Film: Rabbit Hole

Not seen Nicole Kidman for a while.

What happens after the unthinkable happens? Rabbit Hole, based on the Tony-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire and deftly directed by John Cameron Mitchell, slowly reveals the answer: something else unthinkable. Rabbit Hole is a moving, dark character study of what happens to a happily married couple, Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart), who suddenly lose the love of their life, their 4-year-old son. As in real life, the grief portrayed in Rabbit Hole takes peculiar twists and turns, and the deep sorrow and tragedy of the story is leavened by dark humor--much of it coming from Kidman. While Rabbit Hole is not an upbeat film, it's emotionally resonant in the ways of some of the best films on similar subjects--like Ordinary People, Revolutionary Road, In the Bedroom.
(Amazon.com)

Wikipedia entry
Official site

Interview: Simon Hughes,Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat

A bit of a fan of Simon Hughes. Always talks a lot of sense, cam, assured and was a great performer on a recent BBC Question Time.

Guardian interview

Book: “Netherland”, Joseph O’Neill

Noticed this book earlier in the year when it was referenced as one of the best novels ever written about cricket (via).

In this novel set in post-9/11 New York City, Dutch banker Hans has been abandoned by his wife and son, who have decamped to London. Defeated by his seemingly failed marriage, Hans takes up residence at the Chelsea Hotel and entertains his childhood love of cricket by joining a league made up of West Indian New Yorkers. Here he meets Chuck, a charismatic Trinidadian entrepreneur who introduces him to the outer reaches of New York’s boroughs and marginal cultures, while creating a friendship with Hans that is both perplexing and satisfying. O’Neill’s poignant and tragic vision of New York is paired beautifully with the protagonist’s reflection on his past failures and moments of happiness. Through the author’s outsider vision of the city, New York’s particular blend of cultural oddities and multifarious inhabitants are brought to the surface, revealing something touching and distinct about contemporary life. Netherland is a powerful merger of seen and unseen struggles, the unraveling of an American dream, and one man’s rebirth through it all. --Heather Paulson
(Booklist, via Amazon.com)

Publisher’s book page
Wikipedia entry
Author’s Wikipedia entry
New York Times article

Life Group: Meeting Notes (Listen Up #6: Do what the Bible says)

6th in the series looking at “LIsten Up: A practical guide to listening to sermons”. Tracey led this session with Dave E, Ben, Joly (present for the whole meeting as not working late) and Maria.

Good discussion on practically applying what we hear in sermons including whether we can expect our lives to be changed every week, who our favourite preachers were and why and sermons as entertainment.

Eugene Peterson: Would Jesus Condemn Rob Bell?

Followed some of the controversy over Rob Bell’s new book Love Wins. I thought this article featuring Eugene Peterson had words of wisdom that were well made.

Trailer for “Love Wins”:

Obituary: Diana Wynne Jones: renowned children's fantasy and science-fiction author with a dedicated following

r intelligent and beautifully written fantasies are of seminal importance for their bridging of the gap between "traditional" children's fantasy, as written by CS Lewis or E Nesbit, and the more politically and socially aware children's literature of the modern period, where authors such as Jacqueline Wilson or Melvyn Burgess explicitly confront problems of divorce, drugs and delinquency.
(Observer obituary)

Wikipedia entry

Book: “A Lust for Window Sills: A Lover's Guide to British Buildings from Portcullis to Pebble Dash”, Harry Mount

From soaring Victorian railway stations to Edwardian terraces, from Perpendicular churches to Strawberry Hill, Britain has an architecture unrivalled in fertility, invention and heart-stopping beauty. And with some very strong feelings about window sills, Harry Mount could not be better qualified to survey it.

Meandering through garden suburbs and cathedral closes, discovering Moghul palaces in Gloucestershire and Egyptian sphinxes in Islington, A Lust for Window Sills is rich with anecdote, allusion and such inspired digressions as where to find the ugliest gargoyles and a liquid history of watering holes from gin palaces to the Rovers Return.
(Publisher’s book page)

Author’s Wikipedia entry

Marks and Spencer Spring Ad 2011 features Michael Buble’s Meglio Stasera (It Had Better Be Tonight)

Another great M&S ad that features a great tune that this time is a new one on on me - Meglio Stasera (It Had Better Be Tonight) (lyrics).

