Stevie Warner

Guess who we met tonight?

2012-02-17T22:15:00.001Z

Great place for a picnic

2012-02-17T18:37:00.001Z

Guess where I have just wee'd?

2012-02-17T11:18:00.001Z

beautiful Scotland 3

2012-02-16T23:52:00.002Z

A view from the Otter hyde, but no Otters!!?

Beautiful Scotland 2

2012-02-16T23:49:00.001Z

We found this lovely Lochan whilst on a mild wintery walk.

Beautiful Scotland

2012-02-16T23:47:00.002Z

Looking down Loch Linnie towards the open sea and eventually Oban

Harry part-time

2012-02-16T23:04:00.003Z

As Spurs fan, I think I would rather a part-time Harry than a no Harry!! Wot do you think?

The Corran Ferry

2012-02-14T18:53:00.001Z

Just popping across to Ardnumurchan.

Intimacy

2012-01-30T17:32:00.001Z

Intimacy stands for

In - to - me - see

Mark Driscoll

St Steve Jobs

2012-01-28T00:12:00.001Z

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." -Steve Jobs

Carmelite confirmation day

2012-01-24T16:01:00.001Z

Taking 26 pupils through a confirmation day at a Carmelite monestry near Oxford. I found this great picture in there chapel and found myself really drawn to it..... What do you think?

Big football weekend coming up

2012-01-20T17:25:00.001Z

As Harry's army march on to Manchester this week I personally feel this could be a season defining match. If we win this one it is a massive step in the right direction and a huge signal of intent!!!

Gareth and Rafa we need you to play out of your skin!!!

Balatelli at it again

2012-01-17T18:55:00.001Z

Love this story..... Robin hood or what!!

From a UK preacher man..... Not famous tho!

2012-01-15T18:59:00.001Z

I know there has been a lot of talk about Driscoll and this Christianity magazine.... I don't want to add to the traffic but I thought this part of his blog was worth sharing.

Every cloud........

2012-01-15T18:46:00.001Z

Very disappointed by the 1-1 result yesterday but it could be a lot worse..... Could be 10 points lower down in the table

A little coffee issue

2012-01-14T12:37:00.001Z

You know when the day begins like this..... The only way is up!

Mobile blogging

2012-01-13T22:41:00.001Z

Just got the app and now mobile blogging is on!!

That was 2011

2011-12-31T07:13:00.002Z

Looking back before we begin to look forward, 2011 has been a big year for the world, for the Arab spring and for the Euro. It has been a big year for natural disasters with earthquakes, floods and storms. It was the year of a royal Wedding. It has been a big year for my beloved Spurs and its rise to the best London club (the table doesn't lie).

Personally it has been a year of reading and watching.....33 books and 33 films...... it has been year of vocational change.....I am now more a teacher than a youthworker (in paid hours anyway)........It has been a year where I am a father of a 11 year old and a 7 year old!!!

So looking forward......I feel a big change will happen this year....in my bones I feel things will change this year!!!

To you all....Happy New Year!!

Dawkins

2011-11-08T15:04:00.003Z

Just finished the most recent Dawkins book "The Magic of Reality" and in many ways I found it inspiring and thought provoking. He certainly does a great job of getting (younger readers this time) to wonder at our planet and universe. It is very rare to hear a scientist talk about such things as the 'Magic' even tho his interpretation of that word is very different to our understanding.

It's just a shame that the underlying ethos of the book and Dawkins himself is that of absolute contempt for the 'Myth' (his words) of the Bible and of any deity......The world, nature, the universe and even rainbows....... are not enough.........There's a warning for you.

Rainbows and rambles

2011-10-31T15:04:00.003Z

Just fresh back from the Highlands and thought I would blog these great photos, one of a fantastic rainbow over Strontian and a location map after a long walk with the dog.....brilliant time!!

Nowhere Boy

2011-10-04T22:04:00.004+01:00

Finally caught up with this brilliant pop biopic film tonight on catch up. Brilliantly written and acted. A real treat for anyone who has admired the Beatles.

Lunchbox Dilemma

2011-10-04T20:51:00.003+01:00

You can imagine the torture of being 7 years old and realising, just before bed that you left your lunchbox at school. The turmoil, the dread, the fear of never getting back your beloved lunchbox. Well thats our house tonight.

A Strange Feeling

2011-10-03T15:28:00.002+01:00

It was a strange feeling today, walking in sandals whilst kicking up leaves.....has the world gone mad!!!?

