoke produced a performance of grit and determination to achieve a first league win over Liverpool for 26 years.
BBC report
Kevin Betsy gave Wycombe Wanderers a win over 10-man Bradford on manager Peter Taylor's return to his old club.
BBC report
A rare event but as one of my few pairs has worn out sole, went to get a new pair and went for some Clarks Rock Walk Gore-Tex shoes with the girls. Took ages to get a parking space, the Christmas rush has started.
TV ad
No ballet for Isobel so we were all able to go and see this film in 3D. It was much better than I had expected and a good storyline.
Recently stumbled over Michael Hyatt who is Chairman/CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers in the States. They are the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S. He blogs about leading with purpose, personal productivity, book publishing, and social media. Great wisdom, knowledge and content.
Liverpool were handed a reality check as they escaped with a draw against a determined Wigan.
BBC report
Guardian report
Another great year of ministry through HCC for and with the people of Holmewood in Bradford. Great to hear about the work from the team leaders and read the annual reports from everyone. Here’s praying for another great year.
Stumbled over Mike Breen’s new book “Launching Missional Communities” recently. Looks like an interesting book for HCC.
Family went with Jean to see Isobel performing in her ballet school annual show at Cleckheaton Town Hall. Isobel did a great job as always. Enjoyable afternoon.
Liverpool's rejuvenation continued as two moments of brilliance from Fernando Torres sank Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield.
BBC report
2nd party in 2 nights for the Foggs. Love going to the Egans for Bonfire Party as the food is always excellent (home made pie and peas/beans, parkin and custard). Plus Juliet, Nathan and Jacob as well as Rae and Dianne and Jean and Steve. Isaac was sick most of the day and he was in a bad way for most of the party but perked up later on (he was later off school on the Monday and took most of the week and into the weekend to fully recover from a bug).
Gavin’s best dance, there is hope . . .
Another best dance of the series this time for Michelle.
His best dance of the series and goes out!
Pamela back to form after a poor dance last week . . .
Matt and Aliona still going well . . .
Highly enjoyable one day conference at Holme Christian Community with John Nuttall (from Rochdale) of Thru The Bible who walked us through the whole of the Old Testament in a day. Main tools of the day to remember were 77 words/phrases and associated actions for the Bible story plus a study guide.
Turn out could have been better but those who went had a lot of fun.
Will need to practice the actions!
Always good to get a family invite to this Bonfire Party in Lynsey’s back garden with lots of her family and friends. Great food and some amazing fireworks.
Gerrard hat trick!!
Steven Gerrard came off the bench to inspire Liverpool to a win over Napoli in their Europa League Group K game.
BBC report
Saw this for the first time this evening. Another great M&S Christmas ad. This one features The Bee Gees’ You Should Be Dancing.
Clip from Saturday Night Fever
In 1942 William Beveridge's report on social insurance was a national bestseller: with memories of the 30s still vivid, wartime Britain had an enormous appetite for the promise that the postwar world would be different. The scant support for millions locked, through no fault of their own, in the "five evils" – want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness – had been a disgrace. There had to be change.
Guardian article
Wikipedia entries for WIlliam Beveridge and Will Hutton
Before Africa United: Life, death and lessons in human kindness
Rhidian Brook took his family on an epic journey through Aids-torn Africa. Their experiences inspired him to write a film that's been dubbed the new Slumdog Millionaire
Guardian article
This film caught my eye as the director is Anton Corbijn who has a number of U2 connections.
The Call – the California rock band led by the singer, bassist and songwriter Michael Been, who has died of a heart attack aged 60 – never enjoyed the same success as their 1980s peers, but their influence ranged far and wide. Their stridently passionate, literate rock was once hailed by Peter Gabriel as "the future of American music". Bono, Jim Kerr and Robbie Robertson made guest appearances on their albums.
Guardian obituary
The exchanges between Miliband and Cameron showed that PMQs doesn't have to be the politics of the playground
Guardian article
The historian George Macaulay Trevelyan wrote in 1913 that he had two doctors: "My left leg and my right".
Now a report appears to show that the simple medicine of putting one foot in front of another is a potential defence against dementia and Alzheimer's.
Walking may protect the brain against shrinking and preserve memory in the elderly, according to research by US neurologists who monitored 300 volunteers over 13 years.
Guardian article
Good news as I walk close on 10 miles per week just at lunchtimes when at work.
India's richest man moves into world's first billion-dollar home
Guardian article
Guardian graphic
A 17-year-old Scottish actor who stars in Peter Mullan's new film, Neds
Guardian First Sight article
Meeting interrupted for quite a while with thieves on the roof! Police were already present when we went out to protect the building. During the police investigations with Mark, the rest of us played some Mock The Week Unlikely Lines In The Bible.
Bradford followed up Saturday's thrashing of Oxford with a hard-earned victory at promotion-hopefuls Bury.
BBC report