Michael Buble video:

The original, sung by Fran Jeffries:

Recreating the Olympic Torch Run

At Holme Christian Community Bradford we are about to start a new series for our 6-weekly or so All Age Worship events picking up on the forthcoming Olympic Games in London in 2012.

I thought of this theme when I stumbled over “The Christian Olympics” by SE Gregg.

The first chapter was The Opening Ceremony so for the first event we recreated and filmed the Olympic Torch Run with all the Foggs, Egans, Ben, Lynsey and Anthony. Great fun using BBQ candles with loads of deliberate continuity errors.

E-book: “Brainwashed: seven ways to reinvent yourself”, Seth Godin

A Seth Godin manifesto that was expanded upon in his book Linchpin.

pdf

Elizabeth Wilbraham, the first lady of architecture

A new book will unveil the extraordinary influence of Britain's earliest female architect on Sir Christopher Wren, says Jay Merrick
Telegraph article

Architects’ Journal article

Via

Introducing discussions in Google Docs

Google Docs blog post

Via

Hilary’s Birthday Party

Hilary, from church, fresh out of hospital with a pot on her foot had a get together at hers for a drink and cakes etc. Always good helping friends celebrate birthdays.

Emerald is using Qmap to triple turnover by 2020

QMAP article about Emerald’s (my employer) use of this process modelling tool

QMAP

Book: “The Pastor: A Memoir”, Eugene Peterson

Huge admirer of Eugene Peterson having heard him interviewed on a Catalyst Podcast some time ago as well as being the author of The Message translation of The Bible.

 

This memoir is a reflection on the ingredients that have gone into Peterson’s formation as a pastor, the refining of his own call in a period of time he calls “the badlands”, and his understanding of pastoral identity in our day and age. Best known as the author of The Message, a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible, Peterson grounds his vocation as writer and pastor in words from the book of Revelation:

I, John, with you all the way in the trial and the Kingdom and the passion of patience in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word, the witness of Jesus. It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpet-clear and piercing: “Write what you see in a book. Send it to the seven churches…” (Rev. 1:9-11, The Message)

Peterson writes: “Pastor John of Patmos provided the biblical DNA that gave me my identity as pastor. In the badlands that identity was given texture as I became a writer … writer and pastor were two sides of a single identity for John.”
Via this review

Publisher’s book page

Isaac’s Destination Imagination

The UK National Finals of Destination Imagination took place today at Bradford Academy (as winners of last year’s final). Isaac was in one of 2 teams from that school and both got through as winners!

Long story that I won’t go into here at length but winners go through to world final in the States but not enough time to raise the money to go this time round. May get sorted in future years. A real let down . . .

Chatsworth House feels the Downton Abbey effect

The fortunes of Britain’s country houses have benefited from the “Downton Abbey effect”, according to the Duke of Devonshire.
Telegraph article

Official Chatsworth site

Architect: Peter Zumthor

Hadn’t heard of this architect until I read a tweet about him yesterday that referenced this New York Times article from which:

“Normally architects render a service,” he began, skipping the usual pleasantries. “They implement what other people want. This is not what I do. I like to develop the use of the building together with the client, in a process, so that as we go along we become more intelligent.”

The Kolumba museum in Cologne, wrapped around both Gothic ruins and a chapel.

Five Minutes With: Simon Schama

Another in the BBC series . . . (video)

Via

Wikipedia entry

Book: “Dead Men Risen: The Welsh Guards and the The Real Story of Britain’s War in Afghanistan”, Toby Harnden

This is the tale of the Welsh Guards in Helmand in 2009. Underequipped and overstretched, guardsmen from the coal mining valleys and slate quarry villages of Wales found themselves in Helmand in some of the most intense fighting by British troops for more than a generation. They were confronted by a Taliban enemy they seldom saw, facing the constant threat of Improvised Explosive Devices and ambush. Leading them into battle was Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, destined for the highest ranks. He was a passionate believer in the war but was dismayed by how it was being conducted. Dead Men Risen will unnerve politicians and generals alike. In chilling detail, Toby Harnden reveals how and why Thorneloe was killed by an IED during Operation Panther's Claw.
(Publisher’s book page)

Author interview Part 1, Part 2

The first battalion commander to be killed in action since 1982 was critical of the equipment and strategy in Afghanistan, but was determined to lead his men by example. Toby Harnden reveals the truth behind Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe’s death and the system that failed him
Telegraph article

Times Obituary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe: Commanding Officer 1st Welsh Guards

Seth Godin on the difference between leadership and management

Exclusive interview with Seth Godin from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.