Debt

2011-10-03T15:21:00.003+01:00

Debt is directed by John Madden and stars Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington. It follows the story of a failed mossad attempt to bring a Nazi war criminal to justice. After 30 years of living a lie, a debt will have to be paid. Brilliantly written, fantastically acted and an 'edge of your seater'. Just watch out for Jessica Chastain, who plays the young Mirren character.....brilliant performance!!

Spiers and Boden

2011-10-02T07:46:00.002+01:00

Saw the brilliant Spiers and Boden last night, a brilliant folk duo in there own right and a key ingredient of the wonderful Bellowhead. A fantastic evening!!

Tinker.....

2011-09-21T00:08:00.002+01:00

Go and see this movie.....

A New Blog

2011-09-08T21:01:00.002+01:00

I have just started a new blog, with a focus on my music and my live performing. This blog can be used to hear some of my music and keep up to date with some of my live gigs and open mics.....take a visit and enjoy!!

stevewarnerbros website here

In the wars....again

2011-08-17T21:57:00.003+01:00

Not the back this time, but Gout.......I am awaiting some blood tests BUT.....absolute agony the past 4 days in my BIG toe......Fed up!!

Giraffe Kissing

2011-08-15T21:26:00.001+01:00

Probably more than 4 years ago I had a holiday romance......it started with a kiss!!

22

2011-08-15T09:01:00.002+01:00

Just did a quick count up and realised I have seen 22 films this year...so far AND read 22 books....so far!!! Thats what I call a balanced diet!!

Going Ape

2011-08-15T08:57:00.003+01:00

Saw this brilliant movie last night with a select, few young people.....fantastic story, effects, TOP TOP film of the year so far!!

A great prayer

2011-08-14T15:45:00.001+01:00

Here is a great prayer from a Mark Driscoll blog..... I like the honesty of it.

Here’s a prayer out of Luke 11 that I pray all the time. My wife would tell you every night I hold her, and I literally pray for our home. And I start with repentance of sin. “Father God, I’m convicted. Whatever the sin may be in that moment, I’m convicted of this sin. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for telling me of this sin so that I could repent of it. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for it. And I pray, Father God, please close all the windows that I’ve opened. Lock the door that I have left unsecured. I command the enemy, his servants, and their works and effects to depart from me, to depart from my home, to depart from my life, to depart from our family, to depart from our church in the victorious name of Jesus. And Holy Spirit, I invite you to dwell in me. I invite you to dwell in us. I invite you to keep us clean and to make us like Jesus and to protect us from our enemies

Super 8

2011-08-14T08:16:00.003+01:00

Really enjoyed this brilliant new JJ Abrams film. A great combination of 'ET' and 'Stand by Me' we follow a group of teenagers as they try to make there first feature film, witness a brilliant train crash and literally bump into an alien....great film.

And the answer is.....

2011-08-13T07:58:00.001+01:00

Gortenfern, taken from the path from Ockle.....thanks for the diary for that fab photo!!

Three guesses where this is......?

2011-08-12T21:03:00.001+01:00

Answers on a cyber postcard!!!

On Dunstable Downs

2011-08-12T20:57:00.003+01:00

A great walk on Dunstable Downs today as seen from the air....

Lots of people just hanging around....

Thoughts on the Riots

2011-08-10T11:37:00.003+01:00

Having read the Guardian this morning in Coffee shop I was amazed at some of the detail of this piece, apparently the only shop in Croydon that was left alone was 'Waterstones' which says a lot.....and when the 'rioters' broke into some fashion outlets they even tried clothes on......these aren't protestors.....these aren't even rioters.....these are thieves and window smashing looters!!!

Ever felt Spotty?

2011-08-09T21:32:00.001+01:00

Some scientist believe that we are aliens in the cosmos, an eczma on the face of the universe, thrown up by the vast maelstrom of chance and necessity that governs our universe’s physical behaviour, we are the product of a mindless and purposeless natural process which which did not have us in mind ( George Gaylord Simpson)

Left Spinning

2011-08-09T21:30:00.001+01:00

Now lets consider the speed of our planet,
stop for a minute and try to imagine that we are really spinning around an axis…
but how fast do you think?
Well that would depend on where you are
standing on planet Earth..
If you were on the Equator…somwhere like Uganda
for instance, there you would be spinning 1,600 kph.
In London you would be spinning 998kph….and in Harpenden…..well what do you think?
(Inspired by B Bryson, a short history of everything)

The Gravity of the Situation

2011-08-09T21:26:00.002+01:00

I should say that everything is just right so far. In the long term, Gravity may turn out to be a little too strong, one day it may halt the expansion of the the universe and bring it collapsing in upon itself, until it crashes down into another singularity….On the other hand, it may be too weak, in which case the universe will keep racing away for ever until everything is so far apart that there is no chance of material interactions….the universe becomes too roomy! The third option is that gravity is perfect pitched, cosmologists call this the ‘Goldilocks effect’. (B Bryson, a short history of nearly everything)

More thoughts....on Pluto

2011-08-09T16:08:00.003+01:00

Now if we were to consider a single planet, Pluto for example, it is the runty, obscure planet in our solar system and the furtherst from our Sun. Its orbit is tipped out of alignment by 17% and like the brim of a hat, its orbit is so irregular that for substantial periods of its lonely orbit, it is closer to us than Neptune. For most of the 1980’s and 1990’s, Neptune was in fact the solar systems ‘far flung planet’. Only on 11th February 1999 did pluto return to the outside lane, there it will remain for 228 years.
(B Bryson, a short history of nearly everything)

The Universe

2011-08-07T22:43:00.003+01:00

In a single blinding pulse, a moment of glory much too swift and expansive for any words, the singularity assumes heavenly dimensions, space beyond conception. In the first lively second it produces gravity and other forces that govern physics. In less than a minute the universe is a million billion miles across and growing fast. There is a a lot of heat now, 10 billion degrees of it, enough to begin nuclear reactions that create the lighter elements, hydrogen, helium and lithium. In three minutes, 98% of of all matter that will ever be is produced…..we have a universe, it’s a place of wondrous and gratifying possibility…..all done in the time it take to make a sandwich!! (B Bryson, a short history of everything)

Really enjoying this Bryson book at the moment...

Summer Camp Memories

2011-08-02T15:27:00.003+01:00

The Beautiful Lakes

2011-08-02T15:24:00.002+01:00

Summer Camps

2011-07-22T23:06:00.002+01:00

It that time of year again.....the youth camps are upon us and we youth workers disperse to the 4 corners of the country to spend hours of fun with all sorts of teenagers and young people. We will wear silly clothes, get covered in all manner of stuff, probably end up very wet....when we didn't expect it....... and survive on 4 hours of sleep for weeks on end....Why are we doing this?

Well, we will see young people challenged, changed and drawn closer to God. We will see some young people give their hearts and lives to God for the first time. We will witness the first tentative steps of faith for many young people. We will be there at the end of that rope, over that breakfast table or at the end of the meeting......THATS....why we do it!!

So to all youth leaders/workers/ministers/volunteers...have a great summer!!

Time

2011-07-22T22:58:00.003+01:00

This morning I walked my 7 year old daughter to her infants school for the last time, in September she starts a new school, a junior school and today was the last time she would be an 'infant'.....Amazing! I'm gonna sound really old and sad but it really does only feel like yesterday that she started in foundation stage, now she has finished.

It got me thinking about time and how relentless she is.....regardless of sentiment or occasion....she rolls on. She has no care for beginning or end, she is regard for birth or death, she simply marches on!! I think there's a song in that!!!

Anyway, in September I will walk her to Junior school...infact I am gonna walk her everyday day until she tells to stop....then I blog again...about tweenagers probably!!!

Amusing.....

2011-07-20T19:20:00.001+01:00

Film competition

2011-07-19T13:02:00.003+01:00

How good are you at film competitions the...can you spot the 60 films in this photo.

film competition

Feeling a little Peeky

2011-07-09T19:17:00.002+01:00

Holy Rollers

2011-07-09T18:35:00.003+01:00

In a month of 'Transformers' it was a real relief to discover a new film in my multiplex that wasn't big budget, robot smashing!!! So I took a punt on 'Holy Rollers' and was plesently surprised. Directed by Kevin Asch and starring the brilliant Jesse Eisenburg and Justin Bartha, Holy Rollers tells the true story of 2 Orthodox Jews that get involved in Ecstacy trafficking and supplying in downtown New York.

I really enjoyed this earthy, gritty film and really felt it was almost a modern day parable plated out on the big screen. What leaps to mind is 1 Timothy 6:10 and the love of money. Definitely worth a look.

Back......problems

2011-07-05T19:38:00.002+01:00

Sorry its been so long but I have suffering some back pain.....really bad actually!!