Via
Seth Godin

St Paul’s Cathedral at 300

A great British building . . .

St Paul's Cathedral anniversary: the beauty of the domes that Wren built
With St Paul's Cathedral celebrating its 300th anniversary, Harry Mount wishes that more of London's architecture would possess such lasting beauty
(Telegraph article)

Official site
Wikipedia entry

Film: Water

Hilary mentioned this film ages ago as a candidate for discussing at The Culture Club.

Wikipedia entry
Official site

Isaac’s update at School

Another great report for Isaac from school including discussion on all the things he does inside and outside school apart from studying and how great that is. Proud parents again.

Grandma Jean’s Birthday Tea

A great day as Hannah got the all clear from her hospital appointment (bowel problem) and we celebrated Jean’s birthday at the local carvery – great food and everyone pleased that Hannah OK.

Interview with Sunni Brown (doodler and gameist) by Nancy Duarte

Interview (vid) and Q&A (text) here

Sunni Brown
Nancy Duarte

Penny Smith does Britney Spears’ "Toxic" on Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011 Show 2

I didn’t see this live. Penny Smith is one of my fave TV presenters.

BBC clip

Book: “Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers”, Dave Gray, Sunni Brown and James Macanufo

Great things don't happen in a vacuum. But creating an environment for creative thinking and innovation can be a daunting challenge. How can you make it happen at your company? The answer may surprise you: gamestorming. This book includes more than 80 games to help you break down barriers, communicate better, and generate new ideas, insights, and strategies. This unique collection of games encourages engagement and creativity while bringing more structure and clarity to the workplace.
Publisher’s book page

Official site

The Ox - Qualifications of an Acts 29 Church Planter (Mark Driscoll)

I suspect I have always had a bit of a planting mindset . . .

Stumbled over this talk a few weeks ago from a few years back by  Mark Driscoll of the Acts 29 Network.

Book: “In Office Hours”, Lucy Kellaway

Spotted a book review of this novel by Lucy Kellaway and remembered how good her FT columns were when I read that newspaper while I was doing my MBA and for a few years after.

Sex in the boardroom gets the cautionary-tale treatment in this bitingly funny novel about workplace romance. Unlucky-in-love heroines Stella, an economist, and Bella, a personal assistant, are both employed at a British oil firm. Stella falls for an acerbic intern, and Bella for her philandering older boss. Much of Kellaway’s dialogue takes place via e-mail as her characters stab out declarations of love (and anger) on their BlackBerrys. The result is a deft skewering of corporate culture—and a reminder that an office affair can be more work than it’s worth. —Adair Lara
More review

Publisher’s book page
Observer book review
London Evening Standard article
Telegraph article

Wikipedia entry
FT profile

Lucy Kellaway from ICAEW Digital Communications on Vimeo.

Holiday on a Monday when everyone at school

This was a rare treat being off for the day. Very chilled morning, reading in an armchair with the sun streaming through the window.

Main reason for being off though was also good Dad-wise as I spent the afternoon with Hannah at school. She had a learn with parent/guardian session. We basically were set a challenge in teams of around 10-15 to build a shelter and sit in it as part of a theme in school on explorers and adventurers. Great fun but Hannah was very miffed at the end when the shelters were taken down. I was also a bit disappointed that no winner was chosen.

Rachael and Hannah a few days later made an amazing explorer-themed shoe box using Phineas Fogg as the subject (same surname as us and all that).

Day rounded off with the amazing BOGOF curries from The 3 Singhs.

Sabbath Manifesto: unplugging from technology

Took part in this “day” of unplugging from technology from lunchtime on Saturday 4th through to Monday 6th of March. I do use technology too much and this was a challenge but I did it and spent more time reading and doing family things as a result. This is probably something I should strive to do each Sunday re a day of rest!

The Sabbath Manifesto is a creative project designed to slow
down lives in an increasingly hectic world.