Top Photo 2011

2011-06-22T15:19:00.000+01:00

Going through some of my photos and I think this is my fav of 2011.

Senna

2011-06-22T13:50:00.005+01:00

Its really weird seeing a documentary in the cinema....I can remember 'Touching the Void' being a strange cinematic experience....but Senna is completely different. Directed by Asif Kapadia and written Manish Pandey, Senna is purely footage sync's together to make a dramatic film. With no narration or voice over, we simply hear from the man himself and his friends and foes....and it was really very good. I am not an F1 fan but I was gripped all the way through and left the cinema knowing more about the man....and really liking him. In my top 10 of the year.....so far!

Well said mr levy......

2011-06-18T22:56:00.001+01:00

5404
Share
"I wish to make it absolutely clear, as I have said previously, that none of our key players will be sold this summer. We are building a team for the future to consistently play at the highest level and retaining quality players is crucial to that.

"In respect of Luka Modric, we are not prepared to sell, at any price, to Chelsea Football Club or any other club.

"We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.

"For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, with any Club, regarding Luka.

"We now consider this matter closed."

Fancy a laugh?

2011-06-18T07:44:00.002+01:00

Catching up....after the world ended!!

2011-06-18T07:03:00.005+01:00

Trying to catch up after a couple of really busy weeks, this photo was taken in Kentallen bay on a early evening walk, if you look very carefully you can see a Pine Martin...very shy animal and I was thrilled to see one.

This one is the sunset over Loch Linnhe.......a beautiful evening and a truly spiritual moment!! The next is in the 'Lost' or 'Hidden' valley....Jacob and Meg both made it up...which at 7 and 10 was brilliant. No prizes for recognising Tobermory and finally, a personal favourite, the wild Ardnurmurchan and the telegraph poles heading off into the distance!!

End of the World

2011-05-20T22:00:00.002+01:00

Thought you might want to know that tomorrow the world will end........according to Harold Camping........ and can be read on this site.....thought it might be of interest to you all.....

Hanna

2011-05-20T12:34:00.003+01:00

This very odd little film confused me......it seemed like it was 2 films in one....a chase action thriller AND a child of the wild film....with an odd track suit wearing German stuck in for good measure!!!

Directed by Joe Wright (Soloist, Atonement) and staring Eric Banner and the brilliant Saoirse Ronan I just thought i was a strange little movie with a bit of an identity crisis!!!!

Gods Undertaker

2011-05-20T12:27:00.002+01:00

Really enjoying the Lennox book, God's Undertaker, such a brilliant mind and so good to have someone who can unpack Dawkins with such logical intellect...brilliant!!

Gordan Giltrap

2011-05-20T12:26:00.001+01:00

Saw the wonderful Gordan Giltrap last Friday night....utterly brilliant

A 'Sky Hook' kind of guy

2011-05-11T08:29:00.003+01:00

Just finished 'God Delusion' and I am proud to be called a 'Sky Hook' guy!! I think cranes are too earth based.....I think sky hooks are much more heavenly minded......Richard, enjoy your crane.....Its sky hooks all the way for me!!

7

2011-05-11T08:25:00.002+01:00

Dad.....why is it that you can't tickle yourself?

Dad.....did you record +++++, don't matter, I will watch it it on-demand?

Dad.....can you move my bell, I can't reach it when I'm riding!

Dad.....can you come on the trampoline with me!?

Love Wins - part deux

2011-05-01T06:56:00.002+01:00

May you experience this vast, expansive, infinite, indestructible love that has been yours all along. May you discover that this love is as wide as the sky and as small as the cracks in your heart no one else knows about. And May you know, deep in your bones, that loves wins.

Finally finished the book during my holiday and have been mulling it over whilst away. Overall I found it very easy read and I think Rob Bell raised a couple of issues we all need to think through, in terms of our own theology (infant mortality ect...) but there were parts of the book I felt were very biased on one side of the argument. Take this closing statement (above) and how Bell draws out the loving nature of God.....now I completely agree with this statement....in-fact 1 John 4:8 sums it up better by saying 'God is Love'.

However, my problem with the book is the same problem I have from my first post......that sin seems to be dumbed down.....that we are all basically good eggs.....and we all DESERVE to be saved from hell. Bell uses an illustration of a woman who, every week after his sermon comes to the stage and gives him a note, on it is a number and this number indicates how many times this lady has self harmed! A heart rendering story and anyone who has experienced self harm with people they know and love will fully empathise with this illustration. He then alludes to the fact that this lady self harms because of past abuse.

My point is, what if God is love.....as wide as the sky.........as small as the cracks in your heart.....then this lonely, sad lady will be welcomed into heaven.......but then so will her abusers.......so will murderers......rapists......child abusers......do you want to spend eternity (however that looks....another interesting point Bell makes) with those kinds of people?

I s'pose my overall reflection on this book is that....yes God is love....but we are sinners....BAD EGGS......and deserve hell.....but thanks to a God, like the Father in the Lost Son, stands at the end of his driveway longing for us to come home. But we have to come to our senses (AKA pig pen) and we have to ask for forgiveness (no longer fit to be called your Son). Without repentence there is no forgiveness!!

Maybe sequal to this book, Rob Bell, would be 'Justice Wins!"

A bend in the Road

2011-04-28T19:25:00.004+01:00

Whilst travelling over the Troodos Mountains we encountered an interesting bend in the road....with a Tree in it!!

Love Wins - Part one

2011-04-23T20:23:00.004+01:00

I am (together with half of Christendom) reading the new Rob Bell book, 'Love Wins'. Although the jury is out at the moment I am interested in the chapter 'Does God get what God wants?' and particularly this paragraph....

If, however, we crave light, we’re drawn to truth,
we’re desperate for grace,
we’ve come to the end of our plots and schemes
and we want someone else’s path,
God gives us what we want.

For how long are we supposed to crave and draw, how much are we supposed to be desperate for grace and how long will we want to follow someone's path....my problem with this paragraph is my problem with the book.......it seems to assume that we are all, generally 'good eggs'!

If I am completely honest with the blog world for a second......I hardly ever crave light........I rarely am drawn to truth.....and to be honest, I like my own path........ thank you very much!!!

In a nutshell........I am a dirty, rotten sinner....I dont like it.....I don't like admitting it and I am working on my sanctification......but I'm a bad egg and deserve hell!!! But for the grace.....More thoughts to follow!!

Greetings from Cyprus

2011-04-22T06:48:00.003+01:00

Welcome to Cyprus....the coldest and wettest April they have known.......Warner holiday then!!

Derby Days

2011-04-20T21:46:00.002+01:00

Wow, what a match, I am tucked away on Cyprus trying to watch/listen online and it just added to the excitement. Its now expected that Spurs v Arsenal matches are exciting, end to end stuff, but this one sounded like an amazing one. In terms of the rest of the season, Arsenal have nothing left to play for........again (time for a new manager me thinks)........and Spurs for 4th.......looks like we may have to go to the City of Manchester again......and win!! COYS

Remembering

2011-04-18T22:08:00.003+01:00

I spent today sorting out a lot of my old CD's and found myself re-running some of my old tunes.....those old faithful songs that got me through those teenage years and beyond......back in the day when music meant everything.......back in the day when music really could change the world....or at least change your own world....thought I would share one of my best friends with the Blogsphere......Springsteen and Racing in the Street......This song is near enough perfect, from the harmonica intro and the stripped back vocal/piano and then the rim shot for verse two, then that wonderful harmony of the Hammond organ just before the E Street Band comes in...........pure musical brilliance and a lifeline for a spotty, insecure 17 year old wanna be rock star!! NJOY!!

Go Kenya

2011-04-18T09:31:00.002+01:00

Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai and Mary Keitany on Sunday won the London marathon in convincing fashion. Mutai, smashed the course record in a time of two hours 4:38 minutes for the 42.195 kilometre-long race through the streets of London.
It was the fourth-fastest time ever recorded for a marathon. The 26-year-old Kenyan, who finished second last year and at the 2009 world championships, finished ahead of compatriots Martin Lel, who beat Patrick Makau to second place in a sprint finish.

Well Deserved

2011-04-18T09:25:00.003+01:00

Gareth Bale name PFA player of the year, I just think this so well deserved, a fantastic player that lights up the game, Jacob and I saw him at Stoke and his touch is just brilliant.....long may he stay at WHL.

Source Code

2011-04-07T02:50:00.003+01:00

Directed by Duncan 'Moon' Jones and staring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan, Source Code is a really interesting film about time travel, but more about the opportunity to change your own fate. Gyllenhaal plays a US helicopter pilot, who wakes up on a train for the same 8 minutes time and time again. desperately trying to stop a bomb plot but also struggling with his own mortality. I s'pose its a combination of Groundhog Day and Vantage point with sci-fi premise of Back to the future....... I am still trying to work out the ending.....but a great watch!!!