We’ve created 10 core principles completely open for your unique interpretation. We welcome you to join us as we carve a weekly timeout into our lives and to continue the momentum of the National Day of Unplugging, March 4-5, 2011.
(Web site)

Twitter is 5 years old

Twitter: tweeting louder than ever
As it turns five, the microblogging service is only getting bigger and more pervasive – and more important to journalism
(Guardian blog post, Via)

Free Range Humans (escape the corporate cage and live life on your terms) with Marianne Cantwell

Marianne Cantwell is a Free Range Human, and an unconventional career change expert who helps people escape the 9-5 and do what they love (even when they have no idea what that is yet).
Web site

Via

Cover to Cover Book Club (The Hand That First Held Mine, The Job)

One of the best meetings of the book club so far at Vicars Cafe in Saltaire with 5 of us present. Discussed two books as the last meeting was cancelled due to snow. We looked at The Hand That First Held Mine and The Job. As per prior blog posts, I enjoyed both books so it was interesting to hear other people’s mixed views. Good discussion on wider topics too including Comic Relief, charitable giving, art in worship, Spring Harvest etc.

“Official” report

We chose a book for the next meeting that I was already aware of and keen to read – The Junior Officers’ Reading Club.

A masterclass in being a writer (and creative person) with author Anne Rice

Success is more perspiration than inspiration, but sometimes it’s the inspiration that fuels the perspiration...
Video interview with Anne Rice (see below)

Anne Rice in conversation with Christopher Rice from Ted Habte-Gabr on Vimeo.

Doctor Who does Comic Relief 2011

Fake/Take That do Comic Relief 2011

Great micky take of Take That.

Spoof band Fake That, comprising David Walliams, John Bishop, Catherine Tate, James Corden and Alan Carr, auditioned in front of the original Take That.

Outnumbered and Andy Murray do Comic Relief 2011

Outnumbered is a classic series and this clip sees them doing a number on Andy Murray.

Comic Relief 2011 and Red Frocks

Kids stayed up late with us to watch a lot of Comic Relief night. Happy and sad times re the sketches and the appeal vids, a rollercoaster. Great stuff and an amazing amount of money raised given the times.

Loved the red frocks! Fave was Claudia Winkelman’s (designed by Osman Yousefzada and to be auctioned in aid of Red Nose Day).

TV: South Riding

This 3-part BBC Sunday night drama series was very well made and an enjoyable watch.

The lives and loves of a 1930s Yorkshire town explored in a passionate tale of politics in small places, written by Andrew Davies, starring David Morrissey and Anna Maxwell Martin.
(BBC page)

BBC press pack

More than a political romance? (a blog post about Winifred Holtby’s book South Riding)

A book club introduction to the book:

Life Group: Meeting Notes (Listen Up #5: Be there week by week)

5th in the series looking at “LIsten Up: A practical guide to listening to sermons”. Maria led this session with Lyns, Dave E, Ben, Tracy and Jon.

This was all about the importance of being in church week by week to hear the sermon but our discussion widened out to include people’s wider expectations of what should happen on a Sunday morning and our attitude/expectancy/desire to attend. Challenging and personal stuff discussed with some surprising views expressed. The series is certainly getting us talking about deep stuff. A good lead in to the church’s review of Sunday mornings for May, June and July.

Book: “The Job”, Douglas Kennedy

Finished this book over the weekend, the next book selection for the Cover to Cover book club that meets at Vicars Cafe in Saltaire. Finally managed to finish a book club selection way in advance of the actual meeting so was less of a rush than normal.

A great read. Wanted to know what was going to happen to the lead character all the way through. A bit close to home re corporate world and mergers and takeovers from earlier in my career. Good story. A few twists and turns which were a surprise to me. Certainly got me involved with the lead characters and feeling what they were feeling. Not sure if I would seek out other works by this author however.

Author’s web site
Wikipedia entry

Elders Meeting (social action)

This was one of the social action stream of meetings. Looked at the Care Centre and agreed what the implications of the known funding cuts would be and next steps. Also had a discussion on prep for the review of what we do on Sunday mornings in May, June and July. I’m excited at what we could do and the potential results and am hoping that others feel the same way.

Gabrielle Giffords (US Congresswoman): How music therapy is helping her recovery

As US congresswoman continues her rehabilitation, Philip Sherwell is granted rare access to the clinic supervising her treatment.
(Sunday Telegraph article)

Via this tweet by Joyce DiDonato

Wikipedia entry

Culture Club: Bride and Prejudice (film)

Led the latest Culture Club meeting, the third one of the year, when we watched the film “Bride and Prejudice”. This was a special event as we had curry, pizza, ice cream thanks to Rachael who cooked almost everything. Bigger turn out than usual and was kid-friendly. Great to see the film while eating.

Good discussion with Ben, Tracy, Hilary, Mark, Eryl and Billy on cultures, marriage and relationships.