Oh flippin heck!!!

2011-04-05T23:27:00.001+01:00

A 'Real' Opportunity

2011-04-05T15:06:00.003+01:00

The mighty Spurs visit Real Madrid tonight as part of their magical Champions League tour of Europe. With both Inter and AC Milan already scalped, Rednapp and company are aiming for another memorable night of David and Goliath........COYS!!

Dissolution

2011-04-05T15:03:00.003+01:00

Really enjoying Audible.com at the moment and this months book is Dissolution by CJ Sansom. This book, set in the times of Reformation and centres on a murder mystery in a Monestry.......Brilliant whose done it......well worth a read...ooopppss listen!!!

The Eagle

2011-03-25T16:15:00.003Z

His dad lost it....He's gonna find it.....Their gonna chase him.....everything will be alright in the end.....nuts and bolts but Kevin, none of the surprises of Last King.....It's no Gladiator!!!

Limitless

2011-03-25T16:10:00.002Z

A fast moving, drug fuelled experience of people who use 100% of their brains......talking as someone who didn't know I didn't use 100%.......well I s'pose I ought try harder. Great movie although the ending was very disappointing!!

The Whole of Africa looks South...

2011-03-22T20:40:00.002Z

I heard this phrase the other day on radio 4....but this news report from Uganda's newspaper New Vision is very concerning!!

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has attacked the Western countries for their military action in Libya and accused them of double standards.

Over the weekend, France, UK, Canada, US and Denmark launched aerial attacks on military targets and bases in Libya, arguing that they are intended to halt Col. Muammar Gadaffi loyalists from killing civilians.

Museveni also warned that the habit of the Western countries using their superiority in technology to impose war on less developed countries “without impeachable logic” will ignite an arms race in the world.

“The actions of the Western countries in Iraq and now Libya are emphasizing that might is ‘right.’ I am quite sure that many countries that are able will scale up their military research and in a few decades we may have a more armed world,” Museveni said in a statement yesterday.

In the nine-page statement, the President accused the West of hastily imposing a ‘no-fly zone’ on Libya yet it has dragged its feet on the Africa Union request for the same over Somalia.

“We have been appealing to the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Somalia so as to impede the free movement of terrorists, linked to Al-Qaeda that killed Americans on September 11, killed Ugandans last July and have caused so much damage to the Somalis, without success. Why?” the President asked.
The UN imposed a ‘no-fly zone’ on Libya last Thursday.

Museveni also accused the West of looking on as a Libya-like crisis evolves in the Great state of Bahrain.

The President said despite Gadaffi’s past mistakes that included supporting Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, trying to bulldoze the AU and meddling in internal affairs of several countries using cultural leaders, he is an independent minded nationalist who has developed his country to middle income and refused to become a Western puppet.

“Muammar Gaddafi, whatever his faults, is a true nationalist. I prefer nationalists to puppets of foreign interests. Where have the puppets caused the transformation of countries?” Museveni wondered.

He suggested that an extra-ordinary summit of the AU should be called in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia to help extricate “all of us from possible nasty complications.”

Museveni urged Gadaffi to sit at a round table with the opposition, adding that since there have never been elections in Libya, “dialogue is the correct way forward.”

“The ideal responsible Government should also be an elected one by the people at periodic intervals,” he advised.

Ordering my Private world

2011-03-22T20:33:00.003Z

I have just finished Gordan Mc Donald book and have found it very helpful indeed. I did fear that it would end up being a Christian self-help book but actually it was very Bible based and the wisdom was drawn from the scripture rather than JUST experience. A thoroughly good read.

Unknown

2011-03-18T06:43:00.003Z

Neeson does Bourne in this Jaume Collet-Serra directed film. With 'French Connection' style car chases and twists and turn in the plot....an enjoyable 2 hours of my life!!

Locked out

2011-03-14T14:25:00.002Z

Sitting in my garden, looking through the windows of my house, wishing I had remembered my keys. Not a single window open or a drain pipe available to scale. Still, look on the bright side, at least it's sunny and my wi-fi works out here!!

The Adjustment Bureau

2011-03-13T15:51:00.003Z

Directed by George Nolfi and staring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.....this strange tale of a rise of a New York Senator, the love story between two people who keep bumping into each other (ever 3 years) and........Angels!!!! This story dips its toe in the puddle of Free will and predestination....but to be honest....its completely daft!!