Meeting details here.

Elders Prayer Slot for Japan earthquake and tsunami

My turn to lead the elders prayer slot in the Sunday meeting at Holme Christian Community this morning. We devoted the whole slot to pray for Japan using these photos with a soundtrack of Einaudi’s Divenire.

Isaac’s black belt grading in Liverpool

Isaac achieved his black belt in ju-jitsu this morning in Liverpool. Very well done, Isaac.

Rachael took him while I looked after the girls.

In the afternoon, they went to Anfield, home of Liverpool FC,  for a stadium and museum tour. On the way round they met John Aldridge.

TV: Blue Bloods

A new drama series on Sky Atlantic featuring a family where the grandad is a former NYPD police officer, the dad (Tom Selleck) is the chief of the NYPD, a son is an NYPD detective, a daughter is the assistant NY DA and the other son is just starting out as a uniformed NYPD police man despite graduating from law school. Great drama and good to see some mild Christian faith elements portrayed in a positive way.

 

Official site
Wikipedia entry

Singer: Joyce DiDonato

Stumbled over this mezzo-soprano recently, never heard of her before. She won two prestigious 2010 Gramophone Awards: “Artist of the Year” and “Recital of the Year.”

Official web site
Wikipedia entry

Even Angels Will Fall

The title of the ad campaign for Lynx Effect. Isaac is a Lynx man and occasionally I borrow his stuff – he knows. Saw the bus shelter posters first (only realised it was Kelly Brook after seeing them a few times) before seeing the TV ad.

Also found these art videos:

Miss Led

Book: “Independent People”, Halldór Laxness

Stumbled over this book via a recent tweet.

 
Publisher’s book page
Wikipedia entry for the book and the author

All Age Worship: Meeting Notes: Marks of a Disciple #29: Weakness

The 29th and last in what became a 4-year (unbelievably) series using as an ideas-prompt Mike Yaconnelli's book "Devotion".

Running order:-

Bible character quiz where the character had a specific weakness and you had to guess the person from the weakness

Songs: Blessed Be Your Name (Redman); Our God Is An Awesome God

Marshmallow video to show weakness re delayed gratification:

Songs: All I Once Held Dear; Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Bible Readings: Matthew 26:36-41; 2 Cor 12:7-10

Trailer for “The King’s Speech” to show someone overcoming their weakness:

Talk: explaining about weaknesses

Song: Faithful One

Glee clip of Sue and her sister talking about faith and praying from the amazing episode about faith

Ministry time where people were prayed for

Slide presentation recapping all the marks of a disciple we covered in the series (with a soundtrack of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours)

Explanation of ICHTHUS, the symbol and the acrostic

Gave out fish ribbons in the shape of a fish while we sang the final song . . .

Song: Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ Is In You

Video clips from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King of the last battle were the hobbits led the charge after Aragorn and the crowning of the king scene where the king bowed to the hobbits

Benediction

Life Group: Meeting Notes (Listen Up #4: Listen to the sermon in church)

4th in the series looking at “LIsten Up: A practical guide to listening to sermons”. Ben led this session with Lyns, Dave E, Dave H, Tracy, Joly and Jon (not working late so was there for the full meeting which is always good).

This was a good subject for us (saying that it was better to listen to sermons in church rather than listening to famous preachers on the internet) to discuss as we all listen to sermons in church but as a group we also listen together at times to sermons from the internet and a few of us regularly listen to those sermons on our own.

In summary, we did not agree with the book but thought that it was not a case of either/or but both/and. As always with this book, it provoked some good discussion.

TV: The Spice Trail

A big fan of Kate Humble, always comes across as highly enthusiastic and passionate about her subject as well as human and natural etc. Great series on the background to some of the most common spices we use in cooking. Fascinating.

 
Kate Humble goes on the trail of some of the world's most valuable spices revealing their history, trade, mythology and usage
BBC programme page

The world loves spice (video)
Kate’s programme page

 

Elders Meeting (Church)

Good discussion on what we do re lack of leaders for Sunday School for the kids which resulted in agreeing to review with the church how we do Sundays at the next church meeting and prior Sunday meeting. We will run a trial period between May and July doing whatever is decided in those 2 meetings. Exciting times. Could be the start of something . . .

The Delirious? tune “Now Is The Time” came to mind which I used in the closing prayers. The words will be used on the back of  countdown cards each Sunday prior to the meetings.