Seth comes to Luton

2011-03-12T07:27:00.003Z

Brilliant night at the 'Hat Factory' last night when the brilliant Seth Lakeman came to town. In a stripped back trio, but with all the driving, melodic power of his band....a truly inspiring night!!!

Kenya 6

2011-03-08T20:22:00.002Z

I followed the past election violence carefully and I find the ICC ruling very interesting

International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have summoned the Ocampo Six after finding that there are grounds they are criminally responsible for the post election violence.

The suspects, who have come to be referred to as the Ocampo Six, include Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, head of civil service and secretary to the cabinet Francis Muthaura, suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto, suspended Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgei, former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and radio presenter Julius Sang.

President Mwai Kibaki, flanked at a rally by two leaders facing indictment, William Ruto, left, and Uhuru Kenyatta.
The pre-trial judges ordered that all the six appear at The Hague on April 7.

ICC prosecutor Loius Moreno Ocampo identified them as the most culpable over the violence that rocked Kenya at the end of 2007 and at the beginning of 2008, leaving over 1,300 dead and more than 600,000 homeless

Have you had yours.....

2011-03-08T20:15:00.004Z

Pancake day......and Lent starts tomorrow, what are you going to do differently for next 40 days? I have heard the usual...give up chocolate.....take up running.....read my Bible everyday.....but my favourite is....not rushing!!! I think that is brilliant.....Me I am going to give up pancakes, not for the next 40 days.....but the next year!!!

Strive not to Strive

2011-03-08T20:06:00.002Z

Philipians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I have been reflecting on this verse in the last 24 hours and feel very challenged.....I am a very purposeful person and in the past I have really 'made' things happen! However, reflecting on this verse it seems that it is God who began this journey....not me.....and it is God who will 'complete it'.......not me!!!

Parable of the sower

2011-02-25T07:59:00.001Z

In my daily readings today I looked at the parable of the sower...... The very familiar story struck a chord when the commentator challenged us to............bloom where you are planted!!

The East Coast of Scotland

2011-02-24T15:59:00.001Z

True Grit

2011-02-24T09:49:00.002Z

I havn't enjoyed a Western for a long time..... not since Unforgiven actually has there been an intelligent, engaging and well told story. True Grit retells the Charles Portis book, rather than the John Wayne film, of a 14 year old girls revenge on the man who killed her Father. Brilliant casted by Jeff Bridges (Rooster Cockburn) Hailee Steinfeld (Mattie Ross) and Matt Damon (Laboeuf) this really is a 3 piece central performance with a wicked Josh Brolin (Tom Chaney) performance thrown in.

This gripping tale is so well told and from the beginning and has lots of Coen brother gritty blood and guts to make this a 'must see' cinema view (don't wait till DVD......please!!!). If Bridges hadn't won the Oscar last year I think he definitely would get it this.......He is dirty and sweaty and horrible as Cockburn and Damon actually looks chubby (I think down to his acting and not his waistline) as the Texas Ranger but Hailee Steinfeld is simply spellbounding as a rough, tough and yet sensitive teenager....BRILLIANT FILM!!

Ugandan Elections

2011-02-22T17:07:00.002Z

Found this on Reuters...

KAMPALA: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest serving leaders, won election to a fourth term in office by a huge margin on Sunday but the opposition rejected the outcome. Electoral commission results handed Museveni 68 percent of the vote against challenger Kizza Besigye’s 26 percent.

However, European Union (EU) election observers said that what they called an unnecessary military presence on voting day had created an uneasy, intimidating feeling. “The electoral commission declares Yoweri Kaguta Museveni elected president of the republic of Uganda on the presidential elections held on the 18th day of February, 2011,” Badru Kiggundu, chairman of the Electoral Commission of Uganda, said in a statement.

Kiggundu urged Ugandans to remain peaceful, for Museveni’s supporters to celebrate responsibly and for the opposition to accept defeat honorably and “remain within the legal provisions.”

Sunshine on Muchalls

2011-02-22T16:08:00.002Z

Advertising Media

2011-02-21T18:55:00.005Z

Beginning to think about a brand new topic we start after half term of Media and Christianity.......thinking about the print media and found this.....top marks if you can name ALL the advertising icons....

If clouds were Candyfloss

2011-02-21T17:03:00.003Z

Flew up to Scotland this weekend and sat next to my 10 year old on the flight, as we began our decent into Aberdeen I started to tell him that if the window was open we could reach out and grab the clouds like Candyfloss........No dad......its water vapour.......H20.......not cotton wool or Candyfloss!!

I am gonna sit next to my 7 year old on the way back......much more fun (and less scientific!)

Snowy Scotland and Wintery beaches

2011-02-21T17:00:00.002Z

Why!!!

2011-02-13T09:39:00.001Z

Why .....do Tesco's make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Why ......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Why ...do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Why ......do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Why . .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVER WONDER ...

Why the sun lightens our hair,
but darkens our skin ?

Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on planes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Why? Good to ask these questions

Gary Moore Duet

2011-02-07T16:48:00.002Z

I woke to the sad news that the great Gary Moore had died late last night, I was a real fan in my twenties and this video show the best blues player I have ever seen........a sad day for music world!!!

New Audio book

2011-02-07T16:37:00.003Z

I am enjoying my monthly experience of an audio book, this month the John Grisham book 'Confessions'. This tells the tale of a black death row inmate and the late night confession to a small town pastor that holds the key to free him....as always, Grisham is a master of the courtroom drama......it also means my book consumption can go up from 3 to 4 (Knots and Crosses, Where is God when it hurts, A bend in the river and the audio book Confession) a month, without a pile of books by my bed.

How did the Elephant cross the Road

2011-01-29T09:39:00.002Z

Dusk had settled on Mount Kenya's forested slopes, and traffic had slowed to a trickle on the region's major highway. That's when three elephants crossed through Africa's first dedicated elephant underpass — a new solution to the increasing problem of animal-human conflict in Africa.
It was 6.47pm when a gleaming set of white tusks poked through the end of the newly built underpass. A second set of tusks appeared. Then a third. Moving cautiously, the three young males climbed a bank of dirt, made a sharp left turn and crashed into the forest.
The $1 million (Dh3.67 million) tunnel — built with donor funds — has successfully connected two wilderness areas and two distinct elephant populations separated for years by human development. The elephants successfully crossed a major road without putting themselves or motorists in danger, and without damaging crops or scaring residents in a nearby village.
"The first time we had a report about an elephant going under the underpass it was very exciting. We didn't expect it to happen so quickly," Susie Weeks, executive officer of the Mount Kenya Trust, one of the partners in the tunnel project, said. "They actually managed to go through it within days of it being opened."
The 4.5-metre-high tunnel opened for elephant business around Christmas, and on January 1 a bull elephant named Tony made the first crossing. Accompanied by two other young males, Tony moved through the underpass again on Monday.

Oh....Bad news in Luton AGAIN!!!

2011-01-24T16:27:00.003Z

More bad news in Luton AGAIN!!! It just seems that no good news comes out of Luton these days.....This report on the BBC tells the story...

A man who shot himself in a park in Luton, Bedfordshire, following a stand-off with police, has died at the scene. Police negotiations with the man in Leagrave Common started on Sunday night and continued into Monday. The man, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old, died while being treated at the scene. A gunshot was heard at about 1200 GMT by a BBC reporter and police said one of their officers may also have fired a shot. A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: "We confirm that the man involved in the shooting incident in the Sundon Park Road area of Luton today has been pronounced dead after being treated at the scene.

127 Hours

2011-01-24T16:13:00.003Z

Oh my goodness....through gritted teeth and squinted eyes I eventually saw 127 hours....Wow! Only Danny Boyle (Slumdog, Trainspotting, 128 days) could turn this strange tale of 'Man over adversary' into a triumph. The story centres on Aron Ralston (James Franco....Valley of Eli and surely a contender for best actor.....watch out Colin) an amazing man who was willing to do (literally) anything to escape this predicament. The photography was incredible and the soundtrack (as always with Boyle) really added to the picture.

I know there were scenes that were very graphic, but I didn't see them as my head was turned and my eyes were closed tight (wimp I hear you say......well yes!!) I left the cinema with a spring in my step and a feeling of just how powerful the human spirit is and how much we really need each other......but also (if I am honest) a strange dilemma.....could I actually do that myself!!!?

The Black Swan

2011-01-24T15:53:00.004Z

The Black Swan tells the story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) who, on a journey of self discovery or self destruction, gains the lead role in Swan Lake. The White Swan is an easy role for Nina, but the Black Swan is a tougher one and goes against her gentle and innocent nature. What ensues is a gradual decent into darkness and madness. Also brilliantly staring Winona Ryder, the dark refection of Nina. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a dream, The Wrestler) this is a wonderfully crafted tragic story of perfection or at least the tragic perfection